Love at First Novel by Gu Lingfei

"I miss my husband. He's been gone for so long," the old lady said, wiping her tears. "But I don't dwell on it anymore. I feel blessed-more than he was. I've lived long enough to see several of my grandsons get married. Maybe, if I'm even more fortunate, I'll see the ninth one get married too."

She paused, her gaze wistful. "All I truly wish for is to have a great-granddaughter before I go. Before he passed, my husband said his biggest regret was never having a daughter or a granddaughter."

Rosella gently comforted her. "Mom, you'll live to be a hundred-no, 120-and you'll see the ninth grandson marry and hold your great-granddaughter in your arms. You have nine grandsons, after all. Surely one of them will give you a little girl." Rosella, however, didn't dare to speak too confidently.

The York family hadn't had a daughter in three generations. Any baby girls born in the past had tragically passed away in infancy.

didn't dare to be reborn

said, her tone hopeful. "Nine granddaughters-in-law-one of them is bound to give me a great-granddaughter.

do that the Johnsons would think I'm crazy!" Rosella chuckled. "Mom, every time you see Avah, you practically drool over her. It's no wonder they guard her so closely. She's their only precious child, and with the way you look at her, anyone

girl, we won't have to envy anyone. Let them envy

the Yorks-who hadn't had daughters in generations were

And perhaps God, in granting that wish, made the family

start walking-waddling like little penguins." Rosella thought about it. Staying home was dull, and a little getaway with her mother-in-law sounded appealing. The household would run just fine without her; her sister-in-law managed most of the responsibilities anyway. "Alright," Rosella agreed. "But shouldn't we let your sons