Chapter 468: Getting Better and Better

Chapter 468 Better and Better

Teaching Aunt Zhao to cook was much easier than teaching Xiao Xiao. Aunt Wu only had to give some pointers from the side, and Aunt Zhao succeeded in making it, and it tasted almost identical.

Ye Xiaoxiao once again realized that cooking also required talent.

The heavens hadn’t gifted her with this skill.

"Hey, Xiao Ye, you’re not showing yet. When are you due next year?"

Aunt Wu knew Ye Xiaoxiao was pregnant, but she always felt Xiao Xiao was very different from how she had been back then.

Maybe being pretty means you glow during pregnancy too?

"It’s still early—probably August or September."

Ye Xiaoxiao thought the weather would be just right then—neither too hot nor too cold—just right for recovering after birth.

This baby’s thoughtful.

Aunt Wu said warmly, "Guess you’ll be having the baby on the island then. If you need any help by then, be sure to come to me."

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded, "Okay."

Aunt Wu liked her no-nonsense reply.

"I’d better get going. My man’s back today too."

Aunt Wu’s husband was often away on assignments, so he didn’t get home often. Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t want to keep her any longer and grabbed a few apples from the house to give her.

"Thanks for your time, Aunt Wu."

Showing Aunt Zhao how to make pancakes had taken nearly an hour.

The fruits at home had all been sent by Ye Changning, and Ye Xiaoxiao couldn’t eat them all fast enough, so she generously gave some to Aunt Wu.

It was winter, and fruit was hard to come by on the island. Aunt Wu declined, "I can’t take these."

"Take them—your kids’ll enjoy them."

Ye Xiaoxiao had already packed them for her.

By now, Aunt Wu knew Xiao Xiao wasn’t the type to fake generosity, so she accepted them.

"Then I’ll take them."

After Aunt Wu left, Ye Xiaoxiao ate a pancake. "One pancake’s enough to fill me up."

Aunt Zhao: "We made a bunch at home. Xiao Xiao, bring some to your coworkers later."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Sure."

Aunt Zhao fretted, "It’s icy out there now, so be careful when walking."

"I know, I’m watching my step, especially on the stairs."

The steps were prone to ice, so Ye Xiaoxiao walked carefully every time.

Aunt Zhao: "I think from now on, I should take you to and from work every day."

Otherwise, Aunt Zhao would feel anxious after Xiao Xiao left. If all was well, good; but if something happened, she could handle it.

Ye Xiaoxiao looked at Aunt Zhao with amusement. Though Aunt Zhao meant well, she was overly nervous.

"Aunt Zhao, why are you more nervous than I am?"

Aunt Zhao: "How can I not be nervous? You're the treasure that the old master and mistress care about so much. I have to keep a close eye on you."

Aunt Zhao's nervousness even made Ye Xiaoxiao feel tense.

Xiao Xiao stood up. "Aunt Zhao, don’t worry too much about me. I'll be alright. I’ll go next door to see Sister Xuelan."

Kong Xuelan had recently started experiencing bad morning sickness. She was a few months further along than Xiao Xiao, and her belly was already quite big.

Kong Xuelan was resting at home today, so Xiao Xiao decided to bring her some food.

Kong Xuelan was knitting a sweater on the sofa, with Teacher Xu keeping her company.

When Kong Xuelan saw Xiao Xiao bringing something over, she immediately stood up to greet her.

"Just yesterday, I received some New Year’s treats from Regiment Commander Lu. You're both so thoughtful."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "They’re just some New Year’s goods my family sent over. We definitely can’t finish them all, so sharing them avoids waste."

Kong Xuelan gestured for Ye Xiaoxiao to sit down.

Ye Xiaoxiao looked at her. "How are you holding up, Sister Xuelan? Is your morning sickness still bad?"

Kong Xuelan: "I feel like it’s manageable, but I’ve decided to stop working at the school. Teacher Xu came over today to handle my classes."

There weren’t many students on the island, and previously, Xu Li and other teachers had taught together.

But with one less teacher, the workload would inevitably increase, and Kong Xuelan felt guilty about it.

Xu Li was also feeling down—she might have to leave the island soon.

Her family was pushing hard for her to return home. At her age, she really had to consider her future.

But with Kong Xuelan going on leave, she had to stick it out a bit longer, at least until next year when Kong Xuelan could return to teaching.

So for now, Xu Li said nothing and even comforted Kong Xuelan, telling her to rest well.

Ye Xiaoxiao also knew that education problems had no easy solutions. The island’s rough conditions made it hard to attract teachers.

There weren’t many students on the island either. Many families preferred their children to start fishing early rather than go to school.

On one hand, they believed book learning didn't help. On the other, educated children were more likely to leave home, and many parents raised children expecting them to take care of them later.

If children left and didn’t want to come back, parents would feel abandoned.

That’s why many were unwilling to send their children to school.

Though Ye Xiaoxiao understood the schooling problems, she had no good solution.

Even if she were willing to donate money, people's attitudes wouldn't change quickly.

Back in the present moment, Ye Xiaoxiao remained more concerned about the people around her.

She took Kong Xuelan's pulse and felt that Kong Xuelan was likely expecting a boy this time.

Kong Xuelan herself had gone to the hospital for a check-up and said directly, "The doctor told me I'm carrying a boy this time, but whether it's a boy or a girl, we're only allowed one child."

This was during China's one-child policy era, and Li Linghui, as a government official, certainly had to comply as well.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Your baby is doing well and will definitely be healthy and safe."

Kong Xuelan: "Have you gone for a check-up?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I'm not in a hurry yet. Besides, the clinic might soon receive a batch of new medical equipment. When that happens, you won’t need to go elsewhere for check-ups—just come to me."

Some of the equipment was provided by government sponsors, while some was purchased by Rende Pharmacy itself.

But regardless of the source, it all indicated that Ye Xiaoxiao's small clinic was becoming more and more impressive.

Mainly, there were so many people concerned about their health. Those patients who came to the island specifically also hoped to receive comprehensive and reliable treatment, so they pulled out all the stops to ensure this small sanatorium was well-equipped.

It wasn’t just about sending equipment—the island was also building a new power station. Once completed, the power would be more reliable.

Looking at it this way, Changjing Island was on an upward trajectory.

Kong Xuelan first asked excitedly, "Really?"

Then she became curious, "Xiao Xiao, what kind of people come to that little sanatorium? It always feels... unusual."

After saying this, Kong Xuelan felt her question was unnecessary—since when do regular people commute by helicopter?

She used to have no idea how skilled Ye Xiaoxiao was at medicine, but now she felt like a miracle doctor was right beside her.

Ye Xiaoxiao's tone remained quite calm: "Just some patients who don't mind going the extra mile."