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

The ward was quiet for a while, with only the even breathing of the two little ones and the occasional chirping of birds from outside the window.

Zhang Junzhong lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously drawing circles on his knees, seemingly processing his brother-in-law's words.

Zhang Gaoyuan and Zhang Xikang also quieted down, lying by the bed watching Erliang sleeping soundly, seemingly lost in thought.

Looking at the expressions of the three teenagers, Yi Zhongding sighed inwardly.

He knew that what he had just said was a bit harsh.

They were still children, the oldest in the army was no more than thirteen years old.

These three children, who should have been carefree at that age, learned to be sensible and silent at a young age because their parents lived far away in Tibet.

Just as Yi Zhongding was about to say something to ease the tension, Zhang Junzhong suddenly looked up at him.

"Brother-in-law, then I'll study hard and become a doctor so I can research that medicine with you!"

"Good, that's ambitious. But studying medicine isn't easy. You have to memorize a lot of books and have patience. Can you sit still for long?"

Yi Zhongding was taken aback for a moment, then laughed.

He didn't remember what Zhang Junzhong did in his previous life, although he probably joined the army as well.

But human destiny is inherently complex and unpredictable, so it's not surprising that it might change in this lifetime.

Moreover, he knows his parents-in-law well; they are not the kind of people who insist on their children following in their fathers' footsteps.

"I can sit still! I was number one in both math and Chinese at the nursery!"

Zhang Junzhong puffed out his chest and said proudly.

"You're bragging. You only got 85 in Chinese on the last monthly exam, while I got 90 in math."

Zhang Gaoyuan exposed him without any mercy.

The new country originally adopted the five-level grading system, which was modeled after the old Russian system.

However, after the falling out with the Russians, they began to criticize the education system and gradually reinstated the percentage system.

This year is right at a turning point.

However, at this time it was not a pure credit system. If you wanted to advance to the next level of education, there was also a conduct and moral character score.

This is the most important thing. If you don't get an excellent rating, you can forget about joining the army or getting into the organization. If you fail the rating, you can forget about getting promoted.

If that feminist university were established in this era, its entire staff would probably be sent to labor camps.

Still hoping to join an organization? Or get a guaranteed postgraduate admission? You're too busy trying to save your own life.

"Well, you're still number one! You're not even our age!"

Zhang Junzhong looked at his bratty younger brother who had exposed him and said angrily.

The two brothers started bickering again, instantly dispelling the somber atmosphere in the ward.

Yi Zhongding looked at them, smiled and shook his head, then stood up and walked to the bedside.

Bai Yushu had already fed him four jin and was gently patting his back to help him burp.

Sijin let out a loud burp, then closed his eyes contentedly, smacking his lips twice as if savoring the moment.

"This kid eats just like his father."

Bai Yushu smiled and gently placed the four jin back on the small bed, then turned to look at the two liang beside her.

Erliang was fast asleep, her little fists loosely clenched, and a glistening drool hanging from the corner of her mouth.

"What do you mean I eat all the same way? I eat very politely."

Yi Zhongding protested with a smile.

"Yes, yes, you're so refined. When you're being refined, you can finish a bowl of noodles in just three bites."

Bai Yushu rolled her eyes at him and said with a playful smile.

When Yi Zhongyao and Yi Zhongmiao returned after washing the dishes, they overheard this and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Brother, you know what, I really do remember how you used to eat noodles. You'd pick up a mouthful with your chopsticks, bury your head in the bowl, and slurp it down in a few 'slurps'—and the whole bowl was gone."

Yi Zhongmiao placed the washed lunchboxes on the windowsill to dry, then turned around and smiled.

"I suspect that if you gave my brother a pig, he could eat it in three bites."

Yi Zhongyao jokingly agreed.

"That's a habit I developed while studying abroad and traveling for work; time is efficiency."

Yi Zhongding defended himself righteously, which earned him a burst of laughter from the room.

After everyone finished laughing, Yi Zhongding looked at the clock on the wall; it was already past one o'clock in the afternoon.

"You all have classes this afternoon, right? Junzhong, Gaoyuan, and Xikang, the three of you should go back to the nursery. Don't fall behind in your studies."

Yi Zhongding said to his younger siblings.

"Brother-in-law, can we go back tomorrow? It's Sunday anyway, and there aren't many students in the daycare school right now. We'd like to stay here a little longer tonight."

Zhang Junzhong looked at him pitifully.

"No, the nursery has its own rules. If you don't come home at night, the teachers will worry."

"How about this, you come over to our house next weekend, and my sister-in-law will cook you something delicious, okay?"

Yi Zhongding shook his head and said firmly.

The three children exchanged glances, and although somewhat reluctant, they nodded.

"Erliang, your sister will come to see you again next week. Be a good girl, okay?"

Zhang Xikang walked to the bedside, carefully reached out and touched Erliang's little hand, and said softly.

Erliang moved his fingers in his sleep, as if in response.

Zhang Xikang's eyes lit up immediately, and he smiled happily.

Yi Zhongding personally escorted the three children back to the nursery, while Yao Yao and Miao Miao returned the borrowed stools and stayed to take care of Bai Yushu.

The three children said goodbye to their older sister with reluctance, and walked out of the ward, turning back to look at her every few steps.

The ward finally fell completely quiet.

Tan Xiulian also took advantage of this break to go home, saying she wanted to see her children and pick up some things.

Yi Zhongding used a 28-inch steel bar to send the three children back to the nursery, and then returned to the hospital.

Yi Zhongding closed the door and sat down on the bed.

"You're back."

Bai Yushu had already lain down, her eyelids heavy, clearly tired. Seeing him lift his eyelids again, she smiled and asked.

"Yeah, don't worry, I only came back after I saw the childcare worker pick them up."

"Are you tired? Take a nap, I'll watch the baby."

Yi Zhongding tucked the blanket around her and said softly.

"Um……"

Bai Yushu gave a muffled reply, closed her eyes, and soon began to breathe evenly.

Yi Zhongding sat on the edge of the bed, looking at his sleeping wife and children, and then at the clear winter sky outside the window. A sense of peace welled up in his heart.

In both his past and present lives, he has experienced too much turmoil and separation.

But at this moment, in this small hospital room, he felt more than ever before that he truly had a home.

"Don't worry, I will protect you all for the rest of my life."

Yi Zhongding gently grasped Bai Yushu's exposed hand and said in a low voice.

Yi Zhongding sat by the bed for a long time until the sun outside the window began to set in the west, and golden sunlight streamed in through the glass, casting a warm shadow on the floor.

The two little ones woke up from their nap and started moving around, whimpering. Yi Zhongding quickly got up and checked on Erliang first.

Hmm, this diaper is wet.

Then I looked at Sijin again. The little guy's diaper was wet, but he wasn't crying or making a fuss. He was just looking around with his eyes open.

Fortunately, Yi Zhongding doesn't have much of a poetic talent, otherwise he could have written a collection of poems just from this and become a member of the Writers' Association.