kiwanis-nylisc Chapter 313: Big Deal
Chapter 313: Big Deal
The Xu family was quite surprised to see Shen Li's prominent belly. They also took the opportunity to mention that Shen Li and Lu Cheng had already registered their marriage.
The couple had originally planned to hold a wedding banquet after Shen Li graduated, but they didn't expect the baby to come so soon.
However, in the Xu family's view, it didn't matter. As long as the two of them either registered their marriage or held a wedding banquet, they would be a legitimate couple.
Seeing that Lu Cheng was younger than her son and was about to become a father, while her own son Xu Changfeng was still single, Xu's mother couldn't help but feel anxious. Fueled by alcohol, she urged Xu Changfeng to find a partner as soon as possible.
Xu Changfeng felt helpless but couldn't refute it. He was both amused and exasperated—it was as if he couldn't find a partner, rather than not having met the right person.
Then, Lu's mother took the opportunity to recount the marriage arrangements between Lu Nan and Shen Qingnan.
The time and place have been set.
The Xu family was surprised.
Grandma Xu looked at her daughter: "The Shen family has good character. Shen Qingnan has been exceptionally knowledgeable since childhood, and he and Xiaonan are quite a good match."
Xu's mother was quite surprised.
I never expected that Xiao Nan would be able to enter the Shen family.
I was genuinely a little surprised.
After all, in the capital, many people value family background more.
In terms of family background, the two were completely mismatched.
Of course, this is Xu's mother's perspective.
Mr. and Mrs. Lu also felt that their daughter was marrying above her station.
But Shen Li didn't think so.
She thought Xiao Nan was very nice.
The Lu family will achieve even greater success.
Therefore, the two were a good match in terms of social standing and economic status.
Despite the undisguised surprise of the Xu family members, Lu's mother remained expressionless.
Having grown up in the countryside, she has an intimate understanding of the subtle thoughts and feelings hidden deep within people's hearts.
Naturally, I understand that common mentality—no matter how good the relationship is, I hope you are doing well, but I never want you to be doing better than me.
This is especially true among relatives.
When your family is in dire straits, they might lend a helping hand;
But once you suddenly turn the tide and become stronger than them, you'll inevitably feel a little resentful.
Only Grandpa and Grandma Xu were genuinely happy for Xiaonan to have found a good match, and their voices were full of heartfelt blessings.
Grandpa Xu held Xiaonan's hand and said, "Come home often when you have time, and remember to bring Xiaonan's boyfriend along."
Xiao Nan nodded with a smile, "Okay, Grandpa."
This return was already rushed, and the Xu family only entertained the Lu family today; Xu Yunrong did not return.
When the whole family sat down for a meal, Shen Li learned from the casual conversation that Xu Yunrong's daughter had already gotten married.
As for what the other person looked like and what their family background was like, Shen Li didn't think too much about it and just listened calmly.
Before we knew it, it was the eighth day of the first lunar month, and businesses from all walks of life gradually resumed operations.
Shen Li's belly was already quite noticeably protruding, making it increasingly difficult for her to move around. So she submitted a leave application to the school, saying that she was feeling unwell and wanted to take a semester off.
Upon hearing this, the instructor became anxious and earnestly advised, "Shen Li, this semester is crucial for you! Your grades have always been among the top in the class, and many professors have been inquiring about you privately. They were even planning to let you start your internship in the lab ahead of schedule!"
According to school practice, lab internships are usually arranged for seniors, and whether or not one can stay depends entirely on their individual abilities. Only students with exceptionally good grades are likely to be included in advance.
That's why the instructor was really uneasy when he learned that Shen Li wanted to ask for leave.
Shen Li patiently and earnestly explained that she did have important matters to attend to, and only then did the instructor reluctantly relent.
He agreed verbally, but the instructor turned around and went to find Shen's mother, wanting to persuade her again.
However, since Shen's mother's statement was the same as Shen Li's, she could only leave with deep regret.
The two best students in the class were both frequently absent—Ming Xiangyang was also absent every few days and wouldn't listen to anyone.
This is such a terrible thing to happen on the first day of school; even the instructor is getting emotional.
Shen Li didn't go to the factory on the first day of the new year; Lu Cheng handled it on her behalf.
Qin Min and Fang Yi both knew Lu Cheng, and Shen Li had called them in advance to inform them, specifically entrusting Lu Cheng to handle matters related to the start of work in the new year.
On the first day back to work after the New Year, both Muxi and the machinery factory have the custom of giving out New Year's red envelopes.
Ordinary employees received two yuan, leaders and laboratory staff received six yuan, and the factory director received twelve yuan. Although the amount was not large, it conveyed a sense of celebration.
At this time, the four main buildings newly built in the factory have been completed, and only the subsequent decoration is left, which will take about another year.
Shen Li had worried that if the product sales were to explode, even if a lot of stock was stockpiled in advance, the production capacity might still not be able to keep up.
When Lu Cheng returned home that evening, he still had an undisguised smile on his face.
Shen Li leaned back on the sofa, looking at him, and asked softly, "How is it? Is everything going smoothly at the factory?"
Lu Cheng walked over and sat down, gently stroking her belly, his tone excited: "It's more than just smooth sailing, the factory's phones have been ringing off the hook, it's all orders."
A smile appeared in Shen Li's eyes: "It seems that TV marketing really works. From now on, you'll have to make sure to promote GG on your electronic products too."
"That's right," Lu Cheng nodded in agreement. "Once GG was broadcast on TV, the whole country knew about our product, and the effect was even better than expected."
On the first day the machinery factory resumed operations, all the stockpiled goods were snapped up.
As for the next batch of goods, Lu Cheng set a rule—whoever pays first will receive the goods first, which saved a lot of disputes.
That night, Lu Cheng held Shen Li's hand, his tone pleading: "Li Li, although the factory is busy right now, your eldest uncle has been able to handle things on his own for the past six months. Don't underestimate him; he's very reliable and much more capable than your second uncle. I want to stay in Beijing with you until the baby is born, okay?"
Shen Li asked with some confusion, "Then what about your situation in Pengcheng?"
"With Uncle watching over us, everything's fine," Lu Cheng said confidently. Shen Li hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Okay."
On the tenth day of the first lunar month, my uncle reluctantly boarded the bus to Shenzhen.
His expression improved slightly only after his mother persuaded him that he could return when Xiao Nan got married in March.
Second Uncle stood aside, barely daring to breathe, secretly suppressing his laughter, afraid that if he laughed too obviously, his eldest brother would get angry and drag him to Pengcheng to work as well.
After his uncle passed away, Lu Cheng stayed in the capital, taking care of Shen Li while helping to manage the factory's affairs.
Shen Li's belly grew bigger every day, while Lu Cheng visibly lost weight, and the bloodshot eyes became more and more pronounced.
Seeing this, Shen Li was filled with anxiety. Every day, she instructed the kitchen to prepare different kinds of nourishing meals for him, but his physique remained unchanged.
Shen Li knew that Lu Cheng was overly worried about her safety during childbirth.
She reassured him more than once that she was in good health and that even if she couldn't deliver naturally, a C-section would be sufficient, as C-sections are now medically feasible.
But when the topic of a cesarean section came up, Lu Cheng became even more worried, his brows furrowing so tightly they could almost trap a fly.
Compared to Lu Cheng's excessive agonizing, Lu Zhou seemed much more composed.
He firmly believed that Shen Li would be safe and sound. Seeing his second brother growing thinner and thinner due to excessive worry, he became anxious for him. Wouldn't his second brother's antics cause Li-jie to worry as well?
He just hopes this semester will end quickly so he won't have to live on campus anymore and can go home every day to be with Sister Li, so the whole family can be together.