Jiang Xue couldn't understand; she still deeply loved her husband, so why did she still feel so insecure?
Did she really have to keep her husband waiting for some "certainty" that even she wasn't aware of?
It was utterly unreasonable, to the point of being capricious and overly dramatic.
Who could stand such a woman?
How much patience did her husband have left? What if he couldn't stand it anymore and started to hate me?
She was very afraid, and the more afraid she became, the less dare she made rash decisions about her and her child's future, but it was precisely because of this that her fear deepened.
Caught in a vicious cycle without even realizing it, all she could do was hold her husband tight, seeking the peace of mind that was so close at hand.
For a woman, being pregnant isn't just about hormonal changes; the tremendous shift in her entire life and identity can bring immense psychological pressure.
Many women suffer from postpartum depression, a significant number of which is due to unrelieved fear during pregnancy.
At this time, what they need most is to constantly feel that they are being deeply loved.
This is also why Xiao Ming would frequently spout either cheesy or greasy love lines.
However, speaking of which, if he hadn't been such a jerk in the first two years, with Jiang Xue's intelligence, she might have realized her emotional changes were related to pregnancy early on, instead of being inexplicably panic-stricken like now.
In short, he was somewhat unlucky, but he deserved it.
After an unknown period, the ringtone of a cell phone broke the rare warmth between the two.
Jiang Xue, dissatisfied, lifted her head from Xiao Ming's embrace and took out her phone, the display showing it was her mother, and a frown formed between her brows.
"Mom, what's the matter?"
"Your dad isn't feeling well," Zhou Aifeng spoke as if to a stranger.
"What?" Jiang Xue jumped up from Xiao Ming's lap, anxious, "What's wrong with my dad? Has he been taken to the hospital? I'll come with my husband right away!"
"Don't bring that mongrel, or you'll never set foot in my house again!"
Zhou Aifeng's shout was so loud that even Xiao Ming heard it; he narrowed his eyes but remained silent.
"Your dad's fine. He's just a little dizzy. The doctor said he just needs some rest. Come home tonight."
"Did the doctor say what caused it... Hello?"
Jiang Xue hadn't finished her question when the call was disconnected, leaving her to feel uneasy.
"My dad has always been in good health, so why has he suddenly started to feel dizzy?"
"Old people, you know. Lack of sleep, exhaustion, even catching a draft can cause discomfort.
Don't scare yourself for now. Later, I'll call Dachuan, and tomorrow we'll take our dad for a comprehensive check-up. That'll do."
Jiang Xue temporarily set aside her worry and showed an apologetic expression, "Just now my mom, she..."
"It's okay," Xiao Ming smiled. "She is she, and you are you. I can distinguish that very clearly in my heart.
However, one thing I find strange is that it's not even noon yet, why does she want you to come home and see your dad tonight?"
Jiang Xue came to her senses and, after pondering for a moment, said, "Maybe... my dad really is fine, and she doesn't want me to miss work."
"Ha! Do you think she's the kind of person who would consider your needs?"
Jiang Xue lightly hit him, "Then why do you think it is?"
Xiao Ming was also without a clue at the moment and said, "Anyway, it's unusual. I'll say something that might get me hit, but I wouldn't be surprised if your mom is up to some tricks."
"So I suggest you be extra cautious tonight, and it would be best not to go back."
"Because I have an important banquet to attend this evening, and I was planning to take you with me."
"What banquet?"
"You know the Canghai Group from the province, right? Its boss, Zhou Jicang, is looking to expand into our Longyin.
The banquet is to entertain relevant leaders and peers in the industry, sort of a courteous way of making an introduction."
Jiang Xue certainly knew Canghai Group, a provincial leader and one of the top hundred domestically. She felt both happy and proud that her husband had received an invitation to such an event and did not want to miss the chance to accompany him to an important occasion.
But then she thought of her father's health and her mother, who had rarely taken the initiative to call, and ultimately she sighed silently.
"I won't go this time. In a setting full of important figures, you need to control your temper.
We are both still young, and being humble couldn't hurt."
"Alright! Then you should also be careful at home. If you feel even the slightest bit of unease, call me immediately, understand?"
Meanwhile, Zhou Aifeng dialed her husband Jiang Yonghan's phone.
"I'm going to have dinner with a few old girlfriends tonight. You've been wanting to have a drink with Yang for a long time, right? Go tonight."
After hanging up the phone, she said to the woman in front of her: "That will do, we just wait for that bitch to show up tonight.
I'll make sure she learns her lesson, to know relying on a useless man won't do her any good, she'll never escape the clutches of her mother's Five Finger Mountain in this lifetime!"
Watching Zhou Aifeng bitterly curse her daughter, Zhou Ruifeng felt both contempt and excitement in her heart.
So ruthless to her own daughter, I'll have to be careful in the future. Who knows when she might turn her malicious thoughts on me, her own sister.
As she pondered, Zhou Ruifeng pulled out a matchbox-sized paper bag from her purse and placed it on the table.
"This was procured for me by a client at the beauty salon from a hospital. It's said to be the latest imported drug, works fast especially for pregnancies within two months, with the highest success rate.
Moreover, it dissolves in water, though it's a bit bitter, so remember to prepare some sweet fruit juice, otherwise Xue will taste it."
Zhou Aifeng opened the paper bag, looked at the two white capsules inside, and her expression turned ferocious.
"That Xiao dog bastard, deceived my daughter, causing me to live in hardship for so many years, and now even taking over the house isn't enough, he even dared to hit my Lei!
Hmph! Today I will get rid of his bastard child, let's see if he dares to disrespect me again, he'll regret it to death!"
Zhou Ruifeng couldn't stand it anymore, her sister's expression was too frightening, like someone out for blood, so she stood up and said, "Okay, go do what you need to do, I have to go back.
This afternoon the beauty salon has two important clients, I must attend to them personally."
Zhou Aifeng stood up to see her out.
"Thank you, Ruifeng! Can't rely on the husband at crucial times, but can always count on a close sister."
Zhou Ruifeng chuckled dryly.
As if! Isn't a daughter closer than a sister? You still go ahead with harm without hesitation, without any ambiguity?
Having you as a mother, Xue must have committed some sins in her past life.
With such thoughts, Zhou Ruifeng walked out of the apartment building, got into her own Honda car, drove out of the residential complex, and couldn't help but excitedly dial her best friend's phone with the thrill of gossip.
"I have something to tell you, it's so shocking! A mother, in order to force her daughter to divorce and be under her thumb for life, is actually planning to secretly abort the child in her daughter's womb, tsk tsk... talk about heartless!
Great! We'll drink tonight, and I'll give you all the details then. Oh right, invite Liu over too, she's the one who got me the medicine..."