Du Juan greeted Gao Dejian and then led Fang Meiyuan and Xu Qingning to the small private room next door.

The small private room has a small round table.

Four chairs.

The space is small, but it feels very cozy.

Du Juan was familiar with the people at the guesthouse. She asked Xu Qingning for a glass of water, saying she was worried that if she drank tea, she wouldn't be able to sleep well.

"Thank you, Teacher Du." Xu Qingning took the water glass and smiled. "Teacher Du is so thoughtful."

“We’ve been there, haven’t we?” Du Juan looked at Xu Qingning’s belly and asked her gently, “How many months pregnant are you?”

"It's been more than three months." Xu Qingning only remembered the approximate date; she didn't know the exact number of weeks.

"She'll give birth at the end of the year." Du Juan counted on her fingers, and Fang Meiyuan nodded. "Yes, yes, if we don't delay, it will be in the twelfth lunar month. If we delay, it will be in the first lunar month of next year."

Xu Qingning just smiled.

After they said that, she became a little nervous.

"Don't worry, Zhao Jingyu will be back soon." Fang Meiyuan patted Xu Qingning's hand. "Your family has a new member this year, so the New Year will be lively. That rascal Zhao Jingyu is a father now."

Xu Qingning laughed again. Even if Zhao Jingyu came back, she would still be the one giving birth. She should still be nervous.

It's unbelievable that someone who has never been in a serious relationship is getting pregnant and will soon become a mother.

“Yes, Jingyu is the same age as my Gaoyang. Gaoyang still doesn’t have a girlfriend, but Jingyu is about to become a father.” Du Juan also sighed, “My husband Gao likes Zhao Jingyu very much and praises him a lot at home.”

“Jingyu is a bit of a scoundrel, but he’s a good person and reliable,” Fang Meiyuan kept praising Zhao Jingyu. “We’re so happy that he found such a good wife.”

Xu Qingning felt embarrassed after hearing this.

Weren't we supposed to be talking about clothes?

As soon as they came in, they started talking about her belly and praising Zhao Jingyu. Women are all the same; no matter how high-ranking a leader is, they all love gossiping about these things.

"By the way, didn't you say last time that you were planning to introduce your niece to Zhao Jingyu? Zhao Jingyu is about to become a father, so why don't you consider my son?" Du Juan picked up the teapot and poured tea for Fang Meiyuan. "Let me tell you, I'm getting anxious."

“Your son just started college this year, and he’s already dating someone at school, so we don’t need to worry about it.” Fang Meiyuan glanced at Xu Qingning and smiled. “To be honest, it was my own idea to introduce my niece to someone, and she doesn’t even know what she’s thinking!”

"Then why don't you ask her!" Du Juan knew Fang Meiyuan's niece, Fang Yanni. Fang Yanni was a teacher at a government-run kindergarten. She was gentle and sweet-looking, and Du Juan liked her very much.

“Okay, I’ll ask her when I see her.” Fang Meiyuan couldn’t refuse, so she changed the subject and said to Xu Qingning, “I’m also planning to make a cheongsam to wear for National Day. When I buy the fabric, can you help me take a look and design a style? I’ll treat you to dinner.”

"Why don't we both make them together?" Du Juan then remembered the cheongsam and said to Xu Qingning, "Jingyu's wife, thank you for your hard work."

"I'm just helping with the design and cutting, it's no trouble at all, as long as you like it." Xu Qingning was happy to help them with this, it was a small favor, and it would also help her expand her network.

The important thing is that she gets along well with both of them and doesn't dislike them.

She is willing to make friends like that.

After Du Juan and Fang Meiyuan left with Xu Qingning, Xiao Tingshen comforted Tang Wenya: "Why do you have to argue with her? You know what kind of person she is, she dares to say anything."

"Do you know why she dared to say it, but I didn't?" Tang Wenya said angrily. "I did it to save face for you. Otherwise, do you think I'm afraid of her?"

If she were to argue with Xu Qingning in front of so many people, he would definitely stop her instead of taking her side. His parents, for the sake of face, would only try to keep the peace.

They might even blame her for not knowing the occasion.

"Alright, alright, it's all in the past, let's not bring it up again." Xiao Tingshen was also quite annoyed by these things. "The college entrance exam is over, even if you win the argument with Xu Qingning, what difference will it make?"

"I just can't swallow this." Tang Wenya was unwilling to always be on the winning side of Xu Qingning. She felt helpless, like she was punching cotton. She was both helpless and angry.

"Here, have some water and calm down." Xiao Tingshen considerately poured Tang Wenya a glass of water and whispered, "I'll come to your house tonight to keep you company. We haven't been together in a long time."

"You still remember you have a wife!" Tang Wenya's mood improved considerably upon hearing this, and she said coquettishly, "I thought you had forgotten about me!"

"How could that be!" Xiao Tingshen laughed and squeezed her hand. "I think about you every day."

Gao Yang listened to the young couple's whispered conversation, smiling without saying a word. Actually, he was quite amazed when he saw Xu Qingning tonight; he felt that she was different from before.

As for what was different, he couldn't say.

He wasn't a lecherous man, but because Xu Qingning was Zhao Jingyu's wife, he glanced at her a few more times and found her increasingly charming.

This charm lies somewhere between that of a young girl and a young woman; it can only be understood intuitively and cannot be described in words. He could not put it into words.

Liu Yuzhen sat outside for a while before returning to the private room. She was puzzled to find that Du Juan and the others were not there. Gao Yang understood and pointed to the next private room: "My mother and the others went over there."

Liu Yuzhen hesitated for a moment, but still sat down in her original seat.

She wouldn't get involved unless someone called her.

Tang Wenya, preoccupied with her work, whispered to Xiao Tingshen, "Ask Director Gao how the arrangements are going..."

If it works, great; if not, forget it.

What's with this suspense?

Xiao Tingshen then asked, "Director Gao, has the work of our company's meter readers been completed?"

"Oh dear, I'd completely forgotten about it if you hadn't mentioned it." Gao Dejian slapped his forehead. "Manager Fang told me this afternoon that she's already made the arrangements."

Tang Wenya: "..."

The leaders are unreliable!

"It's all arranged!" Xiao Tingshen's heart sank, but he smiled and said, "It's nothing, I was just asking casually."

"This is mainly my fault. I was in the provincial capital for a few days of meetings and didn't have time to think about it," Gao Dejian said dismissively. "Don't worry, our company still has openings. I'll let you know as soon as I find someone suitable."

"Thank you very much, Director Gao." Xiao Yaodong shook hands with Gao Dejian without making a sound. "I'm entrusting my daughter-in-law's job to you."

"No problem, no problem," Gao Dejian waved his hand. "It's nothing."

Xu Jianguo and Jiang Yumei listened without saying anything.

They thought that with Director Gao's status, arranging a meter reader would be a piece of cake, but who knew it would be a complete failure.

We've talked about everything we needed to talk about.

The group got up and dispersed.

Hearing that the other party had finished their gathering and chatting, Du Juan was the first to come out of the next room and greet everyone.

"I'll take you back." Fang Meiyuan took Xu Qingning's hand and said with a smile, "You're pregnant, so we all have to take care of you for Jingyu."

"No need, I live nearby, I can walk back myself." Xu Qingning was embarrassed to let Fang Meiyuan take her. Actually, the guesthouse was not far from the courtyard, only a seven or eight-minute walk.

As soon as the two stepped outside, they saw Yang Yuelan leading the two boys, waiting for her under the streetlight. Xu Qingning felt a warmth in her heart and immediately went over: "Mom, when did you arrive?"

"We just strolled over here," Yang Yuelan said, then invited Fang Meiyuan to come to her home for a visit.

Fang Meiyuan said no, and rode away on her bicycle.

Jiang Yumei, Xu Jianguo, Xiao Tingshen, and Tang Wenya emerged from the guesthouse one after another.

Upon seeing Yang Yuelan, Xu Jianguo quickened his pace, intending to go over and greet her.

Xu Qingning and Yang Yuelan took the two boys' hands and walked away without looking back.

Xu Jianguo stood there, speechless.

After their tender moments that night, Xiao Tingshen fell asleep, but Tang Wenya tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She couldn't help but use the system to ask, "Who stole the meter reader job?"

The system remained silent for a long time.

Tang Wenya asked again, "Didn't you hear me, or are you angry with me?"

Thank you for the monthly vote.

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I recommend a book by my good friend, "The First Female Judge of the Tang Dynasty." The author is full of energy, and those who enjoy ancient detective stories shouldn't miss it. Here's the link: