Read Novel Full Chapter 145
Chapter 145 : What more could a husband ask for with a wife like this?
He panicked. “Mom, what’s going on?”
“Oh, he peed. Change the baby’s diaper.”
Qi Shaoqiang carefully studied the process and quickly managed to change the diaper. The now-dry baby yawned contentedly and drifted back to sleep.
After three days in the hospital and drinking the spiritual spring water brought by Qin Xiaoting, Jiang Li was discharged. Her recovery was excellent, with the sutures being minimal. The two babies were cared for by a nanny that Fang Peilan and Qi Shaoqiang had arranged to take turns with. The babies were bottle-fed with formula, leaving Jiang Li free to rest, eat, and recover.
Thanks to the nourishing tonics and spiritual spring water, Jiang Li’s wounds were almost completely healed by the time she returned home.
Zhu Zhu and her friends visited her in turns, bringing along organized class notes and homework. Their chats helped lighten Jiang Li’s mood during her recovery.
Uncle Xu and his wife also visited once, bringing Xu Siyan along. They gifted Jiang Li a large red envelope and presented each baby with a gold and jade necklace. Uncle Xu himself didn’t come, but he sent a red envelope through someone else.
Jiang Li accepted the gifts without hesitation, thinking, ‘You can’t be stingy with money, even if you don’t like the person giving it.’ For Fang Peilan’s sake, she decided to regard Uncle Xu as nothing more than an annoying distant relative.
Xu Siyan also brought finely crafted jade pendants. He had carved exquisite mutton-fat jade into two vivid little fish that formed a perfect circle when joined. These were attached to red silk threads, woven into intricate covers with long tassels.
After patiently enduring 42 days of confinement, Jiang Li felt rejuvenated when she finally stepped out and breathed in the fresh air at school.
Qi Shaoqiang, however, looked worn out from countless sleepless nights, with dark circles under his eyes. Fang Peilan pushed him toward Jiang Li and said, “I’m giving you two a day off. Go out, take a walk, and enjoy yourselves. Don’t come back until after dinner.”
Jiang Li glanced back at the two babies. Their red, wrinkled newborn skin had faded into soft, white, tender complexions. One of them was sucking on his tiny fist, the jingling silver bell on his wrist making a crisp sound as it moved. The other one lay wide-eyed, staring intently out the window, as if contemplating the world outside.
It was clear their personalities were already emerging. The elder brother, Jiang Heng, born just minutes earlier, was calm and content, rarely crying as long as he was fed. He was truly an angel baby. The younger brother, Jiang Huan, was far more sensitive crying at the slightest discomfort, whether a wet diaper, an unfamiliar touch, or even the chirping of birds.
Despite their differences, Jiang Li loved both children deeply and equally.
As the couple lingered, reluctant to leave, Fang Peilan finally lost her patience. “Go on now! I’ll take excellent care of the babies. Don’t you trust me and the two nannies?”
Jiang Li smiled and took Qi Shaoqiang’s arm. “Grandma, we’re going!”
Dragged away by Jiang Li, Qi Shaoqiang followed. The spring sun bathed the streets, and pedestrians had shed their heavy winter coats for vibrant spring outfits.
In Haicheng, the girls were always the trendsetters. They flaunted bell-bottom pants, jeans, brightly colored knitted sweaters, short skirts, leather boots, and jackets. Their cheerful, stylish ensembles made them look as vibrant as newly bloomed flowers.
Jiang Li spotted a girl wearing clothes from her shop and smiled with satisfaction. The girl walked confidently, her large waves of hair bouncing on her shoulders.
She was dressed in a long gray double-breasted suit that had just arrived in Jiang Li’s store, paired with a matching buttoned skirt and a yellow silk blouse. Her shallow black leather shoes revealed faint glimpses of her straight calves wrapped in flesh-colored stockings. Passing men couldn’t help but glance at her repeatedly.
“Jiang, long time no see! I heard you had a baby. Congratulations!”
Jiang Li looked closely and recognized Li Qin. Smiling warmly, she replied, “Teacher Li, it’s been a while! You’re still as beautiful as ever. How have you been lately?”
“You’re too kind! Compared to you, I’m nothing,” Li Qin said sincerely. She meant it, many women look worn out after giving birth, but Jiang Li seemed to glow even more.
Once ethereally beautiful, Jiang Li now exuded a mature and composed elegance that made her presence captivating.
The two chatted for a while before Li Qin brought up her real reason for approaching.
“Um, Jiang, I’m really sorry. My cousin is spoiled by her family, and I heard she said something to upset you. I’d like to apologize on her behalf.”
Jiang Li immediately understood the motive behind Li Qin’s visit. “It was a small matter,” she said lightly. “Has your cousin found another job?”
Li Qin’s expression darkened. “She’s married now. Don’t even get me started on her husband. Aside from having a job, he has no redeeming qualities. He’s unattractive, shorter than my cousin, and has way too many brothers. I don’t even want to talk about it, it just makes me angry!”
She continued venting, expressing her frustration. If Marina had stayed and worked for Jiang Li, she could have earned a decent living. But her foolish decisions only caused trouble.
Li Qin had initially tried to help Marina because she’d heard about Jiang Li’s strong family background. However, Marina’s behavior nearly jeopardized everything.
As Li Qin spoke, Jiang Li listened with a calm smile, her expression neutral. Sensing that Jiang Li wasn’t upset, Li Qin felt relieved.
“Well, I won’t keep you any longer,” Li Qin said as she prepared to leave. “I’ll drop by your store another day!”
“All right, take care,” Jiang Li replied.
The sun shone brightly, and after walking a while, Jiang Li felt a bit sweaty. Feeling adventurous, she decided to take Qi Shaoqiang on a longer walk. They wandered through an alley and eventually arrived at the Sanqiao Police Station.
At the station’s entrance, Liu Chaoying was squatting and smoking. Her eyes lit up when she saw Qi Shaoqiang. “Comrade Qi! You have time to visit us today?”
Qi Shaoqiang glanced at Jiang Li, who grinned mischievously. “I heard Comrade Liu call you last time. And Grandma mentioned Director Chen was willing to bend the rules and let you join the police station. Why did you turn it down?”
“I…” Qi Shaoqiang hesitated, struggling for words. “My current job is good. I have a regular schedule, and I can always take care of you and the baby.”
“Liar!” Jiang Li’s playful smile disappeared, replaced by a serious expression. “I know you’d rather work at the police station. You thrive on challenging tasks, unlike the comfort of the security department.
“Remember when you caught that thief stealing parts from the farm machinery factory? You left early, came back late, and yet, you smiled more than ever.
“I also know you’re worried that police work will leave you with less time for the family. But don’t worry you have me, your mother, your grandmother, and your old lady at home.
“We all support you.”
Qi Shaoqiang was at a loss for words, his heart brimming with emotion. Jiang Li understood him, his aspirations, and his inner struggles.
Even without him saying anything, she could see through to the core of his desires and worries. With a wife like Jiang Li, what more could he possibly ask for in life?