Chapter 640 - 332: Everything for the Baby’s Mother

Chapter 640: Chapter 332: Everything for the Baby’s Mother

He heard this and saw no other choice but to let them go ahead.

After breakfast, Zhang Huai first planted the tree root. Then he went up the mountain to bring back soil and wild plants, which he packed around the base of the root. Once that was done, he went to deal with the snake. He quickly skinned it, scooped out and discarded the soft snake eggs, then cut the meat into sections, washed it, and put it in a pot to stew with some cured pork bones.

Yun Ying came in just as Huai Zi was skinning the snake. She stared blankly at the two of them, looking so intimate and at ease with each other.

Of the young couple, one was squatting in a corner of the courtyard wall dealing with the snake, while the other sat under the plum tree, eating wild berries from a coarse porcelain bowl. Huai Zi would work with his head down for a bit, then look up at Juhua, a warm smile on his face, and tell her about the mountain’s mushrooms, wood ears, and toon sprouts. Juhua listened as she ate, occasionally asking questions like whether there were still wild bamboo shoots, or if they should pick a day to gather mushrooms if there were plenty.

Just as they were talking, Juhua spotted Yun Ying and quickly called for her to come in, offering her some wild berries.

Yun Ying smiled faintly. "I eat these all the time. Where did you pick them?"

Juhua said, "Just on the mountain behind the house. Huai Zi went to pick them early this morning." Seeing Yun Ying look suspiciously toward Zhang Huai, she added with a laugh, "Huai Zi also caught a snake, and we’re planning to make a soup with it. And look, he dug up a tree stump and planted it over there. Don’t you think that piece of wood looks like a little old man smiling?"

She presented all this to Yun Ying as if showing off a treasure.

Yun Ying looked at the gnarled old root beside the peach tree, its new leaves swaying gently. Then her gaze fell on Zhang Huai, who was focused on cutting up the snake, and a pang of bitterness shot through her heart. ’Didn’t Senior Brother used to take me to catch snakes and trap rabbits just like this?’

She turned to Juhua, who was still eating berries, and forced a smile. "It does look a bit like that. It has a rustic charm, yet with a touch of fresh appeal. It’s really quite special. It’s a wonder he managed to find it. Juhua, you should eat these wild fruits in smaller portions."

Juhua nodded and handed the rest to her. "Here, you have them. Are you planning to go gather herbs today?"

Yun Ying hesitated for a moment, then picked up a berry and ate it slowly. "I have to go on a trip with Senior Brother today," she said to Juhua. "Since we won’t be around, you need to be extra careful and look after yourself."

’It’s better not to tell Juhua what Qin Feng and I are going out to do. It was hard enough for me to hear; it would be even worse for her, especially while she’s pregnant.’

Juhua nodded and smiled. "I know. I’ll be sure to be careful."

Yun Ying lowered her voice. "Juhua, I’ve made some progress with the Caesarean section. I don’t think it will be too difficult to ensure your safety. But that’s only if you have a safe pregnancy right up until delivery. You absolutely cannot have any accidents. No bumps or falls, and no extreme emotional swings, whether it’s great joy or deep sorrow. Originally, Senior Brother and I were going to make sure one of us stayed with you, but this trip is unavoidable. After we leave, please don’t wander about. Just stay at home, to be on the safe side."

Juhua’s expression turned serious as well. She nodded in agreement. "I understand. I’ll be extra careful for the next few days. How long do you think you’ll be gone?" Although Yun Ying hadn’t said, Juhua had a good idea of what their trip was about.

Yun Ying replied, "If we’re quick, we’ll be back in two or three days. If we’re delayed, it could be four or five."

The two chatted for a little longer. Yun Ying told her how to stew the snake soup, warned her not to eat the gallbladder, and took her pulse again. After a few more words of advice, Yun Ying finally took her leave.

Juhua watched her desolate figure retreat and sighed. ’I never made a big deal about her throwing away the medicine, but things between her and Qin Feng have become so strange. They don’t get angry or argue, but there’s an indescribable, awkward tension between them.’

’But this whole issue started because Yun Ying was jealous of me, so I absolutely cannot get involved in their relationship. If another misunderstanding arose because of me, it would be impossible to clear up. So, I’ll just pretend I don’t see it. A couple’s problems are for them to solve on their own.’

Just as Huai Zi finished his tasks, Zhang Dashuan returned, carrying a shoulder pole with two dripping baskets of duckweed. The father and son then chopped up the water plants, mixed them with acorns and corn grits, and prepared the pig feed for the day.

The family was now raising eleven pigs. Unlike before, when one person could handle the feeding and cleaning for just a few, the workload had more than doubled. Every day, Zhang Huai prepared the pig feed early in the morning so that He only had to do the feeding. Otherwise, between cooking meals and preparing the feed, she would surely be overwhelmed.

Juhua spread the wood ears on a winnowing basket to dry in the sun. Then, she went to the vegetable garden to pick some greens and came back to wash them. Her family didn’t let her do any heavy lifting, so she always tried to help with whatever light chores she could to ease He’s burden, knowing how busy her mother-in-law was.

When Huai Zi saw her approaching with a vegetable basket, he quickly drew several buckets of water from the well, filling the large wooden basin and other pails. He then brought over a small stool, set it down, and said to her with a smile, "Sit here to wash them."

Juhua nodded—she had been warned many times not to draw water herself—and asked with a laugh, "Are we cutting the Shanyu vines today?"

Huai Zi picked up a large broom and began sweeping the courtyard. "Yep! It’s time to plant the Shanyu," he said. He had to leave for a long trip after he finished these chores, and he felt like there was never enough time in the day. He worked as if racing against the clock, yet he couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Juhua, so he found himself repeating his instructions to her over and over.

Juhua washed the water spinach and replied, "I’ll help with the cutting later. It’s not tiring work; I can just sit and do it. They sell them at the market, you know. If we wanted to save some trouble, we could just buy pre-cut vines to plant."

Huai Zi said, "It’s not about the money. I’m just worried theirs won’t be any good. We stored these Shanyu starters ourselves, so we know they’re good quality. I’ll have peace of mind planting our own."

Juhua fell silent. She had only been making small talk, after all.