Lin Wanwan had not yet announced her pregnancy, and even her family was keeping it a secret to avoid complications. This trip back home would also bring joy to the elders.
No sooner said than done, Xie Lan stayed to look after Doudou and Dingding, while Xie Sui and the nanny took the children back to their hometown.
Their sudden return surprised everyone. Xie’s mother immediately went to prepare more dishes, busy making a meal for them.
Grandma Xie was still healthy and went for walks in the village every day. She was the first to see them return.
"Oh, Grandma’s dear grandson is back, let Grandma hug you."
Grandma Xie held the child, steady and swift, her small feet moving quickly.
Lin Wanwan held her arm and said, "Grandma, why don't you come and live in the county town with us? The great-grandchildren miss you so much, Doudou and Dingding. Xie Sui is unreliable; he didn't even know the children's names at the parent-teacher meeting, and he just donated over a million yuan to the school. Honestly, is there anyone more extravagant?"
Grandma Xie said, "This is for Doudou and Dingding’s good studies. He has the ability, so donating some money is only right. Don't nag, women who instigate trouble are home-wreckers; those who smooth things over make a family prosperous."
Xie Sui was surprised. "Grandma has such high ideals. No wonder I have such high ideals; it's hereditary."
Lin Wanwan added, "Grandma's words are truly profound. She's the most reasonable old lady."
Grandma Xie smiled so widely her eyes disappeared. "Are you two here to cheer up this old woman?"
"Yes, absolutely."
The elders they met on the road looked at Grandma Xie with envy. People used to say she favored her younger grandson and disliked her elder one. The old lady had a good eye for people; this younger grandson was truly promising.
Xie Sui greeted them, and the bodyguards distributed gifts – pastries, sponge cakes, canned goods, brown sugar, and other edibles produced by their own factory. They didn't cost much but made the elders very happy.
Grandma Xie also became more popular among the elders.
When they returned home, Xie’s mother had already prepared the meal. Lin Wanwan found the aroma appetizing. "I just love Mom's braised tofu and the spicy shredded potatoes; they smell so delicious."
"Then eat quickly! You look so thin. Xiao Sui, how could you not take good care of Wanwan?"
Xie's mother was genuinely worried. She thought Lin Wanwan managed the family's finances, and since Xie Sui had a poor academic record since childhood, he wouldn't be able to manage the accounts. She felt Wanwan should be in charge to prevent him from being scammed out of money. That's why she never acted like a domineering mother-in-law, treating Lin Wanwan better than her three biological daughters. Even more so, with Lin Wanwan having given birth to four great-grandsons, Xie's mother walked with pride in the village. In her youth, she had three daughters before having a son, and she doted on boys. Now, with four great-grandsons, who in the entire village could compare to her family?
Xie Sui had always thought that the elders didn't want to leave the village because they would lose their sense of superiority in a strange place and wouldn't have familiar people to flatter them, thus not satisfying their vanity. Everyone had vanity, and no one was exempt; Xie Sui himself had it and didn't think it was a bad thing.
Lin Wanwan ate some dishes; this time, she didn't vomit and could finally eat her fill.
Before Xie Sui could tell his parents about Lin Wanwan's pregnancy, his eldest aunt and her daughter-in-law, Wu Linlin, entered. Wu Linlin held her waist, her belly slightly rounded, also pregnant. She looked about four or five months along, her cheeks a little fuller. The eldest aunt was practically supporting her like an old servant in a wealthy household.
"Wanwan is back. Your cousin-in-law is pregnant, five months along. Our Xie family will be having another addition. Where are Xiao San and Xiao Si? Let them touch her belly; perhaps it will help them have sons in the future."
Lin Wanwan's complexion wasn't good. Wu Linlin's eyes flickered. Had the couple argued? Was she back to seek support from the elders? She yearned for Xie Chen to be as attentive to her as they were to each other, but Xie Chen was like a block of wood, solely focused on his studies and helping the villagers get rich. He came home so infrequently that she could count the times on one hand. When she was pregnant and needed someone by her side, she felt wronged at night. Seeing them argue now, her own grievances suddenly seemed insignificant.
Lin Wanwan smiled. "It's all superstition. As long as Eldest Aunt is happy."
"We are only allowed one child now. If it's a daughter, wouldn't our Xie family's lineage be broken?"
Grandma Xie's face darkened. "Don't Xiao Sui's four children count as a lineage? If your mouth can't speak properly, then shut it. It's good to have a son or a daughter. Haven't you heard anything I've said all day? Linlin, come sit by Grandma. Don't listen to your mother-in-law. If she dares to mistreat you, I'll deal with her. Whether it's a boy or a girl, they are all children we've worked hard to raise. Who dares to look down on them?"
"Thank you, Grandma. I also think girls are very good; they are obedient and caring towards their mothers."
The eldest aunt's face fell. How could she say that? What if it really was a daughter? Xie Chen was a cadre and would certainly have to set an example; a second child was out of the question. She dreamed that it would be a girl. Grandma Xie's words sounded beautiful, but with the second branch having four great-grandsons, their family would only have a little girl, and they would be even more embarrassed in the village. She always took her mother-in-law's words in one ear and out the other. Grandma Xie knew from her expression that her words were wasted again. She had to keep an eye on things to prevent this unlucky eldest daughter-in-law from doing something foolish.
Lin Wanwan drank a bowl of egg drop soup and was finally full. She chatted happily with Wu Linlin about their pregnancies.
Xiao San and Xiao Si woke up and toddled, insisting on walking. Xie's mother bent down to protect them, afraid they would fall. Xie's father somehow produced two simple wooden walkers, which Doudou and Dingding had used when they were little. The wood was polished smooth and perfect for the two little ones.
"This is great; it can be a family heirloom."
Wu Linlin envied, "It's so wonderful that you could have twins. I'd also like to have two more; it would make the house so lively."
Xie Sui said, "Please, don't. They're all children, so noisy. It's inconvenient to go out. You only see the liveliness now, not the times when the whole family is exhausted for their sake."
"Xiao Sui, you just need to make money; why do you need to interfere in household matters?" Wu Linlin still held old-fashioned ideas: men should focus on their careers, not manage the household, and women should support their husbands to be virtuous.
Xie Sui said, "Everyone has their own aspirations. I'm happy to watch my wife and children. As for making money, enough to spend is fine. Accompanying children as they grow up is what gives life meaning." He didn't try to persuade Wu Linlin to be a career woman; with her eldest aunt, they would only argue again.
Lin Wanwan yawned; she was a little sleepy. Xie Sui immediately supported her. "Go rest; you must be tired from the journey."
"Okay, give them some steamed eggs later and formula milk too. I'm going to sleep."
"Don't worry."