1994: Starting with unpaid leave

Chapter 143 Xiuyun is having contractions

After talking with Dong Jianguo, Zou Menglong arranged for Liu Wenli, who had come along, to conduct a brief interview with Xiuyun.

When asked how she developed the recipe for pickled chicken feet, Dong Jianguo took over the conversation, saying that Xiuyun made the product based on a family recipe passed down in her hometown, and then improved it with him.

Although it was clear that Xiuyun's eyes were a little off, Reporter Zou didn't let Xiao Liu make things difficult for Xiuyun.

After all, they were only on someone's behalf on this trip, so it was acceptable.

Moreover, the claim of a family-inherited recipe seems to actually increase its acceptance among the general public.

"Director Dong, if it's convenient, I'll have Xiao Su go outside and take a few photos. That will conclude this interview successfully."

Dong Jianguo naturally agreed to this small request.

However, he grabbed reporter Zou's hand and pushed Zhang Cunyi in front of him.

"Cunyi, tell Reporter Zou about your ideas for your serialized novel—"

"Hmm, I'm planning to write a martial arts world where the imperial court suddenly orders the closure of all the major sects, leaving the sect disciples, who relied on this for a living, unemployed and forced to return home—"

Zou Ji frowned: "Are you trying to use the past to satirize the present? Young comrade, such thinking is very dangerous—"

"No, no, no, this part I wrote is called 'Any resemblance to actual events is purely coincidental' —"

Zhang Cunyi directly used Dong Jianguo's words here.

Zou Menglong thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "How about this, your novel's concept sounds quite interesting. If you have a first draft of tens of thousands of words, you can come to the newspaper office to find me—"

"Don't worry, as long as you write well, you'll have no trouble getting published. You might even get your book published!"

As he spoke, he took out a small box from his pocket, opened it, and gave one to each of Dong Jianguo and Zhang Cunyi.

Zhang Cunyi took the business card and stared blankly at the words on it, unable to believe that it was actually true!

Seeing his absent-minded look, Dong Jianguo gave him a push: "Talented horses are common, but discerning judges of horses are rare. Hurry up and thank them!"

"Oh, thank you!"

Seeing Zhang Cunyi's stunned expression, Zou Menglong couldn't help but chuckle: "I have a feeling that your relative, Director Dong, will become an excellent writer sooner or later! After all, he can even enter a meditative state while standing; he has the innate talent of a literary genius!"

After saying this with a smile, Zou Menglong prepared to leave.

Dong Jianguo stopped him again, this time intending to have the reporter take a group photo of all the factory workers in the yard.

"I've always wanted to come, but I never had the chance. Luckily, everyone's here today. Don't worry, Mr. Zou, I'll pay for the photo developing!"

Zou Menglong naturally had no reason to stop such a request.

He asked Su Yuan to arrange for a group photo, while Dong Jianguo also called on everyone in the factory to get moving.

After taking the group photo, Dong Jianguo asked Tian Lina to give him 300 yuan as a travel expense for the three reporters.

But when the money was handed over, Zou Menglong refused to accept it no matter what.

The two argued for a long time, but Zou Menglong finally gave in to Dong Jianguo and said, "Director Dong, we have our own rules in this industry. Taking someone else's money and then taking yours back is no different from double-dipping. That breaks the rules!"

Dong Jianguo was taken aback. "Who asked you to interview me? And they even paid me?!"

"Yes, he asked me to keep it a secret. But don't worry, he's your friend—and our report will definitely remain truthful; we will never maliciously smear you or Tsurunomi—"

Watching the three men get into the car and leave, Dong Jianguo, standing at the factory gate, couldn't help but wonder: "Who exactly would invite a reporter to interview me?"

Two days later, on Lunar New Year's Eve.

Xiuyun eventually gave in to Dong Jianguo's insistence and checked into the obstetrics and gynecology ward of the First People's Hospital ahead of schedule.

Starting that afternoon, I began to feel contractions, but they were not frequent, about once every ten minutes.

It was Dong Jianguo's first time accompanying a patient, so he couldn't help but feel a little nervous. His palms were sweating more than Xiuyun was sweating from the pain.

The nurse who was called in couldn't help but laugh when she saw Dong Jianguo's expression: "It's not like you're the one giving birth, why are you so nervous!"

"Besides, this is normal; every mother goes through this. There's no need to be nervous at all."

"But you, since you already have a child, you might as well go to the urology clinic and get a vasectomy—"

Dong Jianguo was too preoccupied with his wife to listen to the nurse's nonsense.

"Seriously, this is national policy!"

Lying in her hospital bed, Xiuyun glared at the nurse and said, "We don't want to be injected!"

"Sigh, it's better if a man pricks you; then you'll suffer less in the future!"

"I didn't suffer, I'm happy!"

Xiuyun straightened her neck, and another wave of pain suddenly hit her, almost making her cry out.

Seeing her like this, the nurse didn't say anything more and left the ward.

Seeing Xiuyun sweating from the pain, Dong Jianguo wiped her face with a towel and said, "Wife, if you can't take it, just have a C-section."

"No need, I heard that C-sections are bad for the baby — if you can have a vaginal delivery, then go for it — oh —"

Just then, the door was pushed open again, and several concerned faces entered the ward.

The couple looked up.

Goodness, the whole family has arrived!

On Dong Jianguo's side, his second sister-in-law Zheng Rui and eldest sister Dong Shaoying were present; on Xiuyun's side, eldest sister Zhou Xiulan was the representative.

The three of them were carrying large bags and small packages, and when they saw Xiuyun, they all showed expressions of sympathy.

"Oh my, sister-in-law, sis, why are you here during the New Year?!"

"Can't I look at my sister?!"

"You brat, look how much trouble Xiuyun has suffered because of you! If you ever dare to treat her badly again, see how I deal with you!"

Dong Shaoying never played games with her younger brother, Dong Jianguo. Even before Dong Jianguo had done anything, she had already slapped him on the shoulder.

"Sister, don't talk about Jianguo like that. He's been very good to me!" Xiuyun said, struggling to sit up.

"That's right, that's right." A woman in labor on the next bed chimed in, "Xiuyun's husband is already very good. My husband complained that I spent money when he sent me to the hospital, and he was so reluctant to ask me to bring him food."

11

"They can't compare to Xiuyun's men at all! They stay here day and night, and look how much thinner they've become in the last couple of days!"

Dong Shaoying looked her younger brother over and realized that what the neighbor had said was true.

"That's more like it. Considering your serious attitude, this beating will be put on the bill for now! If you dare to do it again—hmph."

Ignoring the siblings' conversation, Zhou Xiulan looked at her younger sister with some heartache: "Xiuyun, just bear with it. Every woman goes through this. It'll be fine after the baby is born! I brought you a can of formula. Your milk might not come in yet when the baby is born, so let the baby drink this to tide them over—"

"Thank you, sister—Jianguo—"

"Thank you, sister." Dong Jianguo took the milk powder and placed it on the bedside table.

Although I also bought a copy, I'd still like to express my gratitude first, given the circumstances.

Xiuyun glanced towards the door and, seeing no one else come in, couldn't help but feel a little disappointed: "Didn't Mom and Second Sister come?"