Chapter 48: Almost Miscarriage

Counting Han Aimin, there were five children in the family. The two older ones received the schoolbags, so the other three younger ones were envious.

Although they couldn’t use the schoolbags yet, they still thought they were treasures. Naturally, they were unhappy at not having one.

Fabric was precious in those days. The clothes everyone wore were old, patched, and mended repeatedly. In families with many children, the eldest usually got new clothes, which were then passed down to the younger ones. The value of fabric was unimaginable. Now, with a whole, sturdy, and beautiful piece of cloth made into a brand-new schoolbag, not only the children but even Han’s second and third daughters-in-law were filled with envy.

If it weren’t for fear of being scolded by the old lady, the second daughter-in-law would have snatched Hehua’s schoolbag to sew a new dress for Xiaolei. Hehua also knew what her mother was thinking. Every morning she strapped her schoolbag onto her body as soon as she woke up, and at night she even slept with it on, terrified her mother would take it away.

The third daughter-in-law, on the other hand, felt that Su Yue had been far too careless. With so many children in the family, only Aimin and Hehua were given bags, while the rest were left out. Their third branch only had one child, Maomao. Wasn’t this favoritism? Was this how an aunt should behave?

So, when Su Yue was teaching Aimin and Hehua, she noticed the third daughter-in-law approaching under the guise of curiosity. She touched the schoolbags that Aimin and Hehua placed on the table and praised with a smile, “Eldest sister-in-law is so generous. She’s willing to make schoolbags for the children. Sister-in-law, why don’t you make one for my Maomao too? He’s so envious of his uncle and elder sister. He even dreams of having a schoolbag.”

Su Yue laughed and replied, “If Maomao wants a schoolbag, then he has to sit and study as diligently as Aimin and Hehua. He can follow along in class.”

The third daughter-in-law knew perfectly well that her little boy couldn’t sit still. Asking him to study was like killing him. But since he really wanted a schoolbag, she said, “Alright, I’ll let Maomao follow you and learn. Sister-in-law, why don’t you go ahead and make the schoolbag first so he can take it to class?”

Su Yue smiled inwardly, thinking, What a fool. If I make the bag first, who will care if Maomao studies or not?

Aloud, she said, “Let’s see first. Have Maomao study with me for three days. If he manages to persist, then I’ll make him a schoolbag.”

The third daughter-in-law’s smile froze. She thought it over and decided that forcing Maomao to study for three days wasn’t impossible. As long as he endured for that long, she could get him the schoolbag and then let him stop. That way, she wouldn’t lose anything.

So she hugged Maomao and coaxed, “From now on, study hard with your aunt. Once you do, she’ll make you a schoolbag.”

But as soon as Maomao heard this, he cried out, “Mother, I don’t want to! Studying is boring. I want to play outside! Didn’t you say people who study are fools?”

The third daughter-in-law froze. Embarrassment and anger filled her face as she snapped, “Nonsense! When did I ever say that? Studying is good. You’re not allowed to play, just sit down and study!”

But Maomao had no interest in studying. Now that his mother was forcing him to sit indoors instead of playing, his temper flared. He kicked wildly and shouted, “I won’t! I won’t! I don’t want to study! Studying is for fools!”

He was strong and unruly. While thrashing about, his feet suddenly landed on his mother’s stomach. She let out a sharp scream and clutched her belly in pain, crying, “Ouch! Mother! My stomach, my stomach hurts so much…”

Su Yue was startled. She rushed over to help, asking anxiously, “What’s wrong? What happened to your stomach?”

The third daughter-in-law gasped, her face contorted with pain. “It hurts… it hurts so much…”

Because of her thick winter clothes, Su Yue couldn’t see anything outwardly. But the more she thought about it, the more worried she became. If she’s pregnant and just got kicked in the stomach, this could be serious.

She quickly ordered, “Aimin, hurry and fetch the barefoot doctor from the brigade!”

Though he didn’t understand the full situation, Aimin saw the urgency in Su Yue’s tone and immediately dashed out the door.

Then Su Yue turned to Hehua. “Go find your third uncle and tell him to come back quickly!”

“Yes, I’ll go right away!” Hehua ran off in a hurry.

Meanwhile, Maomao realized the gravity of what he had done. Terrified, he burst into loud sobs. His wailing was so piercing it drew Old Lady Han out of the kitchen, flour still dusting her hands and apron.

“What’s going on? What happened?” she demanded.

Su Yue explained quickly, “Mother, Maomao kicked third sister-in-law in the stomach. She says it hurts badly. I think she might be pregnant.”

Old Lady Han’s eyes widened. She looked at her pale third daughter-in-law and asked sharply, “Are you pregnant?”

The third daughter-in-law froze, then groaned, “Mother, I… I don’t know.”

“How long has it been since your last period?” Old Lady Han pressed.

The younger woman thought about it, still clutching her belly. As the realization dawned, her face went white. “It’s been two months… Am I really pregnant?”

Old Lady Han nearly fainted from anger. How could she be so muddle-headed? She didn’t even realize she’d missed two months! But seeing her daughter-in-law in pain, she held back her scolding and helped Su Yue guide her into the room.

Just then, Han Lao-san rushed back, breathless from running. He saw his wife trembling in pain and panicked. “What’s happening?”

Old Lady Han slapped him hard. “Your wife is most likely pregnant, and neither of you even realized it! If something happens to the child, I won’t forgive you!”

Hearing this, Han Lao-san turned pale. When his eyes landed on Maomao sobbing outside the door, rage surged through him. He seized the boy and smacked his bottom hard. “You little bastard! You dare kick your mother? I’ll beat you to death!”

Maomao shrieked miserably, his cries echoing through the yard.

“Enough!” Old Lady Han snapped. “Now’s not the time to discipline the child! Go see if Old Man Zhang has arrived!”

Old Man Zhang was the barefoot doctor of the brigade.

At that very moment, Han Lao-san spotted him at the gate. He ran over, calling urgently, “Uncle Zhang, please come quickly! My wife is pregnant; our boy just kicked her in the stomach!”

The old doctor hurried in, not even pausing for breath. He took the third daughter-in-law’s pulse, his expression darkening. “She’s pregnant, but the child is unstable.”

Everyone turned pale. Old Lady Han pleaded anxiously, “Then please, Old Zhang, think of a way to save the child!”

The doctor shook his head. “This is beyond me. She must be sent to the commune hospital immediately.”

He had only learned a few medical skills in his youth. While he could handle minor ailments, something like this was beyond his abilities.

At that moment, Aimin returned with a mule cart.

“Quickly, let’s get her to the hospital,” Su Yue urged.

Old Lady Han immediately gave instructions. Han Lao-san and Han Lao-er carefully carried the third daughter-in-law out.

Su Yue quickly pulled the bedding off the kang bed and spread it on the mule cart to cushion her. Then she helped cover the woman with a quilt before urging, “Go, hurry!”

Old Lady Han climbed onto the cart as well, leaving Su Yue and Han Aiguo at home to care for the children.

Only then did Su Yue explain the entire situation to Han Aiguo.

He cast a sharp glance at Maomao, who was still hiccupping from crying in the corner. The moment Maomao met his gaze, he broke into frightened sobs again.

Han Aiguo turned his eyes away without another word.

—-

At this time, everyone in the village had heard that something had happened to the Han family. Some well-meaning women came over under the pretense of concern, wanting to find out what was going on.

Su Yue did not want to discuss private family matters with outsiders. She tried to send them away, saying that her family members were unwell. But such an excuse clearly did not satisfy their curiosity. They lingered, pressing for answers.

Seeing this, Han Aiguo’s cold gaze swept across the group. His face was expressionless as he said, “If you want to ask something, ask me.”

The moment he spoke, the women fell silent. Who would dare gossip in front of someone with such a stern, unapproachable face? Embarrassed, they quickly made excuses and dispersed.

Su Yue let out a quiet sigh of relief.

When night began to fall, Han Lao-san and the others finally returned. His wife lay on the mule cart, her face no longer as pale as in the morning. She was not groaning in pain anymore, but her expression was still weak and tired.

Su Yue stepped forward and asked softly, “How is it? Is everything all right?”

Old Lady Han exhaled in relief. “The baby was saved. But the third daughter-in-law cannot get out of bed for the next two months. She must stay in bed to protect the pregnancy.”

Su Yue nodded. “As long as the child is safe. She needs to take good care of herself during this time.”

Old Lady Han instructed her sons to carry the third daughter-in-law into the room. Then, she went to the chicken coop in the yard and caught a chicken. “The third daughter-in-law has stirred the fetus. The doctor said she must be nourished. I’ll stew a chicken for her.”

Su Yue quickly took the chicken from her. “Mother, you’ve been running around all day. Let me stew it. You go rest.”

Old Lady Han hesitated, worried Su Yue would be overwhelmed. But Han Aiguo spoke firmly, “Mother, go to your room and rest for a while. I’ll help Yue’er cook.”

Realizing she was truly exhausted, Old Lady Han stopped insisting. Her legs ached and her head hurt from the day’s stress, so she went inside to rest.

Han Aiguo killed and cleaned the chicken under the eaves, then handed it over to Su Yue once it was ready. She took it into the kitchen to stew, while he tended the fire.

During the wait, Su Yue also made some corn pancakes for dinner. After the long day, everyone was surely hungry.

When the pancakes were ready, she called the family to eat. After dinner, the chicken soup in the kitchen had filled the air with its rich fragrance, making the children swallow hungrily.

Su Yue ladled a basin of chicken soup and handed it to Han Lao-san. “This is for chicken soup to nourish your wife. Take it to her; she needs to drink it while it’s hot.”

Han Lao-san accepted it gratefully, thanking her several times before taking it into the room.

Xiaolei’s mouth watered. He tugged at his mother’s leg, pouting, “Mother, I want chicken soup too!”

Han’s second daughter-in-law glanced at Old Lady Han nervously. She dared not argue, so she patted his head and coaxed, “That’s for your third aunt to recover. You can’t drink it.”

Xiaolei refused to back down. “Why can Third Aunt drink it just because she’s an adult, but I can’t? I want to drink it too!”

Han’s second daughter-in-law looked at Old Lady Han again.

The old lady was too tired for a quarrel. With a headache setting in, she waved a hand. “Yueyue, serve each child half a bowl to taste. The rest, keep for the third daughter-in-law to drink tomorrow.”

Su Yue quickly filled bowls for the children, making sure each had a piece of meat, then set aside the remaining soup for the third daughter-in-law’s noon meal.

Xiaolei sipped his bowl with a satisfied grin, his eyes narrowing in bliss.

Old Lady Han warned sternly, “Tomorrow, do not let Xiaolei come begging again. That soup is for the third daughter-in-law.”

Han’s second daughter-in-law rubbed her hands awkwardly. “Mother, I have to go to work. How can I watch him all day? He’s just a child, what child isn’t greedy? Once he grows older, it’ll be fine.”

Old Lady Han snorted. “Greedy or not, a child who whines for food cannot be indulged. If Xiaolei insists again, I’ll give him what he wants but I’ll be taking it from you. He wants chicken? Then hand me one of your chickens, and I’ll cook it for him!”

The second daughter-in-law’s face soured immediately. She gave Xiaolei a light slap on the back and scolded, “Stop begging grandma for food! Do you hear me? Your mother doesn’t have endless food to give you!”

But Xiaolei ignored her, happily finishing his soup as though nothing had happened.

Old Lady Han was too weary to argue further. Once the children finished their bowls, she sent them to bed. The adults soon followed, washing up and turning in for the night.

Su Yue, however, was not sleepy. She lit the kerosene lamp and sat down to knit a sweater.

The weather was growing colder, and Han Aiguo only had a worn military coat. His only sweater was frayed at the sleeves, with a large hole in the back. Still, he wore it without complaint. But Su Yue felt distressed. She had gone to the supply cooperative to buy wool and needles, determined to knit him something new.

Yet she had never knitted before and always bought sweaters instead. Feeling embarrassed, she had even gone to Hehua, a girl under ten, to ask for guidance. After practicing for two days, she had finally managed to start, though her work was slow. She often dropped stitches, ruined the fabric, and had to unravel everything. So far, she hadn’t even finished a single waist section.

Han Aiguo sat beside her, silently watching her knit. After a long moment, he suddenly asked, “What day is it for you?”

“Huh?” Su Yue looked up in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Your menstruation,” he clarified.

Her eyes widened. “Why are you asking that? You don’t think I’m pregnant already, do you? We’ve only been married for a few days! Are you in such a hurry to have a baby?”

Han Aiguo shook his head, gently pulling her into his arms. “I’m not in a hurry for a child. I just want to remember when your period comes.”

Su Yue grew more suspicious. “Why do you want to remember?”

After a pause, he murmured, “So that you won’t forget.”

Blinking, Su Yue suddenly understood. “You’re worried I’ll be careless, like Third Sister-in-law, and not even realize I’m pregnant?”

Han Aiguo’s voice was low. “I’ll remember it for you.”

Moved, Su Yue leaned up to kiss him on the lips.

In this era, men rarely even talked about such matters with their wives, let alone kept track of their periods. For him to be so attentive touched her deeply.

She decided she would not reject his care. If he wanted to pamper her, she would gladly accept it. Only a fool would push such love away.

“I usually get it around the 20th of each month,” she told him softly. “Sometimes it comes two or three days early or late, but that’s normal.”

Han Aiguo committed the date firmly to his memory.

Su Yue, pleased with his thoughtfulness, decided this was a good chance to tell him more. She explained in detail about the discomfort women experienced during menstruation, the need to avoid cold water, cold weather, and anger.

She believed men were not born perfect. But with guidance, they could learn to become good husbands. Instead of waiting for a flawless man, why not teach the one by your side to grow into one?

She smiled secretly at her own cleverness.

But just as she was feeling satisfied, Han Aiguo interrupted. “You dropped a stitch again.”

“Oh no, I was distracted while talking to you!” Su Yue sighed, quickly unraveling her work and starting over.

Han Aiguo caught her hand. “Stop knitting for tonight. The light is too dim; you’ll ruin your eyes.”

Su Yue looked at him helplessly. “Then you won’t have a new sweater this winter.”

He chuckled. “Then I’ll wait until next year. You have plenty of time to finish so don’t rush.”

With that, he pulled her under the quilt and stripped her bare.