In the following days, Xue Yue didn’t see Gu Yuwei again. She did, however, see that man from Hong Kong once more. He came to her workplace regarding the same matter as before.

Xue Yue didn’t go to the meeting room, but she later heard that the higher-ups had already approved their plan to build a factory in Beijing City, though it still required further review.

Life went on like this, and in the blink of an eye, it was summer.

By June, Yang Wenxiu’s belly was already very large. Shitou didn’t dare let her continue working and wanted her to stay home to await childbirth, which was only natural.

Xue Yue bought some gifts and went to Shitou’s house.

This was Xue Yue’s first time visiting Shitou. She entered a courtyard where another family lived in the front. You had to walk down a small path to the back of the courtyard to reach Shitou’s house.

At that moment, Shitou’s mother was in the courtyard washing clothes, her hands ceaselessly scrubbing a garment on a washboard.

Xue Yue glanced around. The courtyard seemed big enough. It was fitted with two sinks, each with a faucet above it.

"Auntie!"

Shitou’s mother looked up, and her face immediately broke into a smile.

"Oh my, it’s Third Brother’s wife."

As she spoke, she stood up, her hands still dripping with water. She casually wiped them on her clothes.

"Quick, come inside."

Xue Yue smiled and asked, "Auntie, are you getting used to living here?"

Shitou’s mother nodded. "Yes, yes, I’m used to it. Even back home, I wasn’t one for gossiping outside. Now that life is good and we don’t have to worry about food or drink, every day is a good day."

Hearing the voices, Yang Wenxiu came out from the room.

Seeing it was Xue Yue, she said with pleasant surprise, "Xue Yue, you’re here."

Xue Yue looked at her. She was wearing a loose, long dress, and her belly was very large.

"I came to see you. Your belly has gotten much bigger."

Yang Wenxiu caressed her belly, her face full of joy. "It has gotten bigger. I can’t wear pants at all anymore. Thank goodness it’s summer."

Inside the house was a living room. A narrow sofa was placed against the left wall. Opposite the sofa was a cabinet with some items on it. A mirror with a floral pattern hung on the wall, with a few old photos tucked into its frame.

Xue Yue glanced at them. One of them seemed to be Shitou’s father, as he was wearing a military uniform and looked quite a bit like Shitou.

Shitou’s mother came in and poured Xue Yue a glass of water.

"Have some water. Are your mother and the others doing well? I don’t dare to wander around outside by myself; I’m afraid I’ll get lost."

Xue Yue sat down on the sofa. "They’re doing great. She still mentions you often."

Shitou’s mother smiled.

Xue Yue asked about Yang Wenxiu’s due date.

"In the middle of next month."

Xue Yue said, "When the time comes, if you need us for anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. Shitou knows our home phone number. Just call if anything comes up."

Yang Wenxiu nodded.

Shitou’s mother sat down as well.

"Now that Xiu’er’s belly is big, it’s inconvenient for her to work. Is the clothing store managing alright?"

Xue Yue said, "It’s fine. We transferred someone over from the supermarket to help."

Yang Wenxiu asked Xue Yue a little sheepishly, "After I have the baby, can I still come back?"

Xue Yue looked at her. "What are you talking about? Of course you can. Don’t be in a rush. After you have the baby, take some time to rest and recover properly. You can come back whenever you want."

Yang Wenxiu finally let out a sigh of relief. The work at the clothing store was easy, the pay was good, and she had gotten used to it. She had been worried that if she left, the store would definitely hire someone new, and there wouldn’t be a spot for her when she wanted to return. Hearing Xue Yue say this, her heart filled with gratitude for Xue Yue and her husband.

After sitting for a little while longer, Xue Yue got ready to leave.

Shitou’s mother walked her to the door, taking Xue Yue’s hand and patting it.

"Xiu’er was worried you wouldn’t want her back after she had the baby. Thank you. This old woman doesn’t even know what to say. You and Third Brother are our family’s benefactors."

Xue Yue smiled. "Auntie, there’s no need for such words between our two families. We’ll be seeing a lot of each other for a long time to come."

Shitou’s mother nodded. "Yes, yes."

Xue Yue took a car home. Not long after, Zhang Qian came running over in a hurry.

Xue Yue had rarely seen Zhang Qian look so panicked.

Xue Yue quickly asked, "What’s wrong?"

Zhang Qian’s eyes were red as she gripped Xue Yue’s hand.

"Yue’er, I just got a call from my mom. She said something happened to my dad and he’s in the hospital. She told me to come back right away. I can’t wait for your brother to get home. I have to rush to the train station now. Please tell your brother for me. If he can get time off, have him take leave and come too. I’ll have to ask you guys to watch the child for a few days."

Xue Yue frowned. "Is Uncle sick?"

Zhang Qian shook her head frantically. "On the phone, my mom was crying and couldn’t explain clearly. There’s no time, I have to go catch my train."

Zhang Qian turned and ran out, calling back a reminder to Xue Yue, "Remember to tell your brother!"

Xue Yue nodded and said she would, and even ran after Zhang Qian to the doorway.

Zhang Qian was already running into the distance.

Xue Yue stood at the door, stunned for a moment. Then she hurried back inside, grabbed her bag, and said a quick word to Mrs. He.

She quickly left the house and went to the police station.

The police station in Beijing City was huge. She was stopped by the gate guard at the entrance.

"I’m looking for Xue Xingzhou. It’s urgent. Can you please call him for me? I’m his sister."

The guard sized Xue Yue up for a moment. "Just wait here. I’ll go get him for you."

A few moments later, Xue Xingzhou came out from inside.

Xue Yue waved to him. "Big Brother."

Xue Xingzhou walked quickly toward Xue Yue.

"Yue’er."

Xue Yue quickly told him, "Sister-in-law’s family called. They said her dad is in the hospital. She couldn’t wait for you and has already rushed to the train station."

The color drained from Xue Xingzhou’s face. "Master..."

Xue Xingzhou said to Xue Yue, "Wait for me for a second. I’m going to request leave."

Xue Yue nodded.

Once Xue Xingzhou came out after getting his leave approved, the siblings went home.

Xue Xingzhou spoke to the family’s cook and sent her home.

Xue Yue held onto Tun Tun while Xue Xingzhou started packing.

"Big Brother, don’t take Tun Tun with you. I’ll have my mother-in-law watch him. If that doesn’t work, I’ll take a few days off. It’ll be inconvenient for you to have him along."

After he finished packing, Xue Xingzhou squatted down and said to Tun Tun, "Daddy and Mommy have to go away for a few days. Will you stay with Auntie for a little while, okay?"

Tun Tun looked at Xue Xingzhou, seemed to hesitate, and then slowly nodded.

Xue Xingzhou patted his head. "Good boy. We’ll be back as soon as we’ve taken care of things."

Then he said to Xue Yue, "Xing Jun has a key to the house. Let him know, and tell him to go to your place for dinner. I’ve already packed Tun Tun’s things. I’ll bring them over to you in a bit."

"Don’t worry. About your master—if his condition is serious, you should bring him to Beijing City."

Xue Xingzhou nodded.

After taking Xue Yue and Tun Tun back, Xue Xingzhou left to catch his train.

He bought a ticket for the next train back to Black Province, but it wouldn’t depart for another hour. Xue Xingzhou searched around the train station and finally found Zhang Qian in a corner, staring blankly at the ground.