I Bacame the Mother of His Child-Chapter 45 - 44: First Meeting with Zhao Jian Country

"I see!" Xu Xiuxiu, after understanding Zhao Nan’s thoughts, arranged a small portion of pastries and candies, and covered the opened can before putting it aside, "Then, Nannan, why don’t you take the pastries home and share them with Daddy?" Xu Xiuxiu squatted down to bring herself eye-level with Zhao Nan.

"Daddy says it’s impolite to eat or take things from others’ homes without permission!" Zhao Nan felt embarrassed about bringing home so many goodies, so he shyly lowered his head.

"It’s no trouble at all, Auntie bought a lot of pastries and candies, and your little brother is still too young to eat them. Besides, your Uncle Song doesn’t like these snacks, and Auntie can’t finish them all by herself; they’ll go bad," Xu Xiuxiu said as she handed the organized treats to Zhao Nan and gently ruffled the little guy’s hair. "Auntie is going out to get dinner, so how about I take your little brother with me and drop you off at home on the way?" Although this was a military base and Xu Xiuxiu had no safety concerns, Zhao Nan was still young, and Xu Xiuxiu felt it was best to escort the boy home.

"Auntie, there’s no need, I can find my way home." Zhao Nan’s father had always let him roam freely, and the boy was familiar with every corner of the base, so getting home alone was a piece of cake for him.

"It’s no bother, let Auntie take you home!" Xu Xiuxiu insisted, still concerned.

Hearing this, Zhao Nan no longer refused Xu Xiuxiu’s kind offer. After Xu Xiuxiu escorted Zhao Nan to his doorstep, she met Zhao Nan’s father, Zhao Jian Country, for the first time.

"Are you Song Yuanhuan’s wife?" Zhao Jian Country, surprised to see his son returning home after dark, originally wanted to scold the boy, but unexpectedly found a woman with a child at his door. He looked inquiringly at the newcomer and, upon catching sight of the baby carriage with little Song Yuanhuan, he guessed that this was the pretty and virtuous Aunt Xiu Xiu whom Zhao Nan often mentioned.

Xu Xiuxiu stood serenely, nodding at the scholarly man in military attire and with gold-rimmed glasses, "Hello, Political Commissioner Zhao, I’m Xu Xiuxiu. Nannan was playing at my home today, and as it got dark, he worried you might be anxious, so I took the opportunity to walk him home." Zhao Jian Country hadn’t met her but could guess her identity, and naturally, she could do the same, especially since Zhao Nan actually looked quite similar to him.

"The boy can be a handful; I hope he hasn’t caused you any trouble!" Zhao Jian Country said, reaching out a large hand to pull Zhao Nan to his side and politely inquired from Xu Xiuxiu.

Normally, Zhao Jian Country was quite busy with work and didn’t have much time to watch over Zhao Nan. But ever since he had brought the boy to the base, he had clearly felt his son’s temperament grow more cheerful and mischievous. He had thought about reigning him in, but perhaps his authority as a father wasn’t enough, as the boy simply wasn’t afraid and would still slip out after breakfast only to return home at dark.

In the beginning, his sister Zhao Xiumei had been around to help take care of Zhao Nan. Though Zhao Nan hardly listened to his aunt, he wasn’t completely unruly. But ever since Zhao Xiumei started working at Sichuan Pavilion, it was as if nobody could control the child, like a monkey who had become king of the hill.

"No, Nannan has been very good."

Good? His son being good? Zhao Jian Country didn’t believe it but still cordially invited Xu Xiuxiu into the house for a sit-down.

"No thank you, I still need to go to the cafeteria for dinner, perhaps next time with Song Yuanhuan I can visit Political Commissioner Zhao." The base was a Military District, and although everyone maintains integrity without fearing their shadows, Political Commissioner Zhao after all was a single man without a wife. Although Zhao Nan and Song Chengguang were both young boys, Xu Xiuxiu was careful not to give others the opportunity to gossip, keeping an appropriate distance between them to prevent any potential unintended rumors from arising.

"Then I won’t keep you any longer, be careful on your way, and next time, I’ll invite you and your husband for a meal," Zhao Jian Country earnestly suggested. In fact, he had long thought about inviting them to eat because his sister Zhao Xiumei worked at that restaurant, and it was through his request that Song Yuanhuan got the job. He felt he should find an opportunity to thank them by treating them to a meal. freewēbnoveℓ.com

"Political Commissioner Zhao, there’s no need for such courtesy," Xu Xiuxiu replied politely, then she waved her hand towards Zhao Nan, "Zhao Nan, you know where Auntie’s house is. When you have time, why don’t you come over to Auntie’s place to play?"

"Rest assured, Auntie. I’ll come over to play tomorrow," Zhao Nan answered Xu Xiuxiu with enthusiasm.

Xu Xiuxiu nodded at his words, then she turned and pushed Song Chengguang’s baby stroller towards the military canteen.

At this time, there weren’t many people getting food in the military canteen, and even fewer were lining up. The regulated mealtime for soldiers hadn’t arrived yet, so Xu Xiuxiu didn’t have to wait long—she was served in just two or three minutes. Xu Xiuxiu studied the day’s menu carefully and casually chose two meat and two vegetarian dishes.

Ma Xiaohua stood within the glass window of the food serving area, wearing a mask. When she saw Xu Xiuxiu coming, she looked up with displeasure and turned away, silently dishing up the meal as requested. Clearly, she had no intention of making small talk with Xu Xiuxiu.

"Thank you for your help, Sister-in-law," Xu Xiuxiu said politely after she had helped with the food.

"There’s no need for such thanks; this is my job," Ma Xiaohua replied indifferently, and with a sniff, she seemed not to accept Xu Xiuxiu’s gratitude, even throwing Xu Xiuxiu a disdainful glance at the end.

Seeing this, Xu Xiuxiu didn’t say anything more; she put away her smile, lowered her head to organize the packed lunch, and then turned around to head back to the dormitory. Her mood remained steady despite Ma Xiaohua’s attitude, which Xiuxiu felt showed her own considerable maturity.

By the time she returned to the dormitory, the dim yellow lights were already on.

When Xu Xiuxiu entered the room with Song Chengguang, there was nobody inside, but the sound of someone washing up could be heard from the bathroom. Xu Xiuxiu guessed that Song Yuanhuan was likely inside, so she silently began to prepare the food.

Song Chengguang was not familiar with the dormitory, but his little short legs started toddling around as soon as he was out of the stroller. By the time Xu Xiuxiu had finished sorting out the food, the little guy was already clinging to the bathroom door, patting the wooden door with "smack, smack!" sounds. "Mommy, people," Song Chen patted the door and then turned to look at Xu Xiuxiu, speaking his words.

Xu Xiuxiu understood what he meant, knowing that the little guy was trying to express the idea that someone was inside. "Right! There’s someone there, isn’t there? Who could it be?" Xu Xiuxiu led Song Chengguang on.

Song Chengguang’s little eyes whirled around for a moment, and then, with a slightly wrinkled face, he asked uncertainly, "Daddy?"

Xu Xiuxiu’s lips curled into a smile, but she did not answer Song Chengguang’s question.

Click—

At that moment, the bathroom door suddenly opened. Song Chengguang’s little hands were pressed against the door, and as it swung open, the little guy, not quite steady on his feet, fell forwards into the bathroom.