Chapter 596: Pickup and Drop-off – Daily Gossip in the Courtyard of the Sickly Young Aunt

Chapter 596: Commuting—The Fragile Sister-in-Law’s Compound Gossip Routine

After Cen Xi came back from announcing the happy news, he began pacing back and forth in the living room, muttering under his breath.

"What are you mumbling about? All that pacing is making me dizzy," Lin Qing said, initially amused but growing increasingly disoriented after a while.

Lin Qing’s parents also chuckled at the sight—Cen Xi acting so flustered was truly something to behold.

Cen Xi halted mid-step, but his anxiety was still plain to see.

"What’s wrong with you?" Lin Qing asked again.

"You’re going back to work tomorrow, and you riding your bike alone isn’t safe!" Cen Xi couldn’t shake off his worry at the thought.

Lin Qing’s parents froze too—they had nearly forgotten about this.

Lin Qing no longer worked at the factory and now had to ride her bicycle for over half an hour every day to get to the research institute. How could they not worry?

Lin Qing’s father hesitated before suggesting, "How about I take her to and from work starting tomorrow?"

Lin Qing’s mother smacked his arm. "You old coot—don’t go overboard!"

If this old man got involved, she’d be stuck worrying about both her daughter and his creaky joints. Such a headache!

Cen Xi also frowned—this wasn’t a good idea.

He couldn’t very well impose on his father-in-law, who was already in his sixties.

Lin Qing didn’t approve of her father commuting for her either and said directly, "I’ve managed just fine the last two months! You’re all being too nervous."

"No!" Lin Qing’s parents and Cen Xi all refused in unison.

"..." Lin Qing opened her mouth to speak, but Cen Xi cut in first. "Got it!"

"Got what? You’ve thought of something, Cen Xi?"

Cen Xi nodded. "Yes."

"What is it?" Lin Qing was curious too.

Cen Xi smiled mysteriously. "Since none of us at home can do it, I’ll find someone else to help!"

"Who?" Lin Qing’s mother felt this person wouldn’t be easy to choose.

They’d need just the right person—and it had to be a woman. Otherwise, gossip could start if it were a man, which wouldn’t be good for her daughter’s reputation.

Lin Qing cocked her head—she thought she knew what he meant.

"Ma, don’t worry. I’ll ask the organization to help arrange this," Cen Xi said. He didn’t trust just anyone with this task—it was better to let the authorities handle it.

"That’s good, that’s good!" Lin Qing’s mother felt completely reassured upon hearing the organization would be involved.

She trusted that the organization would resolve the matter properly.

Cen Xi acted immediately without delay, rushing off to pull strings.

The next day, when Lin Qing left for work, their arranged escort was already at the door.

"Ma, Qing Qing, this is Zhao Li, arranged by the organization. She’ll take Qing Qing to and from work every day!"

"Zhao Li, thank you so much!" Mrs. Lin clasped her hands gratefully.

The trained Zhao Li nearly lost her composure. "Please, it's nothing, Auntie. Just doing my job."

"Regardless, we must thank you and thank the organization." Mrs. Lin insisted—she simply felt the organization had been incredibly kind to their family.

Lin Qing was also grateful, but noticing Zhao Li seemed a bit overwhelmed, she quickly stepped in. "Mom, we have to go now. If we don’t leave, we’ll be late."

"Oh, oh! Right! Then hurry and set off!" Mrs. Lin immediately released her grip.

Cen Xi escorted Lin Qing out, reminding her, "Take your time on the road. There’s still plenty of time, no need to rush."

Zhao Li assured him, "Don’t worry, Mr. Cen. I’ll make sure she arrives safely and returns safely."

"Good! I appreciate it." Cen Xi nodded.

"Alright, alright, you should hurry to work too!" Lin Qing had already heard those words at least a dozen times since yesterday.

Cen Xi wanted to say more but stopped when he saw her impatient expression. "Alright then."

He watched as the two walked away.

Actually, the organization had agreed only after careful consideration. If this issue wasn’t resolved, Cen Xi might not even have the peace of mind to focus on his research. Only by eliminating his worries could he wholeheartedly contribute, right?

After Zhao Li drove Lin Qing to the research institute, it occurred to her—she would be working all day, so where would Zhao Li stay in the meantime?

"Comrade Zhao, what will you do while I’m working?"

Zhao Li hesitated briefly before explaining, "Actually, I’m basically part of your security team who used to follow you discreetly—just now out in the open. While you work, I’ll stay in the institute’s security office."

Lin Qing suddenly understood. So that’s how it was!

This arrangement was just like before, when security personnel had protected her covertly.

When she first joined the institute, Professor Gu had even come to ask her about the security detail. At the time, the guards had originally been stationed outside the institute, but this had drawn the attention of the institute’s own security team.

After checking each other’s IDs, they realized they were all colleagues!

That was how the security personnel got clearance to enter the institute’s security office.

Sure enough, Zhao Li entered the institute alongside Lin Qing. After showing her credentials to the security office and going over the arrangements, they confirmed with Lin Qing before allowing her in.

When Lin Qing arrived at the lab, Gu Xianlin had already received the news. "Congratulations! Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Professor." Lin Qing paused in surprise before expressing her gratitude.

"Now that you’re pregnant, you should be extra careful with your health. Would you like me to lighten your load a bit?"

Lin Qing shook her head. "No need. I can handle it just like before. I was handling it fine when I didn’t even know I was pregnant—it’ll be the same now."

Gu Xianlin wavered but eventually gave in at her firm stance. "Alright, but if you ever feel unwell, you have to tell me! No keeping it to yourself!"

"Professor, don’t worry. I’ll definitely say something." This was everything she had long hoped for—how could she not take it seriously?

"Good!" Gu Xianlin left it at that.

And so, though Lin Qing’s daily workload remained unchanged, she noticed fewer people barreling around in the lab.

Lin Qing knew this had to be because the professor had informed others in advance, urging them to be more mindful.

Otherwise, with the lab’s usual research fanatics, once they got busy, they’d go charging about without thinking—they'd never think of things like that.

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