Chapter 100: Qingyan Gains Weight
After entering April, there were several days of strong winds. When the wind stopped and Qingyan ventured outside again, he unexpectedly looked up to see green buds sprouting on the trees. Even the dried gaps between the grass by the riverbank were showing hints of tender green.
Most of the wild vegetables on the mountain had also emerged, fresh and tender, perfect for cooking with oil and enjoying.
Ever since he had tasted the dumplings filled with leek, pork, and shrimp, Qingyan had developed a craving for them and wished he could eat them every day. When he saw Chen Yu returning with wild celery from the mountain, Qingyan especially wanted dumplings filled with pork and celery.
He also wanted to go up the mountain to pick wild vegetables himself, but Qiu Henian was reluctant to let him go. After the snow melted on the mountain, some places became muddy, and it was dangerous if one slipped.
The next day, when Chen Yu carried his child on his back and went up the mountain again with several men and women from the village to dig wild vegetables, Qiu Henian followed from a distance with a basket. The men and women would occasionally glance back, covering their mouths to stifle their laughter.
Along the way, they also ran into Liu Fa. Qiu Henian remained expressionless and calm.
Although Liu Fa was actually quite free-spirited, as the eldest brother at home, he had to shoulder responsibilities. Now that things were peaceful at home, he focused on working hard and making money. His mood relaxed, and he joined Qiu Henian in following the group of women up the mountain.
As a result, the two of them dug for half a day but only filled half a basket. Chen Yu came over, looked at them, and disdainfully poured half of his own basket into theirs. He then went back and soon filled another basket herself.
The wild celery was particularly tender. After removing the roots and washing them clean, Qingyan briefly blanched them in boiling water, squeezed out the water, mixed them with pork stuffing and seasoning, and added the fragrant oil from the village mill. The aroma immediately filled the air, exceptionally appetizing.
Recently, both men had practiced: one kneaded the dough and rolled out the wrappers while the other wrapped them, making the process very efficient.
After they finished wrapping, they boiled the dumplings. Half of the celery was dug by Chen Yu, so Qingyan scooped up a bowl of dumplings and sent them over to him.
When Chen Yu returned home, she first fed his child and was very hungry. Qingyan’s bowl of dumplings was like a timely rain for his, and his unpredictable temper, akin to the weather in August, was now as clear and bright as the sky after rain.
…
After the weather warmed up in April, the clothing in Fragrant Melody Pavillion changed to primarily lightweight shirts. The thick winter clothes and various accessories were not left in the warehouse until next winter; instead, they were directly discounted and displayed prominently at the entrance on the ground floor.
Now, both in the town and even in the county, Fragrant Melody Pavillion was a well-known and reputable shop. Women and young men all knew that if they wanted to buy the latest and most fashionable items, they should go to this store.
In fact, the winter goods could still be sold next winter without discounting. However, Qingyan intended to establish Fragrant Melody Pavillion as the “leading fashion front” in the entire Liulin Town and even the entire Muling County, so he couldn’t afford to hold onto those relatively small profits.
Fragrant Melody Pavillion’s reputation had spread far and wide, and its goods were new and of good quality. The shopkeeper’s vision was also sharp, prompting some small shopkeepers without their own procurement channels and peddlers along the street to intentionally buy goods from Fragrant Melody Pavillion.
Qingyan, Aunt Li, and Qiuniang all discussed it. The latest season’s goods were definitely not available for resale, but the out-of-season items could be sold to them at a low price, which would also save them trouble.
Nevertheless, those shopkeepers and peddlers were willing to buy them. So, whenever Fragrant Melody Pavillion held a sale of out-of-season goods, there were always many people in the shop, many of whom were colleagues.
One day, the peddler who had previously informed Qingyan came to the shop. Qingyan thought he had something to tell him.
He rubbed his hands and said, “Master Yu, I was wrong before. I don’t want the silver you gave me. Here it is back. Can you also give me some of the out-of-season goods?”
Qingyan smiled and said, “Just tell me what you’re interested in. You don’t need to be so polite. You don’t have to return the silver. I entrusted you with a task, and you’ve been helping me, so I’m grateful.”
The peddler nodded repeatedly and whispered to Qingyan, “The Yu family is still the same recently. After the New Year, your father unexpectedly started to recover. Although he still can’t get out of bed, it’s no longer as critical as before.”
“He’s holding on stubbornly, and the matter of your stepmother remarrying has been put on hold. During this period, that wealthy man has set his eyes on someone else, so that matter has completely fallen through.”
Qingyan asked, “How is Yu Qingxi?”
The peddler replied, “The Yu family is now struggling. A lot of their assets have been pawned off. Yu Qingxi has been looking for work recently, but with his physical limitations and unwillingness to lose face, he wants to work as a scribe like his father or as a private tutor. However, he hasn’t even passed the county exam. To put it bluntly, he only knows a few more words than the average person. Who would hire him? He’s just idling at home.”
He sighed and nodded sadly.
……
In mid-April, Qingyan, who was pregnant, experienced some subtle changes in temperament.
Qiu Henian noticed that his spouse had become more prone to tears and a bit unreasonable. One day, while Qingyan was playing with Ah Miao, their little calico cat suddenly arched its body and vomited a few times onto the bedclothes.
Normally, Qingyan would investigate the cause, wondering if the cat had eaten too much. But this time was different. As soon as Ah Miao vomited, Qingyan burst into tears and carried it to find Qiu Henian, who was busy in the outer room, saying that Ah Miao might be dying.
Qiu Henian took Ah Miao, saw its bright eyes and smooth fur, and realized it was probably fine. He then examined the vomit on the bed and confirmed it was just a hairball.
He went to the riverside, cut a bunch of grass, chopped it up, and suggested feeding it to Ah Miao, which eased Qingyan’s worries.
A couple of days later, while they were having a meal, Qingyan started crying again.
Qiu Henian sat beside him, lifted him onto his lap, and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”
Qingyan said, “When you were making steamed egg custard, you clearly said I could scoop the first spoonful, but you took one yourself first.”
Qiu Henian gently explained, “I’m not as skilled as you in cooking. I just wanted to check if it was cooked.”
Qingyan replied, “But it made me unhappy.”
Qiu Henian asked, “If I kiss you, will you feel better?”
Qingyan turned to him and said, “I need a kiss on the lips.”
Qiu Henian smiled, lifted his hand to support the back of Qingyan’s head, and kissed him.
A few days later, they were tidying up the seasonal clothes in the cabinet together. Qiu Henian was sorting through them when he noticed it had been quiet for a while. He turned around and saw Qingyan holding a thin shirt from last spring, quietly shedding tears.
Qiu Henian hurried over, had him sit on the edge of the bed, and asked what was wrong.
Qingyan showed him the shirt in his hand and said, “I tried this shirt on just now and found that it doesn’t close properly at the chest. I’ve gained weight… sob.”
Qiu Henian looked him over and said, “You’re wearing a thin undershirt underneath. The spring shirt won’t fit over it.”
Qingyan shook his head and said, “No, I’ve really gained weight. There’s fat on my belly now.”
He stood up, lifted his undershirt and shirt, wanting Qiu Henian to see his waist and belly. However, he was somewhat agitated, and the motion of lifting his shirt was quite forceful, exposing his entire waist, chest, and stomach at once.
Since they found out about the pregnancy, they hadn’t been intimate. Every time they bathed, Qiu Henian was worried he might catch a cold, so it was always hurried. It had been a while since he carefully looked at Qingyan’s body.
Qiu Henian’s gaze lingered on Qingyan’s chest for a while before he looked at his belly.
Qingyan had indeed gained some weight; there was a bit of flesh on his waist and belly, which looked soft and pale. In fact, even his face seemed rounder and healthier than before, with a rosy complexion.
Although he couldn’t exactly be called fat, he had been quite skinny before.
Qiu Henian, fearing Qingyan might catch a cold, though not fully satisfied, still pulled down the shirt in his hands to cover his chest and waist.
Seeing his actions, Qingyan’s eyes reddened even more, and he accused, “Do you think I’ve gotten too fat too? You can’t stand to look at me anymore?”
Qiu Henian smiled wryly, embraced him, and sighed softly in his ear, “My little darling, if I weren’t afraid you’d catch a cold, I would…”
His voice grew softer as he spoke until only the two of them could hear.
Qingyan stopped crying.
His cheeks flushed red as he buried his face in Qiu Henian’s neck and murmured, “It’s been almost three months…”
“Hmm?” Qiu Henian didn’t quite catch that.
Qingyan became annoyed again.
He lifted his head and said, “It’s been almost three months, and you haven’t…,” he hesitated to say those words, so he mumbled past them and continued, “you still say you’re not avoiding me!”
Spoiler for the Next Chapter:
He gripped the fabric around Qingyan’s waist tightly and said with restraint, “I’m afraid of hurting you.”
