Such things were just like how Old Master Lian only subtly ntioned them in his letters: Lian Manman wouldn’t lay everything out in front of Er Ya’s grandmother either, only saying that all was well.
"Your Brother Erlang’s wife, taking into account the months, isn’t it ti for her to give birth?" Er Ya’s grandmother asked Lian Manman again. The gossipy nature of won never diminishes with age; on the contrary, it only grows stronger. "Seeing her on the road with that big belly, we’ve all been worried for her."
"My mother calculated the other day, she still has two months to go before she gives birth," Lian Manman said, "From what my father’s letter implies, she should be quite well."
Old Master Lian had not ntioned Zhao Xiue in his letters. No news, as they say, is good news. It seed that Zhao Xiue must be doing well.
"That’s good, Brother Erlang’s wife seems pretty tough," said Er Ya’s grandmother.
"Sister," Xiao Qi called out to Lian Manman from the edge of the bed, beckoning her over to see the cat.
Lian Manman got off the bed and walked over to the edge.
Er Ya’s house cat was eating a rice mix with dried shrimp and enjoying every bite. The kitten, placed on a small mat by Er Ya and Xiao Qi, was owing softly while tumbling around.
The owing was milky and tender, making anyone listening feel a softness in their heart.
Er Ya’s house cat was a tabby, and the kitten had almost completely inherited its mother’s appearance. From the head down to the tip of the tail, the fur was alternated with dark grey and deep black, while the chin, belly, and four limbs were snow-white.
After tumbling for a while, the kitten curled up, held its tail, and lay down, looking just like a fuzzy ball of yarn.
Lian Manman reached out and gently stroked the kitten’s back, smoothing its fur. The kitten owed a couple of tis and then raised its paw to grasp Lian Manman’s hand. She couldn’t help but pinch the soft pads on its paws.
The kitten owed again and withdrew its paw.
Lian Manman then reached out under its chin and started to gently scratch it.
The kitten didn’t shy away. It looked at Lian Manman with its pair of jade-green eyes, narrowed them comfortably, emitted a purring sound from its throat, and lifted its head to let Lian Manman scratch more effectively.
Lian Manman secretly clenched her fist. Indeed, to win over a cat, whether it was a big one or a kitten, scratching was an infallible trick.
After playing for a while, Lian Manman said goodbye to Er Ya and her grandmother and put the kitten in the basket she had brought. The basket was lined with a thick, soft mat. This mat was made by Lian Manman herself, using scraps of fine cloth, stitched together bit by bit, and filled with chicken feathers and cotton inside. The kitten would feel absolutely warm and comfortable lying on it.
Walking towards the shop, Lian Manman carried the basket with the kitten owing inside. Having left its mother and facing an unfamiliar world, it needed ti to adapt. But that process would be quick.
Xiao Qi was almost clinging to the basket, his eyes and hands unwilling to leave the kitten.
"Sister, let’s give it a na," Xiao Qi said, discussing it with Lian Manman.
"Hmm, it should have a na," Lian Manman nodded, "Let’s call it Da Hua."
"Da Hua, Da Hua."
Xiao Qi called out repeatedly, and then the kitten, Da Hua, also responded with soft ows. Lian Manman couldn’t help but laugh quietly, feeling tenderness in her heart.
Back at the shop, Lian Manman entered the back room, took off her shoes, climbed onto the bed, and placed the basket in a sunny spot on the bed. Xiao Qi also wanted to climb up, but Lian Manman stopped him.
"Don’t you adore Da Hua? From now on, she’ll be your responsibility to look after," Lian Manman told Xiao Qi.
Xiao Qi, young and truly fond of Da Hua, agreed naively. Lian Manman inwardly chuckled and then tasked Xiao Qi with preparing a food bowl for Da Hua, which ant two porcelain bowls, one for cat food and one for water.
Additionally, there was one more important item.
"Yesterday, I asked your third uncle to make that shallow wooden basin. Go fill it with clean fine sand and bring it here," Lian Manman instructed Xiao Qi.
"Okay," Xiao Qi agreed cheerfully and ran off. Soon after, he ca back in carrying the wooden basin filled with fine sand.
Lian Manman took the wooden basin, placed it on the floor near the wall, and then picked up the kitten Da Hua from the basket and put her in the basin.
"...this will be your litter box from now on," Lian Manman stroked Da Hua’s head and told her, "In this house, if you dare pee on the bed, or poop on it, you’ll get a spanking. Do you hear ?"
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