To avoid her mother's discovery and subsequent scolding, the two had to leave after less than half an hour.
Before departing, Zhang Wei deliberately made a request of Peng Fei, hoping to facilitate Zhan Jingchun's next visit.
"Will you bring Chun Chun to see me again in a couple of days? I came to the hospital in such a hurry that I didn't even have time to pack spare clothes. The set I'm wearing is soaked and stinks, it's unbearable."
"I've been in this village for over a year, and Chun Chun is my only friend. I know it's inconvenient for you to travel back and forth, but I can't help it. Peng Fei, just do me a favor, will you agree?"
Before Peng Fei could respond, Wang Kang felt her request was excessive.
"What are you talking about? His family doesn't have a motorcycle, and he borrowed one just to see you today. That's already a lot, how can you ask him to run errands again?"
"If your clothes are wet, I'll get you some when I go back. It's not like I'm truly unable to leave. You're a mother yourself, how can you be so clueless?"
Zhan Jingchun understood Zhang Wei's intention and quickly interjected.
"It's fine, don't say anything to her. She's my only friend too. After giving birth to a son and undergoing surgery, she's weak and lonely. I'm willing to come and keep her company; I have nothing else to do at home anyway."
"You've been friends with Peng Fei for so many years, he'd help you with more than just delivering clothes, even with bigger favors. We'll be counting on you if we need anything in the future."
"Then it's settled. We'll go back to rest and bring you clothes in a couple of days. Take good care of yourself, and wait for me."
The two women bid farewell with reluctance, their emotions running so deep that their eyes welled up. Wang Kang and Peng Fei watched on, utterly astonished.
How could two women be so close?
The journey back was silent. Upon arriving home, Peng Fei quietly returned the motorcycle. Zhan Jingchun felt pressured and had no appetite, so she went straight to bed.
After preparing dinner, Peng Fei went to call her. Seeing her dejected state, his heart melted.
"What's wrong? You were fine just now, who upset you?"
Zhan Jingchun said no one had upset her, she just missed Zhang Wei.
"Giving birth was terrifying. Seeing her scar today really frightened me."
Peng Fei was speechless. After a few seconds of stunned silence, he brushed her hair.
"Then let's not have a child for now. We'll have one when you're no longer scared and want to."
To be honest, at that moment, Zhan Jingchun felt an almost perverse sense of gratitude.
Having a child for him was already an abnormal situation, but his willingness to postpone it suddenly transformed it into a gift...
Time moved forward, and three days quickly passed.
The day they had agreed upon arrived, and Zhan Jingchun grew restless. Early in the morning, she discussed with Peng Fei her desire to go to the town.
In the past few days, Peng Fei had also been thinking about Zhang Wei's words. Although he hadn't explicitly agreed, his wife had, and he felt obliged to save face for her. He had been trying to find a plausible excuse to take her out without incurring his mother's wrath.
Finally, he came up with a brilliant idea.
Zhan Jingchun's beautiful hair could be sold in their town.
Cutting it short would not only fetch some money but also save on shampoo – a win-win situation.
His mother had always wanted to cut her hair, but Peng Fei had refused. Now, it served as a perfect pretext.
He shared his excuse with Zhan Jingchun, "We won't actually cut it. It'll just be an excuse. If she asks what happened when we get back, I'll say the price offered was too low, and we couldn't reach an agreement, so we'll let it grow longer for now."
It was a thoughtful plan.
However, it also opened up a new avenue of thought for Zhan Jingchun.
Selling hair?
She was worried about how she and Zhang Wei, both penniless, would escape. His suggestion...
With their mother's permission, the two left the village openly.
After a journey to the town, Peng Fei headed for the hospital, while Zhan Jingchun asked him to take her to the hair salon.
"Are you really going to sell your hair?"
Zhan Jingchun said yes. "In my opinion, when a friend gives birth, you should give them a red envelope. I don't have money for Zhang Wei, so selling my hair is just right."
Peng Fei: "...It's not necessary. We're a family now, so one gift is enough. We can give it when they have their post-wedding banquet. It's such a shame to cut it for nothing."
Zhan Jingchun insisted on cutting it. "The shampoo you bought is too poor quality. Even if I don't cut it, my hair will be ruined sooner or later. Since it's still presentable now and can fetch a good price, let's just cut it. It'll save trouble with washing it later and make it easier to explain to your mother. It's decided."
But Peng Fei was still reluctant.
Zhan Jingchun's hair was truly beautiful, dark, straight, and silky, like a waterfall. He loved her, down to every strand of her hair.
"If you really feel bad about not giving Zhang Wei a red envelope, then give it. I have some money here, but you absolutely cannot cut your hair."
"I'll buy you good shampoo in the future. That's settled, no cutting."
After some back and forth, Peng Fei gave her a fifty-yuan red envelope from his own pocket.
Upon reaching the ward, Zhan Jingchun quietly handed it to Zhang Wei.
Zhang Wei's surgical wound no longer hurt much, and she could walk, albeit slowly. As long as she could get in a car, it was fine.
The two women exchanged glances. Today was the day. They decided to find an opportunity and slip away.
Wang Ma went to wash diapers for the baby, while Wang Kang, holding his son, was showing off to Peng Fei, urging him to have a child quickly. Zhang Wei's voice grew louder.
"I need to go to the restroom. Oh, my incision hurts so much, I'm afraid to get out of bed. Chun Chun, could you please help me?"
Wang Kang, hearing this, eagerly stepped forward to help her. Zhang Wei seemed displeased.
"Hold your son properly, look at what you've done to him... I'm fine, I can walk slowly. She can support me."
"Last time you helped me to the restroom, people talked. What's it like for a grown man to go into the women's restroom so often? I don't want to be gossiped about again."
Wang Kang didn't take it seriously. Recalling the previous scene, he even amusingly recounted it to Peng Fei.
The two women, hand in hand, their hearts pounding, finally left the ward.
The moment they stepped out of the ward, Zhan Jingchun felt as if one foot had already entered Nancheng. She saw her long-awaited parents, and tears of excitement welled up.
Zhang Wei quickened her pace and cautioned her, "Don't get too excited yet, this is just the beginning. Let's worry about that after we leave the hospital."
"Hurry, don't bump into her mother. It's all or nothing this time!"
Zhan Jingchun took a deep breath, almost lifting Zhang Wei as they ran. The two of them darted into the stairwell.
The sound of rushing wind and their pounding hearts filled their ears. Finally, they had left the hospital!
Seeing the bustling street before them, the two had no time for excitement and flagged down a tricycle.
"To the station."
On the way, Zhang Wei asked the tricycle driver how much it would cost for the two of them to get to the county town.
There were many outsiders in the town, but over ninety percent of them were trafficked wives.
Seeing their youthful beauty, the driver had already been paying attention. When asked this question, he immediately turned back and looked at them meaningfully.
"You two aren't from around here, are you? Why have you come here? What are you going to the county town for?"
Fortunately, Zhang Wei was prepared.
"We are teachers who have come to volunteer teach. Today, the school asked us to get a physical examination, but they said this hospital's services are incomplete and told us to go to the county town. What's wrong, are you afraid we outsiders can't afford the fare?"