"Going on a long trip?"

Fang Qiao put down her water glass, turned around and looked at Cheng Baidong in surprise, asking, "Where are you going? How long will you be gone?"

Cheng Baidong replied, "I'm going on a business trip to the southwestern plateau. If all goes well, I should be back in about fifteen to twenty-five days."

"It's been so long."

Given the long duration and the fact that they were going to the southwestern plateau, Fang Qiao couldn't help but feel somewhat worried.

She couldn't help but ask, "Is there something important?"

“There are some important matters, but there’s no danger. Relax, don’t be so tense.” Cheng Baidong held Fang Qiao’s hand and patted the back of her hand reassuringly: “Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon after I finish my business.”

Fang Qiao didn't want Cheng Baidong to go.

She forced an unnatural smile and said, "Does it have to be you? Can someone else go?"

Cheng Baidong shook his head: "It has to be me. No one else can go."

“But, but I’m pregnant right now, and I can’t be without someone by my side…” Fang Qiao bit her lip and said in a low voice, “And An’an’s birthday is in just over twenty days. If you go, will you be able to come back in time?”

She tried to get Cheng Baidong to stay.

In her previous life, Cheng Baidong died on the southwestern plateau, and she has a psychological trauma related to that place.

Cheng Baidong was also reluctant to leave at this time, but the rift in the southwest was continuing to widen, and the spiritual energy it released made the originally frozen valley like spring returning to the earth, with the mountains covered in green and green, and it was still spreading to the surrounding areas. If it was not covered up, it would be discovered by foreign countries.

His cultivation had just recovered to the Foundation Establishment stage, and large-scale concealment formations were too difficult for him at this stage. Even if he exhausted his spiritual energy, he would find it difficult to set up the formation on his own. He could only rely on external forces as a medium to set up the formation, which would take a lot of time. That's why this trip would take more than half a month.

“Wife, I don’t want to leave either, but this heavy burden has fallen on my shoulders, and I have to shoulder it.”

He put his arm around Fang Qiao's shoulder and gently tried to persuade her: "Honey, don't worry, I'll definitely be back before An'an's birthday. When I get back, we'll celebrate An'an's birthday together, okay?"

Fang Qiao listened to his words and knew that he had no choice but to go. She could only nod and say, "Then finish your work as soon as possible and come back soon."

"Okay." Cheng Baidong leaned down and kissed the corner of her lips, then said in a deep voice, "Thank you for understanding, my wife."

Cheng Baidong's flight was at 10 a.m. the next day. He first flew to Jincheng for a transfer, and then flew to Shengcheng, the provincial capital of the southwestern plateau.

He got up before dawn and busied himself around the house, filling the rice and flour bins, collecting the coal briquettes for the month, and finishing almost all the household chores before finally packing up his own things.

His winter clothes were thick and heavy, filling a large bag. In addition, he had a leather suitcase filled with personal belongings, indicating that he was going to be traveling for a long time.

Gao Ping came to pick him up before nine o'clock.

Fang Qiao saw him off at the gate and stood in front of the courtyard, watching him walk a long way until Cheng Bodong turned back repeatedly, waving his hand and telling her that it was cold outside and she should go back quickly. Only then did she reluctantly go home.

Although Cheng Baidong said he would be back in a little over half a month, Fang Qiao still felt particularly uneasy.

After all, this was the first time she had been separated from him since her rebirth.

I feel empty inside.

Fortunately, with her sweet little sweetheart Tian Tian and her baby An An at home, Fang Qiao was kept busy every day and didn't have time to be sentimental.

It was already December, and Cheng Baidong had been gone for sixteen days without returning.

She went to ask Yang Xiu, the deputy factory director she knew, but Yang Xiu didn't know what was going on either.

Because communication is inconvenient on the southwestern plateau, the factory last received a letter from Cheng Baidong and his group on the day they arrived in the holy city. There have been no more letters since then. It is estimated that the next one will be on the day they return.

Fang Qiao had no choice but to return home disappointed, her belly protruding.

She was over seven months pregnant, her belly was quite large, and walking was very cumbersome. However, daily walks were essential for a smooth delivery.

Li Dan, who lives next door, is having a bad pregnancy. Her stomach gets bloated and hard whenever she moves, which makes her very uncomfortable, so she stays at home all day.

At first, she didn't talk to Fang Qiao, but later she couldn't hold back anymore and took the initiative to back down.

Fang Qiao was too lazy to argue with her, so they just remained casual neighbors.

Li Dan occasionally visits Fang Qiao's home and sees Fang Qiao with a belly bigger than hers, yet still able to go out for walks every day, and she is filled with envy.

"I really envy you because you can eat and walk around. I'm lying in bed all day, and I don't know if I'll be able to give birth. If I can't, I'll have to have a C-section."

Fang Qiao smiled and said, "If you can have a natural birth, then go for it; if not, then we'll do a C-section. The doctors in Beijing are very skilled, so you don't need to be afraid of a C-section."

“I’m not afraid, but I’m worried that I’ll get older and have to have a C-section, which will damage my health and make me age faster.” Li Dan looked at Fang Qiao with envy: “Look at you, you’re already pregnant twice, and your face is still fair and clean, without a single fine line around your eyes. You’re still young. Unlike me, I was only six months pregnant with my first child, and I already have age spots on my face, my skin is much rougher, and even my nose has gotten bigger. I look several years older.”

Fang Qiao: "It's normal to have these changes while pregnant. They will return to normal after giving birth."

"I hope so," Li Dan said happily, stroking her belly. "I heard that if a pregnant woman's nose gets bigger, it means she's carrying a boy. Fang Qiao, do you think that's true?"

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