Chapter 38

Since the capable Mother Jiang arrived, not only has the burden on Lieutenant Colonel Lu Lin lightened considerably, but even Jiang Chunzao has become like a useless little salted fish, spending her days eating and drinking comfortably, with only the necessary walks to do.

It has to be said that a mother is still the best. Before Mother Jiang came, although Lieutenant Colonel Lu took great care of his young wife every day, as a man, Lu Lin was good at commanding troops in the army, but when it came to housework at home, like chopping firewood, boiling water, and sweeping the yard, he could handle it. However, when it came to cooking and making soup, the clumsy Lieutenant Colonel was either burning the porridge or making an inedible dish.

Jiang Chunzao and the children were too embarrassed to say the food was bad, after all, Lieutenant Colonel Lu worked like a hardworking ox around the house every day. Saying such things in front of him would be heartless.

Every time, the mother and children could only eat with a苦 face (strained expression), and Colonel Lu wasn’t a fool. Seeing how his wife and children ate, and taking a bite of his own cooking, he would fall into deep thought about the dishes on the table.

A few days later, Mother Jiang came from their hometown to the military area. Since her arrival, she has been preparing delicious dishes for her daughter and grandchildren, such as braised lion’s head meatballs, braised pork ribs, fish-flavored shredded pork, sauerkraut fish, and chicken stewed with mushrooms, making Jiang Chunzao and the children tear up with joy.

Wuwu, it’s so delicious, it’s simply a heavenly delicacy.

With the improvement in the family’s meals, Jiang Chunzao and the children’s weight also increased, their faces growing rounder and fairer. Even Mother Jiang, who doted on her daughter and grandchildren, had to admit that they needed to lose weight.

One day, Lieutenant Colonel Lu returned from the army to find his wife, with her round belly, taking the children on a walk in the yard. Mother Jiang stood by, strictly supervising, and whenever the daughter and grandchildren tried to slack off, she would snap the feather duster loudly.

Delicate Jiang Chunzao could only walk several laps in the yard, looking like an old hen leading her chicks. Finally, when Lu Lin returned, she immediately rushed over to complain:

“You’re finally back! I’ve walked several laps today while you were gone.”

The two children, Shitou and Moli, clung to Lieutenant Colonel Lu’s legs, seeking help. The three of them looked so pitiful, and seeing this, Lu Lin couldn’t help but smile. He knew that Mother Jiang had been making his wife and children walk more to help them lose weight, but now, with the sun almost setting, Lieutenant Colonel Lu turned to Mother Jiang and said: “Mother, it’s almost dark.”

Holding a feather duster, Mother Jiang obviously understood the meaning behind her son-in-law’s words. Every time Lu Lin came home from work, the three women would immediately rush over, as if they had endured great hardships, begging for help. Lu Lin, being protective, would always plead on their behalf. Mother Jiang, irritated, flicked her feather duster and retorted: “Only you’re the real father and husband, huh? What about me, your wife, and the stepmother? You just protect them!”

With that, Mother Jiang gave up and huffed back to the kitchen to cook. Jiang Chunzao and the children couldn’t help but cover their mouths and giggle. Seeing them like that, Lu Lin could only smile helplessly, full of affection.

However, after laughing for a while, Jiang Chunzao realized she had made her own mother angry and quickly waddled into the kitchen. With her big belly, she moved over to Mother Jiang and started rubbing her head against her, acting coquettishly. Mother Jiang’s heart softened, and she sighed. Looking at her daughter, she spoke with a touch of worry: “Zao, it’s not that your mother is being harsh, making you and the grandchildren lose weight. It’s just that your belly is getting bigger. Back in our hometown, no young wife who was pregnant had it as easy as you do. They’d still have to cook and do chores even if they couldn’t work in the fields. It’s not that you’re not working, I want your life to be easy, but having such a big belly while pregnant is not good for childbirth. These past few days, I’ve been so worried seeing your belly grow, I couldn’t even sleep properly.”

Mother Jiang went on, recalling the old days. In their hometown, whenever a young wife’s belly grew too large during pregnancy, they often had difficult labors and had to endure great pain to deliver their babies.

Jiang Chunzao listened carefully and took her mother’s words to heart. The next day, when they went for their walk, Jiang Chunzao made sure to follow her mother’s advice. She obediently walked around the house with the children, making Mother Jiang feel reassured.

---

After the Qingming Festival, the weather in the military district became warmer. The children went to school every day, and Jiang Chunzao stayed at home, helping them with their homework. Since Moli wasn’t old enough for school, Jiang Chunzao taught her pinyin and arithmetic, while Shitou followed the school curriculum. Thanks to his mother’s help, Shitou performed well in school, and both his teachers and classmates liked him.

Seeing her son return from school every day with a happy smile filled Jiang Chunzao’s heart with joy.

As always, Mother Jiang took care of her daughter and managed the housework. This year, due to changes in the policy, military families were allowed to raise more chickens.

Mother Jiang was thrilled. She bought a dozen chicks from the local market and took the children out every day to forage for wild vegetables. The wild vegetables were growing plump and tender, and they could gather a full basket every day.

Jiang Chunzao helped Mother Jiang pick the larger vegetables, cleaned them for their own use, and dried the smaller ones to crush and mix with the bean husks to feed the chickens. The bean husks came from Mother Jiang’s hometown, specially brought for feeding the chickens.

The Lu family’s chickens were well-fed, and Mother Jiang was diligent in her cleaning, so the eggs began to accumulate quickly. She had prepared a basket specifically for collecting the eggs. With so many people in the family, they ate quite a few eggs, but the chickens kept laying more and more each day, and gradually, the family couldn’t eat them all.

Before the market day came, Mother Jiang would take the eggs she had saved up and head to the market to sell them. Over time, the money she had saved started to add up.

It was another market day, and as usual, Mother Jiang had a basket of eggs to sell. Jiang Chunzao was escorting little Moli to see her off. Just as they reached the front door, they heard a commotion from up ahead.

Mother Jiang, puzzled, asked: “On such a fine day, who’s arguing?”

Jiang Chunzao listened carefully and said: “It sounds like it’s from Colonel Fang’s house.”

Upon hearing this, Mother Jiang suddenly realized: it was the Fang family. It wasn’t surprising at all—there was always some kind of argument going on there. Since Mother Jiang had arrived at the military district, she had had several public and private disagreements with Mother Fang.

Actually, Mother Jiang wasn’t someone who liked to argue, but Mother Fang was so unreasonable, always trying to take advantage of others. If it weren’t for that, Mother Jiang wouldn’t have gotten into arguments with her.

Jiang Chunzao listened as the noise grew louder and furrowed her brow. The noise came from Fang Man, who had gotten into a quarrel with her mother-in-law, Mother Zhu. The argument had made her so upset that she went into early labor, delivering a boy prematurely.

Not only was it a premature birth, but it was also difficult and caused a lot of blood loss, making the delivery even harder. The baby, having been born prematurely, was already in poor health.

It was strange, but Fang Man didn’t seem to care much about her own son. Just one day after giving birth, she started demanding to go back to her parents’ home. Mother Fang, doting on her daughter, insisted that Colonel Fang bring Fang Man back to their house.

Jiang Chunzao wasn’t too worried about the rest of the situation, but she was concerned about Sister-in-law Fang, who was also about to give birth. What would happen if Fang Man caused more trouble at home and upset Sister-in-law Fang before her own delivery?

As everyone knew, it was crucial for pregnant women to keep their emotions stable during pregnancy.

While Jiang Chunzao was still worried, she heard Fang Man’s sharp screams coming from not far away:

“What do you think you’re doing? Just because you’re carrying my brother’s child, you think you’re special? This is the Old Fang family, so get out!”

Mother Fang was hopping mad, shouting: “Is this how you act as a daughter-in-law? Your sister-in-law is still in her confinement, and you’re trying to kick her out? Are you that cold-hearted?”

“Bad people! Bad people! Don’t bully my mom and sister!”

“You little brat, get out of here!”

Fang Man kicked little Mingming aside, sending him sprawling to the ground. He fell hard on his bottom and immediately began crying loudly.

The noise from the argument drew the attention of the military district families, who started heading toward the scene.

Jiang Chunzao was furious when she saw Fang Man about to start a confrontation with Sister-in-law Fang. Just as she was about to step in, she saw Sister-in-law Fang slap Fang Man across the face twice without hesitation.

Fang Man screamed in response, pushing Sister-in-law Fang down onto the ground.

Sister-in-law Fang clutched her belly, her face contorted in pain. A dark red stain began to spread beneath her as she lay on the ground.

Fang Man and Mother Fang stood there, stunned.

Then, without a second thought, they fled the scene, running away without a word.

Jiang Chunzao watched as the two of them ran off, too shocked to be surprised, but she quickly rushed over to help Mother Jiang care for Sister-in-law Fang and little Mingming. Sister-in-law Zhao, who was ahead of them, ran over at once to help.

By the time they got to Sister-in-law Fang, it was too late to rush her to the hospital because the fall had already caused her to lose her pregnancy. The best they could do was carefully help her back to the Fang household and prepare to deliver the baby at home.

Fortunately, Sister-in-law Zhao had experience assisting in childbirth back in her hometown, and the Fang household had all the necessary supplies.

The women in the family hurried to boil water and prepare clean towels, working together to help Sister-in-law Fang give birth. After much effort, by nightfall, they successfully helped her deliver a little girl.

When Colonel Fang returned from the military base, he learned of what had happened that day. Hearing his wife’s agonizing cries from the yard made his anger boil. His veins popped as he immediately threw both Mother Fang and Fang Man’s belongings out of the house.

When Mother Fang and Fang Man returned home, they found their belongings thrown out. They began wailing and creating a scene, hoping to make Colonel Fang soften his heart. But this time, he was resolute.

Mother Fang tried to attack him, but luckily, the fierce Mother Jiang appeared from the yard and gave both her and Fang Man a good scolding. With no other option, they had to leave in disgrace, carrying their bags.

Colonel Fang watched the retreating figures of Mother Fang and Fang Man, his eyes bloodshot, but he remained unmoved.

~

One day, Lu Lin returned late from the military base. When he arrived home, he found his little wife tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep. After finishing his shower, Lu Lin climbed into bed and gently ran his fingers through his wife’s hair, softly asking:

“Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Jiang Chunzao sighed heavily, her mind heavy with worries as she answered.

“Can’t sleep… Lu Lin, what would you do if I really gave birth to a little one with pigtails just like you?”

Lu Lin: ???

At first, Lu Lin thought his wife was having trouble sleeping because of Sister-in-law Fang’s situation, but it wasn’t that at all. She was worried about giving birth to a little one with pigtails, just like him?

What even was this?

Lu Lin’s lips curved into a slight smile, and he was about to ask when his wife, clearly deep in her thoughts, continued talking. It turned out that Jiang Chunzao had been dreaming for the past few days, dreaming that she gave birth to a little Lu Lin with pigtails, a mischievous little boy who looked just like him.

How could this happen?!

She was supposed to give birth to a cute, soft, and lovely little daughter!

Hearing his wife’s worries, Lu Lin couldn’t help but laugh. He was unsure how to respond. What could he say? But… how could a little boy have pigtails? Lu Lin thought about it but decided not to point out the flaws in his wife’s dream.

In the end, under his wife’s insistence, Lu Lin promised her that she would definitely give birth to a cute little daughter. With that reassurance, Jiang Chunzao finally relaxed and, resting her head on his hand, drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

—

After the incident with Sister-in-law Fang, the reputations of Mother Fang and Fang Man were completely ruined in the military district.

Whenever the families in the military district saw them, they gave them cold shoulders.

Fang Man, with her tarnished reputation, was even dismissed from her school.

With nowhere else to turn, Mother Fang and Fang Man had to move in with the Zhu family, where they spent every day clashing with Old Mother Zhu in chaotic arguments.

—

By June, Jiang Chunzao’s feet were swollen to the size of little pumpkins, and even walking became a challenge. She could only lie in bed, and Lu Lin, worried about her, specially called for a military doctor to come to their home.

The doctor carefully examined Jiang Chunzao and smiled, saying:

“Both the mother and the baby are healthy. Swelling during pregnancy is common; there’s nothing to worry about. It looks like the due date is just around the corner. It would be best to get ready to go to the hospital soon.”

Upon hearing this, the Lu family became anxious. Mother Jiang packed a small bag with the necessary items, and together with Lu Lin, they took Jiang Chunzao to the hospital.

That day, Mother Jiang made a delicious chicken soup at home and brought it to the hospital in a thermos. In the delivery room, Jiang Chunzao, who was lying on the bed with her large belly, saw Mother Jiang entering with a smile. Just as she was about to sit up and drink the fragrant chicken soup, a sharp pain hit her belly. She gasped and lay back on the bed.

The lights in the delivery room came on, and Mother Jiang waited outside the door with the two little ones. Lu Lin rushed to the hospital from the military base, and upon hearing his wife’s cries of pain, he paced anxiously in the corridor, unable to sit still. He was no longer the calm and composed figure he usually was.

Inside the delivery room, Jiang Chunzao groaned in pain, following the doctor’s instructions to breathe deeply. As the first rays of morning light broke through the sky, the loud cry of a newborn baby echoed from the delivery room.

A nurse came out holding a chubby little boy, smiling as she announced:

“Congratulations! It’s a healthy baby boy, weighing seven pounds and six ounces.”

Mother Jiang was overjoyed, and Shitou and Moli, the two little ones, squinted happily, but Lu Lin was too nervous to say anything:

“So… how’s my wife?”

The nurse smiled and reassured him:

“Ther Mom is doing great, very energetic.”

Indeed, Jiang Chunzao was full of energy. As soon as she heard she had given birth to a healthy baby boy, she burst into tears of joy.

Lu Lin: “……..”

After giving birth, Jiang Chunzao stayed in the hospital for seven days before returning home.

Due to the shock of having a son instead of a daughter, she hadn’t fully recovered emotionally, but Mother Jiang was happily carrying the newborn grandson, calling him “my precious little grandson” with every step.

Shitou and Moli were also overjoyed, staying close to their little brother and grinning as they watched the chubby baby wrapped in swaddling clothes.

The summer passed quickly, and another year had gone by. The flowers in the small courtyard of the Lu family were in full bloom, and their little baby, now nearly a year old, had grown from a chubby newborn into a sturdy little bundle of joy.

Over the past year, the Lu family had undergone many changes.

Shitou and Moli, now older, had become protective older siblings to their little brother. When it came time to name the baby, Jiang Chunzao and Lu Lin decided on the name Lu Changyi for Shitou, Lu Changyue for Moli, and their baby boy was named Lu Changbo, with the nickname “Little Bobo.”

For some reason, Little Bobo grew up with the same fiery temper and appearance as his mother. Jiang Chunzao had worried she would give birth to a mischievous little version of Lu Lin, but instead, she ended up with a stubborn, strong-willed son who mirrored her own personality.

Mother Jiang often teased her daughter, saying that Little Bobo was just like his mother—a tiny tyrant. He was spoiled by his older siblings and had a temper that was no less intense. Every time Jiang Chunzao saw Little Bobo throwing tantrums in the yard, she couldn’t help but blush with embarrassment.

One night, Little Bobo cried loudly from his crib because he couldn’t sleep with his beloved father. Lu Lin, the doting father, gently held him and patiently calmed him down. Jiang Chunzao, sitting on the bed, looked at her husband’s calm, gentle face as she listened to their son’s cries. Suddenly, she smiled.

At that moment, Lu Lin turned to look at her, and their eyes met. In that gaze, there was a depth of love, as if the bond between them spanned not just this lifetime, but the next.

Time may pass, but their love would remain as steadfast and unchanging as ever.

(End of the story)