Despite knowing that Qi Taiguo could likely be transferred to border defense, the decision to go or not, and where to go, was not theirs to make, but rather up to the arrangements of their superiors.
Therefore, life had to go on as usual because people still needed to wear clothes and eat. Just because one might be transferred far away, did that mean life should not continue?
However, the rumor that Qi Taiguo might have to guard the border somehow spread. During the full-month celebration of Chunhua’s daughter Yuer, the topic was brought up.
Chunhua’s household wasn’t very wealthy, and for their daughter’s full-month celebration, they didn’t throw a lavish banquet but simply invited a few close families over for a meal—men at one table, women at another, even using the space of Cheng Su and Guiying’s home.
The one who started the conversation was none other than Hualing.
Things hadn’t been going well for Hualing either, as her relationship with Chen Shouwang had its ups and downs. Although they had reconciled after their argument before the New Year, she still felt as if something was amiss.
And during the New Year when they visited her in-laws, her mother-in-law would constantly hint, in no uncertain terms, that it was time for them to have a child since they had been married for quite some time.
Her mother-in-law even obtained, from who knows where, a bowl of dark, unknown medicine, claiming it was Talisman Water from the Divine Lady, guaranteed to aid fertility, which scared Hualing enough to provoke a scene and make her insist that Chen Shouwang return with her to her parents’ home.
Hualing did want to have children; however, both of them had undergone checks and found no issues. Yet the child was not forthcoming—what could they do?
Especially when everyone in the same building, on the same floor, seemed to be having children. Chunhua had given birth, and even though it was a girl, she was her own flesh and blood, whereas Guiying was heaving every morning by the sink, that acidic smell made Hualing’s own stomach churn with envy.
As for Cheng Su, she had decided not to have children for the time being, even avoiding getting pregnant on purpose.
Hualing hadn’t been so anxious before, but seeing others’ children popping out one after another made her restless.
Previously, Hualing had never initiated intimacy, but for the sake of having a child, she had set her embarrassment aside and became proactive; yet frustratingly, the child still did not come. So it was that her period had just started again these past few days.
Therefore, Hualing was very agitated and less tolerant of seeing others comfortable and happy.
Hearing from Chen Shouwang that Qi Taiguo might have to go away for border defense, Hualing felt that Cheng Su’s good times were coming to an end. She watched the couple, always so affectionate and cheerful—would they still be like this after years of separation?
But as for Cheng Su, it was uncertain whether she was really magnanimous or simply indifferent. Look at her smiling like a blooming flower, discussing children with Guiying and others.
Children were now a taboo subject for Hualing, unbearable to hear.
"You must be looking forward to getting a break, Cheng Su. Didn’t you say you wanted to wait a few years before having children? Now your wish has come true!" Hualing suddenly remarked sharply.
The laughter and chatter at the dinner table abruptly ceased.
"What do you mean by that?" Cheng Su’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"Isn’t it obvious? I heard that your husband, Commander Qi, might be sent to guard the border. If he goes, he’ll be away for years. If you’re living apart, won’t you have to postpone having kids for a few more years?" Hualing smiled and said, "Doesn’t that suit you just fine?"
The others frowned upon hearing this, each one thinking to themselves, why must Nurse Hua stir trouble when everyone was enjoying a pleasant conversation?
Obviously, everyone knew about this situation since they were all part of the same military community, and the list for border defense not only included Qi Taiguo but others as well. Living in the same compound, it was natural for word to get around.
All those seated were family members, and who among them would wish for a long-distance marriage? Of course, they knew their husbands in the military needed to serve the country and wouldn’t create any significant trouble, but it was nonetheless harmful to marital relationships.
Everyone turned to see what Cheng Su would say.