A few days later, Zeng Hongjie and Su Xingyun visited Jiang Lin, bringing updates on the new teaching building.

“The construction of the new teaching building has already started,” they said.

Jiang Lin was excited to hear this news. “How is the new reinforced concrete construction?”

“We’ve seen it, and it’s very good. Although steel prices are a bit high right now, we believe that with continued research, the prices will come down in the future.”

Once the cost decreases, it will become more widespread.

With the demand for housing and work from millions of returning young people, and the fact that high-rise buildings can accommodate many more people on the same land area compared to single-story buildings, it’s inevitable that high-rises will become common in cities.

The new teaching building has been named “Qiu Shi Building.”

More teaching buildings will be constructed in the future to separate the different departments, each with its own building.

Zeng Hongjie noticed Jiang Lin’s large belly and asked, “Jiang Lin, are you sure it’s not twins? Your belly is quite big.”

Jiang Lin laughed, “You’re just inexperienced. I had the same thoughts when I saw my sister-in-law’s big belly and wondered if she was having twins. But as the months go by, the belly just keeps growing.”

When she was six months pregnant, she had an ultrasound at the hospital, and the doctor confirmed it was just one baby.

Since there were no issues, she didn’t have another ultrasound.

The equipment back then was less advanced, and she was concerned about the radiation.

However, they regularly listened to the baby’s heartbeat with a stethoscope, and there was no indication of twins.

Zeng Hongjie still had some concerns. “Will you be able to take the exam?”

Jiang Lin reassured him, “Yes, don’t worry. My due date is in late August.” She wanted them to know that everything was fine.

Apart from waking up several times at night and having somewhat disrupted sleep, her appetite was good.

She ate plenty but in smaller quantities, having to eat five or six times a day.

Her classmates were relieved.

Her academic performance was excellent, so there was no need to worry about the exams.

By early July, the exam period arrived. Cheng Rushan had to go on a business trip to the capital for over ten days, which was unavoidable.

Cheng Rushan was hesitant, considering how to request leave, but his attempts were rejected twice as he was specifically ordered to go.

He was feeling down, though he tried not to show it. Jiang Lin could read his concern from his eyes.

Jiang Lin comforted him with a smile, “Don’t worry. Look at our big family, and He Liang is meticulous and careful. He’ll be responsible for picking me up and dropping me off. What is there to worry about?”

Since her pregnancy began, Jiang Lin noticed that Cheng Rushan had become a bit unsettled.

Although he maintained a calm demeanor in public, she knew privately that he was becoming anxious as her pregnancy progressed.

He was particularly worried about unfamiliar areas; for example, when her legs began to swell, he would imagine all sorts of problems.

He didn’t share these thoughts with her but would secretly look up information. If he read that pregnancy could strain the liver, kidneys, and heart, leading to various complications, he would become anxious, his eyes reflecting concern when he looked at her.

He even learned about a rare condition like gestational diabetes.

He had also looked at anatomical diagrams and knew that the stomach, intestines, and bladder of pregnant women could be compressed and deformed by the fetus, leading to bloating, quicker hunger, frequent urination, and breathing difficulties.

He could almost feel the discomfort himself.

Sometimes, when Jiang Lin got up during the night and fell asleep again, he would lie awake, staring at her, fearful that something might happen.

Jiang Lin jokingly said that Cheng Rushan’s pregnancy response was quite severe, even showing signs of anxiety.

So, sending him on a business trip to distract him was actually a good thing.

He Liang patted his chest and assured, “Cheng Ge, don’t worry. I value Sister-in-law’s safety more than my own.”

Cheng Rushan replied, “What good is that? You can’t give birth for her.”

He Liang: “……”

Even if I wanted to, you wouldn’t let me.

Yan Runzhi, seeing her son so worried, tried to comfort him, “Don’t be so nervous. When you’re anxious, it makes Bao’er’s mother anxious too.

First-time births are new for everyone, but second-time births are easier.

Country women used to give birth at home with a midwife for the first child, and for the second, they managed it themselves.

Bao’er’s mother is having her second child and still going to the hospital, so why worry? Don’t be overly anxious.”

Fortunately, Da Bao and Xiao Bao were at school, otherwise, they would be anxious as well.

Wen Sheng added, “Dad, I’m here too. I’ll escort Mom to the exam.”

Yan Runzhi said, “I’ll go too. We have nothing else to do. Let your dad stay home and cook for Da Bao and Xiao Bao.” They never let Wen Sheng go out alone.

Jiang Lin laughed, “Mom, you’re treating me like a VIP. It’s quite extravagant to have so many people taking care of me.”

Yan Runzhi replied, “We’re being careful to ensure that Dongsheng can work with peace of mind.”

Seeing their meticulous arrangements, Cheng Rushan realized he had been overly nervous, “Alright, I’ll rest easy.”

Early the next morning, before dawn, Cheng Rushan got up. When he was about to leave, Jiang Lin woke up. She smiled at him, “Shan Ge, say goodbye to the baby.”

Cheng Rushan leaned over and kissed her belly, only to find a small lump pushing against her skin.

He was momentarily surprised and touched the little bump, unsure if it was a tiny fist or foot.

He kissed the bump again, saying, “Mommy is going for an exam, and Daddy is going on a business trip. Be good and don’t be naughty.”

He then kissed Jiang Lin and said, “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“No need to hurry. The exam is just for two days; it’ll be over soon.”

After Cheng Rushan left, Jiang Lin lay down for a while.

The baby was moving around vigorously, making it hard for her to sleep.

Eventually, the whole belly was wobbling, and she tried to soothe the baby by singing lullabies.

After spending some time playing with the baby, Jiang Lin said, “Alright, Mommy needs to get up now. Today is the exam day, so you need to be good. If Mommy doesn’t pass, we’ll both be embarrassed.”

As the sun rose, Jiang Lin got dressed.

She wore a maternity dress made by Yan Runzhi, white with green flowers, with a ruffled waistband and a wide skirt that went below her knees.

The design was elegant and comfortable.

Her feet and calves were a bit swollen, so her previous shoes no longer fit.

She wore new, loose-fitting cloth shoes made by Yan Runzhi, with a layered sole that was elastic and comfortable.

Yan Runzhi and Cheng Yunzhi had prepared breakfast: a light and nutritious meal with Jiang Lin’s favorite cold noodles, which included tomatoes, cucumber strips, apple strips, and was seasoned with vinegar and sugar, perfectly suited to her taste.

Da Bao, Xiao Bao, and Wen Sheng went to wash up.

Wen Sheng had already packed his bag; he was going with Jiang Lin to her exam.

Da Bao and Xiao Bao still had school and their final exams coming up in a couple of days, so they couldn’t go with Jiang Lin.

They were a bit unhappy about it.

Xiao Bao said, “If it were any other time, I’d just take a day off.”

But you can’t take time off for final exams.

Da Bao asked, “What can you do if you go with Mom? Do you even know?”

Xiao Bao replied, “I don’t know, but I’d feel more at ease.”

He Liang and Bie Dongshan heard and laughed, “Kids, you understand quite a lot.”

They were saying that the family was worried about Jiang Lin going to her exam, so they wanted to accompany her to feel better.

But they couldn’t take the exam for her or feel her discomfort.

Xiao Bao proudly snorted at Da Bao.

Da Bao said, “From today on, I’m breaking up with you.”

Xiao Bao asked, “!!! What are you up to now?”

Da Bao said, “I’m changing my pen name. I don’t want to be dragged down by you.”

Some readers had written to the magazine saying that Lin Shi, the young author, was sometimes childish and sometimes mature, which made his style confusing.

Their readers were mostly children, but because the author’s style varied, it confused both young and older readers.

Da Bao wanted to go solo and make as much money as possible.

Xiao Bao, however, refused to part ways and insisted on staying together.

The two brothers started arguing again.

Wen Sheng said, “Stop arguing. I’ll take care of Mom. You two focus on your exams. If you don’t do well, Bao Sheng will make fun of you.”

Everyone laughed and encouraged Da Bao and Xiao Bao to do well on their exams.

Jiang Lin packed her bag and checked her supplies.

Once everything was ready, she said they could leave. Wen Sheng carried her bag and said, “I’m taking Mom to her exam.”

Da Bao and Xiao Bao looked on with envy and waved goodbye, “Lin Lin, do well on your exam.”

Jiang Lin gave them a victory sign.

He Liang took them to the exam site, and Yan Runzhi and Wen Sheng waited for them in the shady area outside the exam hall.

Jiang Lin was worried they might get bored, so Yan Runzhi brought a radio and some sewing work, including making clothes, shoes, and hats for little babies.

Wen Sheng also brought along a script and songs to practice, as he would be recording some songs in a few days.

Seeing they had things to do and wouldn’t be bored, Jiang Lin felt relieved and went in for the exam.

The exam questions weren’t difficult for her; the only issue was her health.

It was already very hot in early June, and there was no air conditioning.

The classroom didn’t have fans, and the windows were small, making it stuffy and hot.

Jiang Lin had brought three handkerchiefs, all of which were soaked with sweat.

Her belly was so big that standing or sitting for long periods made her shoulders, back, and chest ache, and her legs and feet were swollen.

Sitting for a long time was uncomfortable, and she had to go to the bathroom frequently, so the exam was quite a trial for her.

In the end, Jiang Lin submitted her exam paper early, not aiming for the top ranks but hoping to maintain a middle-to-upper position.

Yan Runzhi and Wen Sheng met her outside the exam hall, and after a short rest by the flower beds, they took her to her dormitory to rest before the afternoon exams.

During summer, it was inconvenient for female students, so Jiang Lin wanted Wen Sheng to visit Su Xingyun’s dormitory.

Su Xingyun was naturally happy to have them over, and Yang Lu and Zhu Caiping, upon hearing about it, proactively invited Wen Sheng to their dormitory.

“Jiang Lin, it’s fine; nobody will mind,” Yang Lu said.

Jiang Lin responded, “It’s not appropriate; there are other people too.”

Yang Lu replied, “You mean them? They would be thrilled if you brought Da Bao, Xiao Bao, and Wen Sheng along.”

Having been in the same dorm for a year and a half, everyone was quite familiar with each other.

Cheng Rushan didn’t need to be mentioned, but Wen Sheng, Da Bao, and Xiao Bao had visited many times.

Classmates and dorm mates liked them, and they were always eager to have them visit.

Seeing that the others were not concerned, Jiang Lin decided to bring Yan Runzhi and Wen Sheng along.

As soon as they arrived, Wen Sheng and Yan Runzhi were immediately surrounded by classmates.

Some students asked Yan Runzhi for tips on sewing clothes, inquiring why their clothes always had issues with collars and hems.

Others gathered around Wen Sheng, asking him about his singing and acting and requesting a performance.

Jiang Lin’s dorm mates even complained that others were monopolizing Wen Sheng and urged everyone to take a break for lunch.

“Let’s go eat; it’s time for lunch!”

Wen Sheng took three lunch boxes and told Yan Runzhi, “Grandma, you rest. I’ll go.”

Having visited many times, Wen Sheng was well-known among the classmates.

Initially, people were surprised and sympathetic, but over time, they came to appreciate his good looks, talent, and sincerity.

They liked him even more for his genuine nature and lack of guile.

After they got lunch, Yan Runzhi was reassured by Jiang Lin that there was nothing to worry about.

Soon, they returned, and the dorm mates also came back for their meal.

Wen Sheng was exceptionally polite, thanking everyone individually for taking care of Jiang Lin.

His presence always created a pleasant atmosphere, smoothing over any tensions between roommates.

Two days later, the exams were over, and Jiang Lin could finally return home to rest.

A few days later, Zeng Hongjie delivered the results to her home.

Zeng Hongjie had long planned to go on a field trip with the School of Literature and the School of Fine Arts, a group of over ten students heading to the grasslands.

“Linlin, let’s go south together during the winter break,” Zeng Hongjie eagerly suggested.

Jiang Lin smiled, “Sure, we’ll take the train all the way down. I won’t see you off now; have a safe trip.”

Zeng Hongjie hugged her, “When I return, we’ll get to meet Bao Sheng!” She then bent down to speak to the baby in Jiang Lin’s belly before bidding farewell.

Twenty days later.

On the day of the major heatwave, the sun blazed in the sky, as if about to ignite.

The cicadas, scorched by the heat, were silent, their cries reduced to faint sounds from under the leaves.

With Jiang Lin’s due date still about twenty days away, they decided to stay home during the summer vacation.

The garden was in full bloom, and Wen Sheng entertained Da Bao and Xiao Bao with new activities, such as setting up curtains or arranging water buckets in formations.

The cool well water was refreshing, and after chilling a large green-skinned watermelon, they enjoyed its icy sweetness, which was both invigorating and satisfying.