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“Why are you crying?” Jiang Zhi Ning asked in confusion, her cool fingertips gently wiping away his tears.
Song Ye quickly shook his head. “I once saw Little Linzi’s mom helping him with homework, really gently.”
He had thought he’d never get to experience that kind of warmth in his lifetime.
Hearing this, Jiang Zhi Ning’s heart ached. Looking at his cautious eyes, she couldn’t hold back her emotions.
“What other kids have, you’ll have too,” she said with a warm smile. “Your mom is even a college student.”
Song Ye looked at her with admiration.
After all, even their teacher had only graduated from high school.
Jiang Zhi Ning felt a little embarrassed under his gaze.
The original owner had indeed gotten into college, but she had a one-track mind for love. After just one year of university, she dropped out to marry Sheng Hao, afraid he’d be seduced by another woman, and clung to him constantly.
“Study hard,” Jiang Zhi Ning said, patting his shoulder. “If you don’t understand something, come ask me.”
Song Ye nodded earnestly, then suddenly noticed Song Chen’s stare and immediately lowered his head obediently to continue writing.
Listening to the exchange between her and Song Ye, Song Yuzhou felt even more fortunate—like he had struck gold. He was immensely proud: such a beautiful, gentle, and smart woman was his.
Meanwhile, Song Chen’s grip on his pen tightened involuntarily, and the guarded look in his eyes deepened as he watched Jiang Zhi Ning.
Once the kids had finished their homework, Jiang Zhi Ning and Song Yuzhou returned to their bedroom.
Sitting on the bed, Jiang Zhi Ning sighed softly. “So boring. I really miss the days when we had smartphones.”
In the 1980s, there were no cell phones. Even when bulky mobile phones started appearing a few years later, they didn’t have any smart features.
Hearing her sighs, Song Yuzhou walked into the room and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“I finally understand why people had so many kids in ancient times,” Jiang Zhi Ning looked up at him.
“Why?”
“Because at night, other than sleeping and doing that thing, what else is there to do?”
“…” Song Yuzhou was momentarily speechless. “Then shall we… sleep?”
Jiang Zhi Ning’s cheeks flushed. Just as she was about to respond, they heard the soft patter of footsteps.
They both turned toward the door and saw Xi Xi in her pajamas, clutching a small pillow as she ran into the room.
“Mama.”
Jiang Zhi Ning bent down and caught the little girl as she launched into her arms.
“What’s wrong?” Jiang Zhi Ning asked gently.
Xi Xi nestled into her shoulder, her soft little body going limp in her arms. “Xi Xi wants to sleep with Mama.”
Shortly after Xi Xi was born, Song Yuzhou’s elder brother had passed away in an accident. His sister-in-law took the compensation money and ran off with another man, leaving the child behind.
As a result, Xi Xi had no memory of a mother figure.
Ever since she could remember, whenever she saw other kids with mothers, she felt both curious and envious.
When Jiang Zhi Ning started talking to her gently, bathing her, and feeding her, Xi Xi had quickly gone from scared to deeply attached to her kind and beautiful mama.
Jiang Zhi Ning was pleasantly surprised. “Really? Of course, let’s sleep together tonight.”
She lifted Xi Xi onto the bed.
“Yay!” Xi Xi hugged her pillow and cheered with excitement.
Jiang Zhi Ning and Song Yuzhou exchanged a glance and both climbed into bed without another word.
Xi Xi lay in the middle, eyes twinkling with joy.
Lying on the inner side of the bed, Jiang Zhi Ning had just turned on her side when the little girl wrapped her arms around her enthusiastically.
“Mama smells nice and feels soft. Xi Xi likes it,” she said in her sweet, babyish voice.
Looking at the adorable, affectionate Xi Xi, Jiang Zhi Ning’s heart melted. She gently stroked the child’s head. “Do you want to hear a story?”
Xi Xi nodded eagerly, hugging her tightly. “Yes!”
Jiang Zhi Ning thought for a moment, then her soft voice filled the room. “A long, long time ago, there was a beautiful princess named Snow White…”
Outside the room, Song Chen and Song Ye listened to her storytelling. Emotions welled up inside them.
“Big brother, I wish I were as little as Xi Xi,” Song Ye said with envy.
Growing up, no one had ever told them bedtime stories.
After a long silence, once Song Chen was sure Xi Xi was safe, he said, “Let’s go.”
Seeing him leave, Song Ye quickly followed. “Big brother, I don’t think she’s a bad person.”
Upon hearing his brother’s words, Song Chen clenched his fists.
“Our own biological mom hurt us. She’s not related to us, so why should she treat us well? Xiao Ye, have you already forgotten what we’ve been through?”
At those words, Song Ye’s small, thin body trembled—clearly recalling a deeply buried fear.
“Don’t be afraid, Xiao Ye. I’ll protect you and Xi Xi,” Song Chen said as he hugged Song Ye, eyes red with emotion.
Song Ye nodded slightly, clutching tightly to Song Chen’s hand.
Inside the room, with Jiang Zhi Ning’s gentle storytelling voice, Xi Xi gradually drifted into sleep. Her soft little hand still gripped the corner of Jiang Zhi Ning’s clothes.
Jiang Zhi Ning’s heart was deeply touched.
“You really like children?” Song Yuzhou suddenly asked.
“I wouldn’t say I love them,” Jiang Zhi Ning said, gazing at the innocent child’s face. “Maybe it’s just that I’ve been in the rain before, so I want to hold an umbrella for others.”
Song Yuzhou didn’t quite understand, and Jiang Zhi Ning didn’t plan to explain further. She simply said softly, “Turn off the lights. Sleeping with the lights on can mess with hormone secretion—it can stunt growth.”
Hormones? Song Yuzhou didn’t really get it, but he obediently turned off the lights anyway.
The room went dark, lit only by the pale moonlight streaming in.
“Comrade Yuzhou, I’m going to sleep now too. Good night,” Jiang Zhi Ning’s voice was tinged with a soft smile.
“Mhm,” Song Yuzhou replied simply, restrained and modest.
Jiang Zhi Ning gently held Xi Xi’s hand and turned her face toward the child, just like a real mother and daughter sleeping side by side.
Song Yuzhou had excellent night vision and could see her face clearly even in the dark.
After a long while, once he was sure she was asleep, he leaned down and placed a light kiss on her forehead. His hoarse voice broke the silence of the night:
“Good night, Zhi Ning.”
The next morning, Song Yuzhou got ready to head back to the army camp.
Before leaving, he handed her a small red booklet.
Jiang Zhi Ning looked down. On the cover were the words: “Current Savings Account Book.”
“This is… a bankbook?” she asked in surprise.
“Mhm. It’s all the savings I’ve accumulated over the years. It’s not a lot, but you can use it however you like. From now on, you’re in charge of the household,” Song Yuzhou said calmly.
In the past, since he was rarely home, Song Yuzhou would deposit all of his salary—except for basic living expenses—into the bank every month.
Jiang Zhi Ning opened the passbook. Each transaction had been written in black ink and stamped with a seal.
Seeing the amount, she teased him:
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll blow through your little nest egg?”
“Then I’ll just earn more,” Song Yuzhou replied seriously. “Buy whatever you want.”
“I want to get some new appliances.”
“Alright.”
“I want to take the kids out to eat.”
“Sure.”
“I want to—”
Looking at the man in front of her, so unconditionally indulgent toward her, Jiang Zhi Ning smiled. She stood on tiptoe and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek:
“Love you.”
Seeing her bold show of affection, Song Yuzhou turned bashful.
“I’ll head to the camp now.”
“Okay,” Jiang Zhi Ning replied with a bright smile.
Song Yuzhou gave her one last long look before turning to leave.
Watching him go, Jiang Zhi Ning felt a rush of sweetness as she held the passbook in her hands.
She hid it in the wardrobe, then grabbed her bag of wedding dowry items and stepped outside.
“Xi Xi, Song Chen, Song Ye, let’s go shopping!” Jiang Zhi Ning said as she stepped out in a red qipao and heels, looking like a refined and noble young lady.
“Okay!” Xi Xi immediately dropped her toy and ran over.
Jiang Zhi Ning took Xi Xi’s hand and glanced at the unmoving Song Chen, raising a brow.
“Aren’t you afraid someone will bully Xi Xi?”
At those words, Song Chen and Song Ye quickly followed.
Jiang Zhi Ning’s eyes glimmered with amusement. Just as the four of them were about to leave the yard, they ran into a middle-aged woman.
“Song Chen, is Commander Song home?” Aunt Xia asked, already knowing the answer—she had purposely come while Song Yuzhou was away.
“My husband’s at the army camp. Did you need something from him, Auntie?” Jiang Zhi Ning replied politely.
Aunt Xia gave her a once-over before saying,
“Well, if Commander Song’s not home, then I’ll speak with you instead. Hand it over.”
“Hand what over?” Jiang Zhi Ning asked, confused.
“Why, the living expenses, of course.”