Chapter 17

Lin Tian had warned Aunt Ma about being reported, and indeed she backed down. The business wouldn’t continue, but Lin Tian didn’t feel down.
The next morning, Lin Tian woke up late, so watching the flag-raising was postponed.
After asking where she wanted to go, Chu Ci and she went to Shichahai. Lin Tian couldn’t skate, but she enjoyed looking at it.
Unfortunately, she got tired quickly. It was hot, and she wanted a popsicle.
Chu Ci initially refused, but after Lin Tian promised she’d eat only half, he agreed.
Sitting on a bench, Lin Tian suddenly noticed a girl stop near him in the distance.
The popsicle was bought quickly, but they were clearly still talking.
Lin Tian watched for a few seconds, then stood and walked toward them.
“Chu Ci, what are you doing, buying a popsicle takes this long?” she said, wrapping her arm around his.
Chu Ci was a little surprised. Clearing his throat, he said, “I ran into someone I know and chatted a bit. Was I too slow?”
Only then did Lin Tian look at the girl, she was quite pretty.
She smiled and patted Chu Ci on the shoulder. “Well, why don’t you introduce us?”
Before Chu Ci could speak, the girl spoke up. “Hello, sister-in-law. I’m Yu Shan. I used to live in the same compound as Chu Ci, and I didn’t expect to run into him here. Even more surprising, you both have children now.”
“Is that so? But many things in this world are unpredictable. Our fate brought us together, so naturally we got married,” Lin Tian said.
Yu Shan smiled and didn’t contradict her; instead, she followed along. “Yes, you two must have quite the bond. I won’t disturb you today. Next time, I’ll come visit your home.”
After saying that, she truly left.
Lin Tian was a little dumbfounded, it didn’t go the way she had imagined.
Chu Ci had been silent while they talked, and finally said, “Do you still want your popsicle? It’s melting.”
Of course she did. Lin Tian realized, took the popsicle, and they found a bench to sit down again.
She tore off the wrapper, and the icy-cold mung bean popsicle melted in her mouth, instantly cooling her down.
Chu Ci suddenly leaned close and asked, “Lin Tian, why did you come over just now… were you jealous?”
Lin Tian looked at him and said, “Do you really think so?”
“Impossible. I was just asking casually. Yu Shan is my grandfather’s friend’s granddaughter. It was coincidental that she met me. She asked a few questions because she heard I was married. She’s married herself, to her childhood sweetheart.” Chu Ci watched her carefully eat the popsicle, noting every half-eaten portion.
Lin Tian felt too embarrassed to admit she had deliberately gone over, just to create a scene so she could eat the whole popsicle. But Yu Shan hadn’t given her that chance, she had been perfectly polite and measured. Now, knowing Yu Shan was married, Lin Tian finally realized.
It was a shame about her half popsicle, gone before she could fully enjoy it.
It wasn’t her fault for thinking of such a mischievous idea; after the last prenatal checkup, Chu Ci had become increasingly strict with her diet. Even Aunt Miao sided with him at home.
“I know, why are you explaining so much? I trust you,” Lin Tian said innocently, yet continued eating the popsicle.
Halfway done, she wanted another bite, but Chu Ci reached for it with a warm smile, his tone firm: “That’s enough. You can’t eat anymore.”
Lin Tian looked at him regretfully. Chu Ci remained unmoved: “You promised me.”
She turned away, and Chu Ci teasingly said, “So talking to a stranger woman isn’t as important to you as eating half a popsicle, huh?”
Lin Tian’s conscience pricked; she avoided his gaze. “That’s not true. You already explained, I’m not one to throw a tantrum.”
Yes, she wasn’t that type of person. Yet in that moment, Chu Ci secretly wished she were.
Suddenly, a hint of melancholy came over him, unprovoked.
His expression remained calm, but Lin Tian noticed his mood and asked puzzled: “What’s wrong? You seem… oddly upset.”
“What if I said I wish you had been jealous?” Chu Ci said, startling her.
Lin Tian lowered her lashes and said, “Chu Ci, you should understand. Whatever you want, you have to go for it yourself. The same principle applies to things and to feelings.”
Hearing this, Chu Ci laughed: “I was just too impatient. We’ll take it slow.”
Lin Tian felt her cheeks warm, was it the sun, or the meaning behind his words?
Afterwards, Chu Ci took Lin Tian to eat roast duck.
Lin Tian needed rest. The afternoon was hot, so they returned home.
For the next few days, Chu Ci took her out every morning. Although Lin Tian got tired, she was much happier. After being cooped up for so long, a little outing lifted her spirits.
Now six months pregnant, she avoided crowded places.
Coincidentally, her aunt Chu Mingshan said she would bring Jiang Ying to stay for a few days, and to help look after Lin Tian. She also brought Aunt Wang along.
Her uncle was on a business trip; no one else was home, so Aunt Wang came too.
They brought lots of things, all for the children and Lin Tian. Jiang Ying hadn’t come.
Lin Tian asked, “Aunt, where’s Yingying?”
“Where else would she be? Out with classmates. Next year’s the college entrance exam, yet she won’t study properly. I brought her here hoping Chu Ci could help her with some subjects. But she left early this morning. Don’t worry, she’ll come back tonight. I even changed the locks; if she doesn’t visit, I don’t care where she stays,” Chu Mingshan said angrily about her daughter.
Lin Tian nodded, not criticizing Jiang Ying. After all, no matter how frustrated a parent is, it’s still their child. Just like her own little ones, if anyone spoke ill of them now, she wouldn’t tolerate it.
Sure enough, before dinner that night, Jiang Ying returned.
She didn’t sulk this time and greeted Chu Ci and Lin Tian properly.
Her entire demeanor was cheerful, not as sharp as before.
After dinner, Lin Tian stayed to chat with Chu Mingshan. Chu Ci was nudged over to tutor Jiang Ying.
Chu Mingshan, worried about her daughter, said, “Tiantian, do you think Jiang Ying has a boyfriend? I feel like her behavior has changed; she didn’t used to go out so much.”
Lin Tian agreed with her concern but wasn’t sure how a mother should talk to a daughter, she had no experience. So she suggested, “Aunt, why not just ask her directly?”
She felt there shouldn’t be secrets within a family. Besides, in this era, early romance wasn’t an issue.
“Jiang Ying’s shy; she wouldn’t admit it. That’s why I’m worried. Tiantian, maybe you can help me. You’re close in age; last time, she listened to you. Could you ask her?” Chu Mingshan said, desperate.
Lin Tian hesitated and politely refused: “Aunt, it’s not that I don’t want to help. I just don’t want to do something like that. If I promise, I have to follow through. If Yingying finds out, she might dislike me even more. Perhaps you should talk to her yourself. Kids this age can be rebellious.”
Chu Mingshan regretted asking but was relieved when Lin Tian refused. Lin Tian’s personality was rare and admirable.
She didn’t blame her and even smiled: “I misspoke; you’re right. You’re a lot like Xiao Ci. He’s been mature since childhood, rarely worrying the family. Although my brother worried, he grew serious. I didn’t expect him to turn out like this.”
Mentioning her brother, Chu Mingshan’s mood dipped.
Seeing her aunt reasonable made Lin Tian happy. She reassured her: “Aunt, don’t worry. Chu Ci and I will live well together.”
“Good. I trust you. If Jiang Nanan can marry someone like you in the future, I’ll be overjoyed,” Chu Mingshan said, truly growing fond of Lin Tian.
Flattered, Lin Tian praised her back.
“Don’t worry, Aunt. You and Uncle raised good children. Jiang Ying is young; she’ll grow up. As for my cousin, when he returns from military school, he might even bring home an ideal wife for you.”
Chu Mingshan was delighted, whether or not it came true. She patted Lin Tian’s hand. “I’ll take your words for luck.”
They talked a bit more about Chu Ci’s childhood before Chu Mingshan urged Lin Tian to sleep. Though not tired, Lin Tian returned to her room.
After washing up, she sat with a book. The door was unlocked; Chu Ci knocked and entered.
“It’s my turn to tell the child a bedtime story,” he said with a gentle smile.
Previously, Chu Ci saw Lin Tian talking to her belly and learned it was prenatal education. They agreed to alternate days, fairly.
“Then start,” Lin Tian said, putting the book down and lying back, ready to listen and drift to sleep.
Chu Ci sat beside her bed and began telling children’s stories of this era, his voice clear and crisp.
His voice was deep, strong, pleasant, and soothing. Meanwhile, Lin Tian felt herself getting drowsy.
Just as she was about to fall asleep, the story ended, and Chu Ci suddenly dropped a bombshell. “Lin Tian, my aunt and the others are here. We might not be able to sleep separately. For now, we’ll have to sleep together. Otherwise, she’ll keep asking questions nonstop.”