CHAPTER 453: CHAPTER 451: DEPARTURE

Lin Wan’s words made Shi Lan suddenly widen her eyes. She angrily punched Lin Wan’s back, "You’re really shameless, saying such things. No wonder you’re no longer modest after having a child."

Lin Wan wasn’t angry at all. She responded with a smug smile, saying, "What’s the big deal? I’m just reminding you; it’s not easy to get pregnant." "Oh, please, most of the time, our Ah Jiang is just like your man, often gone for ten days or half a month."

"This can’t be rushed; having a child requires fate. Don’t be anxious. The more anxious you are, the less likely it will happen."

"Sigh, I even wondered if something was wrong with me. In spring, Ah Jiang took me for a check-up, and the doctor said there was nothing wrong, just to keep a calm mind... It really is just like you said."

"Exactly. To be honest, you’re still young. Not having a child now is actually quite nice. You can enjoy a couple’s world for a few more years. Once you have a child, you can’t be as free as before; you must consider them in everything you do."

"That’s true. Actually, I have another plan."

"What plan?"

"I want to start my own business. When you’re not around, I hardly have anyone to talk to. Once spring comes, if I have nothing to do, I go to the foot of the mountain to pick mushrooms every day. Now I’ve saved quite a few at home... How do you think my sauce tastes?"

"It’s delicious."

"I want to try selling the sauce in the city. What do you think?"

"Sure, honestly, your sauce tastes even better than my mom’s. You should definitely try it. Once you’re ready, buy some small ceramic jars, package them into small portions. That way, it’ll be easier to sell," Lin Wan suggested.

"That’s what I’m thinking too. I’ve already pickled several vats at home, waiting for the weather to cool down before I go to the city," Shi Lan said, feeling motivated by Lin Wan’s support. She felt much happier inside.

The two chatted for a while, then saw Han Yi slowly walking over with a book in his hand, with Ning Jiang beside him.

"Is Ning Jiang in a study class too?"

"Yes, there’s a high chance he might go to military school this time. The list will probably be out in a few days. Ah Jiang said your Han Yi is also on it," Shi Lan said, chuckling twice.

Lin Wan also grinned widely.

"What are you doing out here? There are lots of mosquitoes outside. Did they bite the kid?" The two men walked over to the women and exchanged greetings before going their separate ways.

Han Yi handed the book to Lin Wan and cautiously held the child in his arms.

Little Star was still excited, babbling non-stop when she saw Han Yi.

"Shi Lan has been using a fan, so there are no bites," Lian An said, though he still checked Little Star’s exposed arms and hands to be sure.

She’d been so caught up in the conversation she forgot about it.

After returning home, Han Yi quickly turned on the fan, and the couple set up the mosquito net on the kang bed and started catching mosquitoes inside.

"I just heard from Shi Lan that there are few spots available for military school this time, including Ning Jiang. How many spots are there? It seems highly competitive."

"Our army academy has allocated five spots. There are many exceptional candidates, and this time it’s really selecting the best of the best," Han Yi said as he hugged Lin Wan, the two of them falling onto the bed. He laughed, "But, your husband is the standout in our team. When the spots were announced, our team leader thought of me first. Truth is, my current position is not low, but advancing further is tough because I do not have a high degree. Ever since the college entrance exams were reinstated, all the graduates from military academies have been technical soldiers. Those recruited from lower ranks can’t compete. They’re skilled, and the country values that. So...attending military school is necessary."

Lin Wan giggled, hugging his neck, and kissed his cheek. "Honey, as long as you understand that’s all that matters. No matter what you do, I support you."

"Thank you, Xiao Wan."

"I will work hard to give you and our child a stable home in the future."

"I believe in you, honey."

"Ai Yi, how about I go for a vasectomy when I get half a month’s break? It’ll be just in time to recover before the start of school."

Unexpectedly, just as Lin Wan finished speaking, Han Yi laughed, held her hand, and kissed it, "Let me show you something."

With that, Han Yi got off the bed and took a small red booklet from the wardrobe.

Lin Wan took it and saw it was their household registration booklet. It had been processed for six months, and they finally had it in their hands. Lin Wan opened it to look.

At the time, all registration was handwritten, different from the yellowy-brown booklet from their hometown. Theirs was not red. This period didn’t have a standardized registration booklet yet. Each place had its version.

Even her mom’s newly issued registration book was different; the cover was gray, resembling fur but not quite, looking sturdy, similar to a photo album’s binding but with only two holes punched in it, threaded with a thick rope in the middle.

Lin Wan opened it and saw Han Yi’s name prominently on the first page as the head of the household.

On the second page was her entry, the word "spouse" standing out in the relationship section.

"Do you see this?" Han Yi pointed to the nationality section beside her.

"I see it, but..." Lin Wan was initially puzzled, then surprised.

Oh my, how could she have forgotten her own ethnicity? Silly, having lived so many years in vain.

Having lived two lifetimes, how could she forget minority groups are allowed a second child?

"I am B ethnic, Ai Yi."

"Silly girl, just realizing it now? You’re quite slow," Han Yi laughed, rubbing her hair helplessly.

"Ai Yi, let’s have another child."

"I call you silly, and you really are. Where did your usual smarts go? Our Little Star has just been born, and you’re already rushing for another one? I would feel heartbroken for you, even if you’re not tired," Han Yi said, kissing Lin Wan’s hair. "Actually, I didn’t want you to have more. Caring for a child is hard work, and I’m not home often. I can’t bear to see you work hard alone. One child is enough for us. When we got your registration done, the upper level just filled it based on the facts. Who would have thought this would now be a benefit? Xiao Wan, let’s just have Little Star for now."

Lin Wan glanced at the household booklet in her hand, smiled, and nodded. "Okay, I listen to you. When Little Star is five or six, regardless of boy or girl, let’s have another. I don’t want Little Star to be lonely. It’s important to consider that in the future, because of one-child policies, parents’ care will be a burden."

"Is the child’s registration included?" Lin Wan suddenly thought of something and quickly flipped through it. Sure enough, Han Xingyue’s name was written at the back.

Lin Wan felt relieved. At least their child’s schooling would be secure in the future.

The child’s registration page was also clipped with an era-appropriate yellow birth certificate, handwritten with birth information, without precise birth times. This was their daughter’s birth certificate.

It’s an important document, so it must be kept safe.

"Do you feel assured now?"

"Mm-hmm."

"I’ve talked with the family planning office responsible for this area. You’ll only need to have a prenatal check-up every two months in the future."

"What if I’m not staying around here?" It wouldn’t be convenient to make trips here frequently, and Han Yi was expected to leave for military school in a month.

"At Nanqiao District Hospital, all the team members’ families go there. Whether you’re here or at home, it’s convenient."

"Oh," Lin Wan felt reassured.

That day, Captain Shen and Jiang Ailian were moving. In fact, they didn’t have much stuff, as the furniture was all provided by the team. Over the past two years, other than the pots and pans they purchased, only their clothes and bedding were left.

Lin Wan, having a child, couldn’t really help Sister-in-law Jiang with anything.

But with the guards there, even Sister-in-law Zhang and Shi Lan didn’t have to do much work.

After getting along for so long, parting ways inevitably brought sadness. From the moment Lin Wan arrived at the military, Sisters-in-law Zhang and Jiang, these two older sisters, had been supportive and were her closest companions.

....