“You two are natives of Jiaodong, so you should know the custom that sisters from the same family can’t marry in the same month, right?” Liu Yuzhen was straightforward, her emotions written all over her face.
Xu Qingning had just gotten married yesterday, and now this couple was in a hurry to have Tang Wenya marry into their family?
Could it be that their family was planning to back out of the engagement? How petty!
“We know, we know,” Jiang Yumei quickly replied. “We’re not here to rush the wedding. We heard you were resting and came to chat.”
Actually, she really wanted to say that Tang Wenya and Xu Qingning didn’t even share the same surname, so how could they be considered sisters from the same family?
But with Xu Jianguo present, she couldn’t bring it up.
Of course, even if Xu Jianguo weren’t there, she still couldn’t say it.
If Liu Yuzhen misunderstood her as being desperate to marry off her daughter, it would be embarrassing.
No matter what, as the bride’s family, they had to maintain some dignity. They wouldn’t do something like Xu Qingning did—recklessly following a man home without a care.
“Since you know, why did you go around spreading the news that Wenya is pregnant?” This was exactly what had angered Liu Yuzhen. “Recently, several people in the compound have asked me why Wenya isn’t getting married quickly since she’s already pregnant. Our family’s reputation has been completely ruined.”
“We didn’t do that!” Jiang Yumei’s face turned pale as she immediately explained. “That’s just baseless gossip.”
“Right, it’s Qingning who’s pregnant, not Wenya,” Xu Jianguo, who was still in the dark about Tang Wenya’s pregnancy, chimed in. “They got it wrong.”
It was all that wretched girl Xu Qingning’s fault. She caused this scandal herself and even dragged Tang Wenya into it.
Thank goodness she was married off now.
Otherwise, who knows how much more trouble she would have brought to the family.
“Yes, yes, they got it wrong,” Jiang Yumei said awkwardly, afraid that Liu Yuzhen might slip up in front of Xu Jianguo. “What we meant was that since both children are close to the college entrance exams and time is tight, there’s no need for a grand celebration. Something simple will do.”
To be fair, she thought the wedding banquet for Zhao Jingyu and Xu Qingning was quite nice. Even though it was held at home, the feast was no worse than one at a restaurant.
All the guests said the banquet was well done.
If Xiao Tingshen and Tang Wenya’s wedding banquet could be like that, it would be acceptable.
Of course, she hoped her daughter’s wedding banquet would surpass Xu Qingning’s.
“This is our family’s matter, and you don’t need to worry about it,” Liu Yuzhen said, annoyed at the sight of Jiang Yumei. “Tingshen is our only son, and we, as his parents, won’t take his lifelong commitment lightly. We still have a month left, and we’ll definitely prepare properly.”
Truthfully, she didn’t agree with her son getting married before starting college, but since Tang Wenya was already pregnant, she had no choice but to compromise.
After all, she had to consider her family’s reputation.
“Of course, of course,” Jiang Yumei nodded repeatedly. “I know you’re both cadres and understand what’s appropriate. It’s us who were overthinking things.”
“Tingshen wants to find an auspicious day early next month to get things settled as soon as possible. I’ve already taken their birth dates to have someone check for a suitable day,” Liu Yuzhen said, remembering that Jiang Yumei was, after all, her son’s future mother-in-law, and decided not to make things harder for her. “Once we find a date, we’ll notify you right away so you can prepare.”
“Alright, let’s do it that way,” Jiang Yumei said, knowing when to stop. She stood up with a smile and bid farewell. If they kept talking, the truth would surely come out.
The couple left the Xiao household and pushed their bicycles to look for Xu Qingning.
Unexpectedly, the door of Xu Qingning’s house was already locked, clearly indicating they were not welcome.
Xu Jianguo, having been rebuffed, was in a foul mood. In front of Jiang Yumei, he said nothing and silently pushed his bicycle ahead.
Too much had happened these past few days. To this day, he still couldn’t believe that his daughter was already married, and so hastily at that…
He didn’t understand why Xu Qingning would degrade herself like this—rushing to marry a small-time hoodlum just to avoid being sent to the countryside. How would she manage in the future?
He had seen it yesterday: among Zhao Jingyu’s family, only Zhao Futang and Yang Yuelan showed some semblance of manners. The rest of them just kept their heads down and ate.
As Zhao Jingyu’s family, they didn’t even come to the main table to toast him—utterly lacking in decorum, just a bunch of country bumpkins.
“What’s wrong, didn’t see your daughter and now you’re worried?” Jiang Yumei, noticing Xu Jianguo’s bad mood, sneered. “If you’re so concerned, just come back tonight to see her.”
“Don’t speak in that insinuating tone. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking—you’re just worried Wenya can’t compare to Qingning.” Xu Jianguo quickened his pace, leaving her behind.
“Xu Jianguo, what do you mean by that?” Jiang Yumei angrily chased after him. “Explain yourself clearly! When have I ever compared Yaya to Qingning…”
Xu Qingning had anticipated that Xu Jianguo would come looking for her, so she deliberately took Zhao Jingyu out, asking him to accompany her to the clinic. She claimed her legs often cramped at night and wanted to see if there was any way to relieve it.
In truth, her cramps weren’t severe; she could either see a doctor or not.
But she had to make the child’s father understand the hardships of her pregnancy. He couldn’t just contribute some money and happily become a dad, could he?
Whether she had feelings for him or not wasn’t important.
What mattered was that she had to teach him to cherish and care for this child. Even if the child ended up with her in the future, it would still need to acknowledge him as its father.
After all, Zhao Jingyu would eventually start a company. The child could benefit from his success, making her own life easier in the future.
See? A mother always thinks ahead.
The Eastern Ocean Shipping Company had its own clinic, located right at the entrance of the Ocean Shipping Guesthouse. The outpatient department was divided into Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine sections.
Zhao Jingyu knew the doctors at the clinic. After greeting them, he led Xu Qingning into the Traditional Chinese Medicine section.
The practitioner there was a white-haired old man wearing reading glasses. Upon seeing Xu Qingning, he asked about her symptoms. Xu Qingning didn’t mention her pregnancy, only saying her legs cramped at night.
The old man took out a pulse pillow and placed it on the table, feeling Xu Qingning’s pulse. After a moment, he said leisurely, “Leg cramps during pregnancy are normal. Eat more nutritious meals and get plenty of rest.”
“Old He, how about prescribing some supplements?” Zhao Jingyu stood behind Xu Qingning, his hands resting on her shoulders. “I’m leaving tomorrow, and I’m worried she won’t eat well at home.”
“All medicine carries some toxicity. Your wife is still early in her pregnancy, just over a month along. Dietary supplements are best.” He Jiying adjusted his reading glasses and glanced at him expressionlessly. “So that’s why you suddenly got married—you got into trouble.”
Xu Qingning lowered her head, suppressing a smile.
The child’s father’s connections were decent. Hearing the old man’s tone, she felt reassured. After all, it’s easier to get things done with acquaintances!
“Dr. He, how can you say that? I’m going to be a father—it’s a joyous occasion, how could it be considered causing trouble?” Zhao Jingyu was in high spirits, his tone tinged with laughter, unbothered by the old man’s teasing. “In the future, if my wife has any minor ailments, I’ll have to trouble you.”
“Since when have you become so good at taking care of others?” He Jiying glared at him. “Remember to come back before the end of the year. You can’t leave her alone at home to give birth.”
“Understood. I’ll come back as soon as the ship docks.” Zhao Jingyu agreed, carefully helping Xu Qingning to her feet. “Let’s go to the cafeteria for a meal before heading home.”
“Alright.” Xu Qingning had been thinking the same thing.
With her mother-in-law gone, there was no one at home to cook, and she neither knew how nor wanted to do it herself.
She wasn’t sure about Zhao Jingyu’s culinary skills either, so it was better to eat out before returning.
The cafeteria at the ocean shipping company was quite spacious, with cement floors wiped spotlessly clean and rows of tables and chairs neatly arranged.
The aroma of food wafted boldly from the yellow-painted serving windows.
Xu Qingning was particularly sensitive to smells and felt a bit nauseous, but it was still tolerable.
It wasn’t mealtime yet, so there weren’t many people around.
Zhao Jingyu pulled out a chair for Xu Qingning to sit, then retrieved his lunchbox from the shelf against the wall and went to the window to get food.
He didn’t bring any meal tickets but chatted with the elderly lady at the window for a few moments before returning with a lunchbox full of pork rib rice. “You eat first. I’ll go back for more later.”
“You didn’t bring any meal tickets. Are you relying on smooth talk to get your meals?” Xu Qingning loved pork rib rice and was quite pleased with the dish.
A man’s words are a devil’s lies.
They deceive for food, drink, and women.
Especially Zhao Jingyu—he could even deceive elderly ladies. How unscrupulous.
“That’s right. What I’m best at is smooth talk.” Zhao Jingyu lowered his head, meeting her beautiful peach blossom eyes. “It just depends on whether you like it or not…”