Bride Swap Backfire: My Cousin's Rebirth Made Us a Power Couple-Chapter 86 - 52: Paying a Visit

Xu Su Ying carried a basket brimming with red eggs, while Chen Wanqing had a large basket strapped to her back. The mother and daughter hurried along, and by the time they reached the entrance of the Qian Family’s shop, it was already late.

Chen Bai was tending to the grain business in the shop, glancing up at the street from time to time. When he still couldn’t see them after looking again and again, he grew so anxious he was tempted to go look for them at Qingxiang House himself.

Fortunately, when he looked up this time, he finally saw his sister-in-law and niece.

Chen Bai dropped the weighing rod in his hand and rushed forward to greet them. "You’re finally here."

Hearing his voice, Mrs. Qian hurried out from inside. When she saw the mother and daughter carrying both a large back basket and a smaller one, she couldn’t help but protest, "Why spend your money on all this? We have everything we need here."

Xu Su Ying smiled. "My sister-in-law went through a lot, so this is to help her regain her strength. It’s nothing valuable, so please accept it, Auntie."

Mrs. Qian warmly welcomed the two inside, while Chen Bai picked up the back basket with one hand and the smaller basket with the other, following behind.

He looked nothing like Chen Song or Chen Lin. Instead, he was big and burly, with a square jaw that made him seem utterly reliable and honest.

It was because of his honest appearance and sturdy build that his wife, Mrs. Qian, had chosen him over a host of orphaned candidates.

So many years had passed, and facts had proven that although Chen Bai still had his parents, he was a far better choice than any of the orphaned men willing to become live-in sons-in-law.

Mrs. Qian’s judgment was certainly unique, and wickedly sharp.

Chen Bai walked behind the group. As Chen Wanqing and Xu Su Ying followed Mrs. Qian’s directions through a small door to the back courtyard, Chen Bai brought the grain displayed outside into the shop, closed the doors, and put down the shutters so the family could enjoy a lively meal together. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Hearing the commotion, Mrs. Qian glanced back and praised him, "Such a thoughtful son-in-law, closing up the shop. His sister-in-law rarely visits, so we have to make sure she can eat in peace."

Chen Bai replied in acknowledgment and then asked his sister-in-law, "How is it that only you and Qing’er came? Where’s my eldest brother? Is he at the government office, or has he been sent on an assignment? If he’s at the office, we can wait for him before we eat. If he’s on assignment, then we won’t."

"There’s no need to wait, he’s away on an assignment. It’s been like this for days; he’s been so busy his feet haven’t touched the ground."

As they spoke, the group arrived in the back courtyard.

The Qian Family’s home was designed with a shop at the front and a courtyard at the back. Since the shop wasn’t small, the courtyard was naturally large as well.

In the courtyard, the main building alone consisted of three rooms, with additional wings to the left and right. There was even a well in the middle of the yard.

Being able to draw water from a well in your own yard—that was the sign of a first-rate lifestyle.

The Qian Family was clearly doing very well. A single glance revealed not only a spotlessly clean courtyard, but even the window paper and the whitewash on the walls were replaced annually, looking fresh and bright.

Hearing the noise, Yuzhu rushed out of a room, followed by her younger brother, seven-year-old Cheng, who had been given the day off from his private tutoring. In an instant, it was a lively scene of affectionate hugs.

After lingering in the courtyard for a short while, the group finally went inside.

The moment they stepped inside, a wave of heat washed over them. There were actually two braziers burning in the room.

Second Aunt, wearing a red headscarf and a small, peach-colored jacket, was lying on the bed. Her face was pale and sallow.

When she saw them enter, she sat up excitedly and even tried to put on her shoes to get out of bed.

"Lie back down and rest! You’re in your confinement month." Xu Su Ying hurried forward a few steps and gently pushed her back down. "Why is your face so sallow and your lips so pale? Was it a difficult birth?"

"Oh, Sister-in-law, don’t even ask. The baby was so big, it really put me through the wringer."

Mrs. Qian looked back on it with lingering fear, yet her eyes were filled with true joy. "Nine pounds and two ounces! No wonder I was so clumsy I could barely walk those last few days. It was a real ordeal. If Chen Bai hadn’t arranged for a doctor and a midwife ahead of time, it could have been dangerous."

Xu Su Ying was startled to hear this.

They hadn’t visited in the past few days, and no word had been sent, so this was the first they were hearing of it. Xu Su Ying was genuinely shocked. "Thank the gods you’re both safe, mother and son," she said quickly. "You must stay in bed and recover properly. It would be best to rest for two full months. Don’t overdo it."

Mrs. Qian nodded. "That’s what my mother said, too. I’m getting older, and I don’t plan on having any more children. Three is more than enough. My mother said I should rest for two months this time to cure some of the lingering ailments from my previous births, and then I can just focus on raising the children in peace."