“Lao Wei tomorrow I would like to visit the restaurant. I hope I will not disturb your work,” Aunt Wei said with a gentle smile as she reached out to him.
Wei Hong looked worried. “But your health…”
“I am perfectly fine. If I do not see it for myself I will only worry at home all day.”
Wei Hong could not bear to refuse her. “Very well. But if you feel unwell at any moment I will bring you straight back home at once.”
“Very well.”
Aunt Wei had never asked to go before because she did not want to be a burden. Yet thinking of Qin Jian’s words she had made up her mind to see it for herself.
The next day Qin Jian arrived at the shop and saw Aunt Wei resting on a reclining chair screened by a curtain. Surprise gave way to a quiet smile of relief. Aunt Wei looked so much more at ease. It seemed the tragedy that had claimed her life in Qin Jian’s past might truly have been averted. To Qin Jian this made every moment of her second chance feel meaningful.
Over the next three days Qin Jian settled into her work at Wei’s Noodle House. Word of mouth spread and business grew steadily.
“Xiao Qin Granny Wu the shop will be closed tomorrow Saturday,” Wei Hong announced after closing up for the evening.
Qin Jian looked confused. “Uncle Wei business is just picking up. Why take a day off now?”
Granny Wu smiled. “Every week Xiao Wei takes his wife to the hospital for her check up. You will get used to it.”
Qin Jian smiled warmly. “I am sure it will be good news.”
“She has been in such good spirits lately. Her complexion has improved too. I am confident this check up will go well. I really must thank you Xiao Qin,” Wei Hong said. “I will give you a bonus at the end of the month.”
“Thank you Uncle Wei. I will happily accept it,” Qin Jian replied without false modesty.
She rested a hand gently over her stomach. She too needed to visit the hospital to see how her baby was doing.
Early the next morning Qin Jian dressed neatly and took her documents. She left word with Granny Wang and headed to the provincial capital central hospital. She went straight to the maternity and gynecology department. There were not many patients so it was not long before she was called in.
“Doctor I am three months pregnant,” Qin Jian said.
“You wish to have a prenatal check up?” the doctor asked.
Qin Jian nodded. “Yes. I have started working and I want to make sure my work will not affect the baby.”
“Very well. Place your wrist here. I will take your pulse,” the doctor said. In those days prenatal care relied largely on traditional methods as ultrasound machines were not yet in common use.
After a moment the doctor smiled. “Congratulations. Your baby is very healthy. You have been working somewhat hard lately however. You must not increase your workload further. I can prescribe some vitamins for you to take regularly. Be sure to eat well and nourish yourself with plenty of soups.”
Qin Jian’s mind drifted back to her wedding night. She had conceived then. Lu Qingshen had not wanted to share her bed. He had drunk heavily and fallen asleep fully clothed. Yet after Qin’s mother had called him outside he had returned different. His eyes were red and he had come to her. The next day she learned he had been drugged. He had returned to his post immediately afterward and she had assumed he was angry with her mother.
When she had confronted her mother Qin’s mother had scolded her. “Ungrateful girl. If I had not stepped in how would you have secured such a fine officer for a husband? Once you share his bed he will stay with you whether he likes it or not.”
“If he did not want to marry me why did he come to our home? I only saw him once at the engagement banquet,” Qin Jian had asked.
Her mother had answered without the slightest trace of guilt. “I asked for two hundred yuan in betrothal money and a sewing machine. He was displeased. It is only natural that he would be cold toward you at first. You must win his heart in time. I did not ask for all that money for myself. It is for your future. You will need it when the baby comes.”
In those days Qin Jian had not understood her mother’s true nature. She had felt guilty toward Lu Qingshen and held him in such high regard that she had gone to his base later and begged him not to end the marriage.
Now she knew it had all been built on lies. The betrothal money had gone straight to Qin Yun. Even after learning the truth Lu Qingshen had never demanded repayment and had continued sending money home. She wondered if he was truly so naive or if there was more to it. The Lu Qingshen she knew in this life did not seem like a fool.
She kept her doubts to herself and resolved to ask him when they next met. If he continued supporting Qin Yun even now that they were divorced it would make opposing Qin Yun all the more difficult.
Lost in thought she went to a small stall nearby and bought a cup of tea to quench her thirst.
“Qin Jian? What are you doing here?”
She looked up to see Lu Qingshen standing before her. “Lu Qingshen? What brings you here?”
“A comrade was brought in urgently from the front line. I am overseeing his transfer. And you?” He stood close and she noticed his combat uniform was stained with mud and blood.
“Please do not let me keep you. You should attend to your duties,” she said quickly.
“Xiao Liu has everything under control. The doctors are attending to him now. I have a moment. Why are you here?” He did not seem in a rush so she answered.
“I came for a medical check up. I also wanted to ask after my employer’s wife.” She chose not to mention the baby. Until their divorce was finalized it might look as though she was trying to hold onto him. She would tell him once the papers were signed.
“You have found work?” he asked in surprise.
“Yes,” she said simply.
“What kind of work?”
She looked up at him wondering why he cared. “I am helping at a restaurant. The pay is good. I earn at least thirty yuan a month.” She spoke with genuine satisfaction.
Lu Qingshen fell silent. He thought of her mother who took every opportunity to take advantage of others and saw how different Qin Jian was.
“It is hard work is it not? I meant what I said about finding you a suitable position,” he said gently.
She shook her head not used to his concern. “I plan to study on my own and sit for the college entrance examination next year. If you would be so kind I would appreciate it if you could help me find some study materials.”