CHAPTER 89: CHAPTER 89: URGING FOR A CHILD

Ping’an grinned, "Mom went to work and won’t be back until after twelve."

"Wow! Wenjun, does your wife have a job too?" Chen Wenhai was quite surprised.

Even Zhou Shuifang and the others were astonished.

Chen Wenjun nodded and explained, "Ah Qin is cooking for the workers at the construction site, it was her boss who called people to fix this cement road."

In these times, having a job was something everyone envied, no matter what it was.

Upon hearing that Lin Qin had a job, Chen Yongding quickly started praising her, and Zhou Shuifang chimed in, completely forgetting how she used to gossip about her behind her back.

Everyone picked vegetables and handed them to Lin Yi.

Lin Yi was busy in the kitchen.

The two brothers, Chen Wenhai and Chen Wenjun, played with the two children on the cement ground, while Wenjun accompanied Grandpa Chen and the others in the courtyard, soaking up the sun and drinking tea.

The years passed peacefully.

Grandpa Chen occasionally looked at the four who were playing, then suddenly turned to Chen Wenjun, "You married well."

Chen Wenjun was taken aback for a moment, and Grandpa Chen pondered, "I used to feel so sorry seeing Ping’an so timid and weak, I never imagined he’d become this cheerful. It’s all thanks to your wife."

He used to think that with a stepmother came a stepfather, and he always held a skeptical and critical attitude toward Lin Qin. But seeing Ping’an’s current state, he had to admit that he had been narrow-minded.

Chen Wenjun laughed heartily, "Ah Gong, you don’t know how much Ah Qin cares for Ping’an. It’s not an exaggeration to say she treats him like her own. When Ping’an was just with me, he barely had enough to eat and wear. After Ah Qin came, she would take him for haircuts, buy him clothes, pants, and shoes, and cared a lot about his schooling.

Before, the two kids were bullied at Anshan Society Primary School, and Ah Qin directly took them to confront the situation, even got into a fight with the kid’s teacher. Later, it escalated to the education bureau and the police station getting involved, and only then did the education bureau arrange for them to attend the City Experimental Primary School."

Zhou Shuifang suddenly understood, "So that’s what happened. I asked Ping’an that day and he didn’t say anything. I was wondering how your kids got into the City Experimental Primary School."

Chen Yongding and Grandpa Chen thought more deeply. If Lin Qin made such a fuss for the kids, she must really cherish them. With a stepmother like her, Ping’an’s future wouldn’t be difficult.

Thinking of this, Grandpa Chen said sincerely, "You two don’t have kids yet. The house is already built, so maybe it’s time to consider having a child. Anyway, the house is big enough; there’s no worry about not having space."

Lin Yi, who came out carrying food, seemed to find a kindred spirit and eagerly agreed, "I’ve been thinking the same, but haven’t had the chance to talk to them. You know the family planning policies are so strict now. Some people want to have children but can’t. Since you have the means, why not do it? Anyway, we have Ping’an and Yaya. Whether a boy or a girl, they’ll be precious to our family."

The two elders found a common topic and soon started discussing the marriages of Chen Wenhai and Chen Wenjiang.

"I originally planned to build a boat for my eldest grandson. But it seems like the Dang people in South Port are all moving ashore. I don’t know if it’ll be the same for us here. If so, building a boat would be pointless." Grandpa Chen was worried.

Chen Wenjun promptly said, "We have a unified plan here too. I heard about it while handling some affairs at the Land Bureau. But it won’t be so soon, probably another ten years."

"What? Ten more years? Then we must build this boat!" Zhou Shuifang furrowed her brows, thinking about how to handle it best.

Chen Wenjun dared not give any reckless advice, so he left it at that.

The whole family ate in Nanyu and then left.

Once on the boat, Zhou Shuifang sighed, "I didn’t expect the house Wenjun built to be so beautiful. I’m tempted."

Chen Yongding shook his head, "Being tempted isn’t enough. Our two sons are getting married, so we can’t handle it like this. We now need to decide whether to build a boat or directly buy land to build a house."

Grandpa Chen pondered, "Let’s build the boat. There’s still over ten years, and who knows what the situation will be like!"

But Zhou Shuifang hesitated, "Dad, look at how Wenjun’s life turned for the better after marrying someone from the land. I wonder if we should also buy land and build a house for Wenhai to marry someone from the land. Wouldn’t life become as prosperous as Wenjun’s that way?"

Grandpa Chen paused and then shook his head, "How could people on land look favorably upon us Dang people! Wenjun’s marriage was serendipitous. You can’t expect Wenhai to get that lucky too.

If he marries someone with high standards who ends up looking down on everything, how will life go on then?"

Zhou Shuifang was left speechless.

Chen Wenhai, on the other hand, was quite calm.

"Mom, Dad, I think you shouldn’t worry about this. After the New Year, we’ll go to South Port to work. Who knows what will happen after that! Moreover, that place is becoming more bustling. There’s a lot of goods coming in and out. We’ve all thought about partnering up with people to run a shipping business. Even if I get married, the woman would end up alone at home. Why bother?"

Zhou Shuifang didn’t like what she heard, so she gave the two sons a good scolding but didn’t bring up marriage again.

Lin Qin only learned that there were guests at home when she returned home at noon.

Lin Yi left some food for her and quietly said to her, "You and Wenjun should hurry up and have a child."

Lin Qin was stunned, "Dad! Why are you bringing this up out of nowhere?"

Lin Yi gave her a look, "Your mom passed early, so I have to act as both your mom and dad. If you aren’t mindful, I can only remind you a bit. Have a child while you’re still young. Only when you have a child of your own will this family truly feel complete. Otherwise, it’s just two people getting by together, and people will gossip."

Lin Qin was at a loss and quickly took a few bites before slipping away.

Whether it was her past life or this one, her relationship with Chen Wenjun was only nominal. In her past life, she felt life was meaningless and went on living with it. Plus, living on a boat didn’t cultivate the condition or mindset for it.

Now, in this life, with Lin Yi and Yaya on the fishing boat, there’s even less condition for such thoughts.

Now, with a house, a brand-new large bed, a private space... she dared not think further.

At the same time, Chen Wenjun, also affected by Lin Yi and Grandpa Chen’s urging, found himself distracted and somewhat eager.

Seeing Lin Qin blush and dart into the room, Chen Wenjun immediately got up, looking at her intensely.

Lin Qin was startled, clutching her chest, "You almost scared me to death! Why are you pulling the bamboo curtain and hiding in the room in broad daylight?"

"Taking a nap." Chen Wenjun replied succinctly.

The room was dimly lit, and Lin Qin didn’t overthink as she took out money from her body and locked it in the drawer. After washing her face in the bathroom, she returned to the room where Chen Wenjun suddenly embraced her.

"Wife, Grandpa and our dad were talking about having a child today. Isn’t it time we get on with it?"

Lin Qin’s face instantly turned crimson, and under Chen Wenjun’s aggressive gaze, she reluctantly complied with him.

Afterward, a rare nap indeed turned into a solid afternoon sleep for them both.

When they woke up, it was already past three in the afternoon.

Feeling refreshed, Chen Wenjun took Lin Qin out for fishing.