Chapter 350: Visiting Sister-in-law

Chapter 350: Meeting the Second Sister-in-law

The baby was still asleep, unaware of her aunt and mother’s conversation.

Shen Qiuyu ended up accepting the gifts.

"Xiao Xiao, you must be tired from the trip. Rest for a while first. After dinner, we’ll take you to the inn we booked."

The new place had three bedrooms and two living rooms, one of which had been converted into a study with a single bed inside.

Ye Xiaoxiao could rest in the room where Miao Cuifang was currently staying, and Duan Hong could use the study.

In any case, if no one was too picky, there were enough rooms at home.

Ye Xiaoxiao came out of the baby’s room and sat on the sofa. "It’s fine, I’ll just sit for a bit."

Duan Hong sat on the other side of the sofa, but she was used to staying alert, so she looked a little tense.

Mrs. Shen brought over tea and snacks.

"Xiao Xiao, Miss Duan, make yourselves at home—no need to stand on ceremony."

"We will, Auntie. You don’t have to entertain us. We’ll help ourselves if we need anything."

Mrs. Shen liked Xiao Xiao very much. "Alright, then make yourselves at home."

Shen Qiuyu pulled her mother aside.

"Mom, call Sister-in-law and ask Dad and Eldest Brother to come over for dinner tonight."

"Won’t it be too loud with everyone here? You’re still in confinement."

"Then how about you all go out to eat instead? Xiao Xiao made the trip all the way here. Even though I can’t go out, you and Dad can help me host them."

Mrs. Shen thought for a moment. "That could work. We’ll bring some food back for you afterward. I’ll tell your in-laws too, so they don’t have to cook."

Shen Qiuyu: "That’ll give my mother-in-law a break too."

Miao Cuifang was such a hard worker that Shen Qiuyu often worried she might overwork herself.

Ye Changan had returned to the military base these past few days. She didn’t want him returning to find his mother worn out and thinner.

Mrs. Shen went to make the call, asking Mr. Shen to bring the family to a nearby restaurant for dinner later.

When Miao Cuifang heard they were going out for dinner, she worried about Shen Qiuyu.

"You all go ahead. I’ll stay home with Xiao Yu. She shouldn’t have to handle the baby alone."

Shen Qiuyu smiled. "Mom, just go with them. I’m not like right after giving birth—I know how to hold the baby now."

Back in the hospital, facing a newborn, Shen Qiuyu had been totally clueless, not knowing what to do.

Fortunately, her mother-in-law had experience caring for babies and pitched in with the baby for days.

Ye Changan had also stuck by her, comforting her.

Later, when her own mother arrived, Shen Qiuyu gradually became less afraid and picked up how to hold and calm the baby.

During her confinement, Miao Cuifang had also been the one to fix the baby’s nighttime bottles. Shen Qiuyu had often been out cold, sleeping so deeply that she’d miss the baby waking up in the middle of the night.

When Shen Qiuyu was in the hospital, she heard nurses say that some new mothers had jumped off buildings, unable to cope after childbirth.

Looking back now, those women must not have had as great a mother-in-law and family as she did.

Miao Cuifang was still worried. "I’ll go ahead and simmer some soup for you. You can eat when you’re ready—I’ll come back soon after dinner."

Shen Qiuyu nodded. "Okay."

There was still some time before dinner.

Shen Qiuyu sat chatting with Ye Xiaoxiao. "Xiaoxiao, I couldn’t make it to your wedding. I’m really sorry."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Don’t even worry about it! You were due to give birth at the time—of course the baby came first."

Besides, taking a several-hour train ride would’ve been too hard on a pregnant woman.

Ye Xiaoxiao wouldn’t be upset over something like that.

Shen Qiuyu leaned in conspiratorially. "How’s married life? How’s he treating you?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Nothing’s changed between us. We don’t see each other often, but the Lu family is really kind to me."

Shen Qiuyu: "Actually, Lu Hanchuan’s rank lets you apply for dependent relocation—you could move to be with him."

Ye Xiaoxiao had thought about it, but she also had her own career. Moving near his base would still be inconvenient.

"Maybe in a few years."

For now, Ye Xiaoxiao wasn’t seriously considering it.

Looking at Xiaoxiao’s expression, Shen Qiuyu could tell she was doing just fine—just like always.

While they were chatting, Ye Yijia woke up.

She let out a few fussy noises, then quieted down once someone picked her up, peering around with wide, curious eyes.

"So well-behaved."

Xiaoxiao had never held such a tiny baby before.

When Qiuyu handed her the infant, her whole arm went rigid holding her.

After only a minute, she quickly handed her off to Miao Cuifang.

Miao Cuifang teased, "That’s not gonna fly! What if you get a child patient?"

Miao Cuifang didn’t realize TCM has specializations—Xiaoxiao worked in internal medicine, rarely seeing pediatric cases. She knew how to treat them, but she had no clue how to handle kids.

"There’s a saying in our profession: 'Surgery’s gold, medicine’s silver, OB-GYN’s whatever—but pediatrics? Never.' Just from that, you can tell how tough kids are."

Shen Qiuyu cracked up beside them.

Miao Cuifang gave Xiao Xiao the side-eye. "Oh stop, you’re pulling my leg."

Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t explain. Now that Miao Cuifang was holding the baby, she finally dared to reach out and coo at her.

Ye Yijia had eyes like shiny pools—clearly a beautiful baby.

After holding her for a while, Miao Cuifang gently settled the baby on the bed to wiggle around.

A newborn's bones aren't fully formed yet, so it's right not to hold them too often.

The baby was well-behaved, occasionally kicking its legs or stretching its arms, rarely crying.

Duan Hong thought it was remarkable—who knew babies could be so entertaining.

When Shen Qiuyu's father called from the restaurant to say they'd arrived, Shen's mother gathered everyone to go down for dinner.

Miao Cuifang had made pork trotter soup and millet porridge for Shen Qiuyu to eat at home.

Shen Qiuyu said, "Mom, don't worry about me. Take your time and eat well before coming back."

...

At the restaurant sat Shen Qiuyu's elder brother, sister-in-law, nephew, and father.

Shen's father warmly greeted Ye Xiaoxiao.

After everyone was seated, Shen's father passed over the menu: "I've already ordered a few dishes. Mrs. Miao and Xiao Xiao, see what else you'd like to add."

Shen's mother added, "Qiuyu reminded me to treat our in-laws and Xiao Xiao well. Mother-in-law has worked hard these days, and Xiao Xiao came all the way from the capital—please don't stand on ceremony."

Miao Cuifang said this was what she should do as the mother-in-law, and that there were already enough dishes—she wasn't picky and would eat anything.

Ye Xiaoxiao looked at the menu and simply added a few more dishes.

After reviewing the menu, Shen's father selected several more hearty dishes.

"Uncle Shen and Aunt Shen, that's already more than enough."

"No problem, we'll doggy-bag the extras—nothing will go to waste."

While waiting for the food, Shen Qiuyu's nephew Xiao Qiang kept running around the restaurant.

After being scolded by Shen's father, he behaved for a little while before starting to squirm again, either fiddling with his ears or wriggling in his chair.