WRS – Chapter 44

When everyone found out that Jin Xiuzhu was pregnant, the whole family was somewhat in disbelief.

The ones most delighted were father and son. Although Jiang Mingchuan had always hoped for Jin Xiuzhu to become pregnant—and the two had prepared for it in every way, even picking names in advance—when the child actually came, they were still a bit flustered.

During meals, they didn’t know what to say for a long time. Jiang Mingchuan would pick up his chopsticks, put them down, then pick them up again. After a while, he finally managed to squeeze out a sentence: “Not bad… well done.”

Jin Xiuzhu: “……”

Fu Yanyan: “……”

Only He Yan happily ran over and circled around Jin Xiuzhu. “Mom, Mom, am I going to have a little brother or sister?”

“When will they come out?”

“Mom, I want a little brother.”

His younger sister always went against him; he wanted an obedient little brother.

Jin Xiuzhu smiled and nodded, then lowered her head to touch her flat belly. “That, I can’t decide. Whatever fate brings—a little brother or sister—it’s all fine.”

“All right, but I still want a brother.”

He sneaked a glance at his sister while saying this.

Among the family, only Fu Yanyan remained calm—or rather, she appeared calm on the surface, but the shock inside her was something only she knew.

She never expected Jin Xiuzhu to be pregnant. Although she had heard Jin Xiuzhu mention it once or twice before, so much time had passed that she had almost forgotten it. Yet now, a child was truly on the way—a life that had never existed in their previous life was about to enter their family.

For Fu Yanyan, this was like a thunderclap right next to her ear.

She wanted to say something, but when she opened her mouth, no words came out.

Even though she knew this world differed from the last in many ways, she still found it hard to accept. She was even a little afraid of this child’s arrival, fearing that some past mistakes might repeat.

Seeing her silent, Jin Xiuzhu thought her daughter was overthinking. Her daughter had always been smart, but sometimes being smart wasn’t a good thing—it made things unnecessarily complicated.

She reached out to pat her daughter’s small head and said earnestly, “No matter how many children I have, I’ll love you and your brother just as before. Don’t worry.”

All of Fu Yanyan’s complicated thoughts were interrupted by this sentence.

She stared blankly at Jin Xiuzhu and asked strangely, “No matter how many children?”

Having spent so much time together, she understood Jin Xiuzhu in this world—she wouldn’t say something without reason.

Jin Xiuzhu smiled gently. “Yes. Three children aren’t enough. Later, you’ll have even more little brothers and sisters. Anyway, your dad and I both earn money, so we won’t struggle to raise you all.”

Fu Yanyan: “……”

He Yan grinned foolishly. “Then I want a brother!”

Jiang Mingchuan laughed happily. “Of course there will be one.”

After hearing Jin Xiuzhu ramble, he also thought having more children was better.

Only Fu Yanyan tugged at the corner of her mouth and looked at the others laughing foolishly, somewhat speechless. Had they never raised small children before? And they wanted several more! She had seen in the hospital that just one child could drive the whole family crazy—she certainly wouldn’t take part in raising them.

Jin Xiuzhu didn’t know what her daughter was thinking. She tenderly touched her belly—this was her only child in both of her lives, and she would definitely love it. She only hoped it would be born safely.

Thinking of this, her heart felt sweet again. This child was somewhat different—it was a child she had with the person she loved. Although Jiang Mingchuan wasn’t as eloquent or wealthy as Lord Hou, to her, this man brought more joy.

Jin Xiuzhu suddenly remembered something and immediately reminded them, “It’s not yet three months—don’t talk about it outside.”

He Yan didn’t understand and instinctively asked, “Why?”

He had been planning to boast to his friends tomorrow.

Jin Xiuzhu said, “Anyway, you just can’t say anything.”

Jiang Mingchuan agreed, “Listen to your mom.”

Actually, he didn’t understand either.

He Yan felt disappointed: “Fine…”

Satisfied, Jin Xiuzhu began assigning chores: “From now on, Dad will handle breakfast and laundry. He Yan will do dinner. I’ll take care of everything else for now. Other things we’ll deal with later as we think of them.”

Father and son had no objections and cooperatively agreed.

Jin Xiuzhu, worried they might be unhappy, added, “I need to take care of myself now, can’t move too much. It’s bad if I injure myself—the doctor said so when we went with Fang Min to the hospital last time.”

Jiang Mingchuan and He Yan nodded seriously. He Yan added, “I’ll come home earlier from now on.”

Only Fu Yanyan looked at Jin Xiuzhu uncertainly. She had been there that day and didn’t hear the doctor say that. The doctor seemed to say that she shouldn’t do heavy work like carrying water or chopping wood, but doing small chores was fine and even healthy.

Still, she didn’t expose it—after all, Jin Xiuzhu hadn’t assigned her any tasks.

After finishing the meal, Jiang Mingchuan obediently washed the dishes, boiling hot water for everyone, and then washed the clothes.

Downstairs in the family building, there was a row of sinks for family members to wash clothes and vegetables. Home water cost money, but this water was free. Usually, military wives washed in the morning; few washed clothes at night.

When Jiang Mingchuan finished the laundry and returned, it was past nine o’clock. As he was about to lie down, he noticed Jin Xiuzhu had used a quilt to make a dividing line between their side of the bed.

He looked at her curiously. “What’s this for?”

Jin Xiuzhu said sweetly, “You toss and turn a lot at night. I’m afraid you’ll roll over onto me.”

Jiang Mingchuan sighed. “Aren’t you being too careful?”

Jin Xiuzhu shook her head. “It’s our first child. Naturally, I have to be careful.”

His heart softened. Thinking she valued their child, he said no more. But lying in bed, he couldn’t help saying, “You just said you wouldn’t show favoritism. But seeing you like this… when the baby is born, can you not favor it?”

Jin Xiuzhu remained silent. Of course there would be favoritism—five fingers aren’t all the same length. Especially in her heart, the child in her belly was her true child—but she could promise to treat everyone fairly.

Jiang Mingchuan reached to touch her belly. “Children can feel it. No matter how fair you try to be, they’ll sense it. Look at the Wu family kids. The eldest daughter is so sensible because she knows the elders favor her little brother.”

He remembered his own childhood—no matter what his adoptive parents said, he knew they didn’t love him much.

Jin Xiuzhu looked at him. “What are you trying to say?”

He said softly, “We should be fair parents. Some things we’ve gone through—let’s not let our children go through them. Whatever is good to eat or play with, we follow rules. If the kids fight, we don’t interfere, or we handle it fairly. If someone is punished, everyone is punished. We can’t just punish one or scold one…”

Jiang Mingchuan went on at length.

Jin Xiuzhu suspected he was speaking from his own past grievances.

Still, his words reminded her. She could treat He Yan and her daughter fairly, but when the child in her belly was born, she wasn’t sure she could.

Like back then, when the youngest child of the stepwife’s family wasn’t cared for properly, only the servant was punished. She had thought, if it were her, she would have sent the servant away. Why could such people have children, while she, who loved children so much, did not? If she had her own child, she would surely spoil them endlessly.

Seeing Jiang Mingchuan talk non-stop, Jin Xiuzhu said, “All right, all right, I’ll follow you. Okay?”

He knew she had taken it to heart and smiled. “Okay.”

He didn’t understand why Jin Xiuzhu was so anxious about this child. If it were their first, he could understand. But she already had He Yan and Yanyan, yet was still so tense. He felt the family atmosphere was the best it had ever been; disturbing it for the sake of this child wouldn’t be worth it.

Jin Xiuzhu touched her belly, savoring Jiang Mingchuan’s words, and decided to make clothes for the two children the next day.

The next day, she took out the piece of silk previously given by Wang Ling. She had planned to make two pairs of underwear for the two children, reserving the rest for the unborn child. Thinking further, she cut half the fabric to make summer pants for the two children.

Fu Yanyan noticed and instinctively asked, “Is this for the little sister?”

Jin Xiuzhu laughed. “How did you know it’s for the little sister?”

Fu Yanyan said calmly, “He Yan wants a brother, so I want a sister.”

Jin Xiuzhu laughed and shook her head helplessly, then explained, “It’s for both of you. Summer’s coming soon. This fabric is good; each of you will have a pair of pants.”

Fu Yanyan was surprised. “And the little sister?”

Jin Xiuzhu said, “I’ll make one for her too. If it’s not enough, we’ll ask Aunt Wang for more fabric.”

Watching her sew skillfully, Fu Yanyan’s heart felt tender and soft. Yesterday, she had worried that she and He Yan might lose favor, since compared to their biological father, Jiang Dad was far superior. Jin Xiuzhu would surely favor him. She didn’t expect Jin Xiuzhu to make clothes for her and He Yan today.

She got up, silently sat close to Jin Xiuzhu, leaning against her without saying a word.

Jin Xiuzhu, slightly surprised, instinctively looked back. “What’s wrong?”

Fu Yanyan shook her head. “Nothing… I just wanted to be closer to you.”

Sensing her feelings, Jin Xiuzhu stayed quiet but reached out to pat her head.

A strange sadness filled her heart. She knew this child had always regarded her as her biological mother, but she felt unable to return the same love. The child in her belly was different—this difference wasn’t just about blood relations. It was a fulfillment of her past life’s obsession.

In her previous life, she seemed to have gained a lot, but actually had nothing. Her only child had been killed in the womb. She felt immense guilt. If she had been more careful… perhaps things would have been different.

But at this moment, seeing the little girl cautiously leaning toward her, she felt a sense of resolution. This world was different. She had children. Though not biologically hers, in their eyes, she was their mother. They had given her so much love, enough to fill the voids.

Perhaps, as Jiang Mingchuan said, children can feel everything adults do.

Even just a gesture or a look from last night, children could sense her difference.

Jin Xiuzhu paused her sewing and after a moment said, “If you don’t like having little brothers or sisters, Mom won’t have them. You and your brother are the most important.”

Fu Yanyan froze. She wanted to look at Jin Xiuzhu but didn’t dare, fearing the words might be a lie.

Even if they were a lie, she was happy.

After a long while, she shook her head, her nose tinged with emotion. “No… I want a little brother or sister.”

Jin Xiuzhu patted her head again, saying nothing.

In the afternoon, Jin Xiuzhu specially made some pastries. After He Yan finished school, she had him deliver them to Captain Yan’s house and asked him to tell Yan Xing that she wanted to buy some good fabric, and to remind his mother when she got home.

He Yan returned quickly. After getting home, he rolled up his sleeves and started preparing dinner. Jin Xiuzhu wanted to help, but he wouldn’t let her, saying it might bother the baby in her belly.

With nothing else to do, Jin Xiuzhu took her daughter next door for a visit. Usually, at this time, Fang Min would have finished writing and be washing vegetables and rice, preparing for the Political Commissar’s return to cook.

But this time, things seemed to go differently than expected. When Fang Min opened the door to let them in, only the living room light was on, and the table was covered with opened letters and packages.

Jin Xiuzhu looked at her in surprise. “Not cooking tonight?”

Fang Min shook her head. “The Political Commissar won’t be back tonight. I was just going to prepare some noodles.”

Jin Xiuzhu gave her a disapproving look. “You’re carrying twins now, how can you still not take care of yourself? Come eat at my place tonight. In the future, if the Political Commissar isn’t back, just come straight to my house. Otherwise, I’ll be knocking on your door every day to check.”

Fang Min pursed her lips and smiled. “Okay.”

She then gestured for Jin Xiuzhu to sit. “Did Camp Leader Jiang come back so early today?”

Jin Xiuzhu didn’t hide much from her and directly told her about her pregnancy. “But you’re the only one who needs to know. I heard from the elders in the village that it’s best not to tell anyone during the first three months, so we should still be careful.”

Fang Min didn’t expect Jin Xiuzhu to be pregnant too, and a hint of delight appeared on her face. “That’s great. I won’t tell anyone.”

She didn’t have anyone else to talk to. In the unit, apart from Jin Xiuzhu, she didn’t interact much with others.

Jin Xiuzhu smiled. “It’s fate. He Yan specifically came back early today to cook, just to avoid tiring me out. This child is really sensible.”

She didn’t mention that it was actually her who had brought it up last night.

Fang Min said enviously, “He Yan is a good boy.”

Only Fu Yanyan looked at Jin Xiuzhu speechlessly.

Jin Xiuzhu’s eyes landed on the letters on Fang Min’s table. She wasn’t deliberately looking, but her gaze caught the address on one envelope. Since she often received letters, her first instinct was to glance at the address to figure out who sent it. Seeing it was from the capital, she smiled and said something pleasant: “It must be nice to have letters from home, with parents who care. I don’t dare write home; if people knew I was here, they’d probably find a way to ask for money.”

Fang Min rarely heard Jin Xiuzhu talk about her family, so she looked at her with slight surprise.

But her expression didn’t brighten; instead, it remained calm.

Jin Xiuzhu realized she had complimented the wrong thing and was about to change the topic when she saw Fang Min open the package. Inside were children’s clothes, some new, some old.

Fang Min picked out the new ones and showed them to Jin Xiuzhu. “These should be newly bought; they still have tags. Do you want me to give you two of them?”

“Ah—”

Jin Xiuzhu was a little stunned by her generosity, unsure whether to accept.

Fang Min probably noticed her discomfort and smiled wryly. “These new clothes were probably bought by my mom, sent via our housekeeper at the department store. The old ones might be from my sister’s children, or maybe the housekeeper just reused them to save money.”

Jin Xiuzhu looked at her.

Fang Min shook her head. “There’s nothing to be sad about. I’ve always known my parents don’t really care about me. Honestly, I didn’t want to write those letters, but the Political Commissar said they’re still your parents. Being far apart, if you don’t contact them, the relationship grows more distant. I thought this time might be different, but it seems it’s the same.”

“When my sister had children, my mom personally made lots of small clothes and shoes. Even the bought ones were washed many times. Don’t be fooled by the fact that they often send things; most of it was stuff my sister didn’t want.”

Jin Xiuzhu recalled that Fang Min always gave her the malted milk from the capital and guessed there might be a story behind it.

She felt a pang of sympathy. For the first time, she wondered how biological parents could fail to love their own child.

She had heard that Fang Min had been switched at birth and later returned to her biological family. Regardless of whether the first family had intended it or not, the child had suffered so much. Shouldn’t that have been compensated with more love?

Thinking of this, Jin Xiuzhu picked up the small clothes from the table and tossed them aside. Meeting Fang Min’s surprised gaze, she said firmly, “Look at yourself—why let yourself suffer for people who don’t love or care for you? Think about it: your husband is outstanding, you can earn your own money. Why do you need them to give you some small favor? If they won’t buy you good clothes, buy them yourself! If she buys three good ones for her sister’s child, you buy ten. If your mom makes them for your sister’s child, I’ll make them for you—and I’ll make them better than your mom.”

Fang Min’s eyes widened.

Jin Xiuzhu looked at her seriously. “Life is short. A few decades pass quickly. Why make yourself unhappy or deal with unhappy people? We can’t choose our birth, but we can choose the life we live. I’ll ask you: compared to the child in your belly, who’s more important—them or the child?”

Fang Min thought for a moment, then said without hesitation, “The child.”

“And compared to the Political Commissar?”

“The Political Commissar.”

In Fang Min’s heart, the Political Commissar had long been more important than her family.

“Then if you only had three days left to live, would you go back to the capital to mend relations with them, or stay here?”

Fang Min: “Stay here.”

No matter whether the relationship could be repaired, if she only had three days, she wanted to be with the Political Commissar and Jin Xiuzhu.

“That’s it then. Once you understand these things, it’s not so hard to stop feeling sad. You know your place in their hearts, so you’ve made the choice that suits you best. Emotionally, it might still sting, but it’s okay. No one’s life is perfect. Spending time on meaningful things and people is what truly matters.”

“You envy your sister, but how do you know she doesn’t envy you? You have a loving husband, friends who care about you, a good job, and in the future, a smart and well-behaved baby. You already have so much.”

Hearing these words, Fang Min’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Jin Xiuzhu. What had seemed so upsetting just a moment ago suddenly felt much lighter in her heart after Jin Xiuzhu’s comforting words.

Indeed, she already had so much.

Jin Xiuzhu continued, “If there’s something you don’t want to do, then don’t do it. Men sometimes understand nothing—they only know how to play along.”

Fang Min bit her lip.

Jin Xiuzhu, frustrated at her stubbornness, said, “He’s still watching you, reading every word you write.”

Fang Min shook her head, feeling a little silly. “Then I won’t write anymore.”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded, “When the Political Commissar asks, just say you’ve written. If anyone from the capital asks about your recent life, you can reply or not—it’s all up to your mood. If they write three sentences, you reply with one. If they write one, you just say ‘okay.’ No one can live without anyone else, understand?”

Fang Min nodded, a faint smile appearing on her face. For some reason, hearing Jin Xiuzhu’s advice lifted her spirits.

Worried that Jin Xiuzhu might misunderstand the Political Commissar, she explained, “His parents passed away early. He’s very sentimental. He also has a sister—she’s coming over to take care of me now that she knows I’m pregnant.”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded, “It’s certainly more convenient to have someone come and take care of you.”

“I think so too. My sister-in-law is very kind.”

After chatting a bit longer, Jin Xiuzhu took Fang Min home for dinner. Jiang Mingchuan didn’t come back that evening, and normally, if he wasn’t home by 6:30, they wouldn’t wait.

Dinner was three dishes and a soup, all bought by Jiang Mingchuan in the morning, mostly light and simple. Yang Yingxiong and Wei Ningqing were also there. After eating, the three boys carried their bowls and chopsticks to the kitchen to wash them, then gathered in the living room to do their homework.

Jin Xiuzhu cleared the table for them and took Fang Min and her daughter to choose patterns for the children’s clothes.

Fang Min picked a simple style. “This one is perfect.”

“Your baby will be born early in the year-end, so it will be cold. We need to make thicker jackets. I’ll ask Sister-in-law Qian to help buy some cotton from her family’s production team—it’s cheap—and make a few more quilts.”

Fang Min hadn’t realized there was so much to consider. She knew nothing, the Political Commissar didn’t either, and her sister-in-law had just written that everything was prepared for them.

“Never mind, you don’t understand. I’ll prepare two sets.”

Fang Min obediently agreed, feeling lucky again to have met Jin Xiuzhu. “Then I’ll have the Political Commissar give the money to you.”

“Fine. In my house, with three kids, we won’t be polite anymore.”

“No need to be polite.”

In the following days, Jin Xiuzhu stayed home obediently, sketching and making clothes for the children.

All the fabric came from Wang Ling’s textile factory. The factory had gradually gotten on track. Ordinary fabrics were supplied to the county supply and marketing cooperative, while high-quality fabrics were still secretly produced. She had specially set aside a few bolts for Jin Xiuzhu, who paid the cost.

The fabrics were indeed excellent. With Jin Xiuzhu’s designs printed on them, they looked exquisite. Fang Min once came over, and she couldn’t help but say it was a waste to make clothes for just two kids.

Jin Xiuzhu told Wang Ling not to worry. Such good fabric wouldn’t be hard to sell.

Wang Ling didn’t know Jin Xiuzhu’s plan. How could she not worry? She was afraid the city textile factory leaders would come down and seize the fabrics and designs. If she had a direct connection, she wouldn’t be afraid—but right now, there was nothing.

She didn’t dare leave the factory, staying there every day, worried sick.

Jin Xiuzhu saw her pale face and realized she hadn’t rested well. She revealed a little hint: “I’ll contact a friend in the capital to see if she can help.”

Wang Ling was delighted. “You have a friend in the capital?”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded. “She works at the department store.”

Wang Ling, shocked, slapped her. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? Contact her now!”

Jin Xiuzhu laughed. “I already did, but she hasn’t replied yet. Maybe the letter got delayed in the mail.”

“Alright, I’ll hang on a bit. In a few days, the city leaders will come for inspection. I’m afraid we can’t hide it.”

Jin Xiuzhu could do nothing more, only saying, “I’ll write another letter to ask.”

“Good, good.”

Just as they sent her off, Qian Yufeng came by.

Compared to Wang Ling’s worried face, Qian Yufeng was glowing. She looked fuller-faced recently, seemingly eating well.

She entered, cheerful, setting down the basket she carried. “Look what I brought you!”

Before Jin Xiuzhu could ask, she proudly displayed the contents: dried bamboo shoots and beans, cured meat, fresh mushrooms, and a jar of malted milk powder.

Jin Xiuzhu was surprised to see the malted milk powder and picked it up to examine it. Then she asked, “Did you find money or something to be so generous?”

Qian Yufeng snorted. “I got my salary, so I bought it for you, but I could only afford one jar. Next month’s salary will go to Fang Min.”

Jin Xiuzhu smiled. “I see. Have you eaten it yet? Eat it here if not.”

Qian Yufeng: “No need, my family saved me some.”

Then she asked curiously, “Why is it so late and you haven’t eaten?”

“Nothing, just a bit hungry. I asked Captain Jiang to give me a bowl of noodles.”

Qian Yufeng tapped her forehead. “You’re lucky. I saw Zhao Yun earlier, carrying a baby, belly showing, walking out—don’t know where she’s going.”

“Ah.”

Jin Xiuzhu was surprised; she hadn’t seen Zhao Yun for a long time.

Qian Yufeng continued, “Never mind her. I just came to tell you, the cafeteria job is great. I get to eat meat every day. I can only come back once a week, but it’s fine. I can earn money now. My mother-in-law and husband don’t dare raise their voices at me. I’ve never been so comfortable in my life.”

She was truly grateful to Jin Xiuzhu. In her heart, Jin Xiuzhu was better than her own family or husband. Her family, if they had good jobs, wouldn’t think of her, and her husband wouldn’t spend the money he earned on her.

Jin Xiuzhu, seeing the happy Qian Yufeng, said with relief, “That’s wonderful. Work hard. Sister-in-law Wang told me if you do well, you could be converted to a permanent employee. Then you’ll have a secure job.”

“That’s great! Once I’m permanent, I’ll buy you two more jars of malted milk powder.”

“I don’t want your malted milk powder. Buy it for Sister-in-law Wang. She’s the real benefactor.”

“Okay, I’ll buy it for her.”

Qian Yufeng laughed. She probably felt more generous now that she earned her own money.

After Qian Yufeng left, Jiang Mingchuan came out after finishing the noodles. Both children were a bit sleepy, so he sent them to bed.

After the kids left, he went to the kitchen to get a small bowl of vinegar.

Recently, Jin Xiuzhu’s taste had changed. She couldn’t handle any vinegar before, but now she dipped everything in it. Today, their daughter even said that her mother dipped peaches in vinegar. Hearing this made him feel a pang in his cheeks.

Sure enough, when Jiang Mingchuan saw the vinegar, Jin Xiuzhu only started eating.

She picked a few noodles and soaked them in the vinegar, then ate them, savoring them as if it were a delicacy.

Jiang Mingchuan rubbed his nose, turned his gaze away in discomfort, and then noticed the fabrics on the table. He couldn’t help but say, “You’re drawing patterns for Sister-in-law Wang’s factory too?”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded.

Jiang Mingchuan thought for a moment. “A comrade of mine retired. His factory produces silk threads. If there’s a need, I can help you contact them.”

Jin Xiuzhu instinctively asked, “Why are you suddenly so nice?”

Jiang Mingchuan replied irritably, “When have I ever not been? I just want you to worry less. Everyone keeps coming to you.”

But what really touched him was what Qian Yufeng said earlier—that now, at home, neither her husband nor mother-in-law dared raise their voices at her. He remembered Jin Xiuzhu insisting on working before, and now, pregnant, she was busy drawing. It probably related to her past experiences in the countryside. He felt a bit of pity and wanted to help her in any way he could.

Jin Xiuzhu, hearing this, felt her heart soften. Recently, she didn’t know why, but her mouth always spoke faster than her brain—blunt and straightforward.

She pursed her lips and smiled, coaxing him, “I knew you were the best.”

Then she picked up the soaked noodles and offered them to him. “Here, try a bite. It’s delicious.”

Jiang Mingchuan knew she was doing it on purpose. Facing her teasing smile, he braced himself and ate. As soon as the noodles touched his mouth, the sourness made him frown.

Jin Xiuzhu laughed.

Jiang Mingchuan swallowed quickly, then gulped down a few sips of water. Jin Xiuzhu’s laughter grew even louder. He put down the cup, glancing at her irritably, but finally, he too curved his lips into a smile.