Unexpectedly, there came a day when Jiang Lin would also experience the feeling of unfulfilled desire.

It was terrifying.

She finally understood what Cheng Rushan felt when he was unsatisfied—how pitiful it was, so she decided to let him experience it doubly.

In the end, under Cheng Rushan’s resentful gaze, she felt refreshed, achieving a state of physical and mental peace, no longer so restless.

After all, this was due to hormonal influences, an abnormal situation that wouldn’t last long.

During dinner, Wen Sheng noticed Cheng Rushan’s gloomy expression and asked, “Dad, are you unhappy?”

Cheng Rushan replied, “A little.”

Dabao asked, “Why are you unhappy?”

Xiaobao said, “I know, it’s because the train is too slow. I’m also unhappy. Why does Baosheng have to take a nine-month train ride? Dad, don’t you know people at the railway bureau? Go and discuss with them to get Baosheng here earlier.”

Although it was a different concern, it strangely matched Cheng Rushan’s mood.

The initial joy of his wife’s pregnancy had calmed down and was now replaced by the torment of seeing but not being able to enjoy.

He Liang, looking very considerate, asked, “Brother Cheng, do you want to move in with us?”

Cheng Rushan glanced at him coolly and said, “You’re wasting your talent standing guard all day. Go to the back and join the training; you should be able to get a position in the Action Department or transfer to the Public Security Bureau. Riding a bike to handle cases every day should keep you busy.”

He Liang just grinned.

Dabao said, “My Baosheng is working so hard, and we’re feeling bad. Why are you grinning?”

Xiao Meng and Xiao Jun sat quietly, not able to join the conversation.

Xiao Jun, wanting to play with Dabao and Xiaobao, butting in, said, “Do you want the little sister to come quickly so you can replace your wife? Girls are meant to replace the older brothers’ wives!”

Dabao and Xiaobao turned their heads to look at him with disapproval.

The atmosphere suddenly became a bit eerie.

Xiao Jun swallowed nervously, “What’s wrong? My grandma said…”

“Did your grandma say something nonsense and get beaten?” Dabao gestured with chopsticks toward Xiao Jun’s hand. “Put your hand out. Nonsense.”

In school, this was how things worked: when kids argued or fought, the teacher would mediate and slap their hands.

Xiao Jun, frightened, hid his hand behind him and looked at Xiao Meng for help.

Xiao Meng reached out timidly and said, “Just hit me.”

Yan Runzhi saw this and wanted Dabao and Xiaobao not to bully their younger brother, but she caught Jiang Lin’s glance, which indicated that she need not interfere.

So, Yan Runzhi kept quiet and subtly signaled Cheng Rushan to move out that night.

Cheng Rushan pretended not to understand and turned to discuss with Jiang Lin about going to the clinic or military hospital to confirm the pregnancy duration.

Jiang Lin sat beside him, her expression calm.

She wasn’t the same as when they were alone, where her face was like a peach blossom and eyes like spring water, but instead, she was dignified and serene, with a maternal radiance.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jun looked at Jiang Lin with hopeful eyes, hoping she would save him.

Jiang Lin ignored him and quietly spoke with Cheng Rushan.

Xiao Jun had to withdraw his gaze and cling tightly to Xiao Meng.

Dabao didn’t let up, “Put your hand out. It’s you I’m talking to. The teacher will hit the hand, and no one will substitute.”

Xiao Jun said, “I won’t dare to do it again.”

Xiaobao added, “We’ll talk about the future later. What’s happening now needs to be dealt with.”

Xiao Meng said, “You… you guys, go ahead and hit me…”

Dabao said, “Girls shouldn’t get involved in boys’ issues. Whoever makes a mistake should take responsibility. Xiao Jun, you need to be a man and not hide behind girls pretending to be pitiful.”

Xiao Jun cried, “Wah… I want to go home, I want my grandma, I want my dad…”

Xiaobao said, “If you cry, you won’t get any of my fruit candies, or the shrimp crackers, peach crisps, date cakes, rice cakes, or fruit leather…” He listed a bunch of snacks.

Xiao Jun stopped crying, feeling aggrieved, and extended his hand, “Wuwu, be gentle…”

Dabao didn’t use chopsticks but instead gave him a light pat on the palm, not hard but crisp, “This is a warning!”

Seeing that he admitted his mistake and Dabao didn’t hit him further, Xiao Jun breathed a sigh of relief and wasn’t as afraid anymore.

Xiaobao handed him a piece of fruit candy, “You admitted your mistake and took responsibility, so here’s a reward for you.”

Xiaobao found it interesting that it could be done this way.

He put the candy in his mouth, which was sweet and sour, and very delicious.

Xiaobao also rewarded Xiao Meng with a piece of candy, “You protected your brother, so here’s a reward for you.”

Dabao said, “No principles. You shouldn’t reward him. If the younger brother makes a mistake, he should be punished himself. Why are you taking the blame for him? When Xiaobao makes a mistake, I never take the punishment for him.”

Xiaobao replied, “It’s good enough that you don’t come to hit me. I wouldn’t dare expect you to take my place.”

Dabao rolled his eyes at him, “You hide…”

“Hey, hey, hey, Grandma, why haven’t we started eating?” Xiaobao quickly changed the subject to prevent Dabao from continuing, and he hugged Dabao’s neck, trying to get along with him and avoid further discussion.

Dabao glanced at Jiang Lin and saw that she seemed to be paying no attention, so he kept quiet.

Wen Sheng asked curiously, “What else did your grandma teach you?”

Xiao Jun said, “A lot. Girls go to school and read books that spoil them, they become improper, always making trouble and behaving indecently.”

Wen Sheng, Dabao, and Xiaobao: … What does that mean?

Jiang Lin said, “Alright, let’s eat. Dabao and Xiaobao, you’ll take Xiao Meng to school tomorrow. Xiao Jun will stay at home with Grandpa and Grandma.”

Sometimes they accompanied Wen Sheng to the theater troupe, and sometimes they stayed at the military district.

There was also an activity center near the grand auditorium with fitness equipment, and places for dancing and performing.

The art troupe regularly performed there, and Wen Sheng would also go there for rehearsals and performances.

Having Xiao Jun with them would also help him learn some manners.

He Liang said, “I’ll inform the school.”

Xiao Meng could attend as a guest student.

In the evening, Xiao Meng still ate little, but she ate a few more bites compared to at home.

She was overcoming her psychological barrier, and her gastrointestinal issues could be adjusted by Dr. Lan.

With Yan Runzhi and the others around, Jiang Lin didn’t need to worry about the children.

They could tell stories or do other things with them.

They were also discussing how to sleep that night.

Since Xiao Meng was a girl, Yan Runzhi suggested she stay with her.

Xiao Jun wanted to both play with Dabao and Xiaobao and sleep with his sister.

In the end, Dabao decided that he should sleep with Xiao Meng first, and he could join them in a few days.

Dabao now had a very brotherly demeanor.

Jiang Lin then pulled Cheng Rushan back to their room.

Honestly, Cheng Rushan was a bit reluctant to get up so early, things had changed so much, but she needed to go to school tomorrow, so going to bed early was the right choice.

The next day, Cheng Rushan wanted to take Jiang Lin to school, but Jiang Lin firmly refused.

“Shan Ge, I’m not that delicate. Don’t worry, and don’t be nervous.” To comfort Cheng Rushan, she deliberately slowed her pace and carefully got into the car, afraid of startling him.

Cheng Rushan returned to the compound only after the bus had left.

He first went to the logistics and political office in the administration area to report and register the news that his wife was pregnant.

Normally, this wouldn’t be necessary until it was time to register the child, but he wanted to get ahead of the situation now that family planning regulations were in place.

As the head of the transport division and also a team leader in the disciplinary committee, Cheng Rushan was seen as a promising young man by many.

Despite this, he remained calm and unpretentious.

When he arrived at the logistics and political office, Director Feng and Deputy Director Bian were both there.

Director Feng greeted him with a smile, saying, “Rushan, it’s rare to see you here! Come in!”

People often visited the political office to build connections, but Cheng Rushan rarely showed up unless necessary.

Cheng Rushan greeted them and mentioned that he wanted to register his future child’s birth in advance.

Director Feng said with a smile, “Congratulations!”

Deputy Director Bian’s expression darkened.

He was surprised to hear that Jiang Lin was pregnant.

He felt a pang of bitterness and said, “Rushan, with family planning regulations in place, you’re going against the rules…”

“Deputy Director Bian, could you please show me the official documents?” Cheng Rushan responded firmly.

Deputy Director Bian was at a loss for words.

Director Feng stepped in to smooth things over, “Let’s not get upset. We haven’t officially started yet. The rules will come into effect from New Year’s Day, so as long as the pregnancy started before then, it’s fine.”

Deputy Director Bian asked, “Is the pregnancy confirmed or is it just preliminary?”

Cheng Rushan replied, “Once my wife has time, we’ll go to the hospital to get a check-up certificate.”

Director Feng reassured him, “There’s no need to be so strict. We’re all colleagues here. Unlike schools, streets, or factories, we don’t follow those rigid rules.”

In the military zone, family planning issues were straightforward.

Once the regulations were announced, pregnancies that didn’t meet the criteria after the start date would be problematic.

However, since the military mainly had officers with families or soldiers whose families stayed at home, these rules were less strict.

With the approval in hand, Cheng Rushan returned to his office, confident that no one would make trouble for him regarding the pregnancy.

Twenty days passed in the blink of an eye.

Jiang Lin felt that being pregnant didn’t make much of a difference; she ate more deliciously and slept more soundly.

With the exams just a few days away, she didn’t dare relax.

She arrived at school early every day, studied at home in the evenings, and also met with classmates in the library in the afternoons to discuss exam content and work on practice questions.

One morning, as she got off the bus, a blast of exhaust fumes hit her as the bus left, making her feel suddenly nauseous.

She hurried a few steps to breathe some fresh air but still felt queasy, like the feeling of motion sickness.

“Are you alright?” someone passing by asked with concern.

Jiang Lin covered her mouth with a handkerchief and turned to look, smiling, “Thank you, I’m fine.”

The person said, “Oh,” and took out a small tin box from his pocket, opened it, and handed her a piece of candy. “A piece of candy will help.”

Jiang Lin eyed him for a moment.

Receiving candy from a stranger on the street?

Was she that easy to fool? She smiled and said, “Thank you, but I don’t need it. I’m about to get to school.”

The person looked embarrassed, “Don’t you recognize me?”

Hearing this, Jiang Lin took a closer look and realized he did look familiar.

Ah, this was the distinctive, handsome cafeteria worker.

She smiled and said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t recognize you with a change of clothes.”

She took a piece of fruit candy, which tasted sweet and sour and indeed made her feel much better.

“My name is Tian Ye.”

Jiang Lin, sucking on the candy, replied, “Hello, Tian Ye. I’m Jiang Lin.”

Tian Ye said, “Hello, Jiang Lin.”

Jiang Lin laughed, feeling that he might be unhappy about being addressed as ‘worker’ but didn’t take it to heart.

She headed towards the teaching building as he followed in the same direction, and they walked together.

At the intersection, Jiang Lin noticed he was still following her and reminded him, “Aren’t you going to the cafeteria?”

Tian Ye replied, “Oh, I only help out at noon. I have classes in the morning.”

Classes?