Chapter 428: Chapter 428 Words Inside
Lu Hailing smiled, “It’s because Auntie treats me like her own daughter.”
The two chatted about home-cooked meals for quite a while.
Lu Hailing squatted beside them, looking at little Lele in the bath tub, her eyes filled with affection.
“Auntie, Lele is growing up so well, those big eyes are so clever! And his broad forehead and expressive brows look just like Brother Shen. He looks like he has great fortune.”
Chen Guizhi couldn’t stop smiling, as she loved hearing compliments about her grandson, and she believed them herself. Though modestly, she said, “Oh, but he is quite the little rascal.”
When she talked about his mischievousness, it was with utter fondness, clearly adoring her cheeky grandson.
But in Lu Hailing’s view, the child was indeed quite naughty. Shen Lele was strong and liked to play with others. Bathing seemed to make him pretty joyful, as he splashed water with his little arms, accidentally splashing Chen Guizhi’s face as she bent over to wash him.
“Ouch, you little rascal, but seems you’re washing grandma’s face now,” Chen Guizhi didn’t care at all. She casually wiped her face and continued playing with her grandson.
Little Lele wasn’t just waving his hands; his feet were active too, splashing water randomly while laughing.
Lu Hailing got splashed with some water too, and she slightly moved aside while saying, “Lele really has strong limbs.”
“Absolutely, he loves playing like this. Every time after his bath, he refuses to get out. I worry about the water getting cold and him catching a chill. Sometimes I have to forcefully pick him up, and he cries. You wouldn’t believe how strong he is. He protests by refusing to wear clothes, straightening his arms and legs so you can’t dress him. At my age, sometimes I truly can’t manage to get his clothes on him. Such strength, and he’s only three months old—just like his dad when he was little…”
If you’re talking to Chen Guizhi, you’ll never run out of topics—Just mention her grandson, and she could talk all day.
Lu Hailing had visited a few times and knew how dearly Chen Guizhi cherished her grandson. Often, she’d go along with her stories, digging up funny incidents about Lele, and the two would laugh and talk.
That’s why Chen Guizhi really liked Lu Hailing.
“Lele’s mouth looks like sister Yang PeiMin—quite delicate. His skin is similar too. If you said he was a girl, people would believe it,” Lu Hailing mentioned Yang PeiMin.
Chen Guizhi chuckled again, “He’ll be a handsome boy like his mother; it’ll be easier for him to find a wife… It would be best if he also inherits his mother’s academic skills. Maybe we can have another college student in our family…”
Seeing her genuine smile, Lu Hailing added, “Auntie truly is fortunate. Lele’s mother is very promising, not just beautiful and well-tempered. I’ve always wanted to have a chat with her, but every time I see her she seems so busy. I didn’t realize they had so much coursework. A couple of times, I saw her arriving home really late… I just think maybe she doesn’t even have enough time to hold Lele, and I dared not to disturb her…”
Chen Guizhi chuckled and shook her head, “There’s nothing I can do about it. The school said they are preparing for the National Day program, so she has been a bit busy these days. But although I’m with this little guy all day, he’s still closest to his mom. They say a mother and child’s hearts are connected, and it’s true—even though he doesn’t recognize anyone yet, I’m just happy seeing his mom holding him…”
“Well, after all, he’s drinking her milk… With sister so busy, it’s really thanks to Auntie coming over, otherwise who could manage?”
“Hehe, I’m just here to take care of the kids, Peiying does all the other stuff. That hard-working child is really a lifesaver. I just look after the kids; I don’t have to lift a finger for anything else. I just open my mouth to eat, and sometimes I feel really guilty… Just washing Lele’s diapers is like a big tub full, not to mention the clothes, handkerchiefs, beddings, and food. The daughter-in-law is picky with food, so that child keeps coming up with delicious food for her. She has made dozens of soups. Otherwise, how could Lele be so plump and healthy? By New Year’s, I must give her a big red envelope…”
Lu Hailing hadn’t expected her to praise Yang Peiying like this. This was Yang PeiMin’s biological sister. Then she thought about how every time she came here, she always saw Yang Peiying working, while Yang PeiMin never did. At meal times, she even noticed Yang PeiMin’s hands—those were not the hands of someone who did housework. The two sisters were like a landlord and a farm laborer, strangely enough. So, she had a doubtful look on her face and smiled, “Speaking of which, Yingzi and the sister really don’t look alike. They are different in appearance and temperament.”
Chen Guizhi nodded, “They don’t resemble each other. Lele’s mother resembles my mother-in-law. Yingzi looks like her grandmother. My mother-in-law was famously beautiful in her youth, renowned across all the neighboring villages. But even though their appearances are different, their characters are similar. Both are filial and capable good children.”
Chen Hailing absentmindedly responded, “Auntie is quite satisfied with the sister-in-law; I wonder how the marriage was arranged?”
Chen Guizhi smiled at the memory, “It was your Brother Shen who chose that bride, so we went to ask for her hand in marriage. They got married during a home visit leave. How could we be not satisfied? You don’t know, your Brother Shen is quite picky, and it’s rare for him to be so fond of someone. His father and I were thrilled, and just after getting married, I even got to hold my grandson. We couldn’t be more satisfied… and she is not less than any other girl…”
Chen Hailing also smiled nervously, then found herself out of things to say.
Chen Guizhi had just finished washing Lele, and as she had said, the little guy was not keen on getting up. He was flailing his arms and legs, soaking Chen Guizhi’s clothes. Worried that he might catch a cold, she quickly picked him up, soothing him while swiftly dressing him.
Lele was really unhappy and started crying loudly.
Lu Hailing quickly offered to take over, “Auntie, let me soothe him. You go inside and change your clothes; it’s getting chilly this evening.”
Chen Guizhi knew she was experienced with kids and agreed, handing the child over to her before going inside to change.
Lu Hailing, holding Lele, started walking around the yard, showing him the flowers by the wall. Lele soon stopped crying. By then, Shen Yiguang returned home, and Chen Hailing, still holding the child, went to greet him.
“Brother Shen, you’re back.”
Shen Yiguang hadn’t expected her to be the one coming out, his face showing undiluted surprise, and upon seeing his son in her arms, he nodded slightly and reached out to take his son.
“Brother Shen, you’ve just returned. Wash your hands first. I can hold the child; it’s no trouble.”
Just then, Yang Peijun burst out, “I’ll hold him, I’ll hold him. I’m the uncle and I’ve washed my hands. Don’t know why there’s so much fuss. I was just boiling water in the kitchen and didn’t see anyone wash their hands. Coming in from outside, who knows what they’ve touched. Lele, come to your uncle here.”