Courtyard houses: Those who are capable are rewarded, and many children bring many blessings.

"If you don't like it, so be it. I'm living my life. An ordinary life is also a choice."

"Brother Niu is right, Xiaobai, you're just too ambitious. There are still more ordinary people in this world." After a while of joking around, Mi Xue and Niu Dazhuang became much closer, and she stopped calling Niu Dazhuang "comrade."

"Am I ambitious? Shouldn't everyone strive for improvement? If we're content with the status quo, when will we ever catch up with and surpass Britain and the US?"

"Let's not discuss this topic, so we don't end up arguing with you again and ruin this nice atmosphere."

"Is this why you two can't stand each other?" Michelle was going to play peacemaker.

Bai Hongmin said, feeling wronged, "I don't dislike him at all. It's just that he acts like he's seen a tigress when he sees me, and he turns and runs away. It makes me feel really uncomfortable. He should be the one who likes me."

"It's not that I dislike you. Who doesn't like looking at beautiful women? I'm just afraid of getting entangled with you and not being able to explain it to your sister. I'm even more afraid that your parents will come after me." This time, Niu Dazhuang spoke his mind.

Bai Hongmin felt a little smug this time: "Do you have bad intentions towards me? Is that why you're so guilty?"

"I swear to the teacher, I have absolutely no ill intentions towards you."

"Then what are you feeling guilty about? Why did you turn around and leave as soon as you saw me?" Bai Hongmin is too vengeful; she's still holding onto this point.

"I can't explain it to you, Michelle, is it okay for me to call you that?" Niu Dazhuang didn't want to reason with her. He quickly changed the subject.

"Isn't that what you've always called me?"

"I'll take you hunting in the deep mountains sometime, and we'll barbecue the meat right there. That'll be the freshest meat, and it'll taste even better! Michelle, remember what I said: when you're going through your toughest time, come to me. I'll definitely help you get through it. My promise will always stand!"

"Get lost! You're practically cursing me. I'm not asking you for help."

"Yes, I think he's like a weasel paying respects to a chicken—he's up to no good," Bai Hongmin chimed in.

"Hehe, I didn't mean to curse you. Alright, that's enough for tonight. Lying on the ground for too long will make you catch a cold." Niu Dazhuang sat up first, and they patted the dirt off their backs.

After Niu Dazhuang filled in the pit where the fire had been burning with a shovel, he led the way back to the school.

Through this barbecue, Bai Hongmin and Niu Dazhuang's relationship has improved somewhat, but they still don't have many opportunities to meet. At most, they might bump into each other in the cafeteria.

Niu Dazhuang stopped deliberately avoiding her and simply nodded and greeted her.

Before she knew it, it was late autumn in October. Bai Hongyan hadn't been home for more than two months. On Sunday, Bai Hongmin was sent over again to tell her to go home.

Even wearing loose clothing, Bai Hongyan's condition couldn't be hidden now. A woman five or six months pregnant moves and sits differently than usual; how could she possibly conceal it?

"My God, sis, what's going on? You're pregnant? And..." Bai Hongmin was so shocked to discover that her older sister was pregnant that she could barely speak.

Bai Hongyan was already mentally prepared: "What? Does that mean I can't be a mother?"

"No, when did this happen? How are you going to explain this to your parents? Getting pregnant out of wedlock doesn't look good."

"I don't need to explain to my parents, I just need to give myself an explanation! If you're willing to keep it a secret, then keep it a secret. If you're not willing, I don't care. Anyway, I have to give birth to this child."

Without thinking, Bai Hongmin grabbed her hand and said, "Sister, I've always been on your side."

I'm just curious, what kind of outstanding man is worth you going to such lengths for him, even having his child without any official status? You're truly my sister, secretly plotting something amazing!

"The big move is true, but you're wrong. I'm not having children for any man; I'm having children for myself. It has nothing to do with any man. The child, whether a boy or a girl, will have my surname, Bai."

Bai Hongmin gave a thumbs up: "Sister, you're ruthless, you really are ruthless! You're planning to raise the child alone from now on and not look for a new partner? What are you going to say to our parents? They can't just never see each other again!"

"I'll talk about it after I give birth. I won't go back for Chinese New Year either. If I go back with a big belly, the neighbors will gossip again, and I won't go back to add to their troubles."

"That's not something you can hide."

"You can help me delay until the time comes, then I can confront them. By then, I'll be too far along in my pregnancy to give birth, and I'll have to."

"So what should I say when I go back this time?"

"Do I need to teach you that? Just make up a reason for me."

"Sister, can you tell me who this man is? I promise I won't tell a third person," Bai Hongmin asked tentatively.

"You'd better not ask. I won't tell you either; it's better for everyone that way."

Bai Hongmin was still unwilling to give up.

"Let me guess. Is it someone from your head office?" For some reason, the image of Niu Dazhuang suddenly popped into Bai Hongmin's mind.

"Stop guessing. He's not from our unit. Go back if you have nothing else to do. I have things to do."

"No, we haven't seen each other in so long, can't I even chat with you? You're kicking me out like this. It really hurts my feelings."

"As long as you don't ask who that person is, we can chat freely. How's school? Are there any male classmates you find attractive?"

"I'm not interested in dating right now. I want to focus on my studies. My dad said that if I do well at school, I can stay on as a student."

I'm actively participating in all sorts of school activities, how could I have the time or energy to date! I've already submitted my application to join the Party, hoping to become a probationary Party member before graduation! How's your work? Hope everything's settled!

"The branch office has a simple staff..."

As they were chatting, Bai Hongmin suddenly asked, "Was that person Niu Dazhuang?" She then observed Bai Hongyan's facial expression.

Bai Hongyan hadn't expected her younger sister to be so cunning. She was taken aback for a moment, then immediately denied it, "Are you done yet? No, stop guessing!"

Bai Hongmin tilted her head and said, "That shouldn't be the case. The only man you've ever mentioned to me behind my back is Niu Dazhuang. When I went to your workplace, you had him take me for a walk outside."

"Besides, you two have a good relationship; you even eat together. Based on my understanding of you, you wouldn't just casually share food with a man in your lunchbox unless the circumstances forced you to." Bai Hongyan felt her analysis made more and more sense as she spoke.

Bai Hongyan tapped her on the head with her pencil: "You've even learned to analyze things now. Your university education wasn't wasted. Alright, stop guessing. It's lunchtime. Eat lunch and then go home!"

That's just how people are; the less you tell them something, the more curious they become.

After having lunch at the cafeteria, I returned home and told my mother, "My sister is busy with work and doesn't have time to come back," before riding my bicycle back to school.