Chapter 588 The Voice of Experience

Mr. Yang clapped Chen Wenxuan on the shoulder. “Xiao Chen, we’ve been away from home for so long for work, we’ve let down our parents, wives, and children. When you get back, if they nag you a bit, just listen. Don’t be stubborn with your family.”

“I’m speaking from experience; I know how hard it is for our families. My wife and I are both only children. All these years, she’s been the one managing both our families. I feel like I’ve failed her in this life. Now, I listen to whatever she says. When I retire, I’ll definitely spend my time making it up to her.”

After a few drinks, Mr. Yang’s eyes were a little red.

“That’s right, Xiao Chen. You’re still young. We serve our country honorably, but we fail our own families. We disappear for half a year, a full year, sometimes several years, and we can’t take care of anything at home.”

Everyone was older than Chen Wenxuan, and they all gave him advice on how to get along with his wife in the future.

The consensus was to trust his wife completely, give in to her, love her, and pamper her.

Chen Wenxuan fell asleep with the telegram bearing news of his wife and child by his bedside.

When he woke up the next day, he threw himself back into his work with renewed vigor.

Perhaps because he hadn’t spent much time with his parents growing up, Chen Wenxuan didn’t miss his parents and siblings very much.

His thoughts were only for Han Xiaoqing and his child.

However, he also knew that with her sister and brother-in-law there, Han Xiaoqing would be well taken care of.

With this in mind, Chen Wenxuan dedicated himself even more to his work. The sooner he completed his mission, the sooner he could go home.

Han Xiaoqing’s recovery was going very well, and by the afternoon of her third day in the hospital, she was able to be discharged.

Han Xiaorui was a little worried. “Xiao Jing, why don’t you stay a few more days?”

Han Xiaoqing waved her hand, insisting on going home. “Sis, I’m practically a doctor myself, I know my own body. Even the obstetrician said I can be discharged, so please don’t try to stop me.”

“Besides, this hospital is nice and all, but nothing beats the comfort of home. I want to go home, I don’t want to stay in the hospital anymore.”

Staying in the hospital meant her sister, brother-in-law, Granny Cai, and Sister Lian had to take turns running back and forth.

But at home it would be different. It would be much more convenient to care for her there.

She also wanted to go home for some peace and quiet.

The concern from her leaders and colleagues was so overwhelming that Han Xiaoqing had to keep forcing herself to be alert to thank everyone for their well wishes.

Only at home could she truly rest.

Han Xiaorui was still uneasy, so she specifically asked the obstetrician to come and give Han Xiaoqing a thorough examination.

Only after confirming that she had indeed met the conditions for discharge did Han Xiaorui agree.

To make things more comfortable for Han Xiaoqing and the baby, she had a driver bring the RV over from the Xu family’s place.

Granny Cai went to the peach grove next to the house and broke off two peach branches.

“Xiao Rui, a newborn’s soul is delicate. Carry these peach branches to protect the baby from evil spirits and ensure he stays safe and healthy.”

Han Xiaorui took them, acknowledging the custom. This was indeed a tradition in Hua Country.

Whether coming home from the hospital or visiting relatives, people would often carry a peach branch or two if they had a young child with them.

Although Han Xiaorui didn’t believe in ghosts or gods, she respected such traditions.

“Thank you, Godmother. It’s true what they say: an elder in the home is a treasure. You think of everything!” Han Xiaorui praised, grateful for Granny Cai’s thoughtfulness.

Granny Cai smiled. “I was worried you young people would find us old folks bothersome! But some things passed down for thousands of years aren’t entirely baseless.”

“At our age, we’ve seen enough to understand life, but we also hold a certain reverence for the heavens, the earth, and the spirits. It’s better to believe it exists than to believe it doesn’t.”

Han Xiaorui nodded. “You’re right, Godmother. Some things couldn’t be explained in ancient times, but their solutions were genuinely effective.”

“Even though science can now explain the principles and processes, you can’t help but admire the valuable experience our ancestors passed down through observation and summary.”

Holding the peach branches, Han Xiaorui arrived at the hospital.

Her little nephew was wrapped in a bright red swaddling cloth. Han Xiaorui held him personally, a peach branch in her hand.

Han Xiaorui murmured a stream of wishes: for him to be safe and sound, healthy and strong, to grow up to be successful and kind-hearted…

She wanted to bestow every beautiful wish she could think of upon this child, who was only a few days old.

Han Xiaoqing’s physical recovery was excellent. She didn’t need anyone to support her at all and, after bundling up warmly, walked out of the hospital on her own.

The RV had a place where she could lie down, and Han Xiaoqing sat there in great comfort.

The driver kept the ride very steady, and the speed was slow.

The baby was placed in a bassinet, more comfortable than being held. He had his little fists clenched and was fast asleep.

The older children were all at school, so the house was very quiet.

Han Xiaoqing returned to her room, lay down on her own bed, and sighed with emotion. “No matter how good it is outside, there’s no place like home!”

Han Xiaorui brought the baby in and placed him on the bed. “I know, right? At home, you can completely relax! But outside is different; you always have to maintain your image.”

Han Xiaoqing nodded. “Yeah, Sis, look at me. I’ve given birth, but my belly is still so round. Should I be eating less?”

Thinking of her previously slender waist, Han Xiaoqing was on the verge of tears.

If she couldn’t lose the weight, none of her clothes would fit.

Han Xiaorui didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “You just had a baby; your body hasn’t recovered yet. The postpartum meals Godmother and Sister Lian are making for you are all nutritionally balanced.”

“They’re not that greasy, so they won’t make you fat. Once your body slowly recovers and you’re through the postpartum confinement period, if you’ve still got some extra weight, you can just exercise to lose it.”

“But right now, I forbid you from tormenting your body. You absolutely cannot starve yourself and harm your health. I’ve had two pregnancies and four children; I have plenty of experience. Trust me.”

“Have you forgotten? When I had my first, I didn’t eat properly, didn’t rest well, and was holding in a lot of frustration. I got very thin, yes, but my hair was also falling out in clumps. My entire spirit was drained.”

“With my second pregnancy, you saw how carefree I was. I ate and drank what I wanted. I did gain some weight, but breastfeeding consumes a lot of nutrients. Add some exercise later on, and look at me now—am I fat anywhere?”

Han Xiaoqing looked her sister’s figure up and down, then smiled and nodded. “Nope. Big boobs aside, you’re not fat anywhere else.”

Just as she finished speaking, Granny Cai came in carrying a bowl of freshly stewed fish maw and chicken soup.

“Xiao Jing, come, have a bowl. Eat a bit of everything, the broth and the meat.”

Han Xiaoqing wasn’t actually hungry, but she took it anyway. “Thank you, Sister Cai.”

This fish maw all came from the Yellowlip Fish her sister had caught; it was made from their sun-dried swim bladders.

It was of the highest quality and had excellent restorative properties for pregnant women and new mothers.

Nowadays, it was truly rare to find supplements of this quality on the market.

Because the price was so high, many unscrupulous businesses had started making fakes.

Unless you were buying from a trusted source, you should never purchase it.

Nine times out of ten, you’d end up with a counterfeit. If it was merely ineffective, that would be one thing, but the crucial point was that some fakes were adulterated with harmful substances.

Han Xiaoqing finished the soup in a few gulps and then slowly ate the meat.

It had to be said, Granny Cai’s cooking was truly excellent. Even when she wasn’t hungry, Han Xiaoqing could still eat it.

Granny Cai always gave her small portions; if it had been any more, Han Xiaoqing wouldn’t have been able to finish it.

Under her family’s meticulous care, Han Xiaoqing’s body recovered at a visibly rapid pace.