Chapter 61.1

After dinner, the three cubs took the earthworms they dug up and fed them to Huahua, Zhou, Fen, Mian, and Fan.

Fantuan really didn’t lie when he said that the earthworm was big. It’s as thick as a finger and even bigger than a loach. It wriggles slowly on the ground, leaving behind a trail of slime.

Xiao Zhuzi used a shovel to divide it, saying that the earthworm was too big and that it’s easier to feed the chickens when it’s separated like that.

Su Xiaoxiao looked at the body part of the earthworm that was still wriggling. She felt both scared and disgusted. 

She couldn’t help but shiver and get goosebumps. She could barely tolerate small earthworms, but these large ones were much more disgusting than snails or caterpillars. She took a quick glance and hurriedly retreated back to her room.

Han Cheng was reading a book in front of the vanity in the room. When he noticed that Su Xiaoxiao’s complexion was somewhat pale, he touched her forehead and found no signs of a fever. He pulled her over and had her sit on his lap, asking, “What’s wrong?”

Su Xiaoxiao suppressed her disgust and shook her head, saying, “It’s nothing, it’s just that the big earthworms the kids brought back from outside are too disgusting.”

Han Cheng felt a bit helpless after listening and said: “Didn’t Xiao Bao used to dig them up often before? Why are you afraid of them now?”

Su Xiaoxiao patted her chest to suppress her nausea before responding, “I used to be afraid too, but I don’t know why. Today, I couldn’t help but feel nauseous.”

“Han Cheng looked at her abdomen, his expression turning somewhat serious. ‘Besides feeling disgusted, do you feel any other discomfort? Have there been any changes in your taste preferences? Did it come on time?'”

Su Xiaoxiao paused for a moment, then realized what Han Cheng meant and couldn’t help but smile wryly. She lightly nudged his shoulder and said, “What are you thinking? We’ve taken measures, remember? We agreed to wait until Xiao Doubao grows a bit bigger, right?”

Han Cheng is not a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, so he couldn’t diagnose or examine through a pulse reading. He said, “It’s not 100% accurate either. We should go to the hospital for a check-up tomorrow.”

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head: “No, no, it’s just that seeing the earthworms made me feel nauseous. I don’t like all types of bugs. As a mother, how could I not know whether there’s a little one in my belly?”
Han Cheng wanted to say that many people don’t know they’re pregnant for several months, but seeing his wife so confident, he changed his words and said, “We already have a few rascals at home. Let’s have a daughter this time.”

Han Cheng used to think that having a tough boy was actually easier to raise, so he thought it was better to have a boy. However, it was only after marrying Su Xiaoxiao that he started to think how wonderful it would be to have a delicate and adorable daughter just like her.

Su Xiaoxiao leaned against Han Cheng’s shoulder and gently rubbed his neck. “I also like to give birth to a daughter. If we have a daughter, I will copy how my mother took care of me. I will tie her hair in braids and buy her beautiful clothes, making her the most beautiful little princess in the world.”

Han Cheng kissed the top of her head affectionately and said, “I should really thank your mother for raising such a wonderful daughter and being willing to marry her to me.”

Su Xiaoxiao agrees with that. The original owner of her body had a personality very similar to hers and was a kind and good-hearted girl.

Su Xiaoxiao looked at the ceiling and talked to him about her future plans: “Han Cheng, after the college entrance examination is resumed, I want to apply to universities in the capital. If everything goes well, by then, Fantuan and Zhuzi will have grown into responsible older brothers, and Xiao Doubao should be as big as Zhuzi. He can make his own decisions, but we still don’t know what to do with our future daughter.”

A month ago, Su Xiaoxiao wouldn’t have openly discussed this issue with Han Cheng. One reason is that it’s still too early to bring it up, and the other reason is that she’s uncertain about the depth of Han Cheng’s feelings for her. There’s definitely some affection, but it hasn’t reached the point where he would be willing to leave the military district and follow her.

But now, their relationship is solid, and although a few years may seem both long and short, day after day and year after year, it is actually just around the time when Xiao Doubao will start elementary school. So, in terms of making future plans, they are already quite close to being ready.

Su Xiaoxiao feels a bit awkward about her current age. In her previous life, she graduated with her master’s degree at the age of 24. However, in this world, she is already considered a late bloomer and part of the first group of high school graduates who were delayed. When she enters university, she will be more than ten years older than the fresh graduates. It’s a somewhat uncomfortable feeling to think about.

Giving birth to a child now would be hard since Xiao Doubao is still young, and she will definitely be too busy. If they wait another two years, it doesn’t seem appropriate to take the college entrance examination while heavily pregnant or when the child is less than a year old. It’s better to wait until after college. Taking a break in the middle doesn’t seem good either. However, if she waits until college graduation, by then she will already be a woman in her thirties giving birth at an advanced maternal age. ^[1]Advanced maternal age refers to women who are pregnant at the age of 35 years or older.

In this era, people’s physical fitness and medical conditions cannot be compared to those of the 21st century. Advanced maternal age still carries significant risks. It’s actually unnecessary to delay childbirth until that time when she could have done it earlier. She can’t confidently tell Han Cheng that the college entrance examination will resume in 1977. It’s reasonable for her to be concerned about when it would be more appropriate to have a child.

Han Cheng twirled his wife’s hair with his fingers, deeply thought about the issue, and finally came to a conclusion: “Actually, if your mother is willing to help when we have a child, now would be the most suitable time for having a daughter. Regarding the matter of resuming the college entrance examination, people have already started discussing it. I guess it would take at least three years, the longer time would be five years. It’s just a matter of time.”

Su Xiaoxiao can’t really help but admire Han Cheng’s foresight. His judgment is quite accurate, and the resumption of the college entrance examination is almost precisely in this time frame.

Han Cheng continued: “I have reached a bottleneck now. In the future, I am considering switching to the research and development field. When the college entrance examination resumes, I will join you in the city and pursue a higher degree for further education. Our family will not be separated.”

Su Xiaoxiao breathed a sigh of relief and gave Han Cheng a heavy kiss on the face. “That’s really great. I thought you wanted to take root in the military district, and no matter where the children went, our family would be separated.”

Han Cheng shook his head and said: “No, it won’t be like that. It would be best if we have a daughter before you turn twenty-eight. We can try to conceive next year and give birth the year after. By that time, our little one will be around three or four years old, making it easier to take care of. When we later move to the capital, the boys can attend school, our daughter can go to kindergarten, you can pursue your undergraduate studies, and I can pursue my postgraduate studies. Everything will work out perfectly.”

Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but chuckle and say, “How dare all our family go to school, but then who will work and support the family?”

“No need to worry about this. I still have my salary, and I’ll also receive a bonus from the research and development team. I’ll work harder to write more research papers to earn more royalties. Supporting our family won’t be a problem.”

The most troublesome problem for Su Xiaoxiao was solved instantly by Han Cheng, and the road ahead suddenly became clear. Su Xiaoxiao lay in his arms and said, “Then we have to save some money and be frugal for the next few years.”

Han Cheng: No need to be overly frugal. Maintaining our current standard of living is good, and spend as you wish.”

Just like people said, it is difficult to go from luxury to frugality. Han Cheng used to be indifferent about what he ate. Food was simply a means to fill the stomach and meet the nutritional needs for survival. Things have changed now. Gathering together as a family to enjoy the food cooked by Su Xiaoxiao has become a source of enjoyment. This “luxury” and “enjoyment” don’t refer to having extravagant meals every day. Instead, it’s about the simple pleasure of being able to smell the aroma of home-cooked food as Han Cheng walks home from work. For Han Cheng, the most precious thing is coming home to the sound of his children’s laughter and a warm and delicious meal awaiting him.

“We still need to save. I also need to save money to open a restaurant in the capital, and I want to open a tailoring shop for my mother,” Su Xiaoxiao said with hope.

“Okay, it’s all up to you.” Out of Su Xiaoxiao’s sight, Han Cheng’s eyes darkened at the thought of returning to the capital. He didn’t want to say much for the time being.

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Lucia: Hi~ Sorry for the delay~

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