Chapter 134

An ZhiXian helplessly rolled his eyes and said, “Alright, alright, let’s hurry up and go in, I’m exhausted after such a long trip.”

Just the train ride alone was two or three days. As a grown man, sitting for so long made his bones feel all crumbly, and they still had to hurry back tomorrow.

Zhou Nan had already come out from the house. She had thought that if it was Zhou Granny coming, it would probably just be her alone, but she didn’t expect that An ZhiXian would come along too.

As for An ZhiXian, he had only asked for leave to bring them here, and still had to hurry back to work. He wouldn't be staying here.

Zhou Nan politely greeted, “Granny, mother, third brother, you’re here.”

As soon as Zhou Nan saw Pei Meng, her eyes became misty. She had a feeling of wanting to get close but not daring to get close.

An ZhiXian kindly smiled and walked over, “Little sister, long time no see.”

Zhou Granny put her things in the house, then affectionately took Pei Meng's hand, “Child, I’m sorry you’ve suffered, being this far along with no one to care for you. But that will change now that your mother and I are here. We already discussed it on the way over that we will stay and care for you until your postpartum period ends before leaving again. Don’t stand on ceremony with us. Let Pei Jing focus on his work. Just tell us if you need anything.”

“I understand. Thank you Granny, and thank you Mother and Third Brother for coming all this way,” Pei Meng said. Seeing the obedient look on the girl’s face, Zhou Granny’s heart nearly shattered.

She had not expected that her own daughter and son-in-law would do something so muddleheaded, hurting their own daughter for the sake of an adopted daughter. This had also caused no small amount of trouble for her in-laws.

Thinking about what her mother-in-law had told her back then, Zhou Granny couldn’t help but resent her own daughter.

In her eyes, being able to marry into such a good family was her daughter’s greatest blessing in life. Her in-laws were capable people, her husband had ambition, and their children were all so excellent. As long as she didn’t sabotage things herself, she could have enjoyed a lifetime of blessings.

Yet when she was getting on in years, this whole baby swap mess happened, and even Zhou Granny in her old age had to get involved.

The only reason Zhou Granny was able to come was because the elderly Madam had brought generous gifts, and she and the Master had personally gone to ask her to come instruct Zhou Nan, so that mother and daughter would not become estranged over someone who was already dead and gone.

The Master and Madam also had their own concerns. After all, the two of them were already advanced in years. Their granddaughter would still have to rely on this family in the future, so it was only natural that they hoped she would become closer to them.

What’s more, the elderly couple hoped that at their age, the family would be harmonious with no illness or calamity, so that they could all be together peacefully. Who would wish for constant conflict in the home?

Zhou Nan and Zhou Granny’s arrival also brought many gifts: baby clothes, blankets, packs made by Zhou Nan, Zhou Granny, and the elderly Madam. Pei Jing’s second sister-in-law had also made a set, while two aunties knitted two pairs of tiger shoes and small socks, probably to be worn when the weather turned cold.

Seeing the meticulously made little outfits, Pei Meng put them all away.

Because of limited space, and since Pei Meng had been caring for her these past several days, she planned to return to the military camp for now. With Zhou Nan and Zhou Granny here now, Pei Meng probably wouldn’t need her anymore.

In this regard, Pei Meng felt a bit apologetic. The young couple had only been married a few months, and they were still in the honeymoon stage. Yet Pei Meng's pregnancy had caused Pei Meng to burden her these past days.

Pei Meng thought that when Pei Meng became pregnant, she would have to do her best to care for her as well.

With only two rooms to live in, they were fortunate that the weather had already warmed up, so thick bedding wasn’t needed. Zhou Granny told Zhou Nan to share a room with Pei Meng, and secretly kept reminding her silly daughter to stay alert at night. She had come to care for others, not to sleep like the dead herself, otherwise she’d be useless when the need arose.

Zhou Nan felt wronged, but she also knew she was in the wrong here and lacked confidence around Pei Meng. Pei Meng didn’t want Pei Meng walking back alone, so she said to An ZhiXian: “Third brother, please take Pei Meng back. You can stay the night there too.” “Auntie, there’s no need to send me back. I'm not unable to find my way. I can return by myself. Brother An ZhiXian sat on the train for so long, he must be exhausted. Let him rest properly,” Pei Meng said. She knew An ZhiXian was leaving tomorrow, so this one night was the only time the siblings could talk. If he sent her back, even that night would be occupied.

"It's better if I take you back. It's quite a ways from town to the military camp. If you can't get an ox cart, you'll have to walk back. The wheat is tall now, so it's unsafe for a girl to be walking alone," Pei Meng said. She sympathized with An ZhiXian's travel fatigue, but a little more tiredness was better than danger.

Zhou Granny quickly chimed in agreement, "You should listen to your auntie on this. Things like this really do happen in the countryside, especially when the crops in the fields are thriving. If you run into bad people, they could pull you into the fields in an instant. Then it would be too late for regrets. Pei Meng, you have to be careful about this too. Don't go on long journeys alone if you can avoid it. And if unavoidable, never take small paths."

Taking big roads meant more people around. Small paths were shortcuts that were even more dangerous.

Pei Meng was timid by nature. Hearing this scared her.

"Brother An ZhiXian, I wanted you to rest properly, but it seems you'll have to tire yourself more," she conceded.

"That's fine. My bones got all loose from sitting on the train for days. Some exercise will be good. And it's a rare chance for me to come visit, so I want to see what the military camp is like too."

After seeing them off, Zhou Granny said she and Zhou Nan would go out for an orientation of the area. Though they wouldn't be staying long, even a few days required handling eating, drinking, and sanitation issues. Getting the lay of the land early would prevent confusion later.

Zhou Granny was an old hand in the village. Once outside, she gathered with a group of older uncles and aunties and chatted them up. In less than half an hour, she had a clear picture of where the hospital was, which restaurants were around, where to buy things normally, and so on.

When the local seniors heard Zhou Granny was here to care for her granddaughter giving birth, especially to twins, they were all envious. Once children were brought up, the old folks had even more to talk about.

Pei Meng's prediction came true. An ZhiXian and Pei Meng walked all the way back from town without a single ox cart passing them.

With An ZhiXian, a grown man there, Pei Meng wasn't afraid. To get to the camp faster, they took shortcuts the whole way.

The April wheat had already sprouted, still green and swaying in the spring breeze, painting quite a beautiful scene.

While appreciating the view, Pei Meng heard An ZhiXian ask, "Pei Meng, did you hear someone crying for help?"

"What are you talking about, An ZhiXian? I'm timid, don't try to scare me." Remembering her auntie's words, plus An ZhiXian's mischievousness towards her as a child, Pei Meng instinctively thought this.