Chapter 9: Amazing

Gu Zhuo’s demeanor was relaxed and casual, but Ma Hongying and Sister Yang watched with hearts pounding in their chests. In the past, Qiu Xiu had performed acupuncture before, but always with intense focus—never so nonchalantly, chatting as she worked. Naturally, this made them nervous and anxious.

—How could they know that this was Gu Zhuo in her youth; the woman standing before them now had decades of experience in medicine. Acupuncture of this level was second nature to her.

When Gu Zhuo finished, Ma Hongying let out a sigh of relief, but then hesitated, saying, “Well, we don’t have a clock at home, so there’s no way to keep track of time. And… none of us can read or write.”

Gu Zhuo was momentarily taken aback—she hadn’t considered that. She almost suggested borrowing a watch, but swallowed the words. It was not like the modern era; a watch was not something easily borrowed.

After some thought, she said, “Captain Gu has a watch. Brother Jia Zhu, you should go to his house morning and evening to check the time, then count the number of contractions within each time period. Count each contraction as it happens, and if you notice the intervals getting noticeably longer, be sure to let me know.” In this way, even if they couldn’t read or write, it wouldn’t matter.

Liu Jia Zhu nodded, “I understand.” Captain Gu’s house was only steps away, so it was no trouble.

Seeing Gu Zhuo preparing to leave, he quickly said, “Qiu Xiu, from now on, Father and I will come to pick you up morning and evening. The sun is scorching these days, and you’re ill. Walking is too exhausting—we’ll carry you on a shoulder pole.”

“Yes, yes, Jia Zhu and I will come for you,” Liu Laogen chimed in.

Gu Zhuo couldn’t help but twitch her lips. “That’s far too much—really, it’s unnecessary.”

“It’s necessary, very necessary,” Ma Hongying noticed the sweat pouring down Gu Zhuo’s face and apologized, “I was so focused on Qiao Ling, I didn’t notice how drenched you are. Quick, have some water.”

She ladled some cool water and handed it to Gu Zhuo.

Seeing her hesitate, Ma Hongying reassured her, “I know you’re particular. The water in this jar has been boiled and cooled.”

They were used to drinking raw water, and although Qiu Xiu had often warned them about its dangers, they found it troublesome and usually ignored her. But now, with their daughter-in-law pregnant, they were extra cautious and had started boiling water.

Since Ma Hongying had gone to such lengths, Gu Zhuo didn’t refuse. She was indeed thirsty and took the ladle, drinking deeply.

Afterward, she insisted, “Let’s forget about picking me up with the shoulder pole. If people saw, it wouldn’t look good.” Living in this era, one had to mind appearances.

Ma Hongying was taken aback, then said, “At least let the father and son pick you up for the next couple of days, until your fever subsides. Don’t worry, nobody would dare say anything.”

She had wanted to mention that Gu Zhuo was now a martyr’s family member, but thought better of it—no need to touch on sore subjects when the child was grieving.

Gu Zhuo didn’t refuse again. She was not one to fear hardship or trouble others, nor did she think there was anything wrong with walking. Yet… perhaps it was precisely this aspect of her character that made it so easy for others to take advantage.

They arrived home near noon. Xie Ning had already returned to cook, and unexpectedly, Chen Xinwan hadn’t come back. Her mother-in-law was invariably poor at housework, but took it for granted, never making an effort and always scheming to shirk chores.

Usually, when working for labor points, she would return for meals whether she cooked or not, always taking a break.

Noticing the surprise in Gu Zhuo’s eyes, Xie Ning explained awkwardly, “Mother went to Aunt Qian’s.”

Chen Xinwan had few friends in the village; the only close one was Aunt Qian. Aunt Qian was not a good person; a widow raising two sons alone, she should have garnered sympathy, but was notorious for exploiting others and had a tangled history with men. Over time, people avoided her.

Chen Xinwan was different. Oblivious to the value of daily necessities, she somehow became “bosom friends” with Aunt Qian.

Gu Zhuo’s expression didn’t change. She nodded and asked, “Where’s Yinyin?”

“She’s next door. Aunt is peeling chestnuts for her,” Xie Ning replied. “Don’t worry, sister-in-law, Yinyin is perfectly fine.”

Since yesterday, Gu Zhuo’s gaze hadn’t left Yinyin, obviously shaken by the near drowning incident.

Despite Xie Ning’s assurances, Gu Zhuo grabbed a handful of red dates and went next door to fetch Yinyin.

“Qiu Xiu, you’re too polite. We’re neighbors—what’s a little babysitting?” Aunt Liu refused to accept the red dates.

Gu Zhuo smiled, “Yinyin has eaten plenty of your chestnuts.”

“They’re worth nothing,” Aunt Liu said dismissively. “The hills are full of them, and nobody wants them.”

The mountains near Nine Families Village had plenty of chestnut trees. The yield wasn’t high and the nuts were small, but exceedingly sweet. Yet they were troublesome to gather and hard to store, so unless people were truly hungry, they didn’t bother picking them.

Ultimately, Gu Zhuo couldn’t give away the handful of red dates and brought them back home.

“Mommy, Grandma Liu also gave me this,” Yinyin said gleefully, pulling out a fruit candy from her pocket.

Gu Zhuo’s head ached. Aunt Liu’s family wasn’t well-off; she had three sons, all married, and her daughters-in-law were sharp and shrewd. If they knew she’d given candy to Yinyin, it might spark a household conflict.

“Don’t worry, Mommy, I won’t tell anyone,” Yinyin assured her, carefully placing the fruit candy in a glass jar. “When Daddy sends peach preserves next time, I’ll give Aunt Liu a slice. She said she’s never tasted it.”

In truth, it wasn’t just Aunt Liu who’d never tasted peach preserves.

Xie Ning thought to herself—she hadn’t tried them either.

—Sister-in-law was easygoing on most matters, but whenever big brother sent food home, anything that could be stored was reserved for Yinyin, especially canned fruit. She claimed it was to satisfy the child’s cravings. Since she herself didn’t eat it, even if Mother-in-law had opinions, she couldn’t say anything.

Gu Zhuo’s memories in this regard were faint, but after a moment’s thought, she recalled. In her younger days, she would have discouraged her daughter from such ideas—she herself cared little for indulgence, but when it came to her child’s food, she was fiercely protective.

But now…

She smiled warmly, stroking Yinyin’s hair. “Our Yinyin is wonderful!”

Not simply taking, but thinking to give in return—even adults rarely do so, let alone a child.

Yinyin blushed, grinning widely, “Mommy is wonderful too!”

Watching her imitate grown-up speech, both Gu Zhuo and Xie Ning couldn’t help but laugh.