The Cross Over Of A Loving Wife - 3

He started preparing the table. He arranged three bowls. He scooped out some date porridge for each bowl. He went back into the room to call his children. He was met with the sight of all three of them sleeping together, the baby in between the two older children. Ding-Xiang smiled. He went to get some blankets to cover them up and went back into the kitchen. He covered the two other bowls of porridge. Then sat down and ate his own porridge, after finishing his meal, he realized he’s still hungry.

“Being pregnant is already difficult. Being in ancient China and pregnant is worse. Why couldn’t this stupid book be set in modern times? If only there was a convenience store across the street, my problems would be solved,” he muttered to himself as he rubs his small bump. “I even have a delicate stomach due to the pregnancy, including three children to take care of. We have land but no workers. I can’t do it myself unless I want to lose these babies. If this was in the eighties, it would’ve been easier to resolve. Unfortunately, in this setting, I’m a ger and all eyes are on me. Even just breathing loudly is not proper.”

These circumstances of his felt so suffocating that he couldn’t help but rant. He couldn’t stop himself from sobbing and tears spilling out.

“Mama why are you crying?” a soft voice asked.

Ding-Xiang looked at Hui-Ling. She suddenly ran over and reached up to wipe his face. He became a little embarrassed, letting his child seeing him weak. Ever since he was a child, he wasn’t an emotional person. Seeing this little child trying to cheer him up, touched his heart and it made him sob more.

“Mama don’t cry!” the cute little girl said in a panicky voice.

Ding-Xiang reached down and pulled her into his arms. He held her close and continued to cry.

Smelling the fresh scent of his daughter, he realized that the emotion spilling over is not his. It was the original De-Lun’s frustration. Even though the original has already disappeared, all the bottled-up emotions and grief dominated Ding-Xiang’s. The milk bottle in his arms, affected by his emotions, started crying too.

Soon, another sob could be heard by the bedroom door. Ding-Xiang looked up and saw Hui-Zhong crying. He reached out his hand to him, gesturing for his son to come. The little guy ran into his arms and continued to cry. He hugged both his children. They cried and cried until they were all tired. He took his little milk bottles into the bedroom for a little nap.

When he woke up, it was dark. Ding-Xiang got up and felt that the bed was a bit cold. All three of his children are still napping, so he went and got some firewood from outside. He used the firewood to warm the kang bed-stove. He noticed that Hui-Liang had wet himself. Ding-Xia picked up Hui-Liang and started to change his clothes. He went to the kitchen to get some towel and water to wipe the baby. When he came back, he moved the children to the dry part of the bed, found a couple of lamps, and lit them up. He left one in the bedroom, so the children will have some light. He then took the other into the kitchen.

He started taking out ingredients from their rations. He went outside and brought in some firewood. He prepared the ingredients and started cooking.

He put their dinner on a tray. He carried the tray into the bedroom. He woke up his children and fed them. As soon as they finished, he took the now empty plates. He went back into the kitchen. When he returned, he was carrying a basin of water and two towels. He gave his children a sponge bath and put them in new clothes. He let them go back to sleep.

He went back to the kitchen and took the bowl of warm milk for his youngest son. He woke up his youngest. Ding-Xiang gently woke up Hui-Liang to give him some milk. He patted Hui-Liang’s back until he burped. He coaxed him to sleep. Once done, he placed pillows to surround Hui-Liang, making sure he’s safe from rolling off the bed. By that time, it was already too late to take a bath. So, he decided to just wipe himself clean with the leftover warm water. Finally, he laid down beside Hui-Liang and fell asleep.

Ding-Xia woke up before sunrise. He checked on his children, still sleeping peacefully. He smiled and thought to himself ‘that was one of the best night sleep he ever had’. He went outside and brought in a bucket of water. He boiled the water. Then poured it back into the bucket and went to the outhouse. He took a bath and washed his hair. His hair is long, it reaches all the way to his butt, and it takes effort to dry. He thought of cutting it but immediately gave up the idea. Letting his hair hang loosely, he left it to dry in the air. He changed into fresh clothes and started preparing for breakfast.

Hui-Liang only needed milk so it wasn’t much of an issue but it was different for Hui-Ling and Hui-Zhong.

He decided to make some pancakes, soup for himself, and milky porridge for the two milk bottles. He set up the table and went in to check his children. He was braiding his hair when the two older milk bottles woke up. They greeted him with a smile and came over to hug him. He held them tight and finished wrapping the braid into a bun. He then put on a headband that covers his cinnabar mole.

Ding-Xiang told the milk bottles to wait for him. He went into the kitchen and poured the warm water into a bucket. He took Hui-Ling and Hui-Zhong to the outhouse to bathe them. Then helped them to brush their teeth and change into fresh clothes. He took them to the table and have them eat some of the milky porridge and pancakes. While the two were eating, he went back into the bedroom, carrying a basin of warm water, and saw Hui-Liang waking up. Hui-Liang waking up without anybody with him, almost started to wail, until he saw Ding-Xiang. His sob became gurgles and coos.

Ding-Xiang picked him up and stripped his clothes. He gave him a quick sponge bath and changed his clothes. He handed Hui-Liang to Hui-Ling. He told Hui-Ling to look after the baby while he washes the bedsheet. He went back into the bedroom and took the soiled bed sheet. Washed it and hung it outside on the bamboo rack. He came back inside and sat down at the table. Ding-Xiang took Hui-Liang and fed him with a spoonful of milk. Afterward, he wiped Hui-Liang’s lips and put him back in the bedroom. He finally was able to eat his own breakfast.

Ding-Xiang and his milk bottles were enjoying their food when someone knocked at their door. Hui-Ling jumped down, volunteering to open the door. Ding-Xiang shook his head and gestured for her to sit down. He went to open the door himself. The auntie that came to help him yesterday greeted him with a smile. Ding-Xiang smiled back politely.

“Hui-Ling’s Niang, I just came over to check on you all. I was worried that you’re having discomfort, especially since you’ve been busy these past few days,” said the aunt with a gentle smile.

Ding-Xiang opened the door wider and let the aunt come in.

When they sat down at the table, the aunt took his wrist and checked his pulse, she reminded him. “You need to be careful, even though your stomach is showing, you’re still in the first three months of your pregnancy. The first three months are very risky and carrying twins makes it riskier. It would be best if you had someone else to help you. We all know your situation, so if you need help just call us, and we’ll help you out. Don’t be foolish and try to everything all on your own, okay?”

Ding-Xiang nodded. The gentle aunt stayed a little bit more just to chat.

When she left, Ding-Xiang warmed up his breakfast. He picked up Hui-Liang and patted his back until he burped. He put back Hui-Liang in the bedroom with the pillows. The other two were playing by themselves outside. He went to the small box. He opened it and took out the money. He counted the money and sighed.

According to the book, Wei-Sheng always sends back all the rewards he would give to De-Lun but De-Lun always hands them to his mother-in-law. So, the idiot had no savings. In addition, those black-hearted people would scold him whenever he asks for some money.

If the original De-Lun saved up the money that his husband sent him, he would’ve had a lot. But just looking at the amount he’s counting, it doesn’t even come close to a quarter of what’s it supposed to be. Ding-Xiang looks at the measly amount of money he has and thought that it’s not enough to even last for a while. A mischievous smirk came across Ding-Xiang’s face. He would remember this. He would tell Wei-Sheng everything. What would happen to those arrogant former in-laws of his, when Wei-Sheng finds out about their suffering?