Guo Momo was so happy that she couldn't close her mouth. She admitted that she was greedy, but after living a hard life for so long, who wouldn't be eager for money that burns the hand?
What made Guo Momo not regret marrying Pei JianGuo the most was that he still had several sensible elders. If they were all like Mother-In-Law Wang Yue and Sister-In-Law Pei Shuangshuang, she was afraid she would want to run away with her belly now.
Pei JianGuo had to hurry to work, but Guo Momo was in no hurry to leave. He just left first by himself.
Jiang Su saw everyone was talking outside, so she took the opportunity to go into the room and explained the situation to Zhi Xia, "Zhi Xia, I just saw Momo's clothes were too tight on her belly, so I said more than necessary that you could find her a loose piece of clothing to wear. Later if she brings it up to you, just find one for her."
Zhi Xia smiled and said, "I won't hide it from Sister-In-Law, after having these children in a row, I do have a few loose clothes left. I was afraid she would dislike them for being old so I didn't dare to mention it. Since you said so, I’ll find a couple for her later."
"Alright, although you are not very old, we are the elders. Seeing JianGuo has had a couple of tough years, we should help out if we can, to help him get through this period. After the child is born, won't she have to call you Third Aunt?" Jiang Su did not like Wang Yue. She had always done foolish things. And now she was holding a large sum of money from the family split, but was unwilling to help her own son. Jiang Su didn't know what Wang Yue was thinking.
Jiang Su wanted to genuinely help, but after all he was not her son, and Pei JianGuo was sensitive. It would be difficult to help him and also give him a reason that he could accept.
Just as Jiang Su said, they were elders after all. They couldn’t haggle with their juniors.
If they really didn't care at all, Guo Momo would look quite pitiful.
She was not the kind of person who liked to take advantage of others. Hearing Zhi Xia agree, she held her hand and said, "I have some coffee there that Xiang Xiang brought back from her performance in Haicheng last time. I tried it and, wow, the bitter taste almost made me vomit. But she insisted it was a good thing and spent a lot of foreign exchange coupons on it. She said I don’t know how to appreciate it. Next time I come over I’ll bring you some to try the taste. I’m too old for this taste but maybe you young people will like it."
Zhi Xia knew this was in exchange for the two pieces of clothing she had agreed to give. If it was a direct exchange, it would seem too impersonal.
It had to be said that Jiang Su really was a good woman. Even though she and Wang Yue were at odds like that, she never blamed the children.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony with Sister-In-Law. Thanks to you I get to try what this exotic stuff actually tastes like.” Of course Zhi Xia was unlikely to have never tried it before. She had tasted many flavors, sweet, bitter, and everything in between. But others didn’t know that, so she still had to pretend she had never drunk it before and act very curious.
"You’ll know when you actually try it." Her daughter drank it very elegantly. She definitely could not stand that taste.
Pei Sheng and Jiang Su stayed for a while and then left too. Pei Jing was helping Sister Zhang cook red tea eggs in the kitchen. With an addition to the family, they had to give red tea eggs to neighbors and relatives nearby and also go report the good news to her maiden family. Anyway, it was very troublesome to handle this carefully.
The families that lived nearby had already come over with things to see the child. It was really lively with people coming in and out all day.
Zhi Xia waited all day but didn’t hear Guo Momo mention the clothes. She had already promised Jiang Su so Zhi Xia thought Guo Momo was too shy to bring it up. She took the opportunity when Guo Momo came in to take the initiative and say, "This morning before your second aunt left, she told me to find two loose pieces of clothing for you to wear. I also sorted out the little baby's clothes. Take a look and pick out a few good ones to take. Little kids are easy to wet their pants so more clothes can save you when there aren’t enough to change into.”
Guo Momo instantly revealed a delighted expression but glanced at Little Sixth who was still sleeping, and hesitantly asked, “Does Little Sixth have enough to wear? Let him wear tight-fitting clothes first. There’s still two or three months before this one in my belly comes out.”
Of course Guo Momo was happy that Zhi Xia was willing to give her clothes. She had originally thought that Grandpa said he would give them money to have the baby. And she had told Jiang Su that she still had some money so asking for more didn’t seem quite appropriate.
Also, Jiang Su said she could help her exchange vouchers. Guo Momo didn’t want others to feel she was too greedy. But now that Zhi Xia took the initiative to speak, Guo Momo still wanted to save as much as possible.
"Little Sixth definitely has enough clothes to wear. He has four older brothers and an older sister." Although it was said that children should wear hand-me-down clothes to press for good fortune, and some would even carefully borrow clothes from others to purposefully make them, Zhi Xia would certainly not let Little Sixth only wear old clothes.
Besides, with the older children having gone through hand-me-downs, there really were a lot of old clothes. When Pei Mengsheng’s daughter was born, she had given her a large bag of them.
"That’s too kind of you, little aunt. My maiden family can’t help much. For other children, their grandmas help make clothes when they’re born, and I can’t expect that either. Mother-in-Law is still unwilling to recognize me. It’s fortunate Grandpa and you have been helping me all along.” After all, she was still a young girl, not even nineteen years old yet. No matter how mature, there were still times she felt tired.
Plus being heavily pregnant without anyone around to rely on, this was when she needed the goodwill and help of others most.
Zhi Xia had long prepared the clothes neatly placed at the end of the bed. She pointed with her hand so Guo Momo knew.
With Zhi Xia there, she was too embarrassed to open them and look, lest others think she was picky.
After returning home, she eagerly opened the package.
There were two large packages total. The top two were for her. She took them out and compared the size by holding them up to her body. With one look she could tell they were clothes specially made for pregnant women. Starting from below the chest they were wide and roomy. The pants at the waist were sewn with thin stretchy fabric that could loosely wrap over her belly without any tightness.
Guo Momo hurriedly changed into them. No matter how she looked, she felt they were great and wearing them was comfortable.
The package also contained two small quilts to alternate use between later. There were a full ten-odd little garments, thin and thick, enough that she wouldn’t need to prepare more even after the birth.
Sometimes Guo Momo really could not help but want to cry her heart out. Growing up, her birth mother was hopeless and even paying for her schooling was only because she wanted to sell Guo Momo for a good price. After getting married, Mother-In-Law was also hopeless. Her husband went hot and cold. On the contrary, it was her husband’s grandfather and two aunts who truly made her feel what real family was.
There was nothing good in this era. Those who came to visit mostly brought eggs and brown sugar, which were already considered precious items, especially the brown sugar which required sugar tickets to buy.
The Pei family didn’t have many relatives in this area but they had been here for decades. Old Pei had quite a few veteran comrades and Pei Jing had friends too.
The An family was originally a big family. Although they were not as well off as before, they still had quite a few relatives and friends.
Sister Zhang tidied up what others brought. The brown sugar totaled seven or eight jin. The eggs filled two large baskets.
The weather was hot now. Eggs especially could not be kept long. For the next few days, every meal on the table was eggs cooked in various ways - spicy stir-fried eggs, stir-fried eggs with bayberries, eggs with cucumber, egg drop soup. Even the farts smelled eggy after eating so many eggs.
Old Pei personally handled pickling a basket of eggs. They gave some of the rest to Old Master An and the An family, some to Jiang Su and Guo Momo. Only after consuming most of them did it clear out.
Pei Jing stayed home for six or seven days before leaving again as he really could not stay any longer.
Fortunately they could reunite in the space. He was able to come back every period of time so it didn’t hinder things too much.
The little baby was named Pei Chenyou by Old Master An, meaning blessing and protection.
But most still called him Little Sixth. With so many children, it was easy to mix up names. Numbers were easier to distinguish and remember.
They didn’t make a big fuss for the one month celebration. They just called over the family to gather and the happiest was undoubtedly Zhi Xia.
To her, sitting the month was no different than sitting in prison. Today she finally regained freedom again.
However, the downside of choosing to breastfeed was that she had to avoid certain foods. She loved spicy food but for now could only watch others eat or else Little Sixth would get heartburn. On hot summer days she also couldn’t eat popsicles. Newborns had weak digestion and getting diarrhea would be bad.
Zhi Xia fed the children until they were full, asked Sister Zhang to help keep an eye on the little one, then took the twins out on her bicycle to wander around for half the afternoon. She went to the state-owned restaurant to fill up her own stomach before she was willing to come back.
But before she even got inside the door, as soon as her bike bell rang outside, the triplets ran out with a "wah!"
Old Pei chased after them, "Slow down, don't fall, oh my little ancestors..."
Just learning how to run, one kid playing is enough to tire out an adult. Three is still doable since they can play together without running around crazily, but once they go wild, they absolutely test one's patience.
Zhi Xia didn't even make it inside the door before being grabbed by the legs, all three wailing nonstop.
"You're finally back. These three rascals knew you took their older siblings out to play. They kept fussing nonstop all morning in the living room, poking their heads out every so often..." Speaking of the behavior of his grandkids, Old Pei had an expression that was both humorous and annoyed.
"Dad had a tiring day today. You should go rest up. I'll keep an eye on them playing." After Zhi Xia spoke, she lowered her head again, "Hurry up and stop crying now, okay? Let's go back inside first? Mom bought delicious food for you today, and even got a wave drum, see? If you keep holding onto my legs, we can't even get back home..."
The little ones stopped their tearful crying, took the wave drums from Zhi Xia's hands. Only then could she get inside the door.
But when she had just pushed her bike into the yard and looked back, she saw Little Fourth push Little Third down.
Another burst of cries came out. By the time she put her bike away, Cheng Yan had already helped Little Third up.
Wanqing slapped Little Fourth's butt, "Pei Chenan, you bullied brother again. Do you deserve a beating?"
"No crying."
Before he opened his mouth wanting to cry, Pei Wanqing's rebuke made him successfully close his mouth again.
He could only sob slightly, inevitably somewhat aggrieved.
Zhi Xia didn't bother with them. The bloodline suppression from the older twins had the triplets tightly controlled, more effective than her own words.
She dared to bet, if she went up to say something now, Little Fourth would definitely be unable to hold it in and it would turn into a huge fuss.
Fortunately the twins acted very much like older siblings, rewards and punishments for the three younger brothers distinct, disciplining when needed, hitting when needed, not soft-hearted at all.
Zhi Xia didn't feel like verbal persuasion and education was definitely best. Times were different, now stick discipline was most fitting.
With so many kids, words alone wouldn't be able turn the heavens.
According to Pei Jing's account, when Pei JianGuo was young he was often beat by him, so now he was even more deferential to him than Pei Yong. That was the bloodline suppression, and also boys being born with admiration for the strong.
On the contrary, the better protected they were, the less able to withstand blows, and it was very easy for them to collapse.
Zhi Xia felt there was some truth to this.
In a few more years when the one-child policy takes effect, there would be more and more only children as precious babies. The children would become less and less able to withstand blows, this was also indisputable fact.
With the twins watching them, things quieted down quickly outside. The wave drums and snacks Zhi Xia brought back were also distributed to the kids.
Inside the room, Little Sixth had woken up already, blinking while looking for Zhi Xia, his little hands seeming like he wanted to reach out but didn't know which way to exert effort.
"This little guy has been awake for a while already. I changed his diaper and he didn't cry or fuss, just unwilling to drink the formula. I made it for him but he insisted on not drinking it so I gave it to Little Fifth." Sister Zhang told Zhi Xia about what happened while she was out.
Zhi Xia smiled after listening, took out a piece of clothing from her bag and handed it to Sister Zhang, "Sister Zhang worked hard today. I saw this clothing at the store, feels like it would suit you well, hurry and try it on."
Ready-made clothing at the mall cost at least ten yuan or more per outfit.
And since Zhi Xia bought it, she must have picked the most suitable one instead of the cheapest, otherwise there would be no meaning in gifting it.
Sister Zhang instantly smiled ear to ear, but her hands stretched out hesitantly, still feeling embarrassed, "Zhi Xia, you're too polite, buying me clothes? I have clothes to wear."
"I know you have clothes, but isn't it getting hotter out? Having more clothes won't hurt." Zhi Xia put the clothing in her hands and said.
Sister Zhang simply didn't refuse further. Although taking care of the children increased her workload quite a bit ever since Zhi Xia brought them back, but her monthly income had also increased by quite a bit. Zhi Xia would think of her whenever going out, letting her take some pastries and snacks back home occasionally too. Old Pei's side also had her bring vegetables and the like.
They gave generously. Sister Zhang had served Old Pei for many years already. Now no matter elderly or children, she would definitely serve them more attentively, not daring to make any mistakes.
If she left this job, there likely wouldn't be much hope in finding another one this good.
Although Sister Zhang didn't live here, she had her own room to rest since she spent the whole day here. During less busy times she could even sneak a nap.
Going back to her room she quickly tried on the new clothes. Looking at the workmanship still being factory-made, the slippery smooth fabric feeling nice and cool against her skin. The colors were also attractive. She simply kept the outfit on instead of changing out.
If they had just given her money to buy her own, she wouldn't have borne to buy such nice clothing, after all there were still kids to feed back home.
But clothes gifted by Zhi Xia were different. Even when asked about it back home she wouldn't need to worry about accusations of frivolous spending.
Zhi Xia quickly went to feed Little Sixth milk. Cheng Yan was older now and shy, now knocking before entering and never coming in during nursing times.
Although Wanqing was a girl, she followed whatever her older brother did. If he didn't look, she didn't look either.
The triplets had no such apprehensions since they were still young. They swarmed in together, Little Fifth still waving his wave drum, the crinkling noises making Little Sixth frown, unwilling to even drink his milk.
But when Zhi Xia wanted to put her shirt back down, he hurriedly turned back to suckle a few more mouthfuls, clearly not full yet.
Zhi Xia helplessly said to the triplets, "You three go back out first to play with your older siblings, you're scaring your little brother so much he doesn't dare to drink his milk."
Little Five immediately put the wave drum down on the table and ran over to pat Little Sixth's little claws, "No noise, no leaving."
Big sister was too fierce, even Little Fourth got hit. He was scared.
With the wave drum sounds stopping, Little Sixth continued drinking his milk. Zhi Xia stopped rushing them out.
Old Pei's voice suddenly sounded from outside, "Zhi Xia, someone is here looking for you."
"Oh, coming." Just when Little Sixth had drank his fill and slept, she put the child on the bed and lightly pulled the three rascals out, reminding them to keep their voices down too so as not to wake the little brother.
But when she got out and saw the guest, her brows instantly furrowed.
