After the family had a simple breakfast, Mother Ye finished her chores at home and came over.
Lin Xiuqing was going for her sterilization operation that morning, and Mother Ye had come specifically to look after the children for them.
If Secretary Chen hadn't interceded for them back then, Lin Xiuqing would have been taken away for sterilization the day after giving birth. Now that her postpartum confinement was over, she needed to go promptly so they wouldn't put anyone in a difficult position.
Lin Xiuqing expressed a large bowl of milk and left it with Mother Ye, so the baby wouldn't go hungry while she was away.
Actually, having it done at the township clinic wouldn't have taken long, but Ye Yaodong worried about its hygiene standards. It had no proper operating theater, let alone adequate disinfection.
He also worried that their skills might not be up to standard and that the procedure could affect her health later, causing all sorts of problems. Over everyone's objections, he decided to take her to the county hospital. It would only mean spending a little longer on the bus.
He even thoughtfully brought an extra quilt. After all, she had only just finished her postpartum confinement. He could wrap her up after the operation and keep her covered on the bus, or use it to cushion the seat and make it softer.
Seeing her little face completely drained of color after the operation made his heart ache.
"It's all right now. We're going home."
She said nothing, only nodded.
"Everyone's trying to catch whatever extra they can. The fishing season's almost over. Even I want to go along, yet you're in no hurry at all, and you're talking about cooking... What man in the village cooks at home? People would laugh themselves