Chapter 190: It's Just a Granddaughter, Why Are You So Happy?
When Deng Shirong and his group returned to Thatchfield Village, Deng Yunzhen and the Zhang mother and daughter, who were traveling far for the first time, felt as if they had entered another world.
They had spent over ten or twenty days in the county town, living in a building with electricity. Outside, there were high-rise buildings, and everything was easily accessible. The quality of life was undeniably better than in the countryside.
No wonder that, back then, nine out of ten educated youths who were sent to the countryside would leave without hesitation when given the chance to return to the city. Even the government's generous subsidies couldn't keep them in the rural areas. Many even abandoned their wives and children—or husbands and children—just to go back.
The remaining ones either had lofty ideals, were deceived, or had personal concerns…
At this moment, the three women deeply understood why those educated youths were so eager to return to the city.
Of course, as the saying goes, there's no place like home. While life in the county town was good, for rural people, returning to the village still felt more comfortable.
News that Zhang Xiuping had gone to the county town early to give birth had already spread throughout the village.
The young wives who heard about it were extremely envious. Even if their in-laws or husbands agreed to let them give birth in the county town, they might not be willing to spend the money. That didn't stop them from feeling jealous.
Some admired it, while others disapproved, thinking that Deng Shirong's family was simply flaunting their wealth. After all, it was just childbirth—was there really a need to rush to the county town so many days in advance? If this wasn't showing off, what was?
Of course, such words were only whispered behind closed doors. No one dared to gossip openly.
After all, Deng Shirong wasn't just wealthy and powerful—he held a high seniority in the village. All the elders older than him had passed on, and among those of his generation who were still alive, only a handful remained.
Which youngster would dare to talk behind the back of such a respected elder?
Now, seeing Deng Shirong return with a baby in his arms and a beaming smile, the villagers who weren't aware of the details assumed he had a grandson and rushed to congratulate him.
But Deng Shirong corrected them with a smile, saying that it wasn't a grandson—it was a granddaughter. The villagers were stunned.
The same thought crossed their minds: It's just a granddaughter, why are you so happy?
Regardless of what the villagers thought, Deng Shirong was genuinely delighted by the birth of his eldest granddaughter.
Then again, his happiness stemmed from confidence. With five sons, he was bound to have plenty of grandsons in the future. Whether the firstborns were boys or girls, it made no difference—he was truly pleased.
Unless, of course, he ended up with seven or eight granddaughters in a row—then he might start getting anxious.
After returning home, Zhang Xiuping, fully wrapped up with only her eyes visible, immediately took her daughter to the room to continue her postpartum recovery.
Newborns are actually the easiest to take care of. As long as they are fed, given water, and have their diapers changed in time, they don't fuss. They sleep for most of the 24 hours in a day, and even when awake, they simply lie there quietly.
Since birth, the baby had been by Zhang Xiuping's side. Only when a diaper needed changing or the baby made a sound would Mrs. Zhang or Deng Yunzhen step in to help.
A little over ten minutes later, the Ou sisters, having received the news, rushed into the room.
Ou Guohua looked at Little Dong'er lying there quietly and asked, "Ah Ping, how old is the baby now?"
Zhang Xiuping smiled. "Just a week old."
Ou Guofang looked at the child carefully and remarked, "Ah Ping, her nose, mouth, and hands look exactly like yours. Her eyes haven't fully developed yet, so we can't tell, but if they resemble yours, she'll be a great beauty when she grows up."
Zhang Xiuping chuckled. "It's hard to say. They say girls change a lot as they grow. She's only a few days old—how can we predict what she'll look like in the future?"
Ou Guofang laughed. "With such a beautiful mother like you, Ah Ping, your daughter will most likely be pretty too—unlike me. I look plain. If I have a boy, it won't matter, but if it's a girl, I'll be worried!"
Ou Guohua sighed. "Then my child probably won't be much better off."
Zhang Xiuping blinked playfully. "Have you ever heard the saying 'Good shoots come from bad bamboos'?"
The Ou sisters exchanged glances before reaching out to tickle Zhang Xiuping's armpits.
"Ouch! Don't tickle me… hahaha… I was wrong!"
"I was wrong!"
The three sisters played around for a while before sitting down to chat again.
Curious, Ou Guohua asked, "Ah Ping, how different is giving birth in a county hospital compared to delivering at home?"
Hearing this, Zhang Xiuping became serious. "The difference is huge. This time, I went to the Maternal and Child Health Care Center, which specializes in childbirth. They have the best midwives in the county. I heard they use a new delivery method that greatly improves the safety of both mother and baby…"
She then explained in detail her experience at the center. Finally, she said, "Ahua, Afang, when you have children in the future, I strongly recommend going to the county's maternal and child health care center. It's much safer than giving birth at home."
Ou Guohua was visibly excited. Although her family's financial situation was still tight, her husband had recently become a master vat worker, increasing his income by three or four times. By the time she was ready to give birth, they could likely afford a hospital delivery.
Ou Guofang was also tempted but sighed. "Ah Ping, we don't have the financial means that your family does. Going to the county town in advance means extra costs for food and accommodation, plus the medical expenses. Even if my husband agreed, I'd feel embarrassed about the burden."
Lowering her voice, Zhang Xiuping said, "Don't worry about accommodation. I'm telling you this secretly, so don't spread it around. My father-in-law rented a two-story building in the county town. When I went there to wait for my baby's birth, my family stayed in that building.
You're my best sisters. If you decide to give birth in the county, you can stay in my father-in-law's building too.
You can cook there, which will save a lot of money. The main expense will be the maternal and child healthcare, but I think it's worth it for the safety of both mother and baby. Really, think it over."
The Ou sisters were stunned.
"What? Why did Uncle Jiu rent a two-story building in the county?" Ou Guohua suddenly had a thought and asked, "Ah Ping, are you and your husband planning to move to the county town?"
(End of this chapter)