CHAPTER 595: EPISODE 317 LITTLE WALNUT_2

"Can’t you say something nice to cheer me up? I’m so exhausted, yet you can’t even offer a few sweet words?"

She was clearly playing coy.

Meng Yuhuai’s face showed a look of difficulty, a mix of embarrassment and helplessness, his ears reddening as he scratched his head. Finally, bracing himself, he bowed his head and nuzzled her cheek, "Wife, my treasure, you..."

"Pfft!"

Before he could finish, Hua Xiaomai burst out laughing, spraying him with spit and waving her hands, "Oh my, just save it! Even I can’t stand it, let alone you!"

"Hua Xiaomai, can’t you just give me a little face!" Meng Yuhuai put on an angry face as a joke, but as they were laughing and talking, Nanny Liu Wen pushed the door open and entered.

"Yuhuai, you better leave for now. I need to stay with your wife for another hour to prevent any complications. The baby can stay with his grandma tonight. When it’s time to feed him, we’ll bring him over, so Xiaomai can get a proper night’s sleep."

It was then that Meng Yuhuai finally stood up straight and after giving Hua Xiaomai another look, he saw her smile at him.

"You go on, think about what to name your son in your spare time. I’ll test you on it tomorrow."

He really wanted to say he had actually thought about it several times in his heart, but in the end he didn’t say it aloud. He nodded and left the room.

...

That night, apart from Hua Xiaomai, both Meng’s mother and Meng Yuhuai hardly closed their eyes.

Meng’s mother was busy taking care of the newborn grandson, while Meng Yuhuai was too restless to sleep. Lying in the side room, he tossed and turned, getting up at every little noise. After several such interruptions and being scolded by his mother a few times, he finally managed to catch a bit of sleep until the sky was faintly lit by dawn, and he woke up again.

The morning light was soft, and the morning in the courtyard of the Meng family arrived with the hearty cries of the baby.

Meng’s mother took the baby to Hua Xiaomai, then busied herself with preparing breakfast and set a pot of ginger vinegar and pig’s trotters to stew on the stove.

This method was taught to her by Mrs. Feng, saying it was very nourishing for both adults and children. So she immediately learned it and started preparing last month, stewing the ginger vinegar repeatedly every day. A week ago, she added the pig’s trotters, and this morning, she was eager to make it for Hua Xiaomai.

The sweet and sour fragrance wafted through the yard. Meng’s mother stood there dyeing eggs red, her hands all red, and when there was a moment to spare, she turned to ask Meng Yuhuai, who had just emerged from the side room, "Have you thought of a name for your son?"

This was indeed a matter of great importance, attracting everyone’s concern. Meng Yuhuai smiled at her and, without replying, turned back into the room.

After a night’s sleep, Hua Xiaomai woke up feeling much better this morning, even sneaking out of bed for a walk without telling Old Lady Meng. She was currently feeding the baby when he came in and, with a suppressed smile, said, "Wow, look at those big dark circles under your eyes. You didn’t sleep well last night, did you? Why didn’t you answer mom when she asked what the baby’s name is?"

"Isn’t it because I wanted to discuss it with you?" Meng Yuhuai sat down beside her, and seeing that the baby had eaten his fill and was now sucking his fist contentedly, he found it amusing. So, he offered a finger, only to be surprised when the baby grabbed it firmly.

"He’s so strong!" Meng expressed in surprise, eyes wide as he looked at Hua Xiaomai, "He must know I’m his dad, gripping on and not letting go!"

Hua Xiaomai rolled her eyes inwardly, thinking how strong could he possibly be? She was more worried about you accidentally hurting him! Then she poked him with her finger and asked, "Let’s hear it then, what name have you thought of?"

Meng Yuhuai paused for a moment and smiled, "I’ve considered it myself, and what do you think about just the name ’Zhao’?"

"Meng Zhao?" Hua Xiaomai mulled over these two characters for a while, then nodded in satisfaction, "It sounds smooth and has a good meaning. If mom has no objections, let’s go with it — I’ve also come up with a nickname for him, do you want to hear it?"

"Tell me." Meng Yuhuai said with interest, finally bold enough to take the little baby into his arms and cuddle him, his heart as soft as dough.

Hua Xiaomai then pointed outside the window at the walnut tree that hadn’t yet sprouted buds: "Seeing how wrinkly he is, how about we call him Little Walnut?"

"Stop joking, be serious!" Meng Yuhuai frowned.

What newborn isn’t wrinkled? It makes no sense for a mother to mock her own child.

Unable to refrain from laughing, Hua Xiaomai cheerfully said, "I’m serious, I wasn’t joking. Isn’t it said that humble names make for easier parenting? Little Walnut sounds much better than Tie Chui, doesn’t it? With that hard shell of a walnut, nobody will be able to hurt him easily. Praying for him to grow up safely and soundly, isn’t that great?"

"Hmm, the most important thing is, walnuts are also edible, and they suit your taste the most, right?" Meng Yuhuai glanced at her, "You can’t stray far from your own business."

"Just tell me if you agree or not." Hua Xiaomai, not wanting to waste words with him, asked directly.

Just then, Old Lady Meng burst in from outside, her voice loud, "Little Walnut is very nice, easy to remember, and Yuhuai chose a nice formal name. Let’s settle on that. If either of you have any objections, let me pick the nickname, I think... why not call him..."

Her gaze wandered aimlessly around the yard, and for some reason, it finally settled on the chicken coop in the corner and didn’t move away for a long time.

Frightened half to death, Hua Xiaomai quickly tugged at Meng Yuhuai’s sleeve, "Let’s decide now, or mom might just say something scary!"

Meng Yuhuai couldn’t help but laugh, then stroked the baby’s face, "Little Walnut, your mom is a tough nut to crack. In the future, if you’re ever wronged, I’m afraid only your dad here can stand up for you..."

Little Walnut half-closed his eyes, as if he doubted he would genuinely stand up for him. He turned his face away, deciding not to pay any attention to him at all.(To be continued. If you like this work, we welcome you to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)