Chapter 1364: Chapter 1365: The Little Widow of the Courtyard 92 Thinking about this, Yang Chen couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Even though there was some guarantee of material supply over there, it was still not as good as here in the Capital City. Zhao Lei is not home for the New Year, but there are still four people celebrating, Xiao Min’s younger brother, Xiao Yi, is spending it with them. The Xiao Family’s old couple and Xiao Min’s parents have all gone out of town, leaving only the child, Xiao Yi, behind. Previously, Xiao Min would often go back to take care of her brother. The family had a house near Capital University, Xiao Min was a day student so she could look after her brother. After Xiao Min went to the Western Region, how to care for Xiao Yi became a problem, and Zhang Yu took on this responsibility. Thanks to having this child, during the New Year’s shopping, he really helped significantly. Starting early to line up for goods and then pushing the cart back, truly lightened the load considerably. Returning home from the recycling station, Zhang Yu boiled water to prepare dumplings. Zhao Hong took out snacks like sunflower seeds and peanuts, “I wonder how my brother is doing now.” “I also wonder if my sister-in-law is pregnant,” Zhao Hong said with a face full of hope, “If she has a child, I will become an aunt.” Zhang Yu always knew that as the youngest in the family, Zhao Hong always hoped to be an elder sister or an aunt. Although Xiao Yi was younger than her, he was extremely mature, more sensible than Zhao Hong, making her often feel like she lacked an elder sister’s status. “I would become an uncle too,” Xiao Yi’s eyes lit up. “Yes, when the time comes, you both have to help take care of the child,” Zhang Yu didn’t know their situation either. Back in August, they received a letter of assurance, stating they had reached their destination and left an address. An address for a mailbox, meaning all the letters would be sent there, and after screening, would be given to Zhao Lei and the others. As for when these letters would reach Zhao Lei and the others, that’s still an unknown. “Just hope that if your sister-in-law has a child, everything goes smoothly.” Even though they mentioned in the letter that all is well and told her not to worry, how could she truly not worry? Zhang Yu and the family were concerned about Zhao Lei and their living conditions, Zhao Lei was so busy he had forgotten today was New Year’s Eve. For them, every day was busy and tiring enough that they would only take a break when exhausted. They even forgot their weekly rest days, not to mention Spring Festival, and rarely remembered it. Only when notified of a big dinner at night did anyone remember it was New Year’s Eve. Zhao Lei stood at the window, looking toward the Capital City, “I wonder how things are at home.” “The family should be having a reunion dinner together,” deep down, Xiao Min was also a little concerned about how her younger brother was doing living with her mother-in-law. During her days with the Zhao Family, Xiao Min felt it was fine, but what she felt might not necessarily be how her brother feels, especially since she couldn’t say this directly in front of Zhao Lei. “Yes, my mom will definitely prepare a big table of dishes,” Zhao Lei absolutely believed in Zhang Yu. Even during the three years of food shortages, the New Year’s dinner table was very plentiful, let alone now; it must be quite rich. Zhao Lei reminisced about the dishes on his family’s New Year’s dinner table, making passersby envious. “Zhao Lei, your family has great food for New Year’s!” “My mom goes fishing, and trades the catch with others,” Zhao Lei said generously, “Once she caught a big fish and exchanged it for a bicycle ticket for me.” Zhao Lei’s college classmates also worked at the research institute, knowing he had a bicycle when he went to university. “Wasn’t it that same bicycle you always rode?” Zhao Lei nodded, “Yes, it’s that one; back then I hadn’t even started middle school.” Talking happily about Zhang Yu’s fishing accomplishments made everyone envious, “Your mom is really impressive.” “My mom is very impressive, so my family truly never lacks for fish.” “My mom is really wonderful, raising my sister and me alone without telling me to graduate early to work and earn money to lighten the family burden.” Zhao Lei remembered his old mother and sister; other colleagues also thought of their families, and even without saying they missed them, it was obvious they did. Xiao Min gently touched her still inconspicuous belly; she had been thinking about where to have the baby. Previously she often wondered if having the baby alone in the Capital City would get along with Zhang Yu. Now she feels she should go back for postpartum care; if nothing else, Zhang Yu would surely be good to their child. No overtime, no rushing on New Year’s Eve; everyone sat around chatting for a long time, until the seniors spoke up, prompting everyone to rise and return to their dormitories. Read complete version only at novel✦fire.net Lying in bed, Xiao Min said, “Xiao Lei, I’ve made up my mind. When I’m eight months pregnant, I’ll return to the Capital City.” “You’ve decided?” Zhao Lei knew Xiao Min originally wanted to stay here to have the baby. In recent years, this area had developed, and there were medical rooms, having a baby wouldn’t be an issue. But the key issue was when they got busy; they truly wouldn’t be able to take care of the child, and although there was a nursery here, it might not be beneficial for the child. Xiao Min responded with a hmm, “I believe our mom will take good care of the baby.” “Absolutely, that’s her precious grandson or granddaughter,” Zhao Lei kissed Xiao Min’s forehead, “At that time, we’ll take annual photos and send them home so the child remembers what we look like.” Xiao Min responded with another hmm; she hoped to keep the child by her side, not wanting them to ask who their parents are after years apart. Thinking about such a scene, Xiao Min found it hard to accept, feeling unusually uncomfortable. Now that she thought about it, yes, they could send photos back home, “Maybe mom could even take a family portrait.” Even though it’s just one picture a year, it’s something to hold onto. “Yes,” Zhao Lei thought about saying, maybe if everything goes well, they could return before the child has memories. These words were on his lips, but he swallowed them; he didn’t want to say without certainty, knowing how many seniors had been studying for so many years. If Zhang Yu were here, she’d likely advise against rushing, suggesting that even ten years shouldn’t be hurried; although life here might be tough, at least they wouldn’t have to do manual labor. Once back in the Capital City, it’s hard to predict how chaotic things might get and how overwhelmed they’d be. Zhao Lei and Xiao Min whispered about the future, while Zhang Yu also pondered over them, “I wonder if your sister-in-law has a child.” As a mother-in-law, Zhang Yu couldn’t directly ask about their plans for contraception, thinking it would be too straightforward. If communication were easy, a letter could determine if there would be a child, but currently, it’s tricky and Zhang Yu remained uncertain about any child’s presence. “Forget it, I think it’s best to prepare,” she thought. It’s better to be ready earlier, just in case. Even if it’s not useful now, she had a hunch it might come in handy in the coming years. Preparation of cotton, as well as diapers, was overwhelming, requiring so much foresight and effort.