This childbirth couldn’t have gone more smoothly, yet Shuzhen truly couldn’t find any fondness for the hospital’s noisy eight-person rooms and the strong smell of disinfectant. The couple didn’t linger at the hospital much longer; after staying one night and confirming that both mother and child were healthy, they were discharged.
The eldest brother, who felt his life had been quite delayed by himself and his sister Lian Yue, welcomed another son with delight, and Lian Hai, now an uncle again, couldn’t be happier.
He had meticulously piled seven or eight layers of quilts on the truck bed and covered them with a canvas tent to ensure Saozi and the newborn nephew were comfortable and shielded from the wind. Truly, he put in a lot of effort.
"Once again, we’ve inconvenienced Hai Zi to come pick us up, interrupting your work and troubling you. We really owe you, Hai Zi." Shuzhen said with an apologetic smile and a hint of embarrassment in her manner. After all, it was spring planting season, and her brother-in-law and his wife both had the willpower to push through work despite illness or injury. It took two whole shifts for this round trip, and she indeed felt apologetic.
"Hey, Saozi, what’s with the formal talk? Are you treating your brother like an outsider? Besides, picking up the two experts and our future pillar of the family from the hospital is a great honor. I beat many competitors to get this plum assignment; how could it be considered trouble?
And with more children, there’s more blessing. If you insist this is troublesome, Saozi, then your brother here happily welcomes such trouble!" Recalling the scene where the Liu family’s two brothers and his brother-in-law wanted to come, but ended up losing to him in an arm wrestling match to decide the winner, Lian Hai felt very pleased.
Not needing to ask, knowing his brother and sister-in-law surely missed the kids and home, Lian Hai promptly explained the condition of the nieces, nephews, and household thoroughly.
Seeing his brother and sister-in-law’s satisfied smiles, Lian Hai mysteriously shared a piece of good news: "Shouren mentioned that higher-ups sent new information; the Liu family village is officially getting electrified! Starting tomorrow, they’ll dig pits and erect poles, and in a matter of days, all members of Liu family village will be free from using candles and kerosene lamps to illuminate! Although we have to pay electricity bills, electric lights are bright and non-dazzling!"
While Lian Hai was explaining the benefits of electric lights, Lianshan started pondering their finances to see if they could snag a television ticket and a washing machine ticket.
With so many kids at home, having a wife in her postpartum confinement is a tedious affair.
With electricity, buying a TV to place at home, even though his wife currently can’t watch to protect her eyes, she can listen to the sound to alleviate boredom, right?
Without hiring suitable help, chores and responsibilities inside the home require the couple to attend to every detail themselves. Having a washing machine would surely lighten the load considerably!
The more Lianshan thought, the more he felt his idea was unparalleled.
The tractor traveled steadily but not quickly, arriving home in a leisurely fashion.
As soon as the vehicle came to a stop, Lian En led his younger siblings in a rush to surround them.
"Brother, Mom gave us a little brother, right? Great, I can finally show off being a big brother!" Chenchen cheered, his voice full of excitement.
"Tsk, as if it’s your first time being a brother. Aren’t Xinyue and I your sisters?" Xinzhi glared, very dissatisfied with her goofy brother’s attitude.
"Exactly!" As her sister’s little loyal supporter, Xinyue never questioned right from wrong, always sticking by her sister.
Chenchen pouted, wanting to say that how could you two girls compare to a boy climbing trees and swimming in the river?
Therefore, what we’re crazy about is a good brother who can climb trees, catch birds, and swim in the river together. Not you pillow-carrying, child-playing girls!
But their older brother shot a glare,
Chenchen cowered, all thoughts swallowed back down.
Seeing the chattering twins were subdued, Lian En nodded in satisfaction. He quickly stepped forward, eyes fixed on Shuzhen, full of worry and concern.
"No worries, Lian En, your mom is well, and the little brother is doing great. The little guy opened his eyes right after birth, just like you did as a baby, and has a particularly clear and vibrant little voice. He’s also very sensible and well-behaved, not causing any trouble when he’s full." Knowing his eldest son was worried about his mom, Lianshan hastily explained Shuzhen and Little Lian Xi’s condition.
In his dreams, Lian En fondly imagines his little brother decisively beating up Lian Mingsi.
Now hearing his father’s words, his satisfaction with his new brother increased significantly.
Right, to Lian En, filial duty is the first human virtue. Someone who cares for their mom and helps their parents by not causing trouble is a good kid!
However, Lian Xi and compassion, the homophonic intention...
Listening to his father passionately explain the meaning behind his third brother’s name, Lian En quickly dropped his little bit of hesitation.
If Dad likes it, then Lian Xi it is!
After all, with this group of siblings protecting him, probably nobody would foolishly dare to tease his brother’s name.
What if someone dares?
Take one down one, two down a pair!
Through successive forceful suppression, opposing voices naturally quiet down.
If Wu Liguo knew this little guy had such thoughts, he’d definitely drag him over for a stern talk: Teaching you some martial arts here and there is meant for self-defense alongside becoming fit and strong. It’s not intended for you to bully or turn into a little thug!
Of course, regarding his parents and siblings, even if reprimanded a hundred times, Lian En would surely not change his convictions in the slightest.
Ultimately, he endured many hardships, sweated endless hours training to become a good brother, ensuring his siblings would never be bullied right under his nose.
Alright, learning martial arts is to boost skills; studying diligently to be top of the class is to make Dad proud wherever he goes; even painting lessons from his recent teacher apprenticeship are because his mom loves them.
After understanding his own origins, Lian En cherished more the warmth and happiness of their family, eager to do anything he could to make their home atmosphere more harmonious and lovely.
To be a filial son that makes his parents proud and never worried; a brother who is an idol and undaunted, offering the strongest shelter to siblings that are blood-related, his most important goal now at eight years old.
And to achieve this, he was diligently studying literature, practicing martial arts, and painting!