"Where's my son? Let me give him a kiss; I missed him to death."
Wang Dazhuang came back from the fields, beaming with a wide grin, and tried to pick me up as soon as he saw me.
I quickly dodged back, pouting slightly, "Don't! You're all sweaty. Mom has prepared some bath water for you."
"You might stink up me, but don't stink up our son."
My tone was naturally playful and assertive, but Wang Dazhuang didn't mind and happily went to take a bath.
After more than two months of living together, I had already figured out his temper.
He was a macho guy, conceitedly confident yet insecure, spent his whole life toiling in the fields, hadn't seen much of the world, and was illiterate.
Feng Cuihua brought over another bowl of sweet egg soup.
"Mom..."
I pretended to refuse, "I've eaten so many eggs already, I really can't eat anymore."
"Even if it's for nutrition, it shouldn't be like this."
Feng Cuihua pulled a long face.
"This is for my eldest grandson, hurry up and eat."
I quickly took it and forced myself to eat, suppressing the urge to vomit.
Even though I was pregnant, I couldn't just lie around doing nothing.
The injury on my leg was the best proof.
Just over a month ago, when Feng Cuihua forced me to go to the fields, I went all or nothing and injured my own leg.
The hoe swung wildly.
I didn't get much work done, but my leg got hurt first.
My fair skin had a gaping wound, blood trickling, looking pretty scary.
At that time, Wang Dazhuang was doting on me dearly, and without a word, he let me go back home to rest.
Feng Cuihua had something to say but couldn't voice it.
After that, now, being pregnant gave me even more reason to cling to Wang Dazhuang and not want to go to the fields.
Lucky for me, his character was easy to manipulate; otherwise, I'd really have to be tormented in the fields for quite some time.
"Mom."
After eating, I pulled Feng Cuihua over to talk, "I used to..."
As soon as I started, I was met with Feng Cuihua's wary gaze.
I quickly continued.
"I used to come from a family of medicine, I studied medicine as well, I'm a doctor."
"Mom, can you get me some herbs? I want to replenish my body, so your big fat grandson can be healthier."
I carefully said, "I know you don't want me to bring up the past, I don't want to either..."
Tears dropped from my eyes like beads, click-clacking down.
"They say, you marry a chicken, you follow the chicken; marry a dog, you follow the dog. I willingly married Dazhuang, it was a mix-up at the beginning, but Dazhuang treats me so well."
"In the village, which woman can be pregnant and not go to the fields? Even I, back then, was forced to go fetch herbs even when sick. I'm grateful to Dazhuang and want to take care of my body to have two more sons."
"I won't go out, Mom, you just take the prescription."
I didn't hope my recounted tragic experiences would invoke any pity from Feng Cuihua.
But as long as she was willing to act on behalf of her grandson, that would do.
Despite her hesitation, Feng Cuihua agreed first.
I could see her strong desire and urgency for a grandson; this kind of psychology is spot on.
The herbs were bought back quickly.
I didn't make any sneaky moves.
It was just bona fide tonic medicine.
After preparing it, I took a couple of sips myself before serving it on the table.
A big pot of rich chicken soup made Feng Cuihua's eyes filled with skepticism.
"Is this really tonic medicine?"
I smiled, "This is medicinal cuisine. Traditional Chinese herbs are so expensive, of course the whole family should enjoy it. Little Brother, do you know what medicinal cuisine is?"
Wang Chuan nodded silently, and for once, opened his mouth, "Read about it in books, it's good for the body."
My taste test reassured them quite a bit, and they followed suit in drinking it.
The first time drinking medicinal cuisine evidently had its effects; that night, Wang Dazhuang was full of vigor, almost exhausting me with his enthusiasm.
I lay in his arms, speaking softly, "Brother Dazhuang, can we have medicinal cuisine once every few days?"
"You're working so hard, I feel for you, and I have our son in my belly, he needs nourishment too, and Little Brother studying so hard, and Mom at such an age..."
Wang Dazhuang was tempted but took a breath, scolding in a muffled voice, "Such nice thoughts, but isn't the medicine money also money? Sleep!"
I shook his arm, growing a bit bolder than at the start, looking all the more enchanting in the moonlight, "I know it costs money, of course."
"Brother Dazhuang, I can earn money too. I can write books, write things."
"Let Little Brother take my manuscripts and submit them, it'll earn money, and also help Little Brother build a reputation, how about it?"
"I also want to contribute to the family."
"Please, Brother Dazhuang, you're the best."
He clearly couldn't resist being cajoled by his charming wife, but remained reasonable, saying they would talk tomorrow, then turned over and fell asleep.
He had concerns at heart.
I wasn't worried about his concerns; I smiled as I slept beside him.
Within just a few days, Feng Cuihua came looking for me with paper and pen.
"Your stuff, don't try any tricks, otherwise, though our family is kind, we won't be concerned about the baby in your belly."
I drew close to her gently, "Mom, you're so good, I knew you'd agree."
Feng Cuihua got goosebumps, feeling it's too mushy, hurriedly put the items down.
She didn't have a daughter, but she hadn't seen any daughter-in-law this clingy either.
However...
It wasn't unpleasant.
Other families were still tethering their daughters-in-law like dogs, while her daughter-in-law had already started actively earning money.
She had asked the village head, no problem, she can do it, but be careful, check what Song Chengcheng writes often.
After all, captivated by the idea of earning money, Feng Cuihua was confident that she could easily overpower a timid woman like her.