An Jing felt that Shi Xiaolan might have developed depression. Shi Xiaolan had never mentioned her infertility in front of her, afraid to rub salt into her wounds.
Yet now, she had blurted it out without any concern.
This indicated that Shi Xiaolan had been too repressed and was now venting, her mind somewhat clouded.
An Jing also did not mention her menstruation to Shi Xiaolan, but instead hurried to soothe her, "Xiao Lan, don’t think too much, maybe this child will be a son."
Though she said this, An Jing inwardly cursed: Damn the preference for sons over daughters! Aren’t girls human too?
"I also hope it’s a son," Shi Xiaolan continued sobbing.
"Don’t cry, crying too much is harmful to your health, and you’re pregnant now. If it’s a son, what would you do if your crying harmed him?" An Jing didn’t really want to comfort her that way, but seeing as Shi Xiaolan cared so much about whether this child was a son, she could only reassure her thus.
Upon hearing An Jing’s words, Shi Xiaolan immediately stopped her tears, wiping the remaining tears from her eyes while repeatedly saying, "I won’t cry, I won’t cry. If it’s a son, it would be terrible if my crying harmed him."
An Jing really wanted to roll her eyes at Shi Xiaolan. So, if it’s a daughter, you can cry all you want, and it’s fine if you cry until she’s ’damaged,’ right?
Unavoidably, An Jing thought of herself. If she was truly pregnant and had a daughter...
An Jing immediately looked towards Xiao Changyi and saw that he was also looking at her... no, her husband had always been watching her. His eyes held only her, and then, she smiled.
Her husband was content just having her.
And indeed, her husband had said that if she and he could have a child, whether it was a boy or a girl, he would be happy!
Afterwards, An Jing comforted Shi Xiaolan a bit more, and Shi Xiaolan managed to crack a reluctant smile.
Just then, An Fu arrived.
Upon seeing that Shi Xiaolan was indeed at An Jing’s, An Fu relaxed and said with a smile, "Sister Gui said you went out of the village, and I thought you must have come to visit An Jing and Brother Xiao. Sure enough, you’re here."
Seeing that An Fu had come looking for her, Shi Xiaolan’s smile became genuine. She stood up and asked, "How did you come to find me? Weren’t you helping Uncle Er?
An Fu walked over to her, grinning sheepishly, "Uncle Er didn’t really need much help, and after a while, there was nothing left to do, so I went home. When I saw you weren’t there, I felt uneasy and came to find you."
It was clearly winter, yet An Fu’s forehead was covered in sweat, indicating that he had hurried over.
Shi Xiaolan took out a handkerchief to wipe An Fu’s sweat. Her husband’s concern for her lifted her spirits considerably, and the smile on her face grew broader.
Watching An Fu and Shi Xiaolan interact , An Jing was filled with emotion but remained silent, only hoping that An Fu’s love for Shi Xiaolan would outweigh his desire for a son.
With An Fu having come for Shi Xiaolan, she didn’t stay much longer. After chatting a few more words with An Jing, Shi Xiaolan left with An Fu.
Standing at the entrance of the courtyard, An Jing watched as An Fu and Shi Xiaolan walked further and further away, and she let out a long sigh.
The notion that one must have a son to carry on the family name was deeply ingrained in these people’s minds, even penetrating their very bones. She knew she couldn’t correct this mindset even if she tried.
"Husband, you are the best." An Jing was truly grateful that she had met her husband.
If it hadn’t been for her husband, she didn’t know what her life in this world would be like.
Xiao Changyi didn’t say anything; he just cupped the back of her head and affectionately rubbed his forehead against hers.