Those five children, of course!!!
Children were what she feared most in this life. In her limited experience of dealing with them, most had been spoiled little brats.
Take, for example, the six-year-old daughter of one of her colleagues. Whenever the girl came into the office, she would ask Lin Lan to buy her things. Otherwise, she would use the excuse of sweetly asking, “Auntie, can I have a hug?” to tug at Lin Lan’s earrings and necklaces, saying they were pretty and that she wanted to wear them. Then she would ask Lin Lan not to tell her mother.
Once or twice would have been tolerable. But after it happened several times, Lin Lan finally could not stand it anymore and mentioned it to her colleague.
Her colleague apologised to her face, saying the child did not know any better and asking Lin Lan not to take it personally. Yet the moment she turned around, she complained to the other colleagues that Lin Lan was stingy and heartless, and far too harsh on a child.
Then there were her relatives’ children and her younger brother’s children. Every time they came to her house, it was like a band of raiders sweeping through the place. If she did not hide her cosmetics, jewellery, and electronics in advance, it would undoubtedly end in disaster. Skincare products and cosmetics worth thousands could be smeared everywhere.
She did not even need to lose her temper. If she failed to smile and say, “It’s fine, it’s fine,” her relatives would complain to her mother.
“Why is Lanlan becoming stingier and stingier? She’s actually arguing with a child. Once a woman gets older, she should hurry up and get married and have children. Otherwise, she’ll become an eccentric old fossil.”
Even when skincare products and cosmetics worth thousands were ruined by her niece and nephew, after her mother had finished scolding her, the subject would somehow circle back to the fact that she had bought herself a flat instead of saving the money to buy her younger brother a marital home. From there, it would expand into criticism of her refusal to marry or have children.
“You don’t have children anyway. Won’t this house and all your money belong to them in the future? What’s wrong with giving it to them now? It’s not like you’re giving it to outsiders, so it won’t go to waste.”
In short, she was afraid of marriage, afraid of children, and afraid of becoming a mother. She did not want children who behaved like little demons, nor did she want to become a mother like her own.
She had made up her mind to remain single for the rest of her life. She would not harm anyone, and she would not allow anyone to harm her.
After working hard for ten years, she had finally built a successful career and a satisfying life. Why would she find a man and have a child just to lower her quality of life?
Who would have thought that Heaven could not bear to see her living comfortably? It had actually made her transmigrate into the body of a shrew with five troublesome children and thrown in a wooden block of a husband for good measure!
There was no way she could live like this!!!
She tightly closed her eyes, wondering whether she could somehow transmigrate back. Perhaps this was only a dream.
At that moment, the timid sobs of a child reached her ears.
“Mother…dead…dead…”
A little hand fumbled over her face and neck without any awareness of its own strength. It pressed painfully against her eyeballs and throat, making it difficult for her to breathe.
Lin Lan had no choice but to open her eyes and pull the filthy little hand away.
“What are you doing?”
She regretted it the moment the words left her mouth. Her tone had been too fierce. What if she frightened the child?
But the little boy did not seem to care. He stared at her with wide eyes, terrified that she had really died.
Although Lin Lan did not like children, she had to admit that this child had an exceptionally beautiful pair of eyes. They shone brightly in the dim room. Unfortunately, he was far too thin, and because nobody took proper care of him, his entire body was filthy.
This was the original owner’s youngest son, Wangwang. He was four years old. Because he had been born prematurely, he had poor eyesight and showed signs of autism. The original Lin Lan disliked him greatly, considering him a half-blind fool and a burden.
Lin Lan did not think he was foolish.
How could a fool have such a focused, bright gaze?
“Mother, eat.”
He stretched out a small, dirty hand, holding a piece of melted, sticky candy.
It was so filthy that Lin Lan felt slightly nauseated.
However, she could not bear to take her anger out on him. Her transmigration was a strange and mysterious matter that had nothing to do with the child.
She closed her eyes briefly.
“Eat it yourself. Don’t touch me.”
That sticky little black hand made her so nervous that cold sweat broke out all over her body.
The child was clearly afraid of her. As expected, he shrank into the corner and no longer dared to touch her. Yet his gaze remained fixed on her, afraid that his mother would die just as the others had said.
Children…
Lin Lan sighed.
Making her raise five children was practically an impossible mission.
With her eyes closed, she went through the future lives of her five ready-made children. Cold sweat soon poured from her body.
The original Lin Lan was truly impressive. She had somehow managed to raise all of her children into major villains in the story.
Lin Lan remained silent for a long time.
Although she was not afraid of continuing to live under the original owner’s identity, she did not have the courage to take responsibility for these five children.
Their futures were simply too…
Once she accepted her role, she would have to shoulder the responsibility of correcting them and guiding them onto the right path.
Heavens, children were what she feared most!
She was afraid even of sweet, adorable little angels, let alone being thrown directly into hell mode!
She really had to admire her own luck.
As she continued to let her thoughts run wild, there was a creak, followed by the sound of someone running inside.
“Mother, I caught a big crucian carp! It’s huge!”
A sturdy-looking little boy rushed inside, waving his arms excitedly.
“Mother, guess how I caught it! I was swimming, and then—whoosh!—I grabbed it with my hands! Hahaha!”
Lin Lan forced her eyes open and glanced at him.
This was her third son.
He was wearing nothing but a small pair of shorts, and his entire body had been tanned dark by the sun. In the dim room, only the whites of his eyes and his teeth gleamed brightly. The sight was particularly amusing.
This child was Sanwang.
Ever since he had fallen into the river at the age of three and somehow taught himself how to swim, he had fallen in love with the water. Unless the river was frozen solid, he would always sneak off to swim.
However, as the saying went, it was often those who knew how to swim who drowned.
This boy would later die by drowning.
Ah…
Lin Lan sighed.
Sanwang looked confused.
“Mother, what’s wrong? Aren’t you happy even though the fish is this big?”
“Sanwang!”
Another boy walked in from outside and casually pulled the door closed behind him. He approached the kang bed and lowered his voice.
“Mother, that foolish Sanwang wanted to take the fish into the main room just now. If I hadn’t stopped him, he really would have done it.”
He gave Sanwang a shove on the head.
“Idiot.”
Sanwang pouted in protest.
“Don’t push my head!”
“Mother, are you feeling any better? Why don’t I make fish soup for you? Otherwise, Grandmother will definitely make us give the fish to Little Aunt and Little Uncle. Today, she ordered Eldest Brother and Sister to deliver eggs to them. She even forced Sister to wash Little Aunt’s clothes. She’s so biased!”
Lin Lan glanced at him.
This was Erwang.
He had been clever since childhood and was far more calculating than the other children. He also had a sweet tongue and was excellent at coaxing people, making him more like the original Lin Lan’s warm little padded jacket than her actual daughter.
To put it less kindly, he was smooth-tongued and honey-mouthed while hiding a dagger behind his smile.
When he grew older, he would rely on his silver tongue to make his way through the world. In the end, that same mouth would also become his downfall.
At present, however, the children were all still young. Each of them appeared innocent and carefree. Even if they had begun to go astray, they had not gone very far yet.
They would not truly become wicked until after Han Qingsong’s death.
Lin Lan wondered whether, if she began guiding them now, she might be able to lead them onto the right path and prevent their tragic endings.
Ah, she had a long and difficult road ahead of her.
At that moment, Old Madam Han’s piercing voice came from the main room. Her loud shouting was clearly intended for Lin Lan to hear.
Lin Lan frowned.
Although the original owner had done many things wrong, the old woman was far too biased and had treated her terribly.
Lin Lan abandoned the idea of asking Erwang to take the fish into the main room.
After all, she was supposed to be a shrew who did not get along with the old woman. If she suddenly became respectful and filial toward her elders, she might frighten everyone.
She said, “Erwang, take your brothers outside and roast the fish.”
It was common for children to find a place beneath a bridge or some secluded corner to light a fire, roast fish, or bake sweet potatoes.
In the past, the original Lin Lan had often stolen things and taken the children outside to eat them.
“All right, Mother. Once it’s cooked, I’ll bring some back for you.”
As Erwang spoke, he called Sanwang and ran outside.
Neither of them paid any attention to Wangwang, who was huddled in the corner of the kang bed.
Poor child.
Everyone ignored him.
Lin Lan also knew that Erwang was only saying what sounded nice. The fish would never be brought back. Most of it would probably end up in his own stomach. Sanwang would be lucky to get a couple of bites.
…
At a military base in D Province, inside the regimental command office.
Regimental Commander Chen looked at Han Qingsong standing before him.
More than ten years had passed in the blink of an eye. The inexperienced young recruit from back then had already become a company commander.
Over a decade of military service had stripped the boyishness from his handsome face, but his posture remained upright and powerful, and his bearing was calm and disciplined.
Although the man was not good with words, he was exceptionally capable, loyal, perceptive, and had a very promising future.
And now he was saying that he wanted to transfer out of the army?
Had a donkey kicked him in the head?
Although the current political struggle was severe, the achievements Han Qingsong had accumulated through repeatedly risking his life were enough to keep him safe and secure.
“Han Qingsong, your position has already been made permanent. Next year, our division is establishing an elite unit, and command has already decided to appoint you as the special training captain. You want to transfer out now? You had better think carefully!”
Countless people were eyeing that position. Many were doing everything they possibly could to force their way into it.
Han Qingsong pressed his lips tightly together. He seemed about to speak but stopped. After clenching his fists and remaining silent for a moment, he nodded.
Very few ordinary rural conscripts ever managed to rise to his rank. As long as there was even the slightest hope, nobody was willing to be demobilised or transferred to civilian work.
Not only did his comrades fail to understand him, even his former company commander was baffled and had immediately summoned him for questioning.
But Han Qingsong did not want to explain too much.
Although he had distinguished himself among the conscripts over the years, every achievement had been paid for in blood.
In particular, he had suffered two nearly fatal injuries. Surviving at all had already been a tremendous stroke of fortune.
With his current physical condition, joining the special training unit might instead hold back the training.
Most importantly, since he had already chosen between his family and his career…
He did not want to go back on his decision.
He had spent more than ten years away from home. Every family visit had lasted only a few hurried days. He had never had the time or energy to fulfil his responsibilities as a husband and father.
Therefore, he bore much of the responsibility for the chaos at home.
His wife constantly threatened suicide and had even declared that she would take the children and jump into the river.
He knew she was merely using the same old tactics to threaten him, but he was tired.
He no longer wanted to keep struggling like this.
Previously, he had repeatedly promised her that he would apply for permission for his dependants to accompany him the following year, allowing her and the children to move to the base.
She had clearly agreed at the time, yet now she had changed her mind again.
And once she began making trouble, it never ended with a single incident. She would threaten to jump into the river, hang herself, or drink pesticide. She would not stop until the entire household had been turned upside down.
After careful consideration, he had decided to return home and live with his wife and children.
Regimental Commander Chen knew that Han Qingsong was a silent, stubborn man who did not know how to express himself. Because of this, he had offended many people.
Once he made up his mind, not even nine oxen could drag him back. No one’s persuasion would be of any use.
Commander Chen said, “I’ll approve fifteen days of family leave. Go home and deal with your family matters properly.”
Han Qingsong returned to the dormitory.
There, he received another telegram from home.
Unlike the previous telegrams, which had ordered him to return immediately, threatened suicide, or forbidden him from returning, this one said something entirely different.
It ordered him to come home immediately and divorce his wife!
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