Chapter 461: Good News of Pregnancy

Chapter 461 Blessed Pregnancy

Lin Xining stood up from her seat. "Sounds like gunfire."

Though less alarmed, Ye Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it does."

"But it could just be a drill. No need to panic."

Ye Xiaoxiao still believed it was merely a minor conflict—doubt it’ll turn into a real fight.

Even Huang Yuning, who had been resting in his room, came out to check. He called out to the others in the yard, "Sounds like it’s from the shore."

Qu Miao and Ye Xiaoxiao remained seated in their office chairs.

"It’s freezing out there. Unless the building collapses, I’m not going out to look," Ye Xiaoxiao said flatly.

Qu Miao felt the same way, showing no intention of moving from the office.

When Huang Yuning entered and saw their calm expressions, he asked, "Aren’t you two worried at all?"

Ye Xiaoxiao replied, "What’s the point? Better to focus on work than worry about that."

Huang Yuning had no reply.

But not everyone was as laid-back as Ye Xiaoxiao.

Perhaps due to the recent unease, Hai Yan’s small shop hadn’t gotten new stock in ages.

Hai Yan had also decided to leave the island with A Bang.

"So you’ve decided to leave after New Year’s?"

Hai Yan confirmed, "Yes. With the weather and other issues, transportation to and from the island isn’t reliable anymore. The supply boats can’t even make it here anymore."

"A Bang and I have some savings. It’s enough for us to start over somewhere new."

Ye Xiaoxiao gave her a number and an address. "If you run into trouble in the capital, you can call this number."

It was Song Xiaoguang’s contact.

She had considered giving her third brother’s number, but he was too unpredictable.

No telling if you’d even reach him, whereas Brother Xiaoguang was far more dependable.

Hai Yan accepted the gesture gratefully. "Thank you. I never expected to meet someone who’d help me out like this."

Ye Xiaoxiao pointed at herself. "Someone like me? I’m nobody special. Just doing a good deed, like Lei Feng."

Hai Yan looked at Xiao Xiao gratefully. "Regardless, I won’t forget your kindness."

Ye Xiaoxiao asked, "What about your shop on the island after you leave?"

Hai Yan replied, "I sold it. Someone else’ll run it."

Ye Xiaoxiao remarked, "So you’re not coming back, then."

Hai Yan’s tone was resolute. "That’s right. There’s too little on this island worth sticking around for. Even if I return, it won’t be for many years."

Ye Xiaoxiao respected Hai Yan’s decision and was glad she could break free from her old life’s chains, braving a new start.

Hai Yan and Ye Xiaoxiao shared a hug—their final goodbye.

As expected, Lu Hanchuan didn’t come home on New Year’s Day.

Not just Lu Hanchuan—the husbands from the two households next door didn’t return either.

So they figured, why not spend the holiday together at home?

Ye Xiaoxiao wasn’t the best cook, but her two neighbors had skills in the kitchen.

Ye Xiaoxiao also invited Lin Xining and Qu Miao.

Back at the sanatorium, the others were getting ready to celebrate too.

So Ye Xiaoxiao left things in her colleagues’ hands without a second thought.

Out of Ye Xiaoxiao’s twenty chicks, only sixteen were left. Since it was a holiday, she figured one more chicken wouldn’t hurt.

Gao Yanfei hesitated, "We’re already crashing your place, and now we’re killing your chicken—that’s too much."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Help yourselves! But I’ll need you guys to handle the cooking—I’m hopeless in the kitchen."

Gao Yanfei and Lin Xining had no problem with it. Kong Xuelan also wanted to help, but everyone insisted she rest.

Kong Xuelan scoffed, "I’m not made of glass—it’s just a baby. Relax!"

Kong Xuelan was already four months along, and her bump was starting to show, unmistakably now.

Ye Xiaoxiao took her pulse—all good.

Kong Xuelan had been very weak before, but since getting pregnant—whether due to careful care or something else—she hadn’t fallen ill at all since winter began.

She barely even had morning sickness. Because she ate well, her cheeks had rounded out, giving her a healthy glow.

"Hey, Xuelan, wanna help me prep the veggies?"

That was about all they were allowed to do.

Because of the cold weather, all activities were now held indoors.

The veggies Ye Xiaoxiao grabbed were basic—radishes, cabbage, the winter staples.

Qu Miao was outside handling the chicken. He made quick work of it—drained, plucked, and carried it inside.

Ye Xiaoxiao had been fine until the raw chicken smell hit her—she gagged, suddenly queasy.

Qu Miao froze, chicken in hand—"Was it something I did?"

Kong Xuelan’s eyes lit up. "Xiao Xiao… no way. Are you pregnant?"

Ye Xiaoxiao covered her mouth and tilted her head.

They’d been trying, but she hadn’t been tracking it closely.

They say doctors make the worst patients. After setting down what he was holding, Qu Miao checked Ye Xiaoxiao’s pulse.

"About a month along."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Can’t fault me for missing that!"

The month count is still so small—it’s totally normal not to notice.

And she’d been fine up till now, but this time the smell of blood kept making her nauseous.

Qu Miao shook his head, just as baffled at Ye Xiaoxiao's excuse. "At least the baby’s been healthy this past month."

Ye Xiaoxiao stood up. "Nope, I gotta step out for a bit."

Gao Yanfei grinned. "Go ahead, scram. There are already too many people in the kitchen. Teacher Kong, after you finish rinsing the veggies, you should step out too. Today, y’all get to try my cooking."

Ye Xiaoxiao stepped out to collect herself.

Lu Hanchuan was still in the dark, and she was eager to see his reaction.

Once out of the kitchen, Ye Xiaoxiao plopped down at the dining table in the living room for a while and didn’t feel as nauseous anymore.

They were supposed to make dumplings today, and Lin Xining had already minced the filling.

Ye Xiaoxiao gave it a sniff and decided it was okay.

"Xiao Xiao, you’re supposed to be resting!"

Lin Xining had just learned about Ye Xiaoxiao’s pregnancy. She was shocked but thrilled.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I *am* resting. I’ll just sit and help."

Fair enough—it wasn’t like she was doing heavy lifting.

Lin Xining sat and started gushing about babies with Ye Xiaoxiao.

"So, Xining-jie, you married?"

They’d worked together before but weren’t tight.

Ye Xiaoxiao knew people nowadays married relatively early, so she guessed Lin Xining was already married.

"Yeah, but my hubby’s swamped—even worse than me. Otherwise, no way I’d be stuck on this island." Lin Xining looked resigned.

"So, Xining-jie, you don’t have kids yet?"

"Not yet. We’re aiming for one in the next three years."

Lin Xining sounded sure, but she couldn’t guarantee she’d conceive within three years.

When it came to children, everyone present except Qu Miao could join the conversation.

Even after the dishes were cooked and the dumplings were served, the group kept discussing.

Only Qu Miao and Gao Yanfei’s kids were totally lost in this topic.

"So, Xiao Qu, when’s the girlfriend happening?" Gao Yanfei suddenly asked him.

Qu Miao, chewing on a dumpling, looked bewildered. "Uh… hard pass."