For the first half of the month after arriving in Hangcheng, Xiang Wan stayed in a rented house arranged by Tang Haichao.
Not seeing Lu Mingzhe with her, but instead another unfamiliar man appearing in Xiang Wan's life, her grandmother was very surprised.
She questioned Xiang Wan about her relationship with him and if she had done anything to betray Lu Mingzhe.
Xiang Wan had no choice but to explain her situation with Lu Mingzhe truthfully to her grandmother.
From their first meeting, her grandmother had noticed that Lu Mingzhe came from a well-off family.
It was natural for families like his to look down upon their humble background, so her grandmother didn't say much more.
She only felt pity for Xiang Wan.
Having lost her parents in her teens, she had worked tirelessly alone for so many years, finally raising her younger brother. Now, she had to start over in a strange place, raising her child alone.
How could her life be so bitter?
Her grandmother knew Xiang Wan's personality – she was strong-willed and stubborn, keeping everything to herself without complaint.
Even though her heart ached for her, she dared not voice such sentiments to Xiang Wan.
Besides offering silent support and trying not to burden her, there was nothing else she could do.
Xiang Wan knew she owed Tang Haichao too much and felt embarrassed about taking advantage of his kindness.
After settling her grandmother, she went out the next day to look for both a job and a place to live.
As it turned out, for an older woman with a low education and who was pregnant, finding a job was harder than eating dirt.
Especially for her, finding a job with a decent salary was a pipe dream.
After wandering for a month, she finally found a suitable place to live and saw the harsh reality of society.
Hangcheng was too big, filled with too many young people who were rich, attractive, educated, and ambitious.
She was just one insignificant, very, very tiny part of it all.
Competing with them with only a high school diploma and a growing belly…
So, she lowered her expectations and found a clerical position at a printing shop not far from home.
She worked six days a week, eight hours a day, for a monthly salary of 3500.
After moving and finding a job, Xiang Wan treated Tang Haichao to dinner that night to thank him for his continuous care.
Tang Haichao was not satisfied with her job.
"You used to earn hundreds of thousands a month. Now you're making 3500. Can you really handle such a huge psychological gap?"
"What else can I do? I don't have a degree to boast about, nor any impressive resume. I only have this growing thing inside me."
"If you can really accept this mindset, you might as well come work with me. I'm starting a business and need to hire people, and it's better to work with someone familiar than a stranger."
Xiang Wan refused.
"This job is temporary. I'll stop working after the baby is born. It's a different field, and I don't understand your industry. I'll only cause trouble for you if I join."
Tang Haichao knew Xiang Wan was deliberately keeping her distance from him.
He was afraid of scaring her and dared not say anything more.
He only reminded her to go for prenatal check-ups on time, no matter how busy she was.
"If you don't want him to find you, don't go to a big hospital. I've found a place for you. It's a private clinic, but it has a good reputation. It's the preferred choice for working people, good quality and affordable. Xiang Wan."
After thanking him, she went to the clinic for all her prenatal check-ups from then on.
Before she was five months pregnant, she learned the baby's gender. The doctor told her it was a daughter and advised her to prepare in advance.
Xiang Wan felt both sad and happy.
Sad because it was truly difficult for girls to succeed and make a name for themselves in this society; she deeply understood this.
Happy because from the very beginning of her pregnancy, she had been hoping for a daughter, and now it was finally confirmed.
It brought a quiet sense of comfort to her heart.
When her work wasn't too busy, as the fetal movements became more noticeable, when she thought of names for the baby, when she imagined her appearance, and when people asked about the father, Xiang Wan would also ask herself:
Did she hate Lu Mingzhe?
The answer was no.
In life, every step taken was one she chose herself. The moment she stepped onto that path, she had already foreseen the consequences, yet she walked on resolutely. What was there to talk about hatred or regret?
It was simply reaping what she had sown.
Saying meaningless things would only waste time and make her look foolish, achieving nothing.
Xiang Wan could let go of the past with a calm heart, so her days were peaceful and fulfilling.
During her seven-month check-up, the doctor told her that the fetus was developing well, healthy in all aspects, and was now a complete little person.
She was even shown a clear image of her on the ultrasound.
Xiang Wan asked the doctor if it was feasible to have a Cesarean section and deliver the baby at this stage.
The doctor replied, "From a medical perspective, it is feasible. But others do it in accidental situations, out of necessity. You are perfectly fine now, there's no need."
"As the saying goes, a ripe fruit falls naturally. Natural birth is best for the child. Many premature babies die or are left with serious lifelong illnesses."
After leaving the examination room, Xiang Wan still called Tang Haichao and asked him to come over.
Tang Haichao thought there was a problem with the baby and rushed to the clinic, only to hear Xiang Wan say she wanted to deliver the baby early.
"Are you crazy? Everything is fine, what are you trying to do?"
Xiang Wan calculated the financial situation for him.
If she waited another three months, plus four months for postpartum recovery, she wouldn't be able to work until mid-next year, meaning half a year without income. For the latter half of this year and the first half of next year, she would be without significant income for about a year for the sake of this child, barely enough to get by.
Her savings were not much, and she had to pay rent, utilities, and living expenses every month. Once the baby was born, there would be costs for milk powder, diapers, and various medical expenses.
When the year-end holidays arrived, she felt anxious being idle at home and didn't want to wait any longer.
She wanted to wait until spring next year, when it was easiest to find a job, to find one with a good income.
"I know you're short on money, I know what you're worried about, but didn't I say? I can help you…"
"This is not your child, Tang Haichao. You have no obligation to keep helping me, and you can't help me for a lifetime."
"I don't want to accept your help anymore. More importantly, I don't know how to do anything except live streaming. Eventually, I'll have to show my face in front of the camera, and he will see me sooner or later."
"So, you mean…"
Xiang Wan had clearly thought this through.
"I don't want him to know about this child's existence. I don't want any more entanglement with him in the future."
"Even if you don't help me today, I will find a way to get the consent. I must have this surgery."
"Consider it my plea, can you help me one last time?"
It was precisely for this reason that Tang Haichao admired Xiang Wan.
She was clear about her life and her goals, and she always moved forward with unwavering determination.
As a woman with no one to rely on, she was not sentimental or pretentious, but clear-headed, independent, and always spirited.