If he hadn’t just checked her temperature, he would have assumed she had a fever and that was why she still wasn’t awake.

"Ugh, I’ve been so tired these past few days." Xie Changning sat up, cradling her belly. She rubbed her drowsy eyes and, with Yue Yihan’s help, slowly got out of bed to wash up.

After washing up, Xie Changning opened the food container.

The food inside was still warm enough to eat right away.

Xie Changning looked at Yue Yihan. "If you have work to do, you should go do it. I can take care of myself." When she had decided to flash-marry him, she had already prepared herself for the independence required of a military wife.

Yue Yihan’s position meant that he would never have much free time.

"I’m probably going to be busy for a while. I want to save up all my leave so I can be with you when you give birth." Yue Yihan’s gaze fell to Xie Changning’s swollen belly.

As time went on, his wife’s belly grew bigger and bigger.

’She’ll probably have trouble managing on her own later on. Once this mission is over, I’ll visit the neighbors and ask them to help out.’

’Since I won’t be around, I’ll have to ask the people around us for help.’

Xie Changning followed Yue Yihan’s gaze down to her own stomach. As if it could feel their attention, it suddenly shifted, causing a strange expression to cross her face.

She didn’t know how to describe the feeling.

It was just so... new.

’In my past life, I dedicated my entire being to my country. Who would have thought I’d get pregnant right at the start of this one...’

Thinking about it, Xie Changning’s feelings were quite complex, but she didn’t feel any psychological pressure.

She patted her stomach. "Don’t worry. Uncle Wang and Aunt Xu are good people; they’ll look after me." Everyone in the family compound was kind to her.

Yue Yihan nodded.

’He knew his wife could handle it!’

After the meal, Yue Yihan escorted Xie Changning from the guest house to a small car he had rented, ensuring she had a smooth ride back to Anong County.

Only after Xie Changning had left did Yue Yihan’s gaze shift to the corner of his eye.

Over there, Yu Huo was still spying on them.

’She hasn’t given up.’

’She’ll probably follow her to Anong County.’

At the thought, a flicker of irritation crossed Yue Yihan’s face. He wanted to arrest Yu Huo right now!

’The attempt to poison me alone is enough to put her away for a long time!’

*

Sitting in the small car, Xie Changning observed the driver.

The driver wore a white shirt, but his back was ramrod-straight. One look at his posture told her he was ex-military.

’He probably thought his disguise was perfect, but I saw through it from the start. I just haven’t said anything.’

Xie Changning had been observing for the past two days. The military was protecting her, and someone was also tailing her. It seemed some faction had its eyes on her.

Xie Changning frowned slightly.

’Why are they targeting me?’

’Because I’m Yue Yihan’s wife?’

’Or is it because of the extraordinary talent I’ve recently displayed in mechanics?’

Xie Changning mulled it over but came up with no answers. She temporarily shelved the matter, planning to return to the factory and inform the management team so they could prevent anyone from infiltrating their ranks.

The printer project was the top priority!

Chuncheng wasn’t far from Anong County, and the car arrived in less than three hours.

After getting out, Xie Changning offered to pay, but the driver refused. "Regimen— Ahem, Mr. Yue has already paid. You can go on back." With that, the man started the car and drove off.

Xie Changning smiled and turned to walk into the factory.

Once back in her office, she called the workshop supervisor and the two deputy directors to a meeting.

"Director, did you bring back any good news from your trip to Chuncheng?" Wang Guofu had grown accustomed to Xie Changning returning from the city with good news.

Xie Changning nodded. "The higher-ups are prepared to support our R&D. From now on, if we need anything, we can submit a report and apply directly. No more getting the runaround from Director Zhao."

Xie Changning’s words made everyone in the room cheer.

This was wonderful news!

With a steady supply of materials, their R&D would proceed much more smoothly!

"There’s one more thing we need to pay attention to." Xie Changning’s expression turned serious.

Seeing her somber face, everyone’s smiles froze and then faded. They waited for her to continue.

"Someone has been targeting our factory recently. You should all know that things in China aren’t exactly peaceful right now. So, for the time being, you all need to be vigilant and not let anyone take advantage of us."

"No strangers are allowed in. Period."

’Someone is targeting their factory?’ 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Wang Guofu’s expression changed instantly. He nodded heavily. "Don’t worry, Director. I’ll handle this." ’I won’t give any stranger an opportunity!’

’No matter who it is, if we don’t know them, they’re not getting into the factory.’

’No, even if we do know them, if they don’t work at the factory, they’re not allowed in.’

"Let’s make arrangements. From now on, no non-factory personnel are to enter the premises. This is especially true for the children. Make sure their families are told," Wang Guofu said, turning to the other members of the management team.

The others nodded. "Don’t worry, we’ll get them to understand the importance of this."

What Xie Changning liked most was the atmosphere among her factory’s management team.

Whatever she said, the deputy directors would arrange it, and she never had to repeat her instructions.

"That’s all for now. I’m going to check on the printer’s progress. I expect the materials will arrive within the next two days." ’The leadership’s support shouldn’t be an empty promise.’

She could tell that this particular leader wasn’t from Chuncheng, but from a much higher level.

"Okay!"

After discussing the production line matters, Xie Changning turned to Wang Guofu. "How are the preparations for the children’s school enrollment?"

’They’re about to go to the technical school. Shouldn’t the kids prepare properly?’

’Shouldn’t they start their studies with a fresh new look?’

"They’re looking for a tailor now. They plan to cut fabric for new clothes, and they’re buying new army-style satchels..." The technicians needed toolkits, but the kids couldn’t bear to spend the money, so they were using military surplus bags instead.

Xie Changning nodded. "Good. Let me know what they need. The factory can sponsor them on a case-by-case basis. After all, they are the future pillars of our factory."

’Investing a little more now is nothing.’

’In the future, when the factory is really developed, this little bit of sponsorship money will be a drop in the bucket~’

"Don’t you worry, Director. If they need anything, they certainly won’t be shy about asking!"

Working under a director like this made everyone’s heart sing!

Look at her! Not only was she leading everyone to greater heights, but she was also cultivating the children of the technicians ahead of time. Even if they didn’t have jobs yet, just the fact that they were going to study at the First Automobile Works Technical School was enough to make countless people envious!

Now, when the children of their factory’s employees walked around town, they did so with their heads held high!

"There is one more thing," Wang Guofu said after Xie Changning was finished. He brought up a problem the factory was facing. "Feige Bicycle Factory wants to expand their production order with us. If we do that, we might have to temporarily suspend our cooperation with the other factories."

To be honest, the profit margin on brake lines wasn’t as high as their contracts with other factories.