After learning that Mu Jingheng and Xu Xinning had already left, the people sent by Grandpa Jiang split into two groups. One group went to the department store to scout the location in advance, while the other group waited on the road that Xu Xinning and the others were bound to take.
As Xu Xinning and her group drove past, Mu Jingheng exchanged a glance with his teammates who had come to protect him, and they followed.
The department store is having a promotion on defective products today, and there's already a long queue outside.
This was something Xu Xinning and the others hadn't expected.
Today isn't a day off or a holiday, so it's really unexpected that the department store is having an event.
Fortunately, Grandpa Jiang sent enough people, and they are already on guard in various locations.
Upon seeing so many people, Mu Jingheng immediately and instinctively gripped Xu Xinning's hand tightly.
Xu Xinning knew he was nervous and afraid that Wu's second daughter-in-law would notice, so she gently patted the back of Mu Jingheng's hand and squeezed his hand tightly at the same time.
Wu's second son's wife also seemed surprised, "Why are there so many people? Is there an event?"
Xu Xinning: "Yes, it must be. The line is so long!"
Wu's second son's wife grabbed Xu Xinning's arm and said nervously, "We don't buy defective products anyway, let's go upstairs quickly. You're in a special period right now, it would be terrible if someone touched you."
Mu Jingheng: "Go this way."
The three of them made their way through the crowd to the second floor, where the crowd thinned out on the stairs.
Wu's second daughter-in-law breathed a sigh of relief and said, "There are finally fewer people, otherwise I would have been scared."
Xu Xinning was actually quite nervous, constantly keeping a watchful eye on her surroundings out of the corner of her eye.
Once they reached the second floor, Wu's second daughter-in-law said, "I was probably too nervous just now, I need to go to the restroom."
Xu Xinning had no intention of accompanying them, so she said, "You go ahead, we'll wait for you here."
Wu's second son's wife: "Aren't you going? Let's go together now. I heard that pregnant women go to the toilet frequently. If we wait until later, it will feel too far."
Xu Xinning thought about it and agreed. She exchanged a glance with Mu Jing and said, "Then I'll go too."
The department store in Kyoto is very large. There are restrooms on the first and second floors, but not on the third and fourth floors.
This is also why Xu Xinning agreed to go to the restroom together.
The toilet was located in the northwest corner, similar to modern toilets, with small cubicles, squat toilets, and flushing basins above. After using the toilet, you could simply pull a rope to flush. For that era, the facilities and hygiene were quite good.
Hsu Hsin-ning can still use the toilet now, but it will be more difficult when she is further along in her pregnancy.
Mu Jingheng glanced at Xu Xinning with some worry. He really wanted to go in with her, but reality wouldn't allow it.
Xu Xinning was well aware of Mu Jingheng's worries and comforted him, "Don't worry, you should trust me."
Xu Xinning felt that with her own space and silver needles, she believed that even with her big belly, most people would be no match for her.
Wu's second son's wife laughed and said, "Look at you two being so lovey-dovey. It's just going to the toilet, how long can you be apart? You're so reluctant to part."
Xu Xinning: "He was worried that I wouldn't be able to use the squat toilet."
Wu's second son's wife: "Oh dear! It's all my fault. I didn't even think of that. Maybe I should go ask if they have a toilet there. The department store should be thinking about pregnant women with big bellies, so they must have toilets."
Toilets were very rare in this era. In those days, there were generally only public toilets, and there were no toilets in residential buildings.
Squat toilets are still available in some isolated residential areas in Kyoto, but Western-style toilets are almost nowhere to be seen.
Department stores in Kyoto are considered the face of Kyoto's economy, so in order to cater to certain special groups, places like department stores and Friendship Stores have specially installed toilets, just like how high-end shopping malls in later times have mother and baby sections.
Xu Xinning immediately stopped Wu's second daughter-in-law, who was about to ask, "Auntie, there's no need. I can still squat now, it's fine."
Wu's second son's wife asked worriedly, "Are you really alright?"
Xu Xinning laughed and said, "It's nothing, it's just the beginning."
Wu's second daughter-in-law also laughed: "Speaking of which, she's only halfway through her pregnancy! If she were carrying a baby, she wouldn't be showing so early."
Xu Xinning: "Isn't that right?"
The two of them went into the restroom together.
Mu Jingheng was still worried and said, "I'll be right at the door. Just call me if you need anything."
Wu's second son's wife, unable to bear it any longer, said, "You two are really something. Don't you have me here? Don't worry, I'll bring her out the same way I brought her in and hand her over to you."
Xu Xinning gave Mu Jingheng a reassuring look.
Mu Jingheng then watched the two of them enter the bathroom.
There was a bodyguard not far away. Mu Jingheng made eye contact with him, and the man gave Mu Jingheng a hand gesture, which reassured Mu Jingheng a lot.
There weren't many people in the bathroom on the second floor, but Wu's second daughter-in-law still took good care of Xu Xinning.
The innermost cubicle was by the window, and Wu's second son's wife arranged for Xu Xinning to sit there.
Xu Xinning observed the surroundings for a moment, then went into the cubicle.
Wu's second daughter-in-law waited until Xu Xinning locked the door before turning around. At that moment, she ran into the cleaning staff. The staff member was wearing a white gauze mask, a blue worker's hat, and a blue worker's uniform. He was holding a rag in one hand and a bucket in the other.
This person was already there when Xu Xinning and the others came in; he's probably the cleaner in charge of this restroom.
Xu Xinning had also observed this person and saw that she worked quickly and skillfully, so she had no suspicions.
Wu's second son's wife originally wanted to go into the toilet stall, but after encountering this person, she didn't know why, and after thinking about it, she stood outside Xu Xinning's stall.
Wu's second son's wife asked Xu Xinning inside, "Nannan, can you squat down?"
Xu Xinning wasn't actually in the cubicle at that moment. She thought about it and decided to go into the space to relieve herself for safety reasons, but she could still hear the voice of Wu's second daughter-in-law.
Xu Xinning didn't rush to open the door after coming out of the space. When Wu's second daughter-in-law spoke again, Xu Xinning replied, "Auntie, I'm fine. You can go to the restroom."
As soon as Xu Xinning finished speaking, the cleaner's voice came from outside, "Comrade, please move aside, could you please stand over there?"
It's likely that Wu's second son's wife was blocking the cleaner's work.
Xu Xinning didn't hear Wu's second daughter-in-law's reply, but only the noisy sound of shoes scraping the ground.
Xu Xinning couldn't help but frown, feeling as if someone was pushing Wu's second son's wife.
In just over ten seconds, things returned to calm outside, but Xu Xinning, with her keen hearing, seemed to hear heavy breathing.
Xu Xinning, who was about to open the door and go out, withdrew her hand. She had to make sure there was no danger before going out. She thought that if it was safe outside, Wu's second daughter-in-law would definitely call her. She believed she could tell.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
