Their family had been working for so many years, but they had only saved a bit over twenty thousand. The medical bills had been high, even with insurance, and after the baby, there would be a lot of expenses—clothes, formula, diapers, and vaccines.
She had planned to go back to work after giving birth, with the baby being cared for by her in-laws, but now that seemed impossible.
A series of problems made her think about the future of both children.
At least the eldest wasn’t causing trouble, or she’d have even more to worry about.
Xia Yong, in a good mood due to the joyful occasion, immediately agreed: “Of course, of course! Once the baby is a month old, I’ll go back to the construction site to work. I’ll send all the money back to save for our son!” As he spoke, he happily leaned over to kiss his son. “Son, I’m working hard now to get you a house. When you grow up, you better take care of me!”
The baby, unaware of what was happening, was distressed by the scratchy beard and began crying loudly.
Yang Qing, feeling sorry for the baby, threw a pillow at her husband in frustration.
Xia Yong caught it with a grin, completely unaffected. However, Yang Qing was in pain from the movement and winced from the stitches.
A few days later, Yang Qing’s recovery was progressing quickly. After the doctor confirmed that she could go home to rest, they began the discharge process.
On the day they welcomed their grandchild, Xia Yong’s parents arrived, eagerly helping out—one grabbing the baby to hold, while the other took the baby’s bassinet. Xia Yong rushed around completing the discharge paperwork and then helped his wife back home.
After nearly a month without a woman in the house, the place was a mess. Xia Yong, who had barely been at home, couldn’t help but complain, “You spoil A-li too much, look at the house! She never does anything around here!”
Grandmother Xia also added, “A-li, come out and clean up! Oh, look, these are the bowls from when we ate last, Good thing it’s winter, or they’d be full of bugs by now…”
“A-li!” Xia Yong yelled out, but no one responded.
Yang Qing, who had been feeling unwell the entire way back, had no energy to speak. She went straight to the room, lay down, and cradled the baby in her arms. “You clean it up yourself,” she muttered.
Xia Yong was unwilling. “A-li is a girl, she should know how to do housework. If she doesn’t, when she gets married, others will look down on her.” With that, he went to open A-li’s door.
Inside, the room was empty, completely untouched, like no one had ever lived there.
Xia Yong froze, then quickly ran out to ask Yang Qing, “A-li didn’t come back? What’s going on?”
Yang Qing was confused. “How would I know?”
Grandmother Xia, still grumbling and cleaning, snapped, “Call her! A young girl not coming home to stay—where else could she be staying?”
“Could she be living with some boy?” she suggested.
Yang Qing’s expression changed, and she quickly called A-li.
The phone rang and was answered with a cheerful voice, “I was just about to ask if you’re still at the hospital?”
Yang Qing furrowed her brow. “We’re back. Why aren’t you at home? Have you been staying here?”
A-li laughed. “No, I haven’t been at home. I rented a place nearby for a short stay. What’s the problem?”
The phone conversation was loud enough that Xia Yong overheard and immediately snatched the phone, asking angrily, “What’s the deal, little girl? Why are you renting a place? Are you short on money?”
A-li responded, “There are only two rooms and a storage space at home. Since Mom gave birth, Grandma and Grandpa have been coming over to help. Where else should I sleep? I thought I’d give you space to make it easier.”
Xia Yong was at a loss for words and replied weakly, “Couldn’t you just sleep on the couch?”
“Why should I sleep on the couch?” A-li replied, puzzled.
Furious, Xia Yong snapped, “And it doesn’t cost you anything?”
“I’m not asking you to pay for it. I work to make life better. If this isn’t acceptable, I’d rather just stop making money and live with less,” A-li retorted sarcastically. She cut the conversation short, hanging up before Xia Yong could respond.
Xia Yong was left fuming, glaring at the phone.
Yang Qing, worried that he might throw the phone in anger, quickly grabbed it. “Alright, A-li is right. She’s not asking you to pay, so why are you so mad?”
Xia Yong muttered under his breath, “If she has money for that, she could have used it to buy formula for the second baby. Isn’t the milk not enough?”
Yang Qing thought about it and felt that Xia Yong had a point, but also felt something was off.
Half an hour later, when A-li brought soup for her mother, Xia Yong still grumbled about the rental. He knew his daughter was distancing herself from the baby, so he intentionally waited for her to arrive. While Yang Qing drank the soup, he sent his parents out to buy groceries and pretended he had to leave.
The baby, who was still awake, was left unattended and began crying loudly.
Before he left, Xia Yong gave a parting instruction: “A-li, keep an eye on your brother. I’ll be out for a bit.”
“Okay,” A-li replied as she sat down beside the baby.
Xia Yong, who cared deeply for his son, was trying to force his daughter to interact with the baby, hoping she would bond with him, thus making his efforts less of a waste. Before leaving, he pretended to forget something and returned to check.
He immediately heard his son crying, “Wah wah wah—” while his daughter sat motionless beside him.
He was furious again. “Xia A-li! I told you to watch the baby. What are you doing?”
A-li, confused, replied, “I’m watching him. What else should I do?”
“Can’t you see he’s crying?” Xia Yong shouted.
A-li replied seriously, “I checked. He’s not hungry, and he didn’t dirty his diaper. The only reason he’s crying is because you’ve spoiled him, carrying him all the time.”
“Then why don’t you just hold him? What’s the problem? Afraid of hurting your precious hands?” Xia Yong retorted sarcastically.
A-li shook her head. “He needs to understand that no one will be holding him all the time. If he learns that, he won’t cry anymore. Besides, we don’t have the conditions to hire a nanny.”
Xia Yong was speechless.
He stared at his daughter, confused by her reasoning.
A-li kindly explained, “Mom’s not well, and Grandpa and Grandma are too old to hold him for long. You’ll be leaving soon to work, and I’ll be going away after the New Year. No one will be around to hold him. So, it’s better to let him cry a bit. He’ll get used to it and stop. After all, we can’t afford a full-time nanny.”
Xia Yong stood there, stunned.
If they could afford a nanny, would he be working away from home?
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152