At the beginning, he took his seven younger siblings to join Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhongding nodded, not even having time to respond to them.

Because his trouser leg was now being grabbed by four little radish heads that had pounced on him.

"Uncle... Uncle, hug... hug me." *4

The four little ones, with their fair and tender little faces raised, looked at him with bright smiles and uttered words one by one.

But they all made their meaning clear.

"Hey, you four little ones, were you good at home today? You're so affectionate with your uncle, come and ask him for a hug."

Yi Zhongding squatted down, hugged the four babies into his arms, rubbed their faces against each one, and smiled indulgently.

"Giggle."

.......

The four little ones didn't resist him; they all hugged his neck and laughed innocently.

"Hehe, that's because of blood ties. It's definitely different. You've only been back for a few days, and they're not only happy to let you hug them, but they also mainly want to hug you."

"Ever since they learned to recognize people, they haven't let anyone in this yard touch them, no matter how many people they are."

"Sometimes when He Yushui wants to hug them, it's like she has to hold down a pig."

Yi Zhonghai, sitting at the head of the dining table, smiled with satisfaction upon seeing this scene.

"That's right. I've given them so much milk powder. If they still don't recognize me, then I'll have to beat them up."

"Really? Little one, aren't you afraid of getting a beating?"

Yi Zhongding smiled proudly, then went to tease the four little ones.

"beat......."

Jiu Liang giggled and reached out to grab his face.

"Yeah, beat him up, what do you want to do?"

Yi Zhongding deliberately dodged his little hand.

"I want to get beaten up!"

Nine ounces smiled smugly, babbling incoherently.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the hall burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, you want to get beaten up? Then let's beat you up!"

Yi Zhongding, both amused and exasperated, gently flicked the dust off the boy's little bottom.

He then scooped up the four little ones and carried them towards Bai Yushu.

"Look what your aunt is doing!"

Yi Zhongding asked the four little ones.

"Yi Yi......."

With a smile, Sanliang reached out to grab the needle and thread from Bai Yushu's hand.

"Auntie is making clothes. You want some, Sanliang? Then Auntie will make a bigger one for you."

Bai Yushu dodged her small hand and smiled indulgently.

"Isn't it finished? We don't need to make it bigger, we still have fabric to make it."

Yi Zhongding smiled gently.

"Yes, there is. There's also a coat with a freshly knitted collar. Put the children down, have some water, rest for a bit, and get ready for dinner. Your sister-in-law made your favorite stir-fried cabbage with vinegar tonight."

Bai Yushu nodded gracefully and smiled.

Yi Zhongding examined the little clothes in her hand carefully. The stitches were fine, and the collar and cuffs were trimmed with a light blue border, making them look both exquisite and adorable.

"Well done."

Yi Zhongding praised sincerely.

"There's one more thing, it'll be ready tomorrow. Then the baby in your belly and the four little ones you're holding will each have one, and no one will be favored."

Bai Yushu said with a light laugh.

Looking at her gentle and focused profile, Yi Zhongding felt a sense of peace welling up inside him.

Outside, he is the project leader, a military doctor, and a promising young talent in the eyes of many.

But when he returns home, he is simply her husband, the father of her unborn child, and a member of this extended family.

"Yu Shu".

Yi Zhongding suddenly spoke up.

"Um?"

Bai Yushu looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"Thank you."

Yi Zhongding said bluntly.

"What are you thanking me for? My brothers are here, don't talk nonsense."

Bai Yushu's fair face turned bright red in an instant. She glanced at her older brother, younger brother, and younger sister in the living room with a dazed look, and said shyly.

"It's alright, sister-in-law. We can't hear or see right now. I'll go check if your mother has finished cooking."

Yi Zhongyan shouted loudly, then with a "whoosh," he sprang into action and left through the gate.

"Let's go take a look too."

Yi Zhongxin followed suit and went out with a "whoosh".

"Look what you've done."

Bai Yushu glared at Yi Zhongding, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed.

"I didn't do anything."

Yi Zhongding shook his head innocently, then went to tease the little ones in his arms.

Although these four little ones have seen him very few times since they were born, and most of the time they don't recognize people.

But it might really be as my older brother said, that blood ties make all the difference.

They naturally felt close to their uncle, Yi Zhongding.

The family sat around the table and enjoyed a lively dinner.

Tan Xiulian's cooking skills were as good as ever. A plate of stir-fried cabbage with vinegar was deliciously sour and spicy, and a pot of corn porridge was very fragrant and sweet.

It's served with pickled vegetable shreds and a bowl of stewed radish with cured pork.

In this day and age, it would be considered a luxurious and sumptuous dinner.

After the meal, Yi Zhongding helped clean up the dishes and then accompanied Bai Yushu for a walk in the yard.

"Do we need to go to the hospital again tomorrow?"

Bai Yushu asked softly.

"I'm going to the Academy of Military Sciences tomorrow morning to check on the equipment testing. I'll go back to the hospital for a meeting in the afternoon, but after the meeting I plan to go to the garrison to check on the situation there, so I might be back a little late."

Yi Zhongding stated the truth.

"The garrison area? What are you going there for?"

Bai Yushu asked with some confusion.

"I treated the soldiers there before, and there are some follow-ups to be made. Don't worry, I won't be back too late."

Yi Zhongding smiled but didn't elaborate.

Bai Yushu nodded and did not ask any further questions.

She grew up in a military family, and adhering to discipline was second nature to her.

So she didn't ask what she shouldn't ask, and didn't say what she shouldn't say. She just silently stayed behind him, taking care of everything at home perfectly.

After walking for a while, Bai Yushu got tired, so Yi Zhongding helped her back to her room to rest.

After settling his wife in, Yi Zhongding returned to the main room.

Yi Zhonghai was sitting under the lamp repairing a stool with a broken leg. When he saw him come in, he looked up and asked, "Is Yu Shu asleep?"

"I'm going to sleep now, brother. I'm going to the garrison tomorrow afternoon, so I might be back late. You don't need to wait for me for dinner."

Yi Zhongding sat down opposite him, picked up the enamel mug on the table, took a sip, and began to speak.

"The garrison area? What would we do there?"

Yi Zhonghai paused in his work, looked up at him, and casually asked.

"I've treated the soldiers there before, and there are some follow-ups to be made."

Yi Zhongding repeated what he had said to Bai Yushu.

"I can't help you with your own affairs anymore. I can only help you protect this house. But take that thing with you and be careful."

"These days, things aren't peaceful outside. People who are starving will do anything. More and more people are fleeing the famine in the city. I've been on the road to escape famine before, so be careful."

Yi Zhonghai didn't respond immediately, but instead lowered his head and continued repairing the bench. After a while, he slowly spoke.

As he spoke, he made a "seven" gesture.

"I know, don't worry."

Yi Zhongding nodded and said.

As he spoke, he patted his waist, indicating that he had it with him.

The two brothers chatted for a while longer, then Yi Zhonghai washed up and went back to his room to rest.