Chapter 67

“Get up and freshen up quickly. I made scallop and shrimp porridge today. Try it and see if you like it,” Su Ying said, her hands busy cutting fabric with swift movements.

Jiang Suihan’s mind was awake, but her thoughts were a bit slow to catch up. “Mom, I’m sorry, I got up late.”

In fact, according to her previous habit of getting up in the morning, this time is not late.

Su Ying smiled and said, “It’s fine. You’re pregnant, and your body is tired. It’s normal to feel sleepy. There’s nothing much going on at home, so you can rest as much as you need.”

Su Ying had been pregnant before, so she knew how easily fatigue could set in. As she had just mentioned, breakfast was ready, Xu Zhao had watered the vegetable garden, and the laundry was done. There wasn’t much left for Jiang Suihan to do.

Jiang Suihan served herself a small bowl of porridge and took a bite. “This is really good, not fishy at all.”

She only served herself half a bowl because she was still cautious. Although she wasn’t vomiting anymore, she had once been sick for two days straight from the smell of fish, and that experience had left a lasting impression. She didn’t want to go through it again.

Su Ying shared some tips with her. “I sautéed the dried shrimp and scallops in oil for a minute or two. That way, the porridge won’t have that fishy smell. I learned it from someone else. People from coastal cities really know how to handle seafood.”

Jiang Suihan finished one bowl and, still hungry, went for another. Normally, she didn’t have much of an appetite in the morning and would only eat until she was half full, but this shrimp and scallop porridge was just too delicious to resist.

Seeing how much she enjoyed it, Su Ying was pleased. “If you like it, I’ll make it again tomorrow.”

Noticing that she had put down her bowl, she asked, “Are you done?”

Jiang Suihan nodded. “Yes, I’m full.”

Su Ying frowned slightly. She had only eaten a little over one bowl, and porridge wasn’t as filling as rice. With such a small appetite and being so picky about food, it was no wonder she was still so slim despite being pregnant. Su Ying decided she needed to find a way to get her daughter-in-law to eat more. If she remained this thin, she might not have the strength for childbirth later on.

Jiang Suihan, unaware of her mother-in-law’s determination to fatten her up, remained content.

Xu Zhao walked in from outside. He had just dropped off some items at Aunt Cai’s and Political Commissar Zhou’s house.

Jiang Suihan asked him, “Are you going to the base later?”

Xu Zhao poured himself a glass of water. “No, do you need something?”

Jiang Suihan replied, “Since you’re off today, come with me to the hospital later.”

Xu Zhao immediately tensed. “Are you feeling unwell?”

He looked her up and down, but her face was rosy, not at all like someone who was sick.

Jiang Suihan shook her head. “No, I’m fine. It’s just a routine check-up. Once a month, I see the doctor to monitor the baby’s development. Don’t be so nervous.”

His anxiety was contagious, making her feel nervous as well.

Su Ying quickly chimed in, “I’ll go too.”

Right now, her daughter-in-law’s health is the most important thing. Everything else could wait. Listening to the doctor’s advice was essential.

Jiang Leyun jumped up. “I’m coming too!”

This concerned his sister and future nephew, so as an uncle, he had to be there.

Jiang Suihan waved her hand dramatically. “Then let’s all go! A family should stick together.”

That line sounded so familiar, straight out of a TVB drama.

“Xiao Jiang, is this your mother-in-law?” Chen Xiuni saw Jiang Suihan walking with a woman she didn’t recognize. The two of them were laughing and chatting away.

In the family compound, there were no secrets. A small ripple of news would spread, and by the next day, everyone would know about it.

That morning, while washing vegetables, someone mentioned that Xu Zhao’s mother had arrived at the base. She arrived just yesterday afternoon. One of the sisters happened to be passing by and saw Xu Zhao unloading many things from the car, making several trips to carry everything. There had been rumors about Xu Zhao’s wealthy family background, and now it was confirmed.

Some people, gloating, said that Xiao Jiang never did any housework at home, slept late, and didn’t go to work. Xu Zhao pampered her, unwilling to let her endure any hardship, so he took on all the tasks himself. But now that her mother-in-law had arrived, they wondered how she would continue to live so carefree.

Chen Xiuni secretly thought, “Finally, someone has come to deal with Xiao Jiang.” Every day, she watched as Xiao Jiang did nothing except go to work. She didn’t need to cook, didn’t need to wash clothes, and ate in the cafeteria whenever she wanted. She had money and ration tickets in hand, living more comfortably than she ever did in her own family.

But Xiao Jiang’s good days were about to come to an end.

Jiang Suihan nodded, “Sister Chen, this is my mother-in-law, Comrade Su Ying.”

Su Ying smiled, “Hello, Comrade Chen. I’m so grateful for all the care you’ve given Xiao Jiang over the past few months. Please come over for tea when you have time.”

Chen Xiuni felt a bit uneasy. One look at Xiao Jiang’s mother-in-law, and it was clear she came from a big city. Her demeanor was on a completely different level than theirs.

“Hello, Comrade Su. I’m Chen Xiuni. What you said is too polite. We all live in the family compound, and we’re neighbors. We’ll be here for many years to come, so it’s only natural to help each other. Xiao Jiang is also a teacher at the military primary school.. My child told me she teaches very well, and the kids all love her. We’re really grateful for Teacher Jiang, too.”

Su Ying made a surprised expression: “It turns out that Sui Sui is such a good teacher. I’ll write to your grandfather and tell him later. He will definitely be very happy.”

Jiang Suihan silently thought to herself, Comrade Su Ying, your expression is a bit fake, and your acting is too exaggerated.

Chen Xiuni asked curiously, “Why did Comrade Su suddenly come to the army? It takes three or four hours to get here by train from the capital. It must have been very hard along the way.”

Su Ying, still smiling, replied, “There wasn’t much happening at home, and I had the time, so I thought I’d come for a visit. I have to say, this place is a bit remote, and traveling isn’t convenient, but the air is fresh, and everyone is so friendly.”

Chen Xiuni smiled on the surface but didn’t believe her words. Who just casually decides to visit after a three or four-hour train ride? Even young people would struggle, let alone someone in their forties or fifties.

“I understand. As parents, we all worry about our children. When they’re not around, we wonder if they’re doing well, whether they’re cold or hungry.”

Su Ying nodded, “Yes, we parents just hope our children are living well.”

Chen Xiuni then asked, “How long do you plan to stay here, Comrade Su?”

Su Ying responded vaguely, “We’ll see how things go. A few months, perhaps. Anyway, we’ll talk more another time. We’ve got some things to take care of now, so we’ll head off.”

After her initial introduction, Jiang Suihan didn’t say another word, letting her mother-in-law handle the conversation freely.

Su Ying couldn’t help but grumble afterward, “That Comrade Chen sure asks a lot of questions. Even the street office checking residency wouldn’t ask this many.”

She was worried that Jiang Suihan, being young and naive, would be too trusting and open with everyone.

Jiang Suihan said, “I rarely interact with Sister Chen. We’re not that close.”

To be honest, apart from Sister Wu and Dai Jia, her relationship with the others in the compound was limited to casual greetings. She was aware that people gossiped about her, saying she was arrogant because she was from the city and looked down on rural people, refusing to mingle with the other wives in the compound.

But so what if she knew? She didn’t want to change her behavior just because of others’ opinions. As long as she was happy, that’s all that mattered. Their judgments wouldn’t affect how she lived her life.

Su Ying realized that Jiang Suihan was rather reserved by nature. In the three months she’d been in the family compound, she probably hadn’t gotten to know many people.

Some people are just like that. They enjoy their peace and quiet, preferring not to get too involved with others. They find it bothersome and don’t want to waste energy managing complicated relationships. This kind of personality has its pros and cons.

When they arrived at the hospital, they found Dr. Zhong Xiangxue again.

With a smile, Jiang Suihan greeted, “Dr. Zhong, we meet again. This is my mother-in-law and my husband. They came with me today.”

Dr. Zhong glanced at them briefly, nodded, and began the check-up.

“The baby is developing well, but the mother is a bit thin. From now on, eat more fish, radish, winter melon, and chicken. Have a varied diet, don’t be picky, and ensure balanced nutrition.”

Jiang Suihan obediently nodded, “Got it. Thank you, Dr. Zhong.”

Xu Zhao asked, “Doctor, are there any precautions we should take? This is my first time becoming a father, and I lack experience.”

Dr. Zhong was slightly surprised. It was rare for a husband to proactively ask the doctor how to care for his pregnant wife. That earned him some extra points.

“Her diet should be varied and light. Avoid cold, spicy, and overly stimulating foods. Make sure she doesn’t stay up late and gets enough sleep. Gentle exercise is good, and she should try to relax, avoid stress, and not overthink things.”

Xu Zhao, looking serious, replied, “Thank you, doctor.”

As they left the hospital, Su Ying asked, “That Dr. Zhong seems quite young. I wonder if she’s married.”

Jiang Suihan replied, “I’m not sure. Maybe not.”

Su Ying asked again, “What’s Dr. Zhong’s full name?”

“Zhong Xiangxue,” Jiang Suihan answered.

Su Ying let out an “oh,” but her expression suddenly shifted.

Noticing this, Jiang Suihan asked, “What’s wrong? Is there something off?”

Su Ying awkwardly smiled, “Oh, it’s nothing. I just think that’s a really pretty name, quite poetic.”

Jiang Suihan didn’t press further, and Su Ying breathed a sigh of relief, giving Xu Zhao a sideways glance.

Xu Zhao remained unresponsive.

When they got home, as Jiang Suihan went upstairs, Su Ying pulled Xu Zhao aside. “Why didn’t you remind me earlier?”

Xu Zhao looked confused. “Remind you of what?”

Su Ying was now sure Xu Zhao had genuinely forgotten, and she felt like poking him in the head in exasperation. “You seriously forgot? Zhong Xiangxue! Remember when Political Commissar Zhou said he wanted to introduce a good girl to you? That doctor we just saw at the hospital, Zhong Xiangxue, was the one!”

Xu Zhao rubbed his forehead helplessly. If his mother hadn’t brought it up, he wouldn’t have remembered at all. Last year, Political Commissar Zhou had indeed mentioned it, but at the time, Xu Zhao had no interest in marriage, so he declined.

“Mom, let’s drop this. Don’t bring it up in front of Sui Sui.”

Su Ying shot him a look. “I’m not stupid. I wouldn’t say a word to Sui Sui. I don’t want her overthinking things and ruining her mood.”

That Doctor Zhong did look good—short hair, sharp and capable, and highly skilled in medicine. Su Ying admired girls like that. However, when it came to imagining her as a daughter-in-law, it didn’t seem right. Her son hardly talked as it was, and Doctor Zhong didn’t seem like the chatty type either. Two people with cold temperaments living together—they might barely say a word in a day. Life would be so dull.

Jiang Suihan, on the other hand, was a perfect match for Xu Zhao in every way. Most importantly, they liked each other. No matter how good Doctor Zhong was, it would all be in vain.

Three months later, Jiang Suihan’s belly had started to show a slight curve. She wore loose clothing, so it wasn’t noticeable unless one looked closely. Aside from going to school to teach, she rarely went to the family compound, except for a post-dinner stroll around the neighborhood.

Since her mother-in-law’s arrival, the household’s meals had improved drastically. Both she and her younger brother had put on some weight. Her mother-in-law had a knack for exploring different regional cuisines—some successful, some not. The tasty dishes were kept, while Xu Zhao was tasked with eating the failed ones.

Every time Jiang Suihan saw him frowning but dutifully eating the strange-tasting food, she felt both sympathy and amusement.

Only a mother would treat her son like this, and only a son could enjoy VIP treatment from his mother.