She found Wen Yan's mother to be very gentle and with a strong sense of right and wrong.
"Yueyue, you're our recognized sister-in-law now. When will you bring my brother back to your place?"
Qiao Xinyue blushed, too embarrassed to answer.
Wen Yan shot Wen Xuanxuan a glare, saying irritably, "Your sister-in-law is shy. Don't tease her like that. Do you think she's as thick-skinned as you are?"
"Brother!" Wen Xuanxuan pouted and glared at him. "You're so blinded by love, you've forgotten your sister since you got a wife!"
Wen Yan snorted and retorted, "And you, haven't you forgotten your brother since you got your love?"
He said this while raising an eyebrow at Li Bowen.
"I… I haven't."
Wen Xuanxuan's words clearly lacked conviction. She looked at Wen Han pitifully and said in a cutesy tone, "Big Brother, second brother is bullying me."
Wen Han glanced at her indulgently, but couldn't bring himself to scold her, only glaring at Wen Yan.
"Hey, hey, don't tattle. Who's bullying you?" Wen Yan, feigning disinterest, pulled Qiao Xinyue's hand and left.
"Xiao Bao, I'll take you out for a walk."
This was the first time she had been called such an intimate nickname in front of others. Qiao Xinyue lowered her head, acting like an ostrich, daring not to look at anyone.
Fortunately, no one else made any teasing remarks, which made her feel much more at ease.
While laughter filled the air here, Gong Zhijing wore a somber expression.
In the late stages of pregnancy, she had to go to the hospital for check-ups every half month, and today was the day for her follow-up.
However, the results were still not ideal. The baby in her belly had been two weeks larger than expected last time, and this time it was more than two weeks larger.
From the doctor's tone, it was highly likely she would need a C-section because the baby was still in breech position.
There was less than a month left until her due date. Although there was a chance to turn the baby's position, this child was proving to be troublesome, with the umbilical cord wrapped around its neck twice.
Gong Zhijing looked crestfallen and mumbled, "What should I do? Why is this baby so troublesome?"
"It's okay, let nature take its course."
Ling Yucheng was also worried, but he couldn't let his negative emotions affect Gong Zhijing.
Yet, Gong Zhijing remained dejected, huffing, "I've been eating so much less, why is she still so much larger?"
"Because she's chubby." Ling Yucheng gently soothed her. "Alright, let's not think about it so much. The doctor told you to walk more, it helps the baby turn and engage."
"Mm." Gong Zhijing was not in high spirits as she ambled outside.
Looking at the bustling crowd around her, she suddenly thought of Xia Wanfu and asked, "By the way, is Xia Wanfu in this hospital?"
Ling Yucheng shook his head, carefully supporting her. "She's at the Second People's Hospital. This is a private hospital."
"I want to go see her."
Ling Yucheng frowned imperceptibly. He didn't want Gong Zhijing to wander around; she had to be extremely careful in her late pregnancy.
Moreover, Xia Wanfu might not be trustworthy. He didn't want to take any risks.
When she didn't get a reply for more than three seconds, Gong Zhijing shrugged helplessly. "Then let's go home. Actually, I don't really want to go anymore."
"If you want to go, then let's go," Ling Yucheng couldn't bear to see her disappointed.
When Gong Zhijing first suggested going, he genuinely didn't want her to, but the pregnant woman's mood was paramount.
Gong Zhijing curved her lips and looped her arm through his. "I'll just take a look and come back."
She had a feeling that in that phone call, Xia Wanfu had more to say.
…
Second People's Hospital.
Xia Wanfu's cheeks were flushed, and she lay on the hospital bed feeling extremely uneasy. She needed to go to the restroom but was too embarrassed to tell Jiang Zexi.
And at this precise moment, the caregiver was nowhere to be found.
Seeing her furrowed brow and restless fidgeting, Jiang Zexi assumed she was feeling unwell and quickly asked, "What's wrong? Are you uncomfortable somewhere?"
"I'm not uncomfortable."
Xia Wanfu pursed her lips, finding it increasingly unbearable. She whispered, "Where did the caregiver go?"
"If you need anything, just tell me…"
How could she possibly say it? She gasped for air, unable to bear it any longer.
Seeing that she was finding it too difficult to speak, and after asking the caregiver, Jiang Zexi had a general idea of her concern.
"Do you need to use the toilet?"
"Mm." Xia Wanfu felt extremely embarrassed.
"I'll carry you."
Jiang Zexi gently lifted her horizontally.
But as soon as he moved, Xia Wanfu felt a piercing pain in her chest, so intense it made it difficult to breathe, and she couldn't help but let out a soft moan.
Jiang Zexi froze and dared not move again. He gently placed her back down.
"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?"
Xia Wanfu shook her head, her lips a little pale, but her stomach ache was worsening. She could still hear rumbling sounds inside.
Jiang Zexi had no experience caring for bedridden patients. He frowned and called the caregiver.
The caregiver was busy simmering fish soup for Xia Wanfu in the hospital's makeshift kitchen and couldn't leave temporarily. She only told him there was a bedpan under the bed.
Xia Wanfu was so mortified she wished she could just die. Having to use the toilet in bed was one thing, but having to do it in front of Jiang Zexi was another.
The worst part was having him help her with it. She had never been so embarrassed in her life.
She endured the discomfort and said, "There's a plastic bag. Put it on."
Jiang Zexi did as she asked, then raised the bed and placed the bedpan. He was about to help further, but Xia Wanfu refused.
"Go out. I'll do it myself."
Jiang Zexi couldn't possibly leave her alone.
"You… you hurry and get out."
Xia Wanfu's voice was laced with suppressed pain.
Jiang Zexi hesitated.
"Please…"
Xia Wanfu's voice was tinged with pleading.
Jiang Zexi sighed and could only leave.
Only then did Xia Wanfu feel relieved and began to use the bedpan. At this moment, she felt an unprecedented sense of relief.
Jiang Zexi leaned against the hospital room door, his legs slightly bent, waiting patiently.
Time ticked by, but there was no movement from inside.
Worried, he called out, "Wanfu?"
"I'm fine, no need to worry."
Xia Wanfu's voice was noticeably louder than before.
Jiang Zexi finally felt reassured and continued to wait.
"Zexi."
At this moment, someone called him from the end of the corridor, a familiar voice.
He turned his head and indeed saw Ling Yucheng, supporting the pregnant Xia Wantang as they walked slowly.
He glanced at the room, frowning slightly. If they were coming, why choose this exact moment? He quickly went to meet them.
"Why are you here? Is sister-in-law here for a check-up?"
Jiang Zexi had witnessed firsthand how Ling Yucheng protected Xia Wantang. Now that they were suddenly at the hospital, he could only assume it was a coincidence.
"Mm, just a prenatal check-up."
Ling Yucheng's gaze fell upon the closed door, and he paused.
Gong Zhijing asked, "How is she? What did the doctor say?"
"Her injuries are recovering well, but her vision is a bit blurry. The doctor said it will gradually improve."
She knew her injuries were quite serious, but she hadn't expected them to affect her eyes.
As Jiang Zexi spoke, he listened to the sounds from inside the room. When he heard Xia Wanfu call him, he immediately said to the couple.
"Wait outside for a moment."