Three Women in the Cage

Ever since Yang Yu came back with Zhang Erfa and the others, everyone's attitude towards her has changed. Perhaps it was because of Zhang's father's instructions, Zhang's mother would try to choose simple and easy chores for Yang Yu to do. Zhang Erfa would also care about Yang Yu's physical condition from time to time, and ask about her well-being. The brothers-in-law also tried their best to avoid conflicts with Yang Yu. Generally speaking, Yang Yu's life has become much smoother.

Slowly, winter arrived. Yang Yu was already nine months pregnant and about to give birth. Her body was getting heavier and heavier, and moving became more and more difficult. Winter weather was often cold, and getting up in the morning became a problem. Usually, with Zhang's mother taking care of her, she didn't have to get up early. She could just sleep in and get up to eat when she was hungry. Zhang's mother would always warm up the food in the pot for her.

But that day, a sudden, heavy snowfall occurred overnight, fluttering down like a stream. By morning, a thick layer of snow had formed outside. It was said that the heavy snow had bent the trees along the path, blocking the usual route. Early in the morning, the village rallied everyone to help move the trees and clear the snow from the main road. Every household was called in, and except for pregnant women, the elderly, and children, everyone else who was able to move around was asked to actively cooperate.

So, early in the morning, the whole village followed the others out in a commotion. Of course, except for Yang Yu who was at home, Zhang's mother also had to go with them. Before leaving, Zhang's mother went to Yang Yu's bedside and told her, "Yu'er, let's go out and help move the trees and clean up the snow. You should sleep well at home first. It's cold outside, so don't run around. It's still early, and I'll come back as soon as possible to make breakfast. If you're hungry, eat some of this cake first, and I'll come back and make something hot for you." "Zhang Mazi's family, are all the people here? Hurry up, everyone is waiting." Before she finished speaking, the urging voice of the village chief rang out from outside. Zhang's mother had to pack up in a hurry, and while walking, she shouted, "I'm coming, I'm coming." After Zhang's mother went out, she soon heard the village chief shouting, "Let's gather and set off." The noise outside was getting farther and farther away. Yang Yu glanced at the white snow outside. A chill came over him. He shrank his body and planned to take another nap. He closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

"Gurgle, gurgle," Yang Yu's stomach growled in protest. He opened his eyes and felt his stomach. He was awakened by hunger. Hearing no sound from outside, he guessed they hadn't returned yet. He looked up at the clock on the wall. It was already 8 o'clock. By this time, Zhang's mother would have brought him some hot vegetable porridge. No wonder he was awakened by hunger today.

Unable to bear the hunger any longer, Yang Yu struggled to get up, supporting herself with her hands and slowly sitting up. Her bulging belly was a bit of a hindrance, making her body look even more clumsy. Yang Yu moved step by step to the edge of the bed, her legs hanging over the edge. She slowly hooked her thin and simple cotton slippers down, holding the edge of the bed with one hand and her bulging belly with the other. She stood up slowly and walked towards the door. She gently pushed open the kitchen door, and with a creak, a gust of cold air hit her. Usually, the kitchen was the warmest in winter, with a fire burning under the earthen stove and steaming hot food in the pot. But today, there was nothing here, only a coldness.

Is she still not back? Yang Yu hesitated. With only two months left before giving birth, her mobility had become less convenient. She could no longer bend over and light a fire. She could only help wash vegetables and flip pots on the stove. The rest was handled by Zhang's mother. But today, Zhang's mother hadn't returned yet, and she was starving. The pancakes she had left behind were already cold. She thought, "I might as well heat them up in the pan. If I move slowly, it shouldn't be a problem."

So, thinking of going to the woodshed outside to get some kindling, Yang Yu arrived at the door and pushed it open. He was greeted by a vast expanse of white snow. There were only a few melted flakes on the steps, likely swept away by them before they left. But even this snow was a bit slippery, so Yang Yu stepped on it carefully, protecting her belly, and slowly moved step by step to the woodshed at the corner of the steps.

After randomly selecting a few small, easy-to-carry pieces of dry wood, Yang Yu turned and slowly walked back the way he'd come. He was almost at the door, and as he took a step forward, he entered the house. He grumbled, his hunger throbbing, the pain in his flesh tugging at it, a sign of extreme hunger. Yang Yu hurried to get some hot food, but in his haste, the wood in his hand scraped against the wall, hindering his progress. Without time to stop, he stumbled and fell forward.

With a "bang", Yang Yulai quickly covered her stomach with both hands, but still screamed in pain. Yang Yu tried to get up, but she couldn't use any strength. The pain in her stomach became more and more intense. She didn't know what to do, and she lay on the ground in a daze for a while.

Finally, they heard the faint sound of footsteps outside, and the occasional noisy chatter. The noise grew closer, and suddenly a panicked voice rang out, "Oh, his father, come quickly! Yu'er, what happened to you? Why are you lying on the ground? Erfa, come here quickly!" It was Zhang's mother's terrified voice. Everyone who heard the noise rushed over. Zhang Erfa stepped forward, picked up Yang Yu by the waist, and slowly walked to the room. After putting him back on the bed, everyone gathered around the bed, looking at Yang Yu nervously.

Yang Yu's lips were frozen purple, her hands clutching her stomach, her face twisted in agony. She kept muttering, "My stomach... hurts," and she spasmed from time to time, a trace of blood seeping from her legs. "Oh, I'm afraid it's time to give birth! Hurry, get some hot water!" Zhang's mother cried excitedly and nervously.

Everyone immediately got busy. Zhang's mother sent all the men out, staying behind to help with the delivery. "Yu'er, hold on! Bring some hot water right away. I'll get the scissors ready and help you deliver," Zhang's mother consoled her, fetching scissors and a cloth. "Erfa, bring it over when it's ready. Hurry up," Zhang's mother urged nervously, listening to Yang Yu's increasingly uncomfortable moans.

In the kitchen, Zhang Erfa was frantically filling a basin of hot water, while his father was nervously nagging beside him, "Oh, don't make the water too hot, add some cold water, oh, is the water low, Erfa, bring it in first, Sanmao, you guys help boil some more." Zhang Erfa hurriedly carried the water into the bedroom and was about to put it down when he heard, "Erfa, hurry up, take the scissors out and boil them in the boiling water for a few minutes, then bring them in," Zhang's mother said hastily, throwing the scissors over.

Zhang Erfa took the scissors and ran back to the kitchen in a daze. At this time, Zhang Sanmao and the others were lighting a fire to boil water. They were stunned when they saw the scissors in his hand. Zhang Erfa, not understanding what was going on, threw the scissors into the pot and said, "Mom, boil the water for a few minutes and put it in. Hurry up and put it on the fire."

Suddenly, Yang Yu's cries of pain were heard from inside, one after another, shrill and suppressed. "Quick, bring another basin of hot water, scissors, scissors, boil it and bring it over," Zhang's mother's anxious cry startled the stunned men awake. Zhang Erfa nervously and frantically picked up the basin and scissors and hurried to the inner room. Halfway through, he heard a few loud "wa wah wah wah wah" sounds, like the warm spring sun piercing the cold of winter. Following the cry of "It's born, it's born," he doomed to a sleepless night.