Chapter 279 -s 279-280
Xia Xiao, together with Wang Aihua, Fang Yuejin, Xia Jing, and Yang Xuehua, arrived under the big tree, where everyone started guessing that Wang Aihua’s belly indicated a boy was on the way.
Wang Aihua’s belly was quite pointy and didn’t look as big as Sun Yuhua’s had been, nor as cumbersome.
Soon they reached the Gao family’s home, and everyone gathered around the table to eat. Zheng Xianghong even prepared a couple of extra simple dishes.
Xia Xiao felt grateful, but also a bit embarrassed as her affairs seemed to be causing Zheng Xianghong and the others worry.
Everyone was familiar with the Gao family and got along well, which made the meal quite relaxed.
After the meal, Xia Jing and Yang Xuehua followed Wang Aihua and Fang Yuejin back home. As Xia Xiao started to clear the dining table, Zheng Xianghong said, "You rest, I can do the washing."
"Mom, you’ve also worked all day and must be tired; let me do it," Xia Xiao said.
Gao Jiazhi nudged Sun Yuhua, who ignored him as she held Weilin. Gao Jiazhi said helplessly, "I’ll do the washing then."
Gao Jiaxing spoke up, "I’ll do it. You all just sit, there’s nothing to fight about over washing dishes."
Thereupon, Gao Jiaxing took the dishes straight into the kitchen while Xia Xiao quickly tidied the table and followed him into the kitchen.
Zheng Xianghong laughed, and Gao Guoqiang said, "Let them be."
Soon after, Gao Jiaxing and Xia Xiao finished washing up and tidied the kitchen; they then went out to the courtyard to cool down, while the others took turns bathing.
Now, Xia Xiao and Gao Jiaxing sat side by side on low stools in the courtyard, with Xia Xiao holding the lovely Weilin, who giggled gleefully as Xia Xiao played with her.
Gao Jiaxing said, "Let’s have one of our own too."
Xia Xiao retorted playfully, "You talk as if having a baby is as easy as deciding to. You’re already thinking about children just after we’ve gotten married."
Gao Jiaxing added, "If I’m not at home, you’ll have a child to keep you company and won’t feel lonely."
Seeing how much Xia Xiao adored children,
Xia Xiao paused, feeling that having a child might indeed be nice. If Gao Jiaxing were not at home, being alone would indeed feel somewhat desolate.
She immediately said, "Yeah, if we had a child, I’d just focus on the baby and wouldn’t miss you."
Gao Jiaxing hastily replied, "It’s not like that. Have a child who looks like me, and then looking at the child will remind you of me."
Xia Xiao laughed, "Having a son who looks like you is one thing, but if we had a daughter who resembled you, I’d be worried."
Gao Jiaxing touched his face and nodded, "Then we should have a boy who looks like me and then a girl who looks like you."
"You wish! Whether children take after their father or mother isn’t up to you to decide."
As soon as Xia Xiao finished speaking, Gao Jiaxing declared, "My son will definitely take after me."
Overhearing Gao Jiaxing and Xia Xiao discussing children, Zheng Xianghong’s heart leaped with joy, and she went inside to whisper news to Gao Guoqiang.
Gao Guoqiang, with a delighted expression, exclaimed, "That’s great, whether it’s a boy or a girl. The more, the merrier; a thriving family."
Zheng Xianghong warned, "Don’t say anything about this. They’re newlyweds; we can’t put pressure on them."
"How could I mention such a thing?" Gao Guoqiang adamantly denied he would do so.
"Jiaxing is leaving not long after the new year, so we should let the couple have some time alone this month," Zheng Xianghong suggested.
Gao Guoqiang advised, "Let things take their natural course. Don’t get too excited. They are healthy and will have children sooner or later."
"Of course, I know," Zheng Xianghong nodded and continued, "I’ve been taking care of Weilin a lot lately, and I’m looking forward to when Jiazhi and Yuhua also spend more time together."
"Anyway, you should stay out of our son and daughter-in-law’s business," Gao Guoqiang said.
Zheng Xianghong nodded and then went out again.
Soon after, Gao Jiaxing left to take a shower, and Xia Xiao and Sun Yuhua sat in the yard chatting. Gao Jiazhi, holding little Weilin, and Gao Guoqiang went off to chat on their own. Zheng Xianghong probably went under the big tree for a gossip with the other women.
Sun Yuhua said, "You guys should hurry up and have a child."
Xia Xiao replied, "I prefer to let nature take its course. When fate decides, the child will come naturally."
As for the matter of having children, Xia Xiao was not opposed to it, and in fact, she somewhat looked forward to it. In this world, although she had quite a few relatives, there was also an element of unease. Xia Xiao longed for a child of her own flesh and blood, a continuation of life, which would make her feel more settled.
"If you give birth to a son, my pressure will be less," Sun Yuhua said.
As little Weilin was growing older, although Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong hadn’t mentioned it, Sun Yuhua had begun to pressure herself.
She also worried that, since she hadn’t had a son, Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong would be expecting a grandson and would blame her for her unproductive womb.
Therefore, regarding Xia Xiao’s marriage to Gao Jiaxing, Sun Yuhua was pleased, hoping Xia Xiao and Gao Jiaxing would quickly have a son to alleviate some of her pressure.
But at the same time, Sun Yuhua was somewhat reluctant to see the eldest grandson come from Xia Xiao’s womb; she still wanted to have a son herself and feared that if Xia Xiao gave birth to the eldest grandson, Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong would favor Xia Xiao and Gao Jiaxing even more.
Xia Xiao was unaware of all these thoughts in Sun Yuhua’s mind, if she knew, she would only say that Sun Yuhua was thinking too much, as Xia Xiao really didn’t mind these things.
However, after hearing Sun Yuhua’s words, Xia Xiao smiled and said, "Yu Hua, you’re overthinking it. Little Weilin is still young, and you have no pressure."
"The earlier you have a son, the better," Sun Yuhua said.
Xia Xiao shook her head, "Don’t rush, Yu Hua. Don’t put pressure on yourself. It’s best to let things happen naturally with children."
Xia Xiao tried to console her, not knowing whether Sun Yuhua would take her words to heart or not, but that was all she could say.
Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong definitely wanted a grandson urgently, that much was certain.
But little Weilin was still young, and whether Sun Yuhua’s health had fully recovered, Xia Xiao did not know, but she felt that Sun Yuhua needn’t rush.
As for herself, Xia Xiao naturally hoped for a child, but while hoping was one thing, rushing was another.
Moreover, she had just married, and right now, Xia Xiao thought more about the two of them spending quality time together than about these many considerations.
Over here, after Gao Jiaxing had finished his bath, he went to find Gao Jiazhi. Gao Jiazhi handed little Weilin over to Gao Guoqiang, and the brothers went aside to whisper.
"Brother, did you see Ge Lai when you passed the cemetery?" Gao Jiaxing asked.
Gao Jiazhi shook his head, "No, I didn’t see him. He left early. Rest assured, Ge Lai won’t die easily. Also, no one was found at the production brigade, and there was no body on the mountains, so he must have run far away."
This reassured Gao Jiaxing. No news was good news. Although he didn’t know what had happened to Ge Lai, as long as he was alive, there would be a chance to see him again in the future.
After chatting with Gao Jiazhi, Gao Jiaxing called out from inside the house, "Xiaoxiao."
Xia Xiao responded, and Sun Yuhua said, "Jiaxing is calling you, go ahead."
Xia Xiao nodded, greeted Sun Yuhua, and went inside.
"What’s up? I was chatting with Yu Hua," Xia Xiao said as she entered the room.
"What are you monopolizing my sister-in-law for? You’re disturbing my brother and sister-in-law’s relationship," Gao Jiaxing said.
Xia Xiao was speechless, "I’m also building a relationship with Yu Hua."
"Aren’t you already close? What relationship is there left to build?"
"A sister-in-law’s relationship," Xia Xiao said, and with that comment, Gao Jiaxing was at a loss for words.