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Lin Wei was worried. “Eldest sister didn’t feel nauseous when she was pregnant before.”
Hu Xiu, who had experienced pregnancy, found it normal but understood how uncomfortable morning sickness could be. She reassured, “Mom will get you some sour plums. Keep a few in your pocket to help with nausea during class.”
Lin Ting pulled everyone inside. “Don’t worry too much. It’s just the beginning. Let’s eat—I’m a little hungry.”
Since learning about her daughter-in-law’s pregnancy, Hu Xiu had been smiling non-stop. She quickly said, “I’ll fry some eggs. Dinner will be ready soon.” Then, she hurried off.
Seeing this, Lin Wei followed. “Aunt Xiu, I’ll light the fire.”
“Mom, what is pregnancy?” Miaomiao, being an observant child, had sensed something exciting from the adults’ reactions.
Lin Ting bent down to pick her up, but before she could, Huo Xiao stepped in and lifted Miaomiao onto a stool. “Didn’t you just say you have to be careful in the first three months and avoid carrying heavy objects?”
Lin Ting touched her nose sheepishly. “Give me some time to adjust to my new identity.”
Hearing this, Huo Xiao gently ruffled his wife’s hair, then turned to his wide-eyed daughter and explained, “Pregnancy means Mom has a baby. By the New Year, you’ll be a big sister.”
Miaomiao’s eyes widened. “So, I’m getting a little sister?”
Guoguo jumped excitedly. “I want a little brother! Mom, I don’t want a sister—I want a brother to play with!”
Seeing the children so eager, Lin Ting smiled but clarified, “Mom doesn’t know yet if it’s a boy or a girl.”
The children were confused.
Guoguo anxiously pulled his mother’s hand. “But… how could Mom not know?”
Lin Ting felt awkward. She suddenly had an idea and pointed at her husband, who had his hands on her shoulders and a gentle expression. “Mom really doesn’t know. Should we ask Dad?”
With both children now looking at him expectantly,
Huo Xiao…
_
After Dinner
Lin Ting followed her usual routine—washing up, telling bedtime stories to the twins, and then preparing for her classes.
Huo Xiao took care of all the house chores. Once he finished washing and hanging the clothes, he returned to their bedroom and saw Lin Ting writing at her desk.
She was wearing loose pajamas with a cardigan, and her long black hair was tied back casually. Maybe it was because he loved her more every day, but to Huo Xiao, she seemed even more beautiful.
“Why are you just standing there?” Lin Ting noticed him lingering at the door and turned to smile at him.
Huo Xiao snapped out of his thoughts, closed the door, and walked over with a teacup. “Nothing. I just think you look even better.”
Lin Ting raised an eyebrow in surprise. “You’re actually saying sweet things now?”
Caught off guard by his own words, Huo Xiao cleared his throat and handed her the teacup. “Drink your milk.”
Lin Ting took the cup and sipped. “Oh, the doctor at the health center gave me a pregnancy certificate today. With it, I can buy milk powder and some rare fruits at the supply and marketing cooperative. We don’t have much milk powder left, right?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.” Since they had twins, Huo Xiao had already been sourcing milk powder. Now that his wife needed extra nutrition, he would make sure they had enough.
More concerned about her upcoming trip, he asked, “Do you want me to go with you to the division headquarters the day after tomorrow?”
Lin Ting replied, “No need. Principal Huang will be with us.”
Huo Xiao frowned. “I’m a little worried. You’re not even three months in yet.”
Lin Ting placed a hand on her still-flat abdomen. She was about to refuse but saw the concern in his furrowed brows. Since it was their first time becoming parents, his worry was understandable. She smiled. “If Principal Huang agrees and you have time, you can come.”
Huo Xiao lifted her onto his lap, resting his hand on her abdomen with a soft smile. “I won’t be a bother. The brigade commander has documents for the division headquarters, so I have an excuse to go.”
Clearly, he had already planned this. Lin Ting placed her hand over his. “I can’t feel anything yet.”
Huo Xiao kissed her forehead gently. “I know… Tingting, thank you.”
Lin Ting smirked. “Pregnancy is tough. Just saying ‘thank you’ isn’t enough. You have to treat me well, pamper me, and never make me angry.”
Huo Xiao hesitated. “Have I… made you angry before?”
Lin Ting sighed. Was he really this confident?
The Journey to the Art Troupe
The trip to the division art troupe took two hours by car. They chose this day because a military vehicle was heading to the division headquarters.
Principal Huang personally accompanied Lin Ting, and Lin Wei came along as well.
Huo Xiao was supposed to go too, but an urgent matter came up, so he asked his brother-in-law to accompany her instead.
Principal Huang had never married, but he valued children greatly. Upon hearing that Teacher Lin was pregnant, he didn’t object. Instead, he even suggested she sit in the front passenger seat for a more stable ride.
However, Lin Ting wanted to sit with Fang Cuihua, so she chose the back row.
Seeing her suddenly clench her fists, I thought the little girl was nervous, so I quickly reassured her: “…There’s nothing to be nervous about. Just like when you participated in the choir a few days ago, just imagine the teachers evaluating you as cabbages.”
Fang Cuihua was once again dressed up by the teachers today. Her clothes and shoes were newly prepared by them.
Her previously dry and lifeless long hair was now neatly tied up, and her eyebrows were trimmed.
Even without makeup, she still looked thin, but at least she didn’t appear unkempt. Her small, delicate face could even be considered pretty.
Before setting off, Fang Cuihua had already made up her mind when she looked at the unfamiliar reflection in the mirror.
She must work hard! She wanted to become an art soldier [1]refers to performers in military cultural troupes..
She wanted to become the singer that Teacher Lin had spoken about.
She wanted to escape from that twisted family.
Thinking of this, she recalled how, before leaving the house today, she had discovered her mother had cut up the clothes given to her by the teachers.
And the way her mother looked at her photo—with disgust, even jealousy.
Fang Cuihua’s hands, which were resting on her knees, gradually clenched.
If her younger sister hadn’t noticed something was wrong and secretly hidden a spare set of clothes, she would have had to face the teachers in torn garments.
Even now, she still didn’t understand why her mother resented her so much.
But one thing was clear—her mother did not wish her well.
Her father, who only cared about his son and merely pretended to scold her mother, still showed no real concern for her, even knowing she had the potential to do better.
At that moment, 14-year-old Fang Cuihua completely gave up on the idea of calling that place her home.
But now, hearing Teacher Lin’s gentle reassurance, she thought about how, despite being pregnant, Teacher Lin still accompanied her.
Fang Cuihua felt a lump in her throat. She bit her lip to suppress her emotions, using the pain to hold back her tears. Then she smiled and said, “Teacher, I’m not nervous.”
Why should she be nervous?
Right now, she was full of determination!
The more the woman called “mother” hated her, the more the man called “father” ignored her—
The more she wanted to fight for a future, for herself and her sister!
She also wanted to repay the teachers who sincerely helped her find a way out.
Although Lin Ting didn’t understand why the little girl suddenly seemed so fired up, she happily encouraged her: “Yes, that’s the spirit! We’re not afraid. Just imagine the judges as carrots, potatoes, and cabbages, and we will definitely win!”
Fang Cuihua… “Pfft…”
_
The divisional art troupe wasn’t as prestigious as the one directly under the General Political Department [2]a top-level military cultural organization., but it still had over a hundred performers.
The troupe had different sections, including singing, dancing, drama, and folk art.
Today, Fang Cuihua was here for the singing assessment.
Principal Huang was very familiar with this place. After showing his credentials and registering, he headed straight to the office of the art troupe’s director without needing a guide.
Since they had arranged this in advance, Director Li Fei of the art troupe was already waiting.
Seeing Principal Huang arrive with his group, she immediately stood up to greet them with a smile. “Principal Huang, you haven’t changed at all. I was just about to come meet you at the entrance.”
She meant it. Although he was just a principal now, he still held the rank of a brigade-level military commander [3]which is equivalent to a colonel.. More importantly, he was a selfless war hero who deserved everyone’s respect.
Because of this, when Principal Huang mentioned a few days ago that he wanted to recommend a student with an outstanding voice, Li Fei agreed without hesitation.
Principal Huang chuckled and said, “Let’s skip the formalities. I can find my way just fine. Xiao Li, just listen to this child’s voice and see if she qualifies for special recruitment.”
Hearing this, Li Fei smiled and shook her head. “You’re still as impatient as ever.”
Despite saying that, she cooperated and looked toward Principal Huang.
Then, her eyes lit up with surprise. “This… Such a good-looking face is more suited for acting. Director Zeng is currently casting for a movie and has been searching for over three months for a second male lead with this kind of presence. Principal Huang, your timing is perfect.”
Lin Wei pointed at himself in confusion. “Are you talking about… me?”
Lin Ting…
Principal Huang…
Fang Cuihua… ?
***
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Vyl[Translator]
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Hahahaha brother can you not be soooo 😂😂😂 narcissistic