Zheng Hui: "These are vegetables she grew herself, what's wrong?"
Miao Yue swallowed hard and pulled them into the kitchen. "See for yourselves."
The top layer of vegetables in the basket had already been taken out by Miao Yue. At the very bottom, resting on a layer of vegetable leaves, lay a ginseng root.
"Lao Chen, this is wild ginseng, right?"
Chen Jin picked it up and glanced at the rhizome. "Yes, it must be at least fifty or sixty years old."
"That child," Zheng Hui chided gently. "Such a huge gift and she didn't even say a word. I'm going to return it to her later!"
Miao Yue asked, "Is this very valuable?"
Zheng Hui sighed, "It's not even about whether it's valuable or not. This is something that can save a life; it's priceless!"
"Keep it."
"What?"
Chen Jin said, "Can't you tell? Zhi Lan is a proud and independent child. If you don't accept it, she won't dare to visit us again."
Otherwise, she wouldn't have hidden the ginseng under the vegetables—she was afraid they would refuse it.
Zheng Hui had no choice but to listen to him.
She hurriedly took some things to exchange for cloth ration coupons. Winter was approaching, and she wanted to make padded cotton jackets for Lin Zhi Lan and Lin Lin.
Miao Yue, who was usually a bit stingy, didn't utter a single word of complaint this time.
Lin Zhi Lan had just arrived home with Lin Lin when Song Fang showed up, as if she had sniffed them out.
"Sister-in-law."
She leaned against the doorframe, a beaming smile on her face. "Did you go to town today? If I had known, I would have asked you to bring something back for me."
Seeing that Lin Zhi Lan didn't reply, she patted her belly. "Sister-in-law, I'm pregnant."
Lin Zhi Lan felt baffled and replied coldly, "Got it. Is there anything else?"
"Sister-in-law," Song Fang said, seemingly oblivious to the hint that she should leave, and instead sat right down. "This is my first time being pregnant, and I just can't stop worrying about Jian Jun. When you were pregnant with Lin Lin, were you like this too?"
In the book, aside from being unable to get over her husband adopting the female supporting character, the female lead's mother could be considered reasonable and understanding.
Even the male lead thought she was an open-minded mother.
Lin Zhi Lan didn't think she was an idiot who would be stupid enough to ask a widow for pregnancy advice.
"Song Fang, I only have one child, Lin Lin. You should consult the elders about pregnancy. If you want advice on being a widow, I might have more to say."
"You!"
Song Fang bit her lip. "Sister-in-law, how can you curse Jian Jun like that?"
Lin Zhi Lan smiled. "Did I? I'm just reminding you that I am a widow."
Is being a widow something to be proud of?
Song Fang felt annoyed and flustered.
She was pregnant, and everyone in her in-laws' family was overjoyed.
She admitted to herself that she had done it on purpose, just to rub it in Lin Zhi Lan's face.
But was this woman's heart made of iron?
Calling herself a widow in every sentence. Her husband was dead, yet she still had the nerve to smile!
Nearby, Lin Lin took a piece of candy from her pocket and asked her mother to unwrap it for her.
Song Fang suddenly said, "Lin Lin is so pitiful. To have no father at such a young age."
Lin Zhi Lan's eyes instantly turned icy as she stared straight at Song Fang. "Get out!"
Touching her belly, Song Fang slowly walked out under Lin Zhi Lan's freezing glare.
She had a child now, and that was her source of confidence.
As for Zhou Jian Jun's heart, it would be hers sooner or later.
Bolting the door, Lin Zhi Lan crouched down and looked at Lin Lin. "Baby, do you want a father?"
"Want candy."
"That's right, what use is a father? Mom will buy you candy, right?"
"Mhm." Lin Lin nodded emphatically.
The villagers always referred to their parents as father and mother.
Lin Zhi Lan had been to school and had always taught her to say Mom and Dad.
Zhou Chen had been in the army for a long time, so the word Dad was a bit unfamiliar to Lin Lin, and she didn't even have the concept of a father in her world.
Lin Zhi Lan patted her daughter's head.
Lin Lin's sensitive personality was very much like her own when she was little.
She would give Lin Lin double the love and make sure she lived a happier life than anyone else.
...
Su Lang finally completed his mission and returned to the military base.
The very first thing he did was submit his written marriage report.
"A marriage report?"
In the base office, Division Commander Qin looked astonished. "You're getting married, boy?"
Su Lang was young and promising. As a thirty-year-old regimental commander, he was considered outstanding in the entire military region.
But he just wouldn't open up to romance.
The organization had tried to introduce him to potential partners, but he had rejected them all.
When asked what kind of woman he was looking for, he said he wanted to marry a fairy. What could anyone do with him?
Su Lang smiled. "Commander, there's no rule in the military saying I can't get married, right?"
Regimental Commander Ma, who had come to report on his work, laughed. "As long as you don't marry two, you're fine."
Division Commander Qin shook his head and chuckled. He took out Lin Zhi Lan's file, but the more he read, the deeper his frown became.
"Su Lang, this is..."
"What's wrong?" Regimental Commander Ma quickly leaned over and glanced at the file, a look of surprise crossing his face as well.
"A widow?" Regimental Commander Ma licked his lips. "And she comes with a child? No, Su Lang, with your qualifications, what kind of fine young lady couldn't you find? Why..."
"Regimental Commander Ma!" Su Lang interrupted him. "This is my own business. Please keep your opinions to yourself."
Division Commander Qin took a drag from his cigarette. "Su Lang, are you truly decided?"
Su Lang picked up the pen from the desk, pulled off the cap, and handed it to him. "Commander, please sign."
Division Commander Qin sighed, signed and stamped the document, and handed it back to him.
"Since you've made up your mind, I won't say anything more. I wish you a long and happy marriage!"
Su Lang saluted. "Thank you, Division Commander Qin!"
He folded the marriage report, put it in his pocket, and added, "Commander, while we're at it, please approve a few days of leave for me. I need to go pick up... my wife."
Division Commander Qin laughed in amusement. "Alright, alright. It hasn't been easy dealing with a stubborn bachelor like you. I'll give you ten days of leave!"
"Thank you, Commander!"
Su Lang left the office with a brisk, light step.
Division Commander Qin warned Regimental Commander Ma, "Remember, absolutely do not breathe a word about Su Lang's situation to anyone."
"Understood."
That night, Regimental Commander Ma tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.
His wife, Liu Chunhua, complained, "If you're itchy, go take a shower! You're so annoying!"
"Wife, let me tell you something, but you must absolutely not tell anyone else."
Liu Chunhua warned, "Ma Daniu, don't break discipline. You can't talk about military affairs!"
"Where is your mind going? It's about Su Lang."
Liu Chunhua's interest was piqued. "What about Su Lang?"
A few minutes later.
Liu Chunhua was completely wide awake.
Ma Daniu reiterated, "You absolutely must not tell anyone!"
Liu Chunhua promised, "Don't worry, I know!"
The very next day, the news that Su Lang's fiancée was a widow with a child spread throughout the entire military family compound.
Before heading to Zhou Family Village, Su Lang went home for a visit.
Su Lang was the fourth child in his family.
He had an older sister and two older brothers above him.
Coming from a military family, parents and children rarely spent much time together, so he was practically raised by his older sister.
His older sister had suffered a severe hemorrhage while giving birth. Her health had been poor ever since, and she passed away two years ago.
When he took a leave of absence to visit his nephew, he found five-year-old Jiang Chengzhou washing diapers for the baby brother born to his stepmother.
It was the twelfth lunar month, and snow was falling from the sky.
Su Lang beat up his former brother-in-law and took Jiang Chengzhou away.
He had originally planned to send the boy to his parents, but Jiang Chengzhou clung to him and absolutely refused to get on the train.
So, Su Lang simply brought him to the military base.
A seven or eight-year-old child already had a certain degree of self-care ability.
The base had a cafeteria, so at the very least, he wouldn't starve.
"Uncle! You're finally back!"
A Little Black Egg rushed out into the courtyard.
