Su Xiulan burst into tears from the pain. She covered her ears and pleaded with her mother-in-law, "That was given to me by my mother. I didn't hide any money. It was originally mine."

"I'm carrying your Zhao family's grandson in my belly; I'm saving this money for when I give birth."

Just then, Ye Jianguo arrived and stood between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to smooth things over: "Mother, Xiulan is pregnant with your grandson. She has been diligent and hardworking for many years. I believe she would not do such a thing."

Su Xiulan gripped Ye Jianguo's sleeve tightly, wiping away her tears as she explained, "Jianguo, that two hundred yuan was for my mother to buy me milk powder. I really didn't secretly hide any money. You know me, I really didn't..."

Ye Jianguo gently patted Su Xiulan's hand, soothing her tenderly: "I believe you. I know you're not that kind of person."

Then, he turned to Grandma Zhao and said, "Mom, you've received the money. It was compensation from the supply and marketing cooperative yesterday. It's getting late, you should get some rest."

As Su Xiulan watched Ye Jianguo gently coax Old Lady Zhao back to her room, she couldn't help but shed tears silently.

In this family, if it weren't for Ye Jianguo protecting and believing in me, I really don't know what I would do.

She lowered her head and stroked her belly, when suddenly a bulge appeared on her skin. Su Xiulan was both surprised and delighted; it was her baby kicking her!

She quickly wiped away her tears and followed behind, wanting to tell Ye Jianguo the good news.

The door to Grandma Zhao's room was ajar, and the two people's hushed voices were clearly audible in the quiet night.

Ye Jianguo said, "Mother, we just agreed that you would give me half the money to buy tonics for your great grandson to improve his health."

Now that Xiulan is further along in her pregnancy, please don't be so harsh on her all the time. It would be a waste if she harmed her health.

Old Mrs. Zhao's sarcastic voice rang out: "How could you be so delicate? When I was pregnant with you, I still managed to keep the house in perfect order even with my big belly."

She's so spoiled, huh!

"Here's four hundred. Buy some nice things for my grandson. I'll keep the rest for you; we'll need the money for many things in the future."

Upon hearing this, Su Xiulan's tears flowed uncontrollably again. She touched her belly, thinking that as long as she gave birth to a son, everything would be alright.

She knew that Old Lady Zhao had been longing for a grandson, and now that she was finally pregnant, she was determined to give birth to a golden grandson.

Back in the bathroom, Su Xiulan sat on a low stool and continued to scrub the clothes she hadn't finished washing.

Ye Jianguo walked in, helped her up, his face full of heartache: "Xiulan, don't wash the clothes, I'll do it. You go back to your room and rest."

Su Xiulan felt a surge of grievances welling up inside her again. She held Ye Jianguo's shoulder and cried, "Jianguo, thank goodness for you. Otherwise, I wouldn't know how to explain to my mother-in-law."

Ye Jianguo helped her sit on the edge of the bed, took out ten yuan from his pocket, and put it in her hand with a smile: "This is from my mother. Take it and use it to buy some good things to nourish your body. Your health is the most important thing right now."

Seeing the ten yuan in her hand, Su Xiulan was stunned. She had thought that Ye Jianguo would at least return the two hundred yuan to her.

She stared blankly at the money in her hand, so lost in thought that she didn't even notice Ye Jianguo leaving.

Didn't Grandma Zhao give him four hundred yuan?

Wasn't she going to buy some good supplements for her grandson?

Why did you only give yourself ten yuan?

And that two hundred yuan, which was clearly given to him by his own mother, Ye Jianguo knew that too.

But now...

Su Xiulan felt like she had a thorn stuck in her throat. She tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep. Looking at the sleeping Ye Jianguo, she couldn't bring herself to ask him the question.

She thought of all the care Ye Jianguo had shown her and kept making excuses for him, saying that he wasn't that kind of person.

He must be going to buy things to nourish himself, and he's afraid that if he leaves them with me, I'll end up giving money to my family.

That must be it.

*

Meng Shuyun and Su Xiuju set off for the train station early in the morning. There were many people rushing to catch the train, and the fifty masks they brought were sold out within two hours.

He earned 25 yuan in just one morning, which is equivalent to a month's income for an average worker.

Making masks doesn't require much technical skill. Today, Meng Shuyun noticed that many people were staring at them, realizing that in a few days, they wouldn't be the only ones selling masks here.

This is not a long-term solution; we need to find another way to make a living.

Su Xiuju carefully noted down the train numbers and broadcast times in her small notebook. When she saw Meng Shuyun coming over, she sweetly called out, "Mom!"

Looking at the smile in Su Xiuju's eyes, Meng Shuyun felt quite gratified. She smiled and said, "Let's go to the black market later to see if there are any second-hand sewing machines for sale. It would be best to also buy a bicycle so we can save two yuan on travel expenses."

Before the mother and daughter even reached the entrance to the black market, they encountered Li Dashun, who was riding a bicycle and sweating profusely.

He hurriedly got out of the car and said, "Mom, I was just about to go look for you, but I didn't expect to run into you here."

Seeing that he was panting heavily, as if he were being chased by a ghost, Meng Shuyun handed him a glass of water: "Have some water first, talk slowly, no rush."

Li Dashun gulped down the water, his gaze first sweeping over Su Xiuju, then looking at Meng Shuyun, hesitating for a moment, unsure whether he should speak.

Seeing this, Meng Shuyun gently patted his forehead: "Say what you have to say quickly. There's nothing that Xiuju can't hear."

Su Xiuju was very good at reading people's expressions and knew that her mother didn't want her to listen. She was about to leave when she heard her mother's words and was deeply moved.

Li Dashun took a slip of paper out of his pocket, handed it to Meng Shuyun, and spoke hesitantly.

This morning, my second sister left for work with red eyes.

The woman Ye Jianguo was keeping outside lived there...

Their neighbor, Ye Jianguo, bought a lot of health supplements and delivered them to their door today; he's still there and hasn't come out yet.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!