“Alright, alright.” For the first time in two years of running the factory, Du Zhan encountered a client so prompt with payment that he almost wanted to embrace Zhang Liunian as family.
“My address is Zhang Liunian’s home, Zhangjia Village, Shilidatui. Have the tractor driver deliver it to my place this afternoon.”
“Yes, yes, yes.”
Their verbal agreement sealed, they finalized the contract, signed, and exchanged money. Zhang Liunian mounted his bicycle, ready to leave. But just as he rode a meter away, a weight settled behind him.
Zhang Liunian leaned back. Good heavens, wasn’t that his thick-skinned, resilient old companion, Du Ziteng?
“What are you doing?” Zhang Liunian stopped his bicycle, staring expressionlessly at the person behind him.
“My name is Du Ziteng. Remember it.”
“…” Zhang Liunian had never managed to comprehend the thought process of this business partner.
“Why should I remember your name?” This was utterly absurd. Du Ziteng wasn’t a handsome man or a beautiful woman; why should he remember him?
“Because I remembered yours. You’re Zhang Liunian, right? Big brother will look out for you from now on.” After saying this, Du Ziteng leaped away easily.
“…” Who wanted him to look out for them?
Meanwhile, by the Daming Lake, Jiang Qingqing was watching the village’s eighteen uncles dig the foundation with her daughter.
They had already excavated more than half the area, and the ground was covered in rubble and mud. Jiang Qingqing was engrossed in the sight when Wu Gudi suddenly approached and asked in a low voice, “Sister-in-law, how much do you pay Liushui a month to watch the lake? Is it fifty?”
Jiang Qingqing turned to look at her, saying nothing. She wondered if her eldest sister-in-law didn’t know about this. She glanced at her elder brother, Zhang Liushui, who was also helping and not paying attention to their conversation. She considered saying something but held her tongue.
“Say something? You pay others one or two yuan a day, but you can’t pay Liushui any less, right!” Wu Gudi genuinely wanted to find out how much her youngest brother-in-law was paying her husband. Since Zhang Liushui wouldn't say, she had to ask herself.
Zhang Liushui, holding his shovel, casually looked up. He noticed his wife standing next to his third sister-in-law. He stopped working and called out loudly, “Wu Gudi, bring me some water.”
Upon hearing the voice, Wu Gudi’s face showed impatience. But with so many people present, she had no choice but to obediently leave.
As soon as she left, Jiang Qingqing also wanted to leave. She turned to go with her daughter, but she didn't notice the stone underfoot. She stepped on it and fell to the ground.
“Mama!” Huabao cried out, seeing this, and rushed to help her up.
Several villagers who were watching heard the commotion. Following Huabao’s voice, they looked over and saw Jiang Qingqing, her pregnant belly protruding, sitting on the ground. They were startled.
“Qingqing, are you alright!”
“Qingqing, how did you fall?”
“Is it serious?”
“Did you hurt anywhere?”
“…”
Seeing their concerned gazes, Jiang Qingqing felt a little embarrassed. She covered her belly and stood up. “I’m alright.”
She hadn’t fallen too hard and didn’t feel any pain.
Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and then returned to their work.
“Qingqing, Huabao, I’m back.” Zhang Liunian rode his bicycle home. He put down the bicycle and entered the house, only to see Jiang Qingqing packing clothes, noticing bloodstains on them.
Zhang Liunian grew anxious. He supported his wife’s shoulders and asked, “Qingqing, whose blood is this? Are you injured?”
Hearing his question, Jiang Qingqing’s small face flushed. She stammered, “I don’t know what happened. I just went to the restroom and found a few drops of blood on my pants, but I don’t feel any discomfort. You don’t need to worry.”
Zhang Liunian became even more worried upon hearing this. “How could I not worry? You’re bleeding! No, we need to go to the hospital right now.”
Seeing how anxious he was, Jiang Qingqing quickly reached out and held him back. “It’s really nothing. I just fell, and my stomach doesn’t hurt.”
“What? You fell at home? Is this blood from the fall? No, no, I’m taking you to the hospital now.”
When Zhang Liunian heard that his wife had actually fallen at home, he became instantly frantic. With that, he scooped his wife into his arms and rushed out.
Jiang Qingqing was bewildered by her husband’s actions. In a daze, she allowed him to place her on the bicycle, and he carefully transported her to the hospital.
“I’ve prescribed you two doses of medicine to help with the pregnancy. We haven’t found any major problems for now. Go home, rest well, and eat more nutritious food.” After a thorough examination, the female doctor gave her verdict.
“That’s great! Thank you, Doctor. I’ll go get the medicine.” Zhang Liunian was greatly relieved to hear that she was fine. He thanked the doctor profusely and went to collect the medicine.
The female doctor watched Zhang Liunian’s actions with envy as she looked at Jiang Qingqing. “Your husband is so good to you. In all my years of practicing medicine, I’ve never met a man who cares so much about his wife.”
Hearing the doctor praise her husband, Jiang Qingqing’s face turned shy. “He is very good to me.”
“You are truly blessed.”
“I think so too.”
“…”
After their conversation, Zhang Liunian returned.
Seeing Zhang Liunian back in the ward, the female doctor leaned close to Jiang Qingqing and whispered a few more instructions before leaving.
As soon as the female doctor left, Jiang Qingqing’s face turned as red as a monkey’s bottom.
Zhang Liunian stepped forward, holding her hand, and asked with concern, “Qingqing, what’s wrong? What did the doctor say?” Why is your face so red?
“N-nothing.” She couldn’t possibly say that the doctor had told them to abstain from intimacy! That would be too embarrassing.
Besides, her husband was very considerate. He had been enduring for the sake of their child and her. She knew that, so there was no need for a reminder.
Zhang Liunian stared at her face, which was flushed almost to the point of bleeding. “Is there really nothing?” It really doesn’t seem like it!
“Really nothing.” Jiang Qingqing started to get up to put on her shoes, but Zhang Liunian quickly stopped her. “Let me, let me. Don’t move around.”
“It’s not that serious yet.” There was no need to be so cautious; she wasn’t made of glass. Although Jiang Qingqing thought this, seeing how much her husband cared for her, her heart felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey.
“Alright, should we head back or go for a stroll at the market?” After helping his wife put on her shoes and then getting her off the bed, Zhang Liunian asked.
His wife hadn’t been to the market in a long time. Since they were in the county town now, they could take a walk and perhaps buy a chicken to simmer.
“Let’s go take a look.” Women love to shop; it’s in their nature. Even if they don’t buy anything, they want to look.
Jiang Qingqing also wanted to wander. She had brought their daughter to the market last time, and after so many days, she felt the urge again.
By the time they reached the market, it was already three or four in the afternoon. There weren’t many people, but there were still some.
Zhang Liunian was afraid of people bumping into his wife, so he kept her on the inside.
They strolled along, stopping and going, and bought quite a few things. Watching his wife happily shop, Zhang Liunian felt happy himself.
However, after not walking for long, Zhang Liunian noticed the fine sweat on his wife’s face. He looked up at the sun overhead; it was indeed a bit hot.
“Qingqing, let’s go buy you a hat to wear.” Zhang Liunian’s sharp eyes spotted a stall selling straw hats and cloth hats ahead.