Chapter 375: Another Greedy One

Although Zhang Xiaohua kept saying, “No rush, no rush,” how could Zhang Cai bear to let his son, who had just returned from a brush with death, go hungry?

Before they’d even had a few sips of tea, Guo Sufei and Li Jinfeng’s mother returned from next door. Upon seeing Zhang Xiaohua, Auntie Li once again poured out her thanks, so much so that Zhang Xiaohua was at a loss for words. He had only done a good deed, yet was thanked three or four times over, which left him feeling rather embarrassed.

Li Yinfeng had been sent to the neighboring courtyard to look after the children, while the two elderly ladies busied themselves in the kitchen. The Zhang family was no longer the impoverished household it had been five years ago. And with the arrival of Liu Kai and his wife, along with Li Jinfeng’s family of four, the Zhangs had long since prepared an abundance of ingredients. Before night had fully fallen, a sumptuous feast was already laid out on the table.

The brightly lit main hall, the large table, and the boisterous chatter filled the room. Zhang Xiaohua found it all a little unfamiliar, yet incredibly heartwarming. Time could change many things, but it could never change the bonds of family and friendship.

The only thing that made Zhang Xiaohua a little jealous was that his mother, after hurriedly placing the freshly made braised pork in front of him and watching him eat the largest piece, wiped the tears from her eyes and went off to tend to her newborn grandson.

“Sigh, it looks like from now on, the focus of this family has shifted from me to that little fellow.” Zhang Xiaohua thought to himself with a touch of loneliness.

Although Li Yinfeng and Auntie Li were also supposed to go next door to help out, they were still guests, and Zhang Cai insisted they stay and eat first. Before long, Zhang Xiaolong arrived as well. Even though the main hall was spacious, it was packed to the brim. Liu Kai joked: “Xiaohua, we were supposed to eat in my father’s courtyard, but to welcome you home, we had to put up with a little crowding. You’ll have to drink a few extra cups tonight!”

Zhang Xiaohua said nothing, but Zhang Cai interjected: “Xiaohua is still a child, what’s he doing drinking wine? Liu Kai, you can drink more yourself.”

Zhang Xiaolong laughed: “Dad, our Xiaohua isn’t a child anymore, he’s even taller than me now! He’s eighteen already, in the prime of his youth.”

Zhang Cai fell silent for a moment. Mr. Liu tried to console him: “Brother Zhang, your child has grown up and returned safely. That’s a blessing for your family. Don’t overthink it, let’s just enjoy ourselves tonight. The children are grown; if they want to drink, let them drink. Sooner or later, they’ll leave our protection. Even if you worry, they may not appreciate it.”

Zhang Cai wiped at the corners of his eyes, a faint smile breaking through.

The wine was brewed from spring water and the family’s own crops. It carried a faint Yuan Qi, but its fiery taste was more than Zhang Xiaohua could handle. After just one cup, he didn’t want any more and switched to tea instead. The others knew it was his first time drinking and didn’t press him. After all, just because Zhang Xiaohua didn’t appreciate good wine didn’t mean the rest of them couldn’t enjoy more themselves!

Liu Kai had tasted this wine before, so he was naturally unfazed. For the Li family, however, it was their first time trying such a brew. Though it lacked the mellow fragrance of fine wine, it possessed a unique flavor all its own. Even Auntie Li found herself having a few cups.

The meal was lively and joyous, with everyone drinking just enough to feel pleasantly tipsy. Though Zhang Xiaohua hadn’t eaten much in a long time, he still managed to eat his fill alongside the others. Zhang Xiaolong kept piling food and meat into his bowl, chiding him for eating too little and being so lanky. Zhang Xiaohua didn’t argue. Whatever his elder brother gave him, he ate, which finally made Zhang Xiaolong smile with satisfaction.

When Auntie Li had nearly finished eating, she got up to relieve Guo Sufei and Li Yinfeng. Zhang Xiaohua quickly rose as well; the smell of the wine was really not to his liking.

Seeing this, Zhang Xiaolong followed after him.

It was said that in many places, it was customary for new mothers not to see outsiders for a certain number of days after giving birth. But Zhang Xiaohua was family, a brother whom her husband hadn’t seen in years, and there were few such strict rules in Guo Village. Besides, if not for this little rascal from years past, who knew if her own son would have been born safely at all? Liu Qian, still resting in bed, naturally didn’t mind in the slightest.

In the dim lamplight, Liu Qian was momentarily taken aback when she saw Zhang Xiaohua. Though Zhang Xiaolong had already told her about his brother’s changes, seeing him in person, she couldn’t help but be surprised. Was this really the same child who used to sob into her arms all those years ago?

After offering a deep bow, Zhang Xiaohua finally took a good look at his sister-in-law, whom he hadn’t seen in years. Liu Qian hadn’t changed much from five years ago, she was just a bit plumper, her brows and eyes radiating the grace of a mature woman. Zhang Xiaohua was puzzled; she certainly didn’t look weak at all.

When Zhang Xiaolong went to check on the child, Liu Qian smiled and said to Zhang Xiaohua: “Xiaohua, you’ve really grown these past few years. Your brother has told me what happened today. I never expected that after all this time, your skills would have improved so much. I truly have to thank you.”

Zhang Xiaohua quickly replied: “Sister-in-law, if you thank me, it feels far too distant. The child is my little nephew. If I don’t help, who will? Besides, when I came home before, he was just being conceived, and now I return to find him born. It must be fate between me and my little nephew.”

“That’s right,” Liu Qian said, deeply moved. Glancing at Li Yinfeng and Auntie Li to make sure they weren’t paying attention, she lowered her voice and said: “That little stone you gave me suddenly shattered into powder yesterday. The child started stirring in my belly, and today he was born.”

“Oh?” Zhang Xiaohua mused: “So that’s how it is.”

Just then, the sound of a baby’s cry came from the kang bed nearby, the little one had woken up.

Zhang Xiaolong was about to pick him up, but Guo Sufei pushed him aside, saying: “The child is newly born, still so fragile. He can’t handle you men and your rough hands. Go wait over there.”

Zhang Xiaolong could only stand to the side, grinning sheepishly.

“He’s probably hungry. Mother, bring the child over.” Liu Qian said softly.

Seeing the situation, Zhang Xiaohua was about to slip out, but as he passed by the baby, the chubby little one caught sight of him and immediately stopped crying. With great effort, the baby stretched out his plump little hands, clearly wanting to be held.

Guo Sufei was stunned on the spot. “Isn’t it said that babies can’t see anything before six months? How could he recognize Xiaohua? Just now, when Xiaolong was nearby, he didn’t even open his eyes.”

Zhang Xiaohua glanced at the adorable infant, but turned sideways, intending to step aside. After all, even the child’s own father wasn’t allowed to hold him, what business did he have joining in the fun?

Naturally, Guo Sufei had no intention of letting Zhang Xiaohua hold the baby either, so she paused briefly before continuing toward Liu Qian.

But the baby wouldn’t have it. His mouth opened wide, and he began to wail again. Guo Sufei, unable to understand, simply assumed the child was hungry and carried him over to Liu Qian. Zhang Xiaohua had just reached the door and was about to leave when he heard Liu Qian call out: “Xiaohua, wait a moment.”

Zhang Xiaohua was surprised. His sister-in-law was about to nurse the baby, why ask him to wait?

He heard the rustling of clothing and didn’t dare turn around, but the baby’s cries continued unabated, with no sound of nursing. After a while, Liu Qian spoke again: “Xiaohua, it seems this child really is fated with you. Come, hold him for a bit.”

“What?” Guo Sufei exclaimed. “Xiaohua’s never held a baby before! What if he drops him or bumps him? That would be terrible.”

“Mother, look at the child, he won’t nurse, just flails his arms and legs. He was so well-behaved earlier. It must be because he saw Xiaohua just now.”

“This…” Guo Sufei was at a loss for words.

Zhang Xiaolong chimed in from the side: “Maybe he just wants to smell his father’s scent. Here, let Daddy hold you.”

Alas, he had wanted to hold the baby earlier, but was stopped by his mother. Now, he took the opportunity to indulge himself.

Unfortunately, his son gave him no face at all. No sooner had he picked him up than the baby’s little body tensed, and Zhang Xiaolong felt a sudden warmth on his chest, the child’s urine! Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Yet the baby still cried and fussed. Zhang Xiaolong called out: “Xiaohua, come quickly and hold your little nephew!”

Zhang Xiaohua had no choice but to turn around. Stealing a glance, he saw that his sister-in-law had already tidied her clothes, so he walked over slowly.

Sure enough, as Zhang Xiaohua approached, the baby’s cries quieted. Those round, sparkling eyes gazed at him intently. Zhang Xiaohua was helpless, he stretched out his hands as if to catch something. Zhang Xiaolong didn’t hesitate, placing the child directly into his arms before turning to find a change of clothes.

Zhang Xiaohua’s hands, or rather, his whole body, were stiff as could be. Holding the little baby, he didn’t dare move a muscle. After all, his hands possessed the strength of ten thousand catties; if he accidentally squeezed the child in the wrong place, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Yet the baby in Zhang Xiaohua’s arms was utterly at ease, mouth open in a wide, toothless grin, giggling “gaga” with innocent delight, utterly adorable.

Zhang Xiaohua was inwardly miserable. Babies always looked so cute when they smiled, but why was holding one so nerve-wracking? He didn’t even dare to move; it was a hundred times more terrifying than facing an enemy in battle.

Zhang Xiaohua quickly cried out: “Mother, please save me! Take him back!”

But Guo Sufei just smiled as she tidied up the diapers on the kang, paying him no heed. Liu Qian said: “Since the child likes you so much, you should hold him a little longer. He’ll be learning martial arts from you in the future, might as well start building the bond now.”

Zhang Xiaohua was on the verge of tears.

The baby, however, was having a grand time, waving his chubby little arms about. One plump hand reached into Zhang Xiaohua’s robes, as if searching for something. When his hand emerged, sure enough, it was clutching one of Zhang Xiaohua’s cultivation yuan stones!

The baby looked as if he’d found the best toy in the world, one hand fiddling with the yuan stone while the other thumb went straight into his little mouth for a contented suckle.

By now, Guo Sufei had finished tidying up. Seeing the baby calm and happy, she laughed: “It really seems he’s fated with his little uncle. In the future, we won’t need to find anyone else to look after him, just leave him with Xiaohua.”

With that, she took the baby from Zhang Xiaohua’s arms and handed him to Liu Qian. “Qianqian, you watch him for a while.”

Then she turned to Auntie Li, saying: “Sorry to trouble you to help keep an eye on things, sister.”

As Zhang Xiaohua made to leave, the baby once again protested. He pulled his drool-soaked hand from his mouth and reached out toward Zhang Xiaohua.

His heart moved, and Zhang Xiaohua took another small yuan stone from his robes and placed it in the baby’s hand. Instantly, the child stopped fussing, closed his eyes, and seemed to drift off to sleep.

Sigh, Zhang Xiaohua thought to himself, so young, yet already showing signs of greed!