CHAPTER 105: CHAPTER 105: PICKING UP THE KIDS

Lin Qin didn’t dare to take any chances, even if she felt that this would make Chen Wenjun and Lin Yi very tired, she could only agree for now.

When the couple arrived at the city experimental primary school, they found people secretly setting up stalls near the school gate, selling snacks and little toys that kids love. They looked quite fresh, with prices at two cents, five cents, and the most expensive not exceeding a dime.

The children at the city experimental primary school almost all had dual-income families, so they could actually afford it.

Lin Qin leisurely browsed and felt a bit tempted. In a moment of weakness, she ended up buying a dollar’s worth of snacks and toys.

Chen Wenjun not only didn’t stop her but even helped continue picking items.

After buying the snacks and toys, the couple discovered there were pastries for sale in the box as well, so they bought a bag.

When the two of them walked out of the alley, the bicycle was already loaded with stuff.

They were just discovered by Lin Yi, who was coming on foot to pick up the children.

Lin Yi didn’t even think before rushing up to stop them, "What’s going on with you two? What did the doctor say?"

Chen Wenjun glanced at the passersby and said with suppressed excitement, "Dad, the doctor said Ah Qin is pregnant, not sick, just overworked, and she needs to rest more and avoid too much stress. I was just thinking of going back to discuss future plans with you!"

Lin Yi was overjoyed, "This is great news! Oh my, now my heart feels much more at ease. I’ll walk the kids back later, you two go ahead on the bicycle."

Chen Wenjun agreed readily, "That works, I’ll take Ah Qin home first and then come back with the tricycle to pick you up."

Lin Yi waved his hand, "We can walk, you still need to rush to South Port to get the goods. Weimin can’t be kept waiting."

Chen Wenjun had no choice but to agree.

After the couple returned to Nanyu, Huang Yuezhen also learned about Lin Qin’s pregnancy and was happy for her. Upon knowing she was needed to help pick up and drop off the kids, Huang Yuezhen agreed without hesitation.

About half an hour after Chen Wenjun left, Lin Yi and the two kids had just arrived home.

As soon as they saw Lin Qin, the two kids ran to her, chattering with questions.

"Mom, Grandpa said you have a little brother or sister in your belly, is that true?" Yaya asked excitedly and expectantly.

Ping’an also had stars in his eyes.

It seemed the two kids weren’t rejecting the idea of a baby sibling.

Lin Qin nodded happily and took out the snacks and toys she just bought: bubble gum, popping candy, haw flakes, sour plum powder, rice crisps, Maltesers, along with little windmills and curled sticks.

As soon as the kids saw these things, they forgot all about the baby sibling, and first divided the snacks and then the toys.

Lin Qin leisurely asked, "Are there many students buying these things at your school?"

The two kids nodded in unison.

With a piece of bubble gum stuffed in his mouth, Ping’an mumbled indistinctly, "The older boys and girls often buy them, we first graders almost have no money, so we can only ask our parents to buy some.

Grandpa has bought it for us twice, this bubble gum is really tasty."

Lin Yi laughed heartily, "Eating a little occasionally makes them happy; I don’t buy it often!"

Lin Qin said nothing.

Lin Yi promptly changed the topic, "Let’s steam a fish for you tonight! They say it’s good to eat more fish during pregnancy! When Wenjun comes back later, let’s see what good seafood he can get, save them for tomorrow. Unfortunately, with this hot weather, things don’t keep well. It’d be great if we had a fridge at home."

Lin Qin, upon hearing this, also got an idea, "Dad, when Wenjun comes back, let’s have him ask Boss Zheng. Boss Zheng has many connections, maybe he knows where we can buy one."

Lin Yi kept this in mind.

That night Chen Wenjun was busy until eleven or twelve before coming back, and Lin Qin had no chance to bring up the matter.

Early the next morning, Chen Wenjun took Lin Yi to South Port.

On the way, Lin Yi mentioned buying a fridge.

Chen Wenjun nodded, "Dad, I was thinking of buying one even if you didn’t mention it. In a couple of days, we can check out the newly opened department store."

Lin Yi frowned, "I heard the things at the department store aren’t cheap."

Chen Wenjun laughed, "Dad, how expensive can it get? After Ah Qin gets pregnant, she needs to eat well. Having a fridge to store various things would be more convenient, and it’s also good for freezing popsicles. Living in Nanyu, it’s not easy to buy popsicles."

This really spoke to Lin Yi’s heart.

When they lived in Shanglin Village, every summer there were popsicle sellers carrying Styrofoam coolers selling popsicles, five cents each, and they were very refreshing. Though he was always frugal, he still had one or two each summer, and he kind of missed them as he hadn’t had one last year.

So, Lin Yi clapped his hand decisively and said, "Buy it!"

They hadn’t arrived at South Port yet, and it was still dark when suddenly a five-canopy boat sped towards them, its lights still on.

Chen Wenjun instantly recognized that it was his five-canopy boat, his eyes widened in surprise.

Standing on the deck, Gao Lei also recognized Chen Wenjun’s iron boat and quickly signaled to slow down.

The two boats gradually approached each other.

Recognizing Chen Wenjun, Gao Lei was overjoyed, "Brother Wenjun! Where are you heading at this hour, and with Uncle too!"

Chen Wenjun was straightforward and shouted back, "Heading to South Port to get seafood; the fishing boats arrive at the dock by five, can’t afford to be late."

Gao Lei nodded in understanding, "When you’re free, I’ll come by for tea!"

"Around two to three in the afternoon would work. After three, I still have to go out for work." Chen Wenjun pondered and realized he only had a little free time like that.

Gao Lei felt exhausted just listening to him, "Alright! I’ll come by in the afternoon!"

They exchanged a few words before going their separate ways.

Lin Yi asked, "What’s he doing on Nanxi at this hour?"

Chen Wenjun seemed deep in thought but didn’t answer, instead shook his head, "Not sure, maybe he’s just returned from the sea. Dad, we need to hurry."

Lin Yi didn’t dwell on Gao Lei’s situation any further.

The two of them were busy all morning, and it was almost eleven when they reached home.

Chen Wenjun still had to rush to pick up the two children from school.

By the time the two kids were back from school, Lin Qin had already finished cooking lunch.

A pot of fragrant taro and minced pork rice, accompanied by a plate of soy sauce braised small yellow croaker, and a large pot of crucian carp tofu soup had the two kids jumping joyfully.

Yaya exaggerated, "Mom’s cooking is so delicious, I can eat two big bowls."

Ping’an added, "I’ll have three big bowls!"

Lin Yi laughed with exasperation, "What now? Grandpa’s cooking is no good?"

Yaya nodded earnestly, "Grandpa’s cooking isn’t as tasty as Mom’s."

Lin Yi glanced at the food on the table and nodded, "True, your mom’s cooking used enough oil to last me five days, how could it not be tasty!"

Lin Qin laughed and shook her head, "Dad! This is just a little! You’ve planted a bunch of peanuts. We can make some peanut oil, plus we have pigs at home; we’re not short on fat, no need to be so stingy."

Lin Yi was flustered and glared while saying, "You say that easily! We’ve only started living well this year, who knows how long it’ll last? We can’t just spend money carelessly. Once you’re used to good days, can you endure going back to those tight, hard days?"

Lin Qin didn’t want to argue and just kept nodding, continuing as things were.