I Became the Mother of His Child

The military had meticulously planned this event for the military wives, making even the meals in the large cafeteria lively with random games to liven up the atmosphere, like guessing riddles while eating. The table that guessed correctly was rewarded with a special stir-fry from the military chefs.

As soon as the riddle-guessing game began, the cafeteria became even more boisterous. This particular meal lasted for over an hour, which was unprecedented given the usually speedy pace of the military.

Finally, after a tumultuous lunch, the military wives' athletic competition was about to start. Xiuxiu, concerned about the boy and girl twins, took Song Chengguang to Yuanhuan before the competition had started. Yin Moli had already fed and even changed the twins' diapers. Reassured, Xiuxiu left Song Chengguang with Yuanhuan and joined the tug-of-war competition.

The military wives' tug-of-war was divided into teams of thirty, with a total of twenty teams. Fortunately, Xiuxiu found herself in a powerful team of military wives. Each wife had a striking physique and strength; standing among them, Xiuxiu was like a peony among cactuses.

"Miss, are you really a military wife? You don't seem like one — are you just a soldier's sister here to make up the numbers?" asked one spirited military wife, accustomed to seeing more rural, sturdy women, unlike the delicate and scholarly-looking Xiuxiu.

"To make up the numbers? This isn't about trying to find a date, is it?" Xiuxiu chuckled, responding affirmatively and sincerely to the inquiring military wife, "Sister, rest assured, I really am a military wife, not just filling in."

"Hehe... don't mind her; she didn't mean that," another military wife mediated immediately. "She just thinks you look young because of your tender face."

"Sister-in-law of Yang family, Sister-in-law Zhou, don't be fooled by her youthful appearance. Although she looks like a young girl, she's actually a mother of three," Yan Molin intervened as she and Xiuxiu were in the same team; she stepped forward to clarify during a break before their match.

"Really?! No way! You maintain yourself so well; you don't look like you've had kids at all. I thought you were a newlywed!" exclaimed the peacemaker in shock.

"Yeah! How can someone with kids still have such a youthful face!" The earlier jovial military wife kept staring at Xiuxiu's face, as if trying to see a flower emerge.

In the midst of this, the nearby military wives started chatting with Xiuxiu. Soon, the preceding teams finished their matches, and it was Xiuxiu's team's turn to compete. Amidst the cheers of soldiers in green uniforms, her team effortlessly defeated several others.

In all honesty, Xiuxiu made little difference in her team, but with a spirit of participation, she gave it her all. The result was satisfying as Xiuxiu's team won the top prize in the tug-of-war competition, and she was presented with a plastic water cup.

"Mommy is so cool," Song Chengguang exclaimed, hugging her thigh tightly with sparkling eyes after the prize-giving ceremony.

Xiuxiu felt slightly flustered by her son's compliment.

"Have some water." Yuanhuan also approached, pushing the twins' stroller and thoughtfully providing Xiuxiu with warm water.

After a brief rest following the tug of war, the arm-wrestling competition was quickly arranged. Xu Xiuxiu didn't have the advantage she had during the tug of war this time, and her first arm-wrestling opponent was an older military wife. She was easily defeated in seconds, but Xu Xiuxiu wasn't too upset about the result. However, Song Chengguang, the child, was so upset by her loss that Xu Xiuxiu had to comfort him for quite a while.

The arm-wrestling competition also came to an end quickly, and the prizes were distributed.

"Mom, go for it!" Song Chengguang was very excited, clearly full of confidence. The little guy was tied to Xu Xiuxiu's leg and even patiently tilted his little face up to comfort Xu Xiuxiu, looking like a grown man.

Indeed, sons are sweet-hearted!

"Yes, Chengguang, you too." Xu Xiuxiu nodded in agreement, deeply feeling her son's encouragement and mustered up a strong effort.

Xu Xiuxiu and Song Chengguang had already prepared for their three-legged mother-son race, even practicing before the competition. Despite facing many formidable opponents, Xu Xiuxiu and her son displayed great coordination and ran quickly, easily winning the first round.

"Yay!" The moment the mother and son reached the finish line, they immediately laughed joyfully together. The sense of achievement and excitement made Xu Xiuxiu feel deeply moved, and even Song Chengguang, Xu Xiuxiu thought, would probably feel it for a lifetime.

"Don't celebrate too soon, there are still several rounds to go!" Song Yuanhuan, who was waiting at the finish line with the stroller, then threw a wet blanket on the excited mother and son.

"Hmph." This time, Xu Xiuxiu and Song Chengguang harmoniously gave Song Yuanhuan a light snort, especially with similar proud expressions, which made Song Yuanhuan's heart melt.

Soon, after eliminating a bunch of people, the second round of the three-legged race started. In this race, Xu Xiuxiu and Song Chengguang were among ten teams that clearly had some skilled competitors. The mother and son put forth all their effort, running furiously and coordinating flawlessly, barely making it to the third and final round.

After a brief rest, the third round began. This was the final race for the championship, with only the top thirty being winners.

Effort pays off. After several rounds of hard work, Xu Xiuxiu and her son successfully ranked among the top thirty. Song Chengguang was smiling so widely his mouth seemed to reach the back of his head, as this was the first meaningful competition in Song Chengguang's life, and winning a prize was a great encouragement for him, evident by how tightly he held the little bucket he had won.

The excitement was clear and shining on his little face.

"Let's go! Let's go home and change clothes, rest a bit. Tonight, there's a bonfire party and barbecue!" Song Yuanhuan handed the hot water to the two and, seeing Song Chengguang excitedly holding the little bucket and plastic cup, spoke up to remind them.

"Mom, let's go home," Song Chengguang reached out to hold Xu Xiuxiu's hand, and the mother and son, unable to hide their excitement, started walking towards their apartment building, completely ignoring Song Yuanhuan and the boy and girl twins.

But seeing such a special moment of closeness between the mother and son, Song Yuanhuan watched tenderly and decided not to disturb them, merely pushing the stroller and following behind.