The next day, Zhang Shanni, carrying gifts like Santa Claus, dressed in bright red and with a face full of joy, distributed the presents.
The fruit wine and old liquor were already known by father-in-law early in the morning; hearing from his daughter-in-law that, except for the old liquor which was to be gifted, the rest was for family consumption, he was given control over it.
This delighted Xie Tiesheng immensely, as a lover of liquor, there is nothing he cherished more.
The grandmother similarly adored the golden hoop earrings, which were as big as thumb heads, that her daughter-in-law gave her. These earrings, even in future times, were very popular and considered a classic design.
The daughter-in-law was generous and she accepted them freely; the two women got along well now, no less than with her youngest daughter. Moreover, since it was a gift from her daughter-in-law, definitely approved by her son, she accepted it with even greater joy.
The little aunt was greatly surprised by the watch her Third Sister-in-law secretly gave her, who hoped she’d understand that "time is gold" and to cherish it, filling her eyes with emotion.
Xiaoqi was overjoyed with a bow-knotted hair clip, happily running around the house. Even Xiao Si, who finally received a small slingshot, was absolutely thrilled.
That small slingshot was still somewhat a toy, specifically collected from the early days of the apocalypse; Zhang Shanni used it as an essential item for luring and battling monsters alone.
The whole family was happy, everyone smiling cheerfully, even Xiao Si who heard from now on, he would have to write daily with his little aunt, was smiling.
Upon hearing this, Xiaoqi also clamored to write, much to the old lady’s delight.
Subsequently, Zhang Shanni took the gifts and left the house accompanied by her little aunt, first visiting Sister Xiaxia’s home, but surprisingly no one was there.
Then she heard from her neighbor, Mrs. Rong, that Sister Xiaxia had arranged to visit Sister Yanzi to check on Sister Fei.
Zhang Shanni then smacked her forehead, Oh right!
Lin Aifei had completely fallen out with her mother and sister, and her husband was returning to the military soon, but she was still lying in the hospital, with the hospital in charge of her meals—truly pitiable!
When Zhang Shanni, supported by her little aunt, arrived at Lin Aifei’s hospital room, they saw quite a few Mrs. Rongs there, all showing concern and comforting her.
Seeing Zhang Shanni arrive, they also shared a few smiles and chatted briefly until a nurse came to ask for quiet. Aside from Sister Xiaxia and Sister Yanzi, the other Mrs. Rongs tactfully stepped away.
Zhang Shanni, seeing Lin Yingxia silently following the group out without saying a word, felt very strange—how could she suddenly become so settled?
"Sister Fei, are you feeling better?" Zhang Shanni smiled and nodded to everyone, sat beside the bed and then softly asked Lin Aifei.
"I’m fine, just that day, I’m really sorry, if it wasn’t for my foolish sister stirring up trouble again, you wouldn’t have been so affected..."
"Hey, no worries, Sister Fei, don’t feel guilty. Furthermore, the doctor said I just got a fright, and it turned out to be nothing serious afterward. But how about you? How have you been eating these past days? Is your body better now?"
"Thanks to Sister Xiaxia and Sister Yanzi who took turns making soup for me, plus the medication prescribed by the doctor, I’ve improved a lot."
"Where does that come from? We are all Mrs. Rongs, life isn’t easy for anyone, what’s wrong with helping each other? Why are you thanking me repeatedly?" Li Xiaxia was straightforward and couldn’t stand Lin Aifei’s repeated polite tone.
Qin Yanzi, listening, completely agreed, frequently nodding, "Little Lin, you’re too polite, that’s not good, it doesn’t foster unity among us Mrs. Rongs!"
"Ha~" Everyone burst into laughter.
Amid laughter and chat, it was almost approaching 2 o’clock, and the pregnant woman was getting drowsy.
Zhang Shanni could only take her little aunt home first, but as soon as she got home, she saw a room full of people, all staring straight at her. She herself was not frightened, but Xie Jingzi was obviously embarrassed and shyly lowered her head when she saw so many people.
Zhang Shanni still managed to maintain her composure, firmly holding the hand of her nervous little aunt in her arm, slowly walking inside. She smiled lightly and nodded to everyone, greeting them warmly, "Hello, everyone."
Upon hearing this, Xie Jingzi withstood the gaze, similarly pulled at the corner of her lips, revealing a shy smile, nodded slightly, and whispered in Zhang Shanni’s ear, "Third Sister-in-law, I’ll go boil water and attend to the guests."
Zhang Shanni nodded, approving her little aunt’s reaction.
After getting a clear look at the faces of the people in the room, she wanted to laugh out loud twice to express her inner irritation, mentally wanting to curse: Damn these clichéd melodramatic plots!
Her husband had just given her a heads-up last night, and today all the people were already here.
Seeing Yan Jinchang, Tao Songjian, and others, the only remaining woman was Qi Chunlan, who looked at her with teary eyes.
After the Yan Family confirmed that their youngest son had stabilized, they rushed to the military residence.
Upon arriving at the Xie Family, the Yan Family did not find their beloved only daughter, but saw Xie Jingchen greeting guests; it was only Chen Dalang who wisely excused himself politely and left first.
As for Xie Tiesheng and Zhou Xiuhua, noticing the good weather, had already taken Xiao Si and Xiaoqi for a stroll on the narrow path downstairs when Chen Dalang arrived. Xiao Si got a small slingshot, which allowed him to play games with the same props as other kids in the military area.
Now he wanted to go downstairs and compete with his friends in bird slingshotting.
Xie Jingchen had already gotten up to welcome Zhang Shanni, escorting his wife back to the couch.
"My wife, you know this person; he is Chief Tao. Beside him are District Chief Yan Rong and Mrs. Yan Rong, Qi Chunlan. This is Commander Yan Rong, and beside him, his older brother, Yan Rongwei."
Zhang Shanni nodded amicably, and upon seeing the Yan Brothers, evidently twins, standing behind Qi Chunlan, she also nodded, "Hello."
"..." Qi Chunlan, covering her mouth, wanted to speak but feared being improper. Seeing Zhang Shanni and her youngest son’s striking resemblance and her beauty greatly resembling her mother-in-law, she knew, even without a blood test, that this pregnant young woman in front of her was her own daughter!
Suddenly noticing her prominently swollen belly, both Yan Dongsheng’s couple and Yan Jinhao were greatly shocked visually.
They glared fiercely at Yan Jinchang.
Yan Jinchang was taken aback, then looking at his younger sister’s significantly large belly, realized he had made a minor mistake; he forgot to clarify to the family about his younger sister’s current situation!
His mind was only excited about finally having a younger sister!
His words seemed cold-hearted. But indeed, he never felt the kinship from Yan Jinxian, and her behavior and manners were very displeasing to him; thus, their affection was very weak since childhood.
However, it can be said, of all in the family, Yan Jinchang was the least affectionate toward Yan Jinxian. However, until he discovered that Yan Jinxian did not carry the Yan family bloodline, he was very protective of this younger sister.
Otherwise, why would he always be the harsh one, pointing out her inappropriate behavior? Isn’t it because he considered her as his own younger sister, which made him really anxious and discipline her more strictly.
For a moment, the Yan Family looked at Zhang Shanni’s belly, at a loss for words.
Could Zhang Shanni lend a ladder?