Although Yue Guohuai and Wan Jiayin preferred Yaya, they wouldn’t shortchange the other children either.
But boys really didn’t get the same favor as girls.
Back then, Yue Youxin, Yue Youhui, and Qin Feng received the same treatment as Yangyang—everything given to them was exactly the same.
Yaya, as the older sister, even gave Yangyang a gift and washed his hair for him.
Usually, it’s the elders who wash a newborn baby’s hair, representing the bestowing of good blessings upon the child.
When it was Yaya’s turn, it was Wan Jiayin who gave her the blessing.
Although Yaya wasn’t Yangyang’s elder, she had saved Yangyang several times, and Yaya was someone with extraordinary good fortune, so naturally she could wash Yangyang’s hair too.
After Yangyang’s third-day celebration ended and the Yue family members all left, only Meng Fang’s family remained.
“Fang’er, I heard your third sister-in-law is staying in a VIP room. How come you’re the head of the obstetrics department, yet you’re still in a regular room?”
The one speaking was Meng Fang’s eldest sister-in-law, Fan Laifeng. Meng Fang knew this sister-in-law’s personality well—she was a lot like Li Yan, loved to compare and gossip. She had long anticipated that once Fan Laifeng arrived, she’d definitely bring this up.
“Sister-in-law, don’t worry. When you have another baby, I’ll make sure to arrange a nice room for you no matter what.”
Meng Fang’s words struck right at Fan Laifeng’s sore spot.
Back when Fan Laifeng was pregnant with her second child, because it violated the family planning policy, the factory wanted her to get an abortion. She refused and insisted on having the baby. In the end, the child didn’t survive, and she lost her job too.
Fan Laifeng’s expression changed immediately: “Fang’er, I was just asking out of kindness. Why are you bringing up something so unpleasant?”
“Sister-in-law, I meant well too.”
Previously, Meng Fang had always believed that harmony in the family brought prosperity, but Ye Zhiqiu’s actions had opened her eyes.
It turned out you could cut ties with your parents. It turned out you didn’t have to treat everyone as family.
Meng Fang’s retort left Fan Laifeng speechless, sulking in silence.
Meng Fang’s mother, Xu Hong, said nothing. She only cared about Meng Fang: “Does Mingli treat you well? Are you mistreated at your in-laws’?”
“Mingli treats me wonderfully, and my in-laws never give me a hard time.”
Knowing that Fan Laifeng’s words still bothered Xu Hong, Meng Fang grabbed Xu Hong’s hand: “Mom, you’re also a mother-in-law and a grandmother. You should know that although the palm and the back of the hand are both flesh, some parts have more flesh than others.”
“Among the grandchildren, Yaya is the only girl. You’ve seen her—with that little face and that sweet little mouth, who could resist loving her? Even I love her dearly and treat her like my own daughter.”
“Yangyang made it into this world safely thanks to Yaya. And Zhiqiu is easy to get along with. When you get the chance to meet her, you’ll understand.”
Meng Fang didn’t mention the VIP room matter. From the start, she had never planned to stay in a VIP room like Ye Zhiqiu.
Besides, Ye Zhiqiu went to the VIP room because of Yaya.
What’s more, when a family lives together, how can you always be competing and comparing? If you’re always looking at what others have and what you lack, how could you even get through life?
Li Yan’s situation had served as a warning to her. She disliked Li Yan, so she would absolutely never let herself become that kind of person.
Xu Hong also adored Yaya: “That little girl is indeed very lovable. I can understand your in-laws.”
A boy is precious, and so is a girl.
Now we live in a new society where boys and girls are equal. She treated all the children in the family equally, without discriminating between boys and girls. But indeed, as Meng Fang said, the palm and the back of the hand are both flesh, yet some parts have more flesh than others.
Everyone says you should hold a bowl of water steady, but how can you really hold it perfectly level?
“Mom, why didn’t my sister come?” Meng Fang asked Xu Hong.
She had an older brother and an older sister above her, and she had good relationships with both.
“Your sister, she…”
Xu Hong sighed heavily: “She can’t go on like this anymore.”
“What happened?”
“Your brother-in-law caused a scene and got caught by your sister. She wants a divorce.” Speaking of her eldest daughter’s troubles, Xu Hong felt worried.
“Fang’er, you and Mingli take care. Your sister-in-law and I need to head back tonight. There’s still a lot going on at home. Mom really can’t stay away.”
Xu Hong patted Meng Fang’s hand: “Mom also wants to stay with you a few more days and keep you company.”
“Mom, it’s fine.”
Meng Fang was very reluctant to see Xu Hong go, but she understood the situation at home.
On the fifth day, Meng Fang was discharged and went home. The first thing she did when she got home was call her eldest sister, Meng Juan.
“Fang’er, I didn’t come to see you. Don’t be mad, okay? Once I sort things out on my end, I’ll come visit you and my little nephew.”
“Sis, are you okay?” Meng Fang was very worried about Meng Juan. She could tell her sister’s voice was hoarse, possibly from crying.
Her sister was very strong-willed and deeply loved her brother-in-law. She definitely couldn’t accept this so easily. Who knew how much pain she was in.
“I’m fine.” Meng Juan’s voice choked up: “Fang’er, I still have things to deal with here, so I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
Before Meng Fang could respond, Meng Juan hung up.
When Yaya came back from kindergarten, she happened to hear Meng Fang’s phone call with Meng Juan.
Seeing that Meng Fang was in a bad mood, Yaya went up and hugged her: “Second Auntie, don’t worry. Your sister will be fine soon.”
She didn’t know the details, but she knew that after Meng Fang’s sister got divorced, she opened her own tailor shop and lived a very good life.
When something happened to Meng Fang, her sister came to take care of her for a long time, and it was here that she met her true love.
Only after Meng Fang passed away did she get together with that man, and afterward she was especially happy.
Hearing Yaya’s words, Meng Fang’s mood instantly cleared up. She believed what Yaya said.
Another month passed, and it was Yaya’s first birthday.
Yue Guohuai decided to throw a big celebration, booking dozens of tables at the state-run restaurant.
Yue Mingyuan and Ye Zhiqiu both took special leave to come back.
“It’s just a child’s full-month banquet, and a little girl’s at that. Why make it so grand?”
Someone who didn’t know the situation raised the question, and immediately someone told her: “This little girl is no ordinary child. I heard she’s a little lucky star. The moment she was born, General Yue got promoted another rank.”
“I also heard that even animals adore her. Every day there are stray dogs and cats keeping watch at General Yue’s doorstep, just to protect this little girl.”
“What little girl? She’s a little princess—the little princess of the entire capital. General Yue’s granddaughter isn’t just loved by their family. Old Huo and General Ling love her too.”
“By the way, I heard the little princess is incredibly smart. She’s already attending kindergarten.”
Everyone shared the rumors they’d heard about Yaya. Before long, stories about Yaya drinking milk from a bottle and using the bathroom by herself were being exaggerated to unbelievable degrees.
Regardless of whether these things were true or not, everyone present received one clear message: Yaya was truly the little princess of the capital circle, the darling of the big shots.
No one should ever offend her! Otherwise, you wouldn’t even know how you died.
