Xie Mingzhu counted on her fingers, as if reciting a familiar story: "Oh right, isn't Huang's father next door a craftsman? I made two outfits for them. Because I'm good at craftsmanship, I saved a lot of fabric. I also used the saved fabric to make one for her father, and I also made him a pair of arm warmers."

“His dad was overjoyed and said he didn’t know how to thank me, so he had a cabinet made and delivered to me and Qingqing the very next day.”

"That cabinet is right here in my room. Go take a look sometime; it's exquisitely made!"

"I've saved up all these vegetables, brown sugar, and grain coupons. If you want anything to eat, just tell me, and I'll make sure you get plenty."

"And another thing, the other day Aunt Pang introduced me to her sister-in-law Li Lanlan, who works at the food station."

"I was thinking that since you're pregnant with my nephew and niece, you need to supplement your nutrition, so I asked Li Lanlan to buy some big bones and lard. They're sitting in our kitchen now, and they smell so good!"

"If you get hungry later tonight, just let me know, and I'll cook you a pot of pork rib noodles with some side dishes and that pork bone broth to help you recover!"

After talking with Xie Mingzhu for a long time, Shu Ying's mood was also affected by her, and she became much more relaxed.

Surprisingly, the subsequent information was read very smoothly.

The next morning, Shu Ying got up at five o'clock.

She first went to check on Yangyang and Yueyue's room, where the two children were still fast asleep.

She tiptoed out first, changed into the uniform, and prepared for today's meeting.

As she tidied herself in front of the mirror, Shu Ying breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing her relatively flat stomach.

Fortunately, she's not showing much of a pregnancy yet, so this outfit doesn't look too bad on her.

In addition, she deliberately chose a loose size, and when she put on this outfit, she looked capable and refreshing.

Fortunately, as long as we don't embarrass the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that's fine.

After getting dressed, seeing that there was still time, Shu Ying tiptoed downstairs to prepare breakfast for the whole family.

Since she became pregnant, the whole family has treated her like a fragile treasure, especially Xie Mingzhu, who took over all the cooking and other chores, giving her no chance at all.

Shu Ying was both amused and exasperated.

Actually, she is still in the early stages of pregnancy. Let alone cooking, moderate running and jumping won't affect her.

Unfortunately, I couldn't persuade Xie Mingzhu otherwise.

Even when she told Xie Mingzhu last night that she didn't need to get up to take care of herself this morning, Xie Mingzhu only reluctantly agreed.

Thinking about it, Shu Ying smiled helplessly and shook her head.

These family members are all so good to her, and she wants to cook a good meal for them while she can still cook.

Shu Ying was thinking when she realized she had already reached the bottom of the stairs.

As she was about to walk to the kitchen, she heard a clanging sound coming from inside the closed kitchen door.

Shu Ying was taken aback.

Could Xie Mingzhu already be cooking?

Shu Ying quickened her pace and was about to push the door open when it suddenly opened from the inside.

Xie Mingzhu came out with a plate in each hand, her face showing the same cautiousness as Shu Ying's, glancing upstairs as she walked.

It was as if she was afraid of being discovered by Shu Ying.

When he looked up, his eyes met Shu Ying's.

Xie Mingzhu paused for a moment, then chuckled awkwardly, as if she had been caught doing something wrong.

"Yingying, you woke up so early?"

Xie Mingzhu straightened her back a little guiltily and placed the steamed buns and shortbread on the table as if nothing had happened.

"Yingying, stop standing there and wash your hands so we can eat."

Shu Ying, feeling both amused and touched, stepped forward and hugged Xie Mingzhu.

"Sister, you're too good to me. You don't have to work so hard. I'm still in my early pregnancy, so cooking a meal is no problem."

Xie Mingzhu immediately became serious when this was mentioned.

"How can it be nothing? Your health is a major concern for our family, and I won't allow even the slightest accident to happen."

"What if you accidentally slip and fall in the kitchen, or if one of the plates or bowls breaks and you get cut?"

"Also, the corner of that kitchen table is very sharp. What if you accidentally bump into it, or hit your stomach?"

"This is your second pregnancy, and it could very well be triplets. It's going to be so tough. Regardless of the babies' condition, if anything happens to you, given your health..."

Shu Ying chuckled and retorted, "Sister, why do you sound just like my mom?"

Xie Mingzhu's serious expression instantly turned into a smile. She reached out and pinched Shu Ying's nose, then simply went along with it.

"I'd love to! And you know what, taking care of you is just like taking care of my own daughter, which makes me quite happy and gives me a sense of accomplishment."

"My dear daughter~"

As she spoke, she patted Shuying's head like a child.

Shu Ying chuckled and covered Xie Mingzhu's mouth: "Sister, you can't let anyone else hear you say that. Our parents are still at the base. If you say this while they're not around, are you plotting to usurp the throne?"

"Be careful, your parents might find out and come straight back from the base to beat you up!"

Xie Mingzhu stuck out her tongue, and the two of them laughed happily.

When Shu Ying finished eating and tidied everything up before officially leaving, the car was already waiting in front of the door.

Upon arriving at the venue by car, Zhou Weizhou smiled and greeted Shu Ying as soon as he got out of the car.

Du Zhiwei rolled her eyes at Shu Ying, but said nothing, as if she hadn't seen her at all.

Shu Ying was too lazy to argue with her and treated her like air.

After exchanging a few words with Zhou Weizhou, Director Wu arrived shortly afterward with several colleagues, including Shi Yiwei and Shen Xin.

Director Wu greeted him with a smile.

"I'm so sorry I'm a little late. I'm sure everyone has been waiting."

Shu Ying smiled and said, "But if we can see Director Wu's amazing speech later, all the waiting will be worthwhile."

Du Zhiwei rolled her eyes silently from behind.

"You're so good with words!"

Shu Ying pretended not to hear and made a few jokes with her colleagues, and the atmosphere quickly became relaxed.

"Alright everyone, get ready, we'll be able to enter in two minutes!"

Director Wu smiled and said something, then turned to confirm the details with the staff at the venue.

The surrounding colleagues began to take one last look at the materials in their hands and make final preparations.

Du Zhiwei glanced in Shu Ying's direction.

Seeing that Shu Ying had no expression and was carefully examining the documents, she immediately curled her lip and sneered.

You can tell he's nervous just by looking at him.

Pshaw, she pretends to be relaxed and cheerful on the surface, as if nothing can stump her, but that's all she's capable of.

I don't know how Director Wu dared to entrust such an important task to this outsider who only started out in this field.

"Do you really think that by learning a foreign language on your own in a short period of time, you can reach the level of simultaneous interpreting?"

"There are many intricacies involved here; it's not as simple as it seems."

"How can someone who hasn't received professional training possibly reach the same level as someone who has received professional training in a short period of time?"

"Does he really think he can steal the spotlight today? He's got some nerve, taking on any kind of mission."