Seeing the look on Auntie Fifth’s face, Xiaoxiao consoled her.
"Auntie Fifth, you don’t need to be upset. Perhaps the timing just isn’t right. I’ve seen women older than you who didn’t become pregnant until they were in their thirties, so don’t give up hope. You still have a chance."
"Really?" Such comforting words had never been spoken to her before. Many people had said that after so many years without conceiving, she probably wouldn’t be able to. This Yang Ming’s wife was truly kindhearted.
"Really, Auntie Fifth, you have to believe in yourself."
Xiaoxiao’s sincere gaze made Yang Wuzhu’s wife feel that this girl was easy to get along with, different from the rumors; her sadness faded, replaced by a surge of self-encouragement, "Yes, I will believe in myself."
Watching Auntie Fifth pep herself up, Xiaoxiao thought that Auntie Fifth showed a childlike side. She decided to share some tips with her.
"Auntie Fifth, there are actually some tricks to this. I heard that there are a few days each month when sharing a room makes it easier to conceive."
"Yes. You take the day your period starts, count fourteen days back and then add the five days before that and the four days after. Sharing a room during those ten days makes it easier to conceive, while at other times it’s not as likely."
Just as Xiaoxiao finished speaking, she heard a thud; the pheasant that Auntie Fifth was holding dropped to the ground.
"Auntie Fifth, what’s wrong?" Xiaoxiao immediately went to help pick up the pheasant.
Tears brimmed in the eyes of Yang Wuzhu’s wife as she asked excitedly, "Is what you said really true?"
Xiaoxiao nodded, "It’s true."
This was knowledge from the 21st century. Although it wasn’t a guarantee of pregnancy, it certainly increased the chances compared to other times.
Xiaoxiao helped Auntie Fifth to a stool to sit down, and then heard her say, with a touch of resentment, "On those days, your Uncle Fifth just happens to be away from home."
Hearing these words from Auntie Fifty, Xiaoxiao felt puzzled. Where did Uncle Fifth go every month during those days? Surely he wasn’t having an affair.
"Your Uncle Fifth has been working as an accountant at a tavern in the county town for several years. He only goes there at the end of the month to settle accounts, so he’s quite busy and stays over. I just calculated, and it’s exactly on the days you mentioned."
"..." Xiaoxiao was terrified for a moment, thinking Uncle Fifth might have been unfaithful because they didn’t have children. It turned out he was working. And Uncle Fifth could settle accounts? Wasn’t Yang Ming the only one in their family who was literate?
Although confused, Xiaoxiao felt truly happy for Auntie Fifth upon hearing her words. It seemed that for the most part, the couple only shared a room when it was safe, which meant the chance of becoming pregnant was indeed slim.
She said to Auntie Fifth with a smile, brimming with encouragement, "Auntie Fifth, hurry and get Uncle Fifth to come back home. Don’t let him work away anymore. Your baby is on the way."
"Will it really happen?" Yang Wuzhu’s wife was still in a state of disbelief, but at the prospect of it being true, she felt this would be incredible news, something she had longed for far too long.
Xiaoxiao nodded vigorously at Auntie Fifth, "Auntie Fifth, have some confidence in yourself."
The two were so uplifted by this hopeful news that the kitchen echoed with laughter and joyful voices. Yang Wuzhu’s wife found herself liking this niece-in-law more and more. She felt as if Xiaoxiao was like a little sister, completely forgetting the seniority of her own position.
Sitting inside the house, Yang Wuzhu heard his wife’s laughter coming from the kitchen and was quite surprised. This wife of Yang Ming really was impressive; his wife hadn’t laughed so heartily in a long time due to the issue with bearing children.