"Comrade Chen, Comrade Gu, hello." Director Zhu reacted and quickly put down the ledger to move stools for the two.
Based on her past experience, couples usually came for adoption matters. Seeing their refined conversation, especially Gu Xingdong being a soldier, Director Zhu felt even more at ease.
She was happier than doing anything else if the children could find a good home.
Chen Lishu saw her finish moving the stool and about to pour water, so she quickly called out to stop her.
"Director Zhu, as you can probably guess, we've come today because we, a couple, want to adopt Rui Rui. We wonder if it's possible?"
"Yes, why not." Hearing that it was as she had guessed, Director Zhu's smile became even more enthusiastic. "Please sit down, I'll go and call Rui Rui over."
Director Zhu quickly went out and, in a moment, returned holding a three or four-year-old little boy, who was Rui Rui.
He had recovered a lot after the last hospitalization and treatment. Although he no longer had a fever, it seemed his inner heat was suppressed, as his two cheeks were still a sickly red.
Upon seeing Chen Lishu, Rui Rui grinned and happily called out, "Auntie."
His gaze fell on Gu Xingdong beside her. Seeing his military uniform, Rui Rui, who didn't understand the difference between a military uniform and a police uniform, had his smile not fully bloom. His small body, filled with a bit of fear, immediately hid behind Director Zhu.
However, out of curiosity, he couldn't help but peek his little head out.
"Come here," Gu Xingdong beckoned to him. Rui Rui, scared, immediately shrunk back.
"Don't be afraid. These two will be your mom and dad from now on. What has Aunt Zhu usually taught you? You can't be impolite." Director Zhu, afraid that the child's behavior might make them change their minds, quickly pulled Rui Rui out from behind her.
Suddenly pushed out, little Rui Rui felt very wronged, timidly looking at Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong without daring to speak.
Chen Lishu smiled and said, "Rui Rui is still a bit unfamiliar with us. There's no rush for now."
Hearing her words, Director Zhu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The matter proceeded smoothly. In less than half a morning, all the procedures were completed, and Rui Rui's name was added to the couple's household registration. From today onwards, he would be called Gu Rui.
As they didn't know his birth date, they followed Director Zhu's suggestion to treat him as four years old, setting his birthday on the day of adoption.
Before officially taking Gu Rui away, Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong went to the non-staple food store to buy five jin of white flour and one jin of candy for the welfare home.
"With the New Year approaching, let's improve the children's meals," Gu Xingdong said as he handed the items to Director Zhu.
A group of children saw the couple enter with bags and all curiously peered through the door frame, looking inside. When they saw the candy, their eyes instantly showed longing, and they all made gulping motions in unison.
Until they held Rui Rui's hand and left, the children's longing gazes seemed to still linger before Chen Lishu.
"Rui Rui, um, Mom will take you to the fabric store to buy some material. Let's make you a new outfit, okay?" Suddenly becoming a mother, Chen Lishu was still a little unaccustomed.
Rui Rui nodded in a dazed manner. He vaguely knew that he had left the welfare home and would be living with these two people from now on. Thinking of the mothers and children at the welfare home, he had been a little unhappy.
Gu Xingdong saw everything. He suddenly bent down and scooped up Rui Rui, who had short arms and legs, and smiled at Chen Lishu, saying, "Alright, I never thought I'd have such a big son as soon as I became a dad."
Suddenly lifted off the ground, Rui Rui fearfully hugged Gu Xingdong's neck. When he opened his eyes and realized he was higher up, a hint of novelty and excitement appeared in his eyes.
Gu Xingdong was instantly amused. He raised his eyebrows at Chen Lishu, boasting, "See? Our son will definitely be closer to me from now on."
Chen Lishu smiled somewhat helplessly, "Slow down, don't scare the child."
Gu Xingdong lifted his arm and bounced Rui Rui's little bottom, "This kid walks too slowly. It's so cold outside, don't let the child freeze. Let's hurry."
Chen Lishu nodded. The family of three quickly took a car to the commercial street. Chen Lishu directly bought two meters of fabric, a jin of cotton, and two sets of underwear and undershirts.
As the family of three strolled through the mall harmoniously, the Wu family, Lin Xiaoyue, and Lin Xiaohui, however, couldn't manage a smile. On the contrary, Lin Xiaohui was currently filled with anxiety and fear.
"Sister, what should I do?"
Lin Xiaohui's voice was choked with tears. "They all dote on the child in my belly. But, I'm clearly pregnant. I've been vomiting, you saw it yourself. How did I get my period? The wedding is tomorrow. What if Chengming finds out? What should I do?"
Although she was extremely disappointed with Lin Xiaohui, she was, after all, her own sister, and the only relative she had nearby. Lin Xiaoyue's perpetually cold face gradually softened.
"Xiaohui, if the person surnamed Lu truly cares about you, whether you're pregnant or not is unimportant. If he only cares about the child, then it proves he doesn't love you at all. Besides, your brother-in-law and I have always told you that the person surnamed Lu is not a good person..."
Lin Xiaohui was angry at her for speaking ill of Lu Chengming again and stomped her foot. "Why are you talking about this again? He divorced his wife for me, isn't that proof enough that he loves me? Besides, what's the use of saying this now? I'm getting married tomorrow!"
Lin Xiaoyue shook her head helplessly, knowing that she had made up her mind to marry Lu Chengming, so she stopped talking.
"No, this child must exist. Sister, you don't know how happy Chengming was when he learned I was pregnant."
"Paper can't wrap fire. He'll know sooner or later that you weren't pregnant. Moreover, you can get pregnant later. Why the rush?"
"You just don't understand. I heard that the first wife entered the family for several years without getting pregnant. If I get pregnant as soon as I enter the family, will the treatment be the same?"
The more Lin Xiaohui spoke, the more she felt the child in her belly was a precious gem. She thought for a moment and said, "Anyway, I'll pretend to be pregnant for now. Then in two months, I'll find a chance to have an abortion. It'll be done secretly, and their family won't be able to say anything."
Seeing that she had made up her mind, Lin Xiaoyue knew that further persuasion would be futile. She glanced at her son, who was pacing back and forth while leaning on the table, and got up to return to her room.
She soon took out fifty yuan. "You're getting married tomorrow. This is a small token of our affection from your brother-in-law and me. When you start your own life, it's different from living at home. Be careful in everything you do."
Lin Xiaohui didn't pay attention to what Lin Xiaoyue said afterward. She snatched the money from her hand and happily said, "Thank you, Sister, and brother-in-law."
...
After Chen Lishu bought all the items she needed, the family of three took a car back to the military dependents' area.
Facing the unfamiliar environment, Rui Rui's little face was constantly tense. It wasn't until they entered the house and saw 'Da Wang' meowing at the entrance that a child's curiosity and affection finally appeared in his eyes.