Cheng Ying slipped into a pair of old trousers, thinking this was convenient; she wouldn't need to specially prepare maternity wear, as her old clothes were all quite loose anyway. Perhaps everyone dressed this way, saving up their looser items specifically for pregnancy. Cheng Ying surveyed herself, turning left and right; it wasn't an impossible thought.

After Cheng Ying admired herself and finally emerged, the sun was already high in the sky.

The old lady was sitting in the courtyard, soaking up the sun. By her side, Yang Zhi accompanied her, busy with the layers of a cloth sole that the old lady had been making for Yingzi.

However, this chore had now been taken over by her own mother. Cheng Ying watched her mother's nimble hands at work and thought that from now on, she wouldn't have to worry about not having home-made shoes. Looking at how many years her mother had been in the city, she hadn't forgotten her craft.

She just wondered if the feeling of piercing the sole with an awl was the same as using a syringe to give an injection.

Thinking of this, Cheng Ying watched her mother strain while driving the awl into the sole, her teeth gritted in effort, and she felt a dull ache in her own hips. This was truly the power of suggestion at work.

The old lady beamed when she saw her granddaughter. "Yingzi, you’re up! Grandma was waiting for you. Our two mothers are going to change the fish water."

Seeing the old lady so spirited, Cheng Ying was genuinely happy. "That’s great! I meant to change our fish water yesterday. I thought you’d forgotten!" she thought, noting that the old lady wasn't confused at all. Look how energetic she was.

Look at what the doctor had said, making things sound so grim. A while ago, the old lady had been a bit muddled, and the doctor had examined her and said that this condition would only worsen as she aged. Elderly people often develop all sorts of ailments.

Cheng Ying had hated hearing that at the time, harboring resentment toward the doctor. Did they even know how to practice medicine?

The old lady looked at her granddaughter, her smile becoming almost childlike, utterly guileless. "How could I forget? I only have those two tanks of fish on my mind."

Cheng Ying said, "Later, our two mothers will change the water together."

Sister Rong, standing nearby, frowned worriedly. These fish were reportedly quite valuable. The old lady had no other hobbies, but when she got confused, she focused only on changing the water for these two tanks. And the family indulged her in fussing over them. Poor fish, not born into a good home.

Yang Zhi sat in the courtyard stitching the shoe soles, watching as Cheng Ying helped the old lady net the fish out of the tanks and drain the old water.

Then they refilled the tanks with new water and returned the fish. It was only two large tanks, yet they managed to fuss over them until late morning.

Once done with the fish, the old lady would move on to fussing over something else. Cheng Ying followed along, treating it as moderate exercise, having heard that staying active helped during childbirth.

Sister Rong came over from time to time, checking if the fish had been sufficiently tormented. These were valuable creatures.

Every guest who visited would stop by the two large tanks to comment. Sister Rong had long understood the value of those fish. Unable to bear watching any longer, she announced, "I'm going to start lunch."

Yang Zhi replied, "Sister, just get the rice started. I'll fix the dishes at noon; I should be done with this in a little while."

Sister Rong hurried away. As long as she didn't have to watch the mother and daughter tormenting the fish, she was fine.

Unaware of Yingzi’s filial piety in indulging the old lady, she just assumed there were two scatterbrained people in the courtyard.

When the old lady returned for the second round of water changing for the fish, Cheng Ying realized the pessimistic doctor had been entirely correct. The old lady really was confused. No wonder her smile was so innocent. Cheng Ying played along with the old lady, though a trace of disappointment settled in her heart.

But looking on the bright side, as long as she was near the old lady, and they could fuss together, the exact state of mind didn't matter as much. Cheng Ying sniffed and continued helping the old lady tend to the tanks, following her every instruction precisely.

Before Yang Zhi could even prepare a few lighter dishes for her daughter, Chi Wu walked in carrying bags of goods. These were high-quality items: chicken hocks, duck hocks, and pork hocks, which he placed right in front of Yang Zhi. "Mom, make this for Yingzi for lunch, okay?"

Yang Zhi looked perplexed. Her daughter's situation was quite peculiar; wanting to eat only meat. "Yingzi said she wanted this."

Chi Wu declared, "I could tell; Yingzi must like this," and then he left. Yang Zhi didn't have the self-awareness to be treated like a nanny by her son.

She truly had to consider her daughter’s current appetite. Seeing this pile of meat, she might just throw up; could she really eat any of it?

What was Wu Zi up to? These two children were such a worry.

Cheng Ying stopped what she was doing when she saw Chi Wu. "Why are you back so soon?"

Chi Wu replied, "I haven't even gone to the office yet; I went straight to find good things for you. I’ll go this afternoon. Oh, right, my senior colleagues are coming to visit in the next couple of days. Do you think we should host them here or outside?"

Cheng Ying’s eyes crinkled with a smile. They were all earning money for the family, after all. "These are the technicians from your company, the backbone of your operations."

Cheng Ying genuinely respected those with real skills. After all, you could work hard for half your life, and someone’s new invention could still knock you flat. These people were the driving force behind their family’s wealth, currently with solar water heaters, but who knew if solar cars would come next? The potential for growth looked excellent.

Cheng Ying suggested, "Our place is quite big. Why don't you bring them here? Let them see our hospitality, and it’ll give them a sense of belonging."

Chi Wu frowned, looking at his wife netting fish near her sleeves. "I'm worried about you getting tired. You’re pregnant, and you still have to entertain guests. Is that feasible? How about I book them into a hotel instead? It’s under Uncle Gan’s jurisdiction anyway, same as our place. When you feel better and are in a better mood, we can treat them to a meal here, what do you think?"

Chi Wu felt his plan was perfect, entirely accommodating his wife's physical condition.

Cheng Ying raised an eyebrow at Chi Wu. "Since they are coming to our territory, not having them over seems improper. Besides, everyone knows you’re married now, with a home and a business."

She then subtly watched Chi Wu’s expression. This man spent a long time flying around outside; Cheng Ying didn't believe blind trust was the best path for a marriage. One had to be cautious where caution was needed. With the wisdom gained from two lifetimes, if she still got quietly cheated on, Cheng Ying felt she might as well go stay in the pigsty.

Chi Wu assured her, "No way, they are all our own people. Plus, they all know you’re pregnant; they won't fuss over details. When I’ve made arrangements and you feel well, I’ll invite them home then."

Cheng Ying observed that Chi Wu seemed genuinely focused on her and the baby, without any ulterior motives. "How long will they be staying here?"

Chi Wu explained, "It’s uncertain. Actually, I want to move that branch company here; it’s easier to manage. Moreover, the land here, and many other things, are cheaper than over there. As for the lab, we’ll have to see; they are coming to check out the environment here."

Cheng Ying asked, "If you move the factory, will the land over there still be ours?"

Chi Wu laughed. "Of course. Why wouldn’t it be? We bought the land. Don't worry, it’s saved for our son, not for sale."

Cheng Ying was very satisfied, though she suspected the technical staff might be reluctant to move from a first-tier city to a second or third-tier one like theirs. "If they are unwilling to relocate, they could easily buy homes in City B. We can provide them with employee dormitories here. They can commute between the two places."

Chi Wu agreed to defer to his wife on everything, willing to be even more indulgent. "That’s up to them to decide; we don't have the final say. At worst, we can just leave the lab where it is."

Cheng Ying felt she lacked the charms of Daji, but she managed a small compliment: "I have faith in you."

Chi Wu felt the discussion was settled. "So, the arrangements are decided then?"

Cheng Ying nodded. Since Chi Wu believed this arrangement was best for her, what more could she possibly object to? The matter was essentially settled.

Yang Zhi, having finished preparing the side dishes outside, called out, "Wu Zi, Yingzi, time to eat!"

Cheng Ying sighed, "Let's go eat. My whole day now consists of these few tasks."

Chi Wu led his wife, in very high spirits. "I got some special things for you."

Cheng Ying felt a pang of apprehension. Whenever Chi Wu said that, it usually meant trouble—he was probably scheming again.

Cheng Ying asked, "Could you please ask me before preparing things for me?"

Chi Wu insisted, "This is a surprise for you! Be grateful, wife. You have no idea how the big shots at our company come home acting like emperors. I tell you, guys like me get surrounded."

Cheng Ying frowned. "Surrounded? Surrounded by women, I suppose?"

Chi Wu countered, "What are you talking about? I mean the other men surround me! They say guys like me disrupt the stable unity of their marriages."

Cheng Ying’s face darkened. "Let me tell you, if you dare to pull any funny business on me, I’ll—” A fierce expression was enough to let Chi Wu contemplate the seriousness of the threat himself. It certainly wouldn't just be divorce.

Yang Zhi called out helpfully from outside, "Dinner is ready! You two stop talking now."

Chi Wu flashed a pleasing smile. "These are all things I specifically brought back for you. You won't believe the effort I went to, going to a village outside the city just for this. You’ll definitely like it."

Cheng Ying felt her heart tighten. It was hard to have a peaceful meal. Still, she offered a somewhat disingenuous compliment to Chi Wu, "That must have been difficult." After all, his intention to care for her was good.

At the dining table, Cheng Ying found the array of green dishes quite appetizing. Her mother, indeed, knew how to prepare things that suited her palate; just looking at them made her mouth water and increased her appetite.

Chi Wu, ever industrious, headed straight for the kitchen. His mother was too slow; why hadn't she brought out the main course yet?

To be honest, if it weren't for Chi Wu’s eagerness to show off his spoils, Yang Zhi would have suggested those craving meat order a separate table outside, just so it wouldn't spoil her daughter’s appetite. A pregnant woman, severely nauseous, wouldn't want to see this.

Unfortunately, Chi Wu was already moving himself. Before he could say anything, Yang Zhi brought out the thoroughly stewed large pork hock. Thankfully, Yang Zhi had placed a lettuce leaf on the plate, fearing the sight of it would disgust her daughter; otherwise, the greasy hock looked overwhelmingly rich. How could you expect a pregnant woman to eat that?

When Cheng Ying saw the dish Chi Wu brought right in front of her, she only felt dizzy. She gently pushed it away a little. "My appetite isn't great. Just looking at it is satisfying enough. I'll start with some cold dishes first."

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