Chapter 29 The child will have the surname Sun

“Just one or two meals isn’t enough to nourish the body—it takes consistent nutrition every day,” Old Madam Sun said, giving the other woman a meaningful look.

“I’ll go with Auntie to help, then?” Lin Qiyue quickly stood up, offering to lend a hand.

“No need, it’s just a short walk to buy groceries. You rarely come by—stay and keep Old Madam company,” Sun Ru declined her offer.

Lin Qiyue had no choice but to stay and chat with the elderly woman.

Old Madam Sun liked Lin Qiyue—aside from being a bit thin, her features were very pleasant. Her skin wasn’t yellowed, but not fair either—clearly a result of malnutrition. What caught the old woman’s attention was that Lin Qiyue looked like someone she couldn’t quite recall.

She had lived alone for a long time and felt quite lonely. Now that there were young people to talk with, she was overjoyed.

Lin Qiyue looked around the living room and the courtyard. This place hadn’t been confiscated—clearly, her identity was anything but ordinary.

Old Madam Sun chatted with them for a long time. After lunch, she went to take her afternoon rest.

Lan Yuchu and Lin Qiyue strolled around the courtyard. Seeing the thoughtful look on her face, he asked curiously, “Are you wondering how Grandma Sun is still allowed to live here?”

Lin Qiyue looked up, her eyes sparkling. She grabbed his arm and leaned against him, saying sweetly, “Brother Yuchu, are you a mind reader? You even know what I’m thinking. You’re amazing!”

Lan Yuchu’s Adam’s apple bobbed. This woman never stopped teasing him. He reached down and tapped her forehead, gently pushing her away. “Don’t move—don’t lean too close. This isn’t home.”

They still had to be mindful of appearances outside.

“There’s no one around here!” she said playfully, pretending to glance around before turning back to him.

“I’m not someone?” Lan Yuchu retorted, helpless.

“You’re the person I love most!” she flirted back. After all, she’d read enough flirting tricks—maybe they didn’t work on everyone, but they sure worked on Lan Yuchu.

Lan Yuchu watched her speak sweet words and try to get close to him again. He pinched her lips lightly and warned seriously, “No. Wait until we’re home and the door’s shut. Even if no one sees, it still affects the city’s image.”

Lin Qiyue rolled her eyes and flicked his hand away angrily. “Then you better act like this tonight too!”

Seeing she was angry again, Lan Yuchu frowned and said, “That’s different!”

“You’re such a fuddy-duddy! A true heir to old-fashioned values!” she snapped. “There’s no one around, and it’s not like we’re kissing—I just wanted to say something sweet, and you won’t even accept it. What kind of relationship is this?”

“How am I old-fashioned? Don’t accuse me randomly—I’m a soldier of the people. What’s old-fashioned about that?” he argued back, indignant. But as he thought about what she said about the evening, he tried hard to soften his expression.

Watching his stiff face try to shift, Lin Qiyue burst out laughing. “Hahaha~”

Lan Yuchu looked confused. “Is it really that funny?”

“Mhm. It’s hilarious!” she said, thinking this man was honestly a bit silly.

She instinctively reached out and held his hand, their fingers interlocking as she leaned into his arms.

“Don’t move. If you push me away, I won’t be affectionate with you anymore.”

Lan Yuchu had originally been trying to pull away, but hearing her threat, he instantly froze. He quickly scanned the area and, seeing no one, relaxed and let her snuggle into him.

After holding her for a while, she said, “Tell me about Grandma Sun?”

Lan Yuchu thought she’d let go, but she continued to lean on him, arms around his waist.

“Grandma Sun made significant contributions to the revolution. Naturally, she wasn’t to be criticized—and that was a direct order from the top. That’s why she can still live here. In her youth, she donated all her wealth and property. But because of that, we didn’t dare associate with her too much, afraid we’d be labeled too,” Lan Yuchu explained, remembering the past. He saw her as a truly great woman who bore a lot of pressure.

Lin Qiyue listened carefully—such a person was indeed admirable.

“Honey?”

“Hmm?” Lin Qiyue looked up when he called her but didn’t continue speaking. “What do you want to say?”

“When we have a child in the future… could we let them take the surname Sun?” Lan Yuchu asked nervously, swallowing as he quickly added, “Brother Sun died saving me. I know it’s unfair to you, but I…”

“I’ll do whatever you want,” Lin Qiyue agreed without hesitation.

Lan Yuchu was stunned. He looked down and asked, “You’re not going to think about it?”

“Why would I? A child born from my belly is mine no matter the surname. Brother Sun saved your life—letting the child take his surname is the least we can do.”

She understood the depth of comradeship in war. Giving the child the surname Sun was simply a way to honor that legacy.

Lan Yuchu hugged her tightly, so moved that he forgot all his “rules” and bent down to kiss her forehead. “Wife, you’re so wonderful. Marrying you is the greatest blessing of my life.”

“Mhm mhm. You were just saying it would ruin the city’s image, and now you’re kissing me! Where did all your principles go?” She couldn’t help but laugh—this man was such a hypocrite!

Lan Yuchu was overjoyed. He didn’t care about principles anymore. “Wife, I was wrong. I’ll do whatever you say from now on.”

There was no one around anyway—a little kiss didn’t hurt.

Lin Qiyue buried her face in his chest and murmured, “You two-faced man.”

Lan Yuchu chuckled softly and said nothing, just held his wife even tighter.

After making sure the elderly lady was resting, Sun Ru came out with some fruit. When she saw the young couple being affectionate, she quietly backed away without disturbing them.

Time passed quickly, and the two didn’t stay long before bidding farewell to Sun Ru and leaving.

“I won’t walk you out any farther. Please send my regards to your mother-in-law when you get back,” Sun Ru said as she saw them to the door, adding, “Given the times, it’s the thought that counts. Don’t come by again—just in case it causes trouble for you.”

Lan Yuchu and Lin Qiyue exchanged a glance and nodded.
“Auntie, take care of yourself,” Lan Yuchu said with concern.

Sun Ru nodded and glanced at Lin Qiyue. “Go on, now.”
She watched the couple leave, then went back inside and closed the door.

The elderly lady had already woken up. Looking at Sun Ru, she said, “That child… she looks so much like Dai’er.”
“Auntie, Qiyue has parents—they’ve just both passed away. She only looks a little similar. We’ve searched for so many years… If she were still alive, we would have found her by now,” Sun Ru replied, walking over to help support the old lady and comfort her.

The old woman sighed emotionally. “Your older sister’s whole family… what a tragic end.”

Thinking back to the horror of that time, she couldn’t help but sigh again.

Sun Ru knew that the old woman and the matriarch of the Hai family were like sisters. Both had made great contributions. But one disaster had separated them forever. No one truly knew what had happened in between.

—

On the way home, Lin Qiyue felt the breeze blow gently past, warm and soft. The man rode ahead of her, shielding her from the hot wind.

“When we go back, let’s stop by the supply store and buy Mom a new pair of shoes,” she suggested. “She walks around the countryside for work every day and only has that one pair. They’re all worn out.”

What Sun Ru said today had made Lin Qiyue think of Qian Xiuying’s shoes—very old and badly worn, clearly used for many years.

Lan Yuchu kept his eyes on the road, pedaling the bike steadily. He comforted her, “Actually, Mom wouldn’t say anything. She wouldn’t mind.”

He guessed that Sun Ru must’ve said something to make Lin Qiyue start thinking about this.

“It’s not just because of that,” Lin Qiyue said. “Mom really has it hard. She’s done so much for this family. We should do a better job of honoring her. If Auntie hadn’t brought it up today, we wouldn’t have thought of it—and that’s on us.”

Lan Yuchu thought about it for a moment and said, “It’s my fault. All these years, I’ve never really given Mom a proper gift. But that has nothing to do with you—you don’t need to blame yourself. Mom was probably just venting a bit. It’s not how you’re imagining it.”

He believed in his mother—he knew she accepted and appreciated her daughter-in-law.

“What do you take me for?” Lin Qiyue said. “I mean, I’m your wife. Mom treats me well too. Of course I should show my respect. All these years, we haven’t really done anything meaningful for her. Let’s get her a good pair of shoes, something she can wear comfortably to work. And a handbag—one that’s big enough, not too expensive, but durable and practical.”

She knew her mother-in-law worked for the Women’s Federation—frugal and modest by nature.

Seeing that his wife was so earnest, Lan Yuchu nodded and agreed, “Alright. Whatever you say.”