Shen Heng wanted to act like his usual rogue, but seeing Bai Jiaojiao trembling with heartbreak, he couldn't bear to gloss over the matter.

Shen Heng leaned forward and pulled Bai Jiaojiao into his arms.

Bai Jiaojiao obediently stopped struggling, and Shen Heng thought she was too heartbroken, making him feel even less than human.

“Jiaojiao, I…” Shen Heng didn’t want to explain, but found it hard to speak.

His decision not to have children is 100% selfish.

"Brother Heng, you really think the same way I do!"

After Bai Jiaojiao's shyness subsided, she hugged Shen Heng's waist, looked up at him, and smiled.

It turns out that Shen Heng doesn't want children anymore!

If she had known, she would have just been direct, and they wouldn't have had to struggle with this for so long!

Being held tightly and rubbed against by Bai Jiaojiao, Shen Heng felt as if he had been lifted high by the collar and then dropped down to find that he was being padded with a hundred layers of cotton quilts.

"You don't want children either?" Shen Heng felt a pang of unease again. He pinched Bai Jiaojiao's chin: "Why don't you want to have children for me? If not for me, who will you have them for? Tell me!"

Why are you yelling at me?!

Bai Jiaojiao lowered her head to bite Shen Heng's finger, but Shen Heng rolled over and pinned Bai Jiaojiao down, kissing her.

"Heng-ge..." Bai Jiaojiao felt as if she had no bones, her hands gently pressing against Shen Heng's chest, finding a gap in Shen Heng's kisses.

Shen Heng gritted his teeth: "I'll give you a chance to explain."

Bai Jiaojiao pouted, thinking this person was too wicked.

He clearly didn't want it either, but when it came to her not wanting it, it was unacceptable.

However, Shen Heng's reaction was within her expectations.

“Our current situation isn’t good, and if the child were born now, they would suffer with us. Um… I’m not saying we’re suffering now, it’s just that I think we can wait until things are better before having children. Anyway, we’re still young, right, Brother Heng?”

Shen Heng temporarily believed Bai Jiaojiao's words and transformed into a docile big dog, gently licking Bai Jiaojiao's lips.

"If you don't want it, then don't. Those brats are annoying to look at, and they're trying to steal my wife."

Bai Jiaojiao then realized Shen Heng's true thoughts, which were so naive that they made her laugh.

"What are you laughing at?" Shen Heng didn't think he had anything funny about it.

Why should the wife he spent so much money and effort to marry become the mother of those little brats?

"I didn't laugh, I didn't laugh." Bai Jiaojiao took advantage of the darkness to lie through her teeth.

"If anyone asks, just blame it on me. The old women in our village have sharp tongues, so don't bother with them."

The young couple has always chosen not to have children. They know why, but it's bound to attract gossip.

Shen Heng had also heard some things like that so-and-so's wife was a barren hen, and he was sure that if anyone dared to say that about Bai Jiaojiao, he would make sure that person bleed.

Bai Jiaojiao reached out and put her arm around Shen Heng's neck: "Aren't you afraid that people will laugh at you, Brother Heng?"

"Pshaw, who dares to laugh at me?" Shen Heng had been said even worse things by others, but he didn't care.

Bai Jiaojiao's eyes flickered, her heart filled with a bittersweet feeling.

In a matter concerning a man's dignity, Shen Heng actually took the initiative to protect her from being unfairly criticized by others. Bai Jiaojiao really didn't know what to say.

Shen Heng sensed the emotion in the person beneath him and smiled, "Whether I can do it or not, it's enough for my Jiaojiao to know."

“Heng-ge…” Bai Jiaojiao wrinkled her nose, and the emotion she had just felt vanished instantly.

Shen Heng bit Bai Jiaojiao's lips to stop her from thinking about anything else, and then mischievously asked her, "Jiaojiao, isn't Brother Heng amazing?"

Bai Jiaojiao covered Shen Heng's mouth, but he kissed her palm, instantly making her eyes moist.

Bai Jiaojiao was late for work again the next day.

Bai Jiaojiao hurried to the field and saw a figure in military green on the ridge.

The alarm bells rang loudly immediately.

It's Zhu Shengping! He's back!

Bai Jiaojiao narrowed her eyes.

It's only the end of June, why is Zhu Shengping back now?

Normal discharge from the military usually occurs in September or December.

In her past life, Bai Jiaojiao hadn't paid attention to this matter; she only remembered that it was a hot day, but she never expected Zhu Shengping to return so early.

So he... wasn't he discharged from the military?

Zhu Shengping came back once last year for the Spring Festival and had a strong impression of Bai Jiaojiao.

The two met face to face, and Zhu Shengping even nodded to Bai Jiaojiao.

Bai Jiaojiao didn't even bother to save face and didn't even glance at him.

However, in Zhu Shengping's memory, Bai Jiaojiao was always arrogant and haughty, so he didn't find it strange, but he didn't continue to talk to her.

The two brushed past each other, and Bai Jiaojiao quickened her pace to find Bai Shiqing.

"Second sister, I just saw Zhu Shengping come back."

"Brother Shengping is back?" Bai Shiqing's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

She was first surprised, then awkwardly tucked her hair behind her ear: "Did you talk to him? Did you ask him why he came back at this time?"

Two blushes appeared on Bai Shiqing's cheeks. Last time, Zhu Shengping sent her a letter saying that he would come back this year to marry her.

Zhu Shengping has returned now, even though it's not a holiday or festival; it must be for this matter.

"Second sister, I think he's not leaving this time."

Bai Shiqing pursed her lips and smiled shyly: "He wrote to me last time saying that he's retiring from the army this year! He probably won't be leaving, but I don't know if the army can help someone like him who's being discharged find a job!"

Bai Jiaojiao laid it all out upfront: "Second sister, as far as I know, military discharge dates are usually in September or December. I've never heard of anyone being discharged in June. If he's coming to find you, you'll have to ask him about it."

There aren't many people from this surrounding area who can be selected to join the army, and ordinary people really don't know or care about the details of their discharge.

"What do you mean?" Bai Shiqing's eyes darted around. "You mean he didn't retire normally? But he..."

Bai Shiqing wasn't stupid; she had a vague feeling that this wasn't a good thing.

"Second sister, I don't know either. You can ask him if you need anything."

Bai Jiaojiao didn't say much. After all, Bai Shiqing and Zhu Shengping had been in a relationship for so many years, so there must still be feelings between them. If they wanted to break up, they would have to take it slowly.

Bai Shiqing's excitement subsided somewhat, replaced by worry, but this worry was directed at Zhu Shengping: "Is he going to get punished? If that's the case, how will he ever be able to hold his head up in the village again?"

Bai Jiaojiao: "..."

She knew that this matter alone would not shake their relationship.

Bai Jiaojiao didn't know whether Zhu Shengping had told Bai Shiqing the truth after their marriage in their previous life, but he had kept it a secret before their marriage.

Bai Jiaojiao felt something was amiss. Otherwise, even if he received a punishment, what couldn't he tell his fiancée?

"Second sister, I have to go to work, I'm not talking to you anymore!" Bai Jiaojiao's mind was in turmoil, she needed to think things through.

"Go quickly, don't let your brother-in-law do the work for you every day."

Bai Jiaojiao went to the soybean field and found that Shen Heng was still there.

"Heng-ge, let me do it, you go do your thing!"

Shen Heng straightened up: "Didn't I say you didn't need to come? Look at this little bit of work you have, it's not even enough for me to finish in a whole morning."