Chapter 2: Rebirth (2)

“Auntie Meng, how is it? Is it a boy or a girl?”

Miao Sanfeng eagerly stepped forward as soon as the midwife lifted the mat and emerged, holding a newborn wrapped in a rough, grayish blanket. Though she had long given up hope for her eldest daughter-in-law’s pregnancy, a small part of her still clung to a sliver of wishful thinking.

Old Jiang put down his pipe, his weathered eyes filled with anticipation.

Midwife Meng, fully aware of the Jiang family’s situation, chuckled as she carefully handed the swaddled infant into Miao Sanfeng’s arms. The village gossips never tired of mocking the Jiang family’s eldest daughter-in-law, but now—

“It’s a boy! Your daughter-in-law has given birth to a son!”

A son. A direct male heir.

This was the firstborn grandson of the Jiang family’s eldest branch, a treasure of utmost importance. Meng Auntie was already picturing her generous reward—these days, every household was scraping by with barely enough food, and she had been counting on this delivery to earn some cornmeal to feed her own children.

“A son! A son!”

Miao Sanfeng’s wrinkled hands trembled as she gazed at the tiny, red-faced newborn in her arms. The child was wrinkled, his skin still blotchy from birth, but to her, he was more precious than gold. Her eldest son had an heir at last.

Hearing the midwife’s words, Jiang Cheng immediately placed his pipe on the table and hobbled over as quickly as he could. Years ago, he had suffered an injury on the battlefield, leaving one of his legs permanently crippled. When he walked at a normal pace, it wasn’t too noticeable, but now, in his excitement, he moved hastily—his limp making him stagger with each step.

Reaching his wife’s side, he carefully peeled back the swaddling cloth, his rough, calloused hands trembling. When he saw the baby’s tiny face, his own was streaked with tears.

“A boy… My eldest son finally has an heir… I have a grandson!”

The newborn stirred slightly in Miao Sanfeng’s arms, letting out a soft whimper as he curled his tiny body.

Old Jiang’s face flushed with joy as he stared at his grandson, loving him more with each passing second. His large, rough hands twitched, wanting to hold the child but afraid of hurting him.

Auntie Meng clicked her tongue in mock exasperation. “Jiang Brother, do you think I’d lie to you about this?”

“No, no, I was just… too excited!” Jiang Cheng laughed heartily, his deep voice thick with emotion. “Dahai! Why are you standing there like a fool? Hurry and bring some gifts to thank Auntie Meng!”

“Ah—oh! Oh, right!”

Jiang Dahai, who had been standing there in a daze, finally snapped back to reality. He had been so overwhelmed by the news of his son’s birth that his mind had gone blank.

For years, the pressure of not having a son had weighed heavily on him—not just from his family but from the entire village. Though Chairman Mao’s words about women holding up half the sky were well known, in their remote countryside, having no son meant the family line would die out. Daughters? What good were they? Sooner or later, they would marry into someone else’s family.

(TN: Why not let your daughters have your surname? Adopt a son to marry them. You're rich in daughters, a lot of childless couples would kill to have your position. This family is giving me a heartburn.)

But now, he finally had a son.

Jiang Dahai felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He could finally walk through the village with his head held high. He stared at the small bundle in his arms, his feet seemingly glued to the ground, his face splitting into a grin so wide it showed every one of his teeth.

Miao Sanfeng rolled her eyes at her son’s foolishness but understood his feelings. She carefully transferred the baby into his arms.

“Hold him properly! Don’t you dare drop my precious grandson!”

Jiang Cheng watched enviously from the side, his fingers twitching. Why didn’t his wife hand the baby to him instead?

“Father, I have a son. I have a son!” Jiang Dahai’s voice was thick with emotion as he gazed at his child. His usually tanned, weather-beaten face shone with joy.

“Hah! What’s there to gloat about? He’s my grandson too!” Jiang Cheng retorted, though the happiness in his tone was unmistakable.

They had waited so many years for this moment, and now their long-cherished wish had finally come true.

Meanwhile, Miao Sanfeng had already slipped into the kitchen, pondering over what gift to prepare for Meng Auntie.

Jiang Cheng’s crippled leg had been injured while saving his old commander on the battlefield, earning him an honorable discharge. Though he had only been a low-ranking officer at the time, the commander he had saved had not forgotten his debt. As a result, Jiang Cheng was granted a retired officer’s pension at the rank of a full colonel.

Every month, they received a steady income—thirty yuan in cash, along with various grain and meat ration coupons, as well as other valuable provisions.

Even during the worst years of famine, the Jiang family never truly suffered. Though they had been disappointed by the birth of four granddaughters, they had never let the children starve.

Now, standing in front of the grain bin, Miao Sanfeng hesitated.

After their youngest daughter married, Jiang Cheng had made the decision to divide the household. He and his wife would live with their eldest son’s family, while their younger son was given his own share. This arrangement meant that the couple’s pension—intended for their own support—naturally went to the eldest son’s household.

It had been a calculated decision. They had always favored their eldest son and wanted to ensure he got the better share of the resources. After all, he was the one expected to carry on the family line.

But fate had played a cruel joke—four granddaughters in a row. Meanwhile, their younger son, Jiang Dachuan, had sired two grandsons.

Because of this, the elderly couple had found themselves continuously supporting their younger son’s household. But no matter how much they gave, that family was a bottomless pit. Jiang Dachuan was lazy, picking the easiest tasks in the village and earning even fewer work points than the women. His wife, Fan Xiaojun, was even worse—always pretending to be sick, yet eating more than any grown man.

For years, the old couple had reluctantly poured their resources into that household, hoping to convince Jiang Dachuan to let them adopt one of his sons as their eldest son’s heir.

But things are different now.

Their eldest son finally had a child of his own—a true heir! There was no longer any reason to keep feeding that ungrateful lot.

Miao Sanfeng gritted her teeth and went to a hidden corner of the kitchen. Carefully, she retrieved a small, gray clay jar. Inside were several pieces of cured meat—leftover from a gift sent by the old commander last year. She had planned to save them for the upcoming New Year’s feast.

But now…

Reluctantly, she took out a piece, cleaned off the salt, and measured it against her palm before cutting off a portion. She wrapped it in newspaper, tied it securely with twine, and hid the rest away again.

Next, she placed six eggs into a bamboo basket. In the countryside, eggs were rarely eaten—usually sold for extra income. But for an occasion like this, it was worth the expense.

Satisfied with her selection, she carried the basket outside.

Auntie Meng’s eyes lit up the moment she saw it.

“Oh, Sister Miao! This is too generous! So many good things!” she exclaimed, though she showed no intention of returning any of it.

“Nonsense! You helped deliver our family’s first grandson. This is just a small token of appreciation.” Jiang Cheng dismissed her words with a wave.

Meng Auntie smirked inwardly. The Jiang family was wealthy indeed. But now that Jiang Dahai had a son, his younger brother’s days of freeloading were surely over.

And that, she thought with amusement, would be a sight worth seeing.

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Chapter 2: Rebirth (2)