Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 379 Family Longing

Dongshan Villa.

The sun was shining warmly, casting a golden glow on everything in the yard.

The old lady sat on a recliner in the courtyard, her eyes half-closed, her fingers twirling prayer beads, and she muttered incantations.

The prayer beads are made of sandalwood, with a glossy sheen. They've been with her for decades, and each bead has been worn smooth and round.

Su Wanqing sat next to her, holding an embroidery hoop in her hand, embroidering stitch by stitch.

It's an embroidery of a tiger—for my unborn grandchildren.

The tiger is embroidered to be chubby and not fierce at all; it looks more like a big cat.

She embroidered slowly, but every stitch was solid, the lines were smooth, and the colors were perfectly matched.

Liu Ruyan carried Lin Nianjun as they walked slowly in the courtyard, humming a lullaby softly and gently, like a spring breeze rippling across the water.

The little one was fast asleep with his eyes closed, his mouth slightly open, and a glistening drop of drool at the corner of his mouth.

Liu Ruyan looked down at him and couldn't help but laugh, reaching out to gently wipe the drool from the corner of his mouth.

Zhao Mingyue, with her slightly protruding belly, sat on the porch, holding a book in her hand, but didn't turn a single page for a long time.

Her eyes were on the book, but her mind was elsewhere. Her gaze was a little unfocused, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, as if she was thinking about something happy.

Qin Shuyan came out of the house, carrying a bowl of soup, and carefully walked to Zhao Mingyue:

"Sister Mingyue, have some soup."

Zhao Mingyue snapped out of her daze, took the soup, took a sip, put it down, and said softly:

"Shuyan, where do you think my husband is now?"

Qin Shuyan sat down next to her, one hand supporting her lower back—her eight-month pregnant belly was very heavy, and she felt tired even sitting down.

She thought for a moment and said, "They should have arrived in Donghai by now. They wrote last time that they were almost in Donghai City. I wonder if they've finished taking care of things there."

Zhao Mingyue nodded and didn't say anything more. Her hand unconsciously went to her stomach and gently stroked it.

Chu Yueyao returned from the herb garden, carrying a basket of herbs and still covered in mud. Seeing Zhao Mingyue lost in thought, she smiled and said:

"Sister Mingyue, are you missing your husband?"

Zhao Mingyue blushed slightly: "Who's thinking about him?"

Chu Yueyao chuckled, put down the basket, and leaned closer: "Didn't think of that? Then you're holding that book upside down."

Zhao Mingyue looked down and saw that the book was indeed upside down.

Her face turned even redder, and she quickly flipped the book over, pretending to continue reading, but the tips of her ears were bright red.

Chu Yueyao sat down next to her, one hand supporting her waist—she was also six months pregnant, her belly round and plump.

She sighed, her voice trailing off: "I miss my husband too."

Qin Shuyan also sighed and said softly:

"Who wouldn't want to? I'm already over eight months pregnant, and if he doesn't come back soon, I'll be about to give birth."

The three women exchanged a glance and laughed, but as they laughed, their eyes reddened.

Xiao Yulou returned from the training ground, drenched in sweat, sword in hand, and shouted as soon as he entered:

"It's so hot! It's so hot!"

She saw a few people sitting under the eaves, so she came over, plopped down on the steps, and put her sword aside.

Zhao Mingyue looked at her: "You're already eight months pregnant, and you're still practicing martial arts?"

Xiao Yulou said matter-of-factly, "What's wrong with practicing martial arts? I'm not going to fight. It's just to stretch my muscles and it's good for the child."

Qin Shuyan shook her head helplessly: "Last time you stretched your muscles, you broke two of the stone pillars in the training ground."

Xiao Yulou chuckled and patted his stomach: "That's because the stone pillar wasn't sturdy enough, it's not my fault."

Wen Ruoxi came out of the house, holding an account book in her hand. Upon hearing this, she rolled her eyes.

"All you know is martial arts. Your child will probably be a little martial arts fanatic."

Xiao Yulou retorted, "So what? Being a martial arts fanatic is great! He'll be invincible like his father!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Ye Qingying came out of the house with a cup of tea in her hand. Hearing their laughter, the corners of her mouth curved slightly.

She didn't say anything, put the tea on the table, sat down, picked up her own cup, and slowly drank it.

Her seven-month pregnancy was quite obvious, and she would unconsciously support her waist with her hands while walking, but her posture remained elegant.

Murong Xue came out of the house, holding a letter in her hand, a smile on her face: "My husband has written to me!"

The courtyard fell silent.

All eyes were on the letter.

Murong Xue opened the letter, cleared her throat, and read aloud:

"I'm in Donghai City, all is well, don't worry! I'll come back as soon as I'm done with my work and bring you gifts."

Just a few simple sentences, without any beginning or end.

But the eyes of several women in the courtyard were red.

Su Wanqing put down her embroidery hoop, wiped her eyes, and said reproachfully:

"This child, why doesn't he write a few more sentences? There are so many people in the family, even one sentence from each person would be fine."

The old lady opened her eyes and smiled: "If he could write a few more lines, he wouldn't be him. You've known him for a long time, don't you know what kind of person he is?"

All the women laughed.

Su Xiaoxiao poked her head out of the house, holding a handful of melon seeds, and said while cracking them open:

Did the letter mention me? Did it say it missed me?

Murong Xue read the letter over and over twice, then shook her head: "No."

Su Xiaoxiao pouted; even the sunflower seeds didn't taste good anymore.

"Hmph, heartless bastard. When I see him, I'll settle the score with him."

Qin Xin came out of the house, carrying a plate of cut fruit, and placed it on the table.

Since entering the Lin family, he has been helping Qin Shuyan manage household affairs. He is meticulous in his work, doesn't talk much, but every word he says is to the point.

"Sisters, have some fruit. It's hot, don't get a sore throat."

Huayi followed behind her, holding a fan, fanning the pregnant ladies as she spoke:

"Exactly, it's not worth getting sick from getting angry. When my husband comes back, I'll make him kneel on the washboard."

Qi Yun brought out a small table from the house and set out the bowls and chopsticks.

Shuyu carried the teapot and poured tea for each of the ladies in turn. When she poured tea for Xiao Yulou, Xiao Yulou waved his hand:

"I don't drink tea, just pour me a glass of water."

Shuyu smiled as she changed the water.

Qing'er and the other five girls also came out, chattering and trying to please the old lady and Su Wanqing.

The courtyard was bustling with activity, but these weren't the only people living on the eastern hill.

In the other courtyards lived the women who had been sent by various countries last time.

They eat and drink well every day, are waited on hand and foot, and have someone to chat with. They don't have to do anything and live a more comfortable life than before.

But they felt uncomfortable.

It's not that I'm dissatisfied, it's that I'm uncertain.

I don't know what I am.

Is it a gift? A concubine? Or... nothing at all?