#56: The Brothers’ Lottery

At the beginning of the month, while counting her savings, Jiang Beibei casually checked Chu Yao’s salary account and sighed.

Huang Yuandao asked, “What’s with the sigh on this beautiful spring day?”

“I was looking at Chu Yao’s salary.”

After filming an episode about funeral homes, Huang Yuandao was well aware of their income situation. “His regular salary isn’t as high as yours.”

“Mm.”

Jiang Beibei lamented, “You know what? A few days ago, when I was working overtime with Yao Ge, he was still typing up a research report while I was taking a shower. I was so touched at first—I even asked him if diving into his field of expertise made him feel fulfilled…”

Huang Yuandao nodded. “Chu Yao is pretty serious. I’ve always admired kids who can sit still and study hard.”

“No…” Jiang Beibei shook her head. “He told me that the main reason he works so hard and dives into academic research is to make money. Only a small part of it is driven by responsibility or passion. Sigh…”

Huang Yuandao calmly responded, “It’s understandable. His field doesn’t pay well quickly, so he has to think about making ends meet. Chu Yao’s doing great—academic research takes a lot of brainpower. Many people can’t even sit still for it, and he’s achieved something, which isn’t easy.”

Jiang Beibei slumped onto the table, lazily shifting positions as she spoke to Huang Yuandao. “Yao Ge criticized me the other day.”

“Criticized you? What did he say?”

“He said I wasn’t spending the money on his card.” Jiang Beibei sighed. “He lectured me seriously, saying my spending habits were wrong—that money only becomes useful when it’s in circulation. Just saving it means it’s just a number. He encouraged me to spend more…”

Huang Yuandao groaned. “Don’t want to hear it!”

“Neither do I,” Jiang Beibei replied. “I told him I was saving it for our future child, but then he gave me another lecture. He even gave me a whole lesson, saying things like ‘the present is the present, the future is the future, children are children, and I am me.’ Basically, he wants me to spend the money.”

“Did you spend it?”

Jiang Beibei sulked. “I’ve been thinking about piano lessons lately… Maybe buy a piano…”

Huang Yuandao shot her down. “Your place is too small for a piano.”

Jiang Beibei suggested, “We could put it at his place…”

“But his place is also a two-bedroom apartment, right?”

“…A new home,” Jiang Beibei whispered softly.

“Are you moving out?”

After a long pause, Jiang Beibei finally said, “I don’t want to move.”

“Actually, buying a new house wouldn’t be a bad idea. You can’t keep living in old public housing forever. My dad and Big Song have been telling him to look at properties when he has time.”

“…I don’t want to leave,” Jiang Beibei sat up and analyzed for Huang Yuandao. “If we don’t move, it’s like I have a four-bedroom, two-living-room house. Half for me, half for Chu Yao—it’s very fair.”

Huang Yuandao burst out laughing. “Pfft.”

“And our location is great! Next to the Public Security Bureau, military-police hospital, large supermarket, and key elementary and high schools. Even though there’s no property management, being in a police family building means there won’t even be any thieves—it’s super safe. After we installed the anti-theft door in the hallway, the people in Unit One laughed at us, saying we were slapping the face of the police station. Look, we have so many advantages! No need to move…”

Yuandao pointed out the real reason. “You’re just reluctant to leave your neighbors, aren’t you?”

“Even though I’m reluctant, I know Third Brother and Fourth Brother will probably move…”

Huang Yuandao teased, “Can’t bear to leave Big Song? If you can’t let go, just live apart and visit each other.”

Jiang Beibei laughed. “Get out of here! Do you love me or my Fourth Brother?”

“I’m joking seriously,” Huang Yuandao said. “I’ve already scoped out a good area—convenient for commuting, good security. When we have kids, they’ll be able to attend school nearby. We’ll definitely still live near you. I’ll just drop the kid off at your place, and you can help take care of them. Your kid and mine can go to school together, and you’ll handle all the pick-ups and drop-offs.”

Jiang Beibei rolled her eyes. “You’re dreaming!”

After work, Jiang Beibei and Huang Yuandao went to the night market for skewers. Once full, Huang Yuandao’s thoughts became fuzzy. She asked Jiang Beibei, “Are we related by marriage or sisterhood?”

“…” Jiang Beibei deadpanned. “Neither, okay? Brothers-in-law are men! Sister-in-law and brother-in-law! And we’re not sisters-in-law either! My Fourth Brother is my family!”

“Bullshit, he’s on Chu Yao’s side.”

“Catshit! He’s my family!”

“Mouse-shit! You say he’s your family, so he’s your family?”

“Worm-shit! I’ve always called them brothers, but Chu Yao doesn’t call them that much, so they’re my brothers, not his! You’re my sister-in-law, got it?”

“Alien-shit! No matter where I stand, I’m still your sister-in-law!”

“Eat your food and stop farting around!” Jiang Beibei snapped. “There’s nothing to discuss. By default, they’re my brothers, and you’re my sister-in-law, not Chu Yao’s!”

“You really need to think this through,” Huang Yuandao continued. “What will your kids call them later? Uncle or elder brother? You need to decide. Don’t end up having a kid where everyone else’s dad’s brother is called uncle, but your kid calls them ‘uncle-brother.’ And what about my kid? Will they call you aunt or auntie? You need to decide.”

Jiang Beibei choked on a mouthful of beer. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll go home and discuss it with Chu Yao! They’re definitely all my brothers!”

After drinking with Huang Yuandao, Jiang Beibei stumbled home, tipsy. She went straight to Chu Yao’s place and pushed the door open without knocking.

Chu Yao was memorizing vocabulary but was dragged out by Jiang Beibei to discuss this issue.

“Right? Am I right?” Jiang Beibei asked. “They’re all my brothers, and you don’t have an opinion, right? You don’t call them brothers much—it’s just me calling them that, so they’re my brothers, not yours, right!”

“How much did you drink?”

“Alcohol?” Jiang Beibei hiccupped, grinning foolishly. “Hehe, quite a few bottles. I’m drunk. Do you want to see me act crazy? It’s hilarious.”

“Mm, you’re cute no matter what.”

“You answer me! Don’t change the subject!” Jiang Beibei raised a finger and poked Chu Yao’s chest, giggling. “This is important. It’s about how our kids will address my brothers in the future.”

“You split it evenly,” Chu Yao suggested. “There are four of them, so two for you and two for me.”

“Eh?” Jiang Beibei’s eyes widened. She slapped Chu Yao’s shoulder playfully. “Wow, you’re smart! That’s right!”

Chu Yao pulled Jiang Beibei into the house, winked at Mrs. Chu, and seated her on the couch.

When Jiang Beibei saw both Mr. and Mrs. Chu, she rolled over on the couch and smiled sweetly at them. “Mommy…”

A heart-piercing moment!

Mrs. Chu clutched her chest, pinched Mr. Chu’s leg, and upon realizing this wasn’t a dream, smacked him away. “Move! Go make some hangover soup!”

As soon as Mr. Chu left, Mrs. Chu immediately took the seat next to Jiang Beibei. The young girl lay on her lap, humming softly. Mrs. Chu stroked her hair, feeling fireworks of joy in her heart.

“Daughters are so wonderful… soft and obedient.” Mrs. Chu’s maternal instincts were fully awakened. She combed Jiang Beibei’s hair with her fingers, wearing a tender expression.

Jiang Beibei murmured softly, “I really like you!”

Mrs. Chu nearly shed tears of joy.

“Oh, oh… my darling…”

Mr. Chu interjected, “You should tone it down a bit. Think about our son’s feelings.”

Mrs. Chu waved him off. “His mood is great! He has a little wife now—his smile must reach the heavens! What more does he want?”

Chu Yao wrote four slips of paper, folding them into origami cranes. On each crane, he wrote either his name or Jiang Beibei’s name.

He planned to send Jiang Beibei with the cranes to let her brothers draw lots, but when he entered the living room, he found Jiang Beibei asleep under his mother’s gentle touch.

Chu Yao whispered, “I really feel like your son-in-law.”

Mrs. Chu: “You’ve nailed your role perfectly!”

“…” Chu Yao smirked. “Should I fold one for you too so you can draw lots? Then we’ll see if my child calls you Grandma or Mother-in-Law?”

Mrs. Chu waved her hand dismissively. “Grandma-Mother-in-Law!”

“What about Dad?”

Mr. Chu: “I’ll match her—Grandpa-Father-in-Law, maybe.”

Chu Yao pouted.

Mrs. Chu grinned. “These titles are perfect. Imagine going out with the kids—they’ll call out ‘Grandma-Mother-in-Law’ and ‘Grandpa-Father-in-Law.’ Absolutely unique nationwide!”

Chu Yao: “Let’s not rush. We’re not planning to have kids yet.”

“Not in a hurry,” Mrs. Chu agreed. “But you two should get engaged first.”

Mr. Chu added, “As someone who’s been through it, let me tell you, Chu Yao: Delaying kids increases happiness levels.”

Mrs. Chu nodded fervently. “Absolutely agree.”

The two exchanged glances, then turned their critical gazes toward Chu Yao.

“Hmm, I can already sense your regrets,” Chu Yao chuckled lightly. With a flick of his fingers, he sent a message in the group chat.

“Everyone, come to my place to draw lots.”

A short while later, Tang Xizhou arrived leisurely.

“What are we drawing for?”

Chu Yao: “Pick a paper crane. Your title as an uncle or elder brother depends on your luck.”

“It’ll definitely be uncle,” Tang Xizhou casually picked one and said, “This one’s mine. I’ll wait for the others to arrive before we open them together.”

Once the other three arrived, they each picked a crane. Finally, Chu Yao instructed, “Uncle or elder brother—open them and see for yourselves.”

Just as Qin Yuan was about to open his, he frowned suddenly. “Are you pregnant?”

Tang Xizhou: “Eh? Really?”

Chu Yao: “Stop overthinking. We haven’t even had enough alone time. How could there be anything?”

Tang Xizhou: “True. If there were a child now, I’d probably laugh for a year. But if it’s Beibei, it feels kind of… like kids having kids.”

Qin Yuan nodded in agreement. He opened his crane and showed it to the others. “Mm, Jiang Beibei. I’m Uncle.”

“Wow, me too,” Tang Xizhou said. “Second Uncle, Third Uncle.”

Yan Qingming nodded. “Alright, then Big Brother and Fourth Brother it is.”

Mrs. Chu: “Have you sorted yourselves out?”

“Eh, sorted,” Tang Xizhou replied. “Captain Yao, this makes us in-laws.”

“Then Captain Yao and I are on the same side,” Song Lang chimed in. “Big Brother and I are on Yao’s side, while Second Brother and Third Brother are Beibei’s natal family.”

Qin Yuan: “No objections. Yao, prepare yourself. On your wedding day, I’ll make sure you understand how hard it’ll be to take my sister away!”

Tang Xizhou quickly took his position. “Exactly! Lock the door—don’t let him in.”

Mrs. Chu pointed at Tang Xizhou and Qin Yuan. “Listen up, Xiao Tang and Yuan Er. On the 8th, we’re holding an engagement ceremony—you two must attend.”

“Got it,” Tang Xizhou eagerly stepped into his role. “In-laws, you’d better show your appreciation.”

Mrs. Chu added, “Now I’m reassured. The best man and maid of honor are decided.”

Qin Yuan: “Wait, what?”

Waking up groggily, Jiang Beibei asked softly, “Who’s the maid of honor?”

Mrs. Chu pointed at Tang Xizhou and Qin Yuan. “Look, daughter, it’s your two brothers.”

Jiang Beibei slowly smiled. “Hehe… Okay.”