MFBOWSBTMT Chapter 101

“Dongqing, quick, hurry! The physician said it would be around these days,” Qiao Suiman finished cleaning the wooden barrels used for the fragrant drinks and milk tea, wiped down the shopfront and the kitchen, and then quickly turned to go back into the room to pack their bundle.

 

After checking that nothing was missed, he placed the red dates and a large packet of brown sugar into a bamboo basket and tucked a small silver bracelet close against his chest. Then, Qiao Suiman locked the room door.

 

“Alright, get on the cart quickly, be careful.”

 

Lu Dongqing led the donkey out through the back door, helped Qiao Suiman onto the donkey cart, then leaped on himself. He picked up the reins and gave Da Guai two light pats, and the donkey cart began to move forward.

 

“Hold on steady, Xiao Man,” Lu Dongqing reminded as he got in the cart.

 

Qiao Suiman hugged the bamboo basket tightly, one hand holding onto the raised wooden plank at the edge of the cart. “I’m steady.”

 

Only then did Lu Dongqing speed up. Very soon, they left Beide Road and were heading straight toward Xiahe Village. They slowed down slightly only when encountering bumpy sections. Once on the spacious rural dirt road, Da Guai galloped wildly. Fortunately, there were few people on the road, otherwise they would’ve surely been scolded.

 

Qin Yu was expected to give birth around these few days. There were many customers in town, and the milk tea had just started selling not long ago, so they couldn’t keep closing the shop. Moreover, Qin Yu had insisted they only return at closing time, saying he would be angry if they came back early.

 

There weren’t enough hands at home to begin with. Although Qiao Ruifeng had previously informed Miao Lianhua, Zhou Shuifen, Aunt Qian, who are all the women who had given birth, and also Hua Yun who had been waiting at home, Qiao Suiman had still been restless these past few days. Finally, on the eleventh, after selling the drinks, they rushed home.

 

Yesterday, Qiao Suiman and Lu Dongqing went to Huichun Hall to buy some nourishing medicinal herbs, and then to the silverware shop to pick up the custom-made silver bracelet as a newborn gift for their little nephew.

 

On the road, Qiao Suiman, both anxious and excited, said: “I wonder if it’s a ge’r, a girl, or a boy. Qin Yu-ge and Da-ge both think it’s a little ge’r or a girl.”

 

“If the firstborn is a boy, then the younger girl or ge’r will have an elder brother to protect them and won’t be bullied,” Lu Dongqing said with a smile.

 

Qiao Suiman thought of how Qiao Ruifeng had protected him for over a decade and also smiled. “That’s true, but with Da-ge around, no one would dare bully them anyway.”

 

After talking with Lu Dongqing for a while, Qiao Suiman felt less anxious. Whether it was because he was homesick or because the cart was moving faster than usual, it didn’t feel long before they entered the village.

 

When they arrived at the fork toward their house, they could already see people bustling in front of the house, some carrying basins of water.

 

Qiao Suiman called out, “Aunt Qian, has the baby been born?”

 

Aunt Qian, who was pouring water out in front of the door, saw Qiao Suiman and quickly replied, “It’s just started. You’ve returned just in time.”

 

Lu Dongqing didn’t slow down. Da Guai ran all the way to the Qiao family’s courtyard gate before stopping. Heijin, who was on the cart, immediately charged into the yard.

 

“Man-ge’r is back.”

 

“Come, Man-ge’r, go boil water quickly!”

 

“Perfect timing, there’s only Xuesheng in the kitchen. Go help him.”

 

Qiao Suiman and Lu Dongqing quickly agreed. Qiao Suiman jumped off the cart and rushed into the kitchen. Chen Xuesheng was guarding two pots, waiting for the water to boil.

 

Da Guai smelled the faint smell of blood in the air and grew restless, stamping his hooves. Lu Dongqing quickly led him over to the Chen household next door.

 

Chen Xiasheng had been apprenticing under him for some time, with six days off every month. Yesterday, when Chen Ping delivered vegetables to town, he brought him home. Now he was the one to tie Da Guai in their yard.

 

“Xuesheng, how is Qin Yu-ge?” Qiao Suiman asked as he rolled up his sleeves and added firewood to the stove.

 

“He just started labor not long ago. Qiao-da-ge just brought the midwife, she’s already inside.” Chen Xuesheng was also witnessing such a scene for the first time and was extremely nervous. Zhou Shuifen had sent him to boil water, and he had already boiled several pots.

 

“It’s good that the midwife is here. Fortunately, it’s not dark yet, otherwise the road would be hard to travel,” Qiao Suiman sighed in relief.

 

Lu Dongqing happened to come in. Seeing the two busy at work, he carried a bucket to the back courtyard to draw water. Hot water must not be lacking during childbirth, and even afterward, more would be needed.

 

While waiting for the water to boil, Qiao Suiman glanced towards the house. Qiao Ruifeng stood frozen at the doorway, as if rooted to the spot. Qin Yu’s occasional suppressed cries made Qiao Suiman frown with worry, let alone his elder brother.

 

Qiao Suiman brought a bowl of water to Qiao Ruifeng and said softly, “Da-ge, Mother, Aunt Shuifen, and Aunt Qian are all here. Midwife Yuan and Hua-dajie are experienced, so it will surely be fine.”

 

Seeing the concern in his younger brother’s eyes, Qiao Ruifeng forced a smile. “Mn, I’m just anxious and don’t know what to do.”

 

Lu Dongqing passed by and dragged a chair over. “Qiao-da-ge, sit for a while. There will be more to do later, you need to save your strength.”

 

Qiao Ruifeng nodded, placed the chair to the side, and sat down to avoid obstructing others. He lowered his head, muttering incessantly. Everyone else was busy, and he wanted to find something to do, but he was worried about what was going on inside the room, and his mind was a mess.

 

Qiao Suiman boiled several basins of water and carried them into the room. Miao Lianhua didn’t let him get too close, hurriedly taking the hot water before saying in a low voice, “Xiao Man, prepare the meal. The baby is coming soon.”

 

Qiao Suiman nodded repeatedly. “Keep boiling the hot water?”

 

“Keep one big pot boiling, that’s enough.”

 

“Understood, Mother.”

 

According to village custom, after a childbirth, the household must prepare food for the helpers, including the midwife. Qiao Suiman counted, including themselves, there were ten people. Zhou Shuifen was busy here, so Chen Ping and Chen Xiasheng would probably make do, but it was better to cook extra and send some over to them. Including Lu Xuesong’s portion, that made thirteen people.

 

Qiao Suiman quickly calculated. Steaming rice was fast. A new life was a joyous event, and since everyone had helped, it was only right to treat them well. They had plenty of ingredients at home, all stocked by Qiao Ruifeng in advance.

 

Qiao Suiman sliced the cured fish and cured meat, placing them on a steaming rack above the rice to steam over water to save time.

 

“Almost ready?” Chen Xuesheng asked.

 

“Mm, keep one pot of hot water boiling. I’ll cook now.”

 

“Alright, then I’ll keep boiling.”

 

As soon as they finished speaking, a loud cry came from the main room. Then, the midwife opened the door a crack to announce the happy news: “Congratulations, congratulations! A little ge’r has arrived, six jin[mfn]斤 : ~600g[/mfn] and seven liang[mfn]两 : ~37g[/mfn]!”

 

“It’s born!” Qiao Suiman exclaimed happily.

 

“A ge’r, wonderful!” Chen Xuesheng grinned.

 

Lu Dongqing came in carrying a bucket of water, having clearly heard as well. “It really is a ge’r.”

 

“Rui-xiaozi, come quickly and take a look,” Zhou Shuifen opened the door a sliver and called to Qiao Ruifeng.

 

Hearing the baby’s cry, Qiao Ruifeng was both worried and happy. He immediately went to the door and peered inside. The baby’s body was red, his eyes still closed. He smiled and asked: “How’s A-Yu?”

 

“He’s tired and resting. We’ll call you in after cleaning up,” Zhou Shuifen said before closing the door. The new parent must not be exposed to wind.

 

Qiao Ruifeng finally came to his senses, with an uncontrollable smile on his face. He paced around for a few steps before going into the kitchen to help cook.

 

Qiao Suiman had already moved the steamed rice and cured meat and fish to the side of the stove. He cut fresh meat and was about to stir-fry it. Seeing Qiao Ruifeng enter, he shoved a basket of shepherd’s purse into his hands, saying, “Da-ge, sort these vegetables, then pick a few handfuls of chives to stir-fry with eggs.”

 

“Yes, okay, okay,” Qiao Ruifeng immediately got to work.

 

Qiao Suiman added sauce to the browned meat and poured in two bowls of water to continue simmering. One bowl of steamed cured meat, one bowl of stewed meat, plus chive stir-fried eggs and stir-fried shepherd’s purse would be enough.

 

After the stewed meat was done, the chive stir-fried eggs and shepherd’s purse were quickly prepared. Miao Lianhua then called Qiao Ruifeng to give the red envelope to the midwife. The midwife accepted it happily. Although this ge’r’s first birth had taken longer than others, his body is healthy and has good stamina, so it didn’t take much effort from her.

 

Midwife Yuan opened the red envelope and found a whole mace of silver. She was even more delighted, grinning from ear to ear, repeatedly saying, “The new parent and baby are both doing well! They are both blessed!”

 

Qiao Ruifeng smiled and nodded. “Many thanks, Granny Yuan. The food is ready, we’ll serve it to you in the main hall.”

 

The midwife would eat alone and she would take away any leftovers. Qiao Suiman thought about it and still prepared a single portion, giving a bit more of each dish.

 

Miao Lianhua and the others were still cleaning the room and would eat together later. Qiao Suiman placed the food on the table in the main hall and said, “Granny Yuan, you’ve worked hard. Please eat first.”

 

“Alright, good, good.” Looking at the meat-heavy dishes, the midwife smiled until her wrinkled face seemed full of blossoms, praising the family’s generosity.

 

After Granny Yuan finished eating, the remaining food was wrapped in lotus leaves, and she prepared to leave.

 

Knowing that Qiao Ruifeng was concerned about Qin Yu and the baby, Lu Dongqing suggested that he take the donkey cart to take Granny Yuan home. Qiao Suiman saw them off, saying, “Be careful. No need to hurry back.”

 

Lu Dongqing said softly, “Mn, you all eat first after cleaning up.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Granny Yuan sat on the donkey cart, smiling. “Young man, when are you planning to have one yourself?”

 

Lu Dongqing paused before smiling. “It will happen naturally. If he conceives, then we’ll have one.”

 

Meanwhile, Qiao Suiman prepared another portion of food especially for Qin Yu, along with a bowl of hot water, and entered with Chen Xuesheng.

 

A faint smell of blood still lingered in the room. Qiao Suiman went quickly to the bedside. Qin Yu’s face was pale, but his spirit was quite good. The little baby was beside him with his eyes closed as if he was sleeping.

 

“Qin Yu-ge, eat some food first,” Qiao Suiman said, stealing a few more glances at the baby. “The baby is so small. What’s his milk name[mfn]乳名 rǔmíng – or infant name; an informal name given to a child, often used by family[/mfn]?”

 

Qiao Ruifeng who was standing nearby, answered, “His formal name is Qiao An. The milk name hasn’t been decided yet.”

 

“Call him Tuanzi[mfn]團子 – literally “dumpling” or “little round bun”[/mfn]. Just this afternoon we had snow dumplings, and right after that, he decided to come out.” Qin Yu smiled faintly.

 

“Tuanzi, Tuanzi,” Qiao Suiman also laughed. He really was a little Tuanzi.

 

Chen Xuesheng also leaned in for a closer look. “So tiny.”

 

After seeing the child, Qiao Suiman laid out the food in the courtyard, sent some over to the Chen household, and left a portion for Lu Xuesong. Then they sat down to eat together. After a few bites, Lu Dongqing returned, and Qiao Suiman happily told him the baby’s milk name.

 

The table was filled with talk and laughter. It was already dark, so Qiao Ruifeng lit the candles. After eating and cleaning up the dishes, he returned to the room. Little Tuanzi had been fed and was already asleep. Hua Yun already changed all the bedding, and Qin Yu was also asleep.

 

Lu Dongqing also looked at Little Tuanzi. All the way home, the two of them were still discussing who the little baby resembled more.

 

Lu Xuesong delivered eggs to several customers and returned late, missing the chance to see Tuanzi. He decided to go visit the next day.

 

After the chaos of the day, Qiao Suiman finally remembered the silver bracelet that was still tucked in his clothes. He took it out with a smile and looked at it again, saying, “Little Tuanzi’s arms are so thin. What if it doesn’t stay on?”

 

Lu Dongqing came in with some water and said with a smile, “He can still wear it when he’s bigger. If it’s too small, he’ll outgrow it in a few months anyway.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

After washing up, Lu Dongqing held Qiao Suiman, lifted his inner garment, and gently stroked Qiao Suiman’s stomach, which was still as flat as ever.

 

It seemed they still needed to put in more effort, Lu Dongqing thought.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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