After receiving the receipt from the nursery staff, Chen Lishu bought some food at the general store and then went straight home.
As soon as she arrived, she found the atmosphere at home a bit off. Zhang Qin sat by the kang, her face pale, and Li Xiulan also looked unwell. Only Liu Yuemin, holding her child, seemed normal.
“Mom, Eldest Sister-in-law, what’s wrong?”
“Sigh.” Li Xiulan sighed and was about to speak when Liu Yuemin preempted her.
“Third Sister-in-law, you don’t know, but not long after you left this morning, the health team organized by the town came down to give everyone check-ups. Guess what? What they discovered was startling: Eldest Sister-in-law is pregnant.”
Chen Lishu looked at Zhang Qin. She had already given birth to three children, so this pregnancy would have to be terminated.
“And that’s not the most worrying part. You know how absent-minded Eldest Sister-in-law is? She’s four months pregnant and didn’t even know it. The doctor felt her stomach and realized something was wrong. Further examination revealed the baby was already four months along.”
Pregnancies over three months could only be terminated by induced labor. The surgery was very painful and taxing on the body. Chen Lishu asked with concern, “Could there be a mistake? Eldest Sister-in-law, how could you not have noticed you were pregnant for so long?”
Zhang Qin was also distressed by this matter. “My periods have always been irregular, but I distinctly remember having one last month. It was just light, so I didn’t think much of it. Besides, I had no symptoms at all. Who knew? I always had symptoms when I was pregnant with Xiaosong and the others.”
This was the kind of thing that was hard to believe, yet it happened to her. Hearing that induced labor was particularly arduous, Zhang Qin couldn’t help but feel afraid.
“That’s why I say Eldest Sister-in-law, you’re too careless. You didn’t notice for four months. I’m much more meticulous about these things. I can almost figure out the exact day.”
Liu Yuemin said while rocking her child, “The health team said that if they don’t go to the hospital themselves, they will help them terminate the pregnancy.”
Li Xiulan frowned and said, “Alright, your Eldest Sister-in-law is upset enough. Can you say a few less words?”
Liu Yuemin retorted, “I’m just looking out for Eldest Sister-in-law and reminding her to be more mindful in the future.”
Li Xiulan continued, “What reminder? After this is over, go get an IUD. You won’t have to worry about this anymore.”
Chen Lishu looked at the worried Zhang Qin and stepped forward to comfort her. “Eldest Sister-in-law, since it’s already happened, worrying won’t help. I’ll accompany you to the town tomorrow to have the procedure done. The longer we delay, the bigger the baby will get.”
“Alas, such a good child.” Zhang Qin reached up to touch her belly and couldn’t help but sigh.
“The country’s regulations are like this now, and we can’t go against them. We can only say that you and this child have no fate,” Chen Lishu said, feeling a touch of melancholy. What she wanted was absent, and what she didn’t want had arrived.
In the evening, when Gu Xingguo returned from delivering grain, he was both self-reproaching and worried upon learning that Zhang Qin was four months pregnant and would have to terminate the pregnancy.
“Third Sister-in-law is right, we can’t delay this. I’ll inform Dad and Fourth Brother shortly. I won’t be delivering grain tomorrow; I’ll drive you to the hospital.”
Zhang Qin nodded; there was no other way.
The matter was quickly settled. The next morning, Gu Xingguo hitched the horse carriage and took Zhang Qin and Chen Lishu to the county hospital.
The health team’s inspection had revealed quite a few women who were pregnant again after having multiple children. The hospital was quite crowded with people waiting for surgery.
The three of them had no choice but to find a place to sit and wait.
“Don’t worry, Eldest Sister-in-law, you’ll be fine,” Chen Lishu said, holding her hand and comforting her.
Zhang Qin looked up and smiled at her. “Third Sister-in-law, thank goodness you’re here to accompany me. Otherwise, I don’t know how scared I would be.”
She always felt that Chen Lishu knew more and felt more grounded when she was with her.
…
As Zhou Xiaoqun came downstairs, she casually glanced at the second-floor corridor. When she saw Chen Lishu’s figure, her eyes flickered, and she stopped.
“Hello, do you remember me? We met once yesterday outside Haitao’s office.”
Chen Lishu was comforting Zhang Qin when a woman in a white coat suddenly stood before her. Hearing her words, she had a vague impression and smiled politely at her. “Hello.”
“What is this?” Since it was the obstetrics and gynecology department, Zhou Xiaoqun asked curiously.
Chen Lishu didn’t elaborate. “I’m accompanying a family member.”
Zhou Xiaoqun nodded. “Is it convenient to find a place to chat?”
“It’s not very convenient.”
The two had only met twice, and the first time they had merely passed each other. Chen Lishu didn’t think they had much to talk about.
Zhou Xiaoqun: “…” She had never met someone so rude.
“I want to talk to you about Nan Haitao.”
Chen Lishu hesitated, then stood up. “Eldest Sister-in-law, please wait here for your number to be called. I’ll be right back.”
Soon, she followed Zhou Xiaoqun to a landing by the stairs, a secluded spot where few people went.
Chen Lishu: “Speak, what is it?”
“I haven’t formally introduced myself yet. I am Nan Haitao’s girlfriend. My name is Zhou Xiaoqun.”
Chen Lishu nodded, waiting for her to continue.
“I heard him say you two are good friends. I don’t believe in pure friendships between men and women. As his girlfriend, I hope you will keep your distance from him in the future.”
“You called me out just to say this? Fine, I understand.” With that, Chen Lishu turned to leave.
“Stop!” Zhou Xiaoqun stepped forward and blocked her, her gaze brazenly appraising her from head to toe.
Chen Lishu frowned. “Is there anything else?”
“You look quite decent. Do you really think you can enter the Nan family with just that face? Do you know the Nan family’s background? The more prestigious the family, the more they value lineage. You and your family seem to be from the countryside. Your family would absolutely not agree to Nan Haitao marrying a woman from a humble background.”
“You’re overthinking it. I’m already married. My dealings with Nan Haitao are purely business. I really have something to attend to, so please let me pass.”
Seeing that Zhang Qin’s number was close, and she was already nervous about this matter, Chen Lishu knew Zhang Qin would be even more afraid if she wasn’t there.
Upon hearing that Chen Lishu was married, Zhou Xiaoqun became even more indignant. She couldn’t have been mistaken about the way Nan Haitao looked at Chen Lishu that day. As a woman, her intuition told her that Nan Haitao’s feelings for the woman before her were far from simple.
“You’re already a married woman, and you’re still trying to seduce someone else’s boyfriend? You have no shame.”
Chen Lishu’s gaze suddenly turned cold. “Are you crazy? I think you’re seriously ill. Given how convenient it is here at the hospital, you should get yourself checked out and take some medicine.”