Zhang Xuemei didn't stop her. She figured she could talk to her about it in detail when they got home. There were too many people around in the store right now, so it was better not to say anything.

However, plans can't keep up with changes. Before it was time to leave work, Xu Minghan walked into the store with a serious expression and pulled Zhang Xuemei aside, saying, "Xuemei, go to your sister-in-law's place and see if she needs any help. Also, pick up Xiaowen and bring her back to stay for a few days."

Zhang Xuemei's heart skipped a beat, and she asked in a trembling voice, "Minghan, has something happened?"

"No, what are you thinking? Anyway, go ahead and pack a few clothes for Xiaowen while you're at it." Xu Minghan didn't know what to say, so he could only signal his wife to hurry up.

When Zhang Xuemei arrived, she saw a suitcase in her sister-in-law's living room and a large schoolbag on the floor.

"Sister-in-law, what's wrong?"

"Xuemei, you've come at the right time. These are Xiaowen's clothes. You can take them back with you later. I might need you to take care of him for about ten days. Your older brother is sending me to a border province." As soon as Zhang Xuemei arrived, Zhou Nianmei immediately handed her a large schoolbag from the bed.

"Sister-in-law, has your uncle made arrangements? Is it really okay to go like this?" Zhang Xuemei was still a little worried. It's so far away, and if something happens, they won't be able to make it in time.

"Yes, my uncle said he would stay at his house over there. He told everyone he was there to help out. And since the place he's staying is in is remote, they don't keep a close watch on him. It'll be fine."

“Yes, we’ve already bought the train tickets. It’s a coincidence that there are still tickets available for the train to the border province at 7 p.m. tonight. We’re leaving right away. You can have Xiaowen here; this is his living expenses for the next few days.” As Xu Mingri spoke, he took out several hundred-yuan bills from his pocket and handed them to Zhang Xuemei.

Zhang Xuemei pushed his hand away, frowned, and said, "Brother, what are you doing? How many meals can Xiaowen eat? Living expenses? What do you take me for? Xiaowen calls me Third Aunt, how can I take your money?"

"No, Xuemei, that's not what your brother meant," Zhou Nianmei quickly explained when she saw her sister-in-law was angry.

"Yes, yes, that's what I wanted to do..."

"Alright, brother and sister-in-law, I definitely don't want the money. Here, this is for my sister-in-law, you must accept it. My sister-in-law is so far away in the border province, and I can't visit her. Keep this money to buy some supplements."

Zhang Xuemei had already decided on her way here that she would give her sister-in-law five hundred yuan as a token of her goodwill. Although she was staying at a relative's house, she was still living under someone else's roof, and having her own money would give her more confidence.

Zhou Nianmei also pushed the money back, saying, "You don't even charge Xiaowen for her meals, so why would I charge you? Don't worry, I'll bring you money tomorrow. Besides, it's at my uncle's house, so you wouldn't let me suffer a loss."

"That's not how it works. It's your business if you have it, but I'm giving it to you out of goodwill. You should just accept it. That's what Minghan means too."

Zhang Xuemei insisted on stuffing the money into Zhou Nianmei's pocket, then looked at her brother-in-law and said, "Brother, you still need to take care of your sister-in-law and brother-in-law's families. When you get there, give them money and buy them things. It's never wrong to be polite."

“No need for that. He’s my own uncle. A little money for food will do,” Zhou Nianmei said before her husband could answer.

Xu Mingri seemed to be deep in thought. “Xuemei’s words make sense. I will be coming back after you get there, and I will have to rely on your aunt to take care of you. It’s always good to be polite, and we should still spend the money we need to spend.”

"Yes, that's what I mean. We live far away, so let's just consider it spending a little money for peace of mind. Also, brother, you need to talk to your sister-in-law and aunt in advance so that they can take your sister-in-law to the hospital as soon as she shows any signs of labor. Don't try to deliver the baby at home yourself."

Zhang Xuemei knows that many people still give birth at home, just like Linlin was born at home in her previous life. Although nothing happened, she still thinks about it now and feels that she was very brave. If something had happened to her, there would have been no way to save her.

"I haven't thought about that yet, and I don't know how far the hospital is over there."

"Anyway, we have to consider these things. If the money isn't right, just say so. Your sister-in-law and the children are the most important."

Zhang Xuemei also sincerely hoped that her sister-in-law's baby would be born, and wondered if it would be the little girl her sister-in-law had been longing for!

"Okay, we understand what you're saying. It's getting late, so we'll head to the train station." Xu Mingri glanced at his watch; it was 4:30 now. Getting there early would put his mind at ease.

"Okay, do you need me to go with you?"

"No need, Xuemei. You can talk to Xiaowen properly when you pick him up. We didn't have time to talk to him this morning because we were afraid he would be scared."

Zhou Nianmei was afraid her son would let something slip, so she didn't tell him when she got home last night. Now she's been gone for over a year, and she hopes her son won't blame her as his mother.

"Don't worry, sister-in-law, Xiaowen will understand. You two go quickly!"

At the school gate, Zhang Xuemei spotted Xu Dingwen and Xu Dingkai immediately and waved to them with a smile, saying, "Xiaowen and Xiaokai, over here."

Two children, carrying large schoolbags, ran straight over and asked with smiles, "Third Aunt, did you go out for a nice meal again today?"

"You two little gluttons, your third aunt will cook you something delicious when we get back." Zhang Xuemei said, taking the schoolbags from their backs and carrying them in her hands.

Xu Dingwen looked at Zhang Xuemei with curiosity and asked, "Third Aunt, why are you picking us up today? Where's my mother? Is her stomach still upset?"

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Xuemei squatted down and whispered, "Xiaowen, your parents have some business to attend to back in the village. Would you like to stay at your aunt's house for the next few days?"

"So, am I also staying at your house, Auntie?" Xu Dingkai asked Zhang Xuemei with a cheerful smile.

Zhang Xuemei gently tapped his forehead. "After you finish eating at your third aunt's house, wait for your father to pick you up and take you home to sleep."

Okay~

That evening, Xu Minghan tiptoed out of the back room and saw his wife and younger sister talking together.

What are you talking about?

Zhang Xuemei glanced at him and asked softly, "Is Xiaowen asleep?"

"She fell asleep, but before she went to sleep she asked me when her parents were coming back. How long can you keep this a secret?"

"We'll have to wait for my older brother to come back and talk to Xiaowen himself. But Xiaowen is old enough to understand if we talk to him properly. The main thing is to stop him from talking nonsense outside." Zhang Xuemei felt that a seven or eight-year-old child like him would understand the seriousness of the matter if we talked to him properly.

Xu Mingwan sighed, "Luckily, my sister-in-law found out early, otherwise her belly would have gotten so big that even taking the train would have been difficult."

As soon as they finished speaking, they noticed a tiny figure standing at the doorway, staring straight at them.

"Whoa, when did you come out? You scared me to death, you didn't even say a word." Xu Mingwan was so startled that she jumped up from the sofa.