Chapter 78

Due to the tossing and turning last night, the biological clocks of the couple were both a bit off. Fortunately, the next day, the husband and wife didn’t need to go to work.

However, their three little cubs got up early, rubbing their eyes as they went to knock on their parents’ bedroom door.

Su Xiaoxiao had taught them to knock on the door before entering someone else’s house, and the little cubs remembered it well.

Han Cheng woke up first, and in a half-dreamy state, Su Xiaoxiao hugged him tightly. Han Cheng gently patted her back to comfort her. For the first time, Han Cheng had the urge to throw the three little ones outside.

As the noise subsided and Su Xiaoxiao adapted to the tranquil atmosphere, Han Cheng quietly got out of bed. He opened the door and saw the three little cubs standing in a line at the doorway. Han Cheng made a hushing gesture and pointed outside.

Xiao Doubao refused to leave, wanting to go inside to see his mother. So, Han Cheng had to pick him up and said, “Your Mommy is not feeling well, let her rest a little longer, be obedient.”

One man and three little men went to wash up together. Han Cheng asked his two eldest to help their younger brother wash his face, while he went into the kitchen to cook porridge. 

He didn’t dare to put anything else in the porridge, only rice and millet. After boiling it over high heat, he moved it to a clay pot to simmer slowly on the charcoal fire. They can just add a little salt before eating.

Han Cheng prepared a cup of milk for each child and instructed them, “I’m going out to buy breakfast and groceries. Be good at home. As for the two eldest, you two should take care of your younger brother. Don’t touch the pots in the kitchen before I come back; you might get burnt.”

Fantuan and Zhuzi nodded solemnly.

Han Cheng rubbed Xiao Doubao’s head and said, “Mom is not feeling well. Can you try not to let her carry you for a while?”

The two older brothers rarely asked Su Xiaoxiao to hold them, but Xiao Doubao was especially attached to her, almost wanting to stick to her all the time.

Although Xiao Doubao was reluctant, he understood what his father meant, so he obediently nodded.

Han Cheng tied a basket to the back seat of his bicycle, planning to go quickly and come back quickly.

Today, when Old Hu saw Han Cheng coming to buy groceries, he was very surprised. “Where’s Teacher Su?”

Han Cheng replied, “She’s not feeling well today. Give me half a catty of lean meat and a catty of pork bones.”

Han Cheng planned to cook lean meat porridge for Su Xiaoxiao at noon. He had seen her make it once before—it was light and nutritious, and she really liked it.

Old Hu was very surprised, thinking that Han Cheng might not understand how to buy groceries, so he reminded him, “Doctor Han, pure lean meat can be tough. How about adding some fatty meat to it?”

Han Cheng shook his head and said, “No need, I want it all lean.”

Old Hu had no choice but to try to give him a bit more when weighing the meat, and he also added an extra bone.

For the children, Han Cheng bought some shellfish and vegetables that don’t need food tickets. When he saw tomatoes, he bought a bag as well. Finally, he went to the state-owned restaurant to buy some steamed buns and mantou, then hurried back home.

…….

After the little cubs finished drinking their milk, Xiao Doubao brought a small stool and stood guard at his mother’s bedroom door.

The two eldest swept the floor, watered the vegetables, and fed the chickens, showing great teamwork and connection.

After some careful care, most of the vegetables planted by Li Yufeng sprouted tiny buds. Zhuzi was especially careful when watering, fearing that he might accidentally break the soft buds.

“Mommy~~~”

The excited voice of Xiao Doubao came from inside the house, and the two older brothers in the yard exchanged glances. They dropped the water ladle and broom they were holding and rushed into the house like arrows.

Xiao Fantuan: “Mommy!”

Xiao Zhuzi: “Aunt Su!”

Su Xiaoxiao was feeling much better today, but her body was still weak. She was surrounded by the three little cubs. She wanted to bend down and carry Xiao Doubao, however, Xiao Doubao dodged and looked at his mother with a slightly aggrieved expression. “Daddy, no hug~~~”

Xiao Fantuan looked at Su Xiaoxiao with a determined look. “Daddy said that Mom should not hug Xiao Doubao today. Mommy, are you still feeling unwell?”

Su Xiaoxiao patted the heads of the little cubs and shook her head. “I’m much better now. Where’s your dad?”

Xiao Fantuan replied, “Daddy went to buy groceries. He’ll be back soon.”

Su Xiaoxiao nodded. “I’ll go wash up first. You guys can go on with your activities.”

Even after her words, the three little cubs still stood there without moving, their clear eyes glued on her.

Su Xiaoxiao knew that she might have frightened them last night. She found a chair to sit in and pulled all three little cubs into her arms. She earnestly explained, “I’m really okay. It’s normal for people to get sick occasionally, even when they eat a healthy diet. So, my little babies, don’t worry. I just need a couple of days’ rest, and I’ll be fine.”

Xiao Fantuan had experienced the pain of losing someone dear at a very young age, making him more mature than his age. He remembered his mother falling ill and going to the hospital but never coming back. Su Xiaoxiao’s arrival had made him forget those bitter memories completely, but now fear started creeping in. He held onto Su Xiaoxiao and said, “Mommy, please don’t be like my mom. You can’t leave us. We can’t be without you. Waaah…”

Having a loving mother makes a child fortunate. When Fantuan was younger, he didn’t understand it fully, but since Su Xiaoxiao came into their lives, he has truly grasped its significance. He couldn’t bear to imagine how their family would be without her.

Zhuzi also started wiping his tears. He had no memory of when his father left, and he had never experienced maternal love. He witnessed with his own eyes how his grandmother left him forever at the hospital. Even if his Uncle Han and Aunt Su were not his biological parents, he considered them his second parents. The happiest days of his life were spent with the Han family. Like Fantuan, he was also afraid that Su Xiaoxiao would go to the hospital and never come back, and he had held back his tears until now.

Confused by the crying of his two older brothers, Xiao Doubao also followed suit and cried with his older brothers.

It was Su Xiaoxiao’s first time raising children, and her emotional attachment to these little cubs was deep. Being ill made her particularly vulnerable. Last night, she couldn’t help but feel anxious; she was afraid that if she were to fall ill, she couldn’t take care of them. Now, caught up in the emotions, she cried along with the children.

When Han Cheng arrived at the door and heard the crying inside, he almost couldn’t stop his bicycle properly. Without bothering to take anything with him, he pushed the door open and saw Su Xiaoxiao and the children huddled together in tears. He crouched down, embraced them, and asked softly. “What happened?”

Su Xiaoxiao looked at Han Cheng with tearful eyes and flattened lips.

Han Cheng felt heartbroken and rubbed her head against her shoulder. He said gently: “It’s okay, I’m here now. The children have stopped crying too. I bought some steamed buns. Get up, wash your face, and let’s have the buns before they go to school. Zhuzi, take the little ones to wash their faces.”

Zhuzi obeyed his Uncle Han. He pulled Fantuan and carried Xiao Doubao. The three little cubs finally calmed down and headed outside.

Han Cheng pulled a chair and sat down, bringing Su Xiaoxiao onto his lap to wipe away her tears. “You’re going to be a mother, and you’re still crying like a child.”

Su Xiaoxiao broke into a smile through her tears and said, “I’ve been a mother for a long time.” Even though the pain she had experienced last night was intense, she managed to hold back her tears and didn’t shed a single one. When Han Cheng returned, he didn’t cry either. Today, she was unexpectedly moved to tears by a few little cubs. Su Xiaoxiao herself felt a bit embarrassed about it.

Han Cheng sighed and kissed her little dimple, sounding somewhat helpless. “Alright, go freshen up and have breakfast. I’ll take the kids to school later and help you apply for leave.”

Han Cheng felt that he might have some reservations about traveling for work in the future. Su Xiaoxiao looked delicate, but she rarely cried. It was probably due to being sick and affected by hormones that her emotions fluctuated easily. The kids were still so young, so he would try to minimize his business trips in the future.

After breakfast, Han Cheng drove Fantuan and Zhuzi to school and also applied for leave for Su Xiaoxiao before returning to the hospital to get the medical report.

“Congratulations, Doctor Han. You’re going to be a father again.”

Han Cheng took the report from the nurse’s hand and examined it carefully, thanking her after confirming the details. The smile on his face never faded.

Dr. Chen, who knows where he came from, made a bow to Han Cheng and said, “Congratulations, Doctor Han, and my best wishes for another little Han!”

The smile on Han Cheng’s face instantly faded. “What are you talking about?”

He already had three troublesome boys at home; why another “little Han”? He wanted a daughter—a sweet and cute little girl just like Su Xiaoxiao!

After Han Cheng left, Chen Aimin was still puzzled and asked the nurse, “Why did he scold me when I congratulated him?”

The nurse who gave the report smiled and said, “Doctor Han has many sons in his family, so he wants a daughter.”
“I don’t think Dr. Han is destined to be a father-in-law. If a daughter sees his cold face, she wouldn’t dare to be born. In my opinion, he’s better off having a son.”
Chen Aimin suddenly realized this and casually said

The nurse suppressed a smile and said, “Do you dare say that in front of Doctor Han?”

Chen Aimin was a typical person who talks big but had a soft heart. He stubbornly replied, “I say the same thing in front of anyone.”

……………..

Han Cheng returned the car to the dean and reported on the situation of the exchange conference, submitting the neatly prepared report he had completed on the train. He also asked for a leave of absence.

The original schedule was for ten days, but Han Cheng returned early, and the director asked him to rest at home for two more days.

Han Cheng didn’t say anything and wanted to see how Su Xiaoxiao was doing today before deciding whether to continue the leave tomorrow. He had previously promised Xiao Bao to bring Su Xiaoxiao back to Su Family Village for the Chinese New Year. Now, it all depended on Su Xiaoxiao’s health, but he thought it would be best to save up some vacation days for later.

Han Cheng ran home with a spring breeze all over his face, feeling several years younger.

Upon arriving home, she saw Su Xiaoxiao sitting in a chair with a book in her hand. Her dimple appeared when she smiled as she was watching Xiao Doubao. She was enjoying the sunshine, and Xiao Doubao was busy writing and drawing on a small blackboard at her feet. Han Cheng’s heart, which had been racing all the way, instantly calmed down.

He went over and hugged Su Xiaoxiao, gave her a kiss, and grinned like a silly child. “Xiaoxiao, we are having a daughter now.”

With the facts in front of their faces, it was only when they saw the words written on paper that they truly felt relieved.

Su Xiaoxiao touched her lower abdomen, and her sparkling eyes formed a crescent shape as she hugged Han Cheng and rubbed against him, saying, “Han Cheng, we are really having a daughter!”

Xiao Doubao suddenly stood up, touched his mother’s belly, wrinkled his nose, and said, “Younger brother~~~”

The couple was instantly taken aback and looked at Xiao Doubao, saying in unison, “It’s a younger sister, not a younger brother!”

Xiao Doubao touched Su Xiaoxiao’s belly again and then pointed at himself, sounding very sure, “Xiao Doubao, younger brother!”

The couple, whose wits were momentarily deceived by their dream of having a daughter, looked at each other and regained their intelligence, realizing that there was indeed a 50% chance that they would give birth to a younger brother.

T/N: I’ll be posting Chapters 79, 80, and 81 tomorrow~