“Spirits of Heaven and Earth, ancient gods above, please bless the Liu family with a strong, chubby grandson!” an elderly woman whispered earnestly as she prayed indoors.
The woman was Mrs. Zhang, wife of Liu Dahai from Liu Village. Since marrying him, she has given birth to three sons. The eldest, Liu Dazhuang, and his wife, Xiao Cuihua, had three daughters: the eldest now twelve, the second eleven, and the youngest ten.
The second son, Liu Erzhuang, and his wife, Xiao Sun, had two daughters: the eldest daughter was ten (Si Ya), and the youngest was nine (Wu Ya).
The youngest son, Liu Sanzhuang, and his wife, Xiao Chen, already had two daughters: the eldest, aged eight (Liu Ya), and the youngest, aged two (Qi Ya). Luckily, Xiao Chen was now pregnant again, with just half a month to go, and the entire Liu household was filled with anxious anticipation.
Liu Village was a remote mountain settlement. Despite its name, not everyone in the village bore the surname Liu—historical famine had scattered villagers far and wide, and over time people of other surnames had settled there. Still, the Lius remained the majority, and both the village head and clan elders were Lius.
Within the family, Mrs. Zhang’s situation was unusual. She had given birth to three sons, yet all three had only daughters, totaling seven granddaughters. Watching other families with many grandsons, Mrs. Zhang felt envious. Every day, she prayed that Xiao Chen’s child would finally be a strong grandson.
It wasn’t just Mrs. Zhang who longed for a boy; the entire family wished for one. The eldest daughter-in-law had already given birth to three girls with no more children to follow, and the second daughter-in-law could no longer bear children after giving birth to her second daughter. So all hopes rested on Xiao Chen. If she bore a boy, the Liu family would finally silence the village gossip that they might die out.
Since Xiao Chen became pregnant, Mrs. Zhang made sure she avoided heavy work, allowing her to rest at home and prepare for a safe birth. Suddenly, Liu Ya, running into Mrs. Zhang’s room, shouted anxiously, “Grandma! Mom says her belly hurts… she might be about to give birth!”
Mrs. Zhang, startled mid-prayer, almost fell from her seat. Hearing that Xiao Chen might be in labor, she quickly gave instructions: “Run to the fields and tell your father to fetch the midwife!”
“Yes, Grandma!” the girl said, sprinting off barefoot, leaving her straw sandals behind.
Most of the men were out working in the fields, and the elder daughters-in-law had gone up the mountain to gather wild vegetables while keeping an eye on the other children. Only Liu Ya remained at home to watch over the youngest, along with Xiao Chen and Mrs. Zhang.
After sending the girl off, Mrs. Zhang fetched two eggs and two spoonfuls of brown sugar, then went to Xiao Chen’s room. She found her daughter-in-law sweating profusely, clutching her belly in pain. Mrs. Zhang soothed her: “Don’t worry, Third Son’s wife. I’ve sent Feng’er to fetch your husband and the midwife. Rest a little, and I’ll make you some sweetened eggs to give you strength for the birth.”
Xiao Chen shook her head. “No, Grandma. Eggs and sugar are precious. I can manage.”
Mrs. Zhang smiled warmly. “Nothing is more precious than my grandson.” She quickly boiled water, cooked the sweetened eggs, and brought them to her daughter-in-law.
“Eat while it’s warm. You need all your strength to give me a chubby grandson,” Mrs. Zhang urged, eyes fixed on Xiao Chen’s belly.
Xiao Chen felt a mix of hope and anxiety. She desperately wanted a boy, but after repeatedly giving birth to girls, she feared the disappointment might outweigh the hope.
“Stop staring and eat! If you wait too long, you’ll be too weak for the delivery,” Mrs. Zhang scolded gently.
Hesitant at first, Xiao Chen finally ate the eggs and drank the brown sugar water. The warmth spread through her, giving her comfort and strength—especially precious since their family rarely had eggs to eat. Normally, the eggs went to Mrs. Zhang to save or sell for money.
Just as she finished, a sharp pain struck, and Xiao Chen cried out: “Grandma… I think I’m going into labor!”
Mrs. Zhang looked out anxiously, just as Liu Sanzhuang burst through the door. “Aunt Zheng is here! Don’t be afraid, wife,” he said.
Sure enough, Aunt Zheng, the midwife, arrived with Xiao Cuihua and Xiao Sun. Liu Ya watched her mother nervously from outside.
Mrs. Zhang and Xiao Chen both sighed in relief. Aunt Zheng was highly experienced, known across nearby villages for safely delivering countless babies.
She immediately went inside, washed her hands, and, seeing Xiao Chen’s condition, exclaimed, “She’s ready! Prepare hot water and everyone else, please step outside. I’ll deliver the baby now.”
Mrs. Zhang instructed quickly: “I’ve boiled the water. Eldest and second daughters-in-law, help the midwife. Sanzhuang, continue boiling more water. Liu Ya and Qi Ya, come outside with me.”
Standing in the yard, Liu Ya whispered anxiously, “Grandma, I’m a little scared.”
Mrs. Zhang comforted her: “Don’t worry. Your mother is about to give you a baby brother. I’ll give you three coins—take your sister to the village butcher to buy some bones for soup. Your grandpa will make it for you when he returns, to nourish you.”
Hearing about the bone soup, the girl’s worry eased a little. She clutched the coins tightly and ran off.
Mrs. Zhang shook her head and entered the birthing room, just as Xiao Chen’s cries echoed through the house. Liu Sanzhuang was pacing anxiously outside.
“Step aside, let me in. Don’t just stand there blocking the way. It’s not your first time as a father—what’s there to be nervous about?” Mrs. Zhang scolded him before pushing the door open.
A loud, piercing cry echoed from the room: “Waaah! Waaah! Waaah!”
Mrs. Zhang and Liu Sanzhuang hurried to the doorway, only to hear Aunt Zheng laughing warmly: “It’s a boy! A strong, chubby little fellow! Congratulations, little sister, your family has a grandson now!” She turned to Mrs. Zhang with a bright smile, offering her congratulations.
Mrs. Zhang barely stepped inside before exclaiming in joy, “A grandson, really?”
“Absolutely!” Aunt Zheng replied, her eyes twinkling. “Look at this little one—so healthy, and he’s already showing care for his grandma. The moment I walked in, he cried out.” Aunt Zheng, always tactful, knew the Lius had been longing for a grandson, so she scattered auspicious words freely. Mrs. Zhang couldn’t stop smiling, and Liu Sanzhuang, standing beside her, was practically trembling with excitement—he finally had a son.
Xiao Cuihua and Xiao Sun, felt a mixture of envy and a small pang of disappointment. If only they had given birth to a boy! But they soon realized it didn’t matter—at least their daughters’ futures would be easier, and no one would gossip about the family anymore. With that thought, they both smiled warmly.
“Grandma, this little one is sturdy and plump. Third Sister-in-law, you’ve done well—our Liu family finally has a strong grandson!” said Xiao Cuihua, laughing as she addressed Mrs. Zhang and Xiao Chen.
“Yes, Xiao Chen, he’s handsome too—fairer than the girls!” Xiao Sun added, full of admiration.
Mrs. Zhang held her tiny grandson, overjoyed that her wish had finally come true. Even in her happiness, she didn’t forget to give Aunt Zheng a red envelope. Gently, she placed the baby in the eldest daughter-in-law’s arms and instructed: “ Xiao Cuihua, Xiao Chen is still weak—hold my precious grandson for now. Xiao Sun, go and cook chicken for Xiao Chen. Don’t let my little grandson go hungry.”
“No need, Grandma—we only have five hens. If we kill one, there’ll be fewer eggs,” Xiao Chen said, still reveling in the joy of having given birth to a son, but listening to her mother-in-law’s instructions.
“You don’t need to worry about anything,” Mrs. Zhang said firmly. “Just make sure my little grandson is well-fed. Xiao Sun, stop standing there—get moving!” She then handed Aunt Zheng the red envelope: “Here, Aunt Zheng, thank you for your hard work.”
Aunt Zheng accepted it with a smile. She could immediately tell this red envelope was much more generous than the last one she had received for delivering a granddaughter. She offered some words of praise and departed.
Once Aunt Zheng left, Liu Sanzhuang dashed into the room, overcome with excitement, staring at his newborn son and barely able to contain himself.
Xiao Chen laughed at her husband’s flustered appearance. “Husband, we have a son! Go on, hold him!”
Shaking with emotion, Liu Sanzhuang extended his arms and cradled his little boy. He could hardly take his eyes off him, feeling an endless stream of joy.
By the time the chicken soup was ready, the rest of the Liu family returned home. Though Old Master Liu had been longing for a grandson, he couldn’t leave the fields unattended. Even so, they came home two hours earlier than usual, and Xiao Cuihua brought the gathered wild vegetables back with them.
“Dear, what did Sanzhuang’s wife give birth to?” Old Master Liu asked Mrs. Zhang as she emerged.
“Your grandson, husband—we have a grandson!” Mrs. Zhang replied, beaming.
“Really? A nephew! Wonderful! No one can say our family will die out now,” exclaimed Liu Dazhuang and Liu Erzhuang in unison.
“Well, well, well! Xiao Chen did a great job. Make sure she’s well taken care of this month—my little grandson mustn’t go hungry,” Old Master Liu instructed Mrs. Zhang with a smile.
Mrs. Zhang rolled her eyes playfully. “Do I need you to say that? I’ll be making chicken soup for Xiao Chen today.”
Though meat was rare for the family, everyone agreed it was right to honor Xiao Chen’s effort in giving the family a son.
Liu Ya and Qi Ya returned, breathless, carrying two large bones. “Grandma! We got the bones! Uncle Zhang even gave us an extra one!” the youngest exclaimed proudly, holding the bones aloft.
“Thank you, Uncle Zhang! Today is a special day for the Liu family. I’ll make a hearty soup for you all,” Mrs. Zhang said, smiling. With a grandson in her arms, she felt that nothing else mattered.
The children were thrilled at the promise of meat soup that evening, and the adults shared the joy.
“Where’s my grandson? Bring him out so I can see him!” Old Master Liu, eager to meet the newborn, urged Mrs. Zhang.
Mrs. Zhang looked at her husband, covered in dirt from the fields, and said with a grin, “Look at you all dirty and muddy, yet you want to hold my precious grandson? Go wash up and change first.”
Laughing, Old Master Liu hurried to clean himself, while the others followed suit, eager to see their new little nephew.
Meanwhile, in a modern timeline, Liu Xinxin, a graduate student studying Chinese language and literature, was teaching children in the mountains during summer. Suddenly, an earthquake struck. After rescuing the last child, she was struck by falling debris. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in a warm place—but was immediately squashed and then severely spanked. Liu Yuxin felt wronged; she had saved so many children, yet this is how she was treated.