Back To The 80s

Chapter 255: 265: Calculation (Additional Update with 480 Monthly Tickets)_1

Gu Xiaobei seemed to remember only then that Qu Yan was still sitting behind them. She turned her head and said, "Qu Yan, I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I don’t know why, but ever since I got pregnant, I’ve become extremely sensitive."

Qu Yan laughed awkwardly and said, "Being careful during pregnancy is only right."

In good spirits, Gu Xiaobei decided to make small talk with Qu Yan: "How long have you been married to Xiangyang?"

Qu Yan didn’t want to talk about Xiangyang at that moment. She often daydreamed about how nice it would be if she was still unmarried when she met Lu Zhanguo.

Hearing Gu Xiaobei’s question, she answered reluctantly, "Two years now."

Gu Xiaobei nodded and said, with an air of someone speaking from experience, "You two should be ready for a child then."

Unwilling to talk about this topic, Qu Yan curtly answered, "We’re not in a rush."

However, Gu Xiaobei didn’t want to drop the subject just yet. She said, "It’s better for a couple to have a child. A child makes a family complete; without one, it’s like living together out of convenience. One day, we might just decide to part ways."

Every word from Gu Xiaobei felt like a jab to Qu Yan’s core. Her relationship with Xiangyang was so poor that it didn’t even feel like they were ’living together out of convenience’. Xiangyang was all smiles outside, but barely gave her a glance when he got home.

They ate their meals separately. Xiangyang dined in the camp’s canteen every day before coming home; if not for the sake of reputation, he probably wouldn’t even come home to sleep. Qu Yan’s life was akin to being widowed.

Seeing Qu Yan remain silent, Gu Xiaobei didn’t halt her probing. While Qu Yan was seeking stimulation, she’d definitely receive it. But on the surface, Gu Xiaobei said, "Now that you’ve joined your husband in the military, you have more chances to be together. Make the best of it." Then, she turned around and slyly gave Qu Yan a meaningful glance.

Qu Yan forced a smile and said, "You’re right, sister-in-law."

Gu Xiaobei, satisfied with Qu Yan’s awkward smile, turned back and started observing her husband Lu Zhanguo, who was focused on steering the vehicle. She snorted in her mind. If you want to compete for what’s in my bowl, you better test if your chopsticks are long enough.

As they were about to reach the city, Lu Zhanguo asked Gu Xiaobei, "Where first?"

"Let’s go to Qin Li’s place first. We’ll go shopping after dinner." Gu Xiaobei pondered. She didn’t want to go shopping with Qu Yan.

Hearing this, Qu Yan quickly said from behind, "Set me down at the department store. I’ll browse around first and wait for you guys there when I’m done."

Lu Zhanguo did not respond. Gu Xiaobei simply smiled and said, "Sure, after you’re done shopping, wait for us at the first floor."

Regretting her decision to follow them to the city, Qu Yan only caught sight of Lu Zhanguo’s back the entire time, as he hadn’t even uttered a single word to her.

At the entrance of the department store, Qu Yan got off the vehicle and left. Watching her walk away, Gu Xiaobei turned to Lu Zhanguo and said, "Let’s go to Aunt Jin’s place first. It’s Sunday today, Jiujiu should be home and I think Qin Li should be there as well."

They first visited a food shop, bought two cans of food and two pounds of biscuits, then two pounds of meat from the marketplace before driving towards the government residential quarter.

Sure enough, Qin Li was at the Jin family’s place. She was drawing pictures with Jiujiu. Zhuang Shuxian had gone to attend a friend’s child’s wedding, so she wasn’t home.

Seeing Gu Xiaobei, Qin Li was both surprised and delighted, "Wow, what brings you here? I was just telling Jiujiu that we should visit you during the May Day holiday."

"We’re moving to a new place, so we came to the city to buy some stuff." Gu Xiaobei then pinched Jiujiu’s chubby face and said, "Little Jiujiu is a bit fatter now, her cheeks are as chubby as a baozi."

Laughing, Qin Li said, "I know, right? Aunt Jin feeds her eggs and milk powder every day, even adding an extra meal before sleeping. How could she not get fat?"

Gu Xiaobei laughed, "At this rate, she’ll end up like Xiaopang."

Lu Zhanguo put the things on the table and asked Gu Xiaobei, "Out for lunch?"

Gu Xiaobei thought for a bit before asking Qin Li, "Are your parents home?"

"No, they went to attend a wedding with Aunt Jin."

"Let’s go check out Aunt Wang’s place then. If they’re back, we can eat there." Gu Xiaobei suggested.

That was what Lu Zhanguo had planned as well -- they hadn’t seen the old couple in more than six months. Now that the weather was warmer, Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang should have returned.

Qin Li had no objection. She can’t cook, and with Gu Xiaobei’s big belly, how could she ask her to cook?

First, they rushed to the market to buy a piece of meat before driving to Uncle Wang’s noodle shop.

Uncle Wang and his wife had returned to the city after the Qingming festival, when the weather warmed up. Aunt Wang was currently processing the pickled mustard greens, checking for any spoilage.

Seeing Gu Xiaobei, Lu Zhanguo, and the others walk in, she hastily put the lid on the pickle jar and said with a smile, "I heard a magpie chattering this morning and I told your Uncle Wang that we must have esteemed guests coming. And here you are!"

Aunt Wang’s words amused Gu Xiaobei, "Aunt Wang, when did you arrive?"

Before answering, Aunt Wang was distracted by Gu Xiaobei’s protruding belly and asked excitedly, "You’re quite far along, aren’t you? Almost due?"

Gu Xiaobei replied with a smile, "It’s due in August, so still some months to go."

Aunt Wang took a good look at Gu Xiaobei before saying, "You have quite a big belly, but you still exhibit a waist from the back. I am sure you are carrying a boy."

"Let’s hope that you’re right; hopefully, it’s a boy." Gu Xiaobei didn’t mention that they had already checked, and just smiled along with Aunt Wang.

Only then did Aunt Wang speak to Lu Zhanguo, "Your Uncle Wang is splitting firewood in the yard. Why don’t you go have a look?"

Lu Zhanguo nodded and went into the backyard.

Aunt Wang called Qin Li and Jiujiu to sit down and pulled Gu Xiaobei to sit with her before asking, "Is your mother-in-law coming for your confinement?"

Gu Xiaobei shook her head, "My mother-in-law can’t get away so she won’t be able to come." She didn’t mention that her mother-in-law had clearly said she wouldn’t be taking care of the baby; such family matters should not be aired in public.

Aunt Wang happily said, "That’s good, I’ll come take care of you during your maternity leave. I love children."

Gu Xiaobei hesitated before saying, "You have your business to attend to, Aunt Wang."

Brushing it aside with a wave of her hand, Aunt Wang said, "Don’t worry about that. We don’t have many customers in a day. Uncle Wang can handle it on his own. Starting from your maternity leave, I’ll come and take care of you. It’s settled."

Lu Zhanguo and Gu Xiaobei had planned to invite Aunt Wang earlier. Now that Aunt Wang had volunteered, Gu Xiaobei felt a little embarrassed. "Zhanguo and I were thinking of asking you to come over and help us take care of the baby. We’ll pay you."

At the mention of wages, Aunt Wang said, "If you’re going to talk about wages, even if you send a palanquin to escort me, I won’t go. I consider you both like my own children, so your child will be like my grandchild."

Gu Xiaobei had a sudden doubt and said with a smile, "Thank you for the trouble, Aunt Wang. We wouldn’t dream of letting you work without compensation. I’ll make you some clothes to wear."

Overtime, Aunt Wang happily said, "If you’re making me clothes, I can accept that. It’s settled then, I’ll come over at the end of July."

"Alright, once the baby is born, we will send Zhanguo to pick you up." Gu Xiaobei said with a smile.