"We came back not long after he arrived," said Shen Yu.

Meng Tao asked: "What does he want from us?"

"Wen Xin escaped. The labor camp where she was located was very remote, located in a sparsely populated mountainous area. She couldn't have escaped alone. It was obvious that Murong Shengjie had sent several vicious and desperate criminals to kill two guards. Zhehan was worried about you, so he came to warn you, just in case. The people he sent were all rampant. Tian Zhigao is dead."

"Murong Shengjie is so arrogant? Not only did he rob people, he also dared to kill people. He is more dangerous than those lurking enemy spies."

"He colluded with those hidden enemy agents and committed all kinds of evil."

"He is simply a cancer and must be eradicated."

"Of course. My cousin and Zhehan have been keeping a close eye on us. Although I have left that front, I will assist you if necessary. So if I suddenly disappear for a few days and don't call you in time, you should be aware of this. Don't panic."

"I see."

Meng Tao stroked her belly gently, thinking that if she wasn't worried about the baby, she could still walk around and perhaps help.

Shen Yu seemed to know what his young wife was thinking, and he hugged her tightly in his arms: "You are already pregnant, so you are not allowed to go out without my company. Don't make me worry, okay?"

"Oh, I know, I know, let go. I can't breathe."

Shen Yu let go of his wife, stroked her belly, and sighed: "The little rascal will not come out for another five months. I can't stand it any longer."

"You can't stand it anymore, what do you want to do?"

Shen Yu: “…” He bit his wife’s ear and whispered something.

Meng Tao's face was burning, and she pinched his waist with her hand: "You're just daydreaming. Come and hatch your eggs."

“Here it comes!”

When Shen Yu heard about "hatching eggs", he immediately became active. This was a task the couple had to do every night before going to bed. It was invented by Shen Yu, under the pretext of giving the baby more fatherly warmth, which would be beneficial for its development and growth. In reality, he was just coaxing his young wife to sleep obediently in his arms.

He had prepared himself mentally that his wife liked children, and would somewhat neglect him as a husband after she became a mother, and would focus entirely on the child. However, he had not expected that his wife would start to distance herself from him even though she was still pregnant. She was only concerned about the baby in her belly, and not only did she not allow him to touch her, she also did not allow him to get close to her when sleeping, and even said that double beds in this era were not made to standard standards and were not wide enough. She wanted to sleep horizontally or vertically, and always wanted Shen Yu to make another bed for her to sleep in.

That's why we have to sleep in separate beds.

Shen Yu was upset. It was impossible to have separate beds. Why should the sweet and soft wife he had finally married be occupied by the little bad boy? But he couldn't say anything, so he used his brain to think of a clever way to "hatch eggs". When his wife heard that it was good for the baby, she was really happy and took the initiative to get into his arms every night.

Shen Yu was secretly proud of himself for avoiding having to sleep in a separate bed. He was happy to hold his sweet and soft wife in his arms. Although the little rascal in her belly was very restless, often punching and kicking and being quite violent, he couldn't do anything to him because he was his own child. The feeling of being connected by blood was magical, and he could tolerate his mischief. With his wife and child in her arms, he fell asleep quickly, and his dreams were colorful.

The next day at noon, Shen Yu drove back from the unit to pick up Meng Tao. Meng Zhehan had to return to Province D in the afternoon. He had not seen Meng Tao last night, so he asked to go to a restaurant outside with the couple to have a meal and chat.

They booked a private room on the second floor of an antique Chinese restaurant. Meng Zhehan arrived first and saw Meng Tao walk in. He smiled and raised his hand to touch her head: "You look good. It seems that you have adapted to the climate of Beijing. You have gained some weight after not seeing you for a few days. Your little round face has a double chin."

"No way, do you really have a double chin? Why didn't I see it when I looked in the mirror? I won't dare eat too much from now on."

Meng Tao touched her face. She was a foodie by nature and had a good appetite. Her appetite had increased greatly recently and she enjoyed everything she ate. In addition to the special meals in the space, she also received food from Grandma Xu, who said that the food was specially prepared by nutritionists for pregnant women and was nutritionally balanced and she would not gain weight. So she basically ate as much as she wanted. It was said that pregnant women gain weight like being blown up. She had turned into a ball before she even felt anything. It seemed that she had to be more restrained in the future and not get so fat that she was deformed and looked terrible.

Shen Yu brought Xiao Wangcai in, and seeing Meng Zhehan trying to pinch his wife's cheek, he slapped him away and said, "We are not fat, you are fat. If you keep talking nonsense, don't eat. Get out of here now."

Meng Zhehan ignored him and arranged a chair for Meng Tao: "Sister, come and sit next to me. We have shrimp today. I will peel some big shrimp for you to eat. They are so delicious. Xiao Wangcai, you come too. I will give you two as a reward."

Meng Tao and Xiao Wangcai surrounded him.

Shen Yu: “…”

I was really angry at that guy.

Fortunately, his young wife was well-behaved and asked him to sit close to her. Xiao Wangcai also obeyed her command and came back to her side.

When all the dishes were served, Shen Yu first picked up a chicken wing for Meng Tao and said, "The white-cut chicken in this restaurant is okay. The sweet and sour pork tenderloin and eight-treasure duck are worth a try. The others are just average. The fish and shrimp are not very fresh. Let's go home and eat them later."

There are more and more fish and shrimps in the small lotus pond in the space. I can’t eat all of them. Moreover, they are big and fresh. They are so delicious that they can’t be compared with those outside.

Meng Tao nodded obediently and also picked up a piece of food for Shen Yu and Meng Zhehan respectively. The two gentlemen had to go to work and take a plane respectively, so they didn't drink and just ate the food directly.

Meng Zhehan listened to what Shen Yu said to Meng Tao and sneered: This little idiot, he wanted to peel shrimp for his sister, but he insisted that the shrimp was not fresh, and his sister agreed heartlessly and was coaxed by him. Then who should he peel shrimp for? For Xiao Wangcai? Beautiful.

While complaining inwardly, he still peeled a bunch of shrimps and put them on Meng Tao's plate, and deliberately picked up a few unpeeled ones and gave them to Shen Yu. Even if you don't eat them, I'll let you watch them. I just want to ask if you are angry.

This time Shen Yu didn't say anything and ate calmly, but when Meng Zhehan lowered his head to drink the soup, the shrimps went into Xiao Wangcai's bowl.

Meng Zhehan soon discovered that Meng Tao's plate was half empty. The shrimps he had peeled were gone. He asked Shen Yu, "Where are the shrimps I peeled for my sister? Did you eat them?"

Shen Yu: "You ate it."

The two glared at each other.

Meng Tao: “…”

It was still early after dinner, so the waiter cleared the dishes and put a pot of hot water on them. The three continued their conversation. Meng Zhehan had just been to Linshui Village, Xingyang County, Mengzhou, and told Meng Tao about the latest situation: "After Zhou Cuiling and Bao Dongmei returned to the courtyard in Xingzi Lane, Mengzhou, they took care of it according to your instructions. Zhou Cuiling has been living there recently to purchase wedding supplies. She and Zhang Guoqing plan to hold a wedding banquet in December this year.

The small truck was sent to Zhang Fu. The relationship is linked to their winery. He is now driving smoothly. Oh, Zhang Fu also has a girlfriend. Zhou Cuiling introduced them to each other. I heard that her surname is Yu, she is from Mengzhou, and her family also lives in Xingzi Lane. The girl is now working as an educated youth in the village next to us. "

Shen Yu was making tea. Hearing this, he glanced at Meng Zhehan: Do you have any shame? Where is your village?

Meng Zhehan glanced back at him calmly: Linshui Village is our village, so what? How dare you say it's not? Meng Tao looked at the two people's eye contact and held her forehead: Here it comes again, a disagreement will shake the friendship.

He quickly changed the subject and said, "Zhang Fu has a girlfriend? That's great. The girl's surname is Yu and she lives in Xingzi Lane. Zhou Cuiling introduced her to me, so I know where she lives. I've been to her house. She lives in Youxingzi Lane. I got the news that I bought the yard in Zuoxingzi Lane from her house. I don't live there often, so I haven't been there to visit her."

"I heard that Yu's parents initially disapproved of this marriage, but Zhang Fu and Miss Yu got along well with each other. I don't know how Zhang Fu found a place for Miss Yu in Mengzhou Department Store, and the Yu family agreed."

Meng Tao couldn't help laughing: Zhang Fu is so capable that he can even ask for a quota in Mengzhou City, which means he is really smart and knows how to do things. His network is expanding quickly, and his business is going more and more smoothly. This is of great significance to his future career development. As the boss behind the scenes, she can rest assured and feel more and more relaxed.

Meng Zhehan continued, "This year we recruited new soldiers. I went back to see Wang Tiegen. He and a young man from the Lin family in the village were selected as they wished. By the way, let's talk about our brother Jinniu. Zhang Fu wanted to bring him to the county winery as a temporary worker first. He can be a regular worker within two years. After he gets married, he can bring his wife to the county town and find a job. Jinniu refused. He doesn't want to be a worker. He is happy to farm and take care of the crops. He wants to be a new-era farmer and make achievements from the land. What do you think? Ambitious, right?"

Shen Yu asked: "What does Captain Bao say if Jinniu doesn't go to the county town?"

Linshui Power Station is under construction. Shen Yu actually planned to use his connections to arrange for Meng Jinniu to work at the power station for a period of time, starting from the grassroots level and moving up step by step. Unexpectedly, Jinniu was unwilling to work in the factory, and might not even be willing to go to the power station.

"Captain Bao was very happy. He said he has a successor. From now on, the position of captain will be passed to Brother Jinniu."

All three of them laughed, but Meng Tao knew that Jinniu was honest and kind, able to endure hardships, willing to work hard, and willing to learn knowledge. He was determined to take this path and would definitely do well, and would be the first new type of farmer to become rich in the future.

Meng Tao smiled and said, "Let him be. Everyone has their own ambitions. Maybe the rise of Linshui Village in the future will depend on him."

"Yes, it's very likely. I'm optimistic about the Taurus."

After a pause, Meng Zhehan took out a very small leather case from his bag, about the size of a palm. He looked at Meng Tao and handed the case to Shen Yu: "Taotao failed the shooting test, and now you can't practice. I'm afraid it will scare the baby in your belly... If you go out, take this with you. It's relatively light and equipped with a silencer. It won't be conspicuous or get in the way when you put it in your handbag."

Shen Yu opened the leather case and took out a small pistol from it. It was exquisite, beautiful, black and shiny, with a metallic sheen. He carefully examined it and handed it to Meng Tao:

"Carry it with you, just in case."

Meng Zhehan nodded: "Although you are skilled and stronger than ordinary people, no one knows what kind of accidents you will encounter. In the era of hot weapons, bullets are faster than fists and feet. It is safer to use this for self-defense."

Meng Tao took it in her hand and admired it. Meng Zhehan had brought her to the base for training and she had come into contact with various long and short guns. Shen Yu had also taken her to see the private armory. This was the first time she had seen such a delicate little hand gun. It was heavy but fit her hand very well. It was really very beautiful. Meng Tao thanked Meng Zhehan:

"Thank you, brother. I like it very much and I will protect it well."

Meng Zhehan smiled: "Little fool, I give it to you so that it can protect you."

"I see."

Meng Tao put the rifle into the holster, buckled it, and put it into the backpack along with the bullet clip and silencer. She asked casually, "Meng Wenxin ran away. They are now helpless and are eager to flee abroad. Why are you worried about those people running to Beijing? Is it so easy to succeed?"

Meng Zhehan replied: "Wen Lan and Wen Xin's personalities are very similar to Murong Shengjie. When pushed into a corner, they become extremely vicious and can do anything like a mad dog... We have set up a dragnet, and Wen Xin and her gang won't be able to escape easily, so we need to be vigilant and guard against them playing tricks on us."

Meng Tao: "I understand. I know what to do. Don't worry, brother."

Next, Shen Yu and Meng Zhehan talked about his mother Xu Jia. Meng Zhehan said that up to now, he really couldn't find any clues and didn't know where to start investigating. He talked to Xu Hengkai and planned to wait until he was done with this busy period, and then go together to bring Tian Zhigao out and ask him again in detail.

Shen Yu pondered and nodded.

Seeing that the time was almost up, Meng Zhehan was about to go to the airport, and said to Meng Tao, "That's it for now, I have to rush back to D Province, and I'll be back next week for the Double Ninth Festival, and go to Hongliu Town with you guys."

"We're going to be gone for a few days. Are you free?"

"Yes, I'm saving up my vacation time."

"That's fine."

After waving goodbye, the three of them went their separate ways. Meng Zhehan went to the airport, Meng Tao asked Shen Yu to go to work, and she and Xiao Wangcai wanted to go shopping and take a stroll before going home.

But I didn't expect to meet an acquaintance while walking around.

Gu Panpan hid at the corner of the street and looked forward. Meng Tao stood behind her and also looked forward. The street was deserted. Perhaps it was the wrong time period and there were not many pedestrians. There were shops on both sides, but they could be described as deserted. I wonder what Gu Panpan was looking at.

Meng Tao was just wondering when she suddenly heard a quarrel. It was a man and a woman, who seemed to be pulling each other. The woman screamed: Let go, I'm going to call for help! The man said arrogantly: Go ahead and shout louder, I'll see who will pay attention to you? This is my territory today, don't you know? Come up to the third floor with me, and I'll let you go after we make it clear.

Woman: I don’t…

Man: Come up! The voice came from the corridor next to the store. Meng Tao looked up and saw that it was a four-story public commercial building. The first floor was a store. The windows on the second, third and fourth floors were closed. It should be a warehouse or something like that. If you want to go up to the warehouse, you have to go through that corridor. In the corridor, a man and a woman were arguing fiercely. No one went to see what was going on. In fact, there were not many people passing by here at this time. It was impossible for the salesperson in the store on the first floor to leave his post to watch the excitement.

The man and woman were arguing, and Meng Tao remembered the woman's voice clearly: it was Gu Yingying.

(End of this chapter)