Qin Jian had just settled into the passenger seat when Lu Qingshen leaned toward her. She stayed still looking at him in confusion.
“I would like to feel your stomach… may I?” He spoke with careful hesitation.
“You may.” She said quickly. “But I am carrying a daughter. Do not build up hopes for a son and turn cold if she is not one.”
She wanted to guard him against disappointment. In her past life he had never cared for Xingxing. He would visit once in three years and though she had a father in name she had never felt his love.
“I will be happy with a daughter or a son.”
She did not believe him. She knew what had happened before. His large warm hand rested gently against her belly and the heat of it made her feel a strange fluttering sensation. After two minutes she touched his shoulder. He sat back in the driver’s seat.
“Let us go. I will take you home.” He drove noticeably slower than before.
Qin Jian frowned. “Are we not going to get the divorce papers?”
“We are not getting divorced. But I will not disturb your life either. We can each give a little.”
She decided not to argue. When the baby was born he would change his mind. In her past life he had asked for a divorce once Xingxing arrived. He did not want a daughter. His excitement now was only because this was his first child.
Back home Granny Wang from next door came out as soon as she heard the car. She greeted Lu Qingshen warmly.
“Comrade Lu you have come to see Xiao Qin. She is such a capable girl. She works every day and has opened a general store too.”
Lu Qingshen said “Yes. Granny Wang I would ask you to help her from now on with cooking cleaning and laundry. She is four months pregnant.”
“Pregnant? That is wonderful news. And where is her husband?”
Qin Jian answered quickly. “He is a soldier serving in the same unit as my cousin. He is away on assignment so I have asked my cousin to look after me.”
Lu Qingshen glanced at her but she met his gaze without flinching.
“I see.” Granny Wang smiled. “This calls for celebration. Will you join us for a meal?”
Qin Jian said “I would be pleased to invite you and your family and my cousin to lunch. Do you have time?”
“Certainly. My daughter in law is free today. I will go and call her at once.”
Qin Jian went into the yard and stepped into the kitchen to see what supplies they needed. When she came out she found Lu Qingshen looking around.
“What are you looking at?”
“Nothing. I have not been here in some time and wanted to see how you are getting on.” He had seen no sign of another man and seemed satisfied. He noticed the list in her hand. “I will go and buy what we need and ask Xiao Liu to return.”
She offered him money and ration coupons but he refused. As he turned to leave he nearly ran into Sun Rong who had approached quietly.
“Comrade Lu you are so kind to your cousin.” She giggled covering her mouth. “I wish I had a cousin like you.” She worked at a nearby factory and did not live in the compound so she knew little of their situation.
Lu Qingshen’s expression darkened.
“Comrade Sun please come in.” Qin Jian stepped forward. “I have made sweetened water. Come and sit.”
Sun Rong brought her two children inside. “You are too kind to receive me when you are expecting.” She said. “I will help with the cooking.”
Lu Qingshen went to the supply stores to buy ingredients. On his way back he met Xiao Liu.
“Battalion Commander doing the shopping?” Xiao Liu pointed toward a shop nearby. “That is the store Comrade Qin has opened.” He could see Wu Qiao serving customers inside.
“I see.” Lu Qingshen had known about it but had not seen it before. “It looks well run.”
Xiao Liu hesitated. “The young man she has hired Wu Han… he is quite striking. Some say he looks a little like you.”
Lu Qingshen caught only the first part and a faint pleased look crossed his face. “It does not matter. Qin Jian is pregnant.” He added firmly “With my child.”
Xiao Liu’s concern vanished instantly. “That is wonderful news.” He had expected to see his commander newly divorced. Instead things had turned out well.
“Come.” Lu Qingshen said. “Qin Jian is hosting Granny Wang and her family today. We should return and help.” He said nothing of being included as her guest.
Qin Jian tried to help in the kitchen but Lu Qingshen gently turned her away. The four guests and their hosts shared a generous meal together. There was spicy fried mutton and eggplant with peppers as the locals liked it red braised pork and shredded potatoes for Qin Jian and vinegar braised eggs and mixed vegetables which Lu Qingshen enjoyed. Everyone ate well and the mood was warm.
Just as they finished loud knocks sounded at the gate. Qin Jian paused clearing the table. Sun Rong opened the door and was met with shouting.
“Where is the owner of Qin’s General Store Qin Jian? I want compensation. Your peanuts made me sick.” The speaker was a thin young man.
“Compensation?” Sun Rong saw seven or eight men standing behind him. “Why have you brought so many?”
“The one who fell ill is our Brother Song.” The young man gestured toward a stocky man in the middle. “We are here to support him. Pay us twenty or thirty yuan for medical expenses and we will let this go.”
“Brother Song?” Sun Rong recognized him. Knowing Lu Qingshen was present she spoke up boldly. “Everyone knows you and your men go about eating without paying. This is just another excuse is it not?”
“Stand aside woman.” The man growled. “We have no quarrel with you. Move or we will deal with you as well.”
Qin Jian stepped outside and heard his voice. She looked at him and her breath caught. It was him.
Before she could speak Brother Song shoved Sun Rong. Qin Jian pulled her back just in time. Sun Rong stood steady looking at Qin Jian in surprise. Qin Jian could not tell her that this man Brother Song had appeared in newspapers not long after this. He had murdered an entire family simply because they had refused to pay protection money. Only then had police learned of the lives he had already taken. She could not let Sun Rong become involved with him.