Xu Qingning wasn't worried about the fashion competition; she felt confident of victory.
In the real world, she has participated in many fashion competitions and has never returned empty-handed.
Even if she doesn't get first place in this competition, she's guaranteed a top-three finish.
Even if Tang Wenya and Chen Meili cause trouble, they won't be able to stir up any waves. What Tang Wenya saw was only a semi-finished product; she had never seen the actual finished garment.
Even if Chen Meili saw the finished garment before the competition, there was absolutely no time to make any alterations.
She is very confident in herself.
Yang Yuelan felt it was because of her carelessness that Tang Wenya saw it, and asked Xu Qingning, "Is it really not going to affect us?"
"Mom, don't worry, it'll be fine." Xu Qingning comforted her, "It's not just her and me in this competition, there are many other people, so it's inevitable that one or two people will wear the same outfit. People are looking at the overall creativity and practicality."
Now that things have come to this, there's no use blaming Yang Yuelan.
Blame Tang Wenya for being too shameless.
"It will have some impact." Yang Yuelan still felt a little guilty. "From now on, when I'm doing things at home, I'll close the door and not let anyone in."
"Alright, let's not think about that anymore," Xu Qingning said with a smile. "If there are any more competitions like this in the future, let's continue to cooperate. I don't trust anyone else!"
After receiving the bonus, she will give half to her mother-in-law.
The sewing part was also very tiring.
"I'll do whatever you need." Yang Yuelan was very gratified to hear this, and she also spoke her heart to Xu Qingning, "I've lived here for more than half a year, and we've never had a single argument. I've never felt so comfortable before. As long as you don't mind, that's all that matters."
"Mom, you're so good to me!" Xu Qingning said sincerely. "Without you, my life wouldn't be this good. Since you came, I haven't cooked a single meal, and you wash my clothes. I'm so grateful, how could I possibly complain?"
For now, her relationship with Yang Yuelan is already very good.
We can't go any further.
“If I do anything wrong in the future, just tell me.” Yang Yuelan liked Xu Qingning’s personality very much. “I’m like your own mother in front of you, so don’t be shy.”
“Okay,” Xu Qingning readily agreed.
No matter how good your mother-in-law is, she's not your biological mother.
If she and Zhao Jingyu have a conflict in the future, Yang Yuelan will definitely side with her son; that's human nature.
Human nature cannot withstand any test, and should not be tested.
As soon as Yang Yuelan was in a good mood, she started humming a little tune. She moved the crib back from the yard and carefully wiped it with a damp cloth: "Let's set up the crib today. In about twenty days, you'll be due to give birth."
"Yes, time flies." Xu Qingning looked at the small bed and felt a sense of emotion. She was looking forward to the end of her pregnancy.
But the thought of having to give birth made her nervous again.
Although Zhao Jingyu contacted Director Chen, she hasn't even seen him yet.
She now hopes Zhao Jingyu will come back soon; with him there, she can feel a little more at ease.
Yang Yuelan said that it is possible to give birth within half a month before or after the due date.
She worried that she might suddenly go into labor while Zhao Jingyu was away, leaving only her and Yang Yuelan at home, which would be a real mess.
The bedding for the crib was prepared in advance. The mattress and quilt were both yellow and green, with soft fabric and refreshing colors, and they looked quite nice.
Xu Qingning also put the finished dolls inside, and everything was ready. The maternity bag had also been packed long ago.
She used to take a walk in the yard every day to get some exercise and try to start the pregnancy sooner.
Once Zhao Jingyu left, she didn't dare to move.
Director Chen hasn't returned yet, and she doesn't want to give birth at this time.
On the third day after Zhao Jingyu went to the provincial capital, Zhao Jingwen suddenly arrived with Wu Xiufang and Zhao Chengjun. The family of three was very happy. Zhao Jingwen was also carrying a bag of cabbage, saying that he brought it from his hometown.
As soon as Zhao Chengjun entered the door, he asked, "Grandma, where is Third Aunt?"
"Your third aunt is inside." Yang Yuelan was pleasantly surprised: "Is Chengjun on winter vacation? Where's Qiyuan?"
"Mom, I found a job, so I brought Chengjun with me," Wu Xiufang said happily. "I completed the onboarding procedures today and I'm also working at the meat processing plant."
"Really? That's great!" Yang Yuelan was also very happy, patting her grandson's head. "Are you staying in the dormitory?"
"We'll stay in the dormitory for now, and look for a place to live after the New Year." Zhao Jingwen said with a cheerful expression. "Chengjun can't come with us, so we'll have him stay with you for a while. What about Jingyu?"
“Jingyu went to the provincial capital on business.” Yang Yuelan neither agreed nor refused, and led her grandson into the house. “Let’s go inside and talk.”
Xu Qingning was asleep when they woke her up.
Zhao Chengjun knocked on the door from the outside: "Third Aunt, may I come in?"
"No." Xu Qingning sat up. "You play by yourself for a while, I'll go out in a bit."
"Okay," Zhao Chengjun obediently agreed.
"Oh my, he's quite polite." Wu Xiufang smiled as her son walked in like a little adult. "He never knocks at home."
"I developed this habit when I stayed here during the summer vacation." Yang Yuelan carried Zhao Chengjun to the kang (a heated brick bed) and kissed his face. "Your third aunt is having a hard time while pregnant with the baby, so don't go over and disturb her."
"Mom, what is Jingyu going to the provincial capital for?" Zhao Jingwen asked.
"It's work-related," Yang Yuelan said vaguely. "I'll be back in two or three days."
Zhao Jingwen simply said "oh" and didn't ask any more questions.
"How did Xiufang get this job?" Yang Yuelan asked Zhao Jingwen. Zhao Jingwen scratched his head and said, "I treated the workshop director to a meal and got the last job opening this year."
“When there’s another chance like this in the future, let the second son’s family come back too,” Wu Xiufang said lightly. “Chengjun and I only said we came to see Jingwen this time, we didn’t mention anything about work. Mom, you can’t tell the second son and his family.”
"Your dad doesn't know either?" Yang Yuelan asked incredulously.
"Yes, he doesn't know either," the couple said in unison.
"..." Yang Yuelan didn't know what to say for a moment.
When Zhao Futang came last time, he said that he would give the job opening to Zhao Jingwu next time.
However, Zhao Jingwen gave it to his wife.
Logically speaking, there's nothing wrong with that.
However, it was wrong of the couple to keep it a secret from Zhao Futang and his second son's family.
“Mom, I know you mean to let Jingwu go back to the city, but don’t you think that it’s better for me to come back first than for the two of us women to stay in the village with the child?” Wu Xiufang felt that they did the right thing. “If I come back, our family will be reunited, and Jingwu can stay at home with his wife and child. That’s good.”
“Yes, there will be plenty of opportunities like this in the future.” Zhao Jingwen also felt it was nothing. “They can come back next year, which is only a few months later than us.”
"So when do you plan to tell them?" Yang Yuelan looked at the two of them and sighed, "This can't be kept a secret any longer!"
Thank you so much, fellow reader. Don't let bh8816's monthly vote go to waste.
?
Happy New Year, everyone! Wishing you all a prosperous and happy new year!
Copyright 2026
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com