Husband, Let Me Touch Your Abs - Chapter 68

Chapter 68

 

The mule cart sped along the rural path, jolting the two elderly passengers so much that their faces turned pale. Lu Lin was driving another cart behind them, accompanying Hu Chunrong and Xiao Shitou.

 

Wang Youtian dared not slow down, his heart filled with worry, fearing something might happen to Lu Yun.

 

Lu Guangsheng and Mother Lu sat in the cart with grave expressions. For the past few days, they had been concerned about Lu Yun’s difficult labor, and now their worst fears seemed to be coming true.

 

“When did the labor start yesterday? Did you call for a midwife?”

 

“It started after midnight, past the hour of the Ox. My mother invited all the women in the village who know how to assist in childbirth.”

 

“Did the amniotic fluid break?”

 

“It did, but not much. It barely soaked the trousers.”

 

“That’s good, that’s good.” Mother Lu pressed her chest and silently prayed. She recalled elders saying that if the amniotic fluid hadn’t completely drained, there was still hope; if it did, the child could suffocate inside.

 

Half an hour later, the two arrived at Willow Tree Village. As soon as they entered the courtyard, they could hear Lu Yun’s cries from inside the house.

 

“Mother… Mother, I can’t do this… It hurts so much…”

 

Mother Lu burst into tears immediately. “Ah Yun, Mother is here! Don’t be afraid; Mother is here!”

 

When she entered the house, she saw six or seven elderly women and Ge’ers standing around. Lu Yun was lying on the kang bed, his face pale as paper. He clutched the bedding tightly, his lips bitten to the point of bleeding from the pain.

 

Mother Lu pushed through the crowd and held Lu Yun’s hand tightly. “Mother is here. Stay calm and deliver the baby. Nothing will happen to you.”

 

Seeing her, Lu Yun immediately started crying out of grievance. “Mother…”

 

Mother Lu wiped his tears. “Stop crying. If you use up all your strength crying, how will you deliver the baby?”

 

“Okay.” Lu Yun nodded, holding back his tears.

 

“Mother-in-law!” Hu Chunrong called out.

 

“Yes, I’m here.” Old Lady Wang quickly stepped forward to ask what was needed.

 

“Help make a bowl of egg soup with extra sugar. He needs to eat well to gather strength for the delivery!”

 

“Alright, I’ll do it right away.” Old Lady Wang hurried out of the house, and others quickly gathered around.

 

“How is Lu Yun doing?”

 

“How is my husband?”

 

“Don’t block the way! I’ll make a sweet soup for Xiao Yun. Eldest daughter-in-law, come help me light the fire!”

 

While Old Lady Wang busied herself in the kitchen, the second daughter-in-law of the Wang family stood aside, cracking sunflower seeds and watching the commotion. She disliked Lu Yun, especially since she’d gotten into trouble for gossiping about him previously. Although her mother-in-law hadn’t reported her to her father-in-law, she still bore a grudge.

 

Soon, Old Lady Wang carried a large bowl of sweet egg soup into the house, accompanied by the eldest daughter-in-law, who started whispering.

 

“It’s been so long, and the baby hasn’t been delivered yet. Even if he drank divine nectar, it wouldn’t help now.”

 

“Exactly. When I gave birth to my eldest, it was difficult too, but I managed to deliver in three hours. It’s been nearly five hours for him now.”

 

“It wouldn’t be surprising if both lives were lost. Clearly, he’s unlucky.”

 

Unfortunately, these words reached Wang Youtian, who was already extremely anxious. Hearing his sisters-in-law curse his husband so cruelly, he exploded with rage. Picking up a hoe nearby, he swung it at them.

 

“I’ll kill you two venomous, foul-mouthed women!”

 

“Ah! Murder!” The two women screamed and scattered in terror.

 

Others quickly stepped in to stop him. Wang’s eldest brother shouted, “If your husband can’t give birth, why are you attacking my wife?”

 

“Ask your wife what she said! Talking about both lives being lost and having no luck—how is that acceptable?!”

 

Wang’s second brother quickly intervened, “Did they really say that?”

 

Wang Youtian wiped his tears in fury. “Do you think I’d lie? If anything happens to Lu Yun, I’ll make sure they don’t survive either!”

 

Wang’s eldest and second brothers fell silent. Continuing the argument would only harm familial bonds.

 

By noon, the women inside the house called for hot water, and Lu Yun’s cries of pain intensified again.

 

“You little bastard! Are you trying to kill your mother? Get out already!” Lu Yun gritted his teeth and cursed, while Mother Lu supported him, coaching him on how to push.

 

About a quarter of an hour later, Lu Yun suddenly felt a release, as though something had slid out of him.

 

“The baby is out! The baby is out!”

 

There was no immediate cry. The women quickly cut the umbilical cord and patted the baby’s bottom. Moments later, a loud cry echoed through the room.

 

An elder Ge’er lifted the curtain with a toothless grin to announce the good news: “Mother and child are safe! It’s a boy!”

 

Wang Youtian collapsed to the ground, laughing and crying with relief.

 

Father Lu was also at ease. “A boy is good; he won’t have to perform labor duties!”

 

Old Man Wang immediately ordered wine and meat to celebrate the occasion properly.

 

Inside, Old Lady Lu tended to Lu Yun’s injuries. Ge’ers giving birth often tore during labor, making the process even more painful than for women.

 

Lu Yun held the baby, panting heavily. “I didn’t expect it to be this hard… I followed your advice, avoided overeating, and stayed active, but still…”

 

Mother Lu removed the bloodstained bedding and replaced it with a clean old one. “Stop talking and get some rest.”

 

Lu Yun suddenly thought of something and turned his head. “Mother, I don’t have milk. How will I feed the baby?”

 

“We’ll use porridge, goat’s milk, or egg custard. There are always ways to raise a child. Do you think all women have milk? When I gave birth to you and your siblings, only Xiao Miao got a bit of milk. The rest of you grew up on porridge.”

 

Back then, they were so poor they couldn’t even afford proper meals, let alone have milk.

 

“Good. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to feed him.”

 

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Mother Lu took the baby from him. “The fields at home are harvested now. I’ll stay and take care of you during your confinement before going back.”

 

“That’s great!” With his mother around, everything would be easier. He definitely didn’t want Wang Youtian to help him clean his injuries.

 

By evening, Old Man Wang had his sons slaughter three chickens to make a large pot of stew. While others ate in the courtyard, Old Lady Wang brought a bowl of chicken meat and two bowls of porridge into the house.

 

“Sister-in-law, eat something. Let me hold the baby for a while.”

 

Mother Lu didn’t stand on ceremony, handing over the baby before feeding Lu Yun. The chicken stew had been made with minimal salt to avoid irritating his throat, which was still delicate after labor.

 

Lu Yun ate only a few bites before finishing the porridge and falling asleep.

 

Mother Lu finished the chicken and rice, then washed her hands and took the baby back.

 

“This child is beautiful. His brows and eyes resemble Lu Yun’s, but his nose and mouth take after Youtian. He’s inherited the best features of both parents.”

 

Mother Lu smiled in agreement. “He looks more like Youtian, but his skin definitely comes from the Lu family. Lu Yun was also deep red when he was born, and he grew fairer as he got older.”

 

“Fair skin is good for boys. This is their first child, so they must raise him well. I’ve sent Youtian to buy a nanny goat from the village. The baby will have fresh goat’s milk every day.”

 

“Good.” Mother Lu was reassured. While some of the sisters-in-law were unreliable, the in-laws themselves were decent people.

 

Meanwhile, Wang Youtian only drank one bowl of wine with his father-in-law before rushing back inside to see his child. He hadn’t yet had a proper look at him.

 

As soon as he entered, he was hit by the strong smell of blood, which tugged at his heart. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for Lu Yun. Hearing his cries of pain earlier, he had wished he could bear the labor instead.

 

“Mother, Ah Yun.”

 

Lu Yun opened his eyes. “You’re done eating?”

 

When Lu Mu saw him come in, she placed the child on the kang (heated brick bed). “You stay with Lu Yun for a while; I’m going to get something to eat.”

 

“Alright.” Wang Youtian looked down at his child, reached out, and touched the baby’s small face. “You little rascal, you really wore your mother out. When you grow up, I’ll spank you.”

 

The child, as if understanding his father’s words, scrunched his little face and began to cry loudly.

 

Lu Yun quickly patted the baby to comfort him. “Oh, oh, don’t cry, be good. Don’t scare him—he’s just a tiny baby; what does he know?”

 

Wang Youtian scratched his head and laughed foolishly. “My son is really good-looking.”

 

“Wrinkled, like a little old man.”

 

“No way. I’ve seen my big brother’s newborn; ours looks way better.”

 

Lu Yun laughed but accidentally pulled at his wound below, causing him to gasp in pain.

 

Wang Youtian immediately held his hand. “Are you alright? Does it hurt badly?”

 

“It’s killing me,” Lu Yun said pitifully.

 

“My fault, my fault. After this one, we won’t have any more.” The process of having this child had scared him half to death, and he didn’t dare think about a second one.

 

Lu Yun smiled and nodded. The young couple leaned against each other, playing with their adorable baby, their relationship growing deeper.

 

—

 

Lu Yao only received the news on the third day, learning that Lu Yun had already given birth.

 

Coincidentally, the goods in the shop had mostly sold out, so he decided to make a trip to Willow Tree Village.

 

Lu Miao and Xiaonian both wanted to see the baby, so Lu Yao had Zhao Beichuan drive the cart.

 

He took out a small silver lock he had ordered in advance. The lock cost one tael and two qian of silver. The front was engraved with “Longevity and Prosperity,” and the back featured a small monkey representing the child’s zodiac. The silversmith’s craftsmanship was excellent; the little monkey was lifelike and worth the price.

 

He also gathered fifty eggs from home and packed them in a basket to give to Lu Yun for his recovery.

 

Lu Miao and Xiaonian brought the baby clothes they had sewn in advance and handed them to him for packing. Outside, Zhao Beichuan called out, and the group quickly went out to board the cart.

 

Little Douzi couldn’t go to school today. As they passed the schoolhouse, Lu Yao went in and gave him ten wen, instructing him to have soup noodles at the noodle shop for lunch, and promising they’d be back in the afternoon.

 

Little Douzi looked envious but focused on his studies. “Brother-in-law, send my regards to the baby.”

 

“Don’t worry; I will.”

 

The group boarded the mule cart and headed toward Willow Tree Village.

 

Xiaonian asked, “Brother-in-law, is Fourth Brother’s baby a boy or a girl?”

 

“A little boy.”

 

“Wow, then he’ll definitely be as handsome as Fourth Brother.”

 

Lu Yao reached out and pinched her cheek. His little Xiaonian had such a sweet mouth; it made people happy to hear.

 

Lu Miao clutched his clothing, visibly excited. He had been worried the past few days, knowing that Fourth Brother was due soon. A few nights ago, he even had a nightmare where Lu Yun was covered in blood, clutching his hand but unable to speak.

 

When he woke up, drenched in cold sweat, he feared the dream was ominous and hadn’t told anyone. Now, hearing that both mother and child were safe, he finally felt relieved.

 

Half an hour later, they arrived at Willow Tree Village. Just as they reached the gate, they heard a commotion inside as if someone was arguing.

 

Lu Yao quickly jumped off the cart and ran into the yard. There, he saw Wang’s eldest daughter-in-law sitting on the ground, wailing and cursing, “I can’t live anymore! You Wang family are too cruel! Just because I said a few things, you want to beat me to death! Haven’t I been taking care of Father all these years?!”

 

Wang’s eldest brother, with a dark face, scolded her angrily, “Get up and go inside!”

 

“I’m not going! If I go in, you’ll hit me again. My face is already swollen from your slaps. I really can’t live anymore!”

 

“I won’t hit you; just go inside. Third Brother’s wife is still in confinement. Don’t wake the baby.”

 

At his words, the eldest sister-in-law raised her voice even higher. “Oh, I wouldn’t dare wake them! That’s gold they’ve got there, not like us common folk made of wood! They have a baby, and the whole world has to know about it. Everyone fawns over them, and you’ve all been brainwashed by them too! You don’t even care about your own kids anymore, spending all your time in Little Brother’s room. Aren’t you afraid people will laugh at you?”

 

“Smack!” Lu Yao ran over and slapped her across the face. “Shut your filthy mouth! If you stress out my brother and make him sick, I’ll take your life!”

 

Wang’s eldest daughter-in-law, shocked by the slap, hadn’t expected Lu Yao to arrive. But having been hit, she wasn’t about to let it go. She got up, ready to retaliate.

 

Though Lu Yao was thin, he was used to manual labor and had plenty of strength. He grabbed her by the hair and gave her another round of slaps.

 

Zhao Beichuan, Lu Miao, and Xiaonian hurried over to pull them apart. Wang’s eldest brother, furious, shouted, “What are you doing? Coming to my house to make trouble?”

 

Lu Yao spat at him. “You can’t control your own wife, so I’ll do it for you! Tie her mouth shut with a belt if you have to—don’t let her spew garbage that makes people look down on your Wang family for bullying someone who just gave birth.”

 

The commotion outside was so loud that Lu Mu came out. Seeing Lu Yao, she quickly waved him over. “Come in quickly; don’t argue with them anymore.”

 

“Ugh!” Xiaonian and Lu Miao spat in their direction before rushing into the house.

 

Inside, Lu Yun sat on the kang, with the baby sleeping beside him. When he saw them, his eyes lit up.

 

“Third Brother, Fifth Brother, Xiaonian, come up here.”

 

Lu Yao, still fuming, asked, “What’s going on outside? Where are Youtian and your father-in-law?”

 

“They went to the village head’s house to discuss splitting the family property.”

 

“Why are they suddenly splitting the family?”

 

Lu Mu spat. “Didn’t you see that wretched woman in the yard? When Lu Yun was giving birth, she and Wang’s second daughter-in-law said he wouldn’t make it and that both he and the baby would die. Can you believe anyone would say such vile things?”

 

Hearing this, Lu Yao was furious and was about to rush out for another fight.

 

Lu Mu quickly pulled him back. “That’s enough. Youtian already fought them a few days ago. If it weren’t for not wanting to upset Lu Yun right after giving birth, we would have split the family that day.”

 

“That’s outrageous! Those two have always gossiped, but this is too much. They have their own kids—how can they say such venomous things?”

 

Lu Yun chuckled, unbothered. “Let them say what they want. Anyway, Youtian has made up his mind to split the family this time.”

 

Youtian had always been the most diligent worker in the family. Wang’s eldest brother had a back injury and couldn’t do heavy labor for long, while Wang’s second brother was calculating and only did the easiest tasks. Once the family was split, Youtian wouldn’t have to work like a mule for everyone else.

 

Lu Mu said, “Enough about those unpleasant people. Come see your little nephew.”

 

Lu Yao remembered the silver lock and baby clothes. He took them out of the bundle.

 

“We can’t accept this—it’s too valuable,” Lu Yun said, waving his hands when he saw the large silver lock.

 

Lu Yao smacked his hand lightly. “It’s not for you—what are you refusing for? This is for my little nephew. Oh, oh, oh, have you been good?”

 

Lu Yao gently touched the baby’s cheek with his finger. The baby seemed to notice, scrunching his brows as if about to cry. Startled, Lu Yao quickly pulled his hand back, too afraid to touch such a tiny baby again.

 

Lu Yun stifled a laugh. “Third Brother, you like kids so much—why don’t you have one yourself?”

 

Lu Yao wasn’t in a hurry. Wrapping an arm around Xiaonian’s shoulders, he said, “Having siblings is enough for me. Where would I find the time to raise another one?”

 

Even Lu Mu didn’t urge him this time. After witnessing the difficulty of childbirth, her heart ached too much to want another child to go through it.

 

“Fourth Brother, look at the clothes I made—do they fit?”

 

Lu Yun unfolded the baby clothes. Three were made by Lu Miao and two by Xiaonian, all finely stitched with smooth fabric.

 

“So beautiful, much better than the ones I made myself.”

 

Lu Yun placed the little clothes on the baby for a comparison. They were slightly larger, but it didn’t matter; the baby would grow into them. Babies during the confinement period were like bamboo shoots after the rain, changing by the day.

 

Not long after, Wang Youtian and the two elders of the Wang family returned. Today, they had gone to the village chief’s house mainly to discuss dividing the family’s farmland. The Wang family owned 35 mu of superior farmland, 13 mu(2.13acres) of medium-quality farmland, and 7 mu(1.15acres) of lower-grade farmland.

 

This amount of land made them one of the wealthiest households in the village. Now, with the three brothers deciding to split the family, Old Master Wang could only strive to divide the land equally to avoid future disputes.

 

The eldest brother of the Wang family opposed the division. The conflicts between him and his wife were aimed at forcing their parents to abandon the idea of splitting the family. That’s why the scene in the courtyard had unfolded earlier today.

 

Unexpectedly, Lu Yao had intervened, leaving the eldest brother’s wife with a swollen, bruised face.

 

When Wang Youtian saw Zhao Beichuan at the doorway, he quickly smiled and ran over. “Brother-in-law, you’re here!”

 

Zhao Beichuan nodded coldly. “Come over here. I need to talk to you.”

 

Confused, Wang Youtian followed him, only to have Zhao Beichuan grab his collar and drag him into the side room. “Your husband just gave birth, and you’re letting your elder brother’s family cause such a ruckus?”

 

“They’re at it again?”

 

“I usually don’t like meddling, but what they said was too vile. If they upset Lu Yun and something happens to him, do you think your father would let you off the hook?”

 

Wang Youtian blushed deeply with embarrassment. “Ah, that’s why my parents and I went to the village chief’s house today. Just let them cause a fuss for a few more days; the family will be split soon.”

 

Hearing this, Zhao Beichuan felt reassured. “Good, I was worried you weren’t aware of the situation.”

 

“How could I not know? When Lu Yun was giving birth a few days ago, didn’t you hear the awful things my two sisters-in-law said? Even recounting them feels like it would rot my tongue.”

 

Zhao Beichuan patted his shoulder. “Enough said. I understand your difficulties.”

 

Wang Youtian’s eyes turned red. “Let’s not talk about it. Brother-in-law, stay for lunch and have a couple of drinks with me.”

 

Zhao Beichuan didn’t refuse. When they stepped out of the side room, they saw Wang’s eldest brother standing nearby, seemingly waiting for them.