Chapter 123: This Is Your Son? He’s So Grown Up?  

After the three of them were ready, Jiang Rou took the fabric she had bought from town, led the two children, and closed the courtyard gate before setting off for Song Qingqian’s house.  

They had only walked a few steps when Jiang Rou suddenly felt her hand lighten.  

Lowering her head, she saw Zhou Xiaochuan reaching out from the side, taking hold of the fabric she was carrying.  

Zhou Xiaochuan’s arm moved slightly.  

Pressing his lips together, he spoke in a dry voice: “I’ll carry it.”  

In fact, the full sentence should have been: “I’ll help you carry it.”  

Jiang Rou was pleasantly surprised.  

Not only was Zhou Xiaochuan helping, but he had also taken the initiative to speak.  

“Alright, Xiaochuan, I’ll leave it to you. The fabric is a bit heavy, so if you get tired, give it back to me, and I’ll carry it instead.”  

Zhou Xiaochuan stubbornly muttered in a low voice: “I won’t get tired.”  

He was only six years old. Though he was tall for his age, he was still quite thin.  

The young boy had to hold the stack of fabric in his arms, wrapping both hands tightly around it.  

In reality, it was slightly strenuous for him.  

But Jiang Rou understood Zhou Xiaochuan’s stubborn nature, so instead of comforting him, she praised him instead.  

“Xiaochuan is just like Dad—already a little man with great strength. He definitely won’t get tired. So I’ll leave it to you. Thank you for helping. Xiaohua, look at your brother. Isn’t he amazing? He can carry something so heavy.”  

Zhou Xiaohua immediately nodded.  

She was practically her brother’s biggest fan, eager to shower him with endless praise.  

Unfortunately, she couldn’t speak.  

So instead, she clapped her hands excitedly and gave a big thumbs-up.  

“Brother is amazing! Brother is the best! Just like Dad, he’s a real man!”  

“That’s right. Your brother is the best. In a few years, when Xiaochuan grows taller, he might even be taller than Dad.”  

Jiang Rou had gradually learned to understand Zhou Xiaohua’s gestures and expressions, and the two continued chatting.  

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiaohua immediately tilted her head back to look up at the sky.  

If her brother grew even taller than Dad… that would be so, so, so tall…  

“Brother will be so tall!”  

“Not only will he be as tall as Dad, but he will also be just as capable. Maybe even better—surpassing the master, as they say. Who knows, maybe Xiaochuan will be even more accomplished.”  

“Brother is capable!”  

“And by then, Xiaochuan will be tall, handsome, and talented. There will definitely be many little girls who like him. I wonder if any of them will take the initiative to come looking for him?”  

“Brother is liked!”  

Throughout the entire journey, Zhou Xiaochuan remained silent, never joining in on the conversation.

However, the conversation between Jiang Rou and Zhou Xiaohua never strayed far from Zhou Xiaochuan.  

As they walked, they continued praising him along the way.  

Zhou Xiaochuan felt that today’s sun was unusually hot—otherwise, why did his face feel so warm, as if it were about to catch fire?  

It must be because the fabric was too heavy! That had to be the reason!  

…  

Before long, the three of them arrived at Song Qingqian’s doorstep.  

It was Zhou Xiaochuan and Zhou Xiaohua’s first time coming to this part of the compound. Feeling unfamiliar with the place, they curiously glanced around, taking in their surroundings.  

Jiang Rou knocked on the door.  

Knock, knock, knock.  

This time, Jiang Rou barely had to wait. The moment she knocked, the door swung open.  

Song Qingqian appeared immediately.  

It was as if she had been waiting in the courtyard, anticipating Jiang Rou’s arrival. The instant Jiang Rou knocked, she came to open the door without the slightest hesitation.  

Song Qingqian’s long, narrow phoenix eyes held a mix of nervousness and anticipation, but also a hint of relief.  

After hearing Jiang Rou’s words yesterday, she had been certain that Jiang Rou would come.  

However—  

That certainty was only ninety percent. There was still a ten percent chance that Jiang Rou might not show up.  

That lingering ten percent had tormented Song Qingqian, leaving her heart in turmoil.  

She had been betrayed by a former friend, ostracized by the wives in the compound, and had long since given up any expectations for friendship, resigning herself to a life of solitude.  

Yet—  

Jiang Rou was like a blazing fire, completely shattering the defenses Song Qingqian had built around herself.  

Song Qingqian had no choice but to admit—she had been eagerly looking forward to Jiang Rou’s bright, cheerful smile.  

Jiang Rou’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled warmly and greeted: “Qingqian, good morning.”  

“…G-good morning.”  

Song Qingqian was momentarily stunned before responding.  

Compared to her cold rejection the day before, her attitude had already changed significantly.

Before entering Song Qingqian’s house, Jiang Rou first introduced the two children.  

“This is Zhou Xiaochuan, my son. And this is Zhou Xiaohua, my daughter. Xiaochuan, Xiaohua, greet Auntie Song.”  

On the way there, Jiang Rou had briefly explained what they would be doing today. She also mentioned that Song Qingqian was a neighbor, just like Auntie Zhao Guifen from next door.  

Moreover, Auntie Song could make many beautiful clothes—she was very skilled.  

Zhou Xiaochuan, holding the fabric in his arms, solemnly greeted Song Qingqian: “Hello, Auntie Song.”  

Zhou Xiaohua, meanwhile, clung to Jiang Rou’s hand, half-hidden behind Jiang Rou’s leg. She peeked out with her fair little face and gave Song Qingqian a shy smile.  

That counted as her greeting.  

Song Qingqian recalled Jiang Rou mentioning yesterday that she wanted to make clothes for the children.  

She had assumed it was for a little girl, around three or four years old, and had subconsciously overlooked the boy’s age.  

After all, Jiang Rou looked so young.  

Women of this era had children early—marrying and giving birth at sixteen or seventeen was common.  

It would match Jiang Rou’s age.  

But…  

“This… this is your son? He’s already this big?”  

Song Qingqian’s eyes widened in disbelief.  

If her son was this old, how young had Jiang Rou been when she gave birth?  

Hearing this, Zhou Xiaochuan’s expression shifted ever so slightly.  

He had heard such remarks too many times before—especially from Xu Chunxiang.  

Back when Xu Chunxiang was still “taking care” of them, she would always repeat the same story whenever someone asked about them.  

They’re Regiment Commander Zhou’s children…  

But not his biological ones. They’re the orphaned children of his fallen comrade, adopted…  

Their grandparents, both paternal and maternal, didn’t want them. Regiment Commander Zhou had no choice but to take them in…  

They’re just two burdens…

Zhou Xiaochuan pressed his lips together subtly, without making it noticeable.  

In his heart, he braced himself, preparing to hear those unpleasant words once again.  

He also readied himself to cover Zhou Xiaohua’s ears if necessary.  

Zhou Xiaohua was still young, and thanks to Zhou Xiaochuan’s careful protection, she remained blissfully unaware of the disdainful looks from adults.  

The little wolf cub’s nerves were wound impossibly tight, his small hands clenched into fists.  

However—  

What he heard next was—  

“That’s right, he is my son. He’s actually not that big—just six years old. But don’t be fooled by his age, he can already help me carry things.”  

Jiang Rou’s voice was bright and clear, and her tone carried… an unmistakable sense of pride.  

Earlier, when it had only been her and Zhou Xiaohua, Jiang Rou had continuously praised him.  

He hadn’t expected that now, with an outsider like Song Qingqian present, Jiang Rou’s tone of admiration would remain unchanged.  

The tight grip in Zhou Xiaochuan’s palm loosened slightly in an instant.  

That soft, gentle force smoothed over the claws that had been about to reveal themselves.  

—  

Song Qingqian had never heard the gossip circulating in the compound, nor did she know about the complicated relationship between Zhou Zhongshan and Jiang Rou.  

Moreover, given the environment she had come from, she had never seen such a young girl rushing to become a stepmother.  

So she didn’t overthink it.  

She simply assumed Jiang Rou had married and had children early.  

It was just that…  

Jiang Rou’s husband—the so-called Regiment Commander Zhou—really seemed like a scumbag.  

He had actually made Jiang Rou bear children at such a young age.  

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Military Camp Training Ground.  

Zhou Zhongshan: “Achoo—who’s badmouthing me?!”