MAC’60s Chapter 29.2

Her finger was nearly poking the tip of Tian Dazhu’s nose.

Tian Dazhu’s mother also trembled as she spoke, “Let Dazhu go! Dazhu, your wife is giving birth, how can you let your younger brother suffer for it? Hurry, go call someone!”

Tian Youfu said, “Enough of this nonsense! You’re all from the same family. Your brother has to stay here and keep watch. You were told to go, so go. I’ll have Dashu take a flashlight and go with you.”

Tian Dashu was strong and sturdy. As a militia member, he was also known for being helpful.

Tian Erzhu kept complaining, “Why can’t Dashu just go? Why does it have to be me?”

Tian Youfu’s brows furrowed, and he looked like he wanted to whip him, “That’s your brother and your nephew! Dashu is just helping out. You won’t go but expect him to? Where’s your shame?”

Tian Youfu wasn’t just the village head; among all the Tians, he was senior in the family as well. He kicked him twice as he yelled, “Hurry up and go!”

Tian Erzhu rolled in the snow from the kicks, covered in snow and quickly begged, “Third Uncle, Third Uncle, I’ll go! Stop kicking me!”

Tian Dazhu’s mother went silent too. Although she was of the same generation as Tian Youfu, she didn’t dare raise her voice to him.

Tian Erzhu had no choice but to go, thoroughly aggrieved.

Tian Youfu glanced once more at the useless Tian Dazhu and wished he could beat both brothers.

Tian Dazhu mumbled “Third Uncle” and then busied himself with heating the water.

Da Ya (the eldest daughter) was clever. She ran back and forth a few times and brought out two chairs from the house—one for Tian Youfu and one for Xu Shuang.

Tian Dazhu’s mother spat on the ground, cursing the girl in her heart for being a brown-noser. Her own grandmother was sitting out in the cold, and yet she was fawning over others.

Tian Youfu was one thing, but who did Xu Shuang think she was to actually sit down? No respect for elders at all—definitely a bad seed from a bad family background!

Inside, Wang Ying was busy. Qian Juhua’s leg weakness was a big issue. Wang Ying didn’t dare give her medication, so she opened her acupuncture kit and tried a few needles to see if she could restore some strength.

Da Ya, being sensible, went to her father’s side to help with the fire. Er Ya, who had been hiding somewhere, came out only after seeing her sister return and followed her around like a little tail.

After working for a while, Wang Ying came outside to catch her breath and saw Tian Youfu. He greeted her warmly, “It’s Little New Year today. Sorry to trouble you and Xu Shuang. Later, make sure Dazhu gives you both a generous red envelope.”

Wang Ying lowered her eyes, not replying to that. Instead, she mentioned something else: “Qian Juhua asked me to come out and say something—she said her fall today was caused by her nephew pushing her.”

In the midst of her pain, Qian Juhua heard Tian Youfu’s voice and couldn’t swallow her anger. She wasn’t sure if she’d even make it through, so she figured she might as well speak up now while she still could.

As soon as Wang Ying finished, Tian Erzhu’s wife started jumping up and down.

“Who said that?! Who said my Dabao pushed her?! Who saw it?! She just wants to smear us with her words—that’s not going to fly!”

Tian Dazhu’s mother also sat right down on the ground and cried out, “How could it be Dabao! He’s just a six-year-old kid! What could he even do?! Qian Juhua’s just mad I scolded her a bit and now she wants to rip out my heart!”

Wang Ying couldn’t be bothered with the family drama and left the stage to Tian Youfu. “You all sort it out, just don’t let anyone into the room.”

Qian Juhua insisted on making the accusation now, despite Wang Ying trying to convince her to wait until after giving birth. But she refused—she had to air her grievance at this very moment.

Wang Ying figured it out after thinking about it. If Qian Juhua delivered safely and both she and the baby were fine, later people would just say, “You’re all right, so why bother making a fuss over a child?”

But saying it now—one, she feared she might not make it through, and two, she wanted to take this chance to fight back against her mother-in-law and sister-in-law to get some release.

Wang Ying shook her head and went back in. Coming to help with a birth and getting caught up in this drama—truly an eye-opening experience.

Outside, Tian Youfu was inclined to believe Qian Juhua. It wasn’t because she was particularly trustworthy—Qian Juhua was known to be headstrong, sharp-tongued, and not well-liked. People generally avoided her.

She also felt embarrassed for having two daughters and would make pointed remarks when she saw others with sons. She wasn’t someone people enjoyed being around.

But the mother-in-law and sister-in-law pair she was accusing were even more disliked.

Tian Youfu frowned. Because this was all within the extended family, he knew them well.

Tian Dazhu’s mother had two sons. She and her husband lived with the younger son and weren’t very close to the older son’s family. It was tolerable in the early years, and though not close, he was still her son. They married him off and split the family, and over time, Tian Dazhu managed to build a house of his own.

Then Qian Juhua gave birth to one daughter, and five years later, another daughter. After the second girl, she hadn’t conceived again for years.

In the countryside, families were large because people had many children. It was common for a woman to give birth to seven or eight kids in a row.

Tian Dazhu’s family only had two daughters and no son. The daughter-in-law didn’t get pregnant again.

Tian Dazhu’s mother, for reasons only she knew, decided that Tian Dazhu’s future would depend on his younger brother’s child. Not only did she think this way—she acted on it.

In the past, she only visited during holidays. Now she came to Tian Dazhu’s house every few days.

Tian Dazhu was a quiet man who had endured years of mistreatment. People in the village said he couldn’t produce a son and had no heir. He had been mocked so much that he lost all his spirit. Now he was just a useless man.

Over the years, maybe Qian Juhua saw the truth of things and somehow managed to get pregnant again. Ever since she became pregnant, she kept insisting it was a boy.

That made things awkward. Tian Dazhu’s mother had been saying for years that her eldest son’s future lay in his nephew. Now that her daughter-in-law was about to give birth to a grandson, it didn’t sit well with her.

Tian Youfu understood very clearly—talk of relying on a nephew in old age was just an excuse. The real issue was that Tian Dazhu’s mother played favorites.

If she weren’t so biased, would she have so decisively split the household and gone to live with the younger son?

You should know that most people in the brigade still held old-fashioned views — they believed staying with the eldest son was the proper way.

All in all, if this old woman had some wicked thoughts and wanted to stop her eldest daughter-in-law from giving birth to a son, that wouldn’t be surprising at all.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair swore oaths to the heavens, claiming they absolutely didn’t do anything, and if they had, they’d give their lives in exchange for Qian Juhua’s.

Just as Tian Youfu was about to speak, little Erya cried out, “It was him! Big Brother Dabao was sneaking around in our yard, and when he saw my mom come out, he pushed her!”

“I saw it all!”

The crowd watching suddenly had a look of realization on their faces.

Erya was small and sobbing while telling the story in a messy, emotional way: “Grandma is bad! She came and took our firewood! She even took all our food! My second aunt said I was a money-losing good-for-nothing and stole my boiled egg.”

The little girl was crying with snot and tears, “My birthday egg!”

She didn’t understand much else. She just knew that her mom was in the house giving birth to a little brother and still asked that pretty older sister to go outside and tell Third Grandpa — that must mean Third Grandpa was in charge. She was going to cry and shout until grandma and second aunt were taken away!

Her dad was useless, and though her mom didn’t treat the sisters kindly either, she was the one who fed and clothed them — they didn’t want to lose their mom!

The older sister, Daya, was more mature. When she saw her little sister crying, she silently hugged her and cried too.

Inside the house, the sounds of Qian Juhua groaning in labor could still be heard. The contrast between inside and outside made everyone watching tear up.

Tian Youfu reached out and grabbed the stunned Tian Dabao on the spot. As someone who had been brigade leader for many years, the dark expression on his face alone was enough to scare even the commune members. Now he was giving this little kid a stern face.

Tian Dabao immediately burst into tears: “It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me! It was… it was my mom! My mom said that as long as Aunt couldn’t give birth to a little brother, I could still eat eggs and meat. Grandpa Youfu, please don’t hit me, wuwuwu—”

He confessed so quickly that Tian Erzhu’s wife didn’t even have time to react — the blame landed on her like a heavy hat.

She also cried injustice — but in her case, she really felt wronged.

She really hadn’t planned to harm her sister-in-law! She’d just cursed a bit, wishing she couldn’t carry to term. Who knew her little son overheard? He was at an age where he was curious, liked to move around, and mimicked adult speech. Kids don’t think that far — he just did what adults were only daring to think.

Tian Youfu kept a grim expression. Tian Dazhu’s mother, seeing the situation turn bad, immediately went to pull her elder son.

Tian Dazhu stood at the kitchen door holding a ladle, his face full of shock: “Mom, is what Erya said true?”

Tian Dazhu, though cowardly, never thought of harming his wife. His own mother had the little nephew push his pregnant wife over? Just for something like this?

Tian Dazhu’s mother’s face stiffened. The kids had already testified and confessed — there was no way to deny it now. She simply decided to break the jar — if it’s broken, so be it.

“Your wife’s already at this age, and she keeps giving birth to girls. One after another. Your sister-in-law’s right — you’re just not meant to have a son. Sooner or later, you’ll still have to rely on your nephew.”

Tian Dazhu’s mother spoke like it was only natural: “This time was just a careless accident by a child. He’s just a little kid — how bad could his intentions really be? Who’d have thought your wife was so useless — seven months in and she can’t even keep the baby safe? Now your nephew is scared half to death. He looks so pitiful. As the elder uncle, are you really going to hold it against Dabao?”

Veins bulged on Tian Dazhu’s arms. He wasn’t made of clay — how could he not hear the threats hidden in his mother’s words?

Tian Youfu also wore a grim face. Now that things had developed to this point, it was really a family matter — it depended on Tian Dazhu’s stance.

Daya and Erya had stopped crying. The two girls scanned the courtyard full of adults — the person they felt the most warmth from was actually the cold-faced Xu Shuang. The sisters leaned against her, and surprisingly, Xu Shuang didn’t push them away.

Daya looked toward her father with bitterness in her eyes, while Erya’s face was filled with anger. She didn’t understand all the adult complexities, but growing up in this environment had made her sensitive — she knew this was the moment when her father had to speak.

Tian Dazhu opened his mouth, hesitating in deep conflict.

He couldn’t be sure that Qian Juhua’s baby this time was a boy. If it was, then at this point, he could break with his mother and brother. But what if it was another girl?

The expression on his face said it all to his two daughters. Erya’s tears flowed again. She grabbed her sister’s hand and made a vow in her heart — she would hate her father for the rest of her life.

He and grandma were in this together!

At that moment, Xu Shuang unexpectedly said, “When we arrived earlier, we heard them trying to convince Tian Dazhu not to call a midwife.”

That one sentence, though spoken calmly, was like a thunderclap!

Not only Tian Dazhu, who was the center of attention, but also the onlookers remembered. That’s right — at the beginning, the two women had been saying over and over that the old midwife was good enough, clearly trying to stop anyone from calling a doctor. Even Wang Ying only came because Daya secretly snuck out to get her.

Tian Youfu also grew more serious. Tian Dazhu’s mother hadn’t caught on yet, but Tian Erzhu’s wife was completely stunned.

What was Xu Shuang implying? That the two of them had planned to let Qian Juhua die during childbirth?

She hadn’t! She didn’t!

Tian Erzhu’s wife’s voice trembled: “Don’t you accuse me! I didn’t — I never said not to call the midwife! It was… it was my mother-in-law who said that!”

Tian Dazhu’s mother was instantly stunned by the betrayal of her beloved younger daughter-in-law.

She had wanted to avoid calling a midwife, but only because she thought all of Tian Dazhu’s money should go toward Dabao. Besides, lots of people in the countryside gave birth without help. Qian Juhua’s last two births had been difficult too — but they’d still ended up safe in the end.

Spending two yuan, maybe even three with the heavy snow, just to call a midwife for childbirth? Totally not worth it!

Tian Dazhu’s face was filled with anguish. The idea that his own mother would risk his wife’s life just to have him raise his brother’s child tormented him to the core.

He screamed silently in his heart.

 

“Why can’t he have a son! Why can’t he just have a son?!”

“If he had a son, he wouldn’t be so cowardly anymore. He could pull himself together, work hard for his son! He would become an excellent father.”

“He’s such a good person—why is he the one who can’t have a son?”

Tian Youfu looked at Tian Dazhu, whose face was still full of grief and tears, yet he still hadn’t made a firm statement. He couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh.

Even at this point he still couldn’t show any backbone. That said everything about the kind of man he was.

He always thought that having a son would make him into a man of substance. But people don’t just change completely overnight. Even if he had a son, with the way he was now, he still wouldn’t become someone outstanding for that son.

Tian Youfu said, “I’ll be remembering this, both of you.”

A child pushing someone could be considered a family matter. But the adults stopping someone from calling for help—now that reflected their character and intentions.

If Qian Juhua delivers smoothly, they might get off with a light punishment. But if things go badly for her, the brigade won’t let the two of them go unpunished.

With Tian Youfu’s final judgment, Tian Dazhu’s mother and Tian Erzhu’s wife both slumped down. They knew it now all depended on Qian Juhua. If she ended up fine, they’d just get fined or punished a little. But if something happened to her… they’d end up like old dogs—sent to clean latrines.

Inside the house, Wang Ying had heard everything and turned to the pale-faced Qian Juhua on the bed.

“Your two daughters care a lot about you.”

The girls were still very young. The older one had gone out alone to get help, and the younger one had stood up and spoken for her mother.

What lovely, heartwarming children.

Qian Juhua’s face was filled with pain, tears streaming down uncontrollably.

She hadn’t treated those two girls well. But in the end, it was an outsider like Xu Shuang, and her own two daughters, who spoke out for her.

When things got bad, she couldn’t count on her husband. Her mother-in-law and sister-in-law harbored ill intentions. Even fairness and justice had to be fought for by two crying children.

Wang Ying didn’t say more. Her heart was uneasy too. One reason was whether Qian Juhua would deliver safely. The other…

She didn’t even know whether it would be better if the baby was a boy or a girl.

It seemed Qian Juhua had her heart set on having a son. If she had a son, the family could stand taller, no longer bullied by her husband’s younger brother’s family. But what would happen to Daya and Erya then?

If it was a girl again, would Qian Juhua still treat her three daughters well? Would her husband finally step up?

…

The night dragged on. The neighbors, having gotten their fill of gossip, all returned home to rest. Tian Youfu couldn’t stay up either and told them to call him in case of an emergency. He’d come back in the morning.

Tian Erzhu’s wife and Tian Dazhu’s mother also left. The two women gave each other the cold shoulder, and it was clear they’d argue again once they got home.

Wang Ying stayed up until around 2 a.m. Xu Shuang called her out to eat something.

It was supposed to be a festive evening, the night before the Little New Year. Xu Shuang had originally prepared a big meal, but it clearly wasn’t the time to bring it over. So she had quickly gone home, reheated two plain steamed buns—one stuffed with meat, the other with vegetables—and warmed up some leftover soy milk from the morning.

Wang Ying wolfed down the food and gave half of it to the younger girl standing beside her.

Daya pulled Erya back, stopping her from taking it: “Sister, we’re not hungry, you eat.”

Wang Ying felt a pang in her chest. Such sensible and well-behaved little girls—if they were born into any other family, wouldn’t they be treated like precious gems?

Ignoring their protests, she stuffed the bun into their hands. Then she looked at the sky and said, “The midwife should be arriving around morning. By then the cervix should be fully dilated.”

Wang Ying hadn’t just been waiting idly inside. She had been helping Qian Juhua breathe properly, giving her acupuncture on her legs, and constantly checking how much her cervix had dilated.

Because the dilation was slow, Wang Ying had even started using traditional Chinese massage techniques she’d learned in the past to adjust the baby’s position.

There hadn’t been any prenatal checkups. Feeling that the baby wasn’t in the right position had made even Tian Granny anxious. She feared the baby might be in a difficult breech position or have a complicated presentation.

When she saw Wang Ying skillfully adjusting the fetal position, Tian Granny was full of praise. She said that when she had learned from an old midwife in the past, that woman had also used similar techniques, though she herself hadn’t mastered them.

The two of them stayed in the room. Outside, Xu Shuang and Tian Dazhu kept watch.

When Wang Ying stepped out around 4 a.m. to get some fresh air, Xu Shuang already had both little girls in her arms.

Daya and Erya had refused to sleep inside and had dozed off on stools. Seeing they weren’t warmly dressed, Xu Shuang had cradled them to keep them warm.

When Wang Ying came out, Xu Shuang wanted to say something but held back in the end.

Wang Ying drank some water—by now cold after the long night—and just let it sit in her mouth before swallowing.

Suddenly, a voice rang out from inside the house—Tian Granny’s:

“The cervix is fully dilated! Quick! Wang Ying, it’s open!”

Wang Ying dropped her teacup and rushed back in, stunned. Just moments ago, it had still seemed like there was time—she had expected two more hours at least. How had it suddenly opened?

She checked between Qian Juhua’s legs and made a snap decision: “Let’s begin!”

The cervix was fully open. Even if the midwife wasn’t here yet, they couldn’t exactly push the baby’s head back in.

Qian Juhua had been in pain all night. She didn’t even have the strength to cry out anymore. Wang Ying poured a herbal broth, simmering on the stove, into her mouth. Thankfully, Tian Dazhu had managed to feed her two poached eggs in the second half of the night, so she wasn’t lacking strength.

Wang Ying and Tian Granny busied themselves in the room. Tian Dazhu paced anxiously outside, while Daya and Erya stared at the fire.

Fewer people were around now. Compared to last night’s big crowd, this quieter birth felt much more peaceful.

Thanks to Wang Ying’s adjustments, the baby had moved into a proper position. After more than an hour of hard labor, finally—the baby’s first cry rang out.

At that exact moment, Tian Erzhu arrived exhausted, dragging along Tian Dashu. Tian Dashu had a middle-aged woman in tow, yelling, “The midwife is here!”

Just as the midwife stepped through the door, the baby let out a loud cry.

Well then—looked like she’d only caught the tail end.

Wang Ying wiped the sweat from her brow and handed the baby to the still semi-conscious Qian Juhua for a look.

Tian Dazhu also jumped to his feet at the doorway with a loud thud, knocking over the chair in the process. He was extremely anxious but didn’t dare to rush into the room—he could only stretch his neck out at the doorway.

“Is the baby born? Is it a boy?”

I am just a novice translator and Chinese is not my native language. I try my best to translate the chapters as accurate as possible.
If there are any mistakes then kindly comment and remind me. Your support means a lot.