Chapter 85

Ming Mei visited the hospital quite often.0

However, this was her first time at the gynecology department, and she felt a bit awkward and shy. Although she was already married, she still felt like she wasn't quite grown up yet. She pursed her lips tightly, and Zhao Guihua noticed her nervousness, holding her hand and saying, "It's okay, I'll be with you."0

Ming Mei glanced at Zhao Guihua, nodded nervously, and felt a lot more at ease with an elder by her side. Zhao Guihua's presence was much more reassuring than that of Zhuang Zhixi, who was still a novice. Zhao Guihua took the lead, and after registering, she led her daughter-in-law straight to the gynecology department.0

The doctor in the gynecology department was a fifty-something auntie. She took Ming Mei's pulse and confidently said, "Although the pulse is still very faint, the pregnancy should be very early, probably just over a month."0

Ming Mei: "!!!"0

She widened her eyes in surprise, even though she had suspected it, the confirmation still shocked her. She pursed her lips again, stammering, "Wh-what should I do now?"0

The elderly doctor smiled kindly at her reaction, saying, "Don't worry, is this your first pregnancy?"0

Ming Mei nodded immediately.0

Zhao Guihua glanced at the stunned young couple and took the initiative to say, "She's still young and this is her first pregnancy, so she's bound to be a bit careless. Could you tell me what she needs to pay attention to? Also, her job is quite demanding, I wonder if that could affect her?"0

In fact, Zhao Guihua had taken care of her daughter-in-law during her postpartum period and even looked after her grandson and great-grandson.0

However, it had been too long, and she had forgotten some details, so she wanted to ask more clearly. She put on a humble demeanor, and the doctor also took her seriously, "She's still in the early stages of pregnancy, the pulse is not very obvious, probably just over a month. The first three months of pregnancy are the most critical. She should avoid heavy work and any pulling or collisions. If possible, she should eat better, as she's now eating for two..."0

Doctors had seen all kinds of families, and from their attitudes, they could judge the situation. When they encountered families who cared about the pregnant woman, they were willing to give more advice. The elderly doctor, being a woman herself, knew the hardships of women best.0

She asked, "What does this young lady do for work?"0

Zhao Guihua replied, "She's a bus ticket collector."0

The elderly doctor nodded, understanding why the work had been mentioned specifically earlier.0

She said, "Your job is not a problem, but during the early stages of pregnancy, you should avoid moving around in the bus, and sudden stops are not good for you either. Generally, you sit in the front and it's not an issue, but you still need to be careful. When the bus starts or stops, hold onto the handrails to avoid being thrown around. Your situation mainly requires extra caution during the first few months and the period just before delivery. If you fall, don't take it lightly, don't think it's nothing and ignore it. You must come to the hospital immediately."0

Ming Mei listened carefully and nodded, saying, "I understand."0

"Also, it's best not to wear small leather shoes."0

Ming Mei chuckled lightly, "I know that."0

They had to sit for long hours at work, so no one would wear small leather shoes just for the sake of looking good; that would be asking for trouble.0

"If possible, eat more fish, it's good for the baby," the doctor added, glancing at their attire. Zhao Guihua's clothes were modest, looking like those of an ordinary elderly woman, and it was hard to tell her family's financial situation. However, as a doctor, she could tell from the woman's complexion and spirit that the family was doing well.0

Usually, families with poor conditions and poor nutrition had a sallow complexion.0

But this woman didn't, her face was rosy and healthy, indicating a good life.0

Of course, even without looking at the complexion, just from the young couple's clothes, one could guess they were well-off. The doctor continued, "Besides eating more fish, meat, eggs, and milk should also be taken if possible. It's always better for the baby. But avoid eating too many cold or harsh things."0

Zhao Guihua nodded and then asked again, "She's not even that far along, but she's already feeling nauseous and vomiting. How can we alleviate that? Otherwise, she's suffering too much. How can we make her feel better?"0

The doctor asked, "Is it severe?"0

This was directed at Ming Mei.0

Ming Mei shook her head, "It's not severe, not very frequent, just a sudden feeling of wanting to throw up. Like today, I felt nauseous when I smelled meat soup, and a few days ago, I felt sick after eating meat."0

The elderly doctor said, "Morning sickness is hard to avoid. If you really feel uncomfortable, you can prepare some sour plums, and when you feel nauseous, take one to ease it. Also, if you don't have too much of a reaction when eating, eat a little less, as it's nutritious. You're not at the stage where you throw up everything you eat, so it's not a big problem. But if you really feel too uncomfortable and nauseous, don't force yourself to eat."0

Ming Mei nodded lightly.0

"You're in the early stages of pregnancy and this is your first child, so there are many things to be careful about. In short, caution is always better. If you feel unwell, don't hold it in, come here and let me check you. Being careful is good for both you and the baby."0

Ming Mei nodded seriously.0

"Avoid intercourse during the early stages of pregnancy."0

Ming Mei's face turned bright red. This... how did they suddenly start talking about this?0

Zhuang Zhixi, who had been standing beside her, also started to look embarrassed. Even someone as thick-skinned as him began to feel awkward. He coughed once, then again. Zhao Guihua turned around, "If you're going to cough, go outside and do it."0

Zhuang Zhixi: "Mom, you're too harsh."0

"Get out of here!"0

At this moment, the doctor suddenly realized, "You're not her mother, but her mother-in-law?"0

Zhao Guihua was also momentarily confused, then nodded, "Yes."0

The elderly doctor smiled. Usually, those who cared so much about the pregnant woman were the mother, not the mother-in-law... who typically only cared about the baby in the womb, mentioning the child every three sentences. Only a mother would concern herself so deeply with her daughter. She had thought this woman was the pregnant woman's real mother, but it turned out to be the mother-in-law.0

It was quite unexpected.0

So, you can't judge a book by its cover. This seemingly strict old lady was actually very kind to her family.0

"According to regulations, a pregnant woman can get a pound of dates and a pound of peanuts. Do you want them?" she asked as a matter of routine.0

In the city, where most people were workers, usually, everyone would choose to take them, as getting such good things without tickets was hard to come by. Not being a pregnant woman, one couldn't get them at all, and some families would buy them in the name of a pregnant woman but not give them to the pregnant woman, instead selling them for profit.0

Only families in extremely difficult conditions would choose not to take them.0

Sure enough, Zhao Guihua said, "Of course we want them."0

She added, "Can we get more?"0

The doctor smiled and shook her head, "No, it's a fixed amount."0

She then looked up and said, "You look a bit familiar to me."0

She was looking at Zhuang Zhixi when she said this.0

Zhuang Zhixi, who was no longer as embarrassed as he had been at first, laughed heartily and said, "I used to work in the medical room of the machinery factory, handling the coordination of medical supplies with the hospital. That was me."0

The elderly doctor suddenly understood. No wonder she felt familiar with this young man; he was a colleague.0

However, he had mentioned "used to."0

She nodded, "No wonder I thought you looked familiar. I should have seen you a few times at the hospital. What happened? Aren't you in the medical room anymore?"0

Zhuang Zhixi replied, "Right, I've been transferred to the propaganda department."0

The elderly doctor smiled and said, "That's good."0

Perhaps because they were a bit familiar, she lowered her voice and whispered, "If you feel the peanuts and dates are not enough, you can walk around outside the hospital. Some pregnant women get them but don't dare to eat them and will take them out to exchange."0

In other words, sell them, but she couldn't say that directly.0

If it were strangers, she wouldn't bother giving them a heads-up. She noticed that this family treated their daughter-in-law quite well, and since Zhuang Zhixi had some dealings with their hospital, she decided to quietly inform them. Zhao Guihua understood and quickly nodded, "Thank you."0

"No need, I can see that you, as a mother-in-law, are quite nice."0

Zhao Guihua: "Although I may look a bit fierce, I do have some good qualities—I'm straightforward, kind, sincere, reasonable, and I treat my own family well."0

Both Zhuang Zhixi and Ming Mei couldn't help but laugh. Their mom really knows how to boast wherever she goes!0

Zhao Guihua: "What are you laughing at?"0

She retorted, "Am I wrong?"0

Who would dare say she was wrong?0

Zhuang Zhixi: "You're absolutely right, Mom. You're that amazing and good."0

Zhao Guihua nodded contentedly, while Zhuang Zhixi silently looked up at the sky.0

The elderly doctor watching the family thought they were quite interesting. His own children were always so proper and well-mannered, so it was rare to see such a lively interaction. He glanced at them a few more times and said with a smile, "Your family sure is lively."0

Zhao Guihua: "They're all a bit unreliable."0

Zhuang Zhixi made a pitiful face, which made the old doctor laugh again. She said, "Seeing families like yours, I don't even feel tired at work anymore."0

Zhuang Zhixi: "Are you about to get off work?"0

They had arrived quite late, and they were the last patients of the day.0

The old doctor: "Yes, after seeing you, I can go home."0

Zhuang Zhixi immediately said, "Then we won't keep you any longer. Auntie, I sometimes help the clinic with handovers, so if there's any work that needs doing, just let me know. I'm young, and I can handle anything."0

The old doctor: "No need, no need. Don't think I'm old—I'm still in good shape."0

Even though she said that, Zhuang Zhixi's words were comforting, and she couldn't help but smile. No one dislikes hearing kind words, and no one dislikes such a warm and enthusiastic young man.0

Zhuang Zhixi: "I know, but there are some tasks that are better suited for young people. You should let us youngsters show off a bit. It's also a good way for us to gain some experience."0

The old doctor: "Alright, next time you come to the hospital, come sit with me."0

Zhuang Zhixi: "Of course."0

The old doctor smiled, "Alright, hurry downstairs to pay and pick up the red dates and peanuts. They'll be off work soon."0

Zhuang Zhixi: "Got it."0

The three of them went downstairs together. Zhao Guihua couldn't help but wonder why her youngest son had been so successful in his previous life. This guy knows how to seize opportunities, his words are pleasant to hear, and he's good at navigating social situations. No wonder he's popular.0

Sure enough, as soon as they reached the bottom, Zhuang Zhixi went straight to the window. It turned out he was familiar with the staff there too.0

The two young nurses at the window both congratulated him with smiles. One of them said, "Wait a moment, I'll pick out some big red dates for you."0

Zhuang Zhixi: "Thank you, sister."0

If it were someone unfamiliar, they would just scoop up a pound of dates without much care. But for someone they knew, they would take a bit more time to select the best ones. The difference between big and small dates was significant. Ming Mei leaned against the side, her long eyelashes fluttering.0

The other nurse curiously peeked at Ming Mei. She saw that Ming Mei had braided hair and a delicate face. She pulled back and whispered to her colleague, "She's so pretty. No wonder Zhuang Zhixi didn't take a liking to Chen Jing from our hospital."0

The older nurse nudged her and said, "Don't gossip. You'll affect their marital harmony."0

Zhuang Zhixi was good-looking and had a stable job, so he was quite popular with girls. In the matchmaking scene, he was highly sought after. Several nurses at the hospital had a bit of a crush on him.0

However, people were more reserved back then, and even if they had feelings, they wouldn't make the first move.0

Usually, if someone had an interest, they would find a matchmaker to mediate. Even if they knew each other, the process was the same. But before anything could happen, Zhuang Zhixi had already found a partner and quickly got married.0

It was no secret that several nurses were quite disappointed when he got married.0

Everyone was a bit curious about what Zhuang Zhixi's wife looked like, but since they weren't in the same system, and Zhuang Zhixi only came once a week, they didn't have much chance to find out or see her.0

Today, however, they finally got to see her.0

And when they did, most people understood why Zhuang Zhixi had chosen her.0

Ming Mei was beautiful, and she had a round, plump figure that made her look very charming. She had that kind of look that older generations would consider very lucky. Moreover, she seemed to have a good personality, always with a smile on her lips.0

"Zhuang Zhixi, congratulations."0

Zhuang Zhixi: "Thank you, thank you."0

Zhuang Zhixi carried the items and gently supported Ming Mei's arm. Ming Mei patted his hand and said, "You don't need to help me, you're being too exaggerated."0

Zhuang Zhixi: "I always need to be careful."0

Ming Mei: "..."0

She felt a bit like a panda.0

As they walked out of the hospital, the three of them headed toward the exit. Ming Mei asked curiously, "Why did they peek at me when you went to get the peanuts and red dates?"0

She was a clever girl: "Could it be that you have some kind of romantic luck here?"0

Zhuang Zhixi felt utterly wronged. He quickly said, "That's not the case at all. Don't slander me. It's just because we know each other, so naturally, they're a bit curious. Besides, what romantic luck? I have you—what more do I need? And I'm not so great that someone would try to steal me away. It's really just curiosity. Think about it, if Bai Fendou found a partner, wouldn't you be curious to see what they look like? Oh no, I can't use him as an example—that's bad luck!"0

Ming Mei couldn't help but laugh.0

Zhao Guihua, who was beside them, said, "Bai Fendou and his father are also staying in this hospital, right?"0

Zhuang Zhixi: "Yes, they are. I don't know which floor their ward is on..."0

He turned back to look, and in that instant, he exclaimed, "Oh my!"0

Zhao Guihua and Ming Mei turned around and couldn't help but exclaim, "Good heavens!"0

It seemed that people really couldn't be mentioned lightly.0

Just a moment ago, they had been talking about Bai Fendou, and in the blink of an eye, they saw him sitting by the window. By now, they had already reached the hospital entrance, but from this distance, they could still see him. For some reason, Bai Fendou was sitting by the window, seemingly wiping his tears.0

Ming Mei: "He... isn't he going to jump off the building, is he?"0

Zhao Guihua was more composed and said, "Jump off the building? Don't be ridiculous—he's on the second floor. He won't die from that!"0

Zhuang Zhixi: "Exactly, what's he doing?"0

He decisively said, "I'm going to check it out."0

Ming Mei immediately grabbed Zhuang Zhixi and said, "I'm coming too."0

Zhao Guihua: "Go ahead, both of you. Zhixi, take care of your wife."0

By this time, not only were they concerned, but others had also noticed Bai Fendou's behavior. People started pointing and whispering, and soon a crowd gathered downstairs. Even though it was almost off work time and there weren't many people around, there were still some patients in the hospital, and everyone was curious.0

This was the infamous "Egg Smash Maniac" (Bai Fendou).0

Zhuang Zhixi, along with the other two, rushed from the entrance to the window, but even then, they couldn't get into the front rows. It was clear how quickly everyone had gathered—it was almost like lightning speed.0

Everyone looked up at the second-floor window, where Bai Fendou sat, silent.0

"Bai Fendou, what are you doing? Get down from the window. Sitting there won't solve your problems." Wang Er from the security department felt like the unluckiest person in the world. Why did it have to be him on duty today?0

Because the Bai father and son had caused such an embarrassing incident, they weren't exactly "free." So, the security department arranged for two people to keep an eye on them every day. Today, it was Wang Er and Wang Wu. Wang Wu had stepped out for a moment, and in that short time, Wang Er saw Bai Fendou sitting by the window.0

Wang Er: "What terrible luck."0

He silently cursed his fate. How could he be so unlucky to encounter such a situation? Could it get any worse?0

Yes, it could.0

He was living it.0

In his mind, he cursed Bai Fendou to high heaven, but he still had to speak to him gently, saying, "Bai Fendou, get down from the window. You're a grown man—sitting there over a little problem. What will people think of you? How will they see you in the future?"0

Bai Fendou shouted, "I don't care what others think of me! What future do I have left? My... my... is shattered! I won't have children in the future. Why should I care about the future? I have no future!"0

The crowd below gasped, "Wow!"0

Wang Er stood there, speechless.0

He took a deep breath and said, "The doctor said it's uncertain, it could be possible or not. How can you be so sure? How can you diagnose yourself? Why are you so lacking in confidence?"0

He spoke gently, "Come down first. No matter what, this won't solve anything. Look at your father, he faced the same situation as you, yet he could stay calm. Why can't you?"0

Bai Fendou retorted, "He has a son! I don't!"0

Old Man Bai also shouted, "Having a son is no different from not having one! My son has no skills, always pushing responsibilities onto me. Now we're facing extinction, what use is a son to me? What use is he?"0

The father and son were both shouting at the top of their lungs, afraid that others couldn’t hear about their family matters.0

Not only the crowd below, but even the doorway of the ward was now crowded with onlookers. The duty doctor and security guards were all anxious. If something happened to the man in the hospital, their reputation would be tarnished. They felt even more innocent in this situation.0

In these times, everyone felt innocent, except for the man on the verge of jumping.0

But since he was about to jump, what could they do? They could only persuade him!0

"Stay calm, please stay calm. Old Man Bai, don't add fuel to the fire. If you don't try to persuade him to come down, and instead speak coldly, what if it provokes him?"0

"What if? I don't care! He doesn't respect me, so I'll just treat him as if he doesn't exist." Old Man Bai was unyielding. He was truly heartbroken. This whole mess was Bai Fendou's idea, and now that things had gone wrong, Bai Fendou was blaming him entirely. Old Man Bai couldn't forgive this.0

He said, "I must have done something terrible in my previous life to have such a son!"0

He was practically jumping in anger.0

Wang Er, unable to bear it any longer, said to the security guards, "Help me drag him to the next ward. Lessen the disturbance he's causing."0

Bai Fendou was already a bit out of his mind, and this old man kept pouring oil on the fire. Was he even a real father?0

Wang Er and the security guards tried to pull Old Man Bai away. Old Man Bai shouted, "Ah... what are you doing? You disrespectful brutes! Don't drag me! Why won't you let me speak? I need to teach this little rascal a lesson. His mother died when he was young, and I raised him all by myself. He doesn't carry on the family line, and when things go wrong, he blames me. Having such a son is a misfortune for our family!"0

Old Man Bai howled.0

The crowd watched with a mix of shock and awe. Bai Fendou sat by the window and shouted, "Stop talking nonsense! If you hadn't acted without thinking, things wouldn't have come to this! I admit I made mistakes, but how can you blame me entirely? You're my father, shouldn't you stand by me now?"0

Both men were in a frenzy, but it seemed Old Man Bai had more reason on his side.0

However, Bai Fendou seemed equally devastated, crying and wailing with tears streaming down his face.0

Seeing a grown man break down like this, everyone was stunned.0

Ming Mei leaned on Zhuang Zhixi, who had just found out she was pregnant. She didn't dare to get too close, fearing she might get hurt or fall.0

Although they hadn't planned to have a child initially, now that it had happened, they were overjoyed. The joy was indescribable, bubbling up from their hearts.0

Thinking about the little life growing inside her, Ming Mei instinctively wanted to protect her unborn baby.0

Though it wasn't part of the plan, plans often change. This "little surprise" was a source of great happiness.0

She held her belly and moved closer to Zhuang Zhixi, who held her hand.0

"Let's stay back. Even if he really jumps, we don't want to get hit."0

Ming Mei nodded seriously.0

Bai Fendou continued to rant, "I know, I know I went too far this time, but did I really do anything wrong? I just wanted to play a joke. Why are you all overreacting? I've already suffered so much. Don't you know how important... this is to a man? Why are you so heartless?"0

He sobbed, "I just wanted to stand up for Sister Xiangxiu. She's a woman raising three kids and a mother-in-law. How hard her life is. Why can't you all be more understanding? Sister Xiangxiu is such a good woman!"0

The crowd murmured, "Oh, wow."0

Some who didn't know asked, "Who's Sister Xiangxiu?"0

They had only heard about the "egg-shattering" incident and didn't know about Sister Xiangxiu.0

As an insider, Zhuang Zhixi couldn't help but explain, "She's a close friend of his."0

The crowd understood, "Oh, I see."0

"Got it, got it."0

What a close friend, just say she's his lover.0

Bai Fendou continued to cry hysterically. Zhao Guihua watched this grown man and silently thought, if he were her son, she'd break his legs. Could he not be so foolish?0

With ten people knowing something, he had to make it so that at least ten thousand people knew.0

By tomorrow, the whole city would know: Bai Fendou from the machinery factory, had his... shattered.0

Such self-exposure was simply incredible.0

Zhao Guihua knew Bai Fendou wanted to get married and have his own children, but he was also competitive and lacked self-awareness. Combined with his father, who was easily swayed by an old widow, his actions became increasingly reckless, leading to this disaster.0

She didn't sympathize with him but was more vigilant. In the future, she would stay far away from the Su family. They were truly heartless.0

Bai Fendou's current predicament was not only due to his own personality flaws but also largely influenced by the Su family's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.0

As Zhao Guihua pondered, she saw several members of the machinery factory's security department arrive, led by Section Chief Liu. He was furious, almost wanting to kick Bai Fendou to death. The reputation of their factory had been tarnished by this troublemaker.0

Section Chief Liu hadn't even made it upstairs before shouting from below, "Bai Fendou, come down! A grown man acting like this is something we'll look down upon."0

Then, quietly to Zhang San beside him, "Go to their courtyard and find Wang Xiangxiu."0

His fists clenched tightly, wanting to punch this shameless man. What kind of scare tactic was this? If you really want to jump, go to the top floor. Sitting by the second-floor window, what kind of jump is that?0

Section Chief Liu was seething with anger but couldn't outright curse. After all, Bai Fendou was now "disabled," and men in his condition were often more sensitive and fragile. If he was provoked into jumping, it wouldn't be good.0

He said, "Come down and talk. You know, some things I can handle. Sitting by the window won't solve anything. It's better to come down and have a proper discussion."0

Bai Fendou retorted, "You're just a section chief, what can you decide?"0

Section Chief Liu: "???"0

Other security department members: "..."0

They didn't dare to look at their section chief's face.0

Zhuang Zhixi: I'm not here, I didn't hear, I don't know. I'm just passing by.0

Section Chief Liu took a deep breath, "Come down. How do you know I can't decide anything if we don't talk?"0

Damn it, damn it, damn it!0

He felt his anger rising, wanting to rush up and slap the man.0

He had to hold back, he was a civilized person, he had class.0

Ming Mei, not knowing the security department, openly looked over and saw the man clenching his fists. She whispered, "Would getting angry to death be considered a work injury?"0

Zhuang Zhixi: "Probably not?"0

Ming Mei raised an eyebrow.0

She felt this man was really angry.0

Zhuang Zhixi glanced at Section Chief Liu again, noticing that the latter was giving instructions to someone nearby, who quickly hurried upstairs. Zhuang Zhixi muttered, "Looks like everything's fine."0

Ming Mei's eyes widened in amazement. "I've never seen anything like this before, never!"0

An elderly man in a hospital gown, watching the scene unfold, chimed in, "Young lady, don't say you haven't seen it—I've lived this long, and I've never seen anything like it either."0

Ming Mei: "..."0

For some reason, she felt like she had heard this phrase quite often lately.0

Indeed, she had been encountering so many unusual events recently that when she visited her parents, her mother would always ask, "What's been happening in your courtyard lately?" Ming Mei suspected that her grandfather had chosen this neighborhood precisely because of its lively atmosphere.0

It was quite possible.0

After all, such a lively courtyard was a rarity.0

As Ming Mei was momentarily lost in thought, she saw someone stealthily approach Bai Fendou from behind. She quickly covered her mouth in shock. The onlookers were equally stunned, not daring to make a sound.0

Section Chief Liu, however, remained calm and continued conversing with Bai Fendou.0

Bai Fendou, oblivious to the person behind him, was suddenly yanked backward, causing him to stumble. Ming Mei and a few others pushed forward through the crowd, eager to see what was happening. Zhuang Zhixi, ever the cautious one, quickly pulled his wife back, saying, "Don't get too close—you're too curious for your own good."0

Ming Mei pouted. "You underestimate me. I can handle myself."0

Zhuang Zhixi: "..."0

Zhao Guihua interjected, "Don't hold back too much, but be careful."0

Ming Mei: "Okay."0

Zhuang Zhixi: "..."0

Could she be any more biased?0

Ming Mei hummed a little tune, tiptoeing trying to get a better view. "Let's go upstairs and take a look," she suggested.0

Zhuang Zhixi, though not one to stay out of trouble himself, hesitated for just a moment before agreeing, "Alright, let's go."0

Zhao Guihua rolled her eyes, muttering, "You two are never quiet. I really admire your energy."0

Despite her words, she was the first to head upstairs.0

Zhuang Zhixi: "..."0

As Zhao Guihua reached the stair landing, she heard thunderous shouting coming from a hospital room. Section Chief Liu was in full rage mode, his voice shaking the entire corridor. The crowd had gathered at the stair landing, and Zhao Guihua sighed, "You won't be able to get through."0

Ming Mei: "Oh no."0

Zhao Guihua: "Don't worry, I'll go and find out what's happening!"0

She was always eager to be the first to catch the latest gossip.0

"Excuse me, everyone, make way."0

Just as Zhao Guihua and the others were about to push forward, they heard someone calling from behind. Turning around, they saw Wang Xiangxiu following Zhang San as they made their way upstairs. The trio exchanged knowing glances.0

Wang Xiangxiu's face was flushed, her eyes fixed straight ahead, filled with concern as she hurried forward.0

"Who's that?"0

"Is she the wife of the guy who... you know?"0

"Isn't he single?"0

"Then why is she here?"0

"Who knows."0

The crowd buzzed with speculation, but they still made way for Wang Xiangxiu, creating a path. Zhao Guihua thought to herself, "This is quite the red-carpet treatment."0

Everyone watched Wang Xiangxiu with curiosity and suspicion.0

Wang Xiangxiu's face grew even warmer under the scrutiny, but she knew there was no point in trying to hide her intentions. She cleared her throat lightly and followed Zhang San into the room, her heart genuinely concerned for Bai Fendou.0

She and her mother-in-law had gone to great lengths for the Bai family, using every trick in the book. If Bai Fendou messed up now, she would go mad. Men just couldn't be so useless. She bit her lip, feeling like a woman born under an unlucky star.0

Wang Xiangxiu quickly entered the room, while Section Chief Liu arranged for hospital staff to clear the area, making it clear he didn't want an audience. Zhao Guihua, disappointed, turned back, saying, "Alright, let's go."0

With the scene off-limits, there was no reason for them to stay.0

Zhuang Zhixi and Ming Mei nodded in agreement.0

As they walked downstairs together, Zhuang Zhixi pondered aloud, "I think Wang Xiangxiu has a plan to help Bai Fendou."0

Zhao Guihua rolled her eyes. "Oh, you know everything, don't you?"0

Zhuang Zhixi whispered, "Look at how confident she is."0

Thinking about it, Zhao Guihua had to admit he might be right. She pursed her lips, saying, "She's definitely up to no good. Let's head home."0

The three of them had originally come to see a doctor, but instead, they stumbled upon a spectacle. Ming Mei sighed, "This is the first time I've seen someone jump from a building."0

She added, "I suspect this won't be the last time."0

Zhao Guihua replied, "No matter how many times it happens, you need to take care of yourself."0

Ming Mei nodded lightly.0

It was late when they returned home. As they entered the courtyard, they saw several people sitting around chatting. Upon seeing the trio return, Aunt Zhou quickly asked, "Well? Is your daughter-in-law pregnant?"0

Zhao Guihua nodded. "The pregnancy is still early, so it's hard to tell, but it's likely."0

In those days, there was no superstition about not announcing a pregnancy until the first trimester was over. Zhao Guihua didn't hide the news, saying, "Our third son is going to be a father."0

"That's wonderful news."0

"Congratulations."0

Aunt Zhou, however, looked at them with a bitter smile. "With that round belly, it's definitely a girl. Congratulations on getting a granddaughter."0

She said this with a smug look, waiting for Zhao Guihua's reaction. Zhao Guihua, unfazed, smiled back. "If it's a girl, that's great. Girls are affectionate and thoughtful. Take our Xiao Yanzi, for example. No matter how naughty the boys are, she never causes trouble."0

Xiao Yanzi, who was playing with the other kids in the courtyard, puffed out her chest proudly at the mention of her name. Hutou, feeling indignant, pouted and said, "Grandma, don't you love me anymore?"0

Zhao Guihua laughed. "You're a good boy too. It's just that those with outdated ideas tend to favor boys over girls."0

She smoothly changed the subject, ruffling Hutou's hair. "Go play."0

Hutou, feeling affirmed by his grandmother, proudly strutted around like a little rooster.0

Aunt Zhou glared at them, remaining silent. Normally, she would have been more vocal, but on this topic, she always felt at a disadvantage.0

Zhao Guihua didn't push further, saying, "We haven't had dinner yet."0

Liang Meifen immediately stood up. "Mom, I'll heat something up for you."0

Zhao Guihua waved her hand. "I'll do it myself."0

As Ming Mei entered the house, her eyebrows furrowed. Zhao Guihua noticed and said, "You don't like the smell of the meat broth? I'll make you something else."0

Ming Mei: "Okay."0

At this point, she wasn't being modest—she genuinely felt unwell.0

This discomfort was real and couldn't be faked, especially since she had to consider the well-being of her unborn child.0

Even though she had just conceived, Ming Mei was already being very careful.0

Zhao Guihua quickly scooped out the remaining meat broth, saying, "I'll make you an egg dish."0

Ming Mei's face lit up immediately.0

Zhao Guihua didn't say much. In those days, even having an egg during pregnancy was considered a luxury. Even Ming Mei, from a relatively well-off family, couldn't help but smile at the thought. If one were to think about a decade later, an egg would be nothing special.0

Zhao Guihua was quick and efficient. She soon scrambled the eggs and sliced two cucumbers into thin strips. She mixed some flour and quickly cooked it into a pancake. The aroma of frying filled the air as the pancake took shape. Zhao Guihua then rolled the eggs and cucumber strips into the pancake, creating an egg roll. "Here, take it," she said.0

Ming Mei breathed in the delicious scent, feeling no nausea at all. She was in high spirits. "Thank you, Mom."0

Zhao Guihua: "Don't thank me—just go to your room to eat. Your husband and I will have some meat broth."0

She was worried that the smell might upset Ming Mei.0

Ming Mei: "Okay."0

At this moment, Ming Mei deeply appreciated having an experienced and knowledgeable mother-in-law. If it were an ordinary mother-in-law, she might have thought the daughter-in-law was being difficult, refusing to drink meat broth and asking for something else.0

This is what pretentiousness looks like.0

But Zhao Guihua could understand. As a reincarnated person, she had access to more information than others. She also knew that not everyone likes good things, and there are people who don’t eat pork. So, she could understand why her daughter-in-law felt disgusted when she smelled snake soup during pregnancy.0

Ming Mei went back to her room to eat her own meal, while Zhao Guihua and Zhuang Zhixi were also enjoying a good meal.0

As they were eating, Zhao Guihua's eyes wandered and she noticed that the new stove she wanted to build had already been completed. Although the cement hadn't dried yet, it was clear that the work was done very well. Zhao Guihua smiled, thinking that her husband was indeed efficient.0

Zhuang Zhixi hadn't paid much attention at first. Although there was suddenly one more person at home, he had gotten used to it and didn't notice anything unusual. It wasn't until he followed Zhao Guihua's gaze that he realized the new stove.0

Zhuang Zhixi was surprised: "Hey, Mom, why is there an extra one here?"0

Zhao Guihua calmly replied: "Our stove area was a bit small, so I discussed it with your dad, and he built this one."0

Zhuang Zhixi raised an eyebrow and glanced at his mother.0

Zhao Guihua: "What are you looking at?"0

Zhuang Zhixi: "I can't even look at you?"0

He lowered his head and continued eating, not asking any further questions about the stove.0

Zhao Guihua tried to appear calm. After all, this matter was only known to her and her husband for now. She had no intention of telling her two sons. These boys, after getting married, all had their own thoughts.0

She didn't want to cause any more chaos in the family because of such things.0

She said: "Earlier..."0

Before she could finish, Liang Meifen rushed in, pulling a stool to sit beside Zhao Guihua. She spoke in a hushed and hurried tone: "Mom, did you know? The Zhou family has decided not to sue Bai Fendou and his father."0

Liang Meifen thought this was a huge piece of gossip and quickly came to tell her mother-in-law.0

Zhao Guihua: "Is that so?"0

She looked at her youngest son, thinking that he had indeed guessed correctly. She clicked her tongue and said: "We saw Bai Fendou trying to jump off the hospital roof earlier today."0

"What!" Liang Meifen exclaimed, then quickly asked: "Jump off the roof? Was it just now? Oh, that's right, no wonder the security department came to look for Wang Xiangxiu earlier. It must have been about this."0

She suddenly understood.0

Zhao Guihua: "Did the security department say why they came?"0

"No!" Liang Meifen urged: "Mom, tell me quickly."0

Zhuang Zhixi quickly finished his meal, stood up, and left his mother and sister-in-law behind. He went to the water trough in the courtyard to rinse his mouth, then returned to his room. By then, Ming Mei had also finished eating and was sitting at the table, munching on some sunflower seeds from her stash.0

Ming Mei was like a little squirrel, always keeping her own snacks in a basket.0

Zhuang Zhixi entered the room and saw her relaxed demeanor, asking: "Why didn't you come out to sit?"0

Ming Mei pretended to be timid, saying: "If I went out now, I'd definitely become the center of attention. I'd rather not."0

She loved listening to gossip but didn't want to be the subject of it.0

Zhuang Zhixi walked over to her, placing his hand on her stomach, and said: "Let me feel the baby."0

Ming Mei chuckled, teasing: "The baby is still just a little bean sprout. You probably can't feel anything yet."0

Zhuang Zhixi was unyielding: "My child, even in the womb, is the smartest one."0

When the couple got married, they wanted more time for just the two of them and weren't in a hurry about having kids. But now that Ming Mei was pregnant, Zhuang Zhixi immediately felt differently. He wanted to announce to the world that his baby was the smartest and most adorable.0

He proudly said: "When the baby is born, you can teach it martial arts, and it will be invincible."0

Ming Mei was speechless: "Why would we need to fight?"0

Zhuang Zhixi: "Just in case, it's better to be prepared."0

He crouched in front of Ming Mei and said: "Starting tomorrow, I'll pick you up and drop you off for work."0

Ming Mei: "???"0

She laughed, asking: "Is it really necessary to be so over-the-top?"0

Zhuang Zhixi: "Of course it is. I'll feel more at ease. Otherwise, with how fast you ride your bike, I can't help but worry."0

Ming Mei: "..."0

She thought Zhuang Zhixi was being a bit exaggerated, but since he was willing to pick her up, she didn't mind.0

Zhuang Zhixi continued: "Tomorrow, I'll go to the supply store and buy some sesame cookies and malted milk. That way, you can have them whenever you want, and you won't feel deprived."0

Ming Mei nodded: "Okay."0

He added: "Oh, and I'll take the afternoon off tomorrow to visit your parents. Such big news, I have to let them know."0

Ming Mei looked at Zhuang Zhixi and realized he had everything well-planned. She softly laughed and said: "I'll follow your lead."0

Zhuang Zhixi: "You don't have to follow me entirely. Think about what else we need to pay attention to. Oh, right, I'll write to my older sister and tell her this good news..."0

Ming Mei: "You're going a bit overboard. Let's wait until the baby is born to announce it to everyone."0

Just pregnant and he already wanted to tell the whole world.0

Ming Mei rubbed her stomach and said: "I wonder if I'm carrying a boy or a girl."0

As soon as she said that, she suddenly paused. Zhuang Zhixi asked: "What are you thinking about?"0

Ming Mei softly replied: "Zhixi, if I have a daughter, would you like her?"0

She looked at Zhuang Zhixi seriously. Zhuang Zhixi was casual: "That would be great. Didn't my mom say? Daughters are more considerate."0

Ming Mei raised an eyebrow.0

Zhuang Zhixi: "Whether it's a boy or a girl, it's still my child. With me being so smart and you being so capable, our child will be the best, no matter the gender. Why worry about it?"0

He glanced at his wife and said: "I have to say, Ming Mei, you're not one of those who prefer boys over girls, are you?"0

Ming Mei raised her chin and said: "I'm a woman myself. If I preferred boys over girls, I'd be crazy."0

Zhuang Zhixi laughed: "That's settled then. Whether it's a boy or a girl, I'll be happy. With me being so outstanding, our child won't be bad either."0

Ming Mei: "You're really good at boasting."0

Zhuang Zhixi put on a serious face and asked: "What? Do you think I'm wrong?"0

Ming Mei thought for a moment and said seriously: "I think you're..." She drew out the words and then laughed: "Absolutely right."0

Zhuang Zhixi: "That's what I'm saying. With us being so good-looking and smart, whether we have a boy or a girl, it'll be great. If it's a boy, he'll be like me, and if it's a girl, she'll be like you. Either way, we're both good-looking, so it'll be fine."0

She laughed, feeling more relaxed.0

Zhuang Zhixi looked up at Ming Mei, gently pinched her cheek, and said: "Stop overthinking. You need to rest well and have a healthy, chubby baby."0

Ming Mei: "I heard that giving birth is very painful."0

Zhuang Zhixi: "Don't think about that. Didn't my mom say? It's like having a bad stomachache. Just think of it as having a bad stomachache and not being able to find a bathroom. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."0

Ming Mei nodded, saying "Mmm."0

In fact, she found it strange how people's emotions worked. She hadn't felt anything before, but now that she was confirmed to be pregnant, all kinds of emotions suddenly surfaced. She worried that Zhuang Zhixi wouldn't like a girl, that giving birth would be too painful, and that she might not take good care of the baby. All these thoughts came flooding in at once.0

Seeing her a bit anxious, Zhuang Zhixi held her hand and said: "Let's just have one. If it's too hard the first time, we won't have a second."0

Ming Mei smiled and asked: "Even if it's a daughter, we'll have just one?"0

Zhuang Zhixi: "Why not?"0

He said: "I don't mind. Whether we have one or several, whether it's a boy or a girl, the important thing is to raise the child well. If we have eight or ten sons who are always misbehaving and causing trouble, like Jinlai who steals chickens and dogs, it's better to have just one good child. So it's not about the number or gender, but about the quality of the child. We have to educate our child well."0

Ming Mei nodded lightly: "You're right."0

Zhuang Zhixi, seeing that Ming Mei had taken his words to heart, smiled and said: "That's settled then. Stop overthinking. This isn't like you at all."0

He said, "Come, let me peel the melon seeds for you."0

Ming Mei shook her head, "No need, I can do it myself. There's not much hot water left, could you boil a pot for me?"0

Zhuang Zhixi replied, "Sure."0

He quickly picked up the kettle and went out to the main house. Ming Mei watched Zhuang Zhixi's back disappear, revealing a sweet smile.0

In truth, whether it was a boy or a girl, it was the same to her. Her parents weren't the type to favor boys over girls, so Ming Mei didn't have the typical woman's desire to give birth to a son. The child she had carried for ten months, whether a boy or a girl, she loved them equally.0

However, Ming Mei still wanted to know Zhuang Zhixi's thoughts, after all, they were a family.0

Most men wanted a son.0

Families like theirs, who didn't care, were the exception.0

Ming Mei scratched her head. She hadn't had any dreams herself, so she didn't know whether she would give birth to a boy or a girl. It was strange. Even when she had once dreamed of her mother-in-law, the content was vague, and she couldn't tell if she would have a boy or a girl.0

But she knew that her mother-in-law, Zhao Guihua, must know.0

However, Ming Mei didn't really want to ask her. Keeping a little suspense was quite nice.0

"Knock knock knock."0

The sound of knocking came from the door. Ming Mei said, "Come in."0n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

It definitely wasn't Zhuang Zhixi who was knocking.0

It wasn't someone else either, but Lan Sihai. Ming Mei quickly offered a seat, "Grandpa, come sit."0

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‍old man didn't stand on ceremony, saying, "Do I need you to offer me a seat?"0

He sat down directly, looking up and down at Ming Mei, and said, "I heard you're pregnant?"0

Ming Mei nodded.0

Lan Sihai pursed his lips and nodded, saying, "You're so young, why are you in such a hurry?"0

Ming Mei was full of question marks, not knowing what her grandpa was getting at.0

The old man glanced out the door, seeing no one, coughed once, and quickly slipped a small golden Buddha into Ming Mei's hand.0

Ming Mei's eyes widened in shock!0

She stammered, "My my my my, my heavens!"0

Lan Sihai looked very disdainful: "Can you not look so uncultured? It's so embarrassing."0

Ming Mei: "… Oh, but but, I really haven't seen such things before!"0

She swallowed hard, saying, "Is is is this really gold…?"0

Lan Sihai rolled his eyes, saying, "Do I look like someone who would give fake goods?"0

Ming Mei shook her head, "No, you're the richest."0

Lan Sihai nodded, that was a good point.0

Lan Sihai spoke with a serious tone: "Pregnant people are usually more tense, and also weaker. You're still so young, it's even more so. At this time, you need a little weight to press down. Let me tell you, gold is the best, it can both press down and bless you. You secretly wear it, don't let anyone see, okay?"0

Ming Mei swallowed again, saying, "Is is is this… for me?"0

Lan Sihai nodded, "It's for you, don't tell anyone else, just for you."0

Ming Mei's eyes widened even more.0

She whispered like a thief, "Does no one else have one? Not my cousin? Not my sister? Not my brother?"0

Lan Sihai's eyes flickered, he said sternly, "Why are you asking so much? I said it's just for you, keep it well."0

Ming Mei: "Oh oh oh! Okay!"0

She was very excited, with a little excitement, "I knew Grandpa loves me the most."0

Lan Sihai nodded, "You don't need to flatter me, who let you be my granddaughter?"0

Ming Mei scratched her head.0

The old man looked at her silly appearance and reminded her again, "Don't let it fall out, or else you might get into trouble. I want to bless you, not harm you. Hide it well."0

Ming Mei said seriously, "I know!"0

The old man nodded, "Alright, I'm leaving."0

Ming Mei: "Grandpa…"0

The old man: "Go to bed early, look at your foolishness."0

Ming Mei made a funny face, the old man waved his hand helplessly and left quickly.0

Ming Mei watched her grandpa's thin back, her palm tightly clutching the small golden Buddha. She blinked, lowered her head, and arranged some melon seeds into a smiley face, then smiled at it herself.