Chapter 587
“What… what should I do now? I’ve already promised. If I break up with him, the leader said that a relationship without the purpose of marriage is just fooling around, and his dad is the team leader. If I offend him, life will definitely be harder in the future.”
Su Xiaoxiao thought about it for a moment as she listened to her worries and realized that her concerns were valid.
She was about to leave, but for the educated youth, it would be another year and nine months before they could return to the city.
It wasn’t just about the resumption of the college entrance exams, and even if those educated youths could return to the city, it wasn’t an immediate process.
Those who weren’t married had to wait for each province and city to gradually allow their return, which could take at least two to three years, and in some cases, five to six years.
“This isn’t urgent. Let’s first check how your partner is perceived in other brigades. If there are problems, breaking up is totally understandable. Even if it’s not too bad, you should still think carefully about whether you really want to be with him. If not, we can figure out other solutions. There are always more solutions than problems,” Su Xiaoxiao said, holding Qian Siyu’s hand and gently patting her to comfort her.
Qian Siyu looked at the concerned faces of her friends, her eyes reddening with emotion.
“Thank you! Thank you!” she repeatedly expressed her gratitude.
“Okay, we’re all friends. No need for all these thanks,” Su Xiaoxiao smiled awkwardly.
The group ate and chatted together.
By around two in the afternoon, they finished their meal.
Jiang Yexun prepared some warm water and carefully washed her face and hands.
He took off her shoes and socks, gently placing them into a foot bath.
The water was a bit hot, and Su Xiaoxiao quickly curled her toes, pulling them back.
Looking at her smooth, fair little feet, Jiang Yexun held them gently in his hands and massaged them.
“I’ll add some cold water,” he suggested, his voice slightly hoarse.
But Su Xiaoxiao shook her little head, and her braids swayed.
“The foot bath should be hot. That’s how it can promote blood circulation. Sometimes you can add ginger or dried mugwort to drive out the dampness from the body.”
“Mugwort is only available around the Dragon Boat Festival. I’ll make sure to stock up on it, enough for a whole year. But I’ll go cut some ginger for you now,” Jiang Yexun said, getting up without hesitation as soon as he heard that it was something beneficial for his wife.
“It’s not urgent. We can add ginger later tonight. I just want to finish my bath and go to bed. We’ve been eating non-stop, and now I’m so sleepy,” Su Xiaoxiao quickly stopped him, yawning as she spoke.
Her eyes, with a faint pink tint, sparkled with moisture, looking like a little kitten in need of comfort.
Jiang Yexun wanted to hold her tightly in his arms and pamper her, but knowing that his little wife was carrying their child, he couldn’t bring himself to act in such a beastly way.
Finally, he restrained himself, set the basin down, and left the room.
After washing his hands and feet and brushing his teeth, he returned to the room.
At this point, Su Xiaoxiao was already deeply asleep.
Her porcelain-like face had a light blush, and her lips were slightly puckered, with her little tongue visible.
Jiang Yexun’s breath quickened.
He tiptoed into bed and carefully pulled Su Xiaoxiao into his arms.
After confirming that he hadn’t woken her up, he relaxed and closed his eyes.
The already deeply sleeping girl smelled his familiar scent and snuggled closer to him on his broad chest, finding the most comfortable position and falling back into a peaceful sleep.
When Su Xiaoxiao woke up again, Jiang Yexun was no longer in bed.
However, his scent still lingered on the pillow.
She hugged the pillow and rolled around on the bed, before slowly getting up and starting to get dressed.
Although Jiang Yexun and her mother-in-law were afraid she would catch a cold and had the fire wall and bed burning, Su Xiaoxiao was wearing more clothes than before.
After all, she was pregnant, and if she caught a cold, taking medicine would definitely affect the baby.
So her priority now was to take good care of herself.
“Mom, where’s Yexun?” Su Xiaoxiao asked, holding her belly, as she walked slowly to Aunt Guo, who was sitting by the corridor.
Aunt Guo hurriedly put down the clothes she was making, helped Su Xiaoxiao sit down, and smiled, “He said you had some questions to ask, so he went up the mountain to greet the old professor first. Then he’s going to call your parents and brother, as well as Grandpa Zhang, to check in. He’ll be back before dinner.”
Was it about the machine tools?
Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes brightened, remembering what she had discussed with her father earlier.
“Yexun is really proactive, and his memory is great. If I had to remember these things, it would probably take me at least half a month.” She said with some embarrassment.
Aunt Guo laughed nonchalantly. “What does it matter? Things can always be done slowly, as long as they’re done in the end. Moreover, he’s your husband. If he doesn’t take care of these matters, what’s the point of us women getting married?”
“You’re right, Mom!” Su Xiaoxiao sweetly agreed, then picked up the clothes from the table.
The clothes were so small, almost like they were made for a doll.
But the pure cotton fabric and cute embroidery made them look especially beautiful.
“Mom, your hands are really skillful,” Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but praise.
“These little duck ones are for your sister, and these little rabbit ones are for you. My grandson and granddaughter should wear new clothes. After all, we can afford these,” Aunt Guo said happily.
“Your sister is due next month. Since it’s still cold, I’ll make her a slightly thicker outer garment. You’ll be giving birth in October, and by then, we’ll be in Shanghai, but the weather won’t last long. After two weeks, those little clothes will have to be replaced with padded coats. Once I’ve made a few more sets, I’ll make shoes and socks for you.”
“Thanks for everything, Mom! Tomorrow, we’ll ask someone to buy some fabric, cotton, and yarn from the city,” Su Xiaoxiao said, wanting to help, but she was still quite busy.
Besides the machine tool research, she still hadn’t finalized the automatic reaper she had been working on.
Before leaving the Hong Feng Production Team, she needed to finish everything.
“I’ll go tomorrow. It’ll be a good excuse to visit your sister,” Aunt Guo said promptly.
Although she had just returned, she was eager to check on her daughter, who was about to give birth, and didn’t mind going anytime she had a moment.
“Alright, Mom, be careful when you go out. Since your sister is almost full term, you should avoid eating crabs, but take two fresh fish to her, and let her replenish her body.” Su Xiaoxiao suggested.
The fish they had caught today were mostly kept in the kitchen tank, and since both she and Jiang Yexun were skilled at catching small river fish, it wasn’t difficult for them.
“I won’t be polite, I’ll thank you on behalf of your sister,” Aunt Guo said with a smile, even more delighted.
The two of them chatted happily for a while when Jiang Yexun finally pushed open the door.
Su Xiaoxiao immediately stood up, her eyes fixed on him.
“How did it go? What did the old professor say?”
“I gave the professor some of your ideas. After carefully reading them, he thought your ideas were very feasible,” Jiang Yexun said with a bright smile, his face beaming with pride. “He immediately agreed to help with the research.”