What do you mean, "take it down when it's seven months old"?
Zhan Jingchun was stunned by these 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 performed very well at the Wang family's house.
She was diligent and sweet-tongued, which pleased Wang Kang's mother. She urged Zhan Jingchun to come visit again the next day.
Thus, for the next few days, Zhan Jingchun was able to watch television at Wang Kang's house every day.
After several consecutive days, Peng Ma became displeased.
Her daughter-in-law didn't talk to her own mother-in-law but instead ran off to appease someone else, making Wang Kang's mother smug. For the past two days, she had been bragging to everyone about how obedient Peng Fei's wife was and how close she was to her, which drove Peng Ma to her wit's end.
One morning, after making breakfast, Peng Fei was about to carry the bowl of food into the room for Zhan Jingchun when she 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 dislikes me and doesn't want to be around me."
"Running over to someone else's house to curry favor and dote on their mother like that, how impressive! What, she's got a crush on Wang Kang?"
"You useless thing, always taking your wife to other people's houses. Are you out of your mind? How could I have given birth to such a useless person like you!"
"Don't you dare bring her food. Make her come get it herself! And you're not allowed to go to their house anymore!"
Peng Fei didn't think that deeply and didn't understand the subtle complexities of women.
Thinking that his mother and wife should get acquainted, 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 before leaving.
Peng Ma spoke sarcastically from the side.
"There's plenty of housework to be done. Since you're feeling much better, you can help out at home after eating. What's so good about watching TV all day? You're not pregnant and about to give birth, you can't just be idle all the time, can you?"
What did she mean?
Zhan Jingchun looked at Peng Fei.
With Zhang Wei's pregnancy reaching seven months, these were critical days. They had both planned to make a big move, and now she wasn't allowed to go?
How could this possibly work!
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 be running to other people's houses every day."
"If you don't want to do housework, come to the fields with me. I'll take you out for a walk. Go less often from now on."
Zhan Jingchun guessed that the mother and son must have been plotting something behind her back, or they wouldn't have been so in agreement.
She couldn't argue with them during the day, but she had her ways at night.
She shot Peng Fei an angry glare and went to the courtyard to eat.
After eating, she listlessly followed behind Peng Fei, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Zhang Wei.
What if Peng Fei was being stubborn and didn't listen to her, and she couldn't go to the Wang family's house tomorrow? How would the plan proceed?
For the rest of the afternoon, Zhan Jingchun was distracted. Peng Fei saw this and felt distressed.
It was rare for her to be happy for a few days. During this time, she had been compliant with his every wish. If he didn't let her make friends, she would immediately flip out. His wife was truly difficult to appease.
He didn't want his wife to be unhappy, and he made a silent plan in his heart.
Going to the Wang Kang family's house wasn't a big deal. If she really wanted to go, she could apologize to him tonight, and he would let her go tomorrow.
As for his mother, he would bear the brunt of her scolding.
After all, he had been scolded countless times since childhood, so a few more wouldn't matter.
Who knew that when they finished work at noon, before they even got home, they heard that something had happened to Zhang Wei.
She heard it from Aunt Wang Er in the village. This morning, for some reason, Zhang Wei had a conflict with her mother-in-law, and they got into a fight.
With her advanced pregnancy, how could she possibly be a match for her mother-in-law? She was pushed down, her water broke, and she was now in labor.
What?
Was this 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 visited for just one morning?
Not knowing how she was, Zhan Jingchun heard this and immediately ran towards Wang Kang's house.
Just as she reached the gate, she heard heart-wrenching screams from inside. As Zhan Jingchun was about to push the door open, Peng Fei caught up and stopped her.
"Don't go. You don't understand. You won't be able to help and might just make things worse. If something happens, it'll be troublesome."
Zhan Jingchun didn't listen to him at all and was sweating profusely with anxiety.
"She's my only friend. At a time like this, can't I even go see her?"
"Knowing she's a premature birth and her life is in danger, why aren't they taking her to the hospital? I'm going to tell them!"
When people are truly angry, their strength increases greatly. Zhan Jingchun managed to break free from Peng Fei.
She pushed the door open and rushed straight into Zhang Wei's bedroom. Wang Kang was pacing anxiously by the door.
Seeing her arrive, he was startled. "Why are you here?"
Zhan Jingchun didn't answer. She turned and asked, "How long has she been in labor? How is she? If it's really bad, take 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 mumbled.
"She's been in labor for about two hours... Is it that serious? My mother says everyone goes through this..."
"What do you mean everyone goes through this? Were they all premature births? Is everyone as weak as she is?"
Zhan Jingchun, whether for herself or genuinely for Zhang Wei, sounded exceptionally righteous.
"You know her physical condition better than anyone. She finally decided to stay, and the baby is coming. At a time like this, can you allow an accident to happen?"
"What others say is their business. If something goes wrong, it has nothing to do with them. If something truly goes wrong, you'll lose both your wife and child. Don't be foolish!"
Wang Kang was already anxious and afraid. After hearing her words, he became even more flustered.
He paced by the door for a while longer, then finally made up his mind and rushed inside.
Zhan Jingchun followed him in.
They saw that a large plastic sheet was spread on the wooden bed. Zhang Wei was lying there with her legs bent, covered with a thick cotton quilt. In the heat of summer, in pain and exerting herself, she was drenched in sweat.
Blood flowed continuously from beneath the quilt, accompanied by her cries, which was truly terrifying.
Before the two of them could say anything, Wang Kang's mother turned around and reprimanded them.
"Who let you in? You can't open the door! If it catches a draft, it'll be all over! Hurry up, you two don't understand, get out!"
Several mothers who had given birth were helping inside. It was chaotic, and with the addition of the two of them, it was exceedingly crowded.
Wang Kang's mother moved to shoo them out when Zhang Wei suddenly spoke.
"Wang Kang!"
"Chun Chun!"
"I can't do this anymore—it hurts so much—take me to the hospital—please—save me—"
"Ah—"
Another gush of bright red blood flowed onto the plastic sheet. Zhan Jingchun felt like she was going to faint, but she had to be strong.
"I'm here! Zhang Wei, hang in there! I'm here, I'll save you!"
"Wang Kang! Do you see? She's bleeding out! She's dying! Don't hesitate anymore, I'm begging you, take her to the hospital! If you delay any longer, you won't even have time to cry!"
"Auntie! Even if you don't think of Zhang Wei, think of the baby! That's your first grandson! Aren't you afraid something will go wrong?"
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.