The next day, Factory Director Li went straight home after returning from his business trip. Instead of his wife's warm greetings and tea, he heard her say that Old Yang was eyeing his position and was conspiring with the factory's advisor, Comrade Xia Liang, to cause trouble. Hearing this, Factory Director Li was speechless at first, but then, as if remembering something, he asked his wife seriously, "You haven't been spreading rumors outside, have you?" Huang Huiying replied, "I was waiting for you to come back so we could discuss it." Factory Director Li breathed a sigh of relief; at least she hadn't said anything. He looked at his wife suspiciously and asked, "Where did you hear this rumor? Don't overthink it. I've worked with Old Yang for many years; I know what kind of person he is. He wouldn't do something like stabbing someone in the back." The fact that Factory Director Li had risen from a poor country boy with no connections to the position of factory director of a large factory was enough to show that he had considerable ability. Seeing her husband's dark face, Huang Huiying didn't dare to speak. She told him the whole story, and Director Li immediately roared, "From now on, stay away from Zhu Xiuling! That brainless woman thinks she's so capable. If it weren't for my sake, she would have been fired long ago. She's not serious about her work and just does things half-heartedly. If that were all, she could have just married someone else, stayed home, been a good wife and mother, and served her in-laws. But now it seems she's not only stupid but also wicked. She actually tried to sow discord between me and Lao Yang and used you to deal with Xia Liang. I'm so angry! That idiot!" Seeing her husband's anger, Huang Huiying finally realized the seriousness of the situation. But she felt it was unnecessary. Why go to such lengths to deal with someone just for a job? However, she didn't dare disobey her husband. When Zhu Xiuling came to the door again, she was severely scolded. Zhu Xiuling felt incredibly wronged. Not only did her aunt not stand up for her, but she also scolded her. Could it be that her aunt hadn't told her uncle about that matter? Thinking about this, she felt hopeful again. She never expected that her aunt, who had been so kind to her before, would suddenly change her attitude and start scolding her. That's right! If she had any brains, she wouldn't have done such a stupid thing.
That day, at lunchtime, Xia Liang and Zhao Weiting went to the cafeteria for lunch. Xia Liang picked up a piece of braised pork prepared by the cafeteria chef, and just as she was about to put it in her mouth, a sudden wave of nausea hit her. Xia Liang covered her mouth and ran outside. Zhao Weiting, standing nearby, was stunned. She didn't know what had happened and could only chase after her to see what was wrong. The feeling came and went quickly; Xia Liang felt better after a while. She went to the tap outside the cafeteria, filled her hands with water, washed her face, and rinsed her mouth before preparing to go back. Zhao Weiting asked with concern, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Xia Liang waved her hand and said, "I'm fine. I don't know why, but the smell of braised pork made me want to vomit." Zhao Weiting was puzzled; wasn't Xia Liang usually a big fan of braised pork? And she just didn't like it. The oily, reddish-brown braised pork made her want to vomit. Zhao Weiting was completely baffled. The two returned to the table, and just as Xia Liang was about to continue eating, that familiar feeling returned. This time, Xia Liang finally realized something was wrong. Zhao Weiting was also alarmed and called out to Xia Liang, "Let's go to the infirmary. I feel something's wrong with you." Xia Liang had a guess in her mind, but wasn't sure, so she didn't say it aloud. She said, "I can go by myself. You go back and eat quickly; you have to go to work later." Zhao Weiting said, "What time is it? Going to work? Your health is important. Don't say anything more, just go." Xia Liang was touched; it felt so good to make such good friends anywhere.
Upon arriving at the infirmary, the doctor examined Xia Liang and said, "I suspect you're pregnant, but it's best to go to the hospital for a checkup to be on the safe side. We don't have the equipment here, so it might not be accurate." Xia Liang thanked the doctor and absentmindedly followed Zhao Weiting out. She was first shocked, then overjoyed. In her past life, she had few family ties and always longed for a small family, her own child, to take care of her grandparents, and enjoy the happiness of family life. But she didn't have time for that in her past life and ended up here. Only now did she feel truly alive, not dreaming. The thought of carrying a child of her own blood filled Xia Liang with immense excitement. She knew she wasn't pregnant... Unable to calm down and go to work, she could only ask Zhao Weiting to help her ask for leave. She needed to calm down and then go to the hospital to confirm. Actually, she already had a feeling, since her period was usually regular, but this month it was more than a week late. She had previously thought it was just because she was too tired from the wedding and hadn't rested enough, causing endocrine disorders, so she hadn't paid much attention. She never expected that she was pregnant. Xia Liang happily rode her bicycle to the hospital, registered, and waited for the doctor to call her. She didn't know if it was because she knew she was pregnant, but now she found all the children particularly cute, and couldn't help but wonder if her child would be a boy or a girl, or look like Gu Yanxiao or like her. Anyway, no matter who the child resembled, he would be good-looking, and she would love him regardless of whether it was a boy or a girl. Time passed quickly in Xia Liang's joyful mood, and the doctor soon called her. After she went in, the doctor asked her about her period as usual, and finally took an X-ray. The doctor said that she wouldn't have the results until the afternoon and told Xia Liang to go home and wait.
Xia Liang had originally planned to go straight home after leaving the hospital, but then she remembered she might be pregnant and hadn't had lunch yet, so she turned around and headed towards the state-run restaurant. While ordering, she hesitated, remembering how the smell of pork belly at lunch had made her nauseous. She wasn't sure what she could eat that wouldn't make her vomit. Seeing her hesitation, the waitress impatiently said, "Eat if you want, or get out. Don't waste my time." Xia Liang's previously good mood instantly turned gloomy. She knew she was wrong to hesitate, but it was working hours, so there was no one else in the restaurant. She had only taken a minute of her time, yet the waitress's attitude was so rude. She said, "Sir, your service attitude is very problematic. You're supposed to serve the people. I need to see your supervisor." The arrogant waitress... He scoffed, "You think you can just see your boss whenever you want?" He then rolled his eyes at Xia Liang, who retorted angrily, "Fine, very well. Since I can't see your boss, I'll just have to put a notice in the newspaper for him. I want to see what kind of boss is so unapproachable to a working-class person like me. Is it like the royal court of the past, where only people of high status can see him?" The head chef, who had been silently watching the scene unfold, was startled by these words and hurriedly came out to smooth things over, "Hello comrade, I'm sorry, this young lady has had some family troubles recently, and she's not in a good mood. Please forgive any shortcomings in her service."
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