Chapter 18

Su Wan didn’t really want to say it, but it was the truth.

Given Chen Yuan’s current condition, he really wasn’t suited for any strenuous activity—let alone trying for a baby. And the medication he was taking definitely wasn’t ideal for conception.

Though neither of the mothers knew what “preconception health” meant, they understood clearly enough when Su Wan said the medicine Chen Yuan was on wasn’t suitable for pregnancy.

Li Cuihua hesitated a little and asked, “It won’t affect having children in the future, right?”

“It won’t,” Su Wan reassured her. “But we want to have a healthy child, so we’re going to wait until Chen Yuan’s fully recovered and take some time to get his health back on track. At the very least, we’ll wait a year after he finishes his medication before we even start trying. That way, the baby will be healthier.”

Hearing this, Li Cuihua let out a sigh of relief. “As long as it won’t affect having kids, then that’s good. You’re still young, so waiting a few years is fine.”

As long as they could have children eventually, waiting a bit was no problem. By then, their financial situation might be better, and she could help out too.

Zheng Aifang wasn’t actually against the idea of Su Wan waiting a few years either. But as the biological mother, she had to be the one to raise the issue. Otherwise, her in-laws might harbor resentment, and in the end, it would be her daughter who suffered.

Now that her in-law had spoken up, Zheng Aifang simply followed along and said, “Your mother-in-law is right. Having a child is between the two of you. Right now, Chen Yuan’s health is the top priority. You also need to take good care of him. He’s your husband, and a couple needs to support each other to make life better.”

“I understand. Don’t worry, Moms. Chen Yuan and I will live our lives well,” Su Wan replied sincerely.

She was more than willing to say a few nice words to ease the two mothers’ concerns.

Su Jianguo, listening from the side, quickly asked, “Xiaomei, can your second brother do the business you’re doing too?”

Zheng Aifang immediately gave her second son a knock on the head. “Your sister’s doing business, and now you want to tag along too?”

Su Jianguo had always been quick-witted. Su Wan took that into account and replied, “Second Brother, if you want to do it with me, that’s fine. But you have to convince Mom and Dad first.”

Going to Guangzhou as a woman to do wholesale clothing business was still a bit risky. If her brother went with her to resell clothes, it might actually be a good option.

“Mom, if I go into business with Xiaomei, we can earn more to help the family. The three of us brothers aren’t married yet—it’s hard on you and Dad to keep saving money for our weddings. If we can earn our own money to get married, you two can take it easy. Besides, can you and Dad really feel at ease letting Xiaomei go do business alone?”

Well… of course they couldn’t feel at ease.

There were three sons in the family. The eldest was 24, and the twins were 22. When their daughter—the youngest—was born, the parents were overjoyed. The whole family doted on her and was afraid she might suffer even the slightest grievance.

Zheng Aifang was hesitating. Su Wan used the moment to add, “Mom, let Second Brother give it a try. We all know the three older brothers aren’t married yet. I don’t mind earning money to help the family, but I’d prefer if my brothers could earn for themselves too.”

“Alright,” her mom finally agreed. “You can stay, but I’m telling you now—you can’t meddle in your sister and her husband’s life, and you’re not allowed to slack off. You’ll have to do more of the hard work.”

Hearing that, Su Jianguo nodded eagerly like a pecking chick. “Don’t worry, Mom. I won’t slack off. I’ll work hard to earn money and help improve our home. I’ll do my best so we can build a new house in a couple of years and let Big Brother finally get married.”

“Good. You’re the second eldest—make sure to take good care of your sister and her husband. Especially your brother-in-law. After surgery, he won’t be able to do heavy labor. If there’s anything tough, you do it. Got it?”

When lecturing her son, Zheng Aifang didn’t use the same gentle tone she had with her daughter.

Su Wan turned to her mother-in-law and smiled. “Mom, how’s Big Brother’s back injury?”

Li Cuihua was a bit flustered. Her daughter-in-law suddenly speaking so gently caught her off guard.

Still, she answered softly, “Your big brother’s back is a little better. The doctor said he can’t do heavy labor.”

“I sent 1,000 yuan back home. After you go back, please take Big Brother to the provincial hospital with Dad. Don’t worry about the money—he’s a man, and back injuries need to be treated properly. Let me know if you need anything. We can’t let this become a lifelong issue.”

Li Cuihua’s eyes began to mist. “I understand, child. Thank you for being so thoughtful.”

“Both of you, I mean it. I really hope both our families can live better lives. Big Brother needs proper rest and treatment. When it’s time to harvest the rice, just spend the money to hire help.”

“You’re right. Once our land is harvested, I’ll take your brother to help out at your in-laws’ place. You’re right—a back injury needs to be treated properly. We can’t let it become permanent.”

As people who worked the land, they knew full well how important a man’s back was.

If a back injury wasn’t treated properly, the man wouldn’t be able to do any heavy work in the future.

Li Cuihua could tell her daughter-in-law was being truly sincere. She nodded and said, “Alright, when we go back, your father and I will take your brother to the hospital in the provincial capital.”

“Then why don’t you all stay a little longer this time?” Su Wan offered. “Chen Yuan doesn’t usually get time off during missions anyway.”

Li Cuihua had originally planned to stay longer to look after her son, so she nodded in agreement.

“By the way, where are you staying tonight?” Su Wan asked.

“There’s a guesthouse just outside the base gate. We’re staying there—it’s close by,” Su Jianguo explained.

Su Wan let out a breath of relief. “Good. I was worried it might be too far and inconvenient.”

Being nearby would make everything easier.

Seeing that it was getting late, the three of them stood up to return to the guesthouse.

Su Wan was exhausted after a long day. She didn’t even bathe—just took off her outer clothes and lay down in her underclothes.

As soon as she lay down, Chen Yuan’s hand landed on her lower abdomen.

Her heart suddenly began to race.

The two of them had hardly shared a bed together before. Su Wan wasn’t even sure how to describe their current relationship. They had, after all, seen each other completely naked. During his hospital stay, she had seen every part of him while caring for him daily.

Still, she blushed, got embarrassed, and sometimes felt her heart race when their eyes met.

Now lying beside him, the faint smell of disinfectant from Chen Yuan’s body reached her nose, and her cheeks began to heat up again.

It had to be because his hand was resting on her lower abdomen—that’s why she felt this way.

Su Wan turned over, and Chen Yuan’s body moved in closer. That hand tugged her gently toward him.

Was Chen Yuan… cold?

Thinking it might actually be a bit chilly, she tugged the blanket over him more snugly and closed her eyes to sleep.

That night, she slept especially soundly.

The next morning, she was woken by the delicious smell of food.

She thought it was still early morning, but to her surprise, she had slept straight through to noon. After she washed up, her mom and mother-in-law had already finished preparing the meal.

They had simmered a chicken since early morning. On the table were steaming plates of cured pork, braised pork, stir-fried pork liver with chili, stewed pig’s trotters, and dried bean curd with pork. Su Wan couldn’t help but swallow a mouthful of saliva.