When they arrived at the ward, Mother Lu knocked on the door before entering, followed by Lu Han and Chen Anwen.
Seeing that several families were there besides their own, Mother Lu nodded at them with a smile as a greeting. As she walked in, she saw her second son and second daughter-in-law sitting on the corner bed near the window.
"Second daughter-in-law, how are you feeling? Has the doctor co over to check on you?" she asked.
Hearing his mother's words, Lu Cheng raised his head and said, "Mother, Brother, Sister-in-law, you are here."
At this mont, Wang Muxiao was enduring contractions and couldn't greet them.
Seeing her condition, Chen Anwen placed the bamboo basket down and wiped the sweat from her sister-in-law's forehead with the towel on the bedside table.
Seeing the sticky sweat on her sister-in-law's body, she went out with a washbasin to get so hot water to wipe her sister-in-law's body.
Lu Cheng was distressed to see his wife in so much pain. He could only try to soothe her by rubbing her back.
Looking at his mother, he said, "The doctor just ca over and said it would take several more hours before Xiaoxiao is ready for labor."
Lu Han had already placed the bamboo baskets in the corner and said, "Second Brother, we brought so clothes and things your wife and the newborn babies will need. If you need anything, just let know. I will go back and get it for you."
"Thank you, Brother. I will have to trouble you for these few days," Lu Cheng said with a smile.
Patting his second brother's shoulder, Lu Han replied, "We are brothers—what's trouble and not trouble? Your wife and children are also my family. During this period, just let your Sister-in-law or know if you need anything."
Mother Lu smiled when she heard her sons' conversation. Her efforts in raising them to support and protect each other from a young age were not in vain.
Now that they each had their own families, they still lived together peacefully, unlike other families that broke apart when the sons grew up.
She looked at her second daughter-in-law and saw that the pain had lessened. Holding her hand, she said, "Second daughter-in-law, Jueyu cooked so fish soup for you. Do you want to drink so?"
Wang Muxiao was exhausted and felt weak from the constant pain. Leaning on the bed, her face was pale, and her body was covered in sweat. She felt uncomfortable everywhere and only wanted to sleep.
But she knew she needed to eat to have strength during labor. So, even though she had no appetite, she still nodded and said, "Thank you, Mother."
Mother Lu stood up and took out the thermos flask, a bowl, and a spoon from the bamboo basket. As soon as she opened the thermos flask, the fragrance of fish soup wafted through the air.
Usually, fish soup had a fishy sll no matter how it was cooked. So, even though it was good for them, most won still chose to eat other things. But this ti, the fish soup was fragrant without any fishy sll. There was even a hint of ginseng scent mixed in.
Mother Lu poured the fish soup into a bamboo bowl and asked, "Second daughter-in-law, there is also so bread and eggs. Do you want to have them with the soup?"
Wang Muxiao shook her head and replied, "Mother, I will eat them later."
Seeing that her daughter-in-law had no appetite, Mother Lu didn't insist. Instead, she blew on the soup for a mont until it was at the right temperature, then fed her with a spoon.
Wang Muxiao took a sip and swallowed. The soup was warm and savory, without a trace of fishiness. As the warmth spread through her body, the aching in her back eased slightly.
The sensation reminded her of the ti she drank ginseng water. Thinking of this, she smacked her lips and tasted a hint of ginseng.
She looked up at her mother-in-law and said, "Mother, please thank Jueyu for . Brother-in-law already gave a jar of ginseng powder, and now she even used several slices of ginseng to make this soup."
Mother Lu smiled and replied, "Don't worry about that for now—just focus on your labor. Mother will repay her later."
Wang Muxiao nodded without saying more. As a daughter-in-law, she was part of the Lu family. But Lu Jueyu, who had married into the Li family, was now considered a mber of the Li family.
Even though they had a good relationship, they couldn't take her kindness for granted. Everyone knew ginseng could be found in the mountains, but the risks of gathering it weren't small.
For Lu Jueyu and her husband to give them so much showed their goodwill. So, she would have to return the favor.
With that decision made, Wang Muxiao drank the soup with peace of mind. Lately, she had earned a good amount of money—enough to buy sothing nice for Lu Jueyu and her family later.
While she enjoyed the care of her husband and in-laws, the other won in the room could only look on with admiration and envy.
When Chen Anwen ca back from getting so hot water, she heard one of the won say with a hint of envy, "That family is so extravagant. They not only cook fish soup, but they even add ginseng. That person is so blessed."
"From their clothes, they are clearly villagers like us. Who knows where they got money to buy ginseng and fish?" a young woman replied sourly.
At first, Chen Anwen didn't want to bother with them. After all, they were used to being the topic of discussion in the village. But the young woman's words were too much. If people with bad intentions heard this, they might accuse her family of doing sothing illegal.
With this thought, she walked over to the young woman's bedside and said, "Hello, comrade. I heard your words about my family, and I want to clarify sothing with you."
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