Chapter 329
Su Xiaoxiao turned to Jiang Yexun in surprise. “Did you already plan this out? I didn’t know before.”
“We had agreed that my mother and father would divorce. If I promised you something, I’m going to make sure I keep that promise,” Jiang Yexun said gently, smiling at her.
He always preferred to be prepared for any situation. If something was going to start, it had to succeed.
“So, how many years exactly?” Mrs. Su asked, satisfied with Jiang Yexun’s thoroughness but having heard too many empty promises from men in her time.
“Two—”
“Three years! The third year after I marry Yexun,” Su Xiaoxiao interjected.
By then, she planned to transfer from the Northeast to Beijing University, avoiding additional hassles. Besides, if she had a child by then, managing everything with a baby and all their belongings would be exhausting.
“You’re so reluctant to leave the countryside?” Mrs. Su said with a mix of anger and amusement, giving her daughter a look.
Su Xiaoxiao quickly clung to her arm, shaking it affectionately. “Mom, it’s just that Old Jiang’s family has so many problems, and Xinyue is going to give birth in a few months. The coming year will be chaotic. If we’re still causing trouble the following year, we might push Yexun’s father too far. So, we should wait and see his reaction before making any decisions. It would be unrealistic to promise two years and then not be able to meet that.”
“Alright, alright, you’re making sense. I can’t argue with you. Three years it is,” Mrs. Su said, unable to resist her daughter’s persuasion.
However, while she was accommodating with her daughter, she still needed to address the specifics with Jiang Yexun.
“So, if you marry Xiaoxiao, what are your plans for these three years?” Mrs. Su continued to inquire.
“If we have three years, I want to send Xiaoxiao to a workers’ and farmers’ college. She loves studying, and the timing would be just right,” Jiang Yexun said after some thought.
Not only did Su Xiaoxiao look surprised, but she quickly shook her head. “I don’t want that! I’ve already planned the next three years—one year for pregnancy and two years for raising the child. By the time we return, we’ll have both my aunt and my parents helping with the baby, and we can both work.”
“You’ll only be nineteen in March next year; you’re still a child. I’m not sure if it’s healthy for young women to get pregnant. I’ve heard the military advocates delaying marriage and childbirth for health reasons. I want to marry you earlier, but at least delaying pregnancy would be better for your health,” Jiang Yexun said firmly.
Su Hongchen, suddenly the focus of attention, cleared his throat. “That’s not entirely accurate. The main issue with early marriages and childbirth is that resources are limited, and fewer children can ease the pressure. So, privately, there’s also a recommendation for fewer and healthier births.”
“Then we’ll only have one child,” Jiang Yexun immediately agreed.
Su Xiaoxiao wasn’t interested in his opinion and turned her head away.
She had already planned to have two children within three years. She would conceive after finishing the college entrance exams, and by then, universities were more lenient about such matters. It would take a few more years before restrictions would be imposed.
Jiang Yexun’s gaze remained fixed on Su Xiaoxiao. Seeing her ignore him, he sighed in resignation. However, when it came to her health, he was adamant.
He directly addressed Mr. and Mrs. Su, who also cared deeply for their daughter. “Auntie, aren’t you taking Xiaoxiao for a medical check-up tomorrow? We can ask the doctor whether it’s advisable for her to get pregnant at her age. If the doctor advises against it, we’ll delay having children until we return to Shanghai.”
Mr. and Mrs. Su nodded repeatedly. “That’s fine. We’ll keep an eye on her pregnancy in Shanghai. We know she’s delicate, and with the current situation at your home, we’re worried about her getting hurt.”
“This matter is not up to him; it’s up to me,” Su Xiaoxiao said urgently, seeing that they had already settled on the plan.
She didn’t want her parents to blame Jiang Yexun if she ended up pregnant and he wasn’t fulfilling his promises. But this time, no one seemed to be listening to her, and she felt completely ignored.
Su Xiaoxiao pouted in frustration, looking like an indignant little pufferfish.
Hmph, she was determined to get pregnant!
Immediately, right away!
No one could stop her!