That evening, Li Xiu's home welcomed everyone from the Li family, with the exception of Second Brother Li's household. Zhou Lian hadn't gone to work that day. Li Xiu had told the production team captain she wasn't feeling well, and the news soon spread throughout Shanqian Village. In the morning, First Aunt Li and Third Aunt Li had asked Li Xiu about it in the fields. When they learned she was pregnant, they decided to wait until evening to visit together.
The weather had warmed up, so Li Xiu and his wife had moved from the heated kang bed back into the east bedroom. The room couldn't hold so many people, so Li Xiu built a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had everyone sit around it.