Country Love: Xie Dajiao, 37, is pregnant!

Liu Neng was not giving up. He repeatedly rummaged through the money box and looked through the account books, but after a lot of trouble, he still couldn't find a single penny of gift money.

His legs went weak and he almost collapsed to the ground. He quickly grabbed the table for support, his voice trembling with tears:

"This time...this time we've really suffered a huge loss...more than a dozen tables...how much money...how much will we have to pay in compensation...?"

Liu Yingniang said quietly from the side:

"A little over two thousand..."

Hearing her say that, Liu Neng felt even more distressed. Looking at the villagers in the yard eating heartily with their mouths full of oil, and then looking at the empty money box in his hand, he felt both regret and heartache. His lips trembled and tears almost fell.

……

Wang Xiaomeng drove her two sisters to Tieling. The promotional event was crowded and chaotic.

There were people shouting and talking at each booth, and the sounds of talking and discussing business were mixed together, making it very lively.

Following the signs, Wang Xiaomeng and her two companions quickly found the Shanghai Qingmei booth.

Bai Qingming was introducing products to several customers when he saw them coming. He immediately stopped what he was doing and greeted them with a smile.

"Xiao Meng, you're finally here! What have you thought about regarding the collaboration?"

"I'm very interested."

Wang Xiaomeng handed over the file folder with a very sincere attitude:

"I've brought our factory's scale, production capacity, and existing product information with me. Please take a look when you have time, and if you have any spare time, please also give us some guidance."

"No problem, I will definitely study it carefully when I get back."

Bai Qingming took the documents and put them away. He turned to the two unfamiliar women beside him and asked with a smile:

"Who are these two?"

"They are all my good girlfriends, and they came here with me especially."

Wang Xiaomeng introduced with a smile:

"This is Sister Xiaomei, and this is Yannan."

Xie Xiaomei supported her waist, smiled faintly, and spoke slowly and deliberately, with excellent tact.

"We had nothing to do at home, so we came with Xiaomeng to look around. Otherwise, the men at home would worry about us and keep telling us to be careful. We also took this opportunity to come to Tieling to shop for some seasonal items."

This sounds simple, but it's actually a deliberate way of making it clear that all of them have families to support, and as the eldest sister, she has to protect Lin Chen.

Bai Qingming was a quick-witted person, and he understood immediately.

He was focused on his career and didn't think too much about anything else. After hearing the conversation, he didn't think much of it and just went along with it.

"Of course, it's not easy to come out here, so you should take your time to look around. We also welcome you to visit Shanghai in the future to inspect our company's production lines and factory. After all, cooperation is a big deal, and seeing is believing."

Wang Xiaomeng remembered what Lin Chen had told her and replied with a smile:

"Okay, I'll definitely come over when I'm done with this busy period. You guys seem pretty busy here, so we won't bother you any longer. We'll just go for a stroll around the mall."

"Okay, then have fun shopping."

Bai Qingming waved his hand:

"Call me anytime if anything comes up."

The three of them waved to him and turned to walk towards the mall.

After taking only two steps, Chen Yannan affectionately took Xie Xiaomei's arm and whispered with a smile:

"Sister Xiaomei, the moment you said that, everyone understood immediately."

"Of course, we're all smart people, there's no need to spell it out so clearly."

Xie Xiaomei replied with a smile, her tone particularly relaxed:

"I have to protect you all for Brother Chen. I can't let other men have designs on you. Come on, let's go shopping. Pick whatever you want, your good brother will pay for it."

Wang Xiaomeng said shyly:

"Oh dear, what a nice older brother..."

"What are you pretending for? You were the one screaming the loudest last night, and now you're denying it."

"Xiaomei, you're still arguing with me! I only called you 'brother,' but you called me... Waaah... Waaah, don't cover my mouth! I won't say it anymore, okay...?"

Time flew by and it was already afternoon; the feast at Liu Neng's house was almost over.

The villagers who came to the feast ate until their bellies were round, and almost all the dishes on the table were gone, not even the cold dishes were left, and they had drunk almost all the wine.

Lin Chen leaned back in the plastic chair, picking his teeth, feeling particularly comfortable after eating and drinking his fill.

After resting for a while, he got up and greeted Liu Neng.

"Uncle Neng, we've finished eating. You've put together a really great celebration. We'll head back now, you can continue with your work."

At this moment, Liu Neng was squatting at the gate, staring blankly at the empty gift box. He felt suffocated and extremely upset.

Hearing Lin Chen speak, he forced a smile and responded weakly.

"Okay, take care."

Xiangxiu followed Lin Chen out, and when they reached the secluded path outside the courtyard, she gently tugged at him and whispered:

"I'll come find you in a bit, so don't fall asleep."

Lin Chen glanced at her sideways:

"Is today a safe day?"

Xiangxiu smiled, pursing her lips:

"I'm safe."

Lin Chen nodded, said nothing more, and slowly walked home with his hands behind his back. As for Xie Dajiao, she and Wang Yun had already gone to the supermarket with their child.

As soon as Lin Chen left, the remaining guests in the courtyard also got up and left one after another.

They were all burping and exchanging pleasantries, praising the delicious food and the lively celebration, but no one mentioned giving a gift.

Zhao Si and Yu Tian's mother stood in the crowd, exchanged a quick glance, and gave each other a knowing look.

Zhao Yutian and his mother quickly helped Liu Ying up, and the whole family gathered around Liu Neng, saying very politely:

"In-laws, we'll head back now. Yingzi is pregnant and needs to rest, so don't overwork yourself."

"Alright, you guys go back first."

Liu Neng was in a bad mood and had no time for pleasantries, so he just waved his hand casually.

The Zhao family members acted as if they were escaping, helping Liu Ying turn around and leave without lingering, let alone helping to clean the table or wash the dishes, for fear of being taken advantage of by Liu Neng.

In just a few minutes, the courtyard, which had been packed with people, was completely empty.

The floor was littered with sunflower seed shells, cigarette butts, and empty wine bottles, while the table was piled with empty plates and bowls, a complete mess.

There were only two people left in the courtyard: Liu Neng, who was squatting listlessly at the door, and Liu Yingniang, who was clearing away the dishes, her face ashen and filled with pent-up anger.

As Liu Yingniang tidied up, she grew angrier and slammed a stack of plates into the basin with a loud crash. She couldn't hold back any longer and launched into a tirade against Liu Neng.

"What's wrong with you? You insisted on holding this celebration! How did I advise you against it? You wouldn't listen! You think you're good at math? Huh? This time, calculate how much money you're losing! Calculate it! Why aren't you calculating it?!"

"I...if I had known it was going to be like this, I would never have held this celebration...wait, someone must be sabotaging this! Otherwise, they wouldn't be so united, and not a single person gave a gift. I'll go out and investigate; I have to find this person!"

He was about to get up and leave when Liu Ying's mother yelled at him to stop:

"Stop right there! What are you investigating? What can you do to them if you find out? Huh? Don't you even reflect on yourself! You throw a huge celebration just because you're pregnant? What if your sow gives birth to a lamb tomorrow? Aren't you ashamed of yourself?!"

"What do I have to reflect on?"

Liu Neng was still arguing back at this point:

"If I weren't popular, would so many people come?"

"What's the big deal if there are so many people!"

Liu Ying's mother, furious, walked over and poked him on the forehead:

"They ate and drank for free! Not a single penny was left! Over a dozen tables! Tobacco, alcohol! Firecrackers! Everything cost money! You do the math, how much did they lose!"

Liu Neng couldn't utter a single word; his spirit was completely gone. He collapsed back to the ground, clutching his head, his voice trembling with sobs.

"Please stop talking... I'm feeling even worse right now than I was before my father passed away..."

He kept rubbing his bald head, feeling a real, tangible pain—the pain of losing money.

Liu Yingniang rolled her eyes at him, looking at his pathetic state, and was too lazy to say another word. She held her breath, took the bowls and chopsticks, and went into the house to clean up.

Liu Neng was the only one left in the courtyard, squatting against the wall, sighing at the mess on the ground.

……

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the weather was nice, and Lin Chen felt even more comfortable.

In Lin Chen's villa, the guest room at the far end of the second floor had its curtains half-drawn, making the room dimly lit.

The cell phone next to my pillow suddenly rang twice; it was Xie Yongqiang calling.

Lin Chen casually picked up the phone and answered it, his breathing still a little erratic, with obvious panting.

"Um... Yongqiang, what's up with the call?"