Chapter 320: Chapter 320: Do I Look Pregnant to You?

A rare look of astonishment appeared on Yang Lijiong’s face when she heard Jiang Moli was resigning.

"When did you decide?"

"I’ve always been lazy and fond of food, with no great ambitions. Now that Lu Cheng has been promoted to regiment commander, I think it’s perfectly fine for me, the commander’s wife, to follow his lead."

Yang Lijiong didn’t agree with this sentiment.

’A woman can have her own career and life. She doesn’t have to be just an accessory to a man.’

But she also expressed respect and understanding for Jiang Moli’s choice.

"Have you submitted your resignation letter? When are you leaving?"

Jiang Moli smiled. "The letter is written, but I haven’t turned it in yet. I wanted to tell you first."

Hearing this, Yang Lijiong felt a sense of satisfaction, pleased to be held in such high regard.

She thought for a moment, then suggested, "Why don’t you apply for unpaid leave first? If you go and can’t get used to it, you can still come back."

"You’re a leader for a reason, always so thoughtful. After I finish this coffee, I’ll go back and change my resignation application to a leave of absence application."

Jiang Moli said with a beaming smile.

’Even though she knew taking unpaid leave was an unnecessary step, she didn’t want to brush aside her friend’s kind gesture.’

Yang Lijiong looked at her with a warm gaze. "There will always be a place for you here. If you’re unhappy, just come back."

"Qiongqiong, don’t be so good to me. You’ll make me not want to leave."

Yang Lijiong didn’t catch her hidden meaning. "Then stay. Don’t go."

Jiang Moli laughed it off. "I’m afraid I can’t do that."

Leaving Yang Lijiong’s office, Jiang Moli couldn’t help but steal a few glances as she passed the rehearsal hall.

It was a feast for the eyes: a room full of pretty young women with slim waists and long legs.

Fan Qiuyun saw her, stopped the rehearsal, and walked out.

"Manager Jiang, are you free tomorrow night?"

"Is Mr. Fan treating me to a meal?"

"I’m treating my dance team to dinner tomorrow night. If you’re free, you should come along."

Jiang Moli looked her up and down. "What, did you strike it rich?"

Fan Qiuyun resisted the urge to roll her eyes, her tone filled with irrepressible pride. "I got promoted. From now on, I’m the official captain of our Dance Team One."

It dawned on Jiang Moli. "Ah, then a celebration is definitely in order. You don’t mind if I bring a friend, do you? You know her, Qian Ling."

Fan Qiuyun readily agreed. "Sure, no problem."

...

The next day after work, Jiang Moli brought Qian Ling along to have dinner with Fan Qiuyun and her group.

The restaurant was right across from the Song and Dance Troupe, at a guesthouse belonging to the military region.

Because it often needed to host leaders and visitors from various units, it also operated a cafeteria exclusively for internal personnel.

Fan Qiuyun’s Dance Team One had 17 members in total. With Jiang Moli and Qian Ling, they filled exactly two tables.

The spread was relatively simple: three meat dishes, three vegetable dishes, and a soup.

However, considering Fan Qiuyun’s position and income, this arrangement was quite impressive.

It was a rare get-together, so of course, they had to drink to liven things up.

Fan Qiuyun ordered a dozen beers. Split between the two tables, it came out to about half a bottle per person, so there was no worry about getting drunk.

Tonight, Fan Qiuyun was the star of the show, so she was inevitably toasted by everyone.

Before Fan Qiuyun got too drunk, Jiang Moli pulled Qian Ling along to congratulate her.

"Captain Fan, congratulations on the promotion."

After speaking, Jiang Moli nudged Qian Ling with her elbow.

Qian Ling took the hint and continued, "Captain Fan, you’re a role model for all of us. We’ll all have to learn from you from now on. With this toast, I wish you a bright and boundless future."

Qian Ling was an announcer, so her speech was clear, sonorous, and full of emotion.

Fan Qiuyun was delighted to hear this, and her attitude toward Qian Ling warmed considerably. "Thank you. We’re all friends from now on. Don’t be a stranger."

Just as Jiang Moli raised the glass to her lips to drink, a hand shot out from the side and snatched it away.

"Jiang Moli, you dare drink alcohol!"

Looking at the fuming Lu Tingting, Jiang Moli couldn’t help but chuckle. "Where did you pop out from?"

Lu Tingting glared at her, her eyes looking like they were about to shoot fire. "Don’t you know your own body’s condition? Aren’t you afraid it’ll affect..."

In the end, Lu Tingting managed to hold back and didn’t reveal Jiang Moli’s "pregnancy" in front of everyone.

"Anyway, if you dare drink again, I’ll tell Grandma and Third Uncle!"

Jiang Moli wasn’t a big fan of beer anyway. This was only her first glass, intended as a simple gesture to get Qian Ling better acquainted with Fan Qiuyun.

With Lu Tingting’s interruption, she decided to go with the flow. "I haven’t been feeling well these past few days. I’ll have my niece drink this glass for me."

Fan Qiuyun naturally had no objections.

Lu Tingting didn’t expose Jiang Moli’s excuse. She tilted her head back and GULP, GULP, GULP, downed the entire glass of beer.

After finishing the drink, at Fan Qiuyun’s invitation, Lu Tingting also sat down to eat with them.

There wasn’t much food left on the table. Plus, having just downed a glass of beer, Lu Tingting only had a few bites before putting down her chopsticks.

’She wasn’t staying for the food anyway, but to keep an eye on Jiang Moli.’

The dinner party ended with Fan Qiuyun passing out drunk.

It was still the first month of the lunar calendar, and the night was piercingly cold.

A gust of cold wind blew by, and Jiang Moli hunched her shoulders, exclaiming how cold it was.

Lu Tingting glanced at her bare neck. "Where’s your scarf?"

Jiang Moli blinked. "I forgot it at work."

"Why didn’t you just forget yourself at work? It’d serve you right if you froze to death!"

Lu Tingting grumbled, but her hands moved deftly as she took off her own scarf and wrapped it around Jiang Moli’s neck.

The coarse wool scarf, carrying the girl’s body heat, was quite warm.

Jiang Moli lowered her head and sniffed the scarf. "How long has it been since you washed this? It has a smell."

"If you don’t want it, give it back. You should be happy you have one at all, instead of being so picky."

Jiang Moli grinned. "It’s a nice smell, all sweet and milky."

Lu Tingting’s face flushed red. She shoved her hands in her pockets and STOMP, STOMP, STOMP, walked ahead.

Qian Ling watched her huffy, retreating figure and whispered to Jiang Moli, "Your niece is really good to you, drinking for you and giving you her scarf. But... isn’t your scarf in your bag?"

Jiang Moli laughed. "I’m just teasing her. She’s such a silly girl~"

’The girl really is a bit dense,’ Qian Ling thought in agreement.

Then, her concern returned to Jiang Moli’s health. "Moli, are you pregnant?"

Lu Tingting not letting Jiang Moli drink had made Qian Ling suspicious.

Mrs. Qian worked at the maternity and child care hospital. Having been around it all the time, Qian Ling had picked up a thing or two and knew that pregnant women shouldn’t drink alcohol.

Jiang Moli touched her face. "Do I look pregnant?"

Qian Ling studied her seriously for two seconds. "You do."

"Oh, thank you so much!"

When they reached the bus stop, Jiang Moli took the wool scarf out of her bag and gave it to Lu Tingting.

Lu Tingting glared at her. "Didn’t you say you forgot your scarf at work?"

"Bad memory. Just wear it. If you catch a cold, I’ll have to pay for your medicine."

Lu Tingting huffed coldly but took the scarf and wrapped it around her neck.

Fewer buses ran at night, with one coming only every half hour.

The wait was boring, and the weather was cold. The aroma from a small stall selling sugar-roasted chestnuts across the street drifted over from time to time.

Jiang Moli took out a yuan and told Lu Tingting to go buy two pounds of sugar-roasted chestnuts.

Lu Tingting glanced at her. "Can you eat that much?"

"Get it in two bags. One for us to eat, and one to bring back for your grandparents."

Hearing this, Lu Tingting finally took the money and went across the street.

While waiting for the sugar-roasted chestnuts, Jiang Moli and Qian Ling chatted idly.

"Lingling, do you have any plans for your future?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.