Chapter 63: Adoption

A week later, Tan Cuicui finally recovered her usual complexion, and she and Yi Zhonghai took their identification documents to the Military Control Commission.

"Your conditions are good; how many do you want to adopt?" the Military Control Commission officer asked directly after verifying their documents.

"We would like to go over and take a look first; if we feel a connection, we might adopt one more."

"That works too."

The Military Control Commission officer rode a tricycle directly to take the Yi Zhonghai couple to the Welfare Institute; in fact, it was rare these days for people to be willing to adopt children.

Most people would rather buy them secretly than adopt, fearing others would know they weren't their own biological children, which is why the officer was so proactive.

The conditions at the current Welfare Institute certainly couldn't compare to later generations; being able to eat their fill and stay warm was already very good. Tan Cuicui felt pained looking at the dirty little tots one by one, but she couldn't possibly adopt them all.

"Comrade, are there any younger ones?"

"There are. We just took in a pair of siblings; the older brother is four, and the younger sister is three. I'll call them over for you to see."

"Good."

Before long, the welfare staff member led the two children over. Both the boy and the girl were scrawny and clearly malnourished, but their faces were quite good, especially the little girl, whose timid and bewildered appearance made Tan Cuicui's maternal instincts overflow.

Yi Zhonghai saw Tan Cuicui's expression and understood immediately, so he said to the staff member right then and there:

"Could you let us spend some time alone with the children?" Yi Zhonghai had prepared quite a few snacks and candies for today's adoption, hoping to use them to bridge the distance with the children.

"That works too."

The staff member didn't stop them; she also hoped the children could have a better living environment, and the Yi Zhonghai couple's family conditions were much better than here.

"Children, come eat some snacks, have some candy."

Neither of the Yi Zhonghai couple knew how to get along with children, especially Yi Zhonghai; Tan Cuicui was a bit better, having taken care of Yushui before.

The little girl was a bit shy and hid behind her brother's back. The little boy wasn't much better, as he was only four, but in the end, he took them under Tan Cuicui's expectant gaze.

"Thank you, Uncle and Auntie."

"Oh, good children." Watching the two of them wolfing down the food, Tan Cuicui's eyes were full of heartache.

After the two children finished eating, Tan Cuicui hurriedly handed them some water.

"Children, are you willing to go home with Uncle and Auntie?"

"Can I take my sister with me?"

The little boy thought the Yi Zhonghai couple only wanted to take him away. The little girl also subconsciously stopped chewing and gripped the little boy's hand tightly.

The little boy's words made the two of them even more satisfied; at such a young age, he already knew how to protect his sister—at the very least, his heart was good.

"Of course you can, you go together."

"Good, we are willing to go with Auntie."

"Lao Yi, let's go with them."

"Good."

Since the decision was made, Yi Zhonghai didn't hesitate anymore and found the staff member to process the relevant paperwork.

Just like that, the Yi Zhonghai couple each carried a child out of the Welfare Institute.

"Congratulations to you both," the Military Control Commission officer was also happy to see this.

"Thank you."

Next, the Yi Zhonghai couple took the two children to buy a few sets of clothes to change into, some Milk Powder, and some snacks and toys for the children.

When the Yi Zhonghai couple returned to the Siheyuan, everyone looked at them and the children in surprise. The little girl fearfully tucked her head into Tan Cuicui's arms.

"Lao Yi, what is this?"

"From now on, these two are my, Yi Zhonghai's, son and daughter."

Yi Zhonghai dropped this sentence and took the children home to wash up, but the crowd went eerily quiet.

"This..."

"Isn't this quite good? Lao Yi and his wife have something to look forward to in their future days."

It was Yan Bugui who broke the silence. He was a teacher and came into contact with more current events than others, so he could see things relatively more openly.

"That's right, this is a good thing. Lao Yi and his wife have finally come through their hardships."

"Ah, yes, yes, yes." The crowd also dispersed in this eerie atmosphere.

The Yi Zhonghai couple returned home and first boiled water; only after adding water to the large basin did they take off the two children's clothes.

Those clearly visible ribs made Tan Cuicui's heart ache uncontrollably.

"Dad?" Yi Zhonghai's hand, which was wiping the little boy's body, trembled, and tears couldn't be held back from flowing down.

"Oh! Good child, good child." Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but hug the little boy, and Tan Cuicui's tears were also streaming down.

"Mom, don't cry." The little girl also timidly called out "Mom."

Who would have thought this one "Mom" would cause Tan Cuicui's tears to burst like a dam. It took a long while for the two of them to calm their emotions.

"Good children, both are good children. From now on, you will be called Yi Jiabao and Yi Jiabei."

"Okay, Dad."

The two children had good foundations; after the bath, they turned from dirty little kids into clean little ones.

"Lao Yi, I'll go cook first; you take the children to get familiar with the courtyard."

"Good."

When people encounter happy events, their spirits are refreshed; both of them seemed to have become a few years younger. Yi Zhonghai first took the children to get familiar with their own house, then carried one and led the other as they walked around the Middle Courtyard.

"Brother, this is my son Jiabao, and daughter Jiabei. Children, this is your Uncle Jia."

"Hello, Uncle Jia."

"Oh! The children are so well-behaved. Uncle will treat you to some candy." Lao Jia was also genuinely happy for Yi Zhonghai.

The two children didn't take it and both looked at Yi Zhonghai.

"Take it."

"Thank you, Uncle Jia."

"Hahaha, good child. Lao Yi, congratulations to you both."

"Hahaha." Yi Zhonghai was laughing from the bottom of his heart at this moment, and his brows, which were furrowed every day, also smoothed out.

Lao Yi and Lao Jia chatted, while the two children looked curiously at Zhang Xiaohua, who was operating the Sewing Machine.

"Jiabao, Jiabei, this is your Auntie Jia, and that is a Sewing Machine for making clothes. I'll have your mother learn it too later, so it will be convenient for her to make clothes for you."

Seeing the two children looking at the Sewing Machine, Yi Zhonghai felt a stir in his heart; buying a Sewing Machine now could last a lifetime, and making clothes could indeed save a lot of money.

"Mm."

"Hahaha, Lao Yi, your wife has a foundation, so I imagine she will pick it up quickly."

"Lao Yi, Jiabao and Jiabei, come back to eat."

"Alright, coming. Brother, I'll head back with the children first."

"Done."

"Lao Jia, those two children are not bad."

"Indeed, Lao Yi and his wife will be able to enjoy blessings when they get old."

It is said that one can see a person's future at age three; the temperaments of these two children were both quite good, and since they were only three or four years old, their potential for development was still very strong.

"Jiabao, Jiabei, eat slowly. There is still more in the pot."

"Mm-mm."

Watching the two children eating like a Wolf, Tan Cuicui's eyes were full of heartache. Yi Zhonghai returned from delivering food to the Deaf Old Lady and felt full of happiness seeing this scene of Tan Cuicui wiping the children's mouths.

"Dad, come eat quickly."

"Hey! Coming."

The Deaf Old Lady did not know that Yi Zhonghai had adopted children, assuming only that Tan Cuicui still needed to recuperate.

The reactions of the various families in the courtyard were mixed; most were still offering blessings, as Yi Zhonghai's reputation had indeed been quite good before, but there were also those who looked down on him, believing that children should be one's own to be good.

In the evening, Yi Zhonghai and his wife took the two children, carrying peanuts and candies, and introduced them to every household.

"Congratulations, Lao Yi."

Whether sincere or fake, Yi Zhonghai accepted them all with a smile, finally arriving at the Deaf Old Lady's house.

"Is that you, Zhonghai? Come in."

Once the four of them entered, the Deaf Old Lady finally saw the children in Yi Zhonghai's arms. She had heard "congratulations, congratulations" while inside the room; it seemed these children were adopted by Yi Zhonghai and his wife, and the Deaf Old Lady's expression turned unpleasant.

Yi Zhonghai had adopted children, so would Tan Cuicui still have time to take care of her in the future? Wouldn't she have to prioritize the two children, leaving no energy to look after her?

"Godmother, this is my son Jiabao, and my daughter Jiabei. These are your god-grandchildren."

"Hello, God-grandmother."

"Mm." The Deaf Old Lady gave a lukewarm "mm."

"Xiaocui, you take the children back first. I want to have a word with Godmother."

"Alright."