I was married off to a disabled hero in lieu of marriage; my in-laws doted on me and I aspired to gr

After the New Year, Zhou Wenhui began giving speeches.

This is an era that reveres heroes, an era that needs to establish correct values. Zhou Wenhui, a living hero, received more than thirty lectures arranged by the publishing house.

Heroes are needed everywhere – factories, schools, and rural areas – and Zhou Wenhui began to get busy.

Zhou Wenhui, a hero who even resisted sunbathing outside in the yard, has now embarked on another difficult journey.

He had to go out into the world because he needed to be a support for his parents, wife, and children.

Even if he is disabled, he is still a man, a big tree that shelters his family from the wind and rain.

Qiaoqiao was really worried about Zhou Wenhui going out, so she borrowed Yu Fu from the logistics department. Yu Fu became Zhou Wenhui's personal bodyguard and followed him on his campaigns.

Qiaoqiao stopped experiencing morning sickness, and her belly grew bigger and bigger, like a balloon.

After the New Year, Han Dan came. Her belly still looked like she was four months pregnant, with no significant changes.

"Qiaoqiao, I've come to say goodbye today. I'm moving out of the military compound."

Han Dan was both reluctant to part with him and somewhat excited.

"Where are you going after you leave the compound?"

Lin Jie works at a military warehouse. If he doesn't live in the compound, where does he live?

"With the war over, the warehouse no longer needs so many people, so we'll only keep some new recruits. Lin Jie has been transferred to another place; he's going to the city's chemical plant as the deputy head of the security department, where the salary and benefits are even better than what he has now."

I went to work at the family-run factory, as a factory worker in an ice pop factory, with half a year off in the first half of the year. I also get 18 yuan a month during my leave. The chemical plant has already arranged housing for us, a two-bedroom apartment.” Han Dan couldn’t hide her joy.

"So you're having a baby and need to go through postpartum confinement, you won't be able to go to work this year, right?"

Qiaoqiao was very envious of Han Dan's independence and was also concerned about her pregnancy.

Han Dan smiled slightly: "First, transfer her personnel file to the popsicle factory, and let her take a year of maternity leave. The leave pay is 18 yuan per month."

"That's great. Just let me know when you've moved, and I'll come visit you."

"Hmm, Qiaoqiao..." Han Dan seemed to have something to say.

"What is it? Just say it, why are you being so secretive?"

"I heard that the military is going to reorganize, and the Huailin Military Region may be merged into other regions. A large number of soldiers here will be transferred to civilian positions. Your Wenhui should also find a way out as soon as possible, lest all the good units are taken. Also, if Division Commander Zhou doesn't wake up within a year, he will be processed for medical retirement. This house... Qiaoqiao, you must make preparations in advance," Han Dan said leisurely.

"Sister Han, thank you. I'll discuss it with Wenhui." Qiaoqiao looked worried.

"Your Wenhui is so capable and fearless. I heard he gets a subsidy of two or three hundred yuan for each speech." Han Dan asked curiously.

"No, it's only a little over a hundred. He has difficulty moving around, and we need to prepare diapers. There are also miscellaneous expenses on the way, which amount to only a few dozen yuan."

"I knew it! How could you possibly earn two or three hundred yuan just by going on stage and saying a few words? If it were that easy, my Lin Jie would be giving speeches too!"

"Yes, yes, it's just rumors going around. Your brother Lin went to a chemical plant, which is a good company, and he's a deputy section chief. It's really enviable."

Han Dan touched her belly, a feeling of happiness welling up inside her: "Yes, the days were tough, but we made it through, didn't we? We have a child and a job. Qiaoqiao, it's like a dream."

"Congratulations, but things are tough for my family."

"There's always a way, Qiaoqiao. I'll go cut down a couple of cabbages and pull up a few radishes. I still have feelings for this vegetable patch."

"Okay, cut down a few more. We'll need vegetables even if we move them to the city."

"Then I'll cut down a few more."

"Mom, please help Sister Han, she's also heavily pregnant."

Qiaoqiao's mother went to help chop cabbages, and Qiaoqiao leaned against the threshold, her mind filled with many thoughts.

After the Spring Festival, people in the military family compound started moving one after another. In the past, if there was something going on at home, a phone call would be made and the logistics department would send someone over. Now, they are dragging their feet, saying that they are short-staffed and should solve the problem themselves first, and only send someone over if they can't solve it.

It seems everyone is planning for their future, but her family is the only one that hasn't made any moves.

Han Dan was carrying a basket of vegetables, and Qiaoqiao's mother, worried about her, followed her home.

Zhou Wenhui did earn more than 300 yuan for each speech, but Qiaoqiao was afraid that Han Dan would spread rumors that she was a counter-revolutionary who was undermining others, so she deliberately pretended to be poor.

But no matter how much money you have, you still have to plan for your future job.

Zhou Wenhui is disabled, so which company would want him?

Qiaoqiao was extremely worried when suddenly her stomach moved, and then it moved again.

"Hey, this little thing can kick now."

Qiaoqiao was overjoyed. She stroked her belly, and her earlier unhappiness vanished instantly.

When Qiaoqiao's mother returned with the groceries, Qiaoqiao shouted, "Mom, come quick! My belly is moving! The baby is kicking me!"

Qiaoqiao's mother was also very happy: "It's been more than five months, it's time to move. Hey, Qiaoqiao, let me tell you..."

Although no one was home, Qiaoqiao's mother still lowered her voice and asked, "Is your friend pregnant?"

"Yes, she started a month earlier than me."

"Could she be faking a pregnancy?"

"Mother, what are you saying?" Qiaoqiao asked, somewhat taken aback.

"Your mother has been through this; she can tell at a glance whether someone is pregnant or not. Look at how she walks—legs together, steps light and quick, face glowing—what pregnant woman walks like that?"

"This, this..."

Han Dan had mentioned that Lin Jie had problems in that area, and Qiao Qiao didn't feel comfortable asking her if she was cured. Before the new year, she said she would adopt a child, but suddenly she became pregnant.

"She picked up that basket of vegetables and was about to leave when she saw you say you were worried about it affecting the baby, so she quickly put it down. She's more than four months pregnant than you, so I think it's definitely a false pregnancy," Qiaoqiao's mother said confidently.

"Mother, please don't tell anyone. Sister Han just wants a child. She faked the pregnancy to save face for her husband."

"Is her husband no good?" Qiaoqiao's mother asked suspiciously.

"She told me before that it was no good, I don't know if it's cured now."

Qiaoqiao blushed a little when discussing this kind of issue with her mother.

"This kind of illness can't be cured overnight. When you married Wenhui, I was worried he wouldn't make it. See? My worries weren't unfounded; he's a living example."

"mother……"

"Good, good, my Qiaoqiao is a lucky star. Wenhui is so good, he's educated, he can make money, and he loves you dearly." Qiaoqiao's mother said with a smile.

"The military is going to be merged, and most of the soldiers will be transferred to local positions. I don't know what will happen to Zhou Wenhui in the future."

"Qiaoqiao, are you saying you can't live in the compound anymore?"

"Yes, Zhou Wenhui is disabled. With the military headquarters being merged, it's no longer appropriate for him to live there."

"How could you do that? Wenhui is a hero, and your in-laws are heroes too."

"Mom, just because someone is a hero doesn't mean they can stay in the military family compound forever, right? Sister Han's husband is also a hero. Didn't he transfer to the chemical plant? He has a two-bedroom apartment there, and the government will take care of him."

My father-in-law went abroad for medical treatment, which cost the country a lot of money. He hasn't woken up yet, so he can only apply for medical retirement. His salary won't be reduced, but the house will be affected.

"Mother understands. People forget you when they're gone. Qiaoqiao, don't worry, Wenhui can make money from his speeches."

"Without the title of deputy director of the propaganda department and having taken off his military uniform, I wonder if any organization will still invite him to give speeches."

"What a coincidence! With Mom here, we can get by. Let's not think that far ahead; taking good care of the baby is the most important thing."

"Uh-huh."