Back To The 80s: President's Doted Wife Chapter 1552 - 1553: Son, Good Enough Is Enough

After Cheng Su escorted the elder to the guesthouse for a rest and returned to her own residence, she sensed a peculiar atmosphere. Her mother-in-law's expression was particularly grim, so much so that Cheng Su half-suspected she’d swallowed a fly.

However, she couldn't dwell on it; the banquet was fast approaching, and preparations at the restaurant still required her attention.

"... I'll feed Xiao Qi first, then head to the restaurant to get things ready. Elder Sister, you can bring everyone over later!" Cheng Su declared, taking Qi Xiaoqi from her mother's embrace.

Qi Fenglian readily agreed.

"I'll pack a bag and bring it over as well," Mother Cheng chimed in, following her daughter into the room and closing the door behind them.

"What's going on? Why does my mother-in-law look so displeased?" Cheng Su inquired as her mother began her task.

Mother Cheng picked up the backpack Cheng Su had prepared for outings with the child, tucking a few small outfits inside. She then sat down and, in a hushed tone, recounted what Sister-in-law Song had said.

"... It's just not right. You know Xiao Qi's temperament; since he was born, when has he ever caused trouble for you or me? All the neighbors praise him for being obedient and easy-going. He rarely cries, but today, you see, as soon as he was in your mother-in-law's arms, he wailed miserably. The crying spells he's had all afternoon during his confinement month don't even compare to today's outburst. Don't dismiss Sister-in-law Song's sharp tongue, but some children really can perceive impure things!" Mother Cheng stated with a sense of awe, "Do you think it's possible..."

"Mom! Such things don't happen, please stop saying that!" Cheng Su interjected quickly, her surprise evident. "I suppose it's just the scent of the ointment on her leg that the child dislikes!"

Mother Cheng murmured, "I don't think so. Didn't they say your mother-in-law was injured when the old woman was crushed during the accident?"

Due to the prevalent superstitions and beliefs held by women in the countryside regarding such matters, Mother Cheng was inclined to believe Sister-in-law Song's words.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Su felt an even stronger sense of displeasure. "Mom, let's not discuss this any further; none of it is true," she said.

Mother Cheng pouted, "Fine, we won't discuss it. Anyway, the child knows what's what." She mumbled for a bit longer before resuming her task of gathering the bottle and other items.

After her mother departed, Cheng Su looked at her son and asked, "What's really wrong with you? Did you see something bad, like your grandmother suggested?"

Qi Xiaoqi gazed back at her, his eyes bright and innocent.

Seeing his expression, Cheng Su's heart softened. She couldn't resist pinching his chubby little cheek. "That's enough, don't make your dad feel bad. She is his mother, after all. Your grandmother's leg ended up this way because she suffered while trying to care for us."

It wasn't that she was being overly generous, but rather that she remembered this act of kindness.

Qi Xiaoqi babbled, reaching for her hair and giggling loudly.

Cheng Su laughed along with him, saying, "But son, I'm truly quite pleased. You're standing up for your mom. It wasn't in vain that I went through the gates of hell to give birth to you, enduring all that pain. You know how to care for your mom!"

Regardless of whether Qi Xiaoqi understood, he simply continued to laugh.

Cheng Su patted his forehead, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. Having a son, this little creature connected to her by blood, perhaps she desired nothing more now—even if she didn't get along with her mother-in-law, or if their relationship eventually led to divorce.

That, she mused, was likely how Hualing had felt back then. Once she had a child, everything else faded into insignificance. Cheng Su understood it now.