Chapter 267: Li Pingle

In early winter of 1961, the chill was already bone‑piercing. The north wind rolled the lingering dead leaves through the Alley, swirling and emitting a whoosh, as if playing a low‑key background music for these hard times.

In the Siheyuan, every household's doors and windows were shut tight, trying to keep the all‑penetrating cold and hunger out.

In the Xi Kua Yuan, a rare warmth seeped through. Li Ping'an returned from work, just shedding his cold‑laden coat, when Lin Xueqing came forward, her face bearing a complex expression of barely restrained worry mixed with joy.

"Ping'an, Li Pingle came this afternoon," Lin Xueqing said softly, taking his coat.

Li Ping'an paused, looking at his wife: "What's wrong with her? What happened?" Their sister Li Pingle, since marrying Chen Jianghe, had been living with the young couple in the large mixed courtyard of the Chen family; though poor, the marriage was harmonious, and she rarely returned so abruptly.

"Nothing bad happened, it's good…" Lin Xueqing hesitated, seeming to choose her words, "She… she's pregnant."

Pregnant?

Li Ping'an was stunned for a moment, then an indescribable feeling rose in his heart. It was joy—his sister now had a child, and in these turbulent times a new life always signaled hope; but following that came a deeper worry. These days, even adults can't get enough to eat, and adding another mouth means a heavier burden.

"Where is she? Did she go back?" Li Ping'an's voice unintentionally deepened a few degrees.

"Hmm, she sat for a while then left, saying she feared the road would be bad after dark. Jianghe was quite kind to her; after hearing the news, he saved the labor‑protective gloves the factory issued and exchanged them with someone for half a jin of brown sugar for her," Lin Xueqing said, her tone carrying a hint of relief, "I think Pingle's complexion looks okay, but… she may still be uneasy inside."

Li Ping'an silently nodded. He could imagine his sister's feelings. The joy of becoming a mother for the first time must be squeezed by harsh reality until little remained.

The Chen Jianghe household's conditions were average; the parents were ordinary workers, and there were younger siblings below them, a big family cramped together, and now another child…

He walked to the window, watching the gray‑hazy sky outside. His sister had already married and become part of another family; as a brother his reach could not be that long. Overt assistance in excess would not only embarrass the Chen family but also invite idle gossip.

"Ping'an, what do you think…" Lin Xueqing walked to his side, asking softly, "What can we do?"

Li Ping'an turned, his gaze returning to its usual calm: "Openly we definitely can't make a big show. So, in a couple of days, find a pretext and go see her. Pack some of the wild boar jerky from home, and bring some of the red dates and soybeans I saved before. It's not much, just a token, enough to tide her over for a while. Tell her to relax, her brother is here."

His words were plain, yet carried undeniable authority. Lin Xueqing knew this was the most prudent arrangement her husband could offer. It preserved the sister's in‑law family's face while expressing the natal family's support and confidence.

"Alright, I'm off in two days, I'll go over then," Lin Xueqing agreed.

Two days later, Lin Xueqing carried a Small Cloth Bag and arrived at the large mixed courtyard where Chen Jianghe lived. It was less orderly than a Siheyuan; several households cramped into one yard, appearing somewhat chaotic, but the domestic atmosphere was richer.

Li Pingle, upon seeing her sister‑in‑law, was delighted and quickly ushered her into their less‑than‑ten‑square‑meter room. The room was tidy, the kang covered with a half‑worn blanket, a cracked enamel jar sat on the windowsill with a few sprouting garlic shoots, the only green in the room.

"Sister‑in‑law, why are you here? Sit down quickly," Li Pingle said, her face showing a hint of early‑pregnancy fatigue, but her eyes were bright.

"I came to see you," Lin Xueqing said with a smile, sitting down and placing the Cloth Bag on the kang edge, "Your brother heard you're carrying a child and is uneasy, so he asked me to check on you. There isn't much here at home; keep this jerky, dates, and soybeans, and add a bit when you're making porridge or boiling water to replenish your qi and blood."

Li Pingle looked at the deep‑red jerky wrapped in oil paper inside the bag, along with plump red dates and soybeans, and her eyes instantly reddened. These items are now so precious that even money finds them hard to buy.

"Sister‑in‑law… this is too valuable… you keep it for Yaozong…" she declined.

"Take it," Lin Xueqing pressed her hand, her tone gentle yet firm, "Your brother said to relax, taking care of your body is most important. If any difficulty arises, be sure to tell the family."

Just then, Chen Jianghe returned from work. Seeing Lin Xueqing, he greeted her somewhat stiffly. Upon noticing the items on the kang, the silent, taciturn man moved his lips, finally uttering only, "Thank you, sister‑in‑law. I will take good care of Pingle."

Lin Xueqing sat a while longer, carefully inquired about Li Pingle's condition, reminded her of some precautions, then rose to take her leave.

After seeing the sister‑in‑law off, Li Pingle touched the precious provisions, feeling a swirl of emotions. There was the warmth of natal‑family support, the uncertainty about future life, and a strange sense of responsibility as she was about to become a mother.

"Jianghe," she whispered to her husband, "We must live well together." For the child in her womb, and to not betray her brother and sister‑in‑law's wishes.

Chen Jianghe nodded heavily.

Meanwhile, in the Xi Kua Yuan, Li Ping'an was playing with his son. The little fellow, dressed in a thick cotton coat, rolled like a ball on the kang, babbling.

Li Ping'an watched his son, but his thoughts were on his sister. He knew that merely sending some items wasn't enough. This long pregnancy and delivery required steady nutrition and medical support. His gaze deepened.

In the Spiritual Spring Space, the ginseng was thriving, and wild rabbits and roe deer had multiplied a few. Perhaps… it could, without drawing attention, gradually provide the sister with purer nutrition. Also, over at Xueqing's side, the Yi Yuan channels must be utilized to ensure the sister receives the best care during delivery.

All this requires more meticulous planning and more covert means.

The news of his sister's pregnancy, like a stone tossed into a calm lake, sent ripples through Li Ping'an's heart. It was not only a turning point in Li Pingle's personal life, but also stirred Li Ping'an's responsibilities as an elder brother and far‑reaching schemes.

A new life represents hope, but also a heavier burden. In these times of scarce resources, how to safeguard this hope tests Li Ping'an's wisdom and ability.

Night fell, and the Siheyuan returned to silence. Yet Li Ping'an knew some things had changed. He needed to pave a steadier path for the upcoming little life. This concerns not romance but bloodlines and duty.