Chapter 82

Just a few days away from the year-end, Su Xiaoxiao is now finally able to eat and sleep well. Her previously thin cheeks are gradually gaining back some flesh, but her “pregnant belly” is still not very obvious.

On the other hand, it was Han Cheng who wasn’t doing well. He often wakes up in the middle of the night, always needing to check if Su Xiaoxiao is hungry or not, if her feet have cramps, or whether she’s in a bad mood due to her hormones. He has to see her sleeping soundly by his side before he can rest assured and go back to sleep.

Han Cheng is now even more exhausted than Su Xiaoxiao, and he hasn’t managed to gain back his weight.

But no matter how tired he is, Han Cheng, who is self-disciplined, still gets up on time in the morning. He first cooks a pot of congee over a charcoal fire, then takes the children out for morning exercises.

After a period of exercise, the children’s physique has undergone significant changes. The two children who used to catch colds every winter are now full of energy every day. Not to mention catching a cold; they don’t even sneeze. In addition to that, their appetite has also grown. They add a bit of rice every day, and unconsciously, they need to add almost half a bowl of rice more to feel full.

Otherwise, how could they say that the cubs are eating their old man into poverty?

Fortunately, the whole family now cooperatively follows Su Xiaoxiao’s taste. Even picky eater Fantuan temporarily stopped asking for his favorite dishes. They eat whatever is cooked at home, even if sometimes Han Cheng’s cooking turns out bad and Su Xiaoxiao can’t eat it. Whenever that happens, he has to cook another bowl of noodles for her. The kids also eat everything cleanly, giving him a clean face.

After the weather turned cold, Su Xiaoxiao enjoyed experimenting with various types of noodles. She made different styles of buns, dumplings, and wontons every day.

The large cabbage Li Yufeng had previously planted had grown quite large. Han Cheng wrapped the small vegetable garden with adhesive tape to turn it into a small greenhouse.

The various fruits and vegetables inside grew well, so it can be said that there was no shortage of fresh vegetables at home.

If they wanted to eat anything, they could pick whatever they wanted from the garden, and the time from harvesting to cooking was no more than half an hour. It couldn’t get fresher than that.

The chives that had been brought over from Zhuzi’s house grew rapidly. They were cut and regrown, tender and fresh. Su Xiaoxiao loved using chives and cabbage to make dumplings and buns.

With the agreement of their three children, Su Xiaoxiao traded their family’s “Zhou” and “Fen” with Grandma Zhang for two young hens. When they got the hens back, they still named them “Zhou” and “Fen,” but now they were hens instead of roosters.

In this way, they now had three hens that laid eggs, allowing the family to have a boiled egg every other day. They could also save up eggs for making chive dumplings.

Su Xiaoxiao made many chive dumplings yesterday. Han Cheng returned from the market with their two older children just as Su Xiaoxiao had finished her nap and was getting ready with Xiao Doubao.

Fantuan, whose teeth had finally grown out but still had a bit of a lisp, eagerly announced as soon as he entered the door, “Mom, Mom, guess what! Uncle Hu left us some lamb today!”

After Han Cheng returned, he almost went to the market to buy groceries every day. The money they had left with Lao Hu remained mostly untouched. Su Xiaoxiao had told Old Hu a while ago that if there was a supply of lamb, she would appreciate having some. Now, about once or twice a month, they would receive a supply of lamb, and Old Hu remembered their request and made sure to set some aside for them.

Since Su Xiaoxiao had trouble with morning sickness before, this was the first time they were buying lamb after the onset of winter.

“That’s great! We’ll have lamb soup for lunch today.”

For breakfast, they would have sweet potato porridge with chive dumplings. Having a warm bowl of sweet potato porridge and chive dumplings in the winter was both comforting and filling.

Every other day, Su Xiaoxiao would ask Han Cheng to grind some soy milk and have it with buns.

Today was another warming and satisfying breakfast for the family.

Today was the last day of classes, and the final exam results were out. Xiao Fantuan and Xiao Zhuzi tied for first place with perfect scores in their grade. They were going to collect their awards and prizes today, and after that, they would clean up the classroom and start their winter vacation.
During this time, Su Xiaoxiao also took on a few tasks from the propaganda department. All of these tasks were about designing themes and backgrounds for performances in rural areas or creating promotional brochures. The end-of-year artistic performance was a success, and both the stage and background designs received unanimous praise from higher-ups.

Su Xiaoxiao was also assigned to design the backgrounds for the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival performances, so she had to complete these two major tasks before the new year. That would mark the completion of her work for the propaganda department this year.

However, while doing this task, something unexpected happened. At the crucial moment of this annual performance, Jiang Xue was unexpectedly transferred back to the capital after a transfer order came down. Jiang Xue, the pillar of the troupe, didn’t even get to participate in the final performance. On the day the transfer order came, she quickly packed her bags and left without any hesitation.

It’s said that Su Minglan took her place at the end and became the new center of the troupe.

Rumors started circulating outside, claiming that Jiang Xue left because she found out that Su Xiaoxiao was pregnant. Finally letting go of Han Cheng, whom she had been holding onto for six years, she left this place of sorrow overnight.
Su Xiaoxiao laughed it off after listening.

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t know what Jiang Xue was thinking. Perhaps she had some affection or admiration for Han Cheng, but their relationship was at best that of acquaintances. In this day and age, it’s rare for innocent interactions to be blown out of proportion like this. Su Xiaoxiao actually doesn’t care about it.

After breakfast, Han Cheng, who was doing the dishes, was followed by Su Xiaoxiao like a little tail. She hugged his waist, snuggled his back with her nose, and then asked him. “Comrade Han Cheng, when will you have time for vacation?”

Feeling his wife’s playing coquettish, Han Cheng curved his lips and said, “I have saved up a lot of leaves. After finishing this week’s shift, I’ll be able to take time off next week.'”

Su Xiaoxiao pressed her face against his back and arranged her schedule according to Han Cheng’s vacation time: “So, today I’ll finish up the school matters, work on the two design proposals this week, and let’s aim to return to Sujia Village next week.”

Han Cheng thought for a moment and said. “Are you sure you’ll be okay sitting in the car for such a long time? How about I take Fantuan and Zhuzi to pick up the little ones, and you and Xiao Doubao wait for us at home?”

Su Xiaoxiao loosened her hold on his waist and walked in front of him. “Let’s stick to the plan of breaking the journey into two segments like last time. We’ll stay overnight in the city, get a good night’s sleep, and continue the journey the next day. That way, we won’t get too tired. Otherwise, you’ll get exhausted from driving all the way. We’ve never gone out together as a family, so let’s treat it as a little vacation.”

Su Xiaoxiao thought that Han Cheng wouldn’t refuse, and he didn’t. He replied, “Alright, let’s go with your plan. I’ll head back to the office today to give the commune a call and let them know, okay?”

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head, saying, “No, please don’t. If you tell them in advance, my mother will talk about us every day and lose sleep over it. And Xiao Bao will keep nagging about it too. They might end up waiting by the door all day. Let’s surprise them by going back directly. After all, I mentioned it in the last letter I wrote to them.”

Han Cheng smiled and said. “You’re always thinking ahead. Sure, we’ll just head back without telling them about our travel.”

Han Cheng looked outside the yard, watching the children feeding chickens and watering vegetables. He couldn’t help but bow down and kiss Su Xiaoxiao’s lips heavily as he looked at her charming and naive appearance.

Lately, Han Cheng had been avoiding touching Su Xiaoxiao even slightly, but it was because he cared deeply and was quite protective.

Su Xiaoxiao’s face turned red, and she tiptoed up to clasp his neck and pecked at his lips, and said. “I’m going to school for class. We’ll have lamb soup at noon.”

Han Cheng looked at her back as she walked farther, and his smile grew softer. As Su Xiaoxiao became increasingly delicate, his heart also grew tender.

Today, all three cubs put on the big cotton jackets made by Li Yufeng, and Su Xiaoxiao had on the cashmere coat bought by Han Cheng. They walked to the school with a sense of purpose to take their positions for the final duty rotation.

The three cubs went to the classroom for morning reading, while Su Xiaoxiao returned to her office with a radiant smile.

Teacher Chen and Li Yufeng were around the same age. Since Teacher Chen didn’t have a daughter of her own, whenever she saw Su Xiaoxiao, she couldn’t help but look at her with an affectionate gaze. She said, “Xiaoxiao is becoming more and more beautiful. Look at that complexion. You haven’t been having morning sickness recently, have you?”

Su Xiaoxiao had experienced severe morning sickness before, and her pregnancy wasn’t something that could be easily concealed; everyone knew about it.
Su Xiaoxiao smiled gently as she replied: “I’ve been much better lately. I can eat more and sleep well too.”

One teacher said, “People rely on their attire. Teacher Chen, why don’t you take a look at the clothes Su Teacher is wearing? I’ve seen something similar at the state-owned department store, and it costs over a hundred yuan. Director Han must be generous to have brought such a valuable gift back from the capital during his business trip.”

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t dare mention that it was actually imported and cost several times more. She simply said, “It’s not that expensive at the capital’s stores. He saw that I didn’t have many winter clothes, so he brought this along.”

Another teacher teased Su Xiaoxiao. “They say that if you’re carrying a son, it will make you look better, and if you’re carrying a daughter, it will make you look worse. Teacher Su, I’d say you’re probably carrying a son this time.”

Su Xiaoxiao lowered her eyes and touched her belly: “Han Cheng and I want a daughter, Fantuan and the others want a little sister too. I’m hoping for a daughter.”

Teacher Chen nodded and looked at her with even more loving eyes. “Whether it’s a daughter or a son, all of them are wonderful. Our class has exceptional students. After so many years, it’s the first time I’ve seen so many students score above ninety in exams. We have the first-place winners and ‘Three Goods’ students in our class. You’re really skilled at teaching.”
Su Xiaoxiao shook her head and said “Teachers are only responsible for guiding them; it’s the children’s own hard work that leads to such good results.”

Teacher Chen spoke fairly and said “The way Grade One Class 1 was before Fantuan joined isn’t the same as now. It’s all thanks to how well you manage your two kids that the class has improved. This is truly the easiest class I’ve taught in all these years.”

On this point, Su Xiaoxiao strongly agreed.

The reason why the learning atmosphere in the entire class is so good is mainly due to the good leadership led by Fantuan and Zhuzi, especially Fantuan.

He wasn’t just good at studying, he was also great at playing, and everyone enjoyed following him because he made playtime enjoyable.

Fantuan always came up with new games to play. After Han Cheng brought back military and Chinese checkers from the capital and taught Fantuan and Zhuzi how to play, they added their own twist and brought it to school, becoming the new favorite during breaks. Additionally, Fantuan preferred to play with classmates who had good handwriting and were good at studying. To play with him, students needed to excel in their studies and handwriting practice.
Su Xiaoxiao is gentle and patient. Her teaching style and leadership by example had a significant impact on Fantuan and Zhuzi. As a result, whenever Fantuan and Zhuzi’s classmates approached them and asked for their help in solving difficult problems, they were always willing and patient in helping, which directly raised the overall academic level of the entire class.

Even Teacher Mo sincerely thanked Su Xiaoxiao. “Thank you, Teacher Su, for teaching my family Dawei so well.”

Seeing her sincerity, Su Xiaoxiao said two more words: “The child misses his grandparents, so why don’t you take him back to go home to see his grandparents during the New Year holiday?”

Teacher Mo nodded repeatedly, “I understand. Once Old Zhou has time off, we’ll take the kid back to celebrate the New Year with our parents.”

Since that’s the case, Su Xiaoxiao didn’t have much more to say.

Today, Su Xiaoxiao walked home with the kids after school. The children had their hands full with various items, including certificates, notebooks, pencils, and pencil cases. To make sure Xiao Doubao didn’t feel left out, Su Xiaoxiao personally bought him a pencil case and drew a certificate for him. The little one was so happy that he wouldn’t let go of it.

Su Xiaoxiao encouraged the children and said, “Children, these are the honors and rewards that are the result of your hard work throughout the semester. Teacher Su hopes that you can stay humble and keep striving for improvement in the coming semester.”

The three kids stood in a line and saluted Su Xiaoxiao, saying, “Yes, Teacher Su, we’ll definitely do our best!”