Gu Xiaobei felt sorry for Xiangmin and for the women of this era. Many women never went for a check-up throughout their pregnancy, with a significant number in rural areas giving birth at home.
They stood in the courtyard, chatting for a while longer before dispersing. Gu Xiaobei followed Li Fengmei home. Ge Chunling also went to Li Fengmei's place, continuing to knit sweaters and paste shoe soles.
"Do you think Guo Family's sister-in-law will be okay?" Ge Chunling said, looking worried.
"She should be fine, probably just a little pregnancy discomfort," replied Li Fengmei while spreading a layer of paste, laying an old cloth over it, and smoothing it down.
Gu Xiaobei had brought an old sweater of Lu Zhanguo's, a sweater which clearly showed its age with threadbare cuffs.
Ge Chunling took the sweater and started counting stitches. Gu Xiaobei and Li Fengmei kept quiet, afraid they would interrupt her.