"Ugh~"
Shen Xue coughed and retched by the wall for a long time. Chen Yang handed her water to rinse her mouth and helped her breathe.
Seeing her like this, the old man felt heartbroken.
"Sister-in-law, could it be that you're pregnant?"
The few grown men were confused about the situation. Zhang Weiyang and Lei Baoguo were not married yet and didn't know anything about it.
Chen Yang had already been a father, but it was strange. When Shen Xue was pregnant with Na Waizi and Chen Hao, she didn't have any morning sickness. He hadn't thought about this.
It was Lin Erdi who voiced the unspoken suspicion. After all, she was about to get married, and the marriage certificate with Zhang Weiyang was already in hand. Only the wedding banquet was left. These things were taught by the elders at home.
"This..."
Upon hearing Lin Erdi's words, Chen Yang slapped his forehead.
He was truly foolish. He was already a father of two, yet he was still ignorant about this matter.
He hadn't even considered this possibility and was worried that Shen Xue was unwell.
Shen Xue finally stopped retching after half a day. After Lin Erdi's hint, she blushed and felt a little shy.
In fact, she had had some suspicions from the beginning. Her period had been late for some time, but she hadn't told Chen Yang.
In this day and age, it was common for rural families to have seven or eight children. Even if she were pregnant, it wouldn't be a big deal. With her husband's current ability, they wouldn't be unable to support one more child.
Seeing that Shen Xue didn't object, Chen Yang felt that it was largely confirmed.
The old man was both surprised, delighted, and anxious.
When Shen Xue was pregnant with Na Waizi and Chen Yang, he was still in a daze and didn't pay much attention. It wasn't until her pregnancy became apparent that Shen Xue was still working in the fields.
This was not an exaggeration. In this era, many pregnant women in the countryside worked in the fields the day before giving birth. They couldn't possibly have the good conditions of pregnant women in later generations.
There were no a series of prenatal tests, such as precise due dates, early hospitalization, or meticulous care from postpartum centers and nannies after delivery.
None of that.
There were even many women in the countryside who delivered at home with just some strong liquor, a candle, a pair of scissors, and basins of hot water.
Giving birth in this era was a life-threatening endeavor for both the mother and the child, and it was a great hardship.
Of course, even in later generations, childbirth was still a journey through the gates of hell for women.
Even with advanced medical technology, the pain of childbirth was unavoidable. Natural birth was painful, and the pain after the anesthesia wore off from a C-section was equally intense.
Mothers are truly great.
"Let's go to the hospital to get it checked out, just to be sure and to ease our worries."
Chen Yang replaced Shen Xue's cup with cool boiled water. His heart was filled with surprise, joy, and a hint of anxiety.
Shen Xue hadn't recovered well from her last postpartum confinement, and she had many lingering health issues. Only recently, with good food and drink, and occasional old ginseng soup and red dates for nourishment, had she started to feel better.
But childbirth was a great drain on a woman's energy. Chen Yang was afraid that Shen Xue's body wouldn't be able to withstand it.
"Mm."
Although Shen Xue didn't really want to go to the hospital, she hadn't gone for check-ups before when she was pregnant with Yanyan and Haohao.
But if she were pregnant, Chen Yang would surely be worried if she didn't get checked.
If he were to worry every day, she wouldn't feel comfortable either. So Shen Xue didn't refuse.
"Don't be afraid. I'll be with you wherever we go. It's different from last time."
"I will definitely protect you and the child. Don't be scared, I'm here for everything."
Chen Yang held the woman's hand tightly, knowing what she was worried about.
Last time, it was precisely because they had never gone for a hospital check-up that Chen Hao had been born with congenital deficiencies, which could have been detected with some signs.
It was his fault for being reckless and not knowing how to take care of his wife back then.
This time, Chen Yang would be a thousand times, ten thousand times more careful.
He had to ensure the absolute safety of his wife and child.
"Yang Ge, why don't we send Sister-in-law to the hospital for a check-up right now? This is a big deal."
Zhang Weiyang looked at Shen Xue with a sense of novelty. He was also about to get married. If it weren't for the matters concerning his grandfather that weighed on his mind, he would have been eager to have a child with Lin Erdi by now.
"It's already this late today. It would be too late to go, and we don't know if she needs to fast or anything for the check-up. Let's wait until tomorrow. We'll go first thing tomorrow morning."
Although Chen Yang was anxious, he had a private doctor in his past life and knew some basic medical knowledge. Some tests were generally better done in the morning, and for things like ultrasounds, fasting might be required.
For better examination results, he wasn't in a hurry for this moment.
"I'll listen to you."
Shen Xue leaned into Chen Yang's embrace. This time, she truly felt a sense of security and happiness.
With him by her side, she wasn't flustered at all.
To be honest, Shen Xue was somewhat looking forward to the arrival of this little life.
Looking at the confused Na Waizi and Chen Hao, Shen Xue beckoned. The two little ones trotted to their mother's side and hugged her.
These two little dumplings didn't know that their mother might be adding a younger brother or sister to their family.
"Yanyan, Haohao, you need to be good and stay by Mama's side from now on. Don't run around, okay?"
Chen Yang squatted down and patiently instructed the two little ones.
Although the two little ones were usually well-behaved, Shen Xue might be pregnant now and couldn't afford to be bumped around. Chen Yang was naturally worried.
"The children are still so small. What would they know? I'll be careful myself. Besides, it hasn't been confirmed yet."
"Maybe it's not pregnancy, maybe it's something wrong with my body..."
Before Shen Xue could finish, Chen Yang covered her mouth.
"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey."
"Don't say such unlucky things. Who wishes for something wrong with their body?"
Chen Yang was exasperated with this foolish woman. She was already talking nonsense when she might be pregnant. Who would wish for their body to have problems?
"Daddy, I will protect Mommy!"
"Daddy, I will too! I'm a big boy!"
The two little ones hugged their mother tightly, stating that they would protect her.
Chen Yang stroked the little ones' heads, feeling a lot more comforted.
"If Mom gives you a little brother or sister, would you like them?"
Chen Yang looked at the two little ones. They probably didn't know what was happening yet.
Although the children were young, as parents, he still wanted to tell them, after all, they were about to become older siblings.
"Daddy, are little brothers and sisters fun?"
"Don't be like Brother. Brother is always so slow when there's food and doesn't play with me."
Na Waizi seemed to understand but not understand. Chen Hao pouted and didn't speak. It wasn't his fault.
But when there was delicious food, he seemed to automatically block out everything else.
"This..."
Chen Yang was silent. Shen Xue looked at his defeated expression and covered her mouth, giggling.