Xu Damao Goes West

Lou Xiao'e smiled and said, "Husband, how should we tell Jingru about this?"

Lin Zhen also found it amusing. "Qin Jingru, everyone's constitution is different. Xu Damao isn't me, and you aren't Xiao'e, so you can't compare directly."

Qin Jingru stomped her feet anxiously. "Oh, it's not about comparing. You two just tell me, what are the tricks to having twins? I'll go back and prepare, aiming to get pregnant next month."

Lin Zhen found it funny. If you just stayed with Xu Damao, you could prepare for ten years and still not get pregnant.

"Uh... there are no tricks. Keep an optimistic mindset, and maybe you'll get pregnant. If you really can't, go to the hospital for a check-up. You have to believe in science!"

Qin Jingru's heart skipped a beat when she heard about a hospital check-up.

She was afraid it was her own fault and didn't think about Xu Damao.

If she really couldn't have twins because of her own issues, would Damao leave her?

Frightened, Qin Jingru shook her head repeatedly.

"What check-up? All my sisters can have children, all of them aiming for four or five. I won't have any problems. You... you just won't tell me, fine!"

Qin Jingru snorted and left.

Back home, she stammered to Xu Damao, "Damao, I feel like my body's nutrition hasn't been keeping up."

Xu Damao was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"I... I didn't get pregnant this month."

Xu Damao couldn't help but frown. "How can you be so useless! Lou Xiao'e got pregnant the first month she married Lin Zhen!"

"I... I... I'll definitely get pregnant next month. Buy me more good food to replenish me."

Xu Damao sighed and took ten yuan from his pocket.

"Go to the market and buy what you want. There are also ration coupons in the bedside cabinet, use them as you please."

"Mhm!"

Qin Jingru's eyes lit up when she saw the money, and she snatched it, stuffing it into her pocket.

Xu Damao sneered, "Look at your lack of ambition. Remember, no matter what you buy, don't give any to your sister's family."

Qin Jingru smiled. "Don't worry, I know!"

"Alright, you go cook. I'm going out for a walk."

"Where are you going?"

"Don't ask! Wherever this man goes, don't you say a word."

As soon as Xu Damao left, he headed straight for the front courtyard. He also wanted to ask Lin Zhen for advice.

Passing through the middle courtyard, he saw Bang Geng taking two lunchboxes from Silly Zhu's house.

He disdainfully spat towards the door of Silly Zhu's house, "Silly pig!"

Meanwhile, Lin Zhen was cooking.

Pickled vegetables with tofu, a small pot simmering warmly.

He also heated up two ounces of wine and had a plate of fried peanuts. Dinner was quite satisfying.

"Oh! This pickled vegetable and tofu stew smells really good!"

Lin Zhen looked up and saw Xu Damao. He frowned. "You never come to my place without a reason. You're definitely up to no good."

Xu Damao smiled obsequiously. "Don't say that. I've come to ask for some advice on a small matter."

Lin Zhen chuckled, immediately understanding his intention.

"If it's really a small matter, don't mention it. If it's a big matter, we'll resolve it at a full courtyard meeting."

"Oh, no need for a meeting. It's not really a small matter, but it's not that urgent either. I just came to learn from you."

"Oh~ then tell me."

"It's... the children are nearby. Let's go to the main gate."

"Okay. Xiao'e, you watch the fire. I'll go out and chat with Xu Damao for a bit."

When they reached the main gate, Xu Damao looked left and right to make sure no one was around. He chuckled awkwardly. "Master Lin, I'm normal in every way, and Jingru and I were timing things. Why hasn't she gotten pregnant? You know medicine, and you've even had twins twice. Please give me some pointers."

"My knowledge of medicine is just a hobby. If you really have doubts, go to a big hospital. Don't come to me!"

Xu Damao said awkwardly, "This kind of thing isn't worth going to the hospital for, it's too embarrassing. Just impart some experience to me."

Lin Zhen asked curiously, "You're normal in every way?"

Xu Damao nodded confidently. "Yes!"

"Oh, so according to you, you're normal in every way, which means the problem lies with Qin Jingru?"

Xu Damao felt uncertain and chuckled with a slightly weak tone. "You can't say that directly, can you? It's only the first month. I just came to ask you and Lou Xiao'e, how did you do it in the first month, that... uh..."

"Get lost! You're unbelievable! How can you ask like that? You're a brother-in-law!"

Xu Damao quickly apologized with a smile. "I, I, I misspoke. Aren't we alone?"

Lin Zhen smiled slightly. "You're like this, Damao."

"Hey, I'm listening."

"You, just plow the field every day, three times a day. If you don't see any results after half a year, go to the hospital with Qin Jingru for a check-up. Brother, you have to believe in science!"

Lin Zhen patted Xu Damao on the shoulder and went back, suppressing a smile.

This left Xu Damao in shock and doubt.

Three times a day? Can my body handle that?

Hmm, maybe it really is a solution. I'll try it after Jingru's situation passes.

Back home, Lou Xiao'e asked with a smile, "Is Xu Damao asking about having children again?"

"Heh heh, you'll see in a few days, the backyard will be lively. Xu Damao is either guilty or just wants to save face, and Qin Jingru desperately wants to live the city life. One is pushing, the other is holding back. A child? Heh heh."

"What do you mean?"

"You'll know when you watch."

The next morning.

Qin Jingru returned from the market with groceries, carrying half a pound of pork, a hen, a carp, and twenty eggs.

She was so proud that she became the focus of the entire courtyard.

Third Mistress exclaimed enviously, "Oh my, Jingru, it's not even past the first month of the lunar new year, and you're celebrating it again?"

Qin Jingru smiled and said, "Damao said I can spend money and ration coupons as I please, and I can't let my stomach go hungry. I'm making braised pork with cabbage, stewed chicken with mushrooms, braised fish, and boiled eggs."

"Oh, we don't even eat like this during the New Year!"

"Tsk, it's fine, my Damao has money!"

In the middle courtyard, the Jia family was having breakfast: a large bowl of clear noodle soup, half a bowl of pickles, and a few cornmeal flatbreads for each person.

Hearing the conversation between Third Mistress and Qin Jingru, Bang Geng immediately lost his appetite for the soup.

"Mom, I want to eat meat too."

Jia Zhangshi grumbled, "Don't think about it. Drink your soup and hurry up and take your sister to kindergarten."

Qin Huairu put down her chopsticks and was about to go out.

Jia Zhangshi asked, "Where are you going?"

Qin Huairu said, "Haven't we made up? I'm going to borrow some."

Jia Zhangshi sneered dismissively, "If you can borrow any, I'll change my surname to yours!"

"Hey, sister, have you eaten?"

As soon as Qin Jingru saw Qin Huairu, she quickly hid the groceries behind her, not daring to show off anymore.

Qin Huairu looked at her and smiled slightly, "My family just finished the funeral, and things are very tight. Can you lend me some money? I'll pay you back when I get my first salary."

Qin Jingru's eyes darted to her toes, and she lowered her head, "Sister, it's not that I don't want to lend it, it's that Damao won't let me. He's the head of the household, and I have to listen to him."

"You..."

"Actually, I don't have any money; I'm spending Damao's. If you're really in trouble, here, this dime is what I secretly saved. I'll give it to you directly, no need to return it!"

Qin Huairu snorted in anger and turned back. Qin Jingru sneered, "I don't even want to give a dime. Damao is right, she's a bottomless pit!"