Chapter Two: The Charred Wild Boar

When Meng Yun awoke, it was already nearing dusk. The heavy rain outside had stopped—such timely relief, she thought. As she was about to get up, her second sister-in-law, Li, the wife of Second Brother Lin, entered carrying a bowl of chicken noodle soup.

“You’re awake, little sister. You must be hungry. I just made this chicken noodle soup. You’ve just given birth, you need to eat more.”

“Thank you, Second Sister.” Meng Yun pushed herself up and accepted the bowl, glancing casually toward the door. “By the way, where’s the baby?”

Li laughed. “Look at you, so anxious. The baby’s with Mother—she’s taken her out to show off. You wouldn’t believe it, but as soon as the baby was born, a torrential rain suddenly fell. Mother was so delighted, she insisted you’ve given birth to a child of good fortune.”

She could hardly hold back her amusement as she recalled her mother-in-law refusing to let go of the baby.

“Oh, it’s not that miraculous—just a coincidence,” Meng Yun protested, half amused, half exasperated.

“Well, Mother believes it anyway,” Li replied with a helpless shrug.

“Has Third Brother seen the baby yet? I haven’t seen him around,” Meng Yun asked, her tone tinged with displeasure at her husband’s absence. She’d just given birth, and he hadn’t even come to see their child. Even now, he was nowhere to be found, and she couldn’t help feeling upset.

“He still hasn’t returned.”

“What? He’s still not back? Hunting in the mountains in such heavy rain?” Meng Yun’s anxiety rose at once. “No, I must go look for him.” With rain that heavy, landslides were all too possible—if something happened…

“Don’t worry, little sister. You’ve just given birth—you really can’t go out now. Just rest easy. Eldest Sister-in-law and a few cousins have already gone into the mountains to look for him. There’ll be news soon, I’m sure,” Li said quickly, seeing Meng Yun so distressed.

“Really?” Meng Yun asked, desperate for reassurance.

“Really, truly! Just lie down and don’t worry.” Li breathed a sigh of relief when Meng Yun obediently lay back.

Before long, a joyful voice sounded from outside. “Mother, we’re back!” It was Madam Wu, and the happy clamor of returning relatives could be heard as well. Inside, Meng Yun recognized her eldest sister-in-law’s voice and tried to get up, but Li immediately pressed her back down.

“I’ll go see. You stay put.” With that, Li hurried out, leaving Meng Yun alone, her anxiety surging once more. She was just about to sit up when the door burst open and Lin Sanlang stumbled in, bedraggled and muddy, followed by Old Madam Lin.

“Wife!” he cried, and upon seeing his wife and the daughter he’d only glimpsed from afar for fear of soiling her, Lin Sanlang was overwhelmed. He pressed a kiss to his wife’s hand, overflowing with affection.

“As long as you’re safe, I was so scared,” Meng Yun’s heart finally settled.

“Did you get a chance to see the baby?” She took the child from her mother-in-law, wanting her husband to take a proper look.

“I’ve seen her, but I’ll wash up first—I’m filthy. I’ll shower my little darling with kisses once I’m clean,” Lin Sanlang replied, his tone playful.

“Go on then,” Meng Yun said, turning her full attention to their child. Lin Sanlang, scratching his nose in embarrassment, went off to wash.

Now only mother and child remained. Old Madam Lin had long since slipped out, intent on a very important matter—her eldest and third sons had brought back a true treasure—a wild boar, already roasted to perfection.

Cradling the tiny bundle in her arms, Meng Yun’s heart melted. How could anyone be so adorable? Unlike most newborns, their little blessing was plump and fair from the moment she was born, her cherry-red lips pursed in a delicate pout, her chubby arms like sections of lotus root—utterly lovable. Meng Yun couldn’t resist kissing her little treasure.

When Lin Sanlang returned, he was greeted by this heartwarming scene. Something softened deep within him. He stepped forward, embracing both mother and child, feeling that his life was now complete.

“By the way, Third Brother, did you run into any trouble in the mountains with all that rain?” Meng Yun asked, looking up at her husband.

Remembering the day’s ordeal, a chill ran down Lin Sanlang’s spine. “Wife, do you know what my elder brother and I brought back today?”