Chapter 119.2

The next morning, when Gu Qinghan woke up, she told Wen Nuan about Zhao Wuzhu asking for the child’s name.

Wen Nuan had gone to bed early last night, so she didn’t know when Gu Qinghan came home, but today she woke up when the wake-up bell rang.

Gu Qinghan’s biological clock was very punctual, waking up even earlier than Wen Nuan.

Fortunately, the three children on the kang bed hadn’t woken up and were still sleeping soundly, very peacefully.

Wen Nuan, holding her waking husband, glanced at the two little ones beside her, who looked exactly like Gu Qinghan, and smiled.

“Your mom is definitely going to be furious this time. She said she wouldn’t recognize you as her son, and she won’t even recognize her grandson.”

Zhao Wuzhu’s preference for boys over girls was not hidden at all.

When she first came to the family compound, she often mentioned things like the eldest son and legitimate grandson.

Although Zhao Wuzhu had a lot of complaints about Wen Nuan, she was very fond of Bao Bao and Zhou Zhou.

Such a petty person, yet when leaving the family compound, she gave Bao Bao and Zhou Zhou each an envelope with the words “great unity” written on it.

However, Zhao Wuzhu probably never imagined that the children wouldn’t take Gu Qinghan’s surname.

It would have been interesting to see Zhao Wuzhu’s reaction if she had known. Unfortunately, that opportunity was lost.

But if she had known while they were still in the North, there would have likely been a bloody storm, and things would have become chaotic.

It was better this way. Even if Zhao Wuzhu were furious, she couldn’t scold them. She was just angrily venting.

Wen Nuan thought for a moment and then said, “If you had said earlier that one of the sons should take your surname, your mom wouldn’t have been so angry.”

Gu Qinghan noticed the fleeting look of pride in his wife’s eyes and, with a hint of affection, kissed her. Then he said, “There’s no difference between one and two; anyway, they’re both angry. Let her be angry enough.”

Although Wen Nuan never said anything, Gu Qinghan knew that when she gave birth to Lele, his mother, Zhao Wuzhu, hadn’t been any help at all.

She hadn’t taken care of her during the postpartum period, nor had she helped with taking care of the child.

That was why Wen Nuan had developed such a severe postpartum illness.

After coming to the North, she had spent over a year drinking traditional Chinese medicine before slowly recovering.

But Gu Qinghan had witnessed Wen Nuan carrying twins, enduring countless bouts of nausea during the early pregnancy, struggling to sleep during the later stages, and dealing with constant swelling in her feet.

Wen Nuan didn’t often show weakness in front of him, but he saw everything and knew how difficult pregnancy could be.

These past few months, helping to take care of Bao Bao and Zhou Zhou, he had also come to understand the hardships of raising children. Kids couldn’t be separated from adults, and Wen Nuan and Aunt Chen had spent nearly all their time on them, sometimes even missing meals.

Fortunately, Lele was also understanding, or it would have been even harder.

It was just a surname, after all. To him, it wasn’t that important.

What mattered was that Wen Nuan and the children were by his side.

Wen Nuan couldn’t help but laugh, then asked, “Did you talk to your mom about Gu Qinglan’s marriage?”

A few days ago, Gu Qinglan had said that Yang Xiaomei was getting married, to a regimental commander she had met while serving food in the canteen.

At first, she had mentioned that she wanted Gu Qinglan to organize the wedding together, but Li Daxiang’s side required a month’s notice for the marriage report.

Moreover, the housing allocation hadn’t been settled yet, so they decided to postpone it until after the New Year.

Wen Nuan also thought it would be better after the New Year. She hadn’t prepared the dowry yet.

Gu Qinglan had wanted to hand over her savings book to her a long time ago, but she hadn’t accepted it. It was only a few days ago that Wen Nuan found out it was kept with Gu Qinghan for safekeeping.

She hadn’t taken it back and had been receiving fifteen yuan a month for her living expenses from Gu Qinghan.

Although Gu Qinglan seemed to spend a lot, she didn’t actually spend much in large amounts; most of it went toward buying food for Lele.

Gu Qinglan had saved money for over three years, and now she had several hundred yuan.

Gu Qinghan furrowed his brow and said, “I’ve talked to her, but she’s probably too angry to pay attention to it.”

Then, Gu Qinghan pulled his wife into his arms and said, “For Qinglan’s dowry, I’ll leave it to you, as the sister-in-law, to take care of it.”

Wen Nuan buried her head in his chest, smiling as she agreed, “Don’t worry, even if it’s your mom preparing it, I’ll make sure to prepare more for Qinglan.”

Wen Nuan planned to give her a large red envelope to make up a round amount for her savings.

Then, she would make a new bedspread, because if others had it, Qinglan should have one too.

Gu Qinghan muttered a soft “Hmm,” his fingers lightly twirling a strand of Wen Nuan’s long hair, and said, “Thank you, Wife.”

“It’s not hard,” Wen Nuan replied, her head resting on his chest as she listened to his steady heartbeat. She quietly added, “It just feels a bit like marrying off a daughter. I feel a little reluctant.”

Although Gu Qinglan was a year younger than her, Wen Nuan genuinely felt like a much older figure in her life.

Gu Qinglan would ask her opinion whenever she encountered any problems.

She would share her joys with her, but when she was upset, she would hide it, not wanting to worry her. Yet, that girl could never really hide anything, and she would always end up looking pitiful, needing comfort.

Gu Qinghan responded, “If you were marrying off a daughter, I don’t think you’d be smiling.”

Hearing Wen Nuan’s words, Gu Qinghan suddenly thought back to when Lele had also been clamoring to find someone to marry.

Now that he thought about it, his feelings then had been more of frustration—what kind of brat would be good enough for his daughter?

Wen Nuan couldn’t help but laugh, reaching out to lightly punch Gu Qinghan’s shoulder and scolding, “You’re thinking too far ahead. Our Lele is still so young. Don’t scare her.”

That time, Lele had just casually said she wanted to get married, like Gu Qinglan had.

As a result, Gu Qinghan immediately darkened his face and even said he would break Lele’s legs.

“……”

Really? A small child doesn’t even understand what marriage is, yet you’re reacting this way?

Gu Qinghan huffed, “Even when she grows up, it won’t be allowed.”

Wen Nuan couldn’t help but reach out and pinch his face, saying, “With a father-in-law like you, who would dare to marry your daughter?”

“Then don’t marry anyone. Let’s just live together,” Gu Qinghan said, pulling Wen Nuan’s hand down and giving it a kiss.

Seeing the look on Gu Qinghan’s face, Wen Nuan, still upset, asked, “Then what about your two sons? Are they going to marry too? When they grow up, will they stay with us old folks?”

Gu Qinghan: “……”

He then muttered, “A man’s ambition is in the world, and the world is his home. They don’t have to stay with us.”

Better not to be in the way.

Wen Nuan: “……”

Double standards!

Just as Wen Nuan was about to turn over and ignore him, Gu Qinghan grabbed her, lowering his head to kiss the soft, rosy blush on her lips.

Since they resumed their married life, it seemed like this man was full of energy, like a young boy, always with endless vitality.

But when Wen Nuan thought about Aunt Chen being in the next room, her face couldn’t help but turn red, worried that someone might overhear, feeling quite embarrassed.

Moreover, the kids were still sleeping next to them, which made Wen Nuan even more frantic.

However, with Gu Qinghan’s persistent kisses taking over, she soon couldn’t resist anymore, tilting her head to respond to him.

It might have been the weather, but after they finished, the children were still sleeping soundly, and there was no noise from Aunt Chen’s room.

Wen Nuan lay on the kang bed, feeling the slowly spreading warmth, and began to drift off to sleep again.

However, Gu Qinghan, covered in sweat, looked refreshed, his face full of satisfaction.

He looked at the faint pink blush on his wife’s face, kissed her contentedly, and in a hoarse voice said, “You sleep a little longer. I’ll go make breakfast for you.”

Wen Nuan hummed a couple of times but didn’t bother responding to him. She tugged at the blanket and closed her eyes again.

Gu Qinghan smiled, kissed her smooth forehead once more, and then got out of bed.

After getting up, Gu Qinghan first checked if the kids had wet themselves. He then changed Bao Bao and Zhou Zhou into fresh, dry diapers.

Once that was done, he tucked the children and Wen Nuan in more snugly, moving quietly as he left the room.

Yang Xiaomei had gotten married before the New Year and was given a new house, a red-brick townhouse.

Wen Nuan and Gu Qinglan, along with Lele, went for a meal together, though in those days, people didn’t throw lavish banquets. They just invited close family and friends for a simple meal, and that was considered hosting a feast.

After leaving Yang Xiaomei’s new home, Wen Nuan looked at Gu Qinglan and asked, “Has the house application for Daxiang been approved? Is it here as well?”

Li Daxiang, now a pilot, was also eligible for housing, but Wen Nuan wasn’t sure if it would be a townhouse or a large courtyard-style home.

Wen Nuan preferred a townhouse since it wouldn’t have too many people.

A large courtyard would have at least fifty or sixty households, and if the couple had a fight, everyone around would hear it.

Gu Qinglan shook her head and said, “I don’t know either.”

Wen Nuan gave her a puzzled look and asked, “You two haven’t seen each other for a long time, have you?”

Gu Qinglan grinned and replied, “Yeah, we’ve both been busy. How would we have time to meet?”

Even when they did meet, it wasn’t for long, as they were too busy with their own things.

But they really had been busy, especially since Li Daxiang had just returned from flight school and was even busier than her.

“Then haven’t you two talked about buying anything for the wedding?” Wen Nuan asked, looking at Gu Qinglan. Then she added, “By the way, Big Brother asked me to return the savings book to you. When you and Daxiang have time, maybe you can go to Beijing and buy some things for the wedding.”

Indeed, arranging the wedding after the New Year was the right decision. If they had rushed, it was likely that neither of them would have prepared anything.

However, even with their busy schedules, they still had some annual leave, so they could still take a day or two off.

Wen Nuan also planned to take the children to Beijing for the New Year this year, and while they were there, she would pick out some better fabric to make quilts, sheets, and such for them.

When Gu Qinglan heard this, she said, “Let’s keep everything simple. You can handle the bankbook, and if you need money, you can take it from me.”

Gu Qinglan had lived at Wen Nuan’s house for years, enjoying free food and drink, so she knew the importance of gratitude.

Besides, without Wen Nuan, she wouldn’t be where she was today.

She wouldn’t even hesitate to give her salary to Wen Nuan; if Wen Nuan told her to do something, she would do it. If Wen Nuan wasn’t happy with Li Daxiang, she wouldn’t marry him either.

Wen Nuan reached out and pinched her cheek, teasing, “What’s yours is yours. But as your older sister-in-law, I’m also an elder. Your mother isn’t here, and as the eldest sister-in-law, I must make sure you’re married off with honor!”

Gu Qinglan was a person who knew how to be thankful, and Wen Nuan was more than willing to spend this money for her.

In fact, she really did dote on Lele, the little kid, and she never hesitated to provide for the child.

When Gu Qinglan heard this, her eyes felt a little itchy as though the cold winter wind had blown into them. She murmured, “Sister-in-law, how should I thank you properly…”

Wen Nuan had been so kind to her.

Zhao Wuzhu couldn’t even do half of what Wen Nuan had done for her. If not for Wen Nuan, her life now would probably be a miserable sight.

Gu Qinglan hugged Wen Nuan’s arm, lowered her head, and rubbed her shoulder, acting coquettishly, “Sister-in-law, I don’t want to get married anymore. After I marry, you definitely won’t treat me the same way as before.”

Wen Nuan curled her finger and tapped Gu Qinglan’s head, saying, “You’re about to be someone’s wife, yet you’re still talking like this. Even after you get married, I will still treat you the same way as I always have.”

Besides, it’s not like you’re marrying far away; you’ll still be in the same family compound.

Lele, who had been eating a lollipop, suddenly asked curiously, “Mom, if I get married, will you still treat me like family?”

Wen Nuan gently patted the child’s head and then said, “You are our family, and that will never change.”

In that moment, Wen Nuan remembered what Gu Qinghan had said about not wanting her daughter to get married.

Hearing Lele’s words now, it felt a little bittersweet, and Wen Nuan quickly added, “You’re still just a little kid. What do you know about marriage? Don’t talk nonsense.”

Gu Qinglan immediately picked up the chubby Lele, kissed her on the cheek, and said, “No way, even if your Dad and Mom disagree, Auntie won’t let some other pig take you away!”

Lele, upon hearing this, forgot all about the lollipop. She furrowed her brows and asked, “Auntie, why does the pig want to take me?”

Both Wen Nuan and Gu Qinglan couldn’t help but laugh.

Looking at Lele’s confused expression, Gu Qinglan explained, “You don’t understand yet. When I say pig, it’s a metaphor. It means men are all like big pigs’ feet, understand?”

Lele shook her head in confusion and then asked, “But Dad is a man, is he a big pig’s foot?”

Gu Qinglan was stunned.

The little girl sure knew how to set her up, how was she supposed to answer that?

If she said yes, Big Brother would probably flatten her!

Gu Qinglan quickly replied, “Your dad doesn’t count. He’s a good man, a big hero.”

Lele then burst out laughing and said, “Then Uncle is a big pig’s foot!”

Wen Nuan frowned, wiped Lele’s hands, and scolded, “Lele, don’t say such things. Your uncle is an elder. You mustn’t be so rude.”

Lele replied with an “Oh,” then looked at the yard and added, “Bao Bao and Zhou Zhou are boys, so when they grow up, they’ll be big pigs’ feet too!”

With that, Lele wiggled out of Gu Qinglan’s arms and ran toward the house, saying, “I’m going to tell Bao Bao and Zhou Zhou they’re big pigs’ feet now!”

Gu Qinglan met Wen Nuan’s gaze, which seemed to hold back words she wanted to say, and wisely called out, “Sister-in-law, I was wrong!”

Lele, the little one, picked things up so quickly—who would have thought her mind worked in such a creative way?

Before Wen Nuan could scold her, Gu Qinglan, following Lele’s footsteps, ran into the house.

However, once inside, Aunt Chen was there first, giving them both a good scolding.

Gu Qinglan and Lele, like two little troublemakers, stood in the corner of the room, trembling under Aunt Chen’s reprimand.

From now on, neither of them would dare to teach the little one how to speak like that again.

Before long, it was the evening before the Lunar New Year.

Wen Nuan packed her things, planning to go to Beijing to spend the New Year with General Lu, and she also intended to take Gu Qinglan and Li Daxiang with her to buy wedding items.

Lele grabbed her cloth doll and pulled Wen Nuan toward the car, urging, “Mom, hurry up!”

Wen Nuan, holding Bao Bao, almost tripped over the little one’s quick steps and said, “Why the rush? Your dad hasn’t even come yet.”

Lele, grinning, replied, “I want to see Great Grandpa as soon as possible!”

Wen Nuan, in a mockingly stern tone, said, “You just want to go to Great Grandpa’s house to watch TV, right?”

Aunt Chen, holding Zhou Zhou, followed behind, smiling as she added, “I heard from Old Zhao that your grandpa said he was planning to take back the old house. Not sure if he’s worked it out, but this year, you might be celebrating the New Year there.”

From what General Lu had mentioned, he planned to bring Wen Nuan’s family to Beijing, though she wasn’t sure if it was true.

Since General Lu hadn’t said anything directly, she didn’t feel comfortable bringing it up.

Wen Nuan, upon hearing this, recalled that General Lu had indeed mentioned the old house before, saying it had been lent to his nephew’s family.

If they could spend New Year at the old house, that would be nice.

She had heard that the old courtyard house was located near Beijing’s Qianmen.