Chapter 438: Chapter 438

"Sisi! Is there enough milk for your Buding?"

After Zhang Shan finished her confinement period, her milk supply became inconsistent and was no longer as ample as before. Maybe it had to do with her mood. During her stay at the postpartum care center, although her mother-in-law could be naggy and bothersome, she was still well cared for by professional staff, and there weren’t too many worries weighing on her mind.

But now that she had returned home, her mother-in-law involved herself in everything, constantly finding ways to stir up trouble.

The two of them could even argue about how many layers of clothing the baby should wear, leaving the nanny at home caught in the middle.

She understood the reason behind it all. Wasn’t it because she had given birth to a girl, not the cherished grandson her mother-in-law had hoped for?

But what did having a son or daughter have to do with her?

Ultimately, wasn’t it the man’s contribution that determined it? If anyone was to be blamed, it should be her husband!

Li Si tucked her hair behind her ear and raised an eyebrow curiously, "There’s enough! What about you?"

From the moment she saw Zhang Shan today, Li Si could tell her mood seemed off. Compared to the last time they met, her complexion had worsened greatly.

More so, the question Zhang Shan asked puzzled her. She still remembered that Zhang Shan had quite an abundant milk supply before, similar to hers, to the point of having to use a breast pump to extract the excess.

Why was she now asking whether there was enough?

Zhang Shan sighed helplessly, "I used to have plenty! But ever since I returned home, I’ve been in constant distress and arguments with my mother-in-law every day. My milk has become unpredictable—sometimes good, sometimes bad. Luckily, Mo Mo is a girl. If she were like your Buding, a boy, I’m sure there wouldn’t be enough for him!"

She looked enviously at Li Si, whose fair skin glowed with a rosy tint, and she felt that Li Si’s complexion was even better than when she had just finished her postpartum recovery.

Truly, comparison was the thief of joy!

In terms of family financial status, while her situation couldn’t quite compare to Li Si’s, Zhang Shan certainly wasn’t short on money.

But when it came to having a good mother-in-law, she wasn’t as fortunate as Li Si. Li Si was lucky to have drawn a good one.

So sometimes, Zhang Shan really envied Li Si. Yet, the two of them got along quite well, so she kept those unnecessary feelings of competition buried deep in her heart.

Li Si looked at her with sympathy. "You have to look at things more positively. Anger is hard on the body!"

Zhang Shan’s mother-in-law was someone Li Si had had the chance to meet a few times—a typical wealthy matron.

She always carried herself with an air of superiority. Though polite in her speech, her gaze was full of condescension, which Li Si just couldn’t stand.

Especially after Zhang Shan gave birth to a daughter, Zhang Shan’s mother-in-law frequently visited Mrs. Leng for chats, with implicit and explicit comments blaming Zhang Shan for not being capable enough to bear a son.

"My son has everything anyone could want. If the family line ends with him, what are we supposed to do?"

Mrs. Leng could only politely console her mother-in-law. After all, she herself had a grandson. If she spoke too much, it would seem like she was boasting.

So she would say a few appropriate pleasantries and leave it at that.

After a few visits, Mrs. Leng started avoiding her altogether. Hearing the same complaints over and over again was tolerable the first time, but the relentless repetition became unbearable!

Not to mention, such relentless negativity—who would want to hear it?

When Zhang Shan’s mother-in-law realized Mrs. Leng was avoiding her, and since Li Si tended to stay hidden in her room, the proud woman wouldn’t stoop to complain to Sister Ding or the nurses.

Eventually, she stopped visiting altogether. Mrs. Leng and Li Si even remarked how finally there was some peace and quiet!

Zhang Shan forced a smile. "I know, Sisi. Sometimes, I really envy you! If there’s a next life, before choosing a husband, I’ll not just look at the man himself but also consider his family and relatives!"

But of course, those words were just an indulgence to vent her feelings. She had already had the child—how could she genuinely get divorced?

For Mo Mo’s sake alone, she couldn’t and wouldn’t leave!

"I envy you, too! Career woman! Unlike me, who’s good for nothing! Just a freeloader!"

Li Si thought to herself that since she and Zhang Shan hadn’t known each other for long, there were many aspects of her life Zhang Shan didn’t understand. Who, truly, should be envying whom?

Her comment seemed to cheer Zhang Shan up, as her face finally showed a smile.

Zhang Shan had originally planned to take a longer maternity leave, especially since it was her family’s business.

But judging by the current situation, she might as well hand the baby over to her mother-in-law and the nanny and return to work—it might be more relaxing that way.

Otherwise, if things went on as they were, she might actually end up with postpartum depression!

The two children were bundled up, and since it was still early, Zhang Shan, reluctant to return to her stifling home, suggested having afternoon tea with Li Si so they could chat for a while longer now that she had a rare chance to be out.

Li Si checked the time. Since it was still early for Leng Mochen to come home, she agreed, and they found a nearby café to sit for a while. The rightful source is novel⦿fire.net

Sister Ding held Buding and Jiang Tong, while Zhang Shan’s nanny held Mo Mo and sat at another table with the driver. Li Si told them to order whatever they wanted.

As soon as they sat down and placed their orders, Zhang Shan couldn’t wait to lower her voice and vent to Li Si. "Sisi! You won’t believe it—I’ve been on the verge of losing my mind this whole month! My mother-in-law keeps arguing with me every day about whether my daughter should use a pillow.

Don’t you remember Dean Liao saying back at the center that babies under three months don’t need pillows, and that if we’re worried about spit-up, we can just tuck a folded towel under their heads? My mother-in-law was there too!"

"Yes, I remember!" Li Si, mindful of Su Meng’s experience with her flat head, had asked the nurses about this topic when Mrs. Leng was present. That’s why she hadn’t encountered this particular conflict herself.

Mrs. Leng had even said that times had changed, and many of the old-fashioned methods were outdated, so it was better to listen to the professionals.

Zhang Shan angrily slammed the table. "But do you know what she said? She said she’s never heard of such a thing! She insisted every baby needs to mold their head shape with a pillow. If not for her excellent care, how could my husband have such a perfect head shape now?

Listening to her nonsense infuriates me! And then she says my daughter’s head is too big and that if she doesn’t sleep on a pillow, it’ll look terrible in the future!

Ugh! I can’t stand her remarks. My daughter is naturally beautiful—what’s so ugly about her? Her taste is what’s wrong. Nowadays, who in their right mind thinks flat-headed girls are attractive?"

The more Zhang Shan spoke, the more agitated she became. Perhaps due to finally finding someone to confide in, her initially low voice grew louder and louder.

Li Si noticed that several people at nearby tables were already glancing in their direction. Even though Zhang Shan’s nanny and driver were seated farther away, her rising volume could make it hard not to overhear. If they went back and reported this to her mother-in-law, wouldn’t the situation between Zhang Shan and her mother-in-law become even more strained?

"Shanshan! Keep your voice down! Don’t get so worked up—everyone’s looking at us!" Li Si leaned in, softly trying to calm her down.

She somewhat regretted not leaving immediately. Though she enjoyed making friends and was happy to listen to Zhang Shan vent—since it might help her feel better—Zhang Shan’s emotions had become far too intense. Li Si couldn’t help but wonder if she was equally confrontational with her mother-in-law.

Even with disagreements, calm and rational communication was better. This wasn’t the way.

Zhang Shan, realizing her outburst, took a sip of juice to compose herself, then exhaled and said, "Sorry, Sisi! I just got too emotional! Ugh! Honestly, at the end of the day, I know she’s not really arguing with me about the pillow—it’s just her dissatisfaction because I didn’t give birth to a son.

My husband’s family only has him, and my family only has me. Back during my pregnancy, everyone said my belly looked like I was carrying a boy. How could it have turned out to be a girl?

If I didn’t have connections at the hospital we used, I would’ve doubted whether the baby got switched! But when I look at my daughter’s facial features, she clearly inherited all the best traits from me and my husband—there’s no question she’s ours! Ugh, it must just be fate!"

Zhang Shan was overwhelmed by her emotions. Sometimes, while watching her daughter sleep, she would sit and cry uncontrollably, feeling so much pain that she didn’t want to live anymore.

But then she would think, what would happen to her daughter, her parents?

She had worked so hard to marry into a wealthy family. Was she really going to let a minor setback push her to despair? That wasn’t who she was!

(To be continued. If you enjoy this story, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with your recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. For mobile readers, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)