I Became the Mother of His Child

Song Chengguang had that helpless and resigned look, just like a mini version of Song Yuanhuan, so adorable that it made Xu Xiuxiu's heart melt.

"Chengguang is such a good boy, mommy loves you!" Xu Xiuxiu pecked a kiss on Song Chengguang's tender cheek and straightened the little one's clothes. "Off you go! But remember what you promised mommy, don't play too late. Come back early, okay?"

"Got it, Mommy!" Song Chengguang pouted his little mouth, threw a dashing glance at Xu Xiuxiu, and then ran off like a little tiger.

It wasn't until Song Chengguang had run far away that Xu Xiuxiu suddenly remembered—did Chengguang still remember the address of Zhao Jian Country's home? She rushed out anxiously to call the little guy back to ask, but the little one was already far away, so full of energy.

Seeing this, Xu Xiuxiu didn't say anything, just shook her head helplessly. After all, this was the military base; nothing too serious could happen. Seeing Song Chengguang so relaxed, she might as well let him enjoy himself to the fullest.

"Your brother, oh! He's already running out to play and not minding you two. You also need to grow up quickly, so mommy can have it a bit easier." Xu Xiuxiu tidied up the house a bit, parked the twin's stroller to the side, and while she cleaned, she looked at the boy and girl twins and chatted with them. They seemed very happy, and even if their response was just babbling, Xu Xiuxiu was still very joyful.

The morning passed by easily amidst tidying up. Around lunchtime, before going to the base canteen to fetch the meals, Xu Xiuxiu, concerned about leaving the twins alone at home, decided to prepare formula for the twins first and feed them till they were full. The children were those who would be exceptionally well-behaved once fed. Not long after eating, they fell asleep quietly. Xu Xiuxiu then put the sleeping children into the stroller and pushed them off towards the canteen to collect their lunch and, by the way, to also pick up Song Chengguang, who was out playing with Zhao Nan.

The military base had a nice summer view, wide and comfortable. Since it was noon, the sun was a bit strong outside, but Xu Xiuxiu, with her physique that neither felt cold in winter nor hot in summer—and never got tanned no matter how much she basked—did not hold any aversions. Basking in the sun was like detoxifying for her, she thought!

Finally, pushing the stroller and carrying the basket of food to the base canteen, Xu Xiuxiu saw Ma Xiaohua, with whom she didn't have a good relationship. Ma was still doing her job serving food in the canteen, but she had become much rounder than last year, her quiet belly now lively. At the moment, she had quite a big pregnant belly and seemed ready to give birth soon.

"Wow! What sort of wind blew outside today to whip Lieutenant Colonel Song's wife back to the base? How rare, how rare." Ma Xiaohua's nature had not diminished despite her pregnancy. When she faced Xu Xiuxiu, she was as aggressive as ever, "What, you've come to get food?" As she spoke, she made no move to take Xu Xiuxiu's food container to serve her.

Honestly, Xu Xiuxiu couldn't understand why Ma Xiaohua had such an aggressive attitude towards her, merely because she had politely declined Ma's desire to work at Sichuan Pavilion. How could Ma hold such a grudge against her, thinking about it so much even after so much time that, upon seeing her, Ma would still flare up like an agitated bantam chicken.

"Sister-in-law He looks like she's about to give birth! Congratulations, congratulations," Xu Xiuxiu didn't respond to what Ma Xiaohua said, instead effortlessly shifting the topic with a relaxed attitude and the right amount of smile.

"I haven't congratulated you yet! I heard you've given birth to a set of boy and girl twins?" Opposite the good-tempered Xu Xiuxiu, Ma Xiaohua took a while before she relaxed her sharp demeanor and gave a noncommittal glance toward the stroller beside Xu Xiuxiu.

One shouldn't slap a smiling face; Xu Xiuxiu played her cards well. Seeing this, Ma Xiaohua set aside her combative mood. After all, Xu Xiuxiu was a woman she truly couldn't compare with, and she had no reason to be jealous or envious.

"Yeah!" Xu Xiuxiu smiled and nodded affirmatively.

"Hmm." Ma Xiaohua, upon seeing this, looked at Xu Xiuxiu's happy smile with complex feelings. This woman had given birth to three children and still looked as pretty as a young girl. Pushing a baby stroller and holding a lunchbox filled with meals, she stood out even in the canteen filled with rough military men. Despite feeling uncomfortable at the sight of Xu Xiuxiu and the smile on her face, Ma Xiaohua managed to let go of her feelings and initiated a ceasefire by asking, "What meals are you going to get?"

"I'd like minced meat with eggplant, stir-fried green beans with pork, sweet and sour ribs, and a bowl of tomato and egg soup," Xu Xiuxiu courteously handed over her lunchbox.

Ma Xiaohua, supporting her big belly, carefully received the lunchbox through the wide serving window and then served Xu Xiuxiu her meal, making sure to give the proper portions without skimping.

Upon receiving her lunchbox, Xu Xiuxiu stepped aside to organize her food, carefully placing it in the small basket in her hand: "Sister-in-law He, you go ahead and be busy, I'll be going now," Xu Xiuxiu politely remarked.

"Hmm." Ma Xiaohua quietly nodded in response, and then watched as Xu Xiuxiu pushed the baby stroller out of the military canteen. When she came back to her senses, she realized that many military wives and soldiers waiting in line to get their meals were staring at Xu Xiuxiu's departing figure with awe.

Indeed, she was the center of attention wherever she went. Clever, capable, able to bear children, and good-looking, Xu Xiuxiu truly was an enviable presence.

...

Xu Xiuxiu, while pushing the baby stroller and carrying the lunchbox for noon, took a slight detour towards Zhao Jian Country's house. As she approached, she saw Song Chengguang's disheartened little figure appearing on the road. Smart kid, he knew it was time to come home for lunch. Thinking this, Xu Xiuxiu greeted cheerfully, "Chengguang..."

"Mommy." Song Chengguang, upon hearing Xu Xiuxiu's voice, looked up in surprise and then a small smile appeared on his previously downcast and gloomy face. The little fellow trotted over to Xu Xiuxiu with his short legs, "Mommy, are you here to take me home for lunch?" Song Chengguang asked with a beaming smile.

"Yes!" Xu Xiuxiu looked at the small face gazing up at her and nodded, "Are you hungry, Chengguang?"

"Hungry! Chengguang's tummy has been empty for a while." Song Chengguang said with a giggle as he rubbed his little stomach, then looked up to regale Xu Xiuxiu, "Mommy, you are so nice. You are the best mommy in the whole world." After saying this, he sniffled, "The auntie at Brother Nan and Nannan's house isn't at all like you." The little guy huffed afterwards.

"What happened with that auntie?" Xu Xiuxiu frowned and patiently inquired upon hearing this.

Guo Cuiping was really not that great, and that was exactly why Xu Xiuxiu didn't want Song Chen to go over to play with Zhao Nan, but she liked Zhao Nan quite a bit, so she let Song Chen go over anyway. Surely Guo Cuiping wouldn't take her anger out on Song Chen as well!