Originally, Yi Mengling thought having to apologize was embarrassing enough, but she never imagined she’d also have to write a self-criticism and read it aloud in public. She couldn’t bear to think about how her colleagues at the research institute would view her afterward.
As the loudspeaker announcement ended, Yang Yufen left, satisfied.
Having already experienced the cafeteria food at the research institute, Yang Yufen knew meals could be delivered inside, so she began preparing and sending lunches daily.
"Mom, you don’t need to go through so much trouble. The cafeteria food is decent," Qin Nian said, not wanting her mother-in-law to overexert herself.
Yang Yufen merely nodded, observing how her daughter-in-law’s complexion had improved compared to before, and continued her routine of delivering meals.
No matter how good the cafeteria food was, it hadn’t put any meat on Qin Nian’s bones. Yang Yufen’s home-cooked meals were far better—though the two hens weren’t laying as many eggs lately. Fortunately, she still had meat ration coupons to secure some protein.
Qin Nian’s lab work had seen a major breakthrough, turning what she initially thought would be a two-week stretch of busy work into nearly two months of nonstop effort, from autumn well into winter.
But the results were worth celebrating. The entire lab team was overjoyed.
"You’ve all done exceptionally well. Take three days off, then return immediately—we’ll begin the next phase of experiments," Dean Hu declared.
The elated team nearly lifted Dean Hu in celebration, but they restrained themselves, worried the elderly man’s frail frame might not withstand their enthusiasm.
"I’m sleeping for three days straight!"
"Same here!"
"I need to buy winter clothes—Nian, want to come along?" Xiao Ranran sidled up to Qin Nian.
Qin Nian hesitated, then shook her head. "I’m planning to take my mother-in-law out instead. She’s been taking care of me since she arrived, and I haven’t even shown her around yet."
Besides, her newlywed husband had been away on assignment for two months now without a single word. She’d been too preoccupied with work to dwell on it, but she could only imagine how anxious her mother-in-law must be.
Meanwhile, the supposedly anxious Yang Yufen was currently feeding chicks in the greenhouse.
"Your chicks are thriving! Look how plump they are—such a cheerful sight," remarked Aunt Liu, who had dropped by for a visit.
The chicks, once no bigger than a child’s fist, had now grown to nearly two pounds each. Their cages had been upgraded repeatedly, and the accumulated chicken manure not only fertilized the soil but also helped maintain warmth in the greenhouse.
Out of thirty chicks, only five had been lost—an impressively high survival rate.
Yang Yufen had helped Aunt Liu set up a small greenhouse too, though Aunt Liu used most of her plot for potatoes, reserving only a corner for vegetables.
"You’ve got a real green thumb—your vegetables are much healthier than mine."
"It’s all thanks to good fertilizer and Sister Wang’s guidance," Yang Yufen replied modestly.
She had been collecting wilted vegetable scraps from the market, chopping them up and mixing them with bran and rice husks to feed the chickens. Though the daily trips to the market were tiring, Yang Yufen didn’t mind—early birds got the best pickings.
Outside the greenhouse, she had also planted a new variety of potatoes provided by Sister Wang, who claimed her son had developed them. They were testing the yield together.
"Mom, I’m home."
Yang Yufen, who had been about to whip up a simple bowl of noodles, cracked two eggs into the boiling water without hesitation upon hearing Qin Nian’s voice.
"I’m in the kitchen."
Qin Nian parked her bicycle and hurried inside, shivering from the cold ride.
"You’re back early today. Keep an eye on the stove—I’ll pick some greens."
Before Qin Nian could respond, Yang Yufen, dressed only in a thin jacket despite the cold, was already out the door.
Watching her mother-in-law’s retreating figure, Qin Nian made a mental note to buy her winter clothes—the season here was unforgiving.
By the time she finished the thought, Yang Yufen was back with a handful of greens. She rinsed them swiftly, tossed them into the nearly ready noodles, and finished with a drizzle of sesame oil.
"Mom, I can’t eat two eggs—have one."
"I boiled three. Eat."
Yang Yufen wouldn’t hear any protests. She fished out the egg from her own bowl and started eating.
Qin Nian obediently dug in. The steaming hot noodles were perfect for warming her stomach.
Halfway through, she realized with surprise that she had polished off both eggs and the entire bowl of noodles—even the broth. Her appetite had grown significantly. No, not just grown—it had doubled.
Yet her stomach felt comfortably full, not stuffed.
"Use warm water to wash the dishes."
Yang Yufen didn’t fight Qin Nian over chores but reminded her gently.
Qin Nian noticed another thermos had been added to the household, making hot water more accessible.
"Mom, I’ve got three days off. Let me take you out tomorrow—you’ve been here so long, and I still haven’t shown you around."
"Alright."
Qin Nian had braced herself for resistance, but Yang Yufen agreed readily.
"But I need to feed the chickens in the morning. Can we leave at nine?"
Yang Yufen had something in mind—Qin Nian’s break was perfect timing.
"Sure. I’ll help you in the morning."
"No need. Wash up, soak your feet, and rest early. I’m used to doing things alone—don’t like having people underfoot."
Yang Yufen tidied the kitchen briskly.
Qin Nian could only nod in agreement.
Exhausted from prolonged stress, Qin Nian slept soundly and woke to find it was already 8:30 a.m. She scrambled out of bed, dressing hurriedly.
"Mom."
She felt a little embarrassed.
"You should’ve slept longer. But since you’re up, let’s eat."
Qin Nian nodded, sitting down to breakfast without even washing her face.
She had intended to take her mother-in-law out on her bicycle, but Yang Yufen had borrowed a three-wheeled cart with an oilcloth canopy instead.
"Hop in the back. We need to hurry—they’ll be off work soon."
Yang Yufen stayed firmly in the driver’s seat, urging Qin Nian to board.
Qin Nian climbed into the cart, sheltered from the biting wind by the canopy. As the cart started moving, it dawned on her—she was supposed to be the one taking her mother-in-law out, yet here she was, being taken somewhere. And where exactly were they going?
Yang Yufen’s destination was clear: the Third People’s Hospital.
"Mom, are you feeling unwell?"
"No. We’re here for you. Don’t ask—just follow."
After months together, Yang Yufen had learned Qin Nian’s temperament well. Outside work, Qin Nian was indecisive, easily swayed by a firmer hand.
True to form, Qin Nian trailed behind silently, only realizing what was happening when the doctor handed her a slip for a blood test.
As she waited for the results, she glanced at her mother-in-law, then lowered her head, resting a hand on her abdomen.
Her periods had always been irregular.
Would this disappoint Yang Yufen? Would she pack up and return to the village?
