Chapter 54: Tang Liang Comes to the Rescue in the Snow!

She could only hope that when the time came, her mother would hold her tongue, refrain from saying anything too harsh, or at least argue with her father in private.

“By the way, since you and Xiaocui are both here, where’s Xiaowei? Is there someone looking after him? If not, maybe you should head back first. There’s really not much you can do here anyway.”

After all, there were boundaries between men and women. Li Junsheng and Li Guohua couldn’t be of much help to Li Chunhua in front of her, other than helping to look after the child.

And there was no need for both of them here!

But as for Xiaowei, Li Guohua had already made arrangements.

“Don’t worry, Dad. I asked the lady next door to watch Xiaowei for me. I’ll pick him up when I go back tonight!”

Knowing his grandson was taken care of, Li Junsheng could finally relax.

When Li Chunhua had finished feeding her third child in the ward, and Ji Xiaocui and Li Xiaoyu had helped her freshen up, Li Junsheng and Li Guohua returned to the room.

Back in the ward, Li Junsheng noticed his youngest daughter seemed somewhat indignant. He figured she must have heard about Sun Gui’s affair and was upset on her sister’s behalf.

The baby was already asleep, swaddled quietly and looking very well-behaved. Li Junsheng turned to Li Chunhua and asked, “Have you thought of a name for the baby yet?”

Li Chunhua shook her head. “Sun Gui and his mother only said that if it was a boy, the name should be ‘Glory to the Ancestors’, and if it was a girl, she should just be given away... Dad, why don’t you name her?”

“Alright, let me think. I’ll pick nice names for both your eldest and second daughters too. We’re not like Sun Gui’s family.”

“Dad, Chunhua has just given birth and is still weak. She needs something nourishing to eat as soon as possible. It might be too late if I go home and cook. Why don’t I go buy something?” Ji Xiaocui suggested, wanting to get some ready-made food for Li Chunhua. Li Junsheng was about to agree when the door to the ward was gently knocked.

“Uncle Li, I heard Xiaoyu’s sister gave birth early, so I brought some homemade chicken soup and some meals to visit you.”

Tang Liang appeared at the door, carrying a large food box.

Li Junsheng was surprised at Tang Liang’s thoughtfulness.

He introduced Tang Liang to Li Chunhua and the others—this was Xiaoyu’s boyfriend.

Thanks to Tang Liang’s chicken soup and meals, Li Junsheng didn’t need to go out and buy food for his children.

He tasted Tang Liang’s cooking and found it genuinely delicious—no wonder Tang Liang had managed to become a temporary chef at the state-run textile factory.

Li Junsheng couldn’t help thinking, if this young man was up for it, he could invest some money and help his youngest daughter and Tang Liang open a small restaurant. His daughter could be the manager, collecting money and running the place. It would be a good life.

That would be much better than the two of them struggling at the textile factory, just for a slim chance at a permanent position.

Besides, the textile factory would soon be undergoing reform.

After finishing their meal, Li Guohua and Ji Xiaocui praised Tang Liang’s cooking.

All the nourishing chicken soup was saved for Li Chunhua; Li Junsheng and the others didn’t have any, making sure she got it all.

After eating, Li Chunhua looked much better, her weakness fading.

Just then, the nurse came in and said, “The patient’s condition is stable. She can be discharged tomorrow and continue her recovery at home. Make sure she eats well so she can recover quickly!”

Li Junsheng was delighted to hear this. As long as the third child was fine, that was all that mattered.

He finished his steamed bun, stood up eagerly, and said to the others, “Since Chunhua can be discharged tomorrow, I’ll go home and tidy up. Tomorrow I’ll bring her home to take care of her!”

At these words, Li Xiaoyu hesitated.

“Dad, is it really a good idea to bring my sister home for her confinement? What about Mom... Have you talked with her?”

Li Xiaoyu knew her mother’s temperament better than anyone. She was afraid her sister would have to put up with their mother, older brother, and sister-in-law if she went back.

Li Junsheng understood what was on Li Xiaoyu’s mind. He replied firmly, “It’s fine. I’ll take your sister home and take care of her myself. I’m not counting on your mother or the others, so don’t worry about them. No matter what, I have to bring your sister home!”

He paused, then reassured Li Chunhua, “No matter what happens this time, your father will stand in front of you. Don’t worry about anything—just focus on getting better.”

“Thank you, Dad...” Li Chunhua lowered her head, her voice trembling with emotion as tears fell onto the hospital quilt, quickly absorbed by the cotton.

If not for her father standing up for her and insisting on bringing her home, Li Chunhua truly didn’t know what she would have done.

Her two daughters were still small, and now she had a newborn to care for as well. Even if she wanted to rely solely on herself, it was simply beyond her strength.

Li Junsheng offered a few more words of comfort, refraining from sentimentality, then left the hospital to make preparations at home.

After he left, Li Xiaoyu gently wiped her sister’s tears, her face clouded with concern. “Sister, you know what Mom is like. She probably won’t take care of you during your confinement, and our sister-in-law definitely won’t. You can’t expect Dad to do everything, can you?”

“It’s not really convenient either. Work has been slow at my factory lately. Why don’t you come with me instead? I’ll help you out. I haven’t spent any of the money Dad gave me—I can rent us a place, and we can live together. I won’t stay in the factory dorm anymore!”

Li Chunhua quickly shook her head, refusing. She couldn’t possibly use her sister’s money.

Besides, she knew her sister too well. The factory probably wasn’t slow at all; she was likely just saying that to make her feel better.

Li Chunhua didn’t want her sister to miss out on a chance of getting a permanent position at a state-owned factory because she was looking after her.

“No need, Xiaoyu. As long as Dad helps me with the baby, I can manage the rest myself. I’m not that delicate.”

“But...” Li Xiaoyu stopped short, her real worry being that their mother and sister-in-law would say hurtful things to her sister.

If only her sister would come with her, at least she wouldn’t have to hear such words.

Tang Liang, seeing this, also tried to persuade Li Chunhua, “Sister, why don’t you and Xiaoyu rent a place together? I can cook and make you nourishing soups to help you recover quickly.”

“I... I’ll think about it.” Moved by her sister’s and Tang Liang’s kindness, Li Chunhua felt as if she had come back to life, no longer a mere shell without a soul.

She made a silent promise to herself that she would repay her sister and Tang Liang for their kindness one day.

Meanwhile, Li Guohua quietly pulled his wife out of the ward. After a brief discussion, they returned and told Li Chunhua, “Chunhua, you can also stay at your second brother’s house during your confinement. Our place is just fine.”

Ji Xiaocui nodded in agreement. “Yes, I can take care of you. If nothing else, Xiaoyu can come visit you at your second brother’s house, and you won’t have to pay for rent.”

Ji Xiaocui didn’t mind looking after Li Chunhua. As a fellow woman, she felt sorry for her plight.

Besides, if it hadn’t been for her father-in-law Li Junsheng’s help, her own son wouldn’t have been able to get treatment for his pneumonia. She was happy to help him in return.

When she’d first married into the family, she’d thought little of the Lis and even pitied her husband for not being loved by his parents.

But Li Junsheng’s recent actions had made her forgive the past.

If possible, she too wished for the family to be happy together.