Zhan Beijue had Jiang Nanfang stay in the hospital for prenatal care, which led her to become friends with two nurses who worked in shifts.
One day, Jiang Nanfang was reading in her room, accompanied by a caregiver, when she suddenly received a delivery, a same-day express.
Just then, the nurse and doctor came to check on her. The caregiver helped her unpack it.
It was a cute rabbit plush toy, over a meter tall, slender and long like a caterpillar, but with wings and a huge pinkish-white head.
The caregiver brought the rabbit to Jiang Nanfang to see, unable to help but laugh.
"Mr. Zhan is truly attentive to you, Madam. I casually mentioned to him yesterday that some people experience back pain during pregnancy and need to lie on their side or place something under their body to sleep comfortably. And here it is."
She placed the rabbit on herself to gauge its size and made a funny gesture.
"It's likely hand-picked and fits your body shape well. You can use it to prop up your legs when you sleep at night. It's both cute and practical."
Unlike other girls, Jiang Nanfang didn't have many toys growing up.
When she was young and ignorant, she envied other girls who had dolls and plush toys.
But at her current age, with her child already so grown, she had long lost interest in such things.
However, seeing this peculiar creature with such a large head and rosy blush embroidered on its cheeks couldn't help but lift her spirits a notch.
"Only you can tell this is a rabbit. Where did he buy it? It's so bizarre."
"This isn't for me; it's entirely for his child. He wasn't this thoughtful before she got pregnant."
The caregiver took the item to the bathroom to wash it, saying as she walked away.
"How could that be? I think Mr. Zhan takes good care of you usually. His eyes are always on you, and the way he looks at you is so gentle."
"My daughter used to love watching Korean dramas and said the male lead's gaze was so captivating it could kill. I didn't understand it then, but now I finally do. Mr. Zhan has that kind of gaze!"
With the doctor and nurse present, it felt a bit too exaggerated to speak like that.
Jiang Nanfang felt a little embarrassed, but the nurse chimed in.
"Mr. Zhan is indeed like that. He comes to see you as soon as he finishes work every day, and he stays in the room without going anywhere. When he leaves in the morning, he always instructs us to take good care of you. He also sends people to deliver things whenever there's anything. He's simply the best husband in the world."
Since everyone was praising him so much, Jiang Nanfang couldn't bring herself to disappoint Zhan Beijue and could only agree.
"Yes, yes, I must have done many good deeds in my past life and burned a lot of incense to have met him in this one."
"You're still young. Since you don't have a boyfriend now, go home and burn more incense when you have free time. You can do it too."
The doctor and caregiver burst into laughter.
The nurse also smiled, but her smile didn't reach her eyes.
Soon, the doctor left.
The nurse lingered at the doorway, then turned back.
Closing the ward door, she looked at Jiang Nanfang with a somewhat hesitant and wronged expression.
"Mrs. Zhan, I have nowhere to go, and I'm feeling down. If I go back to the nurses' station, they'll see it and I'll be embarrassed. So, can I stay here for a while?"
Seeing her distressed expression, Jiang Nanfang quickly gestured for her to come closer.
After the nurse walked over and sat by the bed, holding her hand, Jiang Nanfang asked with concern.
"Of course, you can. You can stay here as long as you like. What's wrong?"
Touched by her concern, the nurse's nose stung, and she couldn't help but shed tears.
"I wasn't that upset initially, but seeing how good you and Mr. Zhan are, I just couldn't hold it in."
"Actually, I have a boyfriend, and today is my birthday."
"Oh?" Jiang Nanfang quickly wished her a happy birthday and then asked.
"So, is it that your boyfriend forgot your birthday, and that's why you're feeling so disappointed?"
"Not exactly," she said.
"We met in high school, and this year marks our sixth year together. His family's financial situation is average, and I understand his difficulties, so I've never asked him for gifts."
"You know, with all the marketing by businesses, there are so many Valentine's Days throughout the year, plus holidays and birthdays. It's indeed a heavy burden for boys."
Hearing this, Jiang Nanfang realized she was a very considerate girl.
The saying goes, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." Overly considerate girls often aren't cherished by men.
Indeed, the nurse continued.
"Not arguing with him doesn't mean he can be without thoughtfulness. You know, ever since I gave him an out by saying I don't care about material things and only want him to be devoted to me, he has truly never given me a gift."
Apart from Zhan Beijue, Jiang Nanfang hadn't dated other men.
In the early years, there was no affection, but after they got married, even when Zhan Beijue was away, his assistant would prepare gifts and leave them at home during Valentine's Day or other holidays.
Although it lacked personal sentiment, at least the duty was fulfilled.
However, Zhan Beijue was wealthy, and ordinary boys couldn't be compared to him.
Jiang Nanfang asked the nurse.
"Is their family particularly poor? Or, in daily life, does he not love you?"
The nurse shook her head helplessly. "I don't know. If I say he doesn't love me, he comes home on time every day, shows no signs of flirting with other women, and lives a steady life."
"If I say he loves me, then there are no special expressions of it."
"I haven't received a gift from him for several consecutive years. A few days ago, he told me he would give me a gift for my birthday this year. Do you know how excited and expectant I was the moment I heard those words?"
"But when the gift arrived this morning, I opened it, and it was also a plush toy."
"It's just about 1/3 smaller than yours, about the size of a pillow, and it looks crudely made, emitting a strong, unpleasant smell."
"But I still had to force a smile and thank him. I was trying to convince myself not to overthink it, that his intention was enough. But now, I'm truly heartbroken."
"Mrs. Zhan, am I not good enough? Am I not worthy of love? Tell me, why is he treating me like this?"
By this point, the nurse was crying uncontrollably.
Jiang Nanfang got some tissues, gently wiped away her tears, and then embraced her.
"You are wonderful. Beautiful, gentle, considerate, and kind. You are exceptionally good. You deserve to be cherished by all discerning men in the world."
"Even if no man is discerning, you deserve the respect of all us women. So, don't doubt yourself."
"I can only say that your so-called boyfriend is a blind egoist, who is good for nothing but wasting your youth."
"His appearance in your life was to teach you a lesson and help you mature. Now you've realized and matured. So, it's time to dump him."