Can I still be saved? [Transmigration] - Chapter 13
Amid the constant chatter and bustle, the two-month summer vacation passed by in a flash.
Su Yunjing’s relationship with Fu Hanzhou also made a qualitative leap during that time.
But once school started, the amount of time they could spend together decreased.
After school, Su Yunjing had to finish his homework and eat dinner before he could visit Fu Hanzhou.
The orphanage locked its doors at eight in the evening, so at most, they could only spend about an hour together each day.
Now, Su Yunjing had started teaching Fu Hanzhou arithmetic, giving him 20 problems daily to complete by the next day.
After checking the latest set of questions and seeing that Fu Hanzhou had gotten them all correct, Su Yunjing rewarded him with a big fruit jelly.
The weather gradually turned cooler.
Late autumn in Yucheng wasn’t bone-chilling cold, but it was damp and gloomy.
Fu Hanzhou wasn’t afraid of heat, but he couldn’t stand the cold. In the summer, being near him felt refreshing like holding a piece of ice. But now, being around him was literally like hugging a block of ice.
It was only mid-October, not even winter yet, and Fu Hanzhou’s hands and feet were already icy cold.
His skin was pale, like snow in winter, and the light blue veins on his neck stood out against the cold white skin.
Even though he was wearing thick fleece-lined clothes, the chill still seemed to seep into his bones.
When Su Yunjing saw his pale face and the old, worn-out shoes on his feet, his heart ached.
The orphanage had enough clothes, but not enough shoes.
Kids aged seven or eight were active and always running around. In an era with few entertainment options, children mostly played outside, which wore out shoes quickly.
Su Yunjing rummaged through the closets at home, hoping to find the original host’s old winter shoes, but was unsuccessful. So he had to ask Song Wenqian.
She was sitting on the couch knitting a sweater for Lu Tao. The sweater was already more than halfway done.
She pulled the sweater over her slightly rounded belly, covering it, and said,
“I gave them to your second aunt’s son. Why are you asking about this?”
As soon as he heard that, Su Yunjing felt a twinge of disappointment.
He forced a smile. “Oh, it’s nothing. I was just asking.”
“Well, speaking of that, we should get you new shoes for the winter too. Let’s go to the market this Saturday and pick up two pairs.”
Hearing that, Su Yunjing started thinking about something else.
On Friday afternoons, there was one less class, and he would be picked up around 3:40.
Song Wenqian was planning to make dumplings that night, so she headed into the kitchen to prepare the filling.
When she came back out after mixing the meat and kneading the dough, she saw Su Yunjing crouched on the balcony.
“Mingming, what are you doing?” she asked, walking over.
Su Yunjing was cleaning shoes. He had pulled out all the unpolished ones from the shoe cabinet, including a couple of pairs of women’s high heels, and was buffing them with shoe polish.
Song Wenqian was surprised.
Lately, her son had been becoming more and more sensible, not only taking out the trash on his own, but also helping clean up after meals, wiping the table, and moving stools.
Those were still within his ability, but cleaning shoes? That one really caught her off guard.
What on earth brought this on?
Wait… could it be…?
She instinctively touched her belly, her thoughts spiraling in all kinds of nervous guesses.
“Mama, can I ask you something?” Su Yunjing said awkwardly, holding the shoe brush.
Song Wenqian’s lips twitched slightly. Trying to remain calm, she asked,
“Don’t you want Mommy to have another little brother or sister for you?”
Huh?
Su Yunjing blinked. But then he remembered how her appetite had been off lately, and how careful Lu Tao had been with her. He suddenly understood.
“Mama, are you pregnant?” he asked, staring at her belly.
Hearing the uncertainty in his voice, Song Wenqian hesitated and asked,
“You… didn’t know?”
Su Yunjing shook his head. “I didn’t.”
Song Wenqing: “…”
Su Yunjing: “…”
The mother and son looked at each other for a moment.
And in that moment, they both saw the awkwardness in each other’s gaze.
Song Wenqian cleared her throat and tried to stay composed. “You said you wanted to ask me something earlier, what was it?”
Su Yunjing figured he should probably clear up the misunderstanding first. The little one in her belly was more important.
Because he could tell she had definitely gotten the wrong idea.
“Mama, you really have a baby?”
Instead of answering, she asked nervously, “Do you want a younger brother or sister?”
From Su Yunjing’s point of view,
As far as Su Yunjing was concerned, he supported Song Wenqian and Lu Tao having a second child.
As long as the couple had discussed it, he wouldn’t object to anything.
Besides, now that she was already pregnant, abortion would be harmful to her health.
He nodded. “You should have the baby, Mama. Whether it’s a brother or a sister, I’ll take care of them.”
Song Wenqian’s nose turned a little sour. She took his hand and placed it gently on her belly, giving him a solemn promise.
“Don’t worry. Even with a little brother or sister, I’ll still love you very, very much.”
In small towns like this, having a second child was common. But their situation was different. Song Wenqian always feared that having another baby would make Su Yunjing think they were giving up on their sick child.
Her belly was already slightly rounded, but it wasn’t soft like fat, it was firm and gently taut.
Su Yunjing had never touched a pregnant belly before. It felt kind of magical.
“This is nice. Really,” he said. “I like little kids.” Then he thought of Fu Hanzhou and proudly added, “I’ll definitely be a great big brother.”
If he could handle a little cool cub, then other kids would be a piece of cake.
Hearing that, Song Wenqian finally relaxed. She leaned down and kissed him on the cheek.
“Mhm. My son is so well-behaved and mature, he’s bound to be a wonderful big brother.”
“Oh, right. What did you want to ask Mama earlier?”
Anytime Su Yunjing needed to ask for money, his confidence shrank noticeably.
“Mama, I made a good friend at the orphanage. Winter’s almost here… could you buy him a pair of warm shoes too?”
Over the past few months, Su Yunjing had been running to the orphanage so often that Song Wenqian knew all about that he had a good friend with a lovely name, Fu Hanzhou.
She’d even seen the boy. He was quite good-looking.
She’d thought he had something serious to say, but this was it? She readily agreed.
Su Yunjing finally breathed a sigh of relief.
After letting the dough rest, Song Wenqian began wrapping dumplings.
Su Yunjing pulled over a little stool, washed his hands, and offered to roll out the wrappers.
She hadn’t expected much from him but still brought out a small rolling pin and taught him the technique.
“The center should be thicker, and the edges thinner. That’s it, just like that.”
With both hands gripping the small rolling pin, Su Yunjing worked hard.
Though the wrappers weren’t exactly round, they met Song Wenqian’s standards.
Watching him earnestly roll dough, she couldn’t help but sigh.
“You’re already better than your dad. I wonder which lucky girl will get to marry my son someday.”
Su Yunjing: …Isn’t it a little too early for that?
When Lu Tao came back from the shop, he was immediately scolded by Song Wenqian.
Totally confused by the sudden lecture, he looked at Su Yunjing, who was obediently carrying dumplings out of the kitchen.
Song Wenqian immediately said with concern, “Yangyang, put those down, they’re hot. Let your dad carry them.”
Su Yunjing’s stellar behavior had sent Lu Tao’s family status plummeting once again.
“I’ll take them. Don’t burn yourself,” Lu Tao said, patting him on the butt.
“Kid, you’ve been doing pretty well lately.”
Su Yunjing: “…”