Ji Ying, thinking about the upcoming school term, felt particularly reluctant to let go.
"There’s the shuttle bus, right? Once I get there, I’ll know what it’s like. If anything, I’ll just have to trouble my second brother to visit me more often." Xu Nianhua said playfully as she squatted down to help wash the bottles.
"Alright, alright, your second brother is a boy; it’s fine for him to take the bus to see you more often."
Going along with her, Ji Ying finished drying the last few bottles before saying, "I’m going back to cook. The others should be coming home soon."
That evening, the whole family, except for Xu Qinghe who was in the village, all gathered together.
Having not seen each other for a long time, they seemed to have endless topics to discuss.
"Sister-in-law, why do I feel like your belly has grown even bigger?" Xu Nianhua looked at Zhou He’s stomach, which seemed to have grown a notch since she had been to South City.
"It’ll grow even more towards the end." Zhou He touched her belly with a gentle gaze, feeling the baby move every day. She was looking forward to the day the baby would be born.
"By the way, big brother, sister-in-law, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you."
Xu Nianhua remembered what Pei Yicheng had mentioned. Over the phone, it was inconvenient to talk about it. Now that she was back, naturally, she wanted to bring it up at the first opportunity.
"Nianhua, we’re siblings; just speak plainly, no need for all this talk of ’discussing’ things," Xu Nianji said directly.
Zhou He chimed in, "Your big brother’s right. We’re all family here."
"It’s , Cheng Hao has gone back to Ningbei." No sooner had Xu Nianhua finished speaking than Xu Nian’an interjected with a puzzled look, "When’s he coming back?"
"He won’t be coming back for now."
Xu Nianhua didn’t know how to explain Cheng Hao’s situation, so she glossed over it and continued, "Cheng Hao’s gone, and now there’s no one to deliver the goods. So, Yicheng’s thinking was to ask for big brother’s opinion on this."
Xu Nianji reflexively shook his head in refusal.
"Why can’t you?" Xu Nianhua retorted.
Xu Nianji paused for a moment before replying, "Firstly, I don’t know how to drive, and secondly, delivering goods isn’t just about the delivery; you also need to be quick-witted."
"You can learn to drive; it’s quite simple. As for being quick-witted, well, I think big brother is just as capable as anyone else. Why would that be an issue?" Xu Nianhua had high hopes for her eldest brother. She explained, "Driving to deliver goods is tough now, but in the long run, it has great potential for development. As the factory grows, big brother can also go and learn more about managing it."
Once the factory expanded, Ji Ying alone would certainly not be enough.
"Nianhua, let’s drop this issue. Mom is managing the factory just fine, and it’s better for Yicheng to find somebody else for this," Xu Nianji said and added, "It would be best for Yicheng to find his own people."
"Big brother, Yicheng and I discussed this. What are you worried about?"
Xu Nianhua understood his concerns, continuing, "The factory’s accounts are very clear. We haven’t hired an accountant yet, but we will need to soon. Otherwise, we won’t be able to keep the accounts straight. So, you really don’t have to worry about this matter. I think what you’re more worried about is not being able to come home for several days at a time."
Xu Nianhua’s gaze fell on Zhou He’s pregnant belly. Her sister-in-law was about to give birth, and if her big brother took over the delivery work, he would certainly not be able to take care of his wife as well.
"Let’s discuss this," Xu Nianji didn’t agree immediately but decided to talk it over with Zhou He.