Chapter 83.1

As soon as the cubs are on vacation, everyone in the compound is very lively, particularly the Han family.

These days, Xiao Yu and Dun Dun have come over to play, and the Han Family’s house feels like a kindergarten.

Fantuan and Zhuzi are teaching Xiao Yu and Dun Dun how to play Chinese checkers in the room. Xiao Doubao is in the bedroom, accompanying Su Xiaoxiao in working on design drafts. Outside, the two older kids know that Su Xiaoxiao is busy, so they make sure that the other won’t be noisy or interfere with each other.

The baby, Xiao Doubao, took a small stool and sat next to Su Xiaoxiao, quietly and happily writing and drawing along with her.

Su Xiaoxiao asked him, “Xiao Doubao, why aren’t you playing with your brothers?”

Xiao Doubao blinked his big, clear eyes and said, “Keeping Mommy and little brother company~~”

“Xiao Doubao is so well-behaved.” Su Xiaoxiao ruffles his head, feeling her heart melt. She touched her belly and thought that it would be great to have another little boy as well-behaved as Xiao Doubao.

As Su Xiaoxiao gets busy and loses track of time, Han Cheng arrives home. The other kids know it’s time to go home for lunch. Dun Dun and Ya Ya walk hand in hand, heading home. 

Xiao Du came to find Xiao Yu for lunch, but Xiao Yu clung to the doorframe stubbornly, refusing to leave. “I’m having lunch at Aunt Su’s house today!”

Xiao Du simply lifted Xiao Yu onto his shoulders and said, “The captain said you must come home for lunch today!”

Xiao Yu was crying desperately, shouting “Uncle Han, help!” repeatedly.

Su Xiaoxiao quickly came out and said, “Xiao Du, could you please put Xiao Yu down first? What’s wrong with having a meal here with me?”

Xiao Du stubbornly shook his head. “My old man hasn’t seen Xiao Yu for three days. The captain ordered me to bring him back home no matter what!” With that, he completely ignored everything else, lifting Xiao Yu and running off.

Xiao Yu continued crying and causing a commotion among the neighbors in the entire alley. Those who didn’t know what was happening thought someone was trying to kidnap a child. Su Xiaoxiao found the situation both amusing and exasperating.

“What’s the matter with Zhao Xianfeng?” Su Xiaoxiao asked.

“The old man stayed in the hospital for two days. He came back home today, and I guess he wanted to see Xiao Yu,” Han Cheng explained.

It’s understandable that elderly individuals tend to fall ill at the onset of winter.

For lunch, they had dumplings that Su Xiaoxiao had prepared in the morning. Han Cheng cooked them in a pot when he got home, and they added a few vegetables to go along with it.

“My design draft is done. Take me to the Publicity Department this afternoon. I’ll see what other details need to be taken care of and handle them all together, so I don’t have to keep running back and forth.”

Han Cheng shook his head. “Let’s go tomorrow.”

Su Xiaoxiao blinked. “Why?”

Han Cheng replied while washing the vegetables:  “It’s windy today. It’s too cold to ride the bicycle. I’ll bring back the car tonight, and then I’ll take you there tomorrow.”

Su Xiaoxiao was speechless. “I’m not made of tofu. This bit of wind doesn’t matter.”

“Be obedient. Han Cheng’s words were unquestionable.

When Han Cheng got stubborn, there was nothing Su Xiaoxiao could do. After all, Han Cheng had to finish his shift tomorrow before he could take a break. One day didn’t make much of a difference, so Su Xiaoxiao could only go along with his plan.

Zhao Xianfeng had mentioned many times before that he would let Han Cheng use his old man’s car.

Zhao Xianfeng had his car as well, and his old man’s car was rarely driven, which is why he wanted to let Han Cheng use it; however, Han Cheng refused to have special treatment.

But when Su Xiaoxiao became pregnant, Han Cheng thought it would be convenient to have a car.

Now, the weather was getting colder, and Su Xiaoxiao was already sensitive to the cold. Falling ill due to the cold at this time wouldn’t be good. Besides, they were planning to go back to Sujia Village. Han Cheng decided to go to Zhao Xianfeng’s house tomorrow, bring the car back, and keep it at home in the future. Just in case something like last time happens, they’ll have a car to use.

After resting after lunch, Su Xiaoxiao continued to meticulously refine the design draft, aiming to perfect even the smallest details.

Su Xiaoxiao heard the sound of a bicycle bell outside the door, and even before she could react, Fantuan and Zhuzi were quick to move and had already rushed out with a “thud.”

They returned after a while, each carrying a pigeon. “Mom, Uncle Hu said pigeons are good for the body. He left us two.”

Due to the cold weather, Han Cheng didn’t go grocery shopping every day. On average, he will go grocery shopping every two or three days. On days when he didn’t go shopping, he would exercise with the children in their yard. On shopping days, he would take the children out for their exercises.

So, ever since Old Hu found out about Su Xiaoxiao’s pregnancy, he would send over any good things he had during this recent period.

“Pigeons are indeed good for our bodies. How about we have pigeon soup tonight?”

Su Xiaoxiao hasn’t been cooking much during this period, and her culinary skills have become a bit rusty.

Han Cheng can cook a variety of dishes now, and sometimes he can cook a delicious meal without the guidance of Su Xiaoxiao.

Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but feel bad for Han Cheng, who was already exhausted from work. Usually, she prepares simple stews and hotpot dishes in advance. He can just come home from work and enjoy the food.

For stir-fried dishes, the weather gets cold quickly. Typically, they wait for Han Cheng to come home before cooking. Once he’s home, he doesn’t let her lift a finger.

Thinking about Han Cheng, Su Xiaoxiao can’t help but smile. He truly is a one-in-a-million man.

Old Hu has cleaned the pigeons very thoroughly. A quick wash is all that’s needed before cooking.

In these times, these pigeons aren’t young squabs; they’re the kind that have been raised for many years and have very tough bones. Just add some slices of ginger and a few red dates, along with a small handful of goji berries. Let it simmer over a double boiler for a few hours, and it will turn out incredibly flavorful.

The children are studying in the house. Zhuzi is following Fantuan to learn all of the second-grade study materials. He plans to skip a grade with Fantuan and move on to the third grade next September. By that time, Su Xiaoxiao will also teach Chinese in the third grade, so Zhuzi is working twice as hard.

Although Fantuan has a photographic memory, Zhuzi also possesses strong perseverance. If Fantuan remembers something after studying it once, that’s fine. Zhuzi will study it three or five times, always keeping up with Fantuan’s progress.

So, whenever Su Xiaoxiao checks their work, their levels are quite close. The only difference is the time they spend studying. At this rate, there’s no problem with them both skipping a grade and going to the third grade together.

After the children finished studying, during break time, Su Xiaoxiao gave them a task: “Fantuan, Zhuzi, go to the vegetable garden and pick some Dutch beans. Also, peel the silk off them. Han Cheng will stir-fry them when he comes back.”

Xiao Doubao pulled Fantuan’s clothes: “Brother, I want to go too.

Xiao Doubao now speaks quite accurately and can also say “brother,” but he still habitually refers to both brothers as “Bwother.” When he elongates the ending sound a bit, it’s particularly endearing.

Su Xiaoxiao loves it when he talks like that. No matter whom he calls, it’s always very cute: “Go ahead, everyone. Try not to get your clothes dirty after you’ve taken a bath.”

Fantuan led his younger brother outside: “Got it, Mom.”