Xia Liang ignored the perfunctory explanation. This head chef hadn't intervened when she was arguing with the sales clerk, and now he was trying to play peacemaker and fool her. She said impatiently, "Her family matters are her private issues. If you have any negative emotions, please process them before coming to work. Does everyone have the right to take their anger out on others? Just because you're unhappy doesn't mean you can hurt others at will. If a train driver or bus driver is in a bad mood, can they lead people into a ditch?" Before the two could react, a voice came from behind: "That's right. You should deal with your emotions before starting work. No one is your punching bag. If you can't handle your emotions and can't do your job properly, then find someone else to do it." Except for Xia Liang, the other two were facing the person who spoke. The sales clerk, trembling with fear, said, "Manager." The head chef also greeted her. Xia Liang turned around and saw a middle-aged woman wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, black trousers, and leather shoes—she looked every bit the part of a cadre. Wu Shuqin stepped forward and extended her hand to Xia Liang, saying, "Hello, comrade, I'm Wu Shuqin, the manager of this restaurant." Not wanting to be rude, Xia Liang returned the handshake, saying, "Hello, Manager Wu, I'm Xia Liang, a consultant for the garment factory." The sales clerk, hearing that Xia Liang was a consultant, became even more nervous. Although she didn't know what a consultant was, she knew from that she wasn't an ordinary worker. Wu Shuqin said apologetically, "I'm very sorry, Comrade Xia. Due to our mistake, we caused you unpleasantness today. We feel very sorry. What would you like to eat? It's on me, as an apology. As for this sales clerk, we will definitely deal with her seriously." She then glanced indifferently at the terrified sales clerk. Although Xia Liang wasn't one to hold a grudge, her good mood had been ruined, so she still spoke up: "Then, I wonder how Director Wu intends to deal with her?" Seeing her resolute attitude, Wu Shuqin stated the punishment she had already decided on: "Fire her with three months' wages, and if she repeats the offense, dismiss her immediately." Xia Liang was satisfied with this punishment; it was enough to teach her a lesson. If she were driven to desperation, who knew what she might do. Xia Liang nodded: "Thank you, Director Wu. I'm very satisfied with this punishment. I also hope that you can pay more attention to the attitudes and mental well-being of your subordinates in the future. After all, if you can just curse people whenever you're unhappy, what if someone suffers a blow and then poisons the food?" Wu Shuqin nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Director Wu warmly asked Xia Liang what she wanted to eat, but Xia Liang declined, saying, "No need, I'll eat at home!" Director Wu disagreed and insisted that Xia Liang order. When Xia Liang refused, he even said he would give her a portion of all the main dishes for the day. Xia Liang couldn't refuse any longer and finally ordered the pickled fish that the chef had mentioned earlier. Director Wu pulled her to sit and waited for a while until the pickled fish was ready. The chef packed it in a lunchbox, along with a serving of white rice. Director Wu personally took it and handed it to Xia Liang, saying she could bring the lunchbox next time she came, and then warmly saw Xia Liang out. After seeing Xia Liang off, Director Wu turned back and gave the sales clerk a cold look before leaving. Luckily, she arrived in time; otherwise, she would have been labeled a relative of royalty—something she couldn't afford to talk about now. The sales clerk, stunned, was filled with lingering fear. Thankfully, it was only three months' salary; although it stung, it was nothing compared to the work she had done.

Xia Liang rode her bicycle home, placed the lunchbox on the table, and opened the lid. The aroma instantly filled the air – the fragrance of pickled cabbage mixed with the smell of fish tantalized her taste buds, making her mouth water. It was strange; she'd heard that pregnant women shouldn't kiss fish because of its fishy smell, but here she was, craving the aroma. Xia Liang picked up a piece of fish and popped it into her mouth. The flavors were perfect; this was the best pickled cabbage fish she'd ever eaten. No wonder it was made by the head chef of the state-run restaurant – he certainly had skill. With the fish and pickled cabbage, Xia Liang finished the entire lunchbox of rice, feeling quite full. After washing the lunchbox, she lay down on the bed to rest, thinking about going to the hospital to pick up her X-rays later, and drifted off to sleep.

Xia Liang woke up around 4 PM. After quickly washing her face and feeling much more awake, she rode her bicycle to the hospital, taking her lunchbox with her. She arrived at the hospital and got her results shortly. She had seen many X-rays online in her previous life, and although not professional, she could still see a small object in the image. She took it to the doctor, who confirmed she was indeed pregnant, two months along, with a due date in January. Xia Liang thanked the doctor and happily left the hospital. She then went to the state-run restaurant. The waiter from lunch, seeing Xia Liang, no longer dared to have a stern face. He greeted her with a fawning smile, politely taking the lunchbox Xia Liang was returning and even escorting her to the door before leaving. The other diners at the restaurant were speechless. "When did this waiter become so kind? So kind to this woman! All the scolding I endured before was for nothing!"

As soon as Xia Liang got home, she started writing a letter to Gu Yanxiao. She couldn't wait a moment longer to tell everyone the good news. After finishing the letter, she went straight to the post office to mail it and also called her mother-in-law, Han Yulan. Han Yulan was overjoyed as a child when she learned that her daughter-in-law was pregnant. She kept reminding her to be careful and to rest and eat well, saying that she would collect some milk powder coupons and meat coupons to send to her. Xia Liang stopped her, saying, "Mom, you don't need to send me any. I have coupons." Han Yulan said, "Pregnancy is different from usual. Besides, you're eating for two. You'll definitely eat more than when you weren't pregnant." "Thinking of something, she added, 'Ah Liang, why don't you come back and I take care of you? I'm worried about you being alone there.' Xia Liang didn't want to do nothing at all and just lie at home to rest since she was already pregnant, so she refused, saying, 'It's okay, Mom. I'll be careful. Besides, I don't do much at work, I just stay in the office all day. If there's anything I don't understand, I'll ask you. I won't push myself too hard when it's almost time to give birth.' She didn't dare to be careless; after all, this was her child, more precious than anyone else. After talking with her mother-in-law, she even asked her to help her make a trip, since there was no phone at home, and it would be troublesome to call someone in the alleys outside.