Chapter 110.2

Then, turning her head toward the man beside her, she asked, “Have you called your mom to let her know we’ve had two more kids?”

During their years in the North, Wen Nuan had consistently sent money to his mother every month. Zhao Wuzhu hadn’t caused any trouble or demanded more money since. However, Wen Nuan had heard from Gu Qinglan that Zhao Wuzhu had asked her for living expenses at some point. She wasn’t sure if Qinglan had sent her anything.

Wen Nuan had mentioned this to Gu Qinghan before, and he had promised to handle communication with his family back home.

Putting these issues aside, Gu Qinghan ought to inform his family about the children.

Wen Nuan couldn’t help but mischievously imagine the scene if Zhao Wuzhu found out that the two grandsons weren’t given the Gu family surname. She secretly felt a bit delighted at the thought.

Gu Qinghan, hearing her question, replied, “I’ve already told my mom. She hasn’t responded yet, and I haven’t had the time to follow up. Anyway, I’ve already informed her.”

With the North and South being so far apart, simply notifying his mother felt sufficient. Gu Qinghan didn’t expect much in terms of acknowledgment or gestures from his mother toward the children or Wen Nuan.

Just as Wen Nuan was about to say something, Gu Qinghan suddenly spoke, “By the way, I heard from one of my comrades that Gu Qingsong seems to have gotten back in touch with that Lin Meizhi. Their relationship now appears ambiguous.”

Hearing this, Wen Nuan widened her eyes and stared at him. “Your brother…”

Is he crazy?

Gu Qingsong had already been burned once, yet he wasn’t afraid of getting into trouble again?

Wen Nuan sighed and said, “Forget it. This time, let’s not get involved in their matters. If Gu Qingsong knows Lin Meizhi deceived him before and still chooses to interact with her, that’s his own decision. He’s old enough to take responsibility for the consequences.”

Whatever happens in the future, he has no one else to blame.

Gu Qinghan glanced at Wen Nuan, then chuckled. “That Lin Meizhi isn’t a simple person. She actually reported that child’s grandma, Minister Xu from the Health Bureau, and had her sent to a labor camp.”

Wen Nuan frowned. “And the child? Did your brother take him in?”

Minister Xu was already a difficult person to deal with. Back then, she had taken Lin Meizhi to the government compound solely to help retrieve the child.

But now that the child had grown older, Minister Xu no longer saw any use for Lin Meizhi as a mother figure. Lin Meizhi’s presence in the compound had caused Minister Xu endless embarrassment. Over the past two years, rumors of all sorts must have circulated among the compound families, making Lin Meizhi’s life miserable.

It was likely that Lin Meizhi realized she no longer held any value in Minister Xu’s eyes and could be thrown out at any moment. So, she struck first, reporting Minister Xu for using her official position for personal gain.

Minister Xu, being a high-ranking official, was already under scrutiny from many people. All Lin Meizhi had to do was find a few allies to bring Minister Xu down.

After listening to Gu Qinghan’s explanation, Wen Nuan remained silent.

Perhaps it was because she hadn’t heard about Lin Meizhi for so long, or perhaps she had already sensed that Lin Meizhi wouldn’t sit quietly and wait for her fate. It was only a matter of time before she retaliated.

What Wen Nuan didn’t expect was how easily Minister Xu, a government official, could be toppled. It seemed Lin Meizhi had spent the last two years collecting quite a bit of incriminating evidence against her.

What surprised Wen Nuan even more was that Gu Qingsong had gotten involved with Lin Meizhi again.

She recalled what Gu Qinghan had told her earlier—that this matter had caused quite a commotion back in their hometown’s family compound. Almost everyone in the neighboring streets knew about it.

Considering Zhao Wuzhu’s obsession with maintaining appearances, it was certain Lin Meizhi wouldn’t be able to stay in the family compound anymore.

It had to be said—Gu Qingsong still holding onto feelings for Lin Meizhi after all this time was undoubtedly true love.

The only question was how much chaos they would bring to Zhao Wuzhu.

Gu Qinghan hugged his wife, leaned in to breathe in her scent near her neck, and chuckled. “We can’t control everything. He’s a grown man and knows what he’s doing. As long as we live our own lives peacefully as a couple, that’s enough.”

Gu Qinghan had never been particularly interested in meddling in Gu Qingsong’s affairs. What bothered him was how Lin Meizhi, despite being the one at fault for deceiving others in the first place, had created unnecessary conflict over the betrothal gifts. She had even tried to outshine Wen Nuan repeatedly.

Though they were likely to remain stationed with the army and wouldn’t visit their hometown often, Gu Qinghan still couldn’t stand the idea of Wen Nuan enduring such grievances.

“Yeah, let’s stay out of it. No point in putting in effort only to be unappreciated,” Wen Nuan agreed, then pushed Gu Qinghan’s head away when he leaned closer again. Frowning, she said, “Stop sniffing! I’m disgusted with myself already. I keep feeling like I smell bad.”

Although Wen Nuan bathed, she used herbal water made from mugwort and maple leaves. The water was dark and murky, and Wen Nuan often felt dirtier after bathing than before. Adding to her frustration was the fact that she hadn’t washed her hair in over two weeks. She avoided touching it and had maintained the same hairstyle for just as long.

Gu Qinghan laughed softly against her shoulder. “You don’t smell bad at all. I think you smell wonderful.”

“What’s so wonderful about it?” Wen Nuan doubted her own sense of smell.

She recalled how, back when she returned home from her shifts in the kitchen unit, Gu Qinghan would always comment on her “nice scent,” even though she felt she reeked of cooking oil and smoke.

Gu Qinghan pulled her into his embrace and laughed. “You smell sweet, like milk.”

“…!”

Wen Nuan slapped his firm arm. “Go check on your sons—they’re crying!”

She had barely finished speaking when Lele ran over, grabbing Wen Nuan’s arm and shouting, “Mom, come quick! The babies are crying. Are they hungry?”

Lele had been drawing at the coffee table when the sound of the babies crying must have caught his attention, prompting him to check on them.

No sooner had Lele spoken than the second baby joined in with his cries.

Wen Nuan sighed. “Mom just fed the babies. Go ask your dad to check if they need their diapers changed. They might need a fresh one.”

Over in the room, Gu Qinghan had already gone inside, and soon Aunt Chen’s loud laughter echoed from within.

Gu Qinghan emerged shortly after, his green military uniform partially soaked, holding a wet diaper in his hand and wearing an exasperated expression. “Look at what these two little rascals have done!”

Wen Nuan stifled her laughter and maintained a serious tone. “Your sons clearly like you. I never get this kind of special treatment.”

Gu Qinghan glanced at the wet stain on his uniform with disdain, his face dark. “Would you like this ‘special treatment’ instead?”

Wen Nuan, unable to hold back any longer, burst into laughter while hugging Lele. The sight of the obvious stain on his uniform was too much.

Lele, though unsure why her mom was laughing, joined in with her own giggles, delighted by the mood.

Meanwhile, Gu Qinghan fetched an enamel basin, filled it with water, and walked out to the courtyard to wash the diaper by hand, muttering under his breath about his misfortune.

Per Gu Qinghan and Aunt Chen’s advice, Wen Nuan had taken an extended postpartum confinement period of two months. By the time she completed it, it was already November.

The army wives in the family compound were all envious of Wen Nuan. Not only did she have a doting husband, but she also enjoyed the care of a General Grandpa. It felt as if she hadn’t given birth to babies but to two golden treasures.

Winter had arrived in the North, and the family compound was now blanketed with a thin layer of snow.

Since the full-month celebration for the babies hadn’t been held yet, Wen Nuan and Gu Qinghan only distributed red eggs to close family and friends.

Due to the ongoing investigation into a suspected enemy infiltration case, even the National Day performances had been canceled by the army.

Wen Nuan and Gu Qinghan decided they would wait for General Lu’s availability and then gather Sister Guihua, Sister Juxiang, and Quartermaster Luo and Old Zhong Comrade—both of whom had gone out of their way to help on the night of her delivery—for a small celebratory meal.

There was still some time before the babies’ hundred-day celebration, which would coincide with the deep winter season. Wen Nuan joked that it felt like she was doing an extended confinement for the entire winter.

On this particular day, the winter solstice, Wen Nuan sat by the stove holding a fussy Zhouzhou, trying to calm him down. She teased the baby gently, saying, “Zhouzhou, are you looking for your sister? She’s gone to town and will be back soon.”

Aunt Chen, holding Bao Bao in her arms, chuckled when she heard Wen Nuan’s words. “When our Bao Bao and Zhou Zhou grow a little bigger, they can go to town with their sister. But for now, they’re still too little. Better to stay home and play with Auntie and your mom.”

It was market day in town, and Aunt Liang, Sister Guihua, and Sister Juxiang had all gone there. Xiao Dong and Xiao Mei had taken Lele along with them. Lele hadn’t visited the bustling town in a long time, so she had asked Wen Nuan for some money and ration coupons before heading out with the others.

Previously, Gu Qinglan would take Lele to town whenever she had the time. However, in the past two months, her aunt had been too busy to take her anywhere.

Ever since Li Yunhua had arrived at the family compound, Gu Qinglan had been focused entirely on her studies under the guidance of two prominent mentors. She barely had time to spare and, even when she visited to see the babies, she stayed for no more than an hour and didn’t spend the night with them.

Gu Qinghan was also busy, as Lin Guoqiang remained detained, awaiting trial.

According to Aunt Chen, the family compound was abuzz with speculation that Lin Guoqiang and Aunt Lin might both be sent to labor reform camps.

The entire compound was on edge, fearful that their family breadwinners might get implicated. A conviction would not only mean labor reform but also the end of their military careers, forcing them to retire and return to civilian life.

As a result, the family compound had become unusually calm, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

Only Wen Nuan knew how hard Gu Qinghan had been working. Earlier in the month, he had traveled to Beijing, and since returning, he often didn’t get home until well past midnight.

Just as Wen Nuan was thinking about this, she heard the sound of Gu Qinglan’s hurried footsteps entering the courtyard. Soon after, there was a knock at the door. “Sister-in-law, are you home?”

Wen Nuan turned to see Gu Qinglan rushing in, panting. She immediately asked, “No work today?”

Gu Qinglan held up a large fish and a slab of pork belly. “Doctor Zhao asked me to bring these over. He said it’s for the winter solstice, a gift for you.”

“I’m off this afternoon, so I thought I’d come over and join you for a meal!”

Wen Nuan glanced at the hefty fish and thick pork belly, then teased, “Why didn’t you bring Mr. Zhao along for the meal? And why are you bringing his gifts instead?”

“Doctor Zhao is busy tonight. He said we should just enjoy the food ourselves,” Gu Qinglan replied as she found a basin and placed the fish and pork in the kitchen.

After washing her hands, she came over to Wen Nuan and said, “Sister-in-law, let me hold the baby.”

Looking at the crying child, she added with a grin, “This noisy little one must be Zhou Zhou, the troublemaker.”

The two babies were quite different in temperament. Bao Bao, the older brother, was noticeably calmer and more docile, much like Lele when she was little. But Zhou Zhou was like a tiny firecracker, easily set off. A slight discomfort—whether hunger or a wet diaper—would make him wail loud enough to shake the roof.

Wen Nuan chuckled, “You’ve got that right. Zhou Zhou is such a handful.”

No sooner had she spoken than Zhou Zhou launched into another round of crying. At three months old, he was thriving on a steady supply of milk, now weighing nearly twenty pounds. His chubby little frame came with a powerful set of lungs, and his cries were deafening.

“My ears are going to start ringing,” Wen Nuan muttered with a helpless smile.

Seeing her sister-in-law’s exhaustion, Gu Qinglan laughed and said, “Sister-in-law, go rest for a bit. I’ll take care of him. I’m the expert at soothing babies!”

Wen Nuan, already desperate for a break, handed Zhou Zhou over gladly. The twenty-pound baby had her arms aching from holding him.

Sure enough, once Zhou Zhou was in Gu Qinglan’s arms, he stopped crying almost immediately.

Wen Nuan frowned in mock annoyance and muttered, “So he only bullies me and his dad!”

Since the babies still woke up occasionally during the night, it was usually Gu Qinghan who tended to them after coming home late. Many nights, Zhou Zhou’s escalating cries not only woke Bao Bao but also disturbed Lele.

Somehow, despite all that noise, Gu Qinglan had Zhou Zhou settled down in no time, much to Wen Nuan’s begrudging admiration.

Later, Aunt Chen decided to take Zhou Zhou to the small room to sleep with her, which helped a lot. He could then usually sleep through until six in the morning.

Gu Qinglan chuckled and said, “He must know his aunt spoils him. I’ll reward you with some candied hawthorn sticks later!”

Zhou Zhou, as if understanding her words, let out a delighted giggle.

Just then, a knock on the door interrupted the cozy moment. A guard rushed in and asked, “Is Comrade Gu Qinglan here?”

“Someone is waiting for you at the main gate and insists that you go meet them personally.”

Gu Qinglan frowned slightly, muttering, “Who could it be?”

But almost immediately, a figure flashed through her mind, and a smile crept onto her face. Handing Zhou Zhou back to Wen Nuan, she said, “Sister-in-law, I’ll go see who it is. Hold the baby for me.”

Without waiting for a reply, she hurried off like a gust of wind, following the guard.

Watching Gu Qinglan’s retreating figure, Aunt Chen teased, “Look at that girl running off so quickly. If you didn’t know better, you’d think she was off to meet her sweetheart.”

Wen Nuan smiled at Aunt Chen’s remark, but the mention of a potential sweetheart brought to mind Li Daxiang. Wasn’t it about time for him to return?

Still, why would someone need Gu Qinglan to personally meet them at the gate?