Chapter 20: Persuading Granny Wang

“Don’t worry, if you need anything, just come to me,” Chen Xiu said happily as she patted Fu Xiaoxiao’s hand.

Fu Xiaoxiao listened as they talked about the family quarters. Currently, only those holding the position of company commander or above could accompany the army. For example, Sister-in-law Liu’s husband was a full company commander, and Granny Wang’s son was a deputy company commander.

Among the wives of several full and deputy battalion commanders, only Fu Xiaoxiao had actually accompanied the army. The others, whom Granny Wang and the others often complained about, came to the unit about once a week, stayed for a couple of days, and spent the rest of their time away.

“Although the others are married, their wives and children are all taken care of back home by their extended families, so they can’t come,” Chen Xiu explained, seeing Fu Xiaoxiao’s puzzled expression.

There were quotas for accompanying the army, but conditions mattered too. Some company commanders had elderly parents, young children, or farmland back home, making it inconvenient to join the army, so they didn’t come.

Couples who could read and write would exchange letters, but those who couldn’t would only see each other once a year.

Even those who did accompany the army often went ten or fifteen days without seeing one another.

“Sister-in-law, may I ask, where do the children go to school?” Fu Xiaoxiao wondered since Lu Lin was already seven years old and should be attending primary school.

“The two children from my family and Xiu’er’s family go to the elementary school in Shanghe Village, the one closest to our unit,” Sister-in-law Liu said, pointing at Chen Xiu with a smile.

“I’m not pregnant yet!” Zhang Xiaomei’s eyes dimmed. She wanted to conceive, but her husband thought she was too young and asked her to wait another two years.

Granny Wang was eager for grandchildren, which left Zhang Xiaomei feeling helpless.

“Our neighbor Cuihua, who’s the same age as you, already has two children. You and Jianye have been married for two years, married at eighteen, and you still haven’t had a baby,” Granny Wang said anxiously whenever this topic came up.

Fu Xiaoxiao’s eyes widened in shock. How old exactly?

“Already two kids by twenty?”

“Exactly! Back home, we get betrothed at sixteen, have a wedding at eighteen, and then have one child each year. It comes in pairs and doesn’t interfere with work,” Granny Wang said proudly, believing that was the perfect age.

Fu Xiaoxiao looked at Chen Xiu, who shook her head helplessly.

The older generation’s mindset was hard to change. They had tried to persuade her but to no avail—she simply wouldn’t listen.

Zhang Xiaomei lowered her head in shame. Granny Wang wanted to continue, but Fu Xiaoxiao interrupted.

“Granny Wang, I think you could wait another two years,” Fu Xiaoxiao said, surprising Chen Xiu and the others. Sister-in-law Liu gave Fu Xiaoxiao a warning look, signaling her not to say more.

Granny Wang’s expression darkened, clearly rejecting Fu Xiaoxiao’s words.

“You don’t know, but there are actually important considerations when having children! And they’re quite significant. Following these can mean the children born will be smart and filial,” Fu Xiaoxiao said mysteriously.

“Is that so? Tell me more,” Granny Wang’s opposition faded as curiosity piqued.

Chen Xiu and Sister-in-law Liu also leaned in, while Zhang Xiaomei looked at Fu Xiaoxiao eagerly. “What is it? Tell us quickly!”

“Do you know the ideal age for a woman to conceive?” Fu Xiaoxiao teased, withholding the answer.

Granny Wang blinked in surprise. “Isn’t earlier better?”

“Not at all,” Fu Xiaoxiao shook her finger. “Girls in their teens are just maturing. Although they can bear children, they themselves have only just grown up; their ‘sprouts’ are just emerging—can you harvest them yet?” Fu Xiaoxiao explained with an analogy.

Granny Wang understood and slapped her thigh. “Of course not! They’re not mature yet!”

“Exactly. So you have to wait until the body fully matures. Between twenty and thirty, a woman’s body is completely mature. That’s the best age to have children. Those babies are healthier, less prone to illness, and smarter.” Hearing this, Granny Wang pondered and found some truth in it.

“Xiaoxiao, you’ve been to school, haven’t you?” Granny Wang scrutinized Fu Xiaoxiao.

“I graduated from high school!” Fu Xiaoxiao smiled in reply.

“No wonder. You’re educated, so your words are convincing,” Granny Wang said, satisfied. Hearing Fu Xiaoxiao finished high school made her believe everything she said.

“So that’s why Wang Ge asked me not to conceive so early,” Zhang Xiaomei finally understood that her husband’s reluctance was actually for her own good.

“You’re really fortunate to have a man who cares for you so much,” Fu Xiaoxiao praised at just the right moment. Zhang Xiaomei blushed shyly, feeling wonderful inside.

“Since Xiaoxiao said so, I won’t push anymore! Having children can wait two more years,” Granny Wang said, now convinced since her own son had said the same. She no longer frowned at Zhang Xiaomei. Two more years was fine; the health of the precious grandchild was what mattered most.

“Hey,” Zhang Xiaomei gratefully glanced at Fu Xiaoxiao, surprised that the stubborn granny had truly been persuaded.

Chen Xiu and Sister-in-law Liu exchanged looks and secretly gave Fu Xiaoxiao a thumbs-up.

Convincing the most stubborn elder—impressive.

Fu Xiaoxiao smiled faintly, quietly proud of her achievement.

After building good relations with the sisters-in-law, Fu Xiaoxiao decided to take Lu Lin to visit the primary school in Shanghe Village. He was now old enough to attend and couldn’t keep wandering around the back mountain every day.

Returning home, Lu Lin and Lu Chen were packing to leave.

“Where are you going?” Fu Xiaoxiao asked curiously.

“To the back mountain,” Lu Chen answered, glancing at Fu Xiaoxiao, worried she might forbid them.

“Can I come along?” Fu Xiaoxiao’s eyes sparkled. She had always wanted to see what was on the back mountain.

“You?” Lu Lin and Lu Chen were stunned. It was the first time they’d heard anyone wanting to go up the mountain with them; others usually told them not to.

“Yes! I want to go. If there’s anything you can’t handle, I can help!” Fu Xiaoxiao volunteered, patting her chest. After all, she had grown up in the mountains as a child and was very familiar with the wilderness.

“Aren’t you going to scold us?” Lu Chen blinked, finding it strange.

Fu Xiaoxiao was different from others.

“Why would I scold you? You don’t steal or rob. I think you’re amazing—so young and already learning survival skills in the wild,” Fu Xiaoxiao said truthfully. The two boys were only twelve combined but already knew how to survive outdoors.

“...Don’t think that just because you compliment us, we’ll take you with us,” Lu Lin blushed and glared at Fu Xiaoxiao.

Five minutes later, Fu Xiaoxiao followed Lu Lin and Lu Chen to the back mountain.

“Stick close to us. The back mountain is vast, and there are black bears and mountain bandits,” Lu Chen made a funny face to scare Fu Xiaoxiao.

Fu Xiaoxiao smirked and pinched Lu Chen’s cheek. “Scare me?”

“No, no,” Lu Chen hurriedly shook his head, trying to save his cheek from Fu Xiaoxiao’s grasp.

Awww, she was teasing the kids.

Lu Lin chuckled, watching the two, and led the way through the forest. Fu Xiaoxiao held Lu Chen’s hand tightly, trying to keep up as Lu Lin moved skillfully through the woods, bringing her to a damp, shadowy area.

“There are many wild mushrooms here,” Lu Lin showed Fu Xiaoxiao, pointing to the wild fungi sprouting nearby.