Chen Lishu: "Didn't you guys... did your family agree a while back?"
"Yes," Zhang Xue nodded, shaking Chen Lishu's hand. Her bright eyes said, "You'd never guess how that silly Li Weimin convinced my parents."
Chen Lishu was indeed curious. "How did he convince them?"
"A while ago, he went to my house again without a word and talked to my parents for a long time. In the end, he even said..."
Zhang Xue, showing a rare girlish shyness, blushed and said, "He said that if we had children in the future, the child could take my surname."
Her tone, however, was brimming with unconcealed sweetness.
Chen Lishu was surprised. No wonder Zhang Xue's parents agreed without hesitation. That one promise from Li Weimin was more effective than a thousand guarantees.
The idea of continuing the family line was still quite strong, and Zhang Xue was their only daughter.
Furthermore, family planning had been established as a basic national policy. Both he and she were in the military and teaching respectively, so they couldn't violate regulations. Under the premise of having only one child, allowing the child to take Zhang Xue's surname was an even more remarkable concession.
Chen Lishu smiled. "Seeing as things are going well for you, have you set a date? When can I expect to be invited to your wedding?"
Zhang Xue replied, "Neither of us is young anymore, and his parents are quite anxious. Once Li Weimin finishes this exercise, our parents will meet, and then the matter will be settled."
Chen Lishu teased, "Finally, you're off the market, and I, as your matchmaker, can finally relax. Otherwise, who knows when you'd come crying to me again."
Zhang Xue huffed, "I'm a big person, I don't hold grudges against little ones. Our children will all have my surname. If Li Weimin dares to make me angry, I'll kick him out. The children, the house, the savings – none of it will be his."
In a mountain hollow base camp somewhere, Li Weimin suddenly sneezed twice in a row.
Wu Zheng asked concernedly, "Weimin, did you catch a cold rushing back last night?"
"It's nothing." Li Weimin rubbed his nose, thinking smugly that his girlfriend must be missing him and thinking of him just days after they parted.
As Chen Lishu and Zhang Xue were talking, Li Xiulan came out of the kitchen. "Little Xue, you've come at just the right time. I went to the market and happened to catch them selling fish. Do you prefer it sweet and sour or steamed?"
Zhang Xue happily replied, "Auntie, I'm not picky. I'll eat whatever you make. I've been eating at the mess hall for so long, I'm almost losing my appetite."
Li Xiulan felt a pang of sympathy. "That's the downside of living at school. Mess hall food is never as carefully prepared as home cooking. Xingping also often complains about getting tired of the mess hall food. It's not far, so whenever you have a day off, come over, and Auntie will cook whatever you want."
"Auntie, you're so kind." Zhang Xue said, linking her arm through Li Xiulan's. "I'll help you out in the kitchen. It's a good chance to learn your cooking skills too."
Seeing them go into the kitchen, Chen Lishu walked to the sofa and played with Xiao Chengzi and Xiao Bai with Rui Rui.
"Brother, Xiao Bai calls brother," Rui Rui said, holding Xiao Bai's small hand and patiently teaching her to say "brother" again.
However, Xiao Bai remained indifferent. The moment she saw Chen Lishu approach, her eyes curved into a smile, revealing her two tiny, newly grown teeth.
Noticing the drool on Xiao Bai's lips, Chen Lishu took out a handkerchief, about to wipe it away, when a clear, childish voice suddenly called out, "Mama~"
Chen Lishu turned back in surprise. Not far away, Xiao Chengzi was engrossed in gnawing on a teething biscuit.
This was the first time the child had clearly said "Mama." Chen Lishu was incredibly moved. Looking at Xiao Chengzi, she guided him, "Cheng, I'm Mama, say Mama."
As if to spite Chen Lishu, no matter how much she coaxed, Xiao Chengzi resolutely refused to speak again.
Just as Chen Lishu was about to give up in disappointment, Xiao Chengzi finally deigned to give his mother some face and shouted again, "Mama~"
After that one word, it seemed he found it quite amusing, and he called out several more times in succession.
Although she knew the child might be babbling unconsciously, Chen Lishu's heart felt as if it had melted, softening her completely.
One "Mama" was a lifelong bond.
Once the child uttered his first word, it was as if a new world had opened up. During family meals, when he was impatient, he would also shout out a few times, "Mama!"
Li Xiulan laughed. "They usually say girls start talking earlier, I didn't expect ours to be the opposite. Xiao Chengzi says it quite clearly."
"Grandma, when will little brother and sister call me brother?"
Li Xiulan replied, "Soon. Probably in two or three more months they'll be able to call you brother."
Rui Rui looked a little disappointed. So long to wait.
Zhang Xue returned to school after dinner.
By the time Gu Xingdong arrived home, it was already pitch dark outside.
Chen Lishu had just put the two little ones to bed and was heading downstairs to tell Rui Rui to wash up when she saw Gu Xingdong push the door open.
Although it was already April, the night was still cold, yet he was only wearing a casual single-breasted jacket. His hair hadn't been cut in a while and looked a bit messy. He carried a dark green backpack in his hand.
Chen Lishu looked at him and was visibly stunned for a moment. She stepped forward and said, "Why didn't you call before you came back? Have you eaten? Are you hungry?"
Li Xiulan also reacted and stood up from the sofa. "There's some leftover food at home. Shall I make you some egg fried rice?"
Gu Xingdong came in with his bag. "Mom, I ate on the train and I'm not hungry. It's this late, you should go to bed."
Hearing that he had eaten, and knowing that the couple must have a lot to say after being apart for a month, Li Xiulan very tactfully turned and returned to her room.
"Daddy," Rui Rui called out.
Gu Xingdong reached up and ruffled his hair. "Why aren't you asleep yet at this hour?"
"Tomorrow is Sunday, and Mom said I can watch TV for an extra half hour."
Chen Lishu added, "Let's go upstairs. Rui Rui needs to wash up and get ready for bed."
Gu Xingdong nodded, and the family of three soon went upstairs.
After Rui Rui finished washing up and went back to his own room, Gu Xingdong also took a shower, which made him feel much more refreshed.
"Did things go smoothly?" Chen Lishu asked, spreading the bed when she saw him enter.
"Mm." Gu Xingdong replied, "The equipment was shipped back ahead of time. We should be able to pick it up tomorrow."
Remembering something, Chen Lishu said with great joy, "Xiao Chengzi can say Mama."
Gu Xingdong paused as he lifted the covers. "Can he say Papa?"
Chen Lishu shook her head. "How old is he?"
Gu Xingdong murmured, "The pronunciation for Mama and Papa isn't much different, is it?" He hadn't exactly been idle in his efforts.
Chen Lishu hadn't heard him clearly. "What did you say?"
Gu Xingdong looked at her intently, then reached out and pulled her into his arms. "I said I missed you after being apart for so long."
The words "miss you" were emphasized, carrying a deeper meaning.
The warm breath made Chen Lishu's face flush with heat...
In the early morning, Chen Lishu woke up hazily once. She reached for the watch on the bedside table, opened her eyes, and checked the time: 5:15.
She dropped the watch and closed her eyes, resting her face down.
Gu Xingdong was still sleeping soundly beside her. His body heat was transmitted through their touching skin, giving her a remarkably secure feeling.
The drawn curtains kept the room dim. The children were still asleep, and the surroundings were quiet, perfect for another hour of sleep.
Chen Lishu found a comfortable position and drifted back to sleep.