The call came into the brigade headquarters in Da Liushu Village.

At this time of year, everyone was holed up at home for the winter, though of course, there were always some who couldn’t sit still and would gather outside to chat.

Suddenly, a voice came over the brigade’s public announcement system.

"Shitou’s mother, there’s a call for you from Shitou. Please come to the headquarters immediately."

The announcement repeated twice, then went silent.

Shitou’s mother heard it at home. Leaning on her stick, she hurried out of the house and rushed toward the headquarters.

Someone saw her and remarked, "Shitou really hit the jackpot following the He Family’s Third Son. He got married, and I hear he even bought a house in Beijing City."

"Exactly. That He Family’s Third Son doesn’t know how to look after his own. Our families are distant relatives, you know, but you don’t see him offering us any of these good opportunities."

"What kind of relatives are you? The He Family’s Third Son and Shitou have been thick as thieves since they were kids. It’s no surprise he’d give him a hand. But you lot? I never see your families interacting, yet now you’re trying to claim kinship."

The villagers continued their idle chatter.

Meanwhile, Shitou’s mother had already finished her call and was happily returning from the headquarters.

Seeing her smiling face, someone asked curiously, "Shitou’s mother, you’re absolutely glowing. What’s the good news?"

Shitou’s mother was so happy she didn’t hold back. "My Shitou called to say his wife is pregnant. He’s asking me to go to Beijing City."

"Really? Oh, congratulations! You’re finally going to have a grandchild."p>

Shitou’s mother nodded with a smile. "Yes, yes. I can’t talk now. I have to hurry back and pack so I can get to Beijing City sooner to take care of my daughter-in-law."

"Oh, alright. The roads are slippery, so be careful on your way."

"Shitou’s already married and about to have a child. Look how happy it’s made his mother."

"She’s finally going to be a grandmother, how could she not be happy? But once she goes, I bet she won’t come back, just like the He family. The feng shui in Beijing City must be really good; everyone who goes there strikes it rich."

Back in the city, Shitou was worried about his mother traveling to Beijing City by train alone. He had originally come to ask He Lang for time off to go back and get her.

He Lang said, "I’ll call my older brother and have him help your mother get on the train. She should be fine on the journey itself. You can just pick her up at the station here. Otherwise, you’ll waste a lot of time traveling back and forth."

Shitou thought about his wife’s condition. He wasn’t comfortable leaving her home alone either.

"Then I’ll have to trouble Brother He Nan."

When Shitou got home from the supermarket, carrying a chicken he had bought, he saw that his mother-in-law was also there.

"Mom, you’re here."

Yang’s mother looked at Shitou and said, "I came to see Xiu’er. It’s her first pregnancy and she has no experience, so I need to give her some advice."

"Shitou, you should listen too. It’s always better to be careful. Xiu’er said she wanted your mother to come. It’s a good thing. I can’t take care of her full-time, and besides, your mother is getting older. You’re always worried about her being alone back in your hometown. With her here in Beijing City, you can finally have some peace of mind."

Yang’s mother had a job doing odd jobs in a factory cafeteria. The pay wasn’t high, but it was enough to cover her expenses.

Shitou and Yang Wenxiu had been married for over a year. He knew that Yang’s mother had struggled to raise Yang Wenxiu and her younger brother. Even though the Yang Family had a hard time, they had never once asked Shitou for money or things. In turn, Shitou treated them like his own family.

It wasn’t until Shitou brought his mother over to their home as a guest that Xue Yue learned she had arrived in Beijing City.

Shitou’s mother held Mrs. He’s hands, thanking her profusely and bringing up Yang Wenxiu’s pregnancy.

Mrs. He sighed contentedly. "A daughter-in-law’s pregnancy is a wonderful thing, Sister. Shitou is so successful, and you’ll have a grandchild soon. You’re living the good life now."

Shitou’s mother nodded. "Yes. If Shitou’s father knew from beyond the grave, I can’t imagine how happy he’d be."

"It’s good that you’ve come to Beijing City now. The children are young and have to work, so you can help them out."

Shitou’s mother patted the back of Mrs. He’s hand. "That’s exactly what I was thinking. I should help however I can while I’m still able to get around."

Xue Yue asked Shitou, "Have your mother and your mother-in-law met?"

Shitou nodded. "They have. My mother arrived yesterday, and she went to visit my mother-in-law in the afternoon."

Shitou’s mother knew her etiquette. By visiting Yang Wenxiu’s family right after arriving in Beijing City, she left no room for criticism.

At noon, Mrs. He invited them to stay for lunch.

"Oh, I can’t. I have to go back and cook. My daughter-in-law will be home from work for lunch soon. Another time. You all must come over to my place for a meal I’ve cooked," Shitou’s mother declined politely.

"Alright then. Come over again when you have time."

"Of course."

Yang Wenxiu’s job wasn’t too tiring. As long as it wasn’t busy, she was able to rest.

Shitou wanted her to rest at home, but Yang Wenxiu refused.

"I’m not that delicate. It’s just a pregnancy, isn’t it? When my mother was pregnant with my younger brother, she was still working for others and had to come home and take care of the whole family."

Shitou looked at her. "I’m just worried about you."

A smile touched Yang Wenxiu’s lips. "I know. But I also know my own body. I’m really not tired. If a day comes when I feel like I need to rest, I promise I’ll come home. You can support me then, okay?"

Shitou took her hand and nodded helplessly.

As the twelfth lunar month began, foot traffic increased at the supermarket and the clothing store, and He Lang and the others started coming home later from work.

Schools also began their winter break, and Daya’s tutoring classes stopped as well.

She told Xue Yue she wanted to help out at the supermarket.

Xue Yue mentioned it to He Lang, and they assigned Daya to a checkout counter at the supermarket.

Little Chen was there and could show her the ropes.

This year, everyone had a tacit understanding not to bring up going back to their hometowns for the New Year.

However, in the middle of the twelfth lunar month, He Ziqing came to visit. But she didn’t come alone; she brought her boyfriend with her.

"Professor Qi?"

Xue Yue’s astonishment was beyond words.

She grabbed He Ziqing’s arm, leaned in, and whispered, "You actually snagged Professor Qi?"

He Ziqing blushed and, under Xue Yue’s intense gaze, could only nod.

’But it wasn’t me who snagged him, it was him who snagged me,’ she thought. ’She was still a little muddled about the whole thing. She had accidentally kissed him once, and he insisted that she had taken advantage of him and had to take responsibility.’

’This trip to meet the parents was part of it. If she didn’t agree, he said she would be irresponsible, a hooligan. He had laid out a mountain of reasoning, and with her speaking skills, she stood no chance against him. So, with no other choice, she had brought him here.’

He Lang glared at Professor Qi, his expression unfriendly.

Mrs. He, on the other hand, greeted him enthusiastically.

"You must be Xiao Qi, right? Oh my, you should have just come yourself, why bring so many things? Please, sit down, sit down."

"How old are you? Where are you from? What do you do for work? Who do you have in your family?"

Mrs. He questioned him in detail while Xue Yue and the others just watched.

This time, Qi Mingyang wasn’t nearly as cold and aloof as he had been when they met at the university.

He answered very patiently, "Grandma, my name is Qi Mingyang. I’m 28 years old and from Beijing City. I currently teach at Beijing University. My grandparents and parents are all still healthy, and I have an older sister who is already married."