977 Walking Brown Bear
Do you get lost and afraid too? Xia He looked at Qiao Mei in surprise. She had always thought that Qiao Mei was fearless.
What kind of look are you giving me? Why don't I get afraid? I'm also human! I'm very afraid now. I don't know if I can be a good mother. When I first married Xia Zhe, I didn't know if I could be a good wife. I'm also very afraid that giving birth might be a very dangerous thing. There are so many things that I'm afraid of, Qiao Mei said honestly.
Don't be afraid. I'll always be by your side. Although my younger brother is very busy with work, please don't blame him as that's the nature of his job. I'll always be here. Don't worry! Xia He said as she looked at Qiao Mei earnestly.
Qiao Mei laughed loudly at Xia He's expression. She reached out to pinch Xia He's cheeks and said, You're so eloquent when you try to advise me, so why can't you figure it out for yourself? How strange.
Shoo, shoo! I'm your elder sister! How can you talk to me like that! How rude! Xia He said happily.
Seeing that Xia He had relaxed, Qiao Mei felt relieved. By the time they reached Xu Lan's place, it was already dark. From afar, she could see a figure which looked like a brown bear standing anxiously at the entrance of the neighborhood and looking around.
Look is that Mother? Xia He leaned against the window and asked suspiciously.
Qiao Mei was not sure as well. She could not tell who it was. The person's entire body was covered by a mink coat, making her look like a bear walking in the snow. If not for the fact that the figure was standing upright, they might have thought that it was not a human.
It was only when they got closer that they could confirm that it was indeed Xu Lan. Xu Lan's face was all red from the cold, but she did not seem to care. Her eyes were filled with anticipation.
Oh my goodness! It's really Mother! Xia He exclaimed.
Xia He quickly got out of the car to pull Xu Lan in. Qiao Mei reached out to hold Xu Lan's hand to warm her up but Xu Lan quickly put her hands into her lap to prevent Qiao Mei from touching them.
No! No! Don't touch me. My body is very cold now. You might catch a cold, Xu Lan said with a smile.
Xia He had never seen Xu Lan like this. In the past, Xu Lan would try her best not to go out during winter. She was very scared of the cold. Her years of dancing had caused her to have many injuries on her body. When the weather was cold or when it was windy or rainy, Xu Lan would feel uncomfortable all over.
This was an issue that many dancers faced. Xia He also had some minor issues, but not as serious as what Xu Lan had to go through.
Mother, why didn't you wait for us at home? Why did you come out instead? How long have you been waiting? Qiao Mei said with some heartache.
Not very long, I just came out! Your second aunt-in-law made many of your favorite dishes at home. Let's hurry home and have dinner! Xu Lan said happily.
The family walked into the house while chatting noisily. Xia Wen was reading the newspaper in the living room.
Xia Wen chuckled and said to Qiao Mei, It's only been a few days but you really look better now. How are the results of the checkup?
There's nothing wrong with me, but eldest brother, you sure look a lot more haggard. Is it because you have too much work to do at the end of the year? Do you need me to share your burden? Qiao Mei asked tentatively.
Xia Wen squinted his eyes and said, The little girl has become even more quick-witted. Let's eat first or the food will get cold. Second Aunt-in-law has repeated this sentence many times. She probably felt like driving the car to go and pick you up.
Qiao Mei really liked how it felt to talk to Xia Wen. She need not say much for him to understand what she meant. Since Xia Wen did not accept her offer to help, it meant that he still had everything under his control.
After dinner, while Xu Lan and Liu Fen asked Xia Fang for the details of Qiao Mei's checkup, Qiao Mei took the chance to ask Xia Wen to go to the backyard to have a chat.
The backyard had been converted into a glass house by now. It was actually Xia He who suggested it, given that Xu Lan wanted Qiao Mei to stay with her after giving birth. In order to make it easier for Qiao Mei to have a place to take a walk, she asked the workers to make the backyard into an enclosed space so that Qiao Mei would not feel cooped up at home when the weather was less than ideal.
Why are you being so mysterious? Xia Wen asked.
Qiao Mei took out a pager from her pocket and threw it to Xia Wen. This is a gift for you. Everyone has one. Don't look down on my gift.