Although there have been many troubles recently, and finances are tight.
Still, Xiang Wan and Lu Mingzhe's hearts were closely connected, and their feelings were better than before.
Lu Mingzhe supported Xiang Wan as they walked and talked, naming their unborn child. Xiang Yang willingly carried their bags behind them.
This was Xiang Wan's first formal prenatal check-up since her pregnancy, and everyone took it seriously.
Seeing the blurry shadow on the machine, Lu Mingzhe even took a picture with his phone.
When Xiang Wan lay down, Lu Mingzhe helped her, and when she got up, Lu Mingzhe lifted her and even helped her put on her shoes.
Even the doctor was touched by their affection.
"Among the many pregnant women I've seen, you are the luckiest."
"Your husband is handsome and considerate, and your brother-in-law is also a handsome young man. Your child will surely be very happy when born."
Lu Mingzhe took the opportunity to ask the doctor if they could reveal the baby's gender.
The doctor declined, saying that both genders were equally good, and that in recent years, people had even started to desperately want daughters.
Xiang Yang, fearing Xiang Wan might misunderstand, explained for Lu Mingzhe.
"My brother-in-law also wants a daughter. He prays to my sister's belly every day and has already picked out names."
"Oh? You like daughters so much?"
Lu Mingzhe said, "My wife is beautiful, and a daughter would surely resemble her. How wonderful."
"What name have you chosen for your daughter?"
"Guoguo," Xiang Yang answered quickly, "Guo from 'De Chang Suo Yuan' (achieving one's wishes), signifying blossoming and bearing fruit."
"Pfft!" The doctor chuckled.
"Alright, you can go now. Take good care of Guoguo's mother."
Everyone's eyes lit up. Lu Mingzhe was so excited he could barely control his expression. "Doctor..."
"Shush..." The doctor waved his hand. "Don't spread the word, hurry out."
The three walked to the lobby. Lu Mingzhe was still excited, gently patting Xiang Wan's belly.
"Wife, our wish has come true. You've worked hard!"
"I feel quite sorry for you. It's been three months. Other pregnant women lie at home waiting to be fed and served, with countless extra meals a day, but look at you..."
"We're not going to work today. Let's go buy some groceries together and cook a good meal to nourish you."
Xiang Yang happily joined in, "Great, great!"
Seeing them both happy, Xiang Wan was also happy.
"Then let's go to the wet market together. The vegetables there are abundant and fresh, and the prices are cheap. Except for being a bit dirty, there's nothing wrong with it."
"Supermarkets are clean, but the vegetables are not natural. Eating too many of them is not good for Guoguo."
As long as she could be with the person she loved, even a trip to the wet market was wonderful.
Lu Mingzhe, enjoying himself, drove into a farmers' market closest to their residential complex.
The market was huge. Row upon row of stalls stretched out, filled with colorful, fresh, and juicy vegetables.
The market buzzed with activity, with men and women weaving through the stalls, exuding a vibrant, lively atmosphere.
This was Lu Mingzhe's first time seeing such a place. Although the ground was damp and uncomfortable to walk on, he felt a sense of contentment.
"You should have told me about this place earlier. We would have come here to buy groceries sooner. They're so fresh and look so good, they even make me want to eat them raw."
Seeing his enjoyment of the place, Xiang Yang suggested.
"How about we make a rule? We'll come here to buy groceries every two days, all three of us together."
"No one can be absent without a valid reason, and whoever breaks the promise has to wash the dishes that day."
The three picked out many vegetables. Xiang Wan skillfully haggled with the vendors, then went to the fresh produce section to buy some fish and shrimp.
They lingered for quite some time, spending nearly an hour before leaving.
Lu Mama, wearing sunglasses, sat in the car and watched her son emerge from the messy wet market, carrying a pile of vegetables, his shoes covered in mud.
He walked and talked with the woman, stopped at a spice shop, had the woman take out her wallet, get some change, and then bought some oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar.
The two of them, like many ordinary couples in the market, gradually disappeared into the crowd.
Lu Mama felt a pang of unbearable sadness.
Since graduating from university, she had not worked, dedicating herself entirely to raising her two children at home.
She provided them with the best medical care, the best living environment, and the best educational resources.
Her goal was for them to get into prestigious universities, achieve success in the future, and live lives beyond the reach of ordinary people.
And the result?
After worrying for over twenty years, her son had not only failed to improve but had become complacent, growing increasingly ordinary.
It was like she had planted an apple tree, and it had finally blossomed and borne fruit, only to be stolen just as it was about to ripen.
Xiang Wan had ruined her efforts.
That feeling was something incomprehensible to those who were not mothers.
The desire for one's child to succeed is a primal longing shared by all parents.
No one would happily watch their child fall into mediocrity.
Perhaps Lu Mingzhe didn't understand her painstaking efforts now, but when he got older, experienced the hardships of life, and raised children himself, he would understand.
A man without power, wealth, or status could only bow and scrape to others his entire life.
Just like Lu Mingzhe's uncle, who lived at the lowest rung of society his whole life, enduring hardship and suppression.
In middle age, he began to regret not seizing opportunities, but it was too late.
Lu Mama was unwilling to accept this, nor would she allow her son to become such a failed man.
Today's scene only strengthened her resolve.
She would rather her son hate her for a time than hate her for a lifetime.
Sooner or later, he would understand his mother's苦心 (painstaking efforts).
The next day, although it was the weekend, the Ming Wan couple still went to work.
Lu Mingzhe dropped Xiang Wan off downstairs, and they shared a kiss goodbye.
After watching him leave, Xiang Wan didn't go upstairs immediately. She paused for a moment and walked towards a familiar car parked by the roadside.
Lu Mama was waiting for her there.
Getting into the familiar back seat and looking at the face that so closely resembled Lu Mingzhe, she felt an indescribable sadness.
They could have been the closest people in the world, but Lu Mama refused to allow it.
"Mrs. Lu, what do you want to see me about?"
Lu Mama took off her sunglasses and asked directly.
"Have things been unsettled for you recently?"
Xiang Wan looked at her calmly and respectfully.
"Yes. We don't even have a place to live anymore. Are you happy to see us in this state?"
"Actually, it doesn't have to be this way, Miss Xiang. You are a smart person. I've told you many times, as long as you leave my son, with your talents, you can have a better life."
Tired of hearing these words, Xiang Wan interrupted her directly.
"If you're here to persuade me to break up with Lu Mingzhe, I'm sorry, but I'll say it again. It's impossible, unless he actively gives me up."
"Mrs. Lu, may I leave now?"
Lu Mama looked at her confident demeanor and lost her composure again.
"I'll give you one last chance. If you don't leave my son soon, I will be even harsher with you."
"At this point, I won't hide anything from you. Miss Xiang, the fire incident, the abnormal data in your live stream, the surge in sales, everything was my doing."