For the first half month after arriving in Hangzhou, Xiang Wan lived in a rented apartment arranged by Tang Haichao.
Her grandmother was quite surprised not to see Lu Mingzhe accompanying her, but instead, another unfamiliar man had appeared in Xiang Wan's life.
Questioning Xiang Wan about her relationship with him and whether she had done anything to betray Lu Mingzhe.
Xiang Wan had no choice but to tell her grandmother the truth about her situation with Lu Mingzhe.
From their first meeting, her grandmother had noticed that Lu Mingzhe came from a well-off family.
It was normal for families like his to look down on their humble background, so her grandmother didn't say much more.
She only felt pity for Xiang Wan.
Having lost her parents in her teens, she had worked tirelessly on her own for years, finally raising her younger brother. Now she was in a strange place, starting over, raising a child alone.
How could her life be so difficult?
Her grandmother knew Xiang Wan's personality—strong-willed and stubborn, keeping everything to herself and unwilling to speak her mind.
Even though her heart ached for her, she dared not voice these thoughts to Xiang Wan.
Besides offering silent support and trying not to burden her, there was nothing else she could do.
Xiang Wan felt she owed Tang Haichao too much and was embarrassed to keep taking advantage of him.
After settling her grandmother, she went out the next day to look for both a job and a place to live.
As it turned out, for an older woman with a low education and who was pregnant, finding a job was harder than eating dirt.
Especially for her, finding a job with a decent salary was nothing short of a fantasy.
After wandering for a month, she finally found a suitable place to live, which also gave her a clear view of social reality.
Hangzhou was too big, with far too many young people who were rich, good-looking, educated, and ambitious.
She was just one insignificant, extremely tiny member among them.
Competing with them armed with a high school diploma and a bulging belly...
So she lowered her expectations and found a clerical job at a printing shop not far from home.
She worked six days a week, eight hours a day, for a monthly salary of 3,500 yuan.
After moving and finding a job, Xiang Wan treated Tang Haichao to dinner that evening to express her gratitude for his continuous care.
Tang Haichao was not satisfied with her job.
"You used to earn hundreds of thousands a month, and now you're getting 3,500. Can you truly handle such a huge psychological gap?"
"What else can I do? I don't have a decent diploma or an impressive resume, only this growing belly."
"If you can really accept this reality, why not come work with me? I'm starting a business and need to hire people. It's better to work with someone familiar than a stranger."
Xiang Wan refused.
"This job is temporary. I won't be doing it after the baby is born. Different industries are like different mountains, and I don't understand your field at all. Going there would only cause you trouble."
Tang Haichao knew Xiang Wan was deliberately keeping her distance from him.
He was afraid of scaring her and didn't dare to say anything more.
He only reminded her to go for prenatal check-ups on time, no matter how busy she was.
"If you don't want him to find you, don't go to a big hospital. I found out about a place for you. Although it's a private clinic, its reputation is quite good. It's the first choice for working people, good quality and affordable. Xiang Wan."
Thanking him, Xiang Wan went to the clinic for every prenatal check-up thereafter.
Before she was five months pregnant, she learned the baby's gender. The doctor told her it was a girl and advised her to prepare in advance.
Xiang Wan felt both sad and happy.
Sad because it was truly too difficult for a girl to succeed and make her way in this society; she felt it deeply.
Happy because, from the very beginning of her pregnancy, her child was hoped to be a daughter, and now it finally was.
It brought a silent comfort to her heart.
When her work wasn't too busy, when she felt the fetal movements becoming more distinct, when she thought of names for the baby, or imagined her appearance, and when others asked about the father, Xiang Wan would also ask herself:
Did she hate Lu Mingzhe?
The answer was no.
In life, every step taken is one chosen by oneself. The moment you step onto that path, you have already foreseen the consequences, yet you still walk forward without hesitation. What's the point of talking about hatred or regret?
It was simply reaping what she had sown.
Saying such meaningless words would only waste time and be self-defeating, achieving nothing.
Xiang Wan could let go of the past with a clear conscience, so her life passed peacefully and fulfilling.
At her seven-month check-up, the doctor told her that the fetus was developing well, was healthy in all aspects, and was now a complete little person.
She even saw her clearly in the ultrasound.
Xiang Wan asked the doctor if it was feasible to have a C-section at this stage to deliver the baby.
The doctor said, "From a medical perspective, it is feasible. But others do it due to unforeseen circumstances, as a last resort. Since you are perfectly healthy, there is no need for it now."
"As the saying goes, a ripe fruit falls naturally. Natural birth is best for the baby. Premature babies often die or are left with serious lifelong illnesses."
After leaving the examination room, Xiang Wan still called Tang Haichao and asked him to come over.
Tang Haichao thought something was wrong with the baby and rushed to the clinic, only to hear Xiang Wan say she wanted to deliver the baby early.
"Are you crazy? Everything is fine, what are you trying to do?"
Xiang Wan calculated the economic situation for him.
If she waited another three months, plus four months for postpartum recovery, it would be mid-next year before she could start working again, meaning about half a year. For the latter half of this year and the first half of next year, she would have almost no significant income due to this child, barely enough to get by.
Her savings were dwindling, and she had monthly expenses for rent, utilities, and living costs. Once the baby was born, there would be formula, diapers, and various medical expenses.
When the year-end holidays arrived, she felt anxious being idle at home and didn't want to wait any longer.
She wanted to wait until spring next year to find a well-paying job when it was easiest to find employment.
"I know you're short on money, and I know what you're worried about, but didn't I say I could help you..."
"This is not your child, Tang Haichao. You have no obligation to help me forever, and you can't help me for a lifetime."
"I don't want to accept your help anymore. More importantly, I don't know how to do anything other than live streaming. Eventually, I'll have to show my face in front of the camera, and he will see me sooner or later."
"So your intention is..."
Xiang Wan had clearly thought it through.
"I don't want him to know about this child's existence. I don't want any more entanglement with him in the future."
"Even if you don't help me today, I will find a way to get the consent. I must have this surgery."
"Just consider it my plea, help me one last time, okay?"
It was precisely for this reason that Tang Haichao admired Xiang Wan.
She was clear about her life and her goals, and always moved steadfastly in that direction.
As a woman with no one to rely on, she was not melodramatic, not pretentious, but clear-headed, independent, and always valiant.