Though Xie Yushu and Wang Wen had given Su Chi thorough sponge baths every few days during his confinement, washing with a cloth and soaking in hot water were entirely different experiences.
The warm room had been rebuilt by Xie Yushu to match the one at their old home—but larger and more spacious, big enough to hold three wooden tubs.
Against the wall, a row of wooden shelves of various sizes had been installed: tall and short, large and small, holding jars of cleansing balm, towels, and other items. Lately, though, they’d been filled with the baby’s things—diapers, talcum powder, bottles and jars of all kinds—more than the adults’ supplies.
The room was warm, the charcoal fire blazing. Babies ran hot—too many layers would make them uncomfortable and fussy. Xie Yushu had specifically instructed Su Chi and his father not to bundle the baby too thickly. The room was warm enough; the little one wouldn’t get cold.
After his bath, Su Chi changed clothes and sat by the brazier, drying his hair with a thick towel while watching his little Tuan Tuan in the cradle.
The baby was awake, having just finished a bowl of milk, now babbling in baby talk that adults couldn’t understand.
His father had been watching the baby, occasionally playing with him. Seeing Su Chi was mostly dry, he went to the kitchen to fetch some food.
Tuan Tuan, seeing his familiar father, grinned toothlessly and reached out his arms—wanting to be held.
Su Chi bent down and expertly scooped up the soft little body. He stroked the baby’s warm, milk-scented cheek, his heart melting into a puddle, and gently planted a kiss on that tiny face.
Before long, Wang Wen returned with a tray: a bowl of pigeon soup, a bowl of rice, a plate of steamed pork with rice flour, a bowl of minced meat and shrimp egg custard, and a plate of glossy stir-fried greens.
Su Chi always got hungry while watching the baby, so Wang Wen kept warm food ready for him at all times.
Su Chi had wanted some fried fish as a treat, but Wang Wen said no—they could have it in a couple of days.
Unwilling to put the baby down, Su Chi ate while holding him—he didn’t mind at all.
A while later, Shan Ge’er and one of the kitchen helpers came to confirm the New Year’s Eve menu so they could start preparing the ingredients.
Su Chi discussed it with them while eating, quickly finalizing the dishes: mains, sides, soups, cold plates, and desserts.
Tuan Tuan’s bright, grape-like eyes were wide open, his chubby little fingers grabbing at Su Chi’s loose hair and playing with it.
When the strangers left, Tuan Tuan tried to grab at Su Chi’s bowl, but Wang Wen was quick to stop him.
“Come here, sweetheart—come to Grandfather.” Wang Wen patted his hands, gently taking the little bundle from Su Chi’s arms and soothing him: “Let your father eat properly. We won’t bother him, alright?”
That evening, Xie Yushu returned from the workshop. She washed her hands thoroughly before holding the baby.
She kissed Tuan Tuan’s tender forehead, bouncing him gently until he giggled, his little hands waving in the air. She caught them both in hers.
Then she turned and kissed Su Chi’s brow, whispering softly: “I missed you.”
Year-end was always busy. Besides the few days right after Tuan Tuan’s birth, when she’d stayed home full-time, most days she was out, only back in the evenings to spend time with her fulang and baby.
Su Chi hugged her back, nuzzling into her neck: “I missed you too.”
Even after having a baby, Su Chi’s love for Xie Yushu only grew. He’d hoped they could all be together more after the baby came, but year-end was so hectic that his wife could only be with him at night.
He looked down at beautiful Tuan Tuan and sighed: “Tuan Tuan is growing so well—just like you.”
“Is that so?” Xie Yushu examined him closely and soon concluded, “The eyes are like yours—the nose and mouth are like mine.”
Su Chi laughed behind his hand: “Alright, he’s like both of us.” Then he added, “Tuan Tuan is growing fast and strong—all thanks to the milk.”
Tuan Tuan had been drinking milk since birth, and he loved it. He was already more robust than other babies his age.
During Su Chi’s confinement, the Xie household had received no visitors except Tang Zhiyi and Jiang Wanxue.
That day, Jiang Wanxue had held Tuan Tuan and remarked that he was even sturdier at this age than her daughter had been—quite remarkable.
His chubby little arms already showed signs of becoming plump, jointed sections like lotus root. Su Chi lovingly squeezed the baby’s soft arms—as tender and white as the milk they drank every day.
Xie Yushu reached out and pulled them both into her arms, her chin resting on the top of Su Chi’s head. She promised him: “Once this busy season is over, I’ll give the workshop and the base a break and stay home with you both every day.”
“Alright.” Su Chi’s eyes curved into a smile as he wrapped his arms around her, a warm current flowing through his heart.
Deep winter had set in. Outside, the wind howled, but inside the warmth rose. The family of three huddled together, shutting out the New Year bustle and the cold wind alike—as if nothing else existed in the world but them.
·
Good news came one after another. Apart from New Year’s Eve, Sun Wuyou had also been allowed to return by her family.
The Sun family said she’d done well in town and gave her permission to come back to the county.
As soon as she arrived in Tang’an County, she and Guizhi first went home to drop off their things, exchanged a few words with her family, and then hurried over to the Xie residence.
When they entered, they first went to see Tuan Tuan—but didn’t get to, as Xie Yushu whisked them off to the main hall to talk.
The little one had just been coaxed to sleep by Su Chi and was sound asleep in his cradle.
They weren’t discouraged—now that they were back in the county, they’d have plenty of chances.
Fortunately, Xie Yushu had gotten word early and had been waiting for them.
The kitchen was bustling with steam and activity, windows thrown wide open, counters piled high with ingredients.
Soon came the rhythmic thud of chopping, the splash of washing vegetables, and the sound of people passing dishes to each other.
After putting the baby down, Su Chi went to the kitchen to cook. He’d finished his confinement and was full of energy—perfect for taking charge of tonight’s New Year’s Eve feast.
He told his father to rest in the room with some snacks and the baby—he wouldn’t need his help this year.
With Su Chi directing them, Shan Ge’er and the two kitchen helpers worked methodically. The kitchen soon filled with an irresistible aroma.
Su Chi brought out two plates of freshly fried small fish and crispy pork for Sun Wuyou and Guizhi to snack on.
They crunched away happily, their oily fingers reaching for piece after piece. Sun Wuyou mumbled through a mouthful: “Xie Da, your business is doing well—my family’s been talking about it.”
Xie Yushu watched these two eating as if they’d just crawled out of a famine. She leaned back in her armchair, a look of mild disdain on her face, though she was genuinely concerned. She asked, “So what’s the plan tonight? Staying here for dinner, or going back to the Sun household?”
Sun Wuyou paused mid-chew, staring pitifully at the golden fish on the plate. She was torn: “I’d love to stay here, but would my father allow it? I just got back and barely said a word to him before rushing over to see you two. If I stay for dinner, I definitely won’t be welcomed back.”
Guizhi chimed in miserably: “Miss, if we do that, the master definitely won’t let us off easy.”
Oh, how she wished she could have dinner at the Xie household. The thought of going back to the same bland, repetitive meals made her shudder.
Sun Wuyou nodded—that was exactly it.
It wasn’t that she didn’t care about her family; she did. But the food at home was always the same—watery, bland, and repetitive. Before meeting Xie Yushu, she could stomach it. But after eating so many of Xie’s meals, how could she go back to those bland, medicinal dishes?
It was unbearable.
She really wanted a wonderful New Year’s dinner at Xie’s, then go home and reunite with her family.
Xie Yushu came up with a compromise: “Got it. Take some food back with you—surely your family won’t mind that?”
“That’s perfect!” Sun Wuyou perked up at once, excited. “Just give me a bit of everything—meat, veggies, whatever. I’ll bring it back and share with them. They’ll get to taste your wonderful food, and they won’t scold me. Win-win!”
After they’d polished off both plates of crispy pork and fish, they followed Xie Yushu to the kitchen. They were nearly knocked over by the intense cooking aroma before they even got close.
Two long tables in the kitchen were already set with finished dishes. Since they’d be eating with the servants, Su Chi had made extra.
Su Chi had always treated the household staff as family, making sure everyone ate well.
With the main family and servants combined, there were twelve people. Yet the spread on the tables—plus what Su Chi was still preparing—was more than enough to feed twenty.
Sun Wuyou and Guizhi’s eyes went wide. If only their family meals were a tenth as delicious as this.
Seeing them hesitate, unable to decide what to take, Su Chi smiled and packed some of everything for them.
In the end, they each left with armloads of stacked food containers—satisfied, they headed back to the Sun household.
Leave a Reply