After fleeing the famine, my older sister and I married the brother next door.

"Yes! Don't worry, Mother!" Chen Xiaohe immediately agreed.

Chen Dashan nodded emphatically, his gaze toward his wife now filled with an unwavering resolve.

After a quick breakfast, the four tidied up briefly. Chen Dashan and Chen Xiaohe each carried a basket on their backs, containing water pouches, clean cloths, and a small packet of copper coins that Chen's mother had insisted on stuffing in. Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing each carried a bundle carefully wrapped in blue cloth—inside was a medium-sized embroidery they had intermittently completed over the past few months while they were still relatively healthy. They had originally planned to deliver it to the embroidery shop on their way to the county town today.

A number of people were already waiting at the village entrance for the oxcart, mostly villagers going to the county town to buy things or run errands. When they saw the Chen brothers carefully helping their wives, who were clearly six months pregnant, into the cart, they all greeted them with smiles, their eyes falling on their protruding bellies and inevitably taking a few extra glances.

"Dashan, Xiaohe, taking your wife to the county town? Oh my, look at that belly, she's quite a few months along! Congratulations, congratulations, your Chen family is going to have double happiness!" a familiar auntie said with a smile.

A rare shy yet joyful smile appeared on Chen Dashan's face. He helped Su Xiaoyin sit up before replying, "It's been a while. They haven't been feeling well lately; their feet are terribly swollen, and they get leg cramps at night. I was worried, so I took them to see a doctor."

An elderly woman with gray hair and an experienced look leaned closer to examine the baby and slowly said, "When a woman is pregnant, her feet sometimes swell up as her belly grows, and this swelling doesn't stop until after she gives birth. When you get home, ask your family to make you several pairs of loose, soft shoes that will be comfortable to wear. Before you rest at night, soak your feet in warm water; it will make them feel better. Also, try not to walk around too much during the day; it's too strenuous."

"Thank you for your advice, Auntie." Chen Xiaohe quickly expressed his gratitude, and Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing nodded gratefully as well.

The oxcart swayed and rocked, carrying a load of people sharing their daily lives and expectations, heading towards the county town. Chen Dashan and Chen Xiaohe flanked their wives, shielding them from the bumps and the sun.

Upon arriving in the county town, the four headed straight for the "Ji'an Hall" clinic, which had the best reputation. The clinic was bustling with people and filled with a faint aroma of medicine. After waiting for a short while, it was their turn.

The doctor on duty was an elderly man with white hair and beard and a ruddy complexion, who inspired trust in everyone. Chen Dashan helped Su Xiaoyin sit down first, while Chen Xiaohe waited with Su Xiaoqing on the side.

"Doctor, please take a look at me." Chen Dashan said respectfully.

The elderly doctor nodded kindly, gesturing for Su Xiaoyin to place her wrist on the pulse pillow. He placed three fingers on it, closed his eyes, and examined it intently. After examining one hand, he switched to the other. During the examination, he asked about the month of gestation and inquired carefully about her recent diet, sleep, and symptoms.

After examining Su Xiaoyin, the old doctor smiled and gestured for Su Xiaoqing to sit down as well, where he also examined her carefully.

After examining both couples, the old doctor stroked his beard, looked at the two young couples who were anxiously watching him, and said loudly, "Congratulations to all four of you! The pulses of both ladies are smooth and strong, like pearls rolling on a plate; it's a sign that you are both carrying twins!"

"Twins?!" Chen Xiaohe exclaimed first, both surprised and delighted. Chen Dashan, though more composed, also had his pupils shrink upon hearing the confirmation, clenching his fists, his gaze towards Su Xiaoyin filled with incredible tenderness and shock. Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing were even more stunned, their hands instinctively clasping tightly together, their eyes instantly filling with tears, unsure whether it was from excitement or bewilderment.

"It's definitely twins," the old doctor confirmed. "Twins naturally put a heavier burden on the mother's body, and swollen legs and cramps are common. You'll need to take extra care of yourself from now on." His expression turned serious as he carefully instructed, "After you get home, eat plenty of nourishing foods—chicken, duck, fish, meat, eggs, beans—anything nutritious, eat as much as you can, don't be too frugal. More importantly, rest, avoid strenuous activity, don't lift heavy objects, and keep a cheerful mood."

He flipped through the almanac on the table and did some calculations: "Based on the months, the due date is around the end of the year, around the twelfth lunar month. However, twins are often born prematurely, so it might be a little earlier. One or two months before delivery, someone should stay by your side. You need to hire a midwife in advance and prepare all the necessary items for delivery."

After listening to the doctor's words, the four finally felt relieved, replaced by immense joy and a clear understanding of the future. They paid the consultation fee, thanked the doctor repeatedly, and left the clinic. Standing on the bustling street, they still felt a sense of unreality.

"Twins... Is our family really going to have four little babies?" Chen Xiaohe murmured, a silly grin spreading across his face.

Chen Dashan took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart. He looked at Su Xiaoyin, whose face was slightly flushed and whose eyes were sparkling, and then at his equally happy younger brother and sister-in-law. He said in a deep voice, "I have remembered what the doctor said. From today onwards, the embroidery work will be suspended. Everything is for your health." His tone was firm and left no room for discussion.

"Yes!" Chen Xiaohe immediately agreed, supporting Su Xiaoqing and nodding repeatedly. "Just take good care of yourselves when you get back, don't worry about anything! We've got you covered!"

Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing exchanged a glance, a warm feeling welling up in their hearts. Su Xiaoyin said softly, "Then... the embroidery we brought today can be sent to the embroidery shop. After that... we'll do as you say."

So the four of them went to "Jinxiu Cloth Shop". The shopkeeper greeted them warmly. When they saw the completed embroidery—a "Lotus Bringing Noble Children" design, with its lush lotus leaves, elegant lotus blossoms, and two chubby little boys, the shopkeeper praised it highly, noting the delicate stitches and the bright yet tasteful colors. She gave it a very good price.

When settling the bill, Su Xiaoyin whispered to the shopkeeper's wife, "Shopkeeper, for the next six months or so, my sister and I are afraid we won't be able to take any more jobs. We have some things to take care of at home."

The shopkeeper's wife, being extremely shrewd, glanced at their noticeably protruding bellies and noticed the way their two husbands were carefully supporting them. She understood immediately and smiled, "Is there some great joy? Congratulations! Don't rush into taking on more work; your health is more important. Come back when you're more comfortable. This 'Lotus Brings a Noble Son' embroidery is very fitting for the occasion; it's an auspicious sign!"

With the money they had earned from selling embroidery and the doctor's advice in hand, the four of them boarded the oxcart back to the village once more. This time, their feelings were completely different from when they had come.

Su Xiaoyin leaned against Chen Dashan's strong arm, while Su Xiaoqing nestled next to Chen Xiaohe, their hands secretly clasped under their sleeves.