Time flies, and winter has arrived in the blink of an eye. After get off work, Xia Liang headed to the train station. Her parents-in-law were bringing Wu Ma to the provincial capital today, and they would also like to visit her. Xia Liang wrapped her head in a scarf; last year's cotton-padded coat was too small, so she had a new, thick one made this year. Wearing gloves, she rode her bicycle. Although she had taken good precautions to stay warm, she still shivered from the cold wind. After waiting at the station for more than half an hour, the train arrived. Gu Weiguo saw Xia Liang first and quickly handed her to his wife. Han Yulan abandoned her husband and Wu Ma and ran towards Xia Liang, taking her hand and looking her up and down. Feeling that Xia Liang's hands were icy cold, she warmed them in her bosom. Once the hands in her bosom were no longer so cold, she led her out. Gu Weiguo and Wu Ma carried the luggage behind them. They had originally planned to bring more than what they had, but Xia Liang said that she would still give birth in the county town, so Han Yulan reduced the amount she brought, only taking what Xia Liang currently needed.
When the group returned to Xia Liang's house, Han Yulan and Gu Weiguo looked around at her small home. Although it couldn't compare to their house in the county town, it was already quite impressive for a young person who had only been working for a few years. Xia Liang asked them to sit down and rest, and went to pour them some tea. Wu Ma quickly refused, saying, "There's no need for you to pour it. You sit down and I'll do it. The house isn't big, and the toilet and bathroom are clearly visible as soon as you enter, so Xia Liang didn't need to explain much; Wu Ma already knew where the kitchen was." Unable to refuse Wu Ma's offer, Xia Liang could only sit on the stool. Han Yulan looked at Xia Liang's protruding belly and asked, "How are you? Is the baby behaving well? Has it been bothering you?" Xia Liang smiled and said, "Except for not being able to eat braised pork, I go to the hospital for checkups frequently. The doctor says he's very healthy and behaving well. It's just that since I got pregnant, he's been craving fish, especially pickled fish. I suspect he'll probably love fish in the future." Seeing the maternal love on her daughter-in-law's face, Han Yulan felt guilty, feeling she owed her daughter-in-law a lot. Her son's job was special, and he couldn't take care of her. She and her husband also couldn't be there because of work. All they could do was make up for it with money, hoping her daughter-in-law would have a better life. Han Yulan said, "It's good that you like fish. Eating fish makes you smarter. Have your dad get you a few more fish, and have Wu Ma cook them for you." Xia Liang smiled and said, "Then I'm in for a treat."
Gu Weiguo and Han Yulan were staying in the provincial capital for a few days, so they stayed in the small bedroom. Xia Liang and Wu Ma stayed in her original bedroom. During the day, Gu Weiguo would take Xia Liang to work, and after returning home, he would go grocery shopping with Han Yulan. They bought everything that was available, since they were saving their ration coupons for their daughter-in-law anyway. Giving her coupons directly would only make her buy the food herself, so they figured it was better for them to do it for her directly. The two of them spent the afternoon shopping, buying several large bags of things before riding their bicycles home. Wu Ma took the groceries they handed her and started cooking. Although she was from Guangdong Province, she had helped many families before and knew how to cook many different dishes. She had previously learned to cook sauerkraut fish from a master chef at one of the restaurants, and knowing that Xia Liang loved it, she planned to make it today. Han Yulan helped out, while Gu Weiguo sat in the living room reading the newspaper. Han Yulan checked the time and said, "Old Gu, hurry up and pick up your daughter-in-law; she'll be off work soon." Gu Weiguo responded, put down the newspaper, and rode his bicycle out.
Xia Liang left the factory with the crowd after get off work. Because the dormitory and the staff quarters were in opposite directions, she had just parted ways with Zhao Weiting. As Xia Liang went out, she saw her father-in-law standing outside, holding his bicycle, waiting for her. Xia Liang jogged over and said, "Dad, you didn't need to pick me up, it's not far." Gu Weiguo smiled and said, "It's alright, I'm free anyway. Your mother would worry if I didn't come." Xia Liang didn't say anything more, got on the back seat, and headed home. All of this was observed by someone with a keen eye.
As soon as Xia Liang got home, she smelled the aroma of pickled fish, and her mouth instantly watered. She went to the kitchen and, sure enough, Wu Ma was making pickled fish, the pot bubbling and steaming. Seeing her daughter-in-law return, Han Yulan quickly brought out the dish. The pickled fish was almost ready, so she found the biggest bowl in Xia Liang's house, slowly filled it up, and brought it out. Xia Liang ate two bowls of rice with the pickled fish, feeling full, but still wanting more. She stopped herself; the doctor had said she had to control the baby's weight later in life, as a large baby would make delivery difficult, and Xia Liang didn't dare disobey.
That evening, after Xia Liang finished washing up and prepared to go to her room to sleep, Han Yulan followed her into the bedroom. Xia Liang was puzzled but didn't say anything, only offering her mother-in-law a seat on the bed. After Han Yulan sat down, she opened the bag she had brought, took out the tickets and money inside, and handed them to Xia Liang. Xia Liang refused, saying, "Mom, I have all of these. Yanxiao sent me a lot more before, and my brother also sent me some. I haven't even finished spending the money you sent me last time." Han Yulan wouldn't let her refuse, saying, "I'm giving these to you so you can spend them. Just spend them. Now you're eating for two, so your appetite is definitely bigger than before, and your expenses are also higher. Your father and I can't even spend all the tickets we have. This time, I exchanged some more with a colleague. Your father and I will pay you back slowly later. Don't feel pressured, just spend them. Your father and I are happy to." Xia Liang politely refused several times but couldn't resist her mother-in-law and finally accepted. Suddenly, Xia Liang stopped moving and didn't move. Han Yulan was startled. "What's wrong?" Han Yulan asked anxiously. Xia Liang shook her head and said, "Nothing, the baby just kicked me." Han Yulan said excitedly, "Really? He hasn't moved yet." Xia Liang pulled her mother-in-law's hand and placed it on her belly, saying, "He hasn't moved now, but sometimes he moves very frequently." Xia Liang touched her belly with one hand and said, "Baby, say hello to Grandma, Grandma sent you a lot of money." Suddenly, Han Yulan felt a kick in her palm, and her eyes instantly reddened. She choked out, "My dear grandson kicked me." Back in her room, Han Yulan barely slept, tossing and turning, occasionally laughing foolishly. Gu Weiguo saw his wife's frantic state and asked, "What's wrong? What happened?" Han Yulan said, "My dear grandson said hello to Grandma." Gu Weiguo was stunned at first, then realized what she meant and felt a little jealous. But as a father-in-law, he couldn't possibly touch his daughter-in-law's belly.
Gu Weiguo and Han Yulan stayed at Xia Liang's place for two days and then had to go back, as she couldn't neglect her work at the store. Xia Liang and Aunt Wu saw them off at the train station. Along the way, Han Yulan kept reminding Xia Liang to take care of herself, to tell Aunt Wu what she wanted to eat, and to call her if she needed anything. Xia Liang obediently nodded. After seeing them onto the train and watching it depart, Xia Liang took Aunt Wu home.
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