Just when everyone thought that having to apologize was humiliating enough, it turned out she also had to write a self-criticism and read it aloud in public. Yi Mengling didn’t even dare imagine how her colleagues at the research institute would look at her afterward.
When the announcement over the loudspeaker ended, Yang Yufen left in satisfaction.
She had already seen what the institute cafeteria served and knew that meals could be delivered inside. From then on, she began bringing lunch every day.
“Mom, you really don’t have to go to so much trouble. The cafeteria food is pretty good.”
Qin Nian couldn’t help speaking up, worried that her mother-in-law was working too hard.
Yang Yufen merely nodded. Looking at her daughter-in-law, whose complexion had improved noticeably, she continued her daily meal deliveries.
No matter how good the cafeteria food was, it hadn’t managed to put any meat on her daughter-in-law’s bones. Home-cooked meals were clearly better. The only problem was that the two hens weren’t laying many eggs. Fortunately, she still had meat coupons and could occasionally buy some meat.
A major breakthrough occurred in Qin Nian’s laboratory work.
What she had originally thought would take half a month ended up keeping her busy for nearly two months, from autumn all the way into early winter.
But the results were worth it.
The entire laboratory erupted in cheers.
“Everyone has done an excellent job. I’m giving you three days off. Once your leave is over, come back immediately and we’ll begin the next phase of testing.”
The moment Director Hu made the announcement, the already excited researchers nearly wanted to lift him into the air in celebration. Fortunately, they were all sensible enough to worry that his old bones might not survive the experience.
“I’m going to sleep for three straight days!”
“Me too! Me too!”
“I need to go buy winter clothes. Nian Nian, want to come with me?”
Xiao Ranran scooted over to Qin Nian’s side.
Qin Nian froze for a moment before shaking her head.
“I plan to take my mother-in-law out for a stroll. She’s been taking care of me ever since she arrived, and I haven’t taken her anywhere yet, so I probably won’t have time to go shopping with you.”
Besides…
Her newlywed husband had been away on assignment for two months now without a single piece of news.
She had been so busy recently that she hadn’t even had time to think about it.
Her mother-in-law must be worried sick.
At that very moment, the supposedly worried Yang Yufen was in the greenhouse feeding chicks.
“Your chicks are growing really well. So many survived. Look at how plump they are—they’re adorable.”
The chicks, once no larger than a child’s fist, now weighed over a pound each, some approaching two pounds.
The cages had been replaced several times already.
The accumulated chicken manure was used in the greenhouse, enriching the soil while also helping retain heat.
Out of thirty chicks, only five had died.
The survival rate was remarkably high.
Yang Yufen had also helped Aunt Liu build a greenhouse.
As for Aunt Wang, she only planted enough vegetables for her own use and devoted the rest of the space to potatoes.
She had come over to chat and happened to catch Yang Yufen feeding the chickens, so she stopped to watch.
“Your vegetables are growing better than mine.”
“That’s thanks to the fertilizer—and thanks to your advice.”
Yang Yufen had been collecting discarded vegetable leaves from the market, chopping them up, and mixing them with bran and rice husks as chicken feed.
Although it required a daily trip to the market, she never found it troublesome.
Going early meant first pick of the good bargains.
She had also planted potatoes in the field outside the greenhouse.
According to Aunt Wang, they were a new variety developed by her son.
Both women had planted some to test the yield.
“Mom, I’m home!”
Hearing Qin Nian’s voice, Yang Yufen, who had been about to make a simple bowl of noodles to fill her stomach, immediately cracked two eggs into a pot of boiling water without a second thought.
“I’m in the kitchen!”
After parking her bicycle, Qin Nian headed straight there.
The weather had become genuinely cold.
The ride home had left her thoroughly chilled.
“You’re off work early today. Watch the fire for me while I go pick some vegetables.”
Yang Yufen was wearing only a light jacket, not even a padded winter coat.
Before she had finished speaking, she was already out the door.
Watching her leave, Qin Nian thought that she really needed to buy some winter clothes for her mother-in-law.
The winters here were no joke.
While she was thinking about it, Yang Yufen returned carrying a few leafy greens.
After a quick wash, she tossed them into the nearly finished noodles.
A few drops of sesame oil later, the meal was ready.
“Mom, I can’t finish two eggs. You should have one.”
“I cooked three. Eat.”
Yang Yufen flatly refused to accept that excuse and promptly fished the egg from the bottom of her own bowl and ate it.
Seeing that, Qin Nian obediently focused on her noodles.
The steaming hot soup noodles were perfect for warming the stomach.
Without realizing it, she discovered that she could now finish two eggs and a huge bowl of noodles.
She even drank every last drop of broth.
Her appetite had increased tremendously.
No—not increased tremendously.
It had definitely increased tremendously.
Yet her stomach didn’t feel overstuffed afterward.
It felt just right.
“Use warm water when washing the dishes.”
Yang Yufen didn’t fight her for dishwashing duty, merely reminding her.
Qin Nian responded with a nod.
Only then did she notice another thermos flask had appeared in the house, making hot water much more convenient.
“Mom, I have three days off. Let me take you out tomorrow. You’ve been here so long, and I still haven’t shown you around.”
“Sure.”
Qin Nian had been preparing arguments in case her mother-in-law refused.
She hadn’t expected Yang Yufen to agree immediately.
“But I need to feed the chickens in the morning, so we can’t leave too early. Is nine o’clock alright?”
Yang Yufen suddenly remembered something.
Since Qin Nian was on vacation, the timing was perfect.
“That’s fine. I’ll help you in the morning.”
“No need. Once you’ve finished the dishes, soak your feet and go to bed early. I’m used to doing these things myself. I don’t like having people helping beside me.”
Yang Yufen cleaned up the kitchen in just a few quick motions.
Qin Nian could only nod.
Perhaps because she had been under tension for so long, when she finally woke up the next morning and looked at her watch, it was already eight-thirty.
She hurriedly got dressed and rushed out.
“Mom…”
She looked embarrassed.
“Why didn’t you sleep a little longer? Since you’re up now, come eat.”
Qin Nian nodded.
She was so hungry that she sat down to eat before even washing her face.
Originally, she had intended to take her mother-in-law out on her bicycle.
Instead, she discovered that Yang Yufen had somehow borrowed a tricycle, complete with an oilcloth canopy over the cargo compartment.
“You sit in the back. We need to hurry. If we’re late, they’ll be off work.”
Without any intention of getting off the driver’s seat, Yang Yufen urged her along.
Thus Qin Nian ended up sitting in the back compartment.
The oilcloth shielded her from the icy wind.
Only after the tricycle started moving did she remember that she was supposed to be taking her mother-in-law out.
How had it become her mother-in-law taking her out instead?
And where exactly were they going?
Yang Yufen had a clear destination in mind.
She headed straight for the Third People’s Hospital.
“Mom, are you not feeling well?”
“No. I’m bringing you here for a checkup. Don’t talk. Just follow me.”
During these months together, Yang Yufen had come to understand Qin Nian’s personality.
Aside from work-related matters, Qin Nian wasn’t especially decisive in daily life.
As long as Yang Yufen acted firmly enough, Qin Nian would obediently follow along without asking many questions.
Sure enough, Qin Nian quietly followed behind her.
Only after the doctor ordered blood tests and sent her to have blood drawn did Qin Nian suddenly remember something she had been overlooking all this time.
She raised her head and looked at her mother-in-law, who was waiting for the results.
Then she lowered her gaze and gently placed a hand on her abdomen.
The truth was, her menstrual cycle had always been irregular.
What if she wasn’t pregnant?
Would that disappoint her mother-in-law?
Would Yang Yufen then pack up and return to the village immediately?