RYEY – Chapter 75 The Unstable Pregnancy

Cheng Qiao’s brows curved into a smile. In this era, everyone admired soldiers. Families with a little spare money would buy military trousers or a cap—wearing them out was considered stylish.

It looked like she should help Li Huan buy a military cap. And now that winter had arrived, she ought to buy him a military overcoat as well. Once she finished this deal with Qiu Min, she would get it for him.

Cheng Qiao glanced around to make sure no one was coming, then quickly knelt down in front of Uncle Ye, kowtowed three times, and said: “Uncle Ye—no, Master, please accept this disciple’s respects.”

“You silly girl, do you want to get me killed? Hurry and get up.”

Cheng Qiao rose at once, pulled a bundle from her basket, and presented her apprenticeship gifts. Uncle Ye only gave a casual glance at the rice, flour, pork, and fish. He didn’t even spare a look at the pastries or candies. But when he noticed the tea leaves and liquor, his face lit up with a smile.

“So Master likes liquor and tea—then in the future, whenever I get liquor coupons or tea coupons, I’ll make sure to buy them for you.”

Cheng Qiao was good at reading people’s moods. Seeing his reaction, she made a note in her heart: for festivals or his birthday, she would always have gifts ready.

“Listen carefully,” Ye Jun began, “my name is Ye Jun, born in 1920, from the capital. I was originally a doctor, but someone reported that my ancestors had private property. Many of our old medical texts and classics were burned… so…”

“Master, you don’t need to worry. I believe this is just the darkness before dawn. You can hide your light for now—when the sun rises, that will be your time to shine.”

Ye Jun’s clouded eyes flashed with light for a moment before dimming again. How could he take the words of a girl not yet twenty seriously?

“Uncle Ye, you should trust my wife,” Li Huan added. “Her words are blessed—whatever she says comes true.”

“You rascal, are you trying to get yourself killed? Daring to say such things—do you want to be struggled against and denounced?”

“Uncle Ye, it’s just us three here, it’s fine. From now on, I’ll cover all your living expenses. You’re my wife’s master, which makes you mine too.”

“Nonsense! Do you think I, Ye Jun, need youngsters like you to cover my food and drink? Don’t underestimate me. If you’re ever short on money, just come find your master. Oh, right—Master has a meeting gift for you.”

He went inside, and after a long while, came out with an ancient-looking box. Cheng Qiao’s eyes lit up—could it be silver needles?

“This is a set of golden needles handed down from my ancestors. I barely managed to hide them. They’re not safe with me—better you keep them. But don’t spread word about taking me as your master. It won’t do you any good.”

“Understood, Master. Thank you. I’ll hide them well—no one will ever find them.”

Ye Jun gave her a look. He regretted taking this chatterbox as his disciple. If officials came to search the house, even things hidden in wall cracks would be uncovered.

“Stretch out your hand. Let me check your peace pulse.”

“Uncle Ye, does my wife have another illness?”

Ye Jun glared at the anxious Li Huan—You’re the one with an illness! I said I’m checking her peace pulse, don’t you understand human speech?

“The pulse is a bit floating. I can sense the slippery pulse of pregnancy, but it seems somewhat unstable. I’ll prescribe you a few doses of stabilizing medicine. Boil a bowl each day and drink it.”

“Unstable? Master… can the child be kept?”

Cheng Qiao froze at his words. In her past life, she had despised this child. But now, in this life, she longed for it with all her heart. She was determined to make it up to this child.

“Uncle Ye, my wife—my wife really has a child?”

Li Huan suddenly lifted his head, his eyes burning as he stared at Ye Jun. The old man nodded with a smile. He had never married or had children, but now, not only did he have a disciple—he even had a great-grandchild. Or perhaps, a great-granddaughter.

“Wife, don’t be afraid. With me here, I’ll take good care of you. I’ll earn money and make sure you and the baby are plump and well-fed.”

“Mm…”

Cheng Qiao nodded over and over. Having lived another life, she finally realized Li Huan was a capable man. In her past life, she had been blind and foolish.

“Master, when will you go into the mountains to gather herbs?”

In about half a month, Xiangyang Village would be covered in heavy snow, and no one would dare go up the mountains. During this period, villagers roamed the back hills every day, gathering wild fruits, game, and firewood.

“I’ll go tomorrow. But you—wait until your pregnancy stabilizes. In the meantime, you two should study diligently. If my disciple’s prediction proves true, then when the sun rises, it’ll be your chance to shine as well.”

Ye Jun handed over the medicine and prepared to leave. It was about time for him to go to the village clinic. If people came looking for him and he wasn’t there, that would cause trouble.

Li Huan took Cheng Qiao home, both of them brimming with excitement. First, because they had confirmed the pregnancy—they were already discussing baby clothes and swaddling blankets.

Second, because of the books Ye Jun had given them. To them, they were like a lantern in the darkness, lighting the road ahead.

“Li Huan, just now I saw someone sneaking around—it looked like Miao Qing.”

“Yes, wife. Now that you’re pregnant, you must be careful. Don’t go out alone.”

“Mm. Qiu Min should be coming in the next couple of days. If you have time, go meet her at the village entrance.”

“Qiu Min—the clerk from the supply and marketing cooperative? What’s she coming for?”

Li Huan chuckled. So the girl Monkey liked was her. He had never dared confess because Qiu Min’s family background was much better than his.

“We have a business deal to discuss.”

“Oh, so it’s business with Qiu Min. That woman you can trust.”

“Yes. Once our interests are tied together, once she tastes the benefits, she’ll naturally be more diligent and cautious than us.”

Li Huan mulled over her words and deeply agreed. Friendship alone couldn’t last forever—only profit-binding partnerships could be reliable.

“I’ll send Lele to wait at the village entrance tomorrow. Meanwhile, I’ll start building up the courtyard wall and fixing the old house. When the weather turns colder, hungry wild animals may come down from the mountains.”

“Mm. It’s getting colder. It even snowed a little last night. Why don’t we move into the new house first, and leave the old one for Mother and Lele?”

Li Huan gently squeezed her hand. He didn’t speak, but the smile on his lips betrayed his happiness.

When they got home, they went to the new house. They swept, wiped, and tidied up. Li Huan even lit the heated brick bed. Cheng Qiao shut the door, and a thick quilt appeared on the bed.

Then she hung curtains, spread sheets, laid out bedding, and placed two new sets of thermal underwear in the cabinet, ready to be swapped at any time.

She also brought out a few of her sweaters, planning to unravel them during the long winter and knit Li Huan a sweater and woolen pants—so that whether he went to gather firewood or do business, he’d stay warm.