AYLS – Chapter 134

Director Hao brought this matter up with the other leaders in the regiment.

Although it wasn’t a big issue, and the expenses wouldn’t be much, decisions like this still had to be approved by the regiment leaders—especially since it involved Regiment Commander Sheng.

Regiment Commander Sheng had heard from his wife that the children were fighting to lighten the family’s burden and were practically begging to go work at the chicken farm.

He hadn’t taken it seriously. He thought the kids were just talking.

But the moment Director Hao came to report it, he immediately realized the seriousness of the situation. So the kids weren’t just messing around.

“Nonsense, this is nonsense. Who makes their children go earn money?”

“It’s not unheard of. It’s normal for kids in the countryside to start working in the fields by their early teens,” Director Hao added. “And in the cities, as long as a family has a work post available, the kids take over early too.”

“That still won’t do. It’s not like we’re short on manpower. Giving them this kind of special treatment wouldn’t be appropriate. Our family doesn’t need that kind of special consideration.”

Director Hao said, “Regiment Commander, this isn’t about giving your family special treatment. It’s for the sake of the children. Think about Lanlan and Xiaojun—they’re already older. Don’t they have their own ideas? They’re always eager to help around the house. And it’s the same for the other adopted kids. They’re all sensible. If you don’t let them work, they’ll feel uneasy.”

“If their hearts are full of worries, how can they focus on their studies? Wouldn’t that go against the purpose of adopting them in the first place?”

Regiment Commander Sheng sighed. “They’re all good kids. Just… too thoughtful.”

Director Hao said, “Kids raised in our unit—how could they be selfish? Look at their parents. Do you think children of such people would have bad character?”

“That doesn’t mean we should send them out to work just because they’re good kids, does it? We still need to think this over carefully.”

Deep down, Regiment Commander Sheng still felt that the children deserved a better life. They shouldn’t be carrying burdens at such a young age.

Otherwise, why would he have adopted them in the first place? If he let them go work to support the household, wouldn’t that be the same as making the children toil? The thought alone made him uneasy.

His own sons, however—that was different. They could use some toughening up. Those two just didn’t know how good they had it. If not for the support and protection of old comrades, they too might have become children without a father.

Regiment Commander Sheng said the same things at home.

His wife didn’t react much—whether they went or didn’t wasn’t important to her. What mattered was that she understood the children’s intentions.

But the children were different.

The moment they heard the decision, several of them stood up anxiously.

Especially the Wen–Wu brothers— they nearly jumped three feet high. “Why not? It’s our freedom!”

Regiment Commander Sheng said, “I don’t agree, so you can’t do it. The chicken farm won’t take you either.”

“You’re bullying us!” Sheng Wen’s face flushed red with anger.

“I’m your father—what kind of attitude is that?” Regiment Commander Sheng slapped the table in anger.

Sheng Wen really wanted to say: We don’t even care for a father like you.

Zhang Lanlan, afraid Sheng Wen would get beaten, quickly said, “Uncle, why not? We really want to go work. And I heard we can learn technical skills too. Sister Xiao Qiao is great at raising chickens.”

Regiment Commander Sheng’s tone noticeably softened. “Lanlan, I’ve thought about it, but I believe what’s most important at your age is studying. Once you finish your education, whether you want to work or join the army, I won’t stop you. Don’t overthink it—growing into good people is the best way to honor your parents.”

“I won’t delay my studies just because I work. I’ll only go during my free time.”

“That still won’t do. If your schoolwork suffers even a little, how could I face your parents?”

“Uncle, we won’t let it affect our studies,” Li Xiaojun promised.

“No more talking. I’ve decided. There’s nothing to discuss.”

“If you won’t let me go, I’ll go anyway! I’ll go every day! I don’t need any allowance—I’ll work for free!” Sheng Wen yelled angrily.

Listening to how his father talked nicely to others but scolded him like this—he really couldn’t bear it.

Who was the real biological child here?

“You want to go? Fine, go then.” Regiment Commander Sheng suddenly changed his tone. He felt the boy really needed some toughening.

Sheng Wen, who had been prepared for a dramatic showdown, froze. “…You mean it?”

“Of course. Go if you want. But there’s no allowance. You can help at the chicken farm. They’ll give you a meal.”

Sheng Wen thought: No allowance is fine. As long as there’s food, he could still act proud.

Sheng Wu panicked when he saw his brother being allowed to go. “What about me? What am I supposed to do? I want to go too!”

“You too, you too. You two brothers can go get reshaped together.”

Zhang Lanlan bit her lip, tears welling up, but said nothing.

That afternoon, the two brothers excitedly ran to find Lin Qiao.

Lin Qiao had been somewhat hopeful about the matter, but the moment she heard the two brothers bragging loudly, her mood soured.

What a mess.

“What are you so happy about? Even if Regiment Commander Sheng agreed, you still have to pass my assessment. If you come without knowing anything just to earn a meal, isn’t that just cheating? If he finds out you’re incompetent, he definitely won’t let you come.”

“Then we’ll take the test.” Sheng Wen grinned. Since no one was competing this time, the assessment would naturally be much easier.

But before the two brothers even got to the assessment, Zhang Lanlan and Li Xiaojun came looking for them.

The determination of those two was even greater. They directly announced that they didn’t need food, just let them help with the work.

Their thoughts were very simple—since A-Wen and A-Wu came out to work to save the family one portion of food, and their uncle wouldn’t let them come out to work, then fine, they’d just come over on their own to help. If they helped do more work, the two brothers could do less.

Those two bowls of food could be considered something everyone earned together. That made them feel better.

And since they weren’t taking any stipend, nobody could stop them from working for free.

Hearing all this, Lin Qiao was deeply moved by the sibling-like affection between them. “Your bond is really something. But what if these two fail the assessment? Will you still stay?”

Zhang Lanlan said, “Why don’t you just keep them? We’ll help with the work anyway. Even if they don’t know how to do it, we can learn. The chicken farm won’t lose anything.”

Sheng Wen and Sheng Wu: “…” So we’re that useless in your eyes? Who asked you to meddle?!

Lin Qiao really couldn’t bring herself to refuse. She clapped her hands in excitement. “Alright, seeing how determined you all are, I’ll take you.”

That evening, when Regiment Commander Sheng returned home for dinner, he noticed the children still hadn’t come back. He knew the two brothers were eating at the chicken farm—he had already checked with Old Hao. But Lanlan and Xiaojun not coming home? That was unexpected.

Madam Sheng said that when they left, they said they were going to ask someone about their studies, so they were probably delayed.

Regiment Commander Sheng said, “Alright then, set aside food for them.”

Sure enough, Zhang Lanlan and Xiaojun came back later that night and obediently ate their meal.

Commander Sheng had a sharp nose. From a distance, he could smell something on them.

When Sheng Wen and Sheng Wu returned, he smelled the same thing again.

Maybe it was because they had gotten what they wanted—both brothers seemed in much better spirits. When they came home, they were surprisingly quiet and didn’t glare coldly at the other kids like before.

They even helped Lanlan and two younger kids carry hot water.

Madam Sheng was delighted. She secretly told Commander Sheng that labor truly transformed people—the boys finally looked sensible.

That night, Lin Qiao lay in Gu Huayuan’s arms as she recounted everything. She sighed that the children of this era were truly wonderful, one more thoughtful than the last. If Regiment Commander Sheng weren’t against it, she would’ve let all of them do as they wished. How would working at the chicken farm hinder their studies anyway? She and Zhenzhen could even guide them… especially Zhenzhen, who had excellent grades and could tutor the kids.

Gu Huayuan said, “Isn’t this considered going against orders on the surface? If Sheng finds out, how will you explain it?”

“I’m going to ask him about it anyway. I want to know why he cares less just because they’re not his own children.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. He really cares about those kids. His temper isn’t great, but he’s never once lost his temper with them.”

“That’s exactly what worries me.” Lin Qiao thought of her own wasteful, ruined years.

Her grandparents truly loved her. She never doubted their sincere affection for her.

But the result was—she really was useless back then.

“Loving someone doesn’t mean coddling them. You have to teach them. Especially children—if they’re properly taught, no matter what hardships they face later, they’ll have the ability to get through them. You can’t protect a child for their whole life.”

As she said this, her eyes reddened.

This was the lesson she learned from the upheaval in her own life.

Gu Huayuan gently wiped the corner of her eyes and massaged her temple with his thumb. “So, Comrade Xiao Qiao finally understands my good intentions? ‘Parents love their children, and thus think long-term for them.’”

Lin Qiao burst out laughing. “You’re not my father!”

“No, not your father. But I can be your child’s father. Comrade Xiao Qiao… when are we going to have one?” Now that life was stable, it was only natural for Gu Huayuan to start thinking about it.

This scared Lin Qiao straight. “What? How did we suddenly get to having children? I—I’m not ready. The chicken farm isn’t even fully running yet.”

“That’s not a problem. Isn’t Xu’s wife around?”

The moment Lin Qiao heard Su Weizhen’s name, she suddenly remembered something. “Then stop thinking about that. Zhenzhen told me long ago—she and Commander Xu are planning to have a child. She already asked me to take more work off her hands. Even if we want a child, we’ll have to wait in line.”

Gu Huayuan immediately frowned. “Really?”

“Why would I lie to you?”

“That old Xu moves fast.” Gu Huayuan sighed. “Fine, we’ll wait then. We can afford to.”

Lin Qiao let out a breath. Having Su Weizhen conceive and raise a child would take at least two years. By then, she wouldn’t even be here anymore.

She looked at Gu Huayuan, feeling awful inside. She felt like she was lying to him. “I’m sorry, Gu Huayuan.”

He thought she was apologizing about not having a child now, and smiled, “No need to apologize. Waiting is fine. It gives us time to prepare. Good things are worth waiting for.”

“That’s not what I meant…” Lin Qiao bit her lip, her eyes glistening as she looked at him.

She wanted to tell him not to hold onto hope. Seeing him look so hopeful about their future made her feel even more guilty.

“Crying again?” Gu Huayuan chuckled and kissed her. “Even if we can’t have a child now, sweetheart… can we at least practice for it first?”

As he spoke, he kissed her tear-bright eyes.