Spring is the Plan of Life-Chapter 40 - Acknowledging the Second Matter

Chapter 40 – Acknowledging the Second Matter

Novel Title: 一生之计在于春 (Spring is the Plan of Life)

Author：御小凡 (Yu Xiaofan)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: 姚锦夕 (Yao Jinxi -MC), 吴洋 (Wu Yang -ML)

*Please read at knoxt.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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“Regarding your brother’s situation, you don’t need to worry about it anymore,” Yao Hong said. After saying this, she picked up her chopsticks and added, “Let’s eat.”

Wu Yang responded quickly by smoothly shifting the conversation according to Yao Hong’s lead. He spoke with humour and respect, gradually improving the atmosphere at the table. The only one who seemed distracted was Yao Jinchen, who only occasionally moved his chopsticks.

Yao Hong and Wu Yang continued to chat casually. Suddenly, she said, “Next time you come, if someone asks, just tell them I’m your godmother. You can call me Gan Ma.”

The Yao siblings were both taken aback. But Wu Yang readily agreed and assimilated himself, “Sure, Gan Ma.”

Yao Hong, without waiting for a response, exchanged complex glances between Wu Yang and Yao Jinxi. She sighed and said, “If you really want to live a good life, find a time to have a child.”

Wu Yang: “…”

Yao Jinxi: “…”

Yao Jinchen: “…”

Yao Jinxi didn’t expect Yao Hong to bring up such an explosive topic so suddenly after avoiding it for so long. He hesitated and asked, “Us? None of us can have children…”

“I didn’t say you should give birth to one!” Yao Hong furrowed her eyebrows, her wrinkles from the passage of time becoming more pronounced. She continued, “Even if you want to, can you give birth?”

Wu Yang asked, “Are you talking about surrogacy?”

Everyone, except him, looked puzzled as they turned to Yao Hong. She asked in return, “Surrogacy?”

Among same-sex couples, it’s not uncommon for people to use surrogacy. They can use one partner’s sperm. Or both partners can separately use surrogates to have a child. It can be expensive. But it’s a way to have a child with the same bloodline.

Wu Yang had some knowledge of this before and now provided some education for this family.

This was their first encounter with this concept. Yao Hong lowered her head to think for a moment. She finally said, “Let’s forget about surrogacy. I may not understand the medical aspects, but doesn’t the child still have a mother? After carrying a child for nine to ten months, even if you were paid for it, taking the child away from their mother would be too cruel to both the mother and the child.”

Wu Yang understood that Yao Hong had her own intentions and asked with a warm smile, “So, what you’re saying is…?”

“What I mean is, when you both feel it’s the right time, consider adopting an orphan,” Yao Hong said. “A family feels more complete with a child. It’s good to have someone to take care of you when you get older… Oh, I don’t even know what I’m talking about.”

“Alright, we understand. We’ll discuss it when we have the time,” Wu Yang said as he placed a shrimp into Yao Jinxi’s bowl and gave him a tender smile. He then turned to Yao Hong and assured her, “Gan Ma, don’t worry. We’ll lead a good life.”

Yao Hong’s expression showed a momentary surprise. But after some thought, she realised that they were young people. Being in a relationship… Well, being in a relationship might cause them to be determined. But it’s quite normal. Moreover, they were expressing their determination in front of her. They seemed to be considerate and well-rounded individuals, all in all.

Yao Hong couldn’t help but feel a bit of regret. Why didn’t she have a daughter? Or maybe if Wu Yang were a girl…

“I’m full,” Yao Jinchen suddenly stood up with a brisk slap on the table. His tone was flat as he said, “Enjoy your meal.”

The other three didn’t try to stop him. Without uttering another word, Yao Jinchen quickly disappeared into his bedroom. Yao Hong continued her conversation with Wu Yang without much reaction, “Do you rent a place in City C or do you own a house?”

“Jinxi’s tea shop is a rented storefront. For now, he’s living in the attic,” as Wu Yang had already mentioned to Yao Hong before. He continued, “I did own a small apartment in City C. It’s not very big, just a two-bedroom unit with 70 square metres. But it’s sufficient for the two of us.”

Considering the prospect of adopting a child in the future, the two-bedroom apartment seemed a bit small. Yao Hong couldn’t help but show a contemplative expression.

Yao Jinxi interjected nonchalantly, “It doesn’t matter where we’re staying.”

“Don’t be ignorant, young man,” Yao Hong gave him a stern look. But she didn’t want to bring this up in front of Wu Yang. She had been through it all as an experienced individual. She hadn’t studied the relationship between economic conditions and the superstructure. But she had personally experienced how love couldn’t withstand the erosion of reality. When it comes to emotions, one could overlook anything. But when faced with material deficiencies, emotions often took a backseat.

“Gan Ma is right,” Wu Yang continued with a smile, “What I like most about this apartment is that it’s located within the first ring road. It’s an older community. So there are plenty of amenities nearby. Getting transportation is quite convenient.”

Yao Hong was now even more satisfied and decided not to ask further questions about financial matters. She didn’t want to make the other party feel like her family was too demanding. She didn’t really know much about Wu Yang’s financial ability. But judging from the car he was driving, it was clear it wasn’t a cheap one. He also didn’t appear to be struggling financially.

The lunch, which could be considered a feast, was eaten slowly and extended until 3 PM. Just as Yao Hong was about to get up and tidy things, Yao Jinxi and Wu Yang quickly took over. Yao Jinxi said, “Mom, you sit and watch TV.”

Yao Hong didn’t argue and watched them for a while. She noticed that Wu Yang was adept at quickly and skillfully cleaning the dishes, showing that he likely did it regularly. On the other hand, her own son, after symbolically carrying a few dishes, seemed rather idle. He was only observing the proceedings. The two of them exchanged occasional words and their interaction appeared very natural.

Somehow, Yao Hong felt a certain tension within her heart suddenly ease. She remembered the saying, ‘Children and grandchildren bring good fortune’. She glanced at the door to Yao Jinchen’s bedroom and couldn’t help but sigh quietly.

Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings, Yao Hong thought.

Yao Jinxi and Wu Yang both had no urgent reason to return to City C as they were currently unemployed. It seemed that Yao Jinchen had no plans to leave either. He was staying locked in his room without coming out to interact. In the living room, the three people enjoyed watching TV and chatting.. Knowing that Yao Jinxi treasured these moments, Wu Yang remained silently on the sidelines as a guest.

Dinner consisted of the same dishes from lunch. Yao Jinchen, who was called out of his room by Yao Hong, ate a few bites lazily before pushing the food around on his plate. Yao Hong didn’t bother to indulge him, allowing him to eat or not as he wished. Her attitude toward Wu Yang, on the other hand, improved even more. She asked, “Did you guys like drinking beer?”

She said ‘you guys’, but she was addressing Wu Yang. He replied, “I’ll have a bit when needed. But I don’t usually drink.”

Yao Hong smiled and said, “That’s good. Drinking can be harmful. I noticed you didn’t take much of each dish. I didn’t know your preferences earlier. Next time you come, I’ll make something you like.”

The change in treatment was quite evident. Yao Jinchen couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger as he watched his mother treating Wu Yang so favourably like welcoming a son-in-law. Unfortunately, he had no way to address it outright.

Yao Jinxi, on the other hand, found the situation amusing. It seemed that Wu Yang was perfectly capable of handling this on his own. He realised that if it were another person with a different personality, their sexual orientation might not have been accepted so harmoniously by his mother.

Wu Yang had played a significant role in making this happen.

After dinner, Yao Jinchen remained like an outsider. He did not utter a single word. Yao Hong asked, “Do you both need to rush back to City C today?”

“Let’s see what Jinxi wants,” Wu Yang said, looking at Yao Jinxi and smiling. Then he turned his gaze back to Yao Hong and continued, “But I’m planning to take Jinxi on a trip. He’s been wanting to go to Yunnan. After the trip, we’ll resume our house renovation. There might be a period when we can’t visit you. I think we should spend this weekend with you.”

Every word in what Wu Yang said was thoughtful, considering both his son and herself. Yao Hong couldn’t have been more pleased.

Yao Jinxi thought Wu Yang’s suggestion was reasonable and gave him a confirming look. “Mom, you’re not working tomorrow, are you?”

Yao Jinchen, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, “Where will you be sleeping for the night?”

Yao Jinxi was momentarily taken aback. This was indeed a problem. There were only two bedrooms in the house: one occupied by Yao Hong and the other by Yao Jinchen. Yao Hong asked him, “Are you not leaving tonight as well?”

“Mom, you just got an extra godson and already forget that you still have one more biological son?” Yao Jinchen’s tone was sarcastic. But before Yao Hong could react, he added, “I’m not working tomorrow either. So I’ll stay and keep you company.”

Yao Jinxi frowned at him and asked, “Jinchen, is that how you talk to Mom?”

Yao Jinchen snorted and didn’t dare to meet Yao Hong’s stern gaze. He fell silent, realising he shouldn’t cause any more trouble.

“Alright, you sleep in your room. Your brother and Wu Yang can sleep at a hotel,” Yao Hong casually arranged. “You can stay in the same place you stayed last time. It’s close to home.”

Aware that this was directed  at him, Wu Yang agreed, “Alright. We’ll come over early tomorrow. And don’t bother cooking lunch. We’ll go out to eat.”

“Mom?!” Yao Jinchen exclaimed, “You’re letting them get a hotel room?!”

Yao Hong pounded the table with a strong force, causing the chopsticks on the dishes to rattle and fall to the floor. “What’s wrong with your choice of words? What do you mean by ‘get a hotel room’? Do you want them to sleep on the couch or the floor in our living room?”

Yao Jinchen looked incredulous, “Mom, you-…”

Yao Hong, the long-time head of the household, spoke with unwavering authority, “The decision is final. Wu Yang, you go book a room.”

Wu Yang calmly responded, “Sure. I’ll make the call in a little while.”

Yao Hong was aware of what could happen when a couple stays in a hotel. But considering that they were building a family together and that Wu Yang was almost 30 while Yao Jinxi was 26, she didn’t feel the need to intervene.

As for her younger son’s situation, there was no way she couldn’t have noticed anything strange.

After Wu Yang and Yao Jinxi bid their farewells and left for the hotel, Yao Hong stopped Yao Jinchen, who was about to return to his room looking annoyed. She said, “There are things I don’t say. But it doesn’t mean that I don’t know. Get rid of any inappropriate thoughts!”

Yao Jinchen stiffened. The colour drained from his face. “Mom… What did brother tell you?”

Yao Hong’s expression and tone remained icy as she continued, “He didn’t tell me anything and I don’t know what really happened back then. But the past is in the past. The current situation is that your brother is forming a family. Your excessive dependence on Jinxi needs to change.”

The room fell into a prolonged silence.

After a long, long while, Yao Jinchen turned and muttered softly, “I understand.”

Then, he pushed the door open and entered his room.

Yao Hong’s straight posture slumped as she shook her head with a bitter smile. The events of the past couldn’t be replayed. As a mother, she was oblivious regarding her two sons. Yao Jinxi was accommodating toward his family but had his stubborn side, while Yao Jinchen appeared stubborn but was actually quite timid when it came to taking on responsibilities.

It was self-explanatory.

Many things don’t need to be explicitly said and some can’t even be explained. Yao Hong lost her son once and doesn’t want to lose another. She didn’t want to lose either one of them.

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*Author’s Note: Thank you for the unexpected surprises from Cat Ball XD -YXF

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*Translator’s Note: It’ll get spicy for WY and YJX in the next chapter. Hehe. By the way, tomorrow is my birthday. -K

*GLOSSARY: 干妈 [Gan Ma] = Godmother.

Next update: 2023.11.20

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