Because Li Xiaolu and Gao Yuan were accompanying him, Guo Xuyang did not have to attend to many matters that night, sleeping comfortably in the adjacent room. Li Xiaolu and Gao Yuan took turns keeping watch and resting. Xiao Bao did not fuss all night; after his meal and diaper change, he slept soundly until dawn.
When Xia Li arrived, Xiao Bao was still fast asleep. She placed the fried dough sticks, pan-fried buns, soy milk, and millet porridge she had brought onto the coffee table. As she tiptoed in, she saw Gao Yuan sitting by Xiao Bao’s crib, looking at her phone. The others were all sound asleep.
“You’re here? So early?” Gao Yuan greeted Xia Li enthusiastically.
“Yes. You go and get some rest, I’ll watch for a while,” Xia Li said.
“No need. Lu Lu and I are taking turns resting, so I’m not tired.”
“Then you should hurry up and eat something. It’s not easy to get through the night,” Gao Yuan urged.
“Have you eaten?”
“I’ve eaten. You go ahead and eat. This was brought specifically for you.”
Seeing Xia Li’s insistence, Gao Yuan no longer stood on ceremony and went to the living room to eat. It wasn’t until past seven that the others finally woke up. In reality, if a newborn baby in the confinement period is taken care of properly, there are basically no major issues to attend to. The baby spends its days sleeping and eating, and eating and sleeping. The only thing is to understand the reason behind its cries. A crying baby in the confinement period is either hungry or has soiled its diaper, crying only when uncomfortable. As long as the baby is not starved, not overheated, and its soiled diapers are cleaned promptly, it is very easy to care for.
As for the mother, there is even less to worry about. As long as her diet is balanced and someone is there to chat with her, preventing her from overthinking, postpartum depression can be fundamentally avoided. The problem arises when the mother has no one to assist her after childbirth and has to manage everything herself, leading to poor eating and sleeping habits, and ultimately to extreme emotional states. Guo Xuyang’s choice of Li Xiaolu and Gao Yuan, both highly professional, meant they could handle the daily occurrences with ease. Moreover, they did not have to worry about meals, as a dedicated person delivered them, making the job truly relaxed. It was significantly easier than working in a confinement center, where one has to simultaneously care for over a dozen, or even dozens of mothers and infants, and is exhausted after returning to the dormitory. Just like last night, after Xiao Hong fell asleep, Gao Yuan slept on the sofa. In the early hours, she woke up to relieve Li Xiaolu, allowing Li Xiaolu to rest. Guo Xuyang, meanwhile, had gone to sleep on the adjacent bed while the others were chatting. Human energy is limited. Yesterday, he had been entangled and troubled by Li Minxi for a long time, then brought Xiao Hong to the hospital, and subsequently encountered the hit-and-run incident, all of which left him utterly exhausted. That's why he went to sleep while the three of them were chatting later. It was fortunate that the hospital room Li Minxi had booked was spacious enough; otherwise, there would have been no place to sleep.
“How long have you been here?” Guo Xuyang asked Xia Li.
“I arrived before six. You were all sleeping soundly, so I didn’t want to disturb you. Are the meals you brought still warm? If not, you can use the microwave in the next room to heat them.”
“I’ll wash up first. I was too tired yesterday. Are all the things prepared?”
“They are prepared. When I left yesterday, I went to Junyue to pick up four cases of Maotai, four cartons of Huazi, twenty catties of lamb, and twenty catties of beef. This was prepared separately at Mom’s request. I put the lamb and beef in the refrigerator to freeze when I got back yesterday. They should not spoil today,” Xia Li said.
“I’ll leave once Xiao Yun arrives. I’ll try to be back early.”
“Do I need to go with you?”
“No. Xiao Yun will accompany me. You go back and get some rest. You didn’t rest well last night either, did you?”
“It’s fine. Master Li finished making these pieces of jewelry at five in the morning. I was afraid of delaying things, so I brought them over as soon as I got them.”
“Thank you for your hard work. We don’t need so many people here. You should go back and get a good sleep. After all, you are pregnant now.”
As they were talking, Xiao Yun arrived. She was carrying a food container, and someone followed behind her.
“Is Xiao Hong still asleep?” she asked, putting down the food container and looking at Xiao Hong and the baby.
“Yes. What time did they talk until last night?” Guo Xuyang asked.
“They still have so much energy after giving birth? They’re sleeping so soundly now. Xiao Bao’s eyebrows and mouth resemble yours, while his eyes and nose resemble Xiao Hong’s. It’s a beautiful blend. He’s taken all your best features,” Xiao Yun said after carefully examining Xiao Bao.
“Of course. Whose child do you think he is?”
“Hmph. Have you named him?”
“No. We want to wait for Dad to name him.”
“Okay. When are we leaving?”
“In a little while. Have you eaten?”
“I have. Oh, where are yesterday’s food containers? Little Liu can take them back.”
“They are on the coffee table. Gao Yuan has washed them clean. You can take them directly. Thank you for your trouble, Little Liu.” Guo Xuyang said to Little Liu.
“It’s nothing, President Guo. I’ll take them back then, and I’ll bring you lunch later.”
“You don’t need to bring so much for lunch, four dishes will suffice. I’ll have them send the necessary ingredients to Liu He later.”
“All right, President Guo. Then I’ll be leaving. Goodbye!”
After Guo Xuyang had tidied himself up, Xiao Hong also woke up. She made a phone call home. Her parents were at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital, and no one was at home. Xiao Hong mentioned that Guo Xuyang was preparing to visit, but her parents refused, citing the long distance and inconvenience. After a few more words, the call ended.
“Yangzi, my parents don’t want you to come.”
“Just give me the address. And your parents’ names, so I know who to look for.”
“What if they don’t let you in when you go?”
“You can’t hit a smiling face, can you? Besides, the ugly daughter-in-law has to meet her in-laws sooner or later, right?”
“Are you the ugly daughter-in-law?” Xiao Hong chuckled.
“Do you understand metaphors?”
“Since that’s the case, please drive carefully on your way.”
Guo Xuyang gave a few more instructions to Li Xiaolu and Gao Yuan, and then went out with Xiao Yun and Xia Li.
“I came in the business car. Will these things fit?” Xiao Yun asked.
“You’d better drive mine. The SUV has more power, and it’s easier to load things,” Guo Xuyang said.
“President Guo, where are you going?” Li Shun asked, approaching them.
“I’m going on a long trip. I’ll be back this afternoon.”
“Brother Qi asked me to follow you closely these two days,” Li Shun said.
“Then you can drive. Where are the others?”
“The others went back with the old lady yesterday. Only Sixth Boy and I stayed. Sixth Boy is in the car over there,” Li Shun said, pointing to a black car in the distance.
“Then let’s leave now,” Guo Xuyang said, turning to Xia Li.
“Xia Li, please help me deliver that set of gold longevity lock and bracelet to Mom later, and have Mom give it to Xiao Bao when she gets back. Also, ask Xi to contact Pangzi and the others to come for the full moon banquet.”
“I understand. Drive carefully on your way.”
“It’s okay. It’s only over 200 kilometers, so we’ll be there soon. If there are no special circumstances, we should be back this afternoon.”
[Author’s Aside]: This book will have three updates today. Please continue to follow it. Throw your free silver tickets, and let’s all get excited.