CHAPTER 14

Chapter 14 – Four Months Later, Belly Grows and Festivities Glow

Four months passed in a blink, but a lot had changed in Sujin Village — especially around the Lin household.

For one, Lin Yue's father now had a belly so round and obvious, you'd think he swallowed a whole watermelon. And he'd become even more dramatic about it.

"Yueeeeee," he groaned one afternoon, lying on the sofa with his swollen belly propped up by two embroidered pillows. "My ankles hurt. Do I look bloated today? Your mom says I'm glowing, but I think I just look fat."

Yue raised an eyebrow, chewing an apple. "Dad, you said that yesterday. And the day before. And the day before that."

"Well, excuse me for carrying life!" he pouted, rubbing his belly gently.

Yue chuckled. "You're the one who was bragging that you'd carry a baby like a champ."

He blinked. "...That was before I had to waddle like a duck and sneeze without peeing myself!"

Yue snorted, almost choking on her apple.

Despite her teasing, she loved her dad — he was soft, overly dramatic, and sweet like a marshmallow, the perfect husband for her strong, no-nonsense mother. In this world, it was normal for men to carry babies and stay home, but her dad was… extra.

As for Yue, her days were still full of gang mischief and daily chaos. She and her friends hadn't calmed down one bit.

Just last week, they managed to attach a fake lizard onto the teacher's chair and had the whole class screaming when she sat down. Another time, they'd tied invisible thread around the village water pump handle, causing a cascade of accidental soakings.

The gang remained fierce and loyal — Bao, the silent prankster genius; Meimei, the voice of reason (sometimes); Sisi, the snack hoarder; and Nana, who still giggled at literally everything.

But lately, the village was buzzing about something even they couldn't ignore.

The Moon Blossom Festival.

It was one of the biggest traditions in Sujin Village — held every five years when the moonflower trees bloomed in clusters across the mountains. The petals glowed under moonlight, and their scent was said to bring fortune for lovers and families.

Villagers who had left for the cities to work or study would return, stalls would line the streets, songs would echo into the sky, and even the grumpiest elders would find a reason to smile.

This year's festival was special — it was the first one Yue would remember clearly, and she was going to be a big sister soon.

"Have you heard?" Meimei said one afternoon while helping Yue hang laundry. "My cousin from the capital is coming back with three husbands! One's a musician, one's a baker, and the third's a painter."

"Three?" Yue blinked. "Lucky."

"Apparently the painter's super handsome," Nana added, already blushing.

"Is he our age?" Bao asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"Nooo," Nana sighed. "He's like...twenty. But we can still look!"

"We're ten, not blind," Sisi shrugged, munching on dried mango.

They all giggled.

Yue tied her last cloth on the line, glancing at the preparations happening around the village. Banners were being hung, lanterns dusted off, stalls rebuilt. The scent of roasted chestnuts and sweet bean buns already teased the wind.

She couldn't wait.

Later that evening, she sat with her father on the porch, massaging his feet as he sipped warm milk. Her mom was working overtime helping organize the festival — of course.

"You excited, Yue?" her father asked gently.

"Of course! I want to try all the food, dance, and maybe join the prank contest."

"There's a contest now?"

"Yep! Sisi said they're doing a 'best harmless prank' award this year. The winner gets a full jar of golden star candy!"

"Oh dear…" he sighed, placing a hand over his belly. "Just promise me you won't blow up anyone's stall this time."

"That was one time and the fireworks were not my fault."

He chuckled.

She looked at him, his eyes half-closed in calm contentment.

"Dad?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think I'll be a good big sister?"

He opened his eyes and smiled, soft and proud.

"You'll be the best. Loud, a little scary, but full of love."

She grinned. "Like Mom?"

"Exactly."

She rested her head on his shoulder, watching the stars blink into the sky.

The next few days would be full of excitement, reunions, chaos… and maybe some tears. She didn't know what the future held yet, but she felt it.

Something was coming.

Maybe not just the festival.

Something bigger.