Chapter 464: Arrangements

Chapter 464 Arrangements

After sitting down, Ye Xiaoxiao learned that it was her grandmother who couldn't wait to send Aunt Zhao over.

"You must be exhausted from the trip."

Ye Xiaoxiao poured Aunt Zhao a cup of tea. Aunt Zhao was over forty, and not everyone could adapt to the island's environment.

But Aunt Zhao brushed it off. "This is nothing. The ride over was smooth—no hassle."

Ye Xiaoxiao urged Aunt Zhao to rest first.

However, Aunt Zhao wasn’t the type to sit idle. She pitched in, cleaning the house top to bottom, then got acquainted with the yard tools.

"Aunt Zhao, please take a break."

Ye Xiaoxiao kept insisting.

But Aunt Zhao worked efficiently, cleaning the entire house without needing Ye Xiaoxiao’s help. She had the whole place spotless before Ye Xiaoxiao could lift a finger.

It wasn’t until Lu Hanchuan returned that Ye Xiaoxiao realized he’d already spilled the news about her pregnancy to their families.

"Should we tell your parents too?"

Lu Hanchuan thought it was necessary; otherwise, they’d be upset hearing it months late.

Ye Xiaoxiao considered it. "I’ll telegram Third Brother. Once he knows, word’ll get to the whole family fast."

Besides, her third brother had mentioned visiting the island before, though he’d been too busy to come. Now that he had the news, he’ll be here in no time.

Lu Hanchuan nodded. "Works for me."

They went together to send the telegram. Ye Xiaoxiao kept it short and sweet, mentioning only her pregnancy.

Lu Hanchuan asked, "Nothing else to add?"

Ye Xiaoxiao shook her head. "No need. The second Third Brother sees this, he’ll be on the next boat over."

Lu Hanchuan nodded.

In fact, Ye Xiaoxiao was absolutely right.

The telegram was sent directly to Ye Changning’s office. As soon as he returned to Beijing from his business trip, he saw it.

Ye Changning scanned the telegram twice, then bolted upright, grinning.

Sure, there were other kids in the family—his older sisters’ kids called him uncle—but this was different—this was his sister’s.

How could he not be thrilled?

Jiang Nan, who was watching him, blinked in confusion. What’s got the boss all worked up?

Ye Changning clapped his hands. "I’m gonna be an uncle! Haha, I’m gonna be an uncle!"

Jiang Nan was lost until Ye Changning exclaimed, "Xiao Xiao is pregnant!" Only then did he understand. No wonder he’s over the moon—Xiao Xiao’s always been his favorite.

"But I remember Xiao Xiao seems to be on the island."

Ye Changning's smile faded. "Yes, she insisted on joining her husband at his military post. I was against it from the beginning."

In the end, it was all Lu Hanchuan's fault. If he hadn't been stationed in such a remote place, Xiao Xiao wouldn’t have had to go there either.

But never mind the brother-in-law—his sister came first.

Ye Changning immediately decided to prepare some things to visit Xiao Xiao.

"Right, I should call home and let the family know about this."

Jiang Nan reminded him, "Are you going now? It’s almost New Year’s. Maybe wait until after the holidays?"

Ye Changning thought for a moment. "I’ll inform the family first. I may not make it home for the holidays this year."

Ye Changning first called Miao Cuifang.

Now, Miao Cuifang and Ye Jianguo were living at Ye Chang'an’s place, so they could easily answer the phone.

"Xiao Xiao’s pregnant?!"

Of course, Miao Cuifang was happy, but then she started worrying about Xiao Xiao. "Is there anyone taking care of her on the island now? This is her first pregnancy—she’s inexperienced..."

"Mom, don’t worry about that. Xiao Xiao is a doctor—she knows her stuff."

"You wouldn’t know. Pregnancy is different from other things. Xiao Xiao may have theoretical knowledge, but she’s never given birth before. She’ll be overwhelmed."

What worried Miao Cuifang, however, was that she didn’t have time to take care of Xiao Xiao right now.

She had her own career to manage and was also helping her second son with the kids.

Ye Changning said, "I’ll visit her on the island before the New Year to see how she’s doing. If everything’s fine, then we don’t need to worry."

Miao Cuifang agreed with this plan.

"Alright, you go check on her first."

So, in the dead of winter, Ye Changning boarded a ship to Changjing Island.

Jiang Nan went with him, and the two of them were loaded down with bags.

Since Xiao Xiao wasn’t due soon, most of what Ye Changning bought were nutrients for adults.

The two of them dragged their bags ashore, but this time, Ye Xiaoxiao wasn’t surprised.

She had long figured Ye Changning would visit—it was only a question of when.

She had even prepared a place for him to stay ahead of time, waiting for him.

Now, with Aunt Zhao at home, there were no spare rooms.

But there were certainly quarters in the compound, and the island also had a guesthouse.

Ye Changning’s first thought when he arrived was how cold it was.

The wind here was much fiercer than in the capital, stinging his face like needles of ice.

Fortunately, Ye Changning had grown up in the Great Northeast and was accustomed to harsh cold—otherwise, he would’ve frozen solid the moment he stepped onto the island.

There were still many soldiers training on the island, but the training hours had been cut back.

Ye Changning didn’t specify which day he would arrive on the island, but a quick ask around pointed him to Ye Xiaoxiao’s place.

When Ye Changning entered the house, Xiao Xiao was still at work, and Housekeeper Zhao was the one who greeted them.

Ye Changning asked about Housekeeper Zhao’s background and only then learned that she was someone sent over by the Lu family.

The Lu family sure works fast.

Had he known hiring a housekeeper was an option, he could’ve hired a whole bunch—then he wouldn’t have to stress over Xiao Xiao.

Ye Changning asked, “Where is Xiao Xiao now?”

Housekeeper Zhao replied, “Xiao Xiao’s still at the clinic. She should be back soon.”

Ye Changning hadn’t realized outsiders kept coming to see Xiao Xiao for treatment—he thought she was just sticking to her usual routine.

“She’s still working even though she’s pregnant?”

“She’s not that far along, and Xiao Xiao seems quite healthy—no issues.”

Hearing this from Housekeeper Zhao, Ye Changning was even keener to see his sister.

Ye Xiaoxiao came back after lunch to rest. There were currently four patients at the sanatorium.

She and Qu Miao had agreed that Mr. Huang Yuning could leave around the Lunar New Year.

Since his condition had already stabilized, and judging by how often he was making phone calls, he clearly wasn’t idle—it made sense to let him go.

But unexpectedly, Huang Yuning wasn’t happy with the plan.

“Are you sure I’m ready to be discharged?”

Qu Miao didn’t indulge him at all. “What, you wanna buy a season pass or something?”

Now that was a burn—who buys a hospital membership?

Ye Xiaoxiao cut in, “You’re cleared to go. Do you feel like you haven’t recovered well?”

Huang Yuning: “...”