The old woman was already in tears, hastily stopping Xu Mingxuan from kowtowing further. She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, took his hand, and examined it thoroughly, relieved to find he wasn't missing any limbs.
"Mingxuan!" she choked out, "It's good you're back! It's wonderful you're back! Mingxuan, Lan'er told me you were very badly injured this time and stayed in the military hospital for several months? How are you now? Are you fully recovered? You've lost so much weight, you're skin and bones."
"It's good you're home now! You can get plenty of nourishment here. I'll have Xiao Lan go to the mountains every day to get a wild pheasant for you to stew. We'll fatten you up!"
Chen Lan was displeased. Her mother seemed to have forgotten her daughter in favor of her son-in-law.
Xu Mingxuan quickly interjected, "Mother, there's no need. My body has almost fully recovered, and there are no major issues left. The remaining injuries just need time to heal gradually. I really don't need a chicken soup every day."
The old woman dismissed his concern, "Mingxuan! It's no trouble. It's very easy for Lan'er to get a few wild pheasants from the mountains. A pheasant a day is nothing for her."
Chen Lan inwardly grumbled upon hearing her mother's words, "Good heavens, Mother is even using the new phrase 'a few minutes' that she just learned."
Despite her internal jealousy, Chen Lan nodded and said, "Yes! I'll go to the mountains tomorrow to dig up some wild ginseng and get a few wild pheasants. Everyone has been busy with the autumn harvest lately and is quite exhausted. It's time we all got some nourishment."
Hearing that there was wild ginseng to be dug up, her mother-in-law became excited and eagerly asked, "Xiao Lan, you've found wild ginseng again? And quite a few? I'm worried about you going alone. I'll go with you tomorrow to dig it up."
Chen Lan quickly refused, "No, Mother-in-law. You walk too slowly and it will delay things. After I dig up the ginseng, I still need to chop firewood."
Her mother-in-law insisted, "Whether you like it or not, you have to! Xiao Lan, I'm not going to say anything, but you're always so impetuous. It's fine to be a bit rash with other things, but digging wild ginseng requires care and patience. How about this? You take me along. I'll be responsible for digging the ginseng, and you can chop firewood and get pheasants. That way, nothing will be delayed. What do you say? It's killing three birds with one stone."
After some back and forth, Chen Lan was finally persuaded by her mother-in-law.
Xu Mingxuan watched the mother and daughter-in-law engaged in their verbal sparring, their refusal to back down, and his eyes widened in surprise.
He glanced at his mother-in-law and Liu Mama, who were calmly observing the exchange between the two women without intervening. He then relaxed, realizing that his wife and her mother probably always interacted this way. Strangely, he found this way of relating quite appealing.
They chatted in the living room for a while. Xu Mingxuan had already recounted everything that needed to be said during dinner.
Everyone had a long day and was tired. Xu Mingxuan's injuries also required him to rest early. Therefore, they all dispersed and went to their respective rooms to rest.
Xu Mingxuan naturally followed Chen Lan into their room. He looked at their two children sleeping soundly on the bed like little pigs, and a wave of emotion washed over him. He had never expected to return alive, and even less so that he would have a son and a daughter. He was already a father.
He held Chen Lan tightly, resting his head on her shoulder, and said, "Thank you, Lan'er. Thank you for giving me two lovely children, and thank you for taking such good care of our family."
Chen Lan was startled at first, but after hearing his words, she naturally relaxed.
She moved the twins to the inner side of the bed, tucking them in.
The couple naturally leaned against the headboard, continuing their conversation side by side.
Xu Mingxuan paused for a moment, then continued, "Lan'er, I heard Mother talk about my father."
Chen Lan blinked in surprise and quickly asked, "What? You don't believe me?"
Xu Mingxuan suddenly smiled and said, "Lan'er, don't rush. It's not a matter of belief. It's just that this matter is impossible to explain."
At this point, Chen Lan became quite straightforward and said nonchalantly, "Explain? Explain what? To whom? I don't even know what's going on myself! How can I explain it? I need an explanation too! Who can explain it? Whoever needs an explanation can go ask Father-in-law."
Seeing Chen Lan getting a little upset, Xu Mingxuan quickly said, "Lan'er, please don't worry. Listen to me first. No one is asking you to explain. It's just that this matter is too unbelievable.
Honestly, there are many things in this world that cannot be explained clearly. Let's not talk about explanations, as it's impossible to clarify. Let's talk about the things you brought out. They don't seem to be from this world, do they?"
Chen Lan decided it was best to be truthful, but she concealed the fact that she was a soul transmigrator. It was too strange, and she feared being burned at the stake.
So, she said, "I'm not entirely sure. Father-in-law said they are things from another parallel universe, equivalent to things from seventy years in our future."
Xu Mingxuan asked curiously, "Is technology so advanced seventy years from now?"
Chen Lan nodded, "That's what Father-in-law said. He said that seventy years from now, the country will be a strong technological power, more prosperous and stable, and people's lives will be more affluent and peaceful."
Xu Mingxuan asked again, "Lan'er, so you asked Mother to donate all the family assets, and Mother-in-law also donated her family assets. Was that also Father's instruction? And asking everyone to come here was to avoid disaster, right?"
Chen Lan thought, he truly was sharp, seeing through things with just a few words, having performed special missions. He was incredibly perceptive.
She nodded and truthfully said, "Yes! Father-in-law said that given our family's original situation, if we hadn't done this, we would likely have been ruined in over a decade."
Xu Mingxuan gasped and asked uncertainly, "That serious? There are many families in the capital with similar situations."
Chen Lan decided to warn Xu Mingxuan, "To be honest, even if something is going to happen, it's still more than ten years away. Who knows if it's true or not? Mingxuan, you must not tell anyone. If you say it now, firstly, no one will believe you. Secondly, you'll be arrested for spreading rumors, inciting people, and making counter-revolutionary statements. Don't do anything foolish!"
Xu Mingxuan chuckled and said, "Do you think your husband is an idiot? Would I carelessly talk about such bizarre and unreliable things? Even if it were true, I wouldn't say it! However, you should also be careful. Your own safety is paramount. Your, how should I put it? Your special abilities, don't let too many people know about them! Understand?"