I Became the Mother of His Child

"Either way, it doesn't matter much. Yuanhuan has been protecting me all the way here, and he has given me plenty of clothes to wear. I wasn't cold at all. Besides, Si Ya is getting married on the tenth day of the month, and I'll still be in my postpartum confinement by then. As her older sister, I can't just not show up, can I? Going out a few days earlier or later doesn't really make a difference," Xu Xiuxiu said nonchalantly.

"How could it all be the same while you are in confinement? Normally, I, as your mother, should be there to help you through the postpartum period, and as a grandmother, it is only right for me to visit and see the little nephew, isn't it? It just happens to coincide with the New Year's celebration! Who would bother with such formalities during the festive season?" Mrs. Xu, originally planning to assist her third daughter during confinement, gave up the idea; knowing that her daughter had just given birth during a harsh winter with heavy snow and strong winds, she dared not venture out, fearing accidents on the way and causing trouble during the festivities. Considering this, Mrs. Xu let go of the idea of attending and sent Si Ya in her stead, feeling it was a reasonable compromise.

She had intended to visit her daughter after the New Year's holiday but got caught up in a flurry of activity when the daughter and son-in-law visited her home yesterday. She had thought to rest today, but with Si Ya's wedding on the tenth, and although it was just a single feast from the bride's side, it was still a hectic affair, not to mention a full three days and nights of celebration on the groom's side, necessitating constant concern and preparation from Mrs. Xu—leaving no time to rest!

"I understand," Xu Xiuxiu said, nodding her head insincerely to Mrs. Xu. "Dad, where's Si Ya? Is she in her room?" Xu Xiuxiu asked Mr. Xu after scanning the living room and not seeing Xu Jingjing.

"She's in her room, getting the bedding ready for her trousseau—eight new cotton bedcovers!" Mrs. Xu answered for Mr. Xu. "This marriage business is so troublesome. Si Ya not only has to sew six hand-embroidered hemp aprons but also has to make eighteen pairs of cloth shoes, along with various other bits and pieces! With her wedding day coming up so soon, she barely finishes her meals before rushing back to her room to work!" Mrs. Xu said, her tone a mix of helplessness and excitement about marrying off her daughter, which felt quite contradictory.

Xu Xiuxiu was actually quite fuzzy about many of the traditional pre-wedding tasks, despite having memories from the original owner. She really didn't know getting married was so complicated, it seemed her own wedding wasn't like this at all!

"I'll go in and see her," Xu Xiuxiu thought, and she walked toward Xu Jingjing's room.

Mrs. Xu didn't stop her but turned to invite her son-in-law to sit down, and then she went into the kitchen to make a pot of hot tea, and decided to cook some sugar eggs for her daughter to taste.

Xu Jingjing was busy inside her room, which had the door open. Perhaps for convenience, Mrs. Xu had also placed her cherished Phoenix-brand sewing machine in Xu Jingjing's room. When Xu Xiuxiu walked in, she immediately heard the rustling sound of the sewing machine.

"Xu Jingjing," Xu Xiuxiu called out, watching her sister sitting by the window, focusing intently on sewing a hemp apron under the outside light, feeling a mix of emotions.

She actually didn't know why she impulsively came to see Xu Jingjing. Was it to stop her? It seemed she couldn't! To persuade Xu Jingjing? It seemed she couldn't do that either! But she still insisted on coming to see her, even if just to exchange a few trivial words as sisters.

"Big Sister, aren't you supposed to be in confinement? Why come running home in such cold weather? Doesn't your husband know to stop you?" Xu Jingjing looked at Xu Xiuxiu in surprise, then babbled on, before shaking her head as if remembering something. "That's right, your husband spoils you like a daughter, there's no way he could stop whatever you want to do," Xu Jingjing thought, then she stood up from the sewing machine and walked over to Xu Xiuxiu.

"Come sit on the wooden bed for a while!" Xu Jingjing said, helping Xu Xiuxiu to sit on the edge of the wooden bed.

"Jingjing, you know why I have come," Xu Xiuxiu looked at Xu Jingjing, her tone calm.

"I know." Xu Jingjing nodded and smiled. Compared to the young girl who had sobbed in her arms before the new year, the current Xu Jingjing seemed to have matured, looking at her serenely. Even guessing Xu Xiuxiu's purpose, she still looked at her with a collected demeanor, as if nothing could perturb her emotions.

"Older sister, since I have already made my decision, there's no need for you to try to persuade me anymore." Xu Jingjing took Xu Xiuxiu's hand, "Whether it's good or bad, I have to bear it. That's fate, and I am prepared for the worst. You just need to bless me."

"Xiuxiu, won't you regret it?" Xu Xiuxiu asked reluctantly.

"I will regret it," Xu Jingjing nodded affirmatively, "Regret is inevitable, I know I will regret it sooner or later." It seemed she already knew the outcome, yet she stubbornly wanted to walk this path that would lead to regret, "But I still choose to marry him."

In life, there are so many choices and so many regrets. Many people might know from the beginning that they will regret many things in the end, but she still wanted to follow this regrettable path, blindly forging ahead. Because she wasn't sure if choosing another path on a whim wouldn't bring her regrets in the future.

"Alright, I bless you."

At that moment, Xu Xiuxiu understood that Xu Jingjing had grown up; she was no longer the proud and impulsive girl. Life and the harshness of the era had tempered her; Xu Xiuxiu couldn't stop her but could only hope that Xu Jingjing would fare well and that the man wasn't as bad as she imagined.

"On the tenth day of the first month, I will bring Cheng Guang to your wedding," Xu Xiuxiu raised her hand to ruffle Xu Jingjing's hair, "My Xiuxiu will definitely be the most beautiful bride!"

Xu Jingjing hesitated, "Sister, you're still in confinement; maybe you shouldn't come."

"How can I not attend your wedding?" Xu Xiuxiu said with a smile, shaking her head, "Our second sister told me that a certain girl said she'd rather not get married if her Older Sister can't attend her wedding. Isn't second sister pulling my leg?" Xu Xiuxiu frowned in a mock sad and indignant expression: "I knew second sister was just teasing me, that girl is not that considerate," ending with a gnashed teeth in displeasure.

"Sister," Xu Jingjing called out to Xu Xiuxiu helplessly.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Tell me, Jingjing, is there anything special you want for your wedding? I'll prepare it for you," Xu Xiuxiu raised her hand and lightly tapped Xu Jingjing's forehead, generously making a promise.

"After my child is born, buy me a baby carriage!" Xu Jingjing looked down and thought for a moment before touching her flat belly.