Chapter 99

Han Cheng didn’t expect that the most pressing concern for Xiao Zhuzi would be this. He reached out and ruffled the child’s head: “We will live in the same unit, so we will still be able to see each other every day, and our home will always be your second home. Whenever you want to come back, you can. Whenever you want to live with Fantuan and Xiao Doubao, you can too. Just remember that the number of people who will care for you will only increase, and your Uncle is very happy for you, and so is your grandmother. She will always be your grandmother and will be happy for you.”

Xiao Zhuzi hung his head, and tears kept streaming down his face. He didn’t want to have a dad, a mom, a grandpa, or a grandma. He just wanted to be a part of Uncle Han and Aunt Su’s family forever, be the brother of Fantuan and Xiao Doubao, and be a member of the Sujia Village. He never wanted to leave these loved ones behind wuwuwu…

Zhao Xianfeng gave a ” I knew it would be like this” look at Han Cheng.

Han Cheng then responded with a “What else can we do?” look.

Han Cheng lifted Xiao Zhuzi onto his lap and ruffled his head. He had grown into a healthy seven-year-old boy, meeting all the height and weight standards, and his development was excellent. He no longer felt guilty in front of the former leader, nor did he feel ashamed in front of Xiao Zhu’s parents.

Last time, when he was in the capital, he wanted to bring up the topic with the former leader, but at that time, the former leader was under covert surveillance, making it inconvenient to speak. Later, he had thought of waiting a few more years until the situation had stabilized or until they had arrived in the capital to discuss it. However, he didn’t anticipate that Xiao Zhuzi’s parents would return first.

“Uncle Han often says that a man should be strong and not shed tears. Whether it’s your biological father or your adoptive father, they are all strong soldiers who protected our country. So, I want you to be mentally prepared in advance. Your Aunt Su also doesn’t want to part with you, and she doesn’t know that I’m going to talk to you about this today. She’s pregnant with two babies, and she can’t get too emotional. Can you promise Uncle Han that you’ll go back and act as usual for now and not bring up this matter?”  

Actually, Su Xiaoxiao knew that he was going to talk with Xiao Zhuzi. It was just that Han Cheng was worried that if Xiao Zhuzi cried when he got home, Xiao Fantuan and Xiao Doubao would cry too, affecting Su Xiaoxiao’s mood.

Xiao Zhuzi suddenly raised his head and turned to look at Han Cheng with his long, curly eyelashes still wet with tears. “Are Xiao Roubao and Xiao Tangyuan in Aunt Su’s belly at the same time? Are they coming out together?”

Han Cheng couldn’t help but smile and sigh. These older brothers had been calling the baby in Su Xiaoxiao’s belly “Xiao Roubao” and “Xiao Tangyuan” every day. At first, they didn’t know they were twins, and even now, they don’t know the genders. How could he know whether they were Xiao Roubao and Xiao Tangyuan?

Of course, he hoped it would be “Xiao Roubao and Xiao Tangyuan.”

“We still don’t know if it’s two sisters, two brothers, or one sister and one brother. We’ll have to wait until they are born to find out. Fantuan and Xiao Doubao don’t know about this yet, so you shouldn’t tell them either.”

Xiao Zhuzi nodded solemnly. Fantuan and Xiao Doubao didn’t know, but Uncle Han had told him in advance. This was their secret, and he suddenly felt closer to Uncle Han.

When Xiaozhu calmed down, he asked, “Uncle Han, can I still do morning exercises with Fantuan, Xiao Doubao, and Xiao Yu in the future?”

Zhao Xianfeng answered this question for Han Cheng, “Of course, your father used to practice with us. I believe he will join our (morning exercise) team in the future. And as for Xiao Doubao, he’s already three years old this year, so he can join our team next year. Xiao Zhuzi, trust Uncle Zhao. Except for sleeping and eating in a different house and having more people who care about you, everything will remain the same as before.”

Han Cheng rubbed the head of Xiao Zhuzi and said, “That’s right, that’s right. By the way, Zhao Xianfeng, has my neighbor, Old Zhou, been transferred? I’ve noticed his courtyard gate has been locked every time I pass by recently.”

It is normal for their job to have a transfer after the new year.

Zhao Xianfeng nodded and said, “It seems his mother got sick, and he didn’t want to stay here, so he applied for a transfer to take care of her in their hometown.”

Han Cheng asked, “Can you tell the higher-ups to let Zhuzi’s family move into that yard?”

Zhao Xianfeng slapped his thigh and said, “That’s a great idea. This way, Zhuzi will be closer to your place, and you can hear him with just a shout. After all, Zhuzi’s grandmother’s original courtyard is already occupied, and Zhang Hongtu’s old courtyard has changed hands several times; it’s currently occupied. It wouldn’t be right to ask them to move. I’ll talk to the higher-ups about it, and it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Han Cheng asked Xiao Zhuzi, “Is it okay if you live next door to us?”

Zhuzi hugged Han Cheng tightly and said, “Thank you, Uncle Han, and Uncle Zhao.” 

In Zhuzi’s heart, Han Cheng was like his father, always making the best arrangements for him.

Zhao Xianfeng looked at them with envy. Han Cheng’s face obviously looked tough and cold, but Xiao Zhuzi still liked him. Fantuan and Xiao Doubao were both very fond of him, and Xiao Yu also liked him a lot. This time, Su Xiaoxiao unexpectedly became pregnant with twins. It might be two more little boys. How come he hadn’t had such good luck?

Zhuzi was even more sensible than they thought. He didn’t inquire too much about his parents’ affairs, and there was no need for much psychological counseling. After their conversation, they could see the kind of acceptance and equanimity that came with the arrival. Maybe it was because he knew that he would be just a wall away from Han Cheng’s house, so he could accept it.

Despite experiencing so much at such a young age, he remained stable. In short, both Han Cheng and Zhao Xianfeng felt that this child would definitely achieve great things in the future.

When Han Cheng and Xiao Zhuzi arrived home, the family had already finished eating their lunch and was preparing to rest. Li Yufeng left some soup for them to drink before resting.

Xiao Zhuzi went into the kitchen with Li Yufeng to have soup, while Han Cheng called his two sons, “Today is Qingming Festival, and in the afternoon, I’ll take you to the mountain to visit your mother.”

Yang Mei had left when Xiao Doubao was just over half a year old, so he had no real memories of her. However, he knew he had a mother, just as he knew he had grandparents, and he also had maternal grandparents.

Xiao Fantuan had some memories and knew that his dad had taken Xiao Zhuzi to the mountain to pay respects to his grandmother today. He should go and see his mother. He nodded and said, “Okay, I’ll go talk to Mom and tell her that we’re doing well and she doesn’t need to worry.”

Han Cheng patted his son’s head and said, “Take your little brother to rest. When you wake up, we’ll set off.”

Li Yufeng brought over the chicken soup and said, “Han Cheng, you should also drink a bowl to warm up; it’s getting colder with the rain.”
“Thank you, Mom.” Han Cheng reached out and received the bowl. There were plenty of ginger slices in the chicken soup, and after finishing it, his whole body felt warm.

Li Yufeng watched Han Cheng finish drinking and wanted to take his bowl to wash it.

Han Cheng avoided her hands and said, “Mom, take a break. I’ll wash it.” 

Li Yufeng was hardworking, keeping herself busy all day long, and the house was always clean, leaving no dust on it. Even the chicken coop was clean. The fruits and vegetables in the garden were lush and abundant. She even washed and patched up their old clothes and quilts so well that you couldn’t even find a little hole in them. She used the leftover yarn balls that Su Xiaoxiao hadn’t used up to knit socks for the children. Winter had only just passed.

Li Yufeng took his bowl with one hand and said, “It’s no trouble. You rarely get to rest, and in the afternoon, you have to take the children up the mountain. Xiaoxiao is taking a nap; you should rest too.”

Han Cheng, who now had little work to do after finishing work, replied, “Mom, we didn’t invite you over to be our nanny. You’ve spoiled us all.”

Li Yufeng briskly washed the bowl, and with a dismissive tone, she said, “You call this work? I’m almost getting bored. Alright, go take a nap.”

Han Cheng: “…” The hardworking and great laboring people left Han Cheng with both admiration and helplessness.

Su Xiaoxiao was sleeping well now, so Han Cheng didn’t disturb her. He looked at her peaceful, sleeping face and decided to read a book by her side.

Outside the window, the drizzle continued, and the room was warm but still a bit chilly. Han Cheng gently added another layer of blanket over her.

To his surprise, as soon as the blanket was draped over Su Xiaoxiao, she woke up. Han Cheng felt a bit regretful. “I woke you up.”

Su Xiaoxiao yawned and lay in bed, shaking her head. “The weather is so damp; I couldn’t sleep well anyway.”

Han Cheng helped her up, placed two pillows behind her, and gently massaged her waist. He recounted the conversation he had with Zhao Xianfeng and Zhuzi earlier.

Su Xiaoxiao nodded. “Actually, it won’t be much different if he lives next door. No matter how well we treat him, we can’t replace his parents. I’m happy for him.”

Han Cheng agreed, “That’s what I meant. He’s mentally prepared for it. But I wonder how Fantuan and Xiao Doubao will react.”

Su Xiaoxiao understood the characteristics of these two boys and said with a smile, “If Zhuzi moves far away, they will be very sad. But if it’s just next door, they shouldn’t be too upset. They can still play together and might even be quite happy.”

Han Cheng hadn’t thought about this aspect and then talked to Su Xiaoxiao about their plan to take the kids to pay their respects to Yang Mei in the afternoon.

Su Xiaoxiao, holding onto Han Cheng’s waist, lazily rubbed against him and said, “Yes, they should go take a look.”

…………………………….

The days passed by, and in the blink of an eye, Su Xiaoxiao’s belly had grown to eight months. Anyone with eyes could tell that it was twins. There was no hiding it, as it was much larger than an average pregnant woman’s belly.

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t try to hide it either. Her standard response was, “The doctor said it might be twins, but we won’t know for sure until they are born.”

After a few dragon boat races, the Dragon Boat Festival arrived. Ever since Li Yufeng found out about the bamboo grove behind the military hospital, she occasionally followed Han Cheng’s car to the mountains to cut bamboo.

Li Yufeng was skilled, and she seemed to have a natural talent for bamboo crafting. After she shaved the bamboo into strips, she could weave it into various containers, including mats, sifters, water-draining baskets, chopstick holders, and pen holders. She could even make a small backpack and pencil case for Little Bean.

Not only did she make it up for her own use, but she also sent many to Xiao Yu and Dundun’s homes, which made Dundun’s grandmother overjoyed and even come over to learn the craft from Li Yufeng.

Zhou Yuhua didn’t have time to learn these crafts, but she really liked them. The pen holders were brought back to the hospital for her to use, and every once in a while, she would bring some good things to Su Xiaoxiao.

Su Xiaoxiao held the kites, butterflies, bamboo dragonflies, and other creations Li Yufeng made, admiring her mother immensely.

“Mom, I’m your daughter, but how come you’re so good at everything and I’m not good at anything?” Su Xiaoxiao said.

Li Yufeng, who was currently working on a round bamboo plaque for drying preserved vegetables, answered her daughter impatiently, “You never liked anything other than reading and writing since you were little. I tried to teach you other things, but you wouldn’t learn. Your father and I are both common folks. I don’t know how we ended up with a daughter who only likes reading and writing. Fortunately, you married Han Cheng. If you had married someone from the countryside, they would have complained about you all day.”

Speaking of this, Li Yufeng sighed and said, “If you had been born a few years earlier, you would have already gone to university. What a pity.”

Su Xiaoxiao said, “If I had been born a few years earlier, I wouldn’t have married Han Cheng.”

Li Yufeng also smiled, “That’s true.”

Xiao Doubao loved the bamboo dragonflies that his Grandma made for him the most. With a quick flick of his hands, they would soar high into the air. Sometimes, he used a bit too much force, and they would fly over the wall and outside of their yard.

“Mom, Grandma, my bamboo dragonfly flew away~~~” 

Su Xiaoxiao said, “It’s okay, we’ll go outside and pick it up.”

Xiao Doubao ran to the door and almost bumped into two tall figures. He raised his little head and asked, “Who are you, and who are you looking for~~~”

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