Reborn in '77, I have a job panel!

Chapter 106 Zhang Mingxi is Pregnant

Qian Cheng said, "Director Liu, it wasn't just me who did it; it was everyone's doing it together."

Director Liu smiled, looked at the people present, and said, "You've all made contributions. Next year, the province plans to include Yingkou and Jinzhou as well. Your company can consider expanding its business there."

Qian Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Director Liu, Yingkou and Jinzhou are a bit far away, so we need to do some research first. I'll get a clear picture of the situation in these two cities in the first half of next year, and then decide whether to proceed or not in the second half."

Director Liu nodded: "Okay, you handle it."

After the meeting, Director Liu left.

Qian Cheng kept everyone behind for another short meeting.

"We've done a good job this year; everyone has worked hard. Next year, our tasks will be even more demanding. We need to manage our bases in Liaoyang, Anshan, and Fushun well, conduct research in Yingkou and Jinzhou, and further expand our customer base in the provincial capital. Everyone, let's all stay focused and do a good job next year."

Old Wang said, "Xiao Qian, don't worry, there are no problems with the finance department."

Old Li said, "Business is stable, and we have more and more clients."

Xiao Liu said, "I'll keep an eye on logistics; there won't be any mistakes."

Qian Cheng nodded: "Okay, it's settled then."

Life went on like this, day after day, busy but very fulfilling.

Zhang Mingxi sometimes asked him, "Qian Cheng, you're so busy every day, aren't you tired?"

Qian Cheng said, "I'm tired, but I feel at ease."

""

Zhang Mingxi looked at him and smiled.

"You're just someone who can't sit still."

,

Qian Cheng laughed too: "It's good that you can't stay idle; only by staying idle can you live a good life."

Zhang Mingxi leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "Qian Cheng, there's something I want to tell you."

Qian Cheng asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhang Mingxi blushed, lowered her head, and spoke even softer.

"I'm pregnant."

Qian Cheng was taken aback: "What is it?"

'

Zhang Mingxi looked up and glared at him.

"What did you say you had?"

Qian Cheng looked at her, suddenly understood, and stood up abruptly.

"real?"

Zhang Mingxi nodded, her face turning even redder.

Qian Cheng was so happy he didn't know what to say. He walked around the room twice, then squatted down and looked at her belly.

"How many months?"

Zhang Mingxi said, "More than two months."

Qian Cheng reached out and gently touched her belly, his hand trembling slightly.

"Boy or girl?"

Zhang Mingxi laughed: "I don't know yet."

Qian Cheng smiled too, but as he smiled, his eyes welled up with tears.

"Mingxi, thank you for your hard work."

Zhang Mingxi shook his head: "It's not hard work, I'm happy."

Qian Cheng hugged her, feeling a lump in his throat, as if something was welling up inside him.

He's going to be a father.

Time suddenly slowed down.

Qian Cheng discovered that ever since he learned that Zhang Mingxi was pregnant, he had become a completely different person.

I used to walk with a swagger, now I walk with caution.

He used to eat quickly, only taking a couple of bites before leaving, but now he sits there chewing slowly, occasionally glancing up to see how much Zhang Mingxi has eaten.

I used to go straight to sleep when I got home, but now I toss and turn in bed, thinking about this and that, and I even get up in the middle of the night to check if she's covered up properly.

Zhang Mingxi laughed at him, "You're more nervous than I am."

Qian Cheng said, "Of course, it's my first time being a father, I have no experience."

Zhang Mingxi blushed and punched him lightly: "You talk like you have experience."

Company matters are still busy, but Qian Cheng tries to travel less. He's leaving the work in Liaoyang, Anshan, and Fushun to Lao Li.

Old Li had been with him for several years; he was skilled in the business and a reliable person, so it was safe to entrust him with the work. Qian Cheng kept an eye on things in the provincial capital himself, and when he really couldn't leave, he would have Old Wang and Xiao Liu discuss and handle the matter.

Old Wang said, "Xiao Qian, just stay home and take care of your wife. We'll handle things at the company; nothing will go wrong."

Qian Cheng said, "Uncle Wang, thank you for your hard work."

Old Wang waved his hand: "What's the hard work? It's my duty."

Zhang Mingxi's belly grew bigger every day. For the first three months, she had no symptoms—no vomiting, no nausea, just lots of sleepiness. After work, she'd eat and then sprawl on the sofa, falling asleep almost immediately. Qian Cheng would cover her with a blanket, sit beside her reading, and then, feeling sleepy himself, would lean against her and doze off for a while.

Sometimes, when Qian Cheng woke up in the middle of the night, Zhang Mingxi was still asleep, and he would lie there, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. He would think about what to name the baby, whether it would be better to be a boy or a girl, what to do when the baby went to school, and what he would do when he grew up. As he thought about these things, he would laugh at himself for worrying so much. The baby wasn't even born yet, why was he thinking so far ahead?

Four months into her pregnancy, Zhang Mingxi's belly started to show, round and plump, like a small pot. She had trouble getting dressed; her old pants wouldn't button up. Qian Cheng went to the department store and bought her two pairs of maternity pants with elastic waistbands, which were comfortable to wear. He also bought her two oversized floral tops. Zhang Mingxi put them on and looked at herself in the mirror for a long time, saying she looked like an old lady.

Qian Cheng said, "It doesn't look like it, it looks good."

Zhang Mingxi glared at him: "You're just good at flattering me."

Qian Cheng laughed: "It's only right that I try to make you happy."

At five months, Zhang Mingxi could feel the baby moving.

That night, she suddenly grabbed Qian Cheng's hand and pressed it against her stomach.

"Feel it, it's moving."

Qian Cheng froze for a moment, placing his hand on her stomach, too afraid to move. After a while, he felt something gently nudge him, like a small fish blowing a bubble.

He looked up at Zhang Mingxi, his eyes shining.

"It moved."

Zhang Mingxi smiled: "Yes, it moved."

Qian Cheng placed his hand there, waited a while, and then moved it again. This time it was more obvious, like a small fist gently pounding.

Suddenly, his nose tingled and his eyes welled up with tears.

Zhang Mingxi saw him and laughed, "Why are you crying?"

Qian Cheng said, "I didn't cry, I was happy."

""

Zhang Mingxi held his hand and whispered, "I'm happy too."

The two sat there, their hands on her stomach, feeling the little thing moving rhythmically. The room was quiet, insects chirped outside the window, and the moonlight shone in, casting a white glow on the floor.

After a while, Qian Cheng said, "Mingxi, thank you for your hard work."

Zhang Mingxi shook his head: "It's not hard work, I'm happy."

""

Qian Cheng pulled her close and let her lean on his shoulder.

I'll spend more time with you from now on.

,

Zhang Mingxi nodded and closed his eyes.

Life went on like this, neither too fast nor too slow, steadily and peacefully.

Qian Cheng makes breakfast for Zhang Mingxi every morning. He's a good cook and makes a variety of dishes: millet porridge with boiled eggs one day, dumpling soup with poached eggs the next, and steamed egg custard drizzled with sesame oil the day after. Zhang Mingxi enjoys his meals, and Qian Cheng is happy to see him eat.

After breakfast, the two went out together. Zhang Mingxi rode her bicycle to school, while Qian Cheng walked to the company, dropping her off at the intersection on the way. He only turned and left after watching her ride away.

Zhang Mingxi ate lunch at the school cafeteria, while Qian Cheng ate lunch at the company cafeteria.

After dinner, he called her to ask if she had eaten, if she was sleepy, and if she felt unwell.