Chapter 210 Creating Time for Two People to Be Alone

Jiang Wanqiu picked up the gold bars and looked at them. After thinking for a long time, she said, "Although we have reformed and opened up now and the policies have been relaxed, that is to encourage everyone to make money based on their own abilities. But if these boxes of 'big yellow croakers' and 'Yuan Shikai silver dollars' suddenly appear without a legitimate source, not to mention what outsiders will think, they won't even pass the government's scrutiny."

She turned to look at Zhao Wenchang, her eyes filled with worry: "Especially the Yue family. Although they are currently being suppressed, a centipede with a hundred legs will not die easily. If they find out that we have this windfall, who knows what kind of stories they will tell Wenchang about embezzlement and bribery. At that time, this will not be a family fortune, but rather a knife handed to our enemy."

Zhao Wenchang felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this, and nodded solemnly: "Wanqiu is right. Grandma, this thing needs to be hidden in chaotic times, and at this critical juncture, it needs to be hidden even more tightly. My future is a small matter, but if it causes my family to be labeled as bad examples, that would be a real problem."

Ma Jinhua gave her granddaughter-in-law an approving look. This girl was clear-headed and capable of keeping the family in order.

"Wenchang, move these back into your room first," Ma Jinhua said.

Zhao Wenchang responded and carried the two heavy boxes into the second-floor bedroom.

Once inside, Zhao Wenchang was about to find a place to put it when Jiang Wanqiu stopped him: "There are so many people coming and going in this house, it's not safe to put it under the bed. Go downstairs and boil some water for Mom, let them wash up and go to sleep. They've had a long journey, don't let them suffer any more. We can talk about it tomorrow. I have a perfectly safe place, I guarantee even the gods won't find it."

Zhao Wenchang trusted his wife completely, so he didn't ask any questions and turned to leave.

Hearing footsteps approaching from downstairs, Jiang Wanqiu waved her hand and with a thought, the two large camphor wood chests on the ground instantly vanished into thin air, settling peacefully into her personal space.

There is no safer safe in the world than this.

That night, none of the Zhao family members slept soundly, but Jiang Wanqiu, guarding her son and the family's wealth, slept exceptionally well.

The next morning, millet porridge, steamed buns, and several dishes of refreshing pickled vegetables were laid out on the table.

Jiang Wanqiu took a couple of sips of porridge, put down her chopsticks, and looked at her parents-in-law and grandmother, who were about to bring up the matter of returning to their hometown after finishing their meal. She spoke sincerely: "Grandma, Dad, Mom, there's something I want to discuss with you. I was thinking that since you're here, don't rush to leave. Why don't you all stay in Beijing for the whole city?"

Zhao Xiaohua was munching on a steamed bun when she heard this and was taken aback: "Live here permanently? That won't do. What about all the things to do at home? Who will feed the chickens, ducks, geese, and dogs?"

“Mom, we can even hire the neighbors to look after things at home.” Jiang Wanqiu looked at the spacious dining room. “Look, this little house has several floors, and it’s just me and Wenchang with the baby. It’s so empty and lifeless. Besides, I just gave birth, and there are many things to consider during postpartum confinement. Although the nanny we hired is efficient, she’s still an outsider. She can’t be as caring as my own parents. I really can’t do without your help.”

She then turned to Ma Jinhua: "And Grandma, your legs have always suffered from chronic rheumatism. Beijing has the best hospitals and specialists in the country, and we can even contact them in Wenchang. Let's take this opportunity to get your legs properly treated so you won't suffer anymore."

Zhao Shan and Zhao Xiaohua were somewhat tempted, but they still looked at the old lady.

Zhao Wenchang also put down his chopsticks, his expression serious: "Grandma, what Wanqiu said is one aspect. There is another, more important reason, which I have not dared to explain in detail."

All eyes were on him.

“The Yue family used some really underhanded methods to get back at me. Now, although I’ve established myself in the army, the situation isn’t completely stable. What I fear most is that since they can’t touch me in Beijing, they’ll extend their reach back to my hometown and use you as a pretext.” Zhao Wenchang frowned. “If you’re thousands of miles away and someone takes advantage of your situation and schemes against you, even if I become a division commander in the army, I’ll be living in constant fear, and I won’t be able to do my job with peace of mind.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shan forgot to put the steamed bun in his mouth. They had been honest and simple people all their lives, and had never experienced anything like this before. When they heard that it would affect their son's future, they immediately panicked.

Ma Jinhua pondered for a moment, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her cloudy eyes. She wasn't afraid of trouble, but she couldn't let her grandson down.

After thinking it over, the old lady made her final decision: "Alright, since Wenchang has said so, then we'll stay! This is to protect the rear for Wenchang, and also to take care of my great-grandson."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Ma Jinhua changed her tone and became stubborn again: "But let's be clear from the start. We can stay here, but once Xiao Shitou is weaned, can run and jump, and my leg is healed, and things are stable in Wenchang, we still have to go back to Liujia Village. There's no place like home. No matter how good the city is, it's not as comfortable as the breeze under the old elm tree back home."

"Okay, okay, whatever you say!" As long as the person could stay, Jiang Wanqiu was completely relieved.

...

A few days passed in the blink of an eye, and Beijing entered the dog days of summer. The weather was as hot as a giant steamer, and cicadas chirped incessantly in the trees.

To prevent the children from getting prickly heat, the family tried every possible way to cool down the house.

Inside the bedroom, Little Stone had just finished his bath and smelled wonderfully of milk.

The little one lay sprawled on the big bed, fast asleep, occasionally smacking his pink lips.

Zhao Xiaohua pushed open the door and brought in a basin of hot water. She originally intended to wipe Jiang Wanqiu's body down—Jiang Wanqiu was still in her postpartum period, and according to the old rules, she couldn't touch cold water or take a long bath.

As soon as she entered the room, Zhao Xiaohua's gaze was drawn to her grandson on the bed.

"puff--"

Zhao Xiaohua put the washbasin on the shelf, pointed at Xiao Shitou on the bed, and couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Wanqiu, isn't our Shitou a boy? Why is he dressed up like this?"

The chubby little baby boy was wearing a pink onesie with delicate lace trim around the cuffs and collar, making his chubby face look like a New Year's picture doll, both comical and adorable.

Jiang Wanqiu was leaning against the headboard reading a book when she heard this and sighed helplessly. Her gaze drifted to Zhao Wenchang, who was clumsily making the bed at the foot of the bed.

"Mom, you can't blame me for this. You have to ask your good son." Jiang Wanqiu complained with a smile, "He bought these clothes in advance. At that time, he really wanted a sweet little girl. He even picked out a name for her, 'Wanwan,' and swept through all the pink and red clothes in the department store. Who knew that he would give birth to a little devil?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaohua slapped her thigh with delight: "My goodness, so many pink clothes?"

“That’s right.” Jiang Wanqiu spread her hands. “I told him to go and change it, but your son got all stingy and said the material was expensive and it would be a waste to throw it away. He insisted that children don’t distinguish between boys and girls and should wear it first.”

Zhao Wenchang, who was bending over making the bed, suddenly stiffened and slowly straightened up.

Being teased like this by his mother and wife, Commander Zhao, who was a big shot in the regiment, blushed bright red.

He cleared his throat, trying to save face, and pointed seriously at the pink lace trim, saying, "Mom, you don't understand, this is called... this is called fashionable! All the big leaders in Beijing are wearing this now. Besides, look how fair-skinned our son looks in this pink! This is called 'a face like jade,' he'll grow up to be a handsome young man! This material is so soft, don't waste it..."

Seeing her son's stubborn expression, Zhao Xiaohua laughed until tears welled up in her eyes, pointing at him for a long time without being able to say a word.

The little stone on the bed seemed disturbed and kicked its legs in dissatisfaction, causing the pink lace trim to tremble, making it look even more charming.

After wiping Jiang Wanqiu's body, Zhao Xiaohua carried her eldest grandson, who was dressed in pink, outside. The whole family adored him and held him back and forth, reluctant to let go.

Seeing that it was getting late, Jiang Wanqiu looked tired. Zhao Xiaohua, being a caring person, immediately took the baby into her arms after Jiang Wanqiu finished breastfeeding and said to the young couple, "Alright, Wenchang, your wife is still in her postpartum period and her body is weak. She can't stay up late. I've noticed dark circles under her eyes these past few days. Tonight, Shitou will sleep with me and your dad. Our room is spacious, and the little guy just finished eating and is sleeping like a log. He'll probably sleep through the night."

Jiang Wanqiu felt a little guilty: "Mother, this won't do. If the child makes a fuss in the middle of the night, how will you two get any rest?"

"Oh dear, we old folks don't sleep much and wake up early. Besides, I'm so happy to have my grandson with me! You two go to sleep, and make sure the door is closed tightly." Without waiting for a reply, Zhao Xiaohua picked up the child and called Zhao Shan back to the guest room.

With the child's whimper gone, the master bedroom fell silent.

Jiang Wanqiu was indeed exhausted. As soon as she touched the bed, before she could even exchange two words with Zhao Wenchang, her eyelids began to droop.

Looking at his wife's sleepy appearance, Zhao Wenchang's heart softened. He gently tucked her in and then turned off the light and lay down himself.

The first few days were fine; Jiang Wanqiu did get several full nights' sleep and regained much of her energy. But that night, things didn't go as planned.

The moon hung high outside the window, and only an orange bedside lamp was left on in the room, casting a dim and ambiguous light.

Jiang Wanqiu lay on her side, but couldn't fall asleep.

Her brows were tightly furrowed, and she would occasionally gasp for breath. Her hands would unconsciously press against her chest, her body was curled up, and a fine layer of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Zhao Wenchang was a soldier, so he was a very alert sleeper. He could sense even the slightest increase in breathing from the person next to him, let alone his wife's tossing and turning.

He immediately opened his eyes, propped himself up on one side, and reached out to touch Jiang Wanqiu's forehead, his voice full of anxiety: "Wife, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Or is your C-section incision hurting?"

Jiang Wanqiu's cheeks flushed red. She bit her lower lip, her eyes darting away, not daring to look at him. She buried her head in the pillow and shook her head sullenly.

"What does shaking your head mean? If you don't speak, I'm going to call the doctor!" Zhao Wenchang got anxious and made a move to lift the covers and get out of bed.

Jiang Wanqiu was startled and quickly reached out to grab his arm, her voice barely audible: "No...don't go, it's not the incision that hurts."