I Became the Mother of His Child

Song Yuanhuan didn't want Xu Xiuxiu to feel sorry for Cui Shuo and didn't allow her to get involved in that mess, so Xu Xiuxiu really cast those slightly complicated thoughts aside. After all, there were countless people in the world worthy of pity, and if she tried to sympathize with them all, she was afraid she'd never be able to keep up!

Shaking off the thoughts in her mind, Xu Xiuxiu attentively fed the boy and girl twins until they were full and lulled them to sleep; Song Yuanming, who had been working a summer job, also came home, and Xu Jingjing returned with Song Yuan Yao. Although the two girls couldn't completely hide their fatigue as they entered the door, their eyes were exceptionally bright; it was apparent that a busy life, despite physically challenging, also brought immense spiritual satisfaction.

After the family joyfully finished dinner, Song Yuan Yao took the initiative to help Aunt Luo wash the dishes after supper. Honestly, back at her hometown, washing dishes and cleaning up the large stove were her tasks. Even though she worked at the Sichuan Pavilion during the day, when she came home, she didn't treat Aunt Luo as an outsider and naturally didn't feel right letting Aunt Luo do all the work alone. After all, she knew that doing chores around the house was by no means an easy task.

With Song Yuan Yao's diligent help, Xu Xiuxiu and Song Yuanhuan had no objections, only Aunt Luo felt somewhat uneasy. However, after Song Yuan Yao insisted on helping a few times, Aunt Luo grew accustomed to accepting the help.

"Xiuxiu, do you have any free time these days?" In the master bedroom, Song Yuanhuan held a military book and, as Xu Xiuxiu returned from her bath, stepped forward to help dry her hair while asking. He was uncharacteristically proactive in inquiring about Xu Xiuxiu's work.

"I'm quite busy for now, why do you ask?" It was rare for Song Yuanhuan to inquire about her matters, as he well knew that ever since the construction of Soup City began, her spare time had been scarce, her days filled with endless tasks; after the construction site, she still had to worry about financing, and after considering the finances, she still had to think about the various projects stirred up by the development. It was already quite a feat for her to be able to engage in work outside and leave it all behind when she returned home.

"The day after tomorrow, there's a military wives' performance event."

"A performance event?" Xu Xiuxiu repeated in confusion, "Do I need to participate?"

"Mhm," Song Yuanhuan nodded, "There's no mandatory requirement, but as a Lieutenant Colonel, many people are looking up to me, so I'd like you to take some time to attend. It's just a chance to watch shows and build rapport among the military wives, and then there are also competitions organized by the military wives; they're pretty varied and lively."

"Okay!" Xu Xiuxiu's eyes lit up as she immediately agreed, "After all, it's been a while since I've been to the military base; I'd also like to stay there for a couple of days." Xu Xiuxiu truly couldn't face turning down Song Yuanhuan's rare request. Since falling pregnant last year, she had barely spent any time at the base. After giving birth and returning to Z city, it was always either the children or Soup City, leaving her no time to visit the base. So even if there were major issues, she had to put them aside now.

Song Yuanhuan had given her the greatest level of tolerance; it was only natural for her to provide him with some support and confidence in return. After all, they were a married couple, and affection was mutual; it couldn't just be Song Yuanhuan doting on and enduring her alone.

"Let's take all the kids! I'll ask for a two-day leave for Chengguang at the nursery tomorrow, and we'll take the kids to live on base for a couple of days." Even after the birth of the boy and girl twins, they hadn't been to the base. Aunt Lai and Yan Moli among others had made special trips to see the kids several times, but unfortunately, I was always busy and hadn't even properly received them, missing them on a few occasions. Xu Xiuxiu felt guilty about this. Now that she'd decided to return to the base, she might as well put down her work and have a proper two-day stay. She had been busy for so long; it was time to give herself a two-day break.

"Alright," Song Yuanhuan agreed frantically.

The next day, Xu Xiuxiu got up early and called Ye Hua to inform her about taking two days off. Ye Hua was very understanding and said that if Xu Xiuxiu was tired, she could take even more days off. After all, Soup City was currently in a stable phase; even if Xu Xiuxiu wasn't there to supervise every day, it would be okay. If really necessary, he could temporarily arrange for his personal assistant to oversee the site.

"Thank you." Ye Hua's consideration and understanding greatly relieved Xu Xiuxiu. After discussing with him, she called the design architect, Fei Han, to resolve some conflicts they had and asked him to keep an eye on the construction site for two days. Fei Han agreed to it crisply.

And just like that, Xu Xiuxiu swiftly arranged all the matters and then happily dropped the endless busyness at hand. She took Song Chengguang and the boy and girl twins to the base. Fortunately, their previous accommodations on the base were still available, furnished and everything inside. Song Yuanhuan would occasionally tidy up the place. Although it wasn't lived in much, it was still clean and hygienic, which spared Xu Xiuxiu the step of a thorough cleaning.

Since Song Yuanhuan had to arrange the next day's military wife performance, he dropped off Xu Xiuxiu and the four children at home and then hurriedly left.

No sooner had Song Yuanhuan left than Song Chengguang became restive. Being at the base, he was like a duckling set free, completely unable to control his excitement, "Mommy, can I go and play with Brother Nan?" Perhaps it had been a long time since Song Chengguang was at the base. He had barely arrived at their quarters for two minutes before the little guy rushed to the bathroom, dragged over a stool, took a look at his dapper self in the mirror, and then hurriedly picked up a small toy car in his hand, eager to head out. He phrased it as a question, but in fact, the little guy had already started moving towards the door.

You little rascal! Xiuxiu couldn't help but laugh as she blocked the little guy's path, "Chengguang, aren't you supposed to help Mommy watch your brother and sister at home?" As Xu Xiuxiu saw the eagerness on Song Chengguang's face, she was immediately overcome with the urge to tease him. The child was becoming more and more lively, and at the dumb-cute age of three or four, capable of running and jumping yet causing worry, occasionally blurting out an innocent stroke of genius that could make Xu Xiuxiu laugh for a day.

"…" Xu Xiuxiu's question seemed to put him in a tough spot. He hesitantly looked at the twins in the stroller and then at Xu Xiuxiu with a vexed expression, "Mommy, I'll just go play with Brother Nan for a little bit, just a little bit." Song Chengguang negotiated with Xu Xiuxiu.

"How long is 'a little bit'?" Xu Xiuxiu crouched down to look Song Chengguang in the eyes, and then she coquettishly said, "Mommy can't watch over your brother and sister by herself! What will Mommy do if Chengguang plays for too long? What if Mommy can't take good care of them and they get hungry and cry?" Xu Xiuxiu pretended to cry, deceiving Song Chengguang effortlessly.

"Err!" Song Chengguang felt the weight of responsibility, and after hesitating for a while, he said, "Mommy, please don't cry, okay? Can I give Brother Nan my toy car and then come back to watch my brother and sister?" Song Chengguang sighed, then with extreme reluctance, he reached out to cradle Xu Xiuxiu's cheeks in a comforting manner.