But Lin Zhilan had turned them all down to their faces.
Everyone only dared to talk behind her back.
Even Yan Yuan had heard bits and pieces.
Jiang Chengzhou picked up a stone and skipped it across the water. "I didn't say it wasn't a good thing."
They fell silent again. Jiang Chengzhou picked up another stone and scratched at the ground with it. "Listen, don't tell anyone what I'm about to say."
"Yeah."
"In my heart, my aunt is like my mother. I hope she'll always like me."
"Yeah."
"Is that the only word you know?" Jiang Chengzhou nudged Yan Yuan with his elbow. "Do you think my aunt will keep liking me? Will the baby in her belly like me?"
"I don't know," Yan Yuan said, gazing at the distant sea.
Jiang Chengzhou let out a "tsk" and fell silent too.
When the sun started to feel a bit too hot, the fishing boat came to pick them up.
Yan Yuan stood up and turned his head to say to Jiang Chengzhou, "You have no idea how much I envy you."
Jiang Chengzhou froze.
Yan Yuan had already jumped onto the boat and reached out a hand to help him. "Come on, get on."
Jiang Chengzhou grabbed his hand and leapt aboard.
He looked at Yan Yuan, who had already resumed his usual expression, as if he hadn't just said those words.
Jiang Chengzhou smiled at him and didn't ask further.
Carrying his small bucket home, he found Xu Yueyun and Jiang Chengzhou (another person, likely misunderstood in context) had already arrived and were busy adjusting the house's layout.
Seeing him come back dripping with sweat, Xu Yueyun said with a smile, "Been beachcombing? Look at you, all sweaty—go wash your face."
Jiang Chengzhou peered into the house with his bucket. "Where's my aunt?"
"She went to work," Xu Yueyun's smile deepened. "When she comes home tonight, she has good news for you."
Jiang Chengzhou already knew the good news.
Finding out his aunt wasn't home, he listlessly set down the bucket and went to get some water to wash his face.
Lin Zhilan went to work today. From the moment she left the house, everyone she met smiled at her and offered congratulations.
Lin Zhilan went all the way with "Thank you, thank you," until her face was stiff from smiling.
Once she got to her office and sat down, Ye Congshan personally poured her a cup of hot water.
"Doctor Lin, congratulations."
"Thanks, Director," Lin Zhilan said, quietly pushing the hot water a little further away.
Who drinks hot water in this sweltering heat?
Ye Congshan smiled. "How about this: starting today, I'll have them adjust the appointment slots so Doctor Chang sees more patients, and you can have an easier load."
Lin Zhilan paused as she buttoned her coat and frowned. "That's really not necessary. I know my own situation. If my body can't handle it, I'll definitely let you know."
Ye Congshan looked a bit uneasy.
But he knew Lin Zhilan's temper—she was stubborn to the core.
He relented. "Fine, but don't push yourself. Let us know immediately if anything feels off."
"I promise," Lin Zhilan said, finally breaking into a smile.
After he left, Chang San quietly slid a piece of paper over to her.
Lin Zhilan raised an eyebrow and opened it—it was a few recipe sheets.
She glanced through them—they were all ingredients for soothing the stomach, calming the fetus, and nourishing the blood and qi.
"Thanks, Doctor Chang."
Chang San coughed awkwardly. "It's the least I could do."
Shen Man's leg mobility was getting better and better, and Baozhu's mental state was stabilizing day by day.
Lin Zhilan was their family's savior, their benefactor.
Chang San couldn't do much for her, so he helped in these small ways.
Lin Zijun and Qin Qing were even more over the top—they treated Lin Zhilan like a rare treasure.
Every time she stood up or moved, their eyes were glued to her.
Lin Zhilan put up with it two or three times, then finally scolded them, and they simmered down.
But it didn't stop there.
One after another, former patients of Lin Zhilan's came to the hospital to give gifts—nothing expensive, just homegrown fruits and vegetables.
They'd say hello, drop off the stuff, and run off before Lin Zhilan could catch them.
In the afternoon, Su Lang came to pick her up. Lin Zhilan pointed at the pile of fruits and vegetables on the floor and said helplessly, "Captain Su, we're not supposed to take a single needle or thread from the public. What do we do with all this?"
After hearing the story, Su Lang didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Easy," Director Liu said, walking briskly down the stairs with a hearty laugh. "Just take it all home. It's a token of the patients' appreciation, and I, as your boss, will vouch for you—consider it officially approved."
Lin Zhilan thought for a moment. "Alright, but I have an idea. How about we organize a free clinic in the villages around here for a while?"
It wasn't entirely because of today's gifts.
Lin Zhilan had had this idea for a while, but at the time, she had been focused on Liu Feng and Shen Man's leg.
Now that their conditions were improving, it showed that her treatment approach had been correct.
Lin Zhilan felt a great sense of relief.
Plus, since it was summer break and she didn't have to teach, she had the time to spare for a free clinic.
Director Liu's smile faded. "No, that won't do. You're pregnant now, so running around everywhere isn't suitable. It's a good idea, but you can go once the baby is born."
Lin Zhilan patted her belly, which hadn't changed much yet, and said briskly, "I really can handle it now. Trust me, I'm not going to risk my health."
"Oh, for heaven's sake," Su Lang said, his face going pale when he saw her pat her stomach. He quickly reached out to grab her hand.
Director Liu burst out laughing at the scene. He pointed at Su Lang and said to Lin Zhilan, "See? It doesn't matter if you say it's fine—you still have to ask Commander Su's opinion."
Lin Zhilan raised an eyebrow at Su Lang, a hint of menace in her eyes.
Su Lang sighed helplessly. "Of course, I'll go along with you. But I have one condition: can the free clinic be scheduled during my days off? I'll go with you then."
Lin Zhilan's eyes curved into a smile as she looked back at Director Liu.
Director Liu smiled and shook his head at the couple. "Alright. I have a clinic schedule with the basic info on each village. I'll have someone send it to your department."
"Great."
Lin Zhilan shot Su Lang a triumphant smile, and they headed home together.
Dinner was cooked by Sister Liu and Deng Jing, and everyone's faces were full of smiles and happiness.
Lin Zhilan felt as though her personal joy had turned into the joy of the entire household.
Warmth slowly filled the room, and a steady, reassuring happiness welled up in her heart.
After dinner, Deng Jing took the two children to send the elders home, leaving some alone time for their little family.
Time for a family meeting.
Lin Zhilan felt a bit nervous.
This baby had come a bit suddenly—both expected and unexpected.
When Su Lang wasn't on a mission, Lin Zhilan and he had... a consistent marital life.
The reason she hadn't gotten pregnant was that they had always used protection.
Before, Su Lang had gone out to sea for half a year at a time.
Lin Zhilan had to work and take care of two children, so she had no plans for another child.
