Chapter 138: Calling for Backup

“What about my parents…?”

This was the first time Su Wan had encountered anything like this, and she didn’t know much about it.

Father Su and Mother Su had certainly never experienced it either.

“Don’t worry. The military has people lying in wait to protect the two elders. If any spies dare to approach them, it’ll be the perfect opportunity to catch them all.”

“To avoid alerting them, the elders need to continue living their lives as usual.”

“It’s because your situation is rather unique, Comrade Su Wan, that we’ve made special arrangements. If something were to happen, it would be too late.” Master Ji explained the situation to Su Wan, holding nothing back.

Su Wan’s impression of the military improved even more.

“Understood, sir. I have one last request: can I still write to Lu Zhengchuan as usual?”

“Comrade Su Wan, I understand your request. If you want to write a letter, just give it directly to the soldier assigned to your personal detail, Zhang Qiu. He’s the young soldier who delivered your things. He’s one of my men and can be trusted. He will pass it on for you.”

Since the military had arranged everything so well, Su Wan had no other questions.

After she hung up the phone, Zhang Qiu immediately walked up to Su Wan. “Comrade Su Wan, shall I show you to your room?”

“Thank you.”

Zhang Qiu gave a shy smile and led the way.

The room was in the adjacent courtyard house. The two compounds had been connected, and there were patrols in both yards, ensuring it was very safe.

There was also a cafeteria and a bathhouse.

Su Wan and Aunt Zhao walked in together and saw that other female family members were living there as well.

Some were also pregnant, just like Su Wan. Since they were strangers, they simply smiled and nodded at each other in greeting.

Upon entering the room assigned to Su Wan, Zhang Qiu left first to go pick up some daily necessities.

Su Wan supported her lower back with her hands and sat on the edge of the bed.

Aunt Zhao looked around. “Wanwan, are you going to be living here from now on? I can’t rest easy with you here by yourself. I’ll stay and take care of you.”

“Aunt Zhao, I’d hate to trouble you. For security reasons, if you stay, you probably won’t be able to leave for a while.”

Aunt Zhao shook her head, unconcerned. “That’s a small thing. But can we tell Sister Su and the others the truth?”

“We can’t. For my parents’ safety, we have to keep it from them.”

“So we’ll have to go back in a little while to pack our bags and personal things.” After contacting Master Ji, Su Wan quickly came up with a plan. “We’ll tell my parents we’re going to the military hospital to be admitted and wait for the delivery. We’ll leave them a contact number. My parents are busy making money, so they definitely won’t have time to stay with me. I’ll just tell them to come when my due date gets closer.”

“Alright, let’s do that.”

“You’re going to stay at the hospital so soon?” Father Su was a little reluctant to see her go.

Mother Su slapped him on the shoulder. “What nonsense are you talking? Wanwan isn’t short on money now. This last month is the most critical time. Staying in the hospital is exactly what she should do.”

“You’re right. It’s just that I worry when Wanwan isn’t right here where I can see her.”

“Dad, Mom, don’t worry about me. The military hospital not only has soldiers on guard, but Aunt Zhao will also be there to take care of me. It’ll be completely fine. I’ll let you know a few days before I go into labor. After all, I’m definitely having a C-section, so the surgery will be scheduled in advance.”

Su Wan’s story was seven parts truth and three parts fiction. Since her parents trusted her and knew she was sensible, they didn’t suspect a thing.

“Alright. You just focus on your pregnancy. Take the leave from school. Besides, Wanwan, you can still study in the hospital. Once the baby is born next year, you can catch up on your courses.”

“Your teachers at the university are so good. I wonder if they’re allowed to accept things to eat, like tea eggs?”

“If not, maybe your father and I could go sell them at the university gate? If we see your teachers, we can sell them for a bit cheaper.” Mother Su was actually considering it.

Su Wan’s first instinct was to refuse. But then she thought, ‘Those spies must be very skilled. To make the story about me going to the military hospital for my pregnancy more believable, it would actually be more logical for my parents to change their selling location.’

‘Besides… the university gate is always crowded. The chances of something happening there are very small.’

With this in mind, Su Wan nodded and said, “Mom, I’m also very grateful to my professors, but they definitely wouldn’t accept gifts directly. It’s against the rules.”

“If a professor actually accepted it and someone reported them, they’d be in trouble.”

“So your idea is much better, Mom.”

“Alright, then that’s the plan. If the students buy a lot, I can even charge them a little less. Those kids have it tough enough as it is.”

Mother Su was a very kind person; she was definitely the type to do something like that.

As soon as Su Wan left,

Mother Su started discussing with Father Su, “What do you think about calling for Second Su to come here?”

That’s right. Back in the village, Second Brother Su hadn’t won the competition against Eldest Brother Su. Although Eldest Brother Su lacked ambition, he was a more stable driver, and it just so happened that the driving instructor preferred steady people. So, Second Brother Su was not selected.

“Call Second Su? His baby was just born, only a month old. His wife just finished her postpartum confinement.”

“That’s exactly why they need to come. You’ve seen how easy it is to make money in the Capital—several hundred a month. For a good opportunity like this, even if Second Su just gets a little taste of it, he can save up a sum of money to take back to the village. Once he has savings, he can consider other ways to make a living. He’ll have a chance.”

“Alright then. You go contact Second Su.”

「Back in the village.」

Second Su was out digging in the fields when he heard the village head shout that his mother was calling for him on the phone. He ran as fast as he could.

“Hello, Mom.” Second Su was still panting when he picked up the phone.

“Did your big brother go to the city for his job?”

“He did.” Although Second Su was a little disappointed, the thought that the benefit still went to his own family cheered him up.

After all, the siblings all had a good relationship with one another.

“Does everyone in the village know?”

“Yes,” Second Su said quickly. “Don’t worry, I did as you told me. I spread the word around the village that my big brother earned it himself through an exam. The villagers are envious, but no one has dragged our sister into it.”

“Oh, alright. Good job.”

“Here’s the plan. You, your wife, and the baby come to the Capital. Just say I took a fall and need someone to take care of me.” Mother Su knew best how to lay low, especially now when everyone in the village was poor.

“But, Mom, I heard the village is going to start allocating land to individual households. The policy hasn’t been fully implemented yet, but they say it’ll definitely be done within the next six months.”

“If we leave, we won’t get any land.”

“Are you silly? Our grain rations are still tied to the village, and our household registration is there too. How could we not get any land?” Mother Su had heard much more about this news in the Capital.

She also knew that if you bought a house in the city, your household registration would be transferred to the city.

That was why she was so confident about going to the Capital—because she knew about this policy.

“Oh, so that’s how it is. Then I’m relieved.”

“Mom, so I’m really going to the Capital?”

“Yes, come. You can earn some extra money to raise your child.” Mother Su urged him to get to work and not think about slacking off at home!

Second Su chuckled. “Mom, you don’t have to put it like that. It’s my duty to go take care of you.”

“Alright.”

“Oh, right. Leave the money you have on you for your sister-in-law. I’ll reimburse you when you get here. Just keep enough for the trip. Your dad will pick you up when you arrive.”