Took Little Star to the cafeteria to check on the two sisters-in-law.
"Xiao Wan, how is your back now?" Su Ling worriedly wanted to look at her injury, but Lin Wan wouldnât let them see.
Thereâs nothing worth seeing; it didnât look good initially.
"Itâs fine now, just really itchy these days."
"You need to bear the itch and donât scratch it. Apply the ointment I brought you when you get home tonight if it itches. This is a formula from an old traditional medicine doctor my mom knows, effective in scar removal," Yin Peibai reminded Lin Wan.
"Xiao Wan, the owner of Shunchang Cloth Factory who supplies us is coming to S City in a few days. We need to arrange things well then." Su Ling has been busy and dizzy these days because she received a school uniform order. Sheâs busy finalizing it while also receiving a call from Boss Chenâs assistant to go to Capital City for business and to visit their place.
"Why is Boss Chen thinking of coming to our small factory? He has collaborations with those big state-owned enterprises, too."
"He said heâs going to Capital City and just plans to swing by here."
"Thatâs quite a detour for him. But since heâs coming, we definitely have to entertain him well."
Originally, Lin Wan planned to go home with Han Yi after discussing matters. Who knew sheâd run into Brother Huang and Brother Qin today?
A few men were drinking upstairs. Sister-in-law Zhang specially cooked several dishes for them.
"Xiao Wan, I heard you got hurt? What happened?"
"Itâs nothing, just a minor injury."
Seems like the news of my injury canât be hidden from people. I guess Aunt Jin and Shuhua will know in the next couple of days too.
If it werenât for this incident, she wouldâve visited Aunt Jin and Shuhua already.
"Saozi, howâs business lately?" With the men drinking upstairs, Lin Wan didnât join them and chatted with the sisters-in-law downstairs.
"Not bad. Several nearby factories have started construction recently. They have canteens there, but many still come out to eat. Also, we have quite a few workers in our factory, and theyâre paid well. Theyâre willing to spend on food and often order a few stir-fried dishes during breaks. Mostly making money from this," Sister-in-law Zhang said with a smile. Clearly, making much more than from the previous job.
"A supplier will come to the factory in a few days, and weâll surely need to entertain them."
"No problem with that, just give us advanced notice. Iâll make sure to prepare well," Sister-in-law Liu is quite comfortable with this now.
If the cafeteria runs out of dishes, she can restock them in no time.
Lin Wan smiled at them, noting how much everyone has changed over the years.
Even Pidan has grown into a young lad.
Sister-in-law Zhang knew about Lin Wanâs pregnancy; by evening, the shift has ended. Apart from some factory employees coming out for a late-night snack or a couple of stir-fried dishes, there werenât many people. So, Sister-in-law Zhang specially made sour and spicy soup and millet porridge with a few side dishes for Xiao Wan and Little Star.
When not busy, the sisters-in-law would come over and eat a bit.
"Xiao Wan, have you checked if itâs a boy or a girl?" Sister-in-law Liu asked.
"Not yet, probably canât tell at this stage."
"The military hospital has machines for this kind of checkup, but theyâre typically not for public use."
"It doesnât matter, weâll want the baby whether itâs a boy or a girl."
...
Han Yin Nan met with a few friends and naturally drank a bit too much, though he wasnât completely out of it.
Leaving the factory was already past nine at night.
Initially planned to visit Aunt Jin and Shuhua the next day, but they came by carrying things instead.
Having heard about her injury yesterday, Aunt Jin regretted not knowing earlier, so she brought Shuhua over first thing in the morning.
Shuhuaâs child is just over a year old, newly walking, very cute and cuddly.
His formal name is Jin Jianping, nickname is Hehe; such a fitting name.
Seeing Shuhua today, Lin Wan realized Shuhua is pregnant again, and already a month ahead of her.
"Why didnât you wait awhile, the child just finished weaning..."
"We didnât know better, lacking experience. Who knew itâd just happen... But since it did, we didnât plan to abort. Better to raise both children together, itâs a good thing. Weâve even prepared for the fines," Shuhua said shyly, only revealing the truth to Lin Wan. Canât tell everyone they got pregnant because they didnât know, right?
"Itâs alright now, Aunt Jin can help with the kids. If you wait longer, sheâll be too old to manage,"