Chapter 463: Active Preparation

Chapter 463: Active Preparations

Ye Xiaoxiao smiled faintly. "Then go out and run a couple of laps to clear your head."

Lu Hanchuan really did feel like running outside to calm himself down, but after some thought, he decided he should stay by his wife's side.

He and Xiao Xiao hadn’t seen each other in two weeks, and even the last time he returned home, he had only stayed for one night before rushing off.

"Unless something unexpected comes up, I shouldn’t be too busy from now on. I’ll come back to spend more time with you," Lu Hanchuan reassured her while holding her close.

But Xiao Xiao didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she joked, "Actually, I don’t miss you that much."

Lu Hanchuan: "..."

His wife didn’t miss him?!

Seeing his stunned expression, Ye Xiaoxiao finally laughed happily.

"I was just teasing you. I missed you so much," Xiao Xiao immediately hugged him and nuzzled against him playfully.

The two chatted late into the night.

The next day, when Lu Hanchuan woke up, Xiao Xiao was already awake. For once she was up on time. They had breakfast together before they went their separate ways to work.

Lu Hanchuan called home first, and Grandma Lu answered the phone.

When she heard the good news about Xiao Xiao’s pregnancy, Grandma Lu was beside herself with joy.

She'd get to hold her great-grandchild!

She immediately urged, "Hanchuan, you must look after Xiao Xiao."

Lu Hanchuan: "I know, Grandma. Can you send a reliable housekeeper from home to come to the island and take care of Xiao Xiao?"

Grandma Lu agreed it was necessary. She knew her grandson’s situation—he would never have time to look after Xiao Xiao.

They needed someone experienced from the family to help; it was a must.

"Don’t worry, let me handle this. I'll have Auntie Zhao go."

But Lu Hanchuan said, "But you love Auntie Zhao’s cooking the most? Maybe send someone else."

Grandma Lu insisted firmly, "It’s because Auntie Zhao is reliable that I want her to take care of Xiao Xiao. Your grandpa and I will manage just fine at home. If she leaves, there are others to take her place. Don’t worry."

Seeing how adamant Grandma was, Lu Hanchuan agreed.

Still, they'd need Auntie Zhao's agreement. After hanging up, Grandma Lu immediately burst out to Grandpa Lu:

"Xiao Xiao is pregnant!"

The old woman was practically dancing with joy.

Even stern Grandpa Lu couldn’t help but break into a huge grin at the news.

"Really? Then let's bring Xiao Xiao back directly. The island's conditions are pretty rough."

Grandpa Lu, who usually preached for the family to endure hardships, was now overjoyed.

Grandma Lu shot him a look. "You still have to talk to your grandson first. Besides, Xiao Xiao has things to do on the island. She can't just drop everything and come back."

Grandpa Lu actually considered it but ultimately decided that responsibilities came first, so he didn’t insist on his idea.

Grandpa Lu said, "What name should we give the child when it's born?"

With that, he was about to go upstairs to look up names in the dictionary.

Grandma Lu rolled her eyes. "It's only been a month. We don’t even know if it’s a boy or a girl yet, and you’re already rushing to pick names."

"We'll pick some boy names and some girl names. We can’t be unprepared," Grandpa Lu said firmly.

Grandma Lu shook her head helplessly and let him be.

Aunt Zhao had been with the Lu family for many years. When she heard Grandma Lu’s arrangement, she agreed right away.

Though part of it was because Grandma Lu raised her salary, the bigger reason was that Aunt Zhao had been with the Lu family for over a decade and was like family.

"Don't you worry, Grandma Lu. I’ll definitely take good care of Xiao Xiao when I go there."

Grandma Lu was quite reassured about Xiao Xiao. "Xiao Xiao knows her medicine, so she can definitely take care of herself. Aunt Zhao, you just need to lend a hand with chores and meals on the island."

Aunt Zhao gave a nod. "Alright, I understand."

Since she had agreed to go to the island, Aunt Zhao first packed her things and let her family know.

Her family setup was simple—a quick call to her son would do.

Aunt Zhao’s son also had a job and was rarely home.

After making the call and packing her belongings, Aunt Zhao headed for the island on a sunny day.

...

Baishi Village.

Miao Cuifang had talked it over with Ye Jianguo before her trip to Shen City, asking him to come with her.

She still had to help their second child with childcare, and they didn't want to live apart.

Not only did Miao Cuifang help with the kids, but she was also building her own career in Shen City, working as a teaching assistant at Lin Chan’s art studio.

So Miao Cuifang needed Ye Jianguo’s support too.

Once he understood what his wife wanted, Ye Jianguo decided to support her career.

Though he was currently working as an instructor at a local school, someone had to make a change, and Ye Jianguo chose himself.

Back in the day, Miao Cuifang had supported his career. Now that they were older, he wanted his wife to do what she loved.

So Ye Jianguo decided to go to Shen City with Miao Cuifang.

Even Zhang Xue was shocked.

"Dad actually agreed to give up his job at the school? That's not like him at all."

In Zhang Xue's perception, her father-in-law still had a bit of an old-school masculinity and was quite stubborn.

Ye Changqing was also surprised. "Dad has changed a lot over the years. Besides, we’re better off now—he doesn’t need to work so hard. Going to Shen City to unwind with Mom is a good idea."

Zhang Xue shook her head. "Remember how they went out to sell tea eggs? Dad won’t just sit around."

Ye Changqing chuckled. "That’s a matter for the future. Right now, the best thing is for them to live together."

Zhang Xue said, "Then I’ll pack some things for them to take along."

Ye Changqing nodded. "I’ll be traveling out of town soon—thank you for keeping things running at home."

Zhang Xue had initially been very worried about Ye Changqing working in the mining area, but he had come home safe. This time, he was going to check out a new mine.

Zhang Xue said, "I don’t have to worry about anything at home. But you—be careful out there. Just stay safe."

The young couple reminded each other to be careful as they faced another separation.

After seeing Ye Jianguo and Miao Cuifang off, Ye Changqing also got on a bus to head out of town.

...

Meanwhile, Xiao Xiao’s life had been quiet—until Aunt Zhao suddenly arrived on the island, throwing her off track.

"Aunt Zhao, what brings you here?"

Ye Xiaoxiao was stunned when she saw Aunt Zhao standing in the yard with large bags of belongings.

Aunt Zhao said bluntly, "The matriarch sent me to take care of you. Xiao Xiao, leave the bags—I’ve got them."

Before Ye Xiaoxiao could ask how Aunt Zhao had even gotten to the island, she first thanked the guard who had escorted her, then headed inside.

"Aunt Zhao, don’t rush to unpack. Let me show you the side bedroom first."

Baffled but quick to act, Ye Xiaoxiao quickly arranged a place for Aunt Zhao to stay.

With only a few rooms in the house, the side bedroom was the only option.