"Ranran, your braised pork smells amazing."
Xiao Ranran looked up at Qin Nian and instinctively extended her lunchbox toward her.
"Would you like some?"
Qin Nian happily picked up her chopsticks. As the braised pork entered her mouth, a wave of satisfaction washed over her.
Xiao Ranran watched nervously until Qin Nian swallowed and even seemed eager for a second bite. Relief and joy soon replaced her anxiety.
"Niannian, you didn’t throw up! You actually kept the braised pork down!"
Qin Nian suddenly realized it herself—she really hadn’t felt nauseous.
"Can I have another piece?"
Not only had the nausea vanished, but she also found herself craving food she used to avoid. The fatty layer of the pork, which she once disliked, now tasted incredibly rich and fragrant.
"Of course!"
Qin Nian was overjoyed that she could finally eat without vomiting. She thought about how her mother-in-law, Yang Yufen, wouldn’t have to go through the trouble of delivering meals to her anymore.
"It’s been so hard on her lately."
When Yang Yufen came to pick her up, Qin Nian decided to save the good news for when they got home.
But before she could say anything, Yang Yufen led her into their newly renovated room.
"Tell me what you think. I know I shortchanged you before, so this is my way of making it up to you—a proper dowry."
Qin Nian froze at the sight of the transformed space.
She turned to speak, but tears fell before words could form.
"Why the tears? I didn’t throw anything away—everything’s right here, neatly kept. I wanted you to organize it yourself in case there was something important I might’ve misplaced."
Qin Nian shook her head. The tears were unstoppable, but her heart swelled with happiness—this was what it felt like to be truly valued.
She threw her arms around Yang Yufen.
"Mom… I miss my parents."
Yang Yufen let out a relieved sigh and gently patted her back.
It took a while before Qin Nian finally calmed down.
"Mom, I love it. And I have good news—I’m not nauseous anymore! I can eat and even enjoy food now."
"That’s wonderful! Tomorrow, I’ll buy more meat and cook you a feast."
"Mom."
"Yes?"
Qin Nian paused before continuing.
"I just wanted to say it. Oh, and Mom, I won’t be able to go tomorrow. Could you handle the gift money for me? Now that I can eat, my colleagues can bring me food from the cafeteria. You shouldn’t have to run back and forth so much."
"Of course. But take some powdered milk, fruit, and candy with you—don’t go hungry."
Qin Nian nodded.
The next day, the residential compound buzzed with excitement as Fang Fen’s colleagues arrived, marveling at the new furniture in the house.
"These are wedding gifts from my godmother," Wang Shuo explained to Fang Fen.
The neighbors soon learned that Wang Shuo had formally recognized Yang Yufen as his godmother.
Opinions were divided—some thought Yang Yufen had gained an advantage, others believed the Wang family had benefited more. But most agreed on one thing: Yang Yufen was a remarkable woman.
Not only had she, as a mother-in-law, moved into the small courtyard allocated to her daughter-in-law Qin Nian, but she had also gained a professor as a godson.
Yang Yufen paid no mind to the gossip. She had given her gift for her godson’s wedding. While others saw the furniture as extravagantly expensive, to her, it was just something she’d crafted with her own hands.
"You don’t need to deliver meals to Niannian today?"
Aunt Wang and a few others had picked up Yang Yufen’s habit of calling Qin Nian by her nickname.
"Her morning sickness is gone—she’s got an appetite for everything now."
"That’s great! Let me pack a special portion for her to take home later."
Aunt Wang shared in Yang Yufen’s happiness.
"Much obliged."
Yang Yufen accepted graciously.
"Grandma! Grandma Yang!"
Yaoyao, dressed in a little red dress, came running in.
"Yaoyao, come to Grandma. You’ll be living with me from now on—are you happy?"
"Happy!"
"Mrs. Qin’s mother-in-law, did you really make this cabinet yourself?"
A woman sidled up to Yang Yufen.
"Yes."
"Well, my son’s getting married at the end of the year. Your work is excellent—could you make one for me too? I’ll pay."
"I’m sorry, but I have to take care of my daughter-in-law. I can’t have the house in disarray."
A few dollars for a cabinet wasn’t worth it—Yang Yufen would rather sell roasted sweet potatoes. But even that idea was set aside. With the New Year approaching, she had other priorities: the remaining sweet potatoes were reserved, and she needed to prepare for her unborn grandchild.
After her last shopping spree at the department store and the recent lumber purchase, Yang Yufen’s savings—originally over 1,600 yuan, combined with earnings from selling sweet potatoes, her son’s stipend, and Qin Nian’s household contributions—still stood at a comfortable 2,800 yuan.
Five days later, Yang Yufen received a hefty package from her friend Gui Xiang—far more than the 30 jin of cotton she’d expected.
After hauling it home, she enlisted Aunt Wang’s help.
"Come with me to buy fabric for the quilt covers."
The small bedding no longer suited the new large bed, and though it wasn’t her room, Aunt Wang felt a motherly urge to ensure her son’s comfort.
Aunt Liu, however, had been avoiding outings since winter set in.
The two elderly women bypassed the local supply store and headed straight for the department store.
"Was it here you bought the candy for Yaoyao? I’ll get some too—she loves it."
They shopped with abandon, astonishing the sales staff with their enthusiasm.
"This fabric is lovely."
"You have excellent taste," the salesgirl said. "It’s fresh from Shanghai Textile Mill, just arrived yesterday. For the New Year promotion, we’re offering a free towel with every three feet purchased—no coupons needed."
Yang Yufen and Aunt Wang exchanged a glance. Sold!
Their haul filled the entire tricycle—bundles of fabric and bags overflowing from the cart.
"Let’s go fluff the quilts tomorrow," Aunt Wang said as they parted.
"Agreed."
When Fang Fen returned and saw the mountain of fabric, she volunteered to handle the sewing.
"Mom, I know how to use the sewing machine. I’ll take care of it—it won’t take long."
"Good. Tomorrow, your godmother and I will have the quilts fluffed. Pick out which ones need refreshing."
"Thank you, Mom."
"There’s extra fabric in there—make Yaoyao some new clothes if you can."
Meanwhile, in a distant town, a man bought medicine for a woman. A note tucked inside the package was read, then chewed and swallowed.
As the New Year approached, lanterns and decorations brightened the streets, filling the air with festivity.
At the research institute, tension hung thick as everyone monitored the data. Qin Nian’s anxiety grew so intense her stomach ached.
"It’s working! The data runs perfectly—no issues at all!"
Cheers erupted. Qin Nian finally exhaled in relief.
