Chapter 216: Gaining Proper Status
As the days moved into September, Yi Roujing’s belly remained flat, yet her appetite had doubled. Looking at her still slender arms and legs, Yi Roujing had no idea where all the food she consumed was going.
Although it was officially autumn, the lingering summer heat was still formidable. Yi Roujing found that ever since she became pregnant, she couldn’t tolerate heat as well. She couldn’t sleep at night without a fan.
At home, it was manageable, but the hospital didn’t have electric fans. Yi Roujing found going to work every day somewhat agonizing, but she endured it. She wasn’t the only pregnant woman at the hospital, and even if she brought her own fan and used it, it would still be the hospital’s electricity. She didn’t want to give anyone the impression that she was taking advantage of public resources. Besides, the peak of the heat had passed, and soon it would be time to wear long sleeves.
"Roujing—"
Yi Roujing was fanning herself with a hand fan to cool down when she heard someone calling her. She looked up and saw Hu Ailing walking toward her.
"What brings you here? This is the inpatient department?" Yi Roujing stood up and asked with concern.
"I came specifically to see you." Hu Ailing placed a net bag filled with items in front of Yi Roujing. "I brought these for you. I heard you’ve been craving fruits lately. Lou’s brother-in-arms sent over some fresh dates and pears for you to try."
In the net bag, besides the fruits, there were also milk powder, peach crisps, and canned meat.
"Now that you’re pregnant, you need to supplement your nutrition. Anmin said you have been eating a lot lately. Keep some snacks at work, so you can have some in the afternoon when you’re hungry." Hu Ailing said with concern.
Yi Roujing smiled and accepted them, "Thank you, Ailing, for bringing these to me."
"There’s no need for thanks between us." Hu Ailing said with a smile, "Okay, I’m off now. Aunt is at the outpatient, and I need to go there."
Yi Roujing was taken aback, "Is Mrs. Qin okay?"
"It’s nothing serious; grandma and grandpa came to Huaixi County yesterday, but grandma forgot her medicine, so aunt came to the hospital to get some." Hu Ailing explained with a smile.
"As long as it’s nothing serious." Yi Roujing replied with a smile, "Is the wedding date set?"
"Originally, we wanted to set it for the end of the year, but now it’s set for the tenth day of September, which is the fourteenth of October." Hu Ailing blushed slightly.
"Lou can’t wait, can he? The elders must feel the same way." Yi Roujing teased with a smile.
Hu Ailing smiled shyly, the main reason really was that Lou Wenjian was eager. He wanted to get married as soon as possible, especially after seeing Ding Jianshe and Wang Qiushuang last time. He said introducing oneself as ’partner’ lacks the grandeur of being ’husband’ and he wanted to make it official.
Looking at Hu Ailing, who wore a red blouse and a white skirt with floral prints, elegantly styled her hair slightly wavy, and applied eyebrow pencil and lipstick, Yi Roujing felt that her friend had an especially festive appearance today.
"You’re not going to register the marriage today, are you?" Yi Roujing boldly guessed.
Looking surprised and somewhat impressed, Hu Ailing said, "Roujing, how did you guess?"
"I only asked because you are all dressed up in red. Congratulations!" Yi Roujing replied with a smile, "Ailing, congratulations to both of you. Happiness lies ahead."
Hu Ailing, touched by Yi Roujing’s sincerity, said softly, "Roujing, I will, really, thank you. You’ve changed my life. You are the most important friend in my life."
Tears welled up in Hu Ailing’s eyes, and Yi Roujing walked up to give her a hug with a smile, "It’s your big day, even if you’re moved, wait until after the photos and the registration, otherwise you’ll look bad."
Hu Ailing laughed out loud, "I know. I should get going. Once the invitations are ready, I’ll bring them to you personally."
"No need, you’re in a special situation now." Hu Ailing waved her hand with a smile and walked away confidently.
In the food factory workshop, Wang Qiushuang had been enduring pain for a while. Her face was slightly pale, and sweat dotted her forehead. She felt she couldn’t bear it any longer, informed the workshop superintendent, and hurried to the staff hospital.
Lately, she had been redecorating the couple’s room, which left her quite exhausted. Moreover, ever since she moved in with Ding Jianshe, they’d been rather indulgent with their nighttime activities. After all, it had been a long time since they were together, and having a private space naturally led to more intimate moments.
That morning, Wang Qiushuang felt back pain and mild abdominal pain. She thought it would subside, but it only became more severe. When she reached the hospital and got examined, the doctor said she had a threatened miscarriage, and she was already two months pregnant.
Wang Qiushuang was both surprised and delighted, but even more worried. She knew that to secure a better status in the Ding family, she needed to give Ding Jianshe a son. "Doctor, doctor, is my baby alright? Will it be okay?"
"Hmm, it should be fine. There’s no spotting yet, but you must refrain from intercourse. The first three months are critical." The doctor advised.
Wang Qiushuang blushed and nodded quietly.
After drinking a glass of brown sugar water in the hospital and resting on a hospital bed for half an hour, Wang Qiushuang regained her complexion and felt revitalized. She expressed her gratitude to the doctor and nurses and walked out of the ward all excited to share this great news with Ding Jianshe.
"Aunt." Hearing a somewhat familiar voice, Wang Qiushuang looked up to see a festive figure enter through the outpatient entrance. It was Hu Ailing, whom she had seen recently. However, she looked even more stylish after dressing up today.
Wang Qiushuang tightened her grip, feeling a sense of frustration.
"Ailing, did you give the items to Roujing? How is she? Is her pregnancy going well?" Qin Suyun asked with a smile.
"Yes, she’s doing fine, but her belly isn’t showing yet."
"It takes about three months to start showing." Qin Suyun laughed, "Alright, let’s head back. Jian must be waiting impatiently."
Hu Ailing blushed and smiled shyly, prompting Qin Suyun to pat the back of her hand affectionately as they walked out the outpatient entrance arm in arm.
Wang Qiushuang watched the backs of Qin Suyun, thinking about her urban demeanor and appearance, and realized that Hu Ailing was marrying into an urban family.
"Why is the county magistrate’s wife at the hospital?"
"To get medication, probably for an elder at home."
"Who was that girl? The county magistrate’s daughter-in-law? She looks pretty and has a great presence. Red suits her well."
"Well, of course. Otherwise, how could she marry into a magistrate’s family?"
"But I heard the county magistrate’s oldest son was discharged due to a leg injury, and his former fiancée even broke off the engagement."
"So what? Do you think a magistrate’s son would struggle to find a wife just because of a lame leg? Besides, he’s now the chief of the police department, quite capable. He went to war; a lame leg won’t bring him down. Life is pretty good for him now, and she looks like a gentle and kind woman. Better days lie ahead."
...
Wang Qiushuang listened to the passing nurses gossip while she stood there. She understood every word, yet couldn’t believe they were talking about Hu Ailing. How could it be possible?