My Taoist nun girlfriend is from the Republic of China era, 1942.

Chapter 154 Volunteering and Drawing Lots

Before she knew it, the day for the college entrance examination results arrived. Chen Xiaomiao was slumped in the sofa, hugging a large cushion, her legs casually propped up on the edge of the coffee table, and enjoying a slice of chilled watermelon.

Her loose maternity dress could no longer conceal her round belly, which rose and fell with her breath.

Lu Yuan sat on the carpet, leaning against the sofa, with his laptop on his lap.

"What was my exam number again? Let me try again, the website is a bit slow."

"You've asked me eight times already..."

Chen Xiaomiao mumbled indistinctly, swallowed the watermelon in her mouth, and then slowly recited a string of numbers.

"What's the rush? It's all the same anyway."

She said she didn't care, but her eyes kept glancing at the computer screen.

The page refreshed several times before finally appearing.

Rows of subjects, followed by bright red numbers, with the total score at the bottom—378.

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow, not surprised by the score.

He turned to look at Chen Xiaomiao, wanting to see the person involved's reaction.

The girl stared intently at the number, remaining motionless for a long time, even forgetting to chew the watermelon in her mouth.

What do you think?

Lu Yuan asked deliberately.

"Ugh……"

Chen Xiaomiao sighed deeply, threw the cleanly gnawed watermelon rind into the trash can, and sighed in disappointment.

"Only 380... I was hoping it could go up to 400."

As she spoke, she lowered her head, poked her protruding belly with her finger, and spoke with a hint of resentment.

"My son, it's all your fault. If you hadn't been making such a ruckus in there every day, interfering with my studies, I might have even become the top scholar in the imperial examination!"

Lu Yuan was so angry at Chen Xiaomiao's self-righteous attempt to shift the blame that he laughed and reached out to pinch her cheek.

"Give me a break... You wouldn't have scored much higher without our son."

Chen Xiaomiao snorted defiantly, reached into the fruit plate and grabbed another slice of watermelon, biting into it with a crunching sound, juice dripping down her chin.

"If it's not my son's fault, then it's yours. You've made him lazy and he has no interest in studying."

"Okay, okay, it's all my fault."

Lu Yuan smiled indulgently and turned his laptop screen directly towards Chen Xiaomiao, where a colorful webpage was displayed.

"Honey, now that the scores are out, we should start thinking about which university you want to go to."

Lu Yuan pointed to the various option boxes on the screen and explained, "I checked for you. With your score, there are only a handful of local universities in Jiangcheng that you can get into."

Chen Xiaomiao's attention wasn't on the screen at all. She squinted, stuck out her tongue and licked her lips, asking with lingering interest, "Is there any more watermelon? Cut me another piece."

Lu Yuan had no choice but to wave his hand, asking Aunt Wang to cut up the remaining half of the watermelon and bring it over.

"Let's talk business first, then I'll let you eat your fill."

"What's there to talk about?"

Chen Xiaomiao was not in the mood. She leaned back and sank into the sofa, her feet dangling on the edge of the coffee table.

"Going to school is the same no matter what, just fill in any random one for me and I'll be accepted."

For her, learning in a daze, taking the exams in a daze, and successfully obtaining the status of a "college student" would mean the mission was over.

Lu Yuan had anticipated her reaction and patiently said, "You can't just fill it in randomly. This is related to the kind of environment you will live in for the next four years."

Is it close to home or far away? How good is the teaching quality? How strict are the rules? These are all things to consider.

Chen Xiaomiao swung her feet, stuffed another slice of watermelon into her mouth, and mumbled indistinctly, "Why are there so many different ones?"

"There are huge differences between universities."

Lu Yuan simply reached out and snatched the watermelon plate from her hand, placing it out of her reach, before continuing to point at the screen.

"Look at this, XX University of Science and Technology. Just from the name, you can tell it's full of people studying arithmetic, physics, and building things. Do you think you can understand anything inside?"

Unable to get any watermelon, Chen Xiaomiao pouted, thought about her dismal math score, and honestly shook her head.

"So, this XX University of Finance and Economics teaches people how to do accounting and how to do business. Are you interested in that?"

Chen Xiaomiao continued to shake her head, her little face scrunched up: "Calculate the accounts? I can't even keep track of the household expenses anymore..."

Lu Yuan scrolled down: "So, I need to find something you can understand and are willing to listen to."

Look at this, Jiangcheng Wenshuo College. It's not too far from our home. They have a major called 'Classical Chinese Literature'.

"Gu... what the heck?"

Chen Xiaomiao finally shifted her attention away from the watermelon and curiously leaned her head over.

Classical Chinese Literature.

Lu Yuan zoomed in on the professional introduction on the screen: "It's about studying the books left by our ancestors, such as the Book of Songs, the Songs of Chu, and Tang and Song poetry."

"I do know a little about the Four Books and Five Classics, but is it still useful to learn them now?"

"Was going to university useful?"

"Hmm...that makes sense, then okay!"

Seeing that Chen Xiaomiao had finally made up her mind, Lu Yuan shut down the computer.

"Okay, tomorrow I'll have Ning Qian help you fill out the application for your major and contact the schools while we're at it..."

The start of the school year coincided with Chen Xiaomiao's due date, and arrangements for her to attend classes after giving birth needed to be communicated with the school.

"Is that all?"

Chen Xiaomiao was a little incredulous, feeling like it was a joke.

"It's settled."

Lu Yuan pushed the watermelon plate back in front of her and pinched her nose: "Congratulations, Chen Xiaomiao, you'll soon be a proper college student."

"College student..."

Chen Xiaomiao savored the three words, grinned sheepishly, and patted her stomach.

"Son, did you hear that? Your mother will be a scholar, a university student, from now on!"

After Chen Xiaomiao had finished having her fun, Lu Yuan pulled her up from the sofa.

"Alright, college student, hurry up and change your clothes. We should head out."

"Going out? Where to?"

"Forgot? Today is Jasmine's first birthday. Zhao Qiang has booked several tables at 'Fu Man Lou' and invited us to come and celebrate."

Chen Xiaomiao slapped her forehead: "Goodness, how could I have forgotten about that!"

She nimbly got up, her large pregnant belly protruding, and ran back to the bedroom to change her clothes.

The two drove to the restaurant.

A red welcome carpet stretched from the staircase all the way to the banquet hall entrance, flanked by flower arches. In the center of the backdrop was a chubby first birthday photo of Zhao Moli – “My daughter has grown up.”

Zhao Qiang was determined to make this a grand and successful event.

Firstly, it was for my precious daughter's first birthday party; secondly, I wanted to use this opportunity to indirectly make up for the wedding I owed Qi Lili.

"Yuanzi! Sister-in-law! Over here!" Zhao Qiang, with his sharp eyes, spotted the two from afar and strode over to greet them.

He was wearing a brand new suit today, his hair was slicked back and shiny, and he was grinning from ear to ear, looking just like a groom on his way to his wedding.

"How's it going? Your goddaughter's entourage is pretty good, isn't it?"

Zhao Qiang raised his arm as if presenting a treasure, showing Lu Yuan the entire banquet setup.

Lu Yuan punched him lightly and teased, "That's quite impressive. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were getting married for the second time today."

"Screw you!"

Zhao Qiang chuckled and scolded, his gaze falling on Chen Xiaomiao's prominently protruding belly: "Sister-in-law, are you still able to handle it? It's too noisy outside, and it's inconvenient with so many people. You two should go to the private room to rest."

As they were talking, Qi Lili also came over carrying her daughter.

She wore exquisite makeup and a wine-red, fitted cheongsam today.

The little jasmine in my arms was dressed in a bright red Tang suit, looking like a lucky doll, with her big, black grape-like eyes rolling around curiously.

"Come on, come on, I'll take you upstairs. I've reserved the head table for you."

Qi Lili warmly led the two through the noisy hall and pushed open the door to the private room, where Lü Xin, Lü Jiaxin, and Niu Niu were already seated.

Lu Yuan asked in surprise, "Hey, what brings those two here?"

As Zhao Qiang's current superior, it's normal for Lü Xin to be invited to the banquet, but what's the deal with Lü Jiaxin and Niu Niu?

Lu Xin said with a wry smile, "Bai Jing has something to do today and can't leave, so she asked me to help take care of the children for the day. I might as well bring them over to join in the fun."

Upon hearing this, Lü Jiaxin preemptively complained, "Master, it's so boring following Uncle... I sit in the office all day long. Why don't you and Master take me away?"

Upon hearing this, Lü Xin was not angry but pleased, smiling as he looked at Lu Yuan and Chen Xiaomiao, seemingly eager to get rid of these two troublesome people.

Chen Xiaomiao grabbed Lü Jiaxin, sticking out her pregnant belly, hands on her hips, trying her best to strike a majestic pose as a master.

"How dare you talk to your uncle like that? You have no manners and no respect for elders. Sit down properly!"

Lu Jiaxin was taken aback by Chen Xiaomiao and dared not act rashly again.

She obediently pulled Niu Niu to sit down, their two short little legs dangling in mid-air, swaying back and forth.

Qi Lili watched from the side and couldn't help but laugh. She poured a glass of juice for each of the two children and said, "Xiao Miao, you really have a way with things. When Jasmine grows up a bit, you can take care of her too. Anyway, the child likes you."

As soon as she finished speaking, as if to confirm her mother's judgment, Zhao Moli, who was originally being held in Zhao Qiang's arms, suddenly kept reaching out to Chen Xiaomiao, making "ee-yah-yah" noises.

"Hey, you little ingrate!"

Zhao Qiang feigned anger as he carefully handed his daughter to Chen Xiaomiao, saying, "Sister-in-law, take it easy. This little one is quite strong now, she's heavy."

Chen Xiaomiao's belly is now almost as big as a watermelon, making it difficult for her to move around, but she still loves the exquisitely beautiful baby no matter how she looks at it.

She supported her lower back, adjusted to a comfortable position, and steadily pulled Zhao Moli into her arms.

As soon as the little baby was in Chen Xiaomiao's arms, he immediately stopped crying and fussing. He grabbed a strand of hair on Chen Xiaomiao's chest with his little hand and grinned like a silly fool.

Chen Xiaomiao looked down and stared at Zhao Moli, completely amazed.

“This child looks quite good at one year old.” Chen Xiaomiao clicked her tongue in amazement: “He has a full forehead, thick earlobes, and a deep philtrum. He’s a lucky one.”

Qi Lili, who was listening nearby, couldn't help but laugh. Following up on her words, she asked, "Then can you take a look and tell me if my Jasmine is destined to be a high-ranking official or a wealthy man?"

"Being an official and getting rich is full of worries, it's exhausting."

Chen Xiaomiao shook her head seriously, gently kneading Zhao Moli's chubby cheeks with her fingers.

"Judging from her fate, she is destined to enjoy a life of leisure, with no worries about food or clothing, and loved and cared for by others. That's better than anything else."

These words really struck a chord with Qi Lili, making her smile from ear to ear.

"That's great! I just hope she lives a peaceful and happy life."

……

After several rounds of drinks, the banquet came to an end.

Most of the guests left one after another, leaving only some close relatives and friends in the banquet hall, waiting to see the highlight of the day—drawing lots.

The hotel staff removed the tableware from a large round table and laid a brand new red cloth over it.

Qi Lili held her daughter, while Zhao Qiang carefully placed things on the red cloth.

There were regular pens, books, and abacuses, as well as a small toy stethoscope and even a model gun, presumably a souvenir Zhao Qiang received during his military service.

In addition to these, there were RMB banknotes, cosmetics, small shovels... all sorts of things, displayed in a whole circle.

Zhao Qiang loudly called out to everyone, "I bet my daughter can handle a gun and become a female soldier in the future. How impressive!"

"I bet I'll grab this book! I'll become a great scholar someday!"

"Make money! Making money is the most practical thing!"

The relatives chattered amongst themselves, creating an even more lively atmosphere than when they were drinking earlier.

With everything ready, Qi Lili placed Xiao Moli at one end of the red cloth.

The little guy was still a bit dazed after being put down. He sat there, chewing on his little fist, his big eyes curiously looking at the colorful pile of things in front of him.

"Jasmine! Come here! Come to Daddy! Grab this!" Zhao Qiang squatted across the table, waving the model gun in his hand, trying his best to attract his daughter's attention.

"Jasmine, look over here, look at Grandma!" Qi Lili's mother waved from the other side.

Little Jasmine looked at this and then at that, grinned, revealing her toothless gums, and laughed.

Ignoring the calls of the crowd, she lay down on her own and crawled forward like a little worm.

All eyes were fixed on that small figure.

She climbed over the thick book, ignored the gleaming car keys, bypassed the stack of bright red banknotes, and disregarded the exquisite abacus.

"Oh dear, why don't you want anything?"

As everyone was discussing this, they saw Little Jasmine huffing and puffing as she climbed up to the edge of the table with a clear goal in mind.

Chen Xiaomiao was standing by the table, watching the commotion.

She was heavily pregnant and sitting very close to the edge of the table.

Little Jasmine stopped, tilted her chubby little face up, and stared intently at Chen Xiaomiao's round belly with her big eyes.

Amidst everyone's astonished gazes, the little guy stretched out his chubby little hand and gently patted Chen Xiaomiao's belly.

Then, she grinned and let out a series of clear, satisfied giggles, drool running down her chin and leaving a small, dark stain on her red Tang suit jacket.

The entire banquet hall fell silent for a second.

Then, a burst of laughter erupted, louder than ever before.

"Oh my goodness! This girl!" Qi Lili laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight: "She doesn't want any other treasures, she just wants a younger brother or sister to play with!"

Zhao Moli continued to gently pat Chen Xiaomiao's belly with her small hands, and the little one inside her belly moved slightly, as if in response.

Chen Xiaomiao blinked, a question forming in her mind.

Good guy...

Your own son hasn't even been born yet, and people are already eyeing him?

　I'm sorry, things have been going on and on lately.

　　The problem should be completely resolved by tomorrow, or at the latest the day after, and updates should return to normal.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)