Chapter 14

After returning, Lin Tian found Chu Ci tidying up Ye Meilin’s room.
The living room only had her mother-in-law, and Aunt Miao went to help elsewhere.
Lin Tian sat opposite Ye Meilin and greeted her: “Mom, I don’t know your taste. I’ll let Aunt Miao know later.”
Ye Meilin was a little surprised. Lin Tian had not called her “Mom” before, but now it sounded natural.
“Looks like Chu Ci likes you not just for your looks; your personality is quite good,” Ye Meilin said, somewhat approvingly.
Lin Tian wasn’t embarrassed at all: “Of course. Chu Ci isn’t someone who only cares about appearance. I must be outstanding too, or he wouldn’t treat me differently.”
She silently wondered how Ye Meilin even realized Chu Ci liked her.
Quickly, her attention turned to the thick red envelope Ye Meilin handed her: “I’m a bit far away; I might not be able to come when the baby is born. Consider this for you and the child. I hope you live well.”
Lin Tian accepted politely: “Thank you, Mom. I know you’re busy, it’s fine. With a nanny, we’ll take good care of the baby.”
Feeling the envelope’s weight, her sincerity deepened.
Ye Meilin also gave her many receipts and vouchers.
They chatted a bit more about preparing for the baby when Chu Ci returned.
Ye Meilin glanced at him, suddenly losing interest in conversation. Lin Tian, of course, continued politely.
After the room was tidied, Ye Meilin went to rest.
At dinner, Aunt Miao called Lin Tian to join.
Dinner ended quietly, and Lin Tian returned to her room. Later, she knocked on Chu Ci’s door.
“Come in,” he called.
She entered and closed the door.
“Why are you here? Something wrong?” Chu Ci asked, puzzled, as Lin Tian rarely approached him proactively.
Before she arrived, he had been reading. Lin Tian sat beside him and took out the money from the red envelope.
“Your mom gave me two thousand yuan. Isn’t that a bit much? Maybe you can help me return some.”
Chu Ci saw her pained expression but couldn’t bring himself to say no. He smiled: “No need. If it’s given to you, just keep it.”
“Your family is so generous. I’m practically a wealthy woman now. But most of this money will go to our two children,” Lin Tian said.
Chu Ci didn’t mind whether the money went to her or the kids and said: “Money given to you is yours. Whatever the children need, I’ll provide.”
Lin Tian propped her chin on her hand, teasing: “Don’t worry, you’re the kids’ dad. You won’t hold back.”
“I know,” he replied, lowering his gaze to her.
“Chu Ci, ever since seeing your mother, you seem upset. If you want, you can talk to me about it. I’m actually pretty good at comforting people,” Lin Tian said after a brief hesitation.
Chu Ci lowered his eyes. “I don’t know how to say it. It has to do with my father. Lin Tian, this isn’t because I don’t trust you. My relationship with my mother has never been good. She probably won’t come here much anymore, but I will still fulfill my duty to care for her in her old age.”
It seemed to be about the reputation of his late father. Could it be that the mother-in-law, lonely and restless, had strayed? Such problems were common in military marriages throughout history, even in Lin Tian’s past, there were many cases like this. She let her thoughts run wild, unaware that she had guessed the truth from the start.
Since he wouldn’t say more, Lin Tian didn’t press. She said instead, “Alright, I won’t ask. But you see, I grew up with parents who favored boys over girls, and now I’ve moved on. From now on, the family that matters will be me and our children. So, Comrade Chu Ci, don’t be sad.”
Lin Tian used her own experience, as sharing hardships is always comforting.
Chu Ci, however, didn’t feel better. Instead, he felt a twinge of concern for her. “Don’t think about them either. As you said, from now on, it’s me and the children who are your family.”
Family, a thing Lin Tian had longed for but could never have.
And now, overnight, she had it. Life truly was full of surprises. Perhaps part of the reason she came here was because of them.
Lin Tian’s thoughts were caught by Chu Ci’s words when suddenly she felt a stir in her belly, bringing her back to the present.
Realizing it, Lin Tian’s eyes widened with delight. “Chu Ci, I think they just moved in my belly!”
“Really? It must be the children responding to what we just said,” Chu Ci said, grinning foolishly as he placed his hand on her belly.
After a while, however, Chu Ci felt no movement. Unable to hide his disappointment, he asked, “Why did they stop moving?”
Lin Tian felt the miracle of life and, for the first time, truly experienced what it meant to be a mother.
Hearing Chu Ci’s concern, she laughed. “They’re in my belly. I’m the one going through it, so of course they’d favor me a little.”
Chu Ci looked a bit disheartened, but after hearing her, he nodded. “You’re right.”
Then he bent down again and softly said to her belly, “Babies, next time you’re being playful, remember to let Daddy know.”
Luckily, his warm breath didn’t reach her through the clothing, but Lin Tian still felt her ears heat up. She shot Chu Ci a glance and said, “They won’t understand what you mean anyway.”
Chu Ci, unusually childish, said, “No, I have a connection with them.”
Lin Tian rolled her eyes, too lazy to argue with this silly dad.
Thinking of the future and the children, Lin Tian remembered prenatal education. She asked for the first time, “Chu Ci, can you sing?”
She couldn’t; she was tone-deaf. If she wanted to prevent the child from inheriting this, she might as well start now.
Chu Ci paused. “I only know some songs from the military.”
“Never mind then,” Lin Tian said, giving up on the idea of having their father sing.
“Why the sudden question?” Chu Ci asked, puzzled.
“Oh, I heard somewhere that music is good for babies in the womb. By the way, didn’t you want to join the army back then?” Lin Tian changed the topic.
“Yes, but my mother didn’t agree. Later, due to some reasons, I didn’t go either,” Chu Ci said with a touch of regret, but not sadness.
“I see,” Lin Tian murmured, realizing she’d touched on a sensitive topic.
Seeing her expression, Chu Ci chuckled. “It’s not a big deal. Actually, I can’t say I really wanted to be in the army. At that time, I just admired my parents and had that ideal. But now, I hope to contribute to the country’s economic development instead.”
Lin Tian admired his foresight. Curious, she asked, “How do you know the country will need people like you in the future?”
Chu Ci smiled. “By reading more and learning about the world. Do you want me to get a radio in a few days? You can listen to the news and play music for the babies. That way, you broaden your horizons and it’s good for the kids, a win-win.”
He returned to the topic of prenatal education, not questioning where she heard it, just trusting and supporting her.
Lin Tian raised her brows. “Sure. Just so happens your mother gave me all those vouchers, including one for a radio.”
She had indeed been a bit bored at home; a radio would help.
She then complained a little: “You’re lucky, with such a colorful college life every day.”
Chu Ci thought his college life was actually dull, study, then come home to be with her and the children. It was really the children who made life colorful. Embarrassed to say it, he cautiously offered, “How about I take you to one of my classes someday, and show you around campus?”
“Sure!” Lin Tian eagerly agreed.
“Don’t worry, I promise. Calm down, careful now,” Chu Ci said, stopping her from almost jumping with excitement.
“Tch, you have no idea how miserable a stay-at-home pregnant woman can be,” Lin Tian complained. She really missed her carefree past, though now she felt both pain and joy.
If it weren’t for her large belly and twins, she wouldn’t need to be so careful.
“When summer vacation comes, I’ll take you to really explore the capital,” Chu Ci promised.
Lin Tian had visited the capital in her past life, but times were different now. She was curious, and wanted to see the flag-raising, a thing she had never done.
“You can’t go back on your word,” she said with a bright smile, looking for once like a young girl.
Chu Ci smiled. “It’s a deal.”
The next day, after breakfast, Chu Ci sent Ye Meilin to the train station. Lin Tian, being pregnant, was naturally spared the need to accompany her mother-in-law. Even if Ye Meilin wanted, Chu Ci wouldn’t allow it.
“Take care of yourself and the baby. When the child is born, remember to tell me,” Ye Meilin said. She no longer relied on her son, only on the daughter-in-law she’d just met.
Lin Tian nodded. “Mom, don’t worry.”
Chu Ci glanced at Lin Tian. She said “Mom” effortlessly, without stress. He thought with amusement of the large red envelope his mother had given her, realizing it was partly related.
After a brief chat, Chu Ci interrupted. “It’s time to go.”
Ye Meilin looked at him but said nothing. Finally, she left after promising Lin Tian she would.
“Mom, be careful, and call Chu Ci when you arrive,” Lin Tian said considerately. Even if their relationship was strained, Chu Ci still cared for his mother. She would speak on his behalf.
Chu Ci found it amusing, he realized his wife was tactful and graceful, offending no one.
After hearing Lin Tian, Ye Meilin’s expression had visibly softened.
No matter her reluctance, she had to leave. After nodding to Lin Tian, she moved first.
Chu Ci glanced at Lin Tian with a faint smile and followed. Lin Tian stuck out her tongue, thinking, Finally, gone.
Even the most difficult mother-in-law is still an elder; she could finally breathe easily.