I Became the Mother of His Child

Indeed, Song Yuanhuan was a military man, but since ancient times, the military and politics had gone hand in hand. Song Yuanhuan had some connection with the Mayor of Z City as the two were classmates during their time at the military academy. Although the Mayor had later transitioned from a military to a political career, their relationship remained good. Therefore, Song Yuanhuan invited the Mayor for a meal, and after explaining his thoughts, the acquisition process became much less troublesome. Xu Xiuxiu also managed to secure that plot of land with ease.

"It seems I really did bet on the right horse," Ye Hua said with barely concealed excitement, looking at the land acquisition approval document in hand. Despite being wealthy, in this era, having money but no power was a big problem. Initially, he had approached the partnership with Xu Xiuxiu tentatively, but Xu Xiuxiu's capabilities had taken him by surprise.

Seeing the excitement on Ye Hua's face, Xu Xiuxiu herself also breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that Ye Hua was wary of her, and only by showing her sincerity first could their partnership continue. Indeed, she had bet correctly as well.

Early on the fifth day, Xu Xiuxiu and Ye Hua, full of pep, took people to the suburbs to ascertain the precise location of the hot spring source. Simultaneously, Ye Hua also brought along a professional architect, Fei Han—one of the more renowned architects in the country—to conduct a field inspection, resolved to create the best and most natural hot springs.

Fei Han was exceptionally talented in design and quickly had a flash of inspiration after viewing the size and orientation of the land. However, as someone from the future who had visited numerous holiday villas, when Fei Han produced the preliminary design outline, Xu Xiuxiu pointed out some minor issues prevalent in the architecture of the 1980s and suggested appropriate improvements.

"Genius, oh genius! Xiuxiu, it's a real waste of talent that you didn't study architecture!" Fei Han, being in his forties and exceptionally passionate about architecture, held himself with pride. Yet when Xu Xiuxiu mentioned some issues architects faced in their designs, he agreed wholeheartedly. For someone who adored the architectural field, what Xu Xiuxiu said was like enlightening advice. After addressing these issues with Xu Xiuxiu's reminders, Fei Han began to see her in a new light.

This woman was truly exceptional!

So when Ye Hua brought in the construction crew, and Xu Xiuxiu pointed out where to dig for the spring source, Fei Han wasn't surprised. In his view, Xu Xiuxiu might be considered a naturally talented individual in the field of architecture. She was meticulous and earnest in her work and wasn't afraid to speak up despite not being a professional. Wherever she thought there was an issue, she would ask about it. Even if she was wrong, it didn't matter, and naturally, she didn't become arrogant when she was right.

Without a doubt, such a person was destined to achieve extraordinary success. Growth and strengthening were just a matter of time.

Soon, half a month later, when a vast natural hot spring in Z City, F Province finally emerged, television and newspapers competed to cover and promote it. In an era when publicity relied on television and newspapers, the reputation of the natural hot springs allowed Ye Hua and Xu Xiuxiu to save considerably on early promotional costs. Naturally, the allure of the hot springs had significant influence, especially when there was yet no leisure spot with natural hot springs in F Province. One could imagine how many tourists the completed natural hot springs would attract.

Therefore, the day after the natural hot springs' debut, the resort named Soup City officially began construction. Soup City was a name that Ye Hua and Xu Xiuxiu had agreed upon after discussion. Xu Xiuxiu had initially considered using the name of a holiday villa from her past life, but then thought better of it. As a reborn individual determined to steer the course of history in a new direction, it was better to have some changes, thus the name Soup City was chosen, carrying a charm of its own.

Moreover, within half a month, Fei Han had presented a perfect architectural design plan. Both Ye Hua and Xu Xiuxiu were people who preferred quick results, so they brought in two larger construction teams from the start and hired architect Fei Han to oversee the construction of Soup City from start to finish, ensuring that any problems or deficiencies could be addressed promptly.

Xu Xiuxiu would leave early and return late every day, departing in neat attire and coming back covered in dust and dirt—a testament to the hardships she endured. Just one glimpse of her rapidly thinning face was enough to make Song Yuanhuan furrow his brows in concern.

"Xu Xiuxiu, come, let's have a serious talk." Sitting on the bed reading, Song Yuanhuan closed his book as soon as he saw Xu Xiuxiu enter the bedroom, drying her hair after her bath, and patted the empty space beside him.

"Mr. Song." Xu Xiuxiu wasn't foolish; she had been so busy she practically flew around. She had barely tended to the three children, leaving them either with Aunt Luo or with Si Ya and Xu Jingjing, while she devoted herself entirely to the holiday villa project.

"You need to visit the construction site less." Song Yuanhuan watched as Xu Xiuxiu approached with a pleasing expression and took the dry towel from her hands to help dry her wet hair.

"I have to supervise the work." Xu Xiuxiu admitted reluctantly.

Right now, the holiday villa was in its initial construction phase. There were endless tasks to manage daily. As a hardworking woman, Xu Xiuxiu understood that she had an advantage and so, she struggled to get the villa built properly, even eating fast food meals with the workers at the site.

Frankly, it was exhausting. With never a moment of rest from dawn to dusk, Xu Xiuxiu had an endless list of tasks to take care of, but she couldn't afford to slack off. She was fighting for her children's futures.

"It's too dangerous." Song Yuanhuan persisted, hating to see her spend every day toiling on the construction site.

"The site has good safety facilities, don't worry! I'll take care of myself. I promise, at most I'll be busy for three more months, okay?" Xu Xiuxiu cupped Song Yuanhuan's face in her hands, planting a kiss on him, then lay across his lap, letting him dry her hair.

"When have I ever stopped you from doing anything? I just don't want you to be so busy that you neglect me or the children. Otherwise, when the twins don't recognize you anymore, you'll be the one who's anxious," Song Yuanhuan couldn't help but chide her.

"I am striving for their future; they will surely understand me," Xu Xiuxiu cooed, wrapping her arms around Song Yuanhuan's sturdy waist and nuzzling against his abdomen: "Mr. Song, my neck hurts, give it a rub." Snuggling into Song Yuanhuan's arms was perhaps the only moment of respite in Xu Xiuxiu's hectic day.

"Xiuxiu, you truly don't need to work so hard." Seeing how exhausted Xu Xiuxiu was, Song Yuanhuan's rough palm gently massaged her slender neck. As her brows relaxed, he finally spoke softly about what was on his mind.

"I know that! My Mr. Song is capable, and besides, you've saved up quite a bit of money, right?" Xu Xiuxiu murmured, almost as if talking in her sleep: "But, Mr. Song, you're so amazing and good at saving money, it puts pressure on me. Women, you know! If they start to relax and rely on a man, they'll end up as pure housewives. Over time, like Guo Cuiping, they start creating issues out of nothing. I definitely don't want to become like that…" With that, she unwittingly drifted off into a weary slumber.