Chapter 98.1

On New Year’s Eve, Wen Nuan and Gu Qinghan played with firecrackers with Lele until eleven o’clock in the evening.

When they returned home, Lele washed her face and feet, climbed onto the kang bed, and immediately fell asleep from exhaustion. 

Wen Nuan was relieved she didn’t have to coax her to bed. She thought about how the next day, New Year’s Day, they didn’t have to wake up early, so she leisurely soaked her feet before slowly climbing into bed herself. 

After Gu Qinghan had poured out the footwashing water and returned to the room, Wen Nuan patted the spot beside her and smiled at him. “Come here, I have something for you.” 

Earlier, Wen Nuan had asked Chen Meijiao to help her purchase some items in Beijing, including a new coat for herself and a New Year’s gift for Gu Qinghan. Thankfully, it had arrived just in time for the Spring Festival. 

When Gu Qinghan heard his wife say this, he took off his coat and walked over to the edge of the kang bed. 

“What is it?” Gu Qinghan sat down beside his wife, pulled her into his arms so she was sitting on his lap, rested his chin on her shoulder, and asked curiously, “When did you get it? How come I didn’t know?” 

Wen Nuan helped him adjust his rolled-up sleeves and smiled. “I had Comrade Chen Meijiao buy it for me in Beijing. She sent it over a few days ago. I didn’t tell you.” 

Gu Qinghan took the item his wife handed him, a hint of surprise in his eyes. “Why act so mysterious?” 

Perhaps it was his excitement, but as Gu Qinghan spoke, he had already started unwrapping the package.

Inside was a brand-new military knife. 

From the moment Wen Nuan received the money Major General Shen had sent her, she had been thinking about what to buy for Gu Qinghan. 

However, everything he wore or used was provided by the military, and he wasn’t lacking clothes. While she was racking her brain about what to get, she happened to notice that the military knife Gu Qinghan carried with him seemed quite old. 

So she asked Chen Meijiao in Beijing to buy an imported one. The brand of this military knife was well-known, even in later years. 

Watching him pick up the knife, Wen Nuan said, “I saved up a bit of money last year and thought about getting something useful for you. But since most of your things are issued by the military, I couldn’t think of anything for a long time. So I got you a military knife instead. You should find it handy.” 

Hearing this, Gu Qinghan placed a kiss on his wife’s face and smiled. “Wife, you’re the best. I really like it.” 

For someone like Gu Qinghan, a military knife was incredibly useful. Compared to the clothes, hats, and shoes Wen Nuan bought for Lele, this gift was much more practical for him. 

“As long as you like it. I was just worried it might not be useful for you.” Wen Nuan said, noticing the genuine excitement in his eyes.

Even though Gu Qinghan hadn’t said much, she could feel how much he truly liked the gift. 

Looking at the thin clothes Gu Qinghan was wearing, she reached out to touch his hand. He didn’t seem particularly cold, so she decided not to insist he put on more layers. 

“No way. I’ll use it every day.” After admiring the knife for a while, Gu Qinghan carefully tucked it into the hidden pocket of his coat.

Then he cupped Wen Nuan’s face and kissed her gently. 

Initially, Gu Qinghan only meant to give her a light kiss. But the faint fragrance on his wife’s body ignited something within him, and he quickly lost control. 

As the kiss deepened, he pressed her down onto the bed.

Sparks quickly turning into a flame. 

It wasn’t until Wen Nuan pushed lightly against his shoulder and caught his wandering hand that she playfully scolded: “Qinghan~” 

Gu Qinghan propped himself up on his arms, one on either side of her head, and gazed down at her flushed lips, momentarily dazed. “What’s wrong?” 

After over two years of intimacy, Wen Nuan could immediately sense the tension in his body.

She smiled as she teased him: “Captain Gu, did you forget that I’m pregnant?” 

In the first three months of pregnancy, extra caution was indeed necessary. Previously, before knowing she was pregnant, Wen Nuan and Gu Qinghan had enjoyed a period of unabashed marital intimacy. 

But now that they knew, Wen Nuan couldn’t stop worrying. “How about we hold off for now, Qinghan?”

Gu Qinghan remained in the same position, looking at her for a long moment. Finally, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips before lying flat beside her. 

He had almost lost control. 

Hr grasped Wen Nuan’s hand resting by her side, he brought it to his lips for a soft kiss before asking, “How are you feeling? Is there any discomfort?” 

Wen Nuan turned onto her side, reaching out with her other arm to hug him. She shook her head. “No, I’m perfectly fine.” 

She patted his back, noticing the redness in his restrained eyes and the heat radiating from his stiff body, which felt as rigid as a stone. Unable to resist, she teased with a laugh, “Qinghan, you can hold back, right? Is it that hard?” 

Suddenly, Wen Nuan recalled the early days after they had first moved to the North. Back then, they hadn’t yet been physically intimate and had simply shared a bed for two months. 

She had once suspected that Gu Qinghan might not have much interest in such matters—until their relationship deepened. 

It was only then that Wen Nuan realized how utterly wrong she had been! 

Gu Qinghan had taken his time helping her nurture her health, genuinely for her benefit. Otherwise, with her delicate frame, she truly wouldn’t have been able to endure his intensity! 

Still, if he could hold back before, surely now… 

It shouldn’t be that difficult, right? 

Gu Qinghan grabbed Wen Nuan’s restless hand, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. He stared at her without speaking. 

After a moment of silence, Wen Nuan noticed that his breath, warm and erratic, still fell heavily on her face. Biting her lip, she suddenly felt a pang of guilt. 

Before Gu Qinghan could say anything, she wrapped her arms around his neck, leaned close to his ear, and whispered a few words. 

As soon as she finished speaking, the sound of firecrackers exploded outside, accompanied by cheerful shouts and laughter. 

The new year had arrived. 

Amidst the festive noise, Gu Qinghan kissed Wen Nuan’s lips passionately, gritting his teeth as he murmured, “You said it yourself.” 

---

This year, since Wen Nuan couldn’t take Lele skiing, she decided to take her to the movies instead the next day. 

Going to the movies was an activity many children loved. The small theater was packed with families, and the noisy chatter of kids filled the space. 

However, Lele, having already watched television at General Lu’s house, wasn’t as curious as the other children. Besides, the films shown in this era were mostly war movies. 

Wen Nuan watched the movie with great interest. The military setting was especially captivating, and some people even performed songs during intermissions. However, Lele wasn’t as entertained and, by the latter half of the film, had already fallen asleep. 

On their way back home, it was Gu Qinghan who carried Lele on his back. 

After the movie, there was an evening social gathering, but it had nothing to do with Wen Nuan. The event was organized for the young, unmarried soldiers in the unit. 

When Aunt Liang and Sister Guihua came by for a visit, they joked about Gu Qinglan not attending the gathering. 

“Qinglan, why didn’t you go to the social event?” Aunt Liang teased. “I saw plenty of female comrades there. What’s the matter? Are you too shy to go?” 

Gu Qinglan, who had spent the morning sleeping and napped again in the afternoon, was now full of energy. She was listening to the radio while smiling. “I’m not interested in joining the fun. I’ll be studying under Doctor Zhao next year. I don’t have time to think about relationships.” 

Because Li Daxiang had rushed off to Shenyang, neither he nor Gu Qinglan had submitted the necessary reports to formally start their relationship. Apart from Wen Nuan, no one else, not even Gu Qinghan, was aware of their budding romance. 

It was likely Gu Qinghan knew something but had chosen not to bring it up. 

For now, Gu Qinglan didn’t feel the need to say anything. She figured they’d revisit the matter once Li Daxiang returned from flight school. 

Aunt Liang chuckled. “What kind of logic is that? Just because you’re studying doesn’t mean you can’t be in a relationship. The two don’t conflict at all.” 

Gu Qinglan peeled a pine nut and placed it in Lele’s palm. Without even lifting her head, she replied, “That depends on fate. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen naturally.” 

“But if you don’t attend events like the social, how is fate supposed to find you?” Aunt Liang laughed again. “The men in the unit are all excellent. It really wouldn’t be difficult to find someone good.” 

She then looked at Gu Qinglan curiously and asked, “Qinglan, is it because you already like someone?” 

The question caused Gu Qinglan’s face to flush visibly red. She suddenly didn’t know what to say. 

Just as she was about to admit the truth, Lele, having finished her pine nut snack, climbed onto Gu Qinglan’s lap. “Auntie, I want to play with firecrackers. Will you take me?” 

Grateful for the distraction, Gu Qinglan picked Lele up and smiled. “Alright, let’s go play with fireworks!” 

Aunt Liang exchanged a knowing smile with Wen Nuan. “It seems like this girl doesn’t want to talk about it. She probably already has someone in mind.” 

Wen Nuan, not wanting to elaborate on Qinglan’s private matters, simply nodded. “She’s at that age. It’s normal if she does.” 

Sister Guihua, who was knitting a sweater nearby, laughed. “Qinglan’s such a beauty. When the time comes, we’ll have to help her pick carefully. We wouldn’t want her to end up like Yang Xiaomei, getting fooled by someone.” 

Wen Nuan replied with a meaningful “Mm” and added, “Absolutely. Her eldest brother would have to approve first.” 

Hearing this, Qinglan, who had been listening to their conversation, blushed even more. Wen Nuan’s words made her suddenly uncertain. 

She couldn’t help but wonder if her eldest brother, Gu Qinghan, would approve of her relationship with Li Daxiang. After all, one was his subordinate, and the other was his own little sister… 

Lost in thought, Qinglan led Lele outside. When they were out the door, she gave the little girl a kiss on the cheek and whispered, “Good girl, Auntie loves you to bits!” 

Lele wrapped her arms around Gu Qinglan’s neck and laughed, “I love Auntie too.” 

“Then quickly let me set off some firecrackers,” Lele demanded eagerly. 

“Can’t we light fireworks instead? Firecrackers just go ‘bang!’ What’s so fun about that?” 

“I want firecrackers!” 

“Fireworks are prettier.” 

---

After a few leisurely days, the New Year celebrations came to an end. 

Once the festivities were over, time seemed to fly by. The coldest part of the northern winter passed swiftly. 

General Lu had originally planned to visit in February, but mid-February brought a cold snap and heavy snowfall, so his trip was postponed indefinitely. 

By April, the North finally began to show signs of spring. 

That evening, Gu Qinghan returned from night training. Wen Nuan had just lain down in bed when she heard him come in. 

While he was showering, Wen Nuan got up to prepare him a bowl of noodles. 

When Gu Qinghan came out, the delicious aroma greeted him immediately. Though he was starving, he couldn’t help but express concern, “Next time, don’t bother getting up to cook for me. You should rest earlier.” 

Wen Nuan took his towel and motioned for him to sit down. She gently patted the water droplets from his hair before replying, “I wasn’t really sleepy yet anyway. Besides, I get to chat with you.” 

After winter had passed, both Gu Qinghan and Wen Nuan became busy. However, this time, Wen Nuan didn’t feel rushed to return to the Kitchen Unit after the New Year. 

Quartermaster Luo had asked her to focus on drafting work plans and no longer required her to handle tasks personally. 

Now, Wen Nuan’s workload was light, and with her morning sickness easing up, she found her days quite relaxing. A trip to the Kitchen Unit was more like taking a leisurely walk. 

Gu Qinghan pulled Wen Nuan to sit beside him, running his fingers gently over the back of her hand. “Has the Kitchen Unit been busy lately?” he asked, his gaze full of concern. 

Then he added, “Do you want to take a break from work there for now?” 

Wen Nuan motioned for him to eat his noodles first. Resting her chin in her hand, she replied slowly, “No need for that. It’s still early in the pregnancy, and the baby is stable now. Walking back and forth is good exercise for me.” 

Gu Qinghan hummed softly in agreement and then asked, “Did you feel sick at all today?” 

That morning, he had seen her throw up while brushing her teeth. However, she had eaten breakfast afterward, unlike during the harsher winter months when she would vomit multiple times a day and often lose her appetite. 

“No, just that one time in the morning,” Wen Nuan answered, pausing briefly before smiling. “By the way, I’m thinking about enrolling Lele in kindergarten.” 

“She’s at an age where she can express herself and loves to play. It’s a good time for her to start getting used to school life and make some new friends.” 

In the family compound, many children were already attending kindergarten, though some stayed home if they had family members available to care for them. 

Wen Nuan had recently visited the kindergarten with Sister Guihua and thought it would be beneficial for Lele to start learning and socializing with other children. 

Lele liked playing with Sister Juxiang’s daughters, Xiaodong and Xiaomei. However, the two girls were quite grown-up already, with the oldest being twelve years old. Even Guoqing had started elementary school, so they didn’t have much time to play with her anymore.

Gu Qinghan had no objections and nodded. “Sure, the children in our Flight Team all go to kindergarten. I’ll find some time in the next couple of days to go with you for the enrollment.”

“Are you free?” Wen Nuan had initially planned to mention it to him and then go together with Sister Guihua and the others.

“If you’re busy, it’s fine. I can go with the other sisters instead.”

Gu Qinghan chuckled softly, reaching out to caress his wife’s hand. “I can make time for the enrollment. After all, it’s Lele’s first time going to school.”

When school started, they’d also need to send her off to the kindergarten.

Wen Nuan nodded and smiled. “Alright, then let’s wait until you’re free to go together.”

After she finished speaking, Gu Qinghan’s warm palm rested on her noticeably pregnant belly, trying to feel any movements from inside.

Since Wen Nuan had severe morning sickness during the first three months, he had been worried about her nutrition. However, Gu Qinglan often came over to cook nourishing soups for her, so Wen Nuan didn’t seem to have changed much, and her belly was already showing.

After some thought, Gu Qinghan said, “After enrolling Lele, let’s also go to Old Doctor Zhao’s place for a check-up.”

Previously, due to heavy snow and icy roads in the family compound, Gu Qinghan had been concerned about her slipping and didn’t let her go to the hospital.

Initially, they had planned for Old Doctor Zhao to come and check on Wen Nuan, but back in early March, General Xu had called him to Beijing, and he had just returned last week.

Wen Nuan nodded. “Alright, let’s go for a check-up. Sister Guihua mentioned my belly looks larger than hers did at four months. Do you think something might be wrong?”

Hearing his wife’s words, Gu Qinghan’s heart skipped a beat. He immediately set down his chopsticks and scooped her into his arms. “Don’t scare yourself. Everything will be fine.”

Wen Nuan hugged her husband’s back. She wasn’t worried at all since she knew her own condition best. Aside from the morning sickness earlier, there hadn’t been any other issues, and she had been feeling perfectly fine.

In fact, Sister Guihua’s original comment was a playful question about whether she might be carrying twins. Wen Nuan, perhaps a bit slow due to her pregnancy, had forgotten to mention that just now.

Now that she had brought it up, Gu Qinghan’s palm had started to sweat slightly from nervousness.

Leaning lazily against him, Wen Nuan spoke softly. “I’m fine. Everything feels normal. Maybe I’ve just been eating more lately. Qinglan makes me soup every day, and Aunt Liang often brings over snacks. I’ll control my portions and get a check-up just to be sure.”

Gu Qinghan frowned slightly, disagreeing with her reasoning. “Eating more? I feel like you’re eating less than before.”

He reached out to pinch her waist. Wen Nuan, ticklish, burst into laughter and lightly swatted him. She scolded in a low voice, “I’m ticklish! Be careful not to wake *your* daughter later.”

As they were talking, a sleepy-eyed Lele padded out of her room, barefoot. Seeing both Wen Nuan and Gu Qinghan there, she walked over to them and buried her head between her mom and dad. Her words, though not entirely clear, were endearing: “Dad, Mom, come sleep with me.”

Gu Qinghan affectionately ran his hand over the soft hair of his daughter and immediately scooped her up into his arms. Turning his head to Wen Nuan, he said, “Wife, why don’t you take Lele back to the room and sleep with her? I’ll clean up here and join you shortly.”

Lele rested her chin on Gu Qinghan’s broad shoulder and mumbled, “Dad has to come and sleep too.”

Gu Qinghan patted her gently on the back, his tone full of indulgence. “Alright, Dad will come back to sleep too.”

By the time Gu Qinghan had tidied up the dishes and returned to the bedroom, Lele was already fast asleep. Wen Nuan, too, looked drowsy, drifting off.

Gu Qinghan tucked the blanket snugly around them before carefully climbing into bed. He lay down on his side and embraced Wen Nuan from behind, his hand resting softly on her belly. Planting a gentle kiss on her earlobe, he finally closed his eyes.