Chapter 370 - 372: Leaving the Island
Xia Xiao didn’t know when Jiaxing would come back, nor if he would come back, but since Xuebi had said so, Xia Xiao naturally answered likewise.
Moreover, since Guihua had given birth to twins, a boy and a girl, Xuebi’s visit was clearly malicious, aimed specifically to flaunt in front of Zheng Xianghong and to provoke her.
Xuebi looked at Xia Xiao’s pregnant belly and said, "Oh my, such a big belly, even bigger than Guihua’s. It must be twins, but having both a boy and a girl isn’t common. It would be nice if they were both boys; two girls would be worrisome."
Zheng Xianghong was so angry she wanted to argue with Xuebi. Xia Xiao looked at Xuebi and smiled slightly, "Girls are good too. Auntie gave birth to a wonderful daughter, didn’t she? She married well, and blessings surely followed, didn’t they?"
"I also have two sons and two grandsons; these blessings didn’t just come casually," Xuebi responded.
This time Xia Xiao didn’t speak, but Zheng Xianghong retorted fiercely, "I don’t even know what’s there to boast about marrying off a son; I’m embarrassed for you. Go on, hurry back and take care of the old lady. I heard from Guoqiang and Jiazhi that the old lady isn’t doing well at your house. If anything happens to her, don’t blame our household for calling you unfilial. When people point at your backbone, don’t say I didn’t warn you."
Xuebi sneered, "You talk about filial piety, why don’t you bring the old lady back and take care of her? If you did, you’d probably be the first to resent her."
"That’s why, what some people harbor in their hearts, they assume others do the same. You think everyone is as malicious as you," Zheng Xianghong said disdainfully.
Xuebi, hands on her hips, was about to argue with Zheng Xianghong when Guoqiang returned. Xuebi snorted lightly, still somewhat considering Guoqiang’s presence.
Despite her children all being successful, with Jiaxing becoming an officer and her son-in-law eager to get on good terms with Jiaxing, Xuebi had to hold back.
"What’s going on?" Guoqiang asked Xuebi.
Zheng Xianghong said, "She came here wanting us to take back the old lady."
Guoqiang looked at Xuebi, who explained, "Brother, don’t listen to your sister-in-law’s nonsense. Guihua gave birth to twins last night, a boy and a girl. I came to let you know so you could share the happiness."
Guoqiang cracked a slight smile, "Good for Guihua, she is blessed."
"Indeed," Xuebi added, glancing at Xia Xiao. "Here’s hoping older brother gets to hold a grandson soon."
"Borrowing your good words," Guoqiang nodded.
"Ah, I need to go back and make chicken soup for Guihua." Saying this, Xuebi left.
Pfft, Zheng Xianghong was furious. If it weren’t for considering Xia Xiao’s feelings, she might have argued with Xuebi herself, "Xia Xiao, just ignore her."
"Mom, I’m fine." Xia Xiao gently caressed her belly, feeling that she might also be carrying twins, which Shitou had also suggested, though the gender was still unknown.
It wasn’t just her feeling; everyone speculated looking at her belly that she might be having twins. Xia Xiao didn’t tell Zheng Xianghong anything nor did she ask Shitou about the gender of the babies.
The news of Guihua giving birth to twins, spread by Xuebi, led everyone to compliment Guihua on her good fortune.
While Zheng Xianghong’s daughter, Gao Yongfang, hasn’t experienced any more pregnancies after marrying into the Feng family and giving birth to a daughter.
Although Gao Yongfang no longer has a good relationship with her maternal family, she was born from Zheng Xianghong’s womb and among Zheng Xianghong’s daughters, she married the best, yet her womb hasn’t been cooperative.
And Lin Xuebi’s daughter not only married well but also gave birth to twins, really such a big fortune.
Moreover, Lin Xuebi already has two grandsons, while Zheng Xianghong only has one granddaughter, and it’s still unknown whether Xia Xiao is carrying a boy or a girl.
Especially Li Shengmei, who always managed to jab a few sour remarks at Zheng Xianghong, feeling that Zheng Xianghong wasn’t up to Lin Xuebi, which Zheng Xianghong couldn’t help but retaliate, "At least my daughter-in-law can conceive, yours can’t."
"I have three sons, and once Bingzi and Wuzi get married, having grandsons will just be a matter of time. As for your younger daughter-in-law, perhaps twins are coming, maybe two girls," Li Shengmei just couldn’t stand seeing Zheng Xianghong fare well, especially when Lin Xuebi’s daughter was doing so admirably, she couldn’t help but sourly tease Zheng Xianghong.
Immediately, Zheng Xianghong and Li Shengmei started arguing, and the most hurt was Dong Meihua, as she was again dragged into the heart of the conflict, all thanks to Li Shengmei stirring things up.
"Sis, that Li Shengmei is so annoying, she actually cursed you to have two daughters," Xia Jing said to Xia Xiao.
Before Xia Xiao could respond, she heard Shitou’s voice, "Don’t let them affect your mood, you are having a son."
Xia Xiao smiled faintly, gently patting Xia Jing to keep her from getting upset, "Don’t be angry for them, arguing now is useless, we’ll talk when the baby is born."
Xia Jing pouted, "These people are really annoying, it would be great if the sister could go back to her maternal home."
Xia Xiao shook her head, "Are you silly? It’s the same everywhere, not to mention how rare it is for daughters to return to their maternal homes to give birth, even if they truly are at their maternal homes, do you think the neighbors won’t make comparisons? These people are everywhere, now that eldest sister-in-law is also pregnant, just watch, there will surely be comparisons."
Such talk couldn’t affect her; whether it’s a boy or a girl, all she could think about now was whether Gao Jiaxing could come back.
Xia Xiao was not normally a fragile person, but thinking about giving birth, she felt very scared and anxious; at this moment, she especially hoped Gao Jiaxing could come back to be with her.
But Xia Xiao also knew that she couldn’t force it.
On the small island, Gao Jiaxing was negotiating time with Liu Yuanchao, Liu Yuanchao said, "Even if you can’t stay for one day, you still want to go back?"
"Go," Gao Jiaxing nodded, perhaps he might not see his child’s birth, but he still wanted to go back for a look, it would give him some peace of mind; otherwise, he felt unstable here, unable to contact his family, and couldn’t concentrate.
Liu Yuanchao said, "Currently, we all can’t leave the island, but it just so happens I need to report some matters to the higher-ups. You can make a trip for me, and I’ll give you ten days. Within these ten days, you must return to the troop quickly."
Gao Jiaxing was overjoyed and thanked Liu Yuanchao, giving him a military salute.
Naturally, Gao Jiaxing couldn’t leave alone; Liu Yuanchao had Shao Bing and Gao Jiaxing handle matters together, and also summoned Gao Yuan, Yu Youwei, Zhu Junhui, Zhao Jianjun, Xu Hongbo, and a few others; there were also several necessities lacking on the small island, the trip wasn’t only to report to higher officials but to procure some items themselves.
Leaving the island made everyone very happy. After Gao Jiaxing submitted Liu Yuanchao’s report, he hurriedly prepared to rush home.
Everyone followed him to Gao Jiaxing’s home; mainly because their small island was actually near the maritime area around Gao Jiaxing’s home location. But visiting Gao Jiaxing’s home also required travel time, not to mention the days already spent at sea, so they first headed to Gao Jiaxing’s home.