Lin He told Zi Qing and Zi Yu to just focus on preparing the general meals from now on; she would handle her mother's cooking. Her mother wasn't young anymore, and with a pregnancy at this age, she needed to be extra meticulous about conditioning her body, supplemented with appropriate exercise, to minimize the risks during childbirth.

The happiest person upon hearing the news of Madam Huang's pregnancy was Er Niu. The very afternoon he found out, he rushed over to Madam Huang’s parents' home to share the good tidings. Er Niu felt that although this wasn't Madam Huang’s first pregnancy, he was more nervous about this one than any of the preceding ones. It wasn't that he hadn't worried before, but in the past, life had been too hard; every time a child was born, his main concern was one more mouth to feed, another expense for food and clothing. Now that the family didn't worry about sustenance, he could naturally immerse himself in pure joy.

That same afternoon, several groups of people visited after learning about Madam Huang's pregnancy. First, Hong Yun arrived with gifts, having personally prepared small bibs and tiny clothes, saying they were for her future nephew. Since the New Year, Hong Yun had been visiting Lin He’s house far less frequently. Initially, she’d come when she was working there, but recently she hadn't been doing any work, mostly helping out at Hong Xia's place, so her visits to Lin He's had dwindled. Even Da Yuan and Xiao Fang were spending less time at Lin He's.

Every time Lin He saw Hong Yun, she felt her complexion looked worse than the last, even more haggard than a truly pregnant woman’s. Aside from her stomach being larger, she looked significantly thinner. Carrying such a massive secret, and having to constantly devise ways to hide it from the husband she shared a bed with, the pressure must have been far greater than the anxiety of being unable to bear children.

Madam Huang had taken Hong Yun aside privately on every occasion they met to offer comfort, but Hong Yun was tortured by her conscience. She admitted that since Da Sheng learned of her supposed pregnancy, he had been treating her much better, agreeing to everything she said. Although Hong Yun had used her supposed condition as an excuse to sleep separately from Da Sheng, claiming she wasn't resting well, thus avoiding the danger of discovery, the sight of Da Sheng looking at her belly with such delight always made Hong Yun feel intensely guilty.

Moreover, ever since Hong Yun's mother-in-law learned of the pregnancy, she began visiting every few days, bringing eggs and nourishing foods, insisting Hong Yun needed the sustenance. She also treated Hong Yun much better now, which only deepened Hong Yun’s remorse.

But the situation had progressed to this point, and she had no turning back; she had no choice but to push forward with a stiff upper lip. Thus, Hong Yun was locked in a daily internal battle, unable to eat or sleep properly—no wonder she was wasting away.

When Hong Yun arrived at Madam Huang’s and heard the news of the pregnancy, she was genuinely happy for her. She gently stroked her own stomach and said, “If only this belly were real, how wonderful that would be. Even if it were just a girl, I would be content, knowing I could try again later. Now, I am utterly without hope.”

Madam Huang truly didn't know how to counsel her, so she steered the conversation elsewhere. While Hong Yun was still sitting there, Hong Xia arrived, also bringing small clothes and trousers. Compared to Hong Yun, Hong Xia seemed much better. Despite being heavily pregnant and still working, her spirits were high, her complexion was rosy, and she looked even plumper than before.

Once inside Madam Huang’s room, she was noticeably more cheerful than before, constantly laughing. Seeing her silent older sister, she called out, “Sister-in-law, please talk some sense into her. If she’s always unhappy, how can she live? She’s gotten as thin as a pole. I’ve already told her that once my baby is born, I’ll give it to her—just say my child died. It’s only this small matter, yet she’s torturing herself like this.”

Hong Xia certainly knew what her older sister was thinking. Being sisters, they spent the most time together and understood each other deeply. She said this deliberately to help Hong Yun relax and stop worrying constantly about the issue.

Madam Huang knew this as well and smiled, saying, “Yes, Hong Yun, you should listen to Hong Xia. Since things have come to this pass, don't overthink it anymore.”

“Exactly. Look at me. I’m like this, my man is gone, and I’m raising two children alone. To put it bluntly, I don't even have a home—even though I live at my parents’, it’s not truly mine. And I’m saddled with debt. Yet, I still have to keep going. Sister, you are far better off than I am. Once the child is born, you’ll have sons and daughters, and life will be so easy. I envy you terribly,” Hong Xia deliberately teased Hong Yun.

After hearing the persuasions from Madam Huang and Hong Xia, Hong Yun’s mood genuinely lifted, and she felt a sense of relief. She realized her sister-in-law and younger sister had a point; since it had already happened, she shouldn’t dwell on it anymore. Once a person relaxes, words flow more freely, and the sisters-in-law chatted happily about children.

Hong Yun and Hong Xia stayed for a short while before leaving. Hong Xia mentioned that the long-term workers needed food prepared quickly, so Hong Yun went to help. Madam Huang then joined Lin He and the others in the courtyard, sewing small children’s clothes. Not long after, Er Niu returned from Lin He’s maternal grandmother’s house, and Grandma Lin He and her aunt-in-law had also come along, saying they had heard Madam Huang was pregnant and wanted to check in.

Grandma Lin He brought many things, though they were all foodstuffs. She said she would bring children’s clothes later, explaining that the food was from their own harvest, meant for the younger ones to eat. The whole family chatted happily in the courtyard. Grandma Lin He looked at Madam Huang with some concern. “Daughter, you’re not young anymore; getting pregnant at this age will surely bring much hardship. When I was pregnant with Huzhi, I nearly didn't make it through the birth; thankfully, it ended safely after a scare.”

Madam Huang knew her mother was worried and soothed her, “Mother, I understand. I’ve already had several children. Now, I’m not allowed to do any chores at home; they insist I rest well. Er Niu and He’er have managed everything in the household; I don’t have to worry about anything.”

Grandma looked at Lin He and said with a smile, “Our He’er is such a good child, sensible and smart. With her looking after you, Mother, I feel completely at ease.”

Lin He smiled too. Grandma and her aunt-in-law stayed for a while, advising Madam Huang on things to be mindful of, then hurried back, saying they would visit again in a few days.

Lin He also packed up quite a few things from home for Grandma to take back—things she had made herself, like winter melon candy, some cured meats, and homemade dried tofu and tofu skin. She had Grandma take a good quantity of these foods, even telling her the methods for making them. Er Niu had brought back a cartload of goods, and he took back another cartload when they left.