"What do you mean, take it down when it's seven months?"
Zhan Jingchun was stunned by the words.
"So you mean..."
Zhang Wei winked at her.
"Shh, I'll need you to play along when the time comes. Don't mess it up for me."
Zhan Jingchun behaved very well at the Wang family's.
She was diligent and sweet-mouthed, and Wang Kang's mother liked her very much, urging her to come play again the next day.
Thus, for the next few days, Zhan Jingchun could go to Wang Kang's house to watch TV every day.
After several consecutive days, Peng Ma became unhappy.
Her daughter-in-law didn't speak to her own mother-in-law, but ran off to please her every day. Wang Kang's mother was extremely proud. For the past two days, she had been boasting to everyone about how obedient Peng Fei's wife was and how close she was to her, which infuriated Peng Ma.
One morning, after breakfast, Peng Fei was about to carry the bowl into the house for Zhan Jingchun when Peng Ma angrily stopped him.
"I used to think she was shy and didn't want to see people, so I didn't bother. Now I see, she just dislikes me and doesn't want to be around me."
"Running over there to curry favor every day, coaxing their mother into being so pleased, how impressive! What, she has a crush on Wang Kang?"
"You useless thing, always leading your wife to other people's houses, are you brainless? How could I have given birth to such a useless person like you!"
"Don't bring her food, let her come over herself! And don't go to his house anymore!"
Peng Fei didn't think much of it and didn't understand the subtle dynamics between women.
Thinking that the mother and daughter-in-law should be getting along, he went to call Zhan Jingchun over.
Zhan Jingchun walked into the kitchen awkwardly, not looking at Peng Ma's face, and took the bowl to leave.
Peng Ma was being sarcastic from the side.
"There's a lot of work at home. Since you're almost recovered, you should do chores after eating. What's so good about watching TV all day? You're not pregnant and about to give birth, you can't be idle all the time, can you?"
What did she mean?
Zhan Jingchun looked at Peng Fei.
Seeing that Zhang Wei was almost seven months pregnant, these were critical days. They had planned to make a big move, and now she wasn't allowed to go?
How could this be!
She thought Peng Fei would side with her, but she was disappointed.
Peng Fei advised her, "Mom has a point. It's not good to run to other people's houses every day."
"If you don't want to do chores, come with me to the fields. I'll take you out for a bit. Go less often in the future."
Zhan Jingchun guessed that the mother and son must have been plotting something behind her back, otherwise, they wouldn't be in such agreement.
She couldn't persuade them during the day, but she had her ways at night.
She glared at Peng Fei resentfully and ran to the yard to eat.
After eating, she listlessly followed Peng Fei, her mind full of Zhang Wei.
What if Peng Fei was stubborn and didn't listen to her, and she couldn't go to the Wang family tomorrow? What would happen to their plan?
For half a day, Zhan Jingchun was distracted. Peng Fei saw it and felt distressed.
It was rare for her to be happy for a few days. She had been obedient to him in everything during these days. If he didn't let her make friends, she would immediately turn hostile. His wife was truly hard to please.
He didn't want his wife to be unhappy, and he made a plan in his heart.
Going to Wang Kang's house wasn't a big deal. If she really wanted to go, she could soften up to him tonight, and he would let her go tomorrow.
As for his mother, he would just bear with her and take a few scoldings.
He had been scolded so many times since he was a child, a few more wouldn't hurt.
Unexpectedly, when they finished work at noon, before even reaching home, she heard that Zhang Wei had an accident.
She heard it from Aunt Wang Er from the village. In the morning, Zhang Wei had a conflict with her mother-in-law for some reason, and they got into a fight.
With her advanced stage of pregnancy, how could she be a match for her mother-in-law? She was pushed down, her water broke, and she was now in labor.
What?
Was it an accident, or was it another plan by Zhang Wei?
How could it be such a coincidence that something happened to her after she hadn't gone for just one morning?
She didn't know how Zhang Wei was doing. Upon hearing this, Zhan Jingchun ran towards Wang Kang's house.
Just as she reached the gate, she heard piercing cries from inside. As Zhan Jingchun was about to push the door open, Peng Fei caught up and stopped her.
"Don't go in. You don't understand. If you can't help and just add to the chaos, it'll be trouble if something happens."
Zhan Jingchun didn't listen to him at all, her forehead covered in sweat from anxiety.
"She's my only friend. At a time like this, I can't even go see her?"
"Knowing she's having a premature birth and is in danger, why aren't they sending her to the hospital? I'm going to tell them!"
When people are truly angry, they have great strength. Zhan Jingchun managed to break free from Peng Fei.
She pushed open the door and went straight to Zhang Wei's bedroom. Wang Kang was pacing anxiously at the door.
Seeing her, he was stunned: "Why are you here?"
Zhan Jingchun didn't answer. She turned to ask, "How long has she been in labor? How is she? If it's really bad, send her to the hospital! While there's still time! Otherwise, you'll regret it when it's too late!"
Wang Kang was stunned again and stammered.
"She's been in labor for about two hours... It's not that serious, is it? My mom said everyone goes through this..."
"What do you mean everyone goes through this? Were they all premature births? Are they all as weak as she is?"
Zhan Jingchun, whether for herself or genuinely for Zhang Wei, acted with righteous indignation.
"You know her physical condition better than anyone. She finally decided to stay, and now the baby is coming. Can you allow an accident to happen at such a time?"
"What others say is their business. If something happens, it has nothing to do with them. If something really happens, you'll lose both your wife and child. Don't be foolish!"
Wang Kang was already anxious and scared. After Zhan Jingchun said this, he became even more flustered.
He paced back and forth at the door for a while, then finally made up his mind and rushed in.
Zhan Jingchun followed him in.
She saw a large plastic sheet spread on the wooden bed. Zhang Wei was lying there with her legs bent, covered with a thick cotton quilt. It was summer, and she was in pain and exerting herself, so much so that she was soaked in sweat.
Blood flowed continuously from under the quilt, accompanied by her wails, which was truly terrifying.
Before they could speak, Wang Kang's mother turned around and reprimanded them.
"Who let you in? The door shouldn't be opened! If it catches a draft, it'll be over! Hurry, you two don't understand, get out!"
There were several women who had given birth in the room helping out. It was chaotic, and with the addition of the two of them, it was extremely crowded.
As Wang Kang's mother was about to drive them out, Zhang Wei spoke.
"Wang Kang!"
"Chun Chun!"
"I can't do this anymore—it hurts so much—send me to the hospital—please—save me—"
"Ah—"
Another gush of bright red blood flowed from the plastic sheet. Zhan Jingchun felt like she was going to faint, but she had to be strong.
"I'm here! Zhang Wei, hold on! I'm here, I'll save you!"
"Wang Kang! Do you see? She's bleeding to death! She's going to die! Don't hesitate, I'm begging you, send her to the hospital! If you delay any longer, you won't even have time to cry!"
"Auntie! Even if you don't think about Zhang Wei, think about the child! That's your first grandson! Aren't you afraid something will happen?"
As she pleaded, Zhang Wei cried even louder.
Wang Kang's scalp tingled. He paced back and forth several times, finally making up his mind.