Chapter 122: Is there anything you cannot do?

“Dear, get in the car.”

After loading all the luggage onto the vehicle, Lin You lifted the children into the car and opened the front passenger door, calling out to Xia Yan, who was standing there lost in thought.

His voice interrupted her train of thought. She snapped back to reality, glancing toward the snow-capped mountains every few steps.

“Dear, what’s wrong with you? You’ve been distracted since breakfast.”

“Lin You, do you think Baoguo and the others will come back safely?”

Lin You glanced up at the thick dark clouds overhead. “Don’t worry. When Baoguo was here before, I took him up the mountain. He may seem careless in daily life, but when it comes to missions, he’s more meticulous than anyone.”

Seeing she was still uneasy, Lin You continued, “This time, Zhu Yan is with them too. With her there, why would you still worry about Baoguo getting into trouble?”

Comforted by his words, Xia Yan’s mood eased slightly.

Once seated, Lin Nuannuan picked up an orange and handed it to Xia Yan. “Mom, the oranges are delicious.”

Down in the valley, Lin’s parents had gone to Lin You’s courtyard early in the morning to start cleaning. They had stayed in a guesthouse the night before that cost three yuan per night, which they found quite costly.

Lin Ling went to report to the military district early that day.

“Dear, look at this yard. We can plant so many vegetables here. I thought we wouldn’t have any land to farm after moving here.”

Chen Qiumei, Lin’s mother, looked around the empty courtyard and began planning.

Lin Hai smiled with joy. “Yes, I never imagined that the two of us would one day live in a military compound.”

At that moment, there was a knock at the gate. The couple looked somewhat uneasy as a visitor appeared. Lin Hai looked toward the woman holding a basket of fruit and asked, “May I ask who you are?”

Lv Hongxia had wanted to visit Lin You’s parents yesterday but was caught up with recruitment duties at the cultural troupe.

This morning, she hurried to the guesthouse where the family had been staying, only to find they had checked out early. She guessed they must have come here.

“Hello, are you Lin You’s parents?”

“This leader is here to see my son, right? He hasn’t arrived yet. Please come in and have a seat. Wife, quickly wipe the chairs inside for the leader.”

Hearing his son’s name and seeing the military uniform, Lin Hai realized this must be a military official.

“No need to fuss, sister.”

Lv Hongxia quickly stopped Chen Qiumei, then turned to Lin Hai. “Brother, I just came to check on you and your family, and to invite you all over for lunch.”

Lin Hai looked a bit flustered. “A leader inviting us to eat? That’s not right. We should be the ones inviting you. Please come in. Lin You said he’d be back from the mountain early this morning.”

Seeing Lin Hai’s awkwardness, Lv Hongxia softened her tone. “Brother, no need to call me leader. My husband and I both think of Lin You as our own son. We’re all family here; no need for formalities.”

“Well...”

Lin Hai was momentarily at a loss for words, surprised by how friendly this leader was, and also proud to learn how highly regarded his son was in the military.

Lv Hongxia placed the fruit on the table inside. “Sister, I won’t keep you busy any longer. When Lin You arrives, please tell him to come to Uncle Zhou’s for lunch.”

“Alright.”

Chen Qiumei glanced at her husband standing awkwardly in the courtyard and nodded in agreement.

After Lv Hongxia left, the couple took some time to collect themselves. Chen Qiumei walked over to Lin Hai. “Dear, our son has really made something of himself.”

Lin Hai puffed out his chest, his voice filled with newfound confidence. “You should know whose son he is.”

Chen Qiumei gave him a sharp look. “Hmph, what’s there to be proud of? You stood there like a fool, unable to say a word. If our son were like you, would he have gotten this far? They say a son takes after his mother. If that’s true, then he’s definitely more like me.”

Lin Hai cleared his throat awkwardly. “Yes, yes, like you... ah...”

Then his expression darkened. “If only our second boy were still here.”

Chen Qiumei’s eyes immediately welled up with tears.

Meanwhile, Lin You was driving, and Lin Hongzhuo sang children’s songs from the back seat. The journey didn’t feel so dull, and the melody lifted Xia Yan’s spirits.

“Xiao Zhuo, Mom will teach you a new song, okay?”

Xia Yan noticed how much Lin Hongzhuo loved singing; this might be a path for him in the future. After all, she came from the future and knew many songs suited to this era.

Hearing the prospect of a new song, Lin Hongzhuo nodded excitedly. “Okay, Mom.”

“Listen carefully. This song is called ‘Motherland, Motherland, We Love You.’”

Xia Yan cleared her throat. “Little crayons wear flowery clothes, red, yellow, blue, and green so beautiful. Children are so happy, let’s draw pictures and compare...”

Lin You was surprised by how beautifully Xia Yan sang. What couldn’t this girl do?

After finishing the song, Lin Hongzhuo and Nuannuan begged Xia Yan to sing it again. Faced with their enthusiasm, she sang once more and then taught Lin Hongzhuo line by line. By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, the little boy had almost mastered it.

Back at the courtyard, Lin Hai and his wife heard the car and knew their son and daughter-in-law had arrived.

Opening the door, they saw the three children stepping out. “Ah, my grandchildren! Grandma has finally seen you.”

“Dad, Mom.”

Lin You stepped forward, and Xia Yan followed, calling out as well.

Chen Qiumei was overjoyed. The last time she saw Xia Yan, they were not yet married. Now they were officially husband and wife—her true daughter-in-law.

Inside, Lin You took them to the already tidied living room. He had planned to help but it seemed unnecessary.

It was Xia Yan’s first visit to Lin You’s courtyard at the mountain’s base. The yard was much larger than the one on the mountain, and she couldn’t help but envy it. If only the mountain home had such a big courtyard.

She had always dreamed of a spacious yard to plant flowers and greenery.

As Xia Yan admired the yard, Chen Qiumei approached and pulled her aside, speaking mysteriously.

“Yan Yan, come here. I have something to ask you.”

Xia Yan was puzzled. “Mom, just ask. Why bring me into the room?”

“We want to have a little private chat.”

Xia Yan found it amusing. “Mom, what private chat? Just say it. I promise not to tell Lin You.”

In a low voice, Chen Qiumei asked, “Yan Yan, how many children do you and Lin You plan to have?”

Xia Yan’s cheeks flushed immediately. She hadn’t expected this question.

Seeing her embarrassment and thinking it was due to shyness, Chen Qiumei added, “You’ve been married for a few days now. Surely you’ve thought about this?”