Mother Huo hadn't recovered from the previous shock when Jiang Si took out two coffee-colored wool blankets from the cabinet.
"Mom, you have to help me. Wrap the babies up together."
She was okay with holding the babies now.
But she really couldn't handle the wrapping part.
The babies were so soft, as if they had no bones. She was afraid that she might be too rough with them.
Mother Huo was very quick. In just a few minutes, she wrapped the two babies up with the wool blankets.
She placed a soft pillow in the middle.
The siblings were lying on their stomachs, hugging each other, or just lying there...
Anyway, little kids at this stage look good in any pose.
As they were taking pictures, the two little ones woke up without even realizing it.
They didn't cry or make a fuss.
There were just big question marks written all over their little faces.
It was just that the two babies couldn't talk yet. Otherwise, they would definitely ask, "What are you guys doing!"
Jiang Si didn't have any other intentions. She just wanted to give each of them a big kiss.
After the kisses, she couldn't help teasing them, "You're awake. When did you wake up?"
"Let Mommy take a good look. Whose beautiful babies are these!"
Jiang Si often teased them on normal days, but usually the babies would only make a few unconscious "ooh" sounds.
But today, for some reason, the two little ones were visibly excited.
As soon as Jiang Si finished kissing them, the two babies looked over with their big, dark, and shiny eyes.
Even though babies at this age couldn't laugh out loud yet, their mouths were grinning from ear to ear.
Their little legs were also kicking wildly.
Seeing this, Mother Huo quickly unwrapped the wool blankets.
Without the restraint, the two babies waved their little hands and kicked their legs excitedly, not stopping for a moment.
Thankfully, they were easily pacified by milk.
After some coaxing and feeding from Jiang Si, the babies finally cooperated and let the photos be taken.
Now, it was Mother Huo who was visibly excited.
For the whole morning, Mother Huo's mouth never stopped smiling.
She told everyone she met about how her daughter - in - law took pictures for the babies.
This made the people in the military family compound extremely envious.
Of course, the most envious person of all was Huo Tingzhou.
As the babies' father, he didn't even have a single group photo with them yet.
How could Jiang Si not know what was on his mind? That's why she deliberately saved some color film.
But this wasn't the right time to talk about it. Today was the babies' full - moon banquet.
There were so many guests at home to entertain. They could talk about other things after today.
As they were talking, Mother Huo asked, "Did you inform Captain Lu?"
When hosting a full - moon banquet, usually the hosts wouldn't actively inform others.
Those who visited the family during the postpartum period should be invited to the banquet.
Auntie Lu came to see the two lovely grandchildren a few days ago.
Mother Huo had to return this favor.
Huo Tingzhou said, "I informed him, but he may not have time to come."
Captain Lu's son was transferred to the general ward the day before yesterday, and the child's condition wasn't completely stable yet.
Captain Lu and his wife were staying in the hospital day and night, taking care of the child without leaving for a moment.
"Alas, it's just so tragic," Mother Huo sighed just thinking about it. "Such a nice child, being harmed like this."
Jiang Si also felt sorry for them. She turned to look at Huo Tingzhou.
"I'll prepare some things later. You can go to the hospital to visit them tomorrow."
But Jiang Si was a bit stumped about what to prepare.
After all, the child was so young, and it seemed that no matter what was given, it couldn't be fed to the child in the end.
Just as she was thinking, a knock on the door interrupted her train of thought.
Mother Huo opened the door and saw Auntie Lu.
In just one month, Auntie Lu had become extremely thin.
Mother Huo felt so sad seeing her. "Come on, sister, come in quickly."
"Sister, I won't go in. Take this," Auntie Lu said as she stuffed two red envelopes into Mother Huo's hand and then handed over the prepared eggs.
"Take these back for your daughter - in - law to nourish her body."
"Sister, we're already very happy that you came," Mother Huo said as she pushed the things back. "We've already decided that we won't accept anyone's gifts today."
Auntie Lu knew that, but she came here today not only to congratulate the babies on their full - moon, but also to ask Mother Huo for help.
"Sister, I heard that you're good at making medicinal diets. Can I learn from you for a few days?"
Before Mother Huo could say anything, Auntie Lu continued,
"The doctor said that my grandson's spleen and stomach are very weak now. He needs to drink more breast milk, but my daughter - in - law has been so worried these days that she can't eat anything..."
Before she finished speaking, Mother Huo readily agreed, "Sister, you can come and learn from me anytime."
It was Jiang Si who asked, "Mom, making medicinal diets depends a lot on the right cooking time. Auntie has to go back and forth between the hospital and home. Will she have the time?"
This question reminded Mother Huo.
"Sister, how about this? You just stay in the hospital and take good care of the child these days.
Since I cook medicinal diets every day anyway, you can just come over and I'll pack some for you."
"Oh, this... How can I be so embarrassed..."
Mother Huo said, "There's no need to be embarrassed. We all live in the same compound. Which family doesn't have its hard times?
"I'll help you today, and you'll help me tomorrow. Let's get through this difficult period first. Am I right, Sister?"
Jiang Si also chimed in to persuade, "Auntie, just listen to my mom."
If Auntie Lu didn't listen, Jiang Si really didn't know what to do.
Thankfully, Auntie Lu didn't decline too much.
She wiped away a tear and then handed over the things.
"Okay, then I'll come back later. You take this."
"You must accept this. Otherwise, I'd feel too embarrassed to come to your house."
Mother Huo was a straightforward person. "Okay, then I'll take the things. When your grandson is discharged from the hospital and you hold the full - moon banquet, we'll have a good celebration then."
Auntie Lu nodded repeatedly. "Alright, it's a deal!"
"Sister, stay for lunch. It'll be ready soon."
"No, no."
Despite Mother Huo's repeated invitations, Auntie Lu refused firmly.
With what had happened in her family, she really couldn't force a smile.
It was a happy day for others as they were holding a full - moon banquet.
It wouldn't be appropriate for her to sit there looking sad.
Since things had come to this, Mother Huo didn't insist anymore.
Before leaving, Jiang Si stuffed a portion of lucky eggs and candies into Auntie Lu's hands.
"Auntie, take these to share in the good luck.
"Your little grandson is a lucky one and will definitely recover soon."
Auntie Lu liked to hear this. She happily took the lucky eggs and candies and left.
When she got to the hospital, Auntie Lu repeated what Jiang Si had said to her son and daughter - in - law exactly as it was.
As she said this, she gently rolled the lucky eggs over her little grandson's body several times.
Each time she rolled the eggs, she silently said a prayer in her heart.
Who knew if God had heard her prayers, but since Captain Lu's wife ate the medicinal diet cooked by Mother Huo, her milk supply had been increasing day by day, and the little grandson's health had also been getting better and better.
A week later, after a detailed examination by the doctor, all the child's physical indicators had reached the discharge standard.
Captain Lu's family was overjoyed and shed tears of happiness.
Early the next morning, Auntie Lu rushed over to tell Mother Huo and the others the good news.
Unexpectedly, someone had arrived before her.
This person was none other than Deputy Regiment Commander Lei.
It turned out that Sister - in - law Xu had gone into labor early yesterday morning. Hearing that Sister - in - law Xu and her child were safe and she had given birth to a big, healthy seven - pound baby boy, Jiang Si was genuinely happy for the couple.
However, before she could fully digest these two pieces of good news, Huo Tingzhou brought her two more pieces of news at noon that day.
The first was about Dean Tan of the military hospital, and the second was about the Tan family.
In short, some were suspended from their posts, and some were sent to lower - level positions.
All the relevant people who had given the Tan family special treatment had received their due punishment.
Seeing this, Jiang Si couldn't help but sigh, "What a day today is! Good news just keeps coming one after another."
However, after meeting Huo Tingzhou's meaningful look, Jiang Si suddenly had an epiphany.
Could there be more good news?
Huo Tingzhou didn't hide it from her. "It seems so..."
"What do you mean by 'it seems so'? Tell me quickly."
Just then, a hearty laugh came from the door.
