As for Zhang Hongmei and her group of eight, Xiao Li knew where the restaurant was, so he led the way.

"Honey, are you feeling better now?"

"Of course, Chen Sheng was exceptionally kind to us. He was truly a responsible teacher for graduating classes."

"Your teacher is indeed quite good."

"Right? He teaches politics. Back then, I felt that he was wasting his talents as a teacher."

"Hehe, but he doesn't think so. Teaching you and Song Zigan is his lifelong pride."

"Hehe, that's true. My sister Er Ya and brother Zhu Zi are also good."

"So, he is most accomplished as a teacher."

"Sir, Madam, we've arrived. Liu Baoguo's truck is parked outside."

The two didn't get out of the car immediately; the bodyguards had already gone into the restaurant. A little while later, Er Lengzi followed them out, followed by eleven other people from Liujiatun who worked in the city.

Zhang Shouyi got out of the car first, and then they all gathered around. Especially Liu Jianguo. "Hongmei, you're finally back. I've already found you a sister-in-law."

"Brother Jianguo, why didn't you invite my sister-in-law to come along?" the group said as they walked into the restaurant.

"She's pregnant, her belly is too big, so she's staying at home. Hongmei, I bought a house in the city, I'll go home and check it out later."

Zhang Hongmei nodded. "Okay, go see my sister-in-law."

Er Lengzi had already ordered the food. It was just a few dishes, but it was much better than a few years ago. At least now you have money to eat refined grains and meat.

They occupied half of the restaurant, with Zhang Hongmei and Zhang Shouyi sitting inside.

Actually, the bodyguards didn't want to be here, but the leader always listened to his wife, so no one dared to object. Fortunately, this small city was relatively peaceful.

Zhang Hongmei also felt a little regretful; she should have bought food and gone home to eat. But leaving now felt inappropriate. She decided to stay and eat quickly so she could go home and catch up with her old friends.

All ten people greeted Zhang Hongmei. Dashan used to be the most active, but now he was the most silent.

"Let's finish eating and then leave. You can go to work, and I'll go home. If you want to go home today, that's fine too; there are plenty of seats on the big truck."

Erlinzi was still as talkative as ever. "Hongmei, with such a great opportunity, we've all discussed it and decided to go back together."

"Hehe, okay then, let Er Lengzi pick you up after get off work. I'll pick up Shi Tou and San Ya. I'm having dinner at Da Shan's house tonight."

Twenty minutes later, everyone finished eating. Er Lengzi escorted ten of them back to the power supply bureau, while Zhang Hongmei went to Liu Jianguo's house.

Liu Jianguo is truly a doting husband, and their relationship must be very good. Before leaving the restaurant, he even bought his wife some stewed meat.

"Hongmei, Brother Zhang, please come in."

Hearing the commotion outside, Liu Jianguo's wife, Yao Yufang, came out with her pregnant belly.

“Yu Fang, slow down. This is my sister Zhang Hongmei, and this is my brother-in-law Zhang Shouyi. Hongmei, this is your sister-in-law Yao Yufang.”

Zhang Hongmei had a good impression of Yao Yufang; her round face made her very popular.

"Little sister, your brother keeps talking about you, brother-in-law, come inside quickly."

Zhang Hongmei smiled as she heard the couple address Zhang Shouyi.

Only Xiao Li and Su Chen carried the things and accompanied them inside. The remaining four got out of the car, walked around the neighborhood for a while, and then returned to the courtyard to wait.

Yao Yufang was a very outgoing person. She pulled Zhang Hongmei into the house without any restraint or awkwardness.

"Sister-in-law, how many months pregnant are you with your little nephew?"

"She's almost eight months along. This baby might be born in December, which is too early for her birthday."

"Yes, it's a bit young for a birthday celebration, but you'll have to suffer a bit, sister-in-law, it's cold here in winter."

"That's alright, your brother has already bought a lot of coal briquettes and stored them up."

"Sister-in-law, please make sure there is ventilation when burning coal briquettes. It's easy to get carbon monoxide poisoning."

"Is that so!"

"Yes! And carbon monoxide poisoning is extremely dangerous."

"Okay, I understand. How about I stay at my hometown with the kids? We'll be burning firewood at home, that should be fine, right?"

"Yes, that's much safer than burning coal."

Sister-in-law, I wasn't there for your and my brother's wedding. This is a gift for you, please accept it.

This is a piece of cloth I prepared for the baby; it's just a small token of my appreciation as his aunt. I'm leaving the day after tomorrow morning, and I won't be able to come when you give birth to my nephew.

"It's alright, it's alright. You live far away, and with the snow falling so heavily, you don't need to go through the hassle of traveling back and forth."

Zhang Hongmei quite liked Liu Jianguo's sister-in-law; she was a quick-witted and outspoken person.

After staying a while longer, it was time for Liu Jianguo to go to work. Zhang Shouyi noticed his wife looked unwell and didn't want her to get tired. He asked Xiao Li to drive Liu Jianguo, but he refused, saying, "The bus station is right outside the gate. I can go directly to the textile factory."

When the group of eight arrived home, Er Lengzi had already parked the car at the door.

Su Chen entered the house and hurriedly started the fire.

Zhang Shouyi sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), let his wife sit on his lap, and held her close, afraid she would catch a cold.

Zhang Hongmei was so tired that she would have fallen asleep in the car if she hadn't persevered.

"Honey, have some water before you go to sleep?"

Zhang Hongmei, still half asleep, poured a glass of water for him. He drank it all, then poured another glass. "Brother Zhang, you drink some too." She then closed her eyes, and within a minute, her breathing became steady and regular.

When Xiao Li entered the room and saw his boss's actions, he felt it was too tiring. Besides, the kang (heated brick bed) was cold.

They quickly got onto the kang (a heated brick bed) and spread out all the mattresses. Zhang Shouyi then carried Zhang Hongmei onto the bed. They also draped a quilt over themselves and surrounded the two of them.

Even with such a large movement, Zhang Hongmei didn't wake up. This shows how soundly she was sleeping.

"Go and call Su Chen over."

After taking her pulse, Su Chen said, "Boss, Madam is in good health. I can feel a slight slippery pulse today. Madam is indeed pregnant."

"Yes, keep a close eye on her. If she needs anything, just tell her. Also, make sure she stays on taboos."

"yes!"

Zhang Hongmei didn't move until four o'clock in the afternoon. The kang (a heated brick bed) had already warmed up, so Zhang Shouyi lay down and hugged Zhang Hongmei.

"Brother Zhang, what time is it?"

"It's four o'clock. You can sleep a little longer. I'll have Liu Baoguo pick them up later."

"Hmm, I feel like I'm falling asleep, I can't keep my eyes open, should I sleep a little longer?"

After saying that, she snuggled closer to Zhang Shouyi, found a comfortable position, and fell asleep again.

Zhang Shouyi just didn't understand and felt it was abnormal; his wife was sleeping way too much.

I should go back and ask Liu Maocai's wife. I really don't know what to expect.

Er Lengzi picked up all twelve of them together. Shi Tou excitedly ran inside, but Er Lengzi grabbed him.

"Be careful, Hongmei is sleeping."