Ji You observed everyone’s expressions carefully. Fang Yi’s surprise went without saying, and Zhang Guilan also wanted to keep the child, so her child with Fang Yi would be born surrounded by the love and anticipation of family.
Zhang Guilan’s smile was brighter than flowers. She raised her arm to wipe her eyes with her sleeve, her voice slightly choked with emotion. “Since the child is still here, let’s live well. I’ll make you some boiled vegetables.”
Xiao Yu was stunned, her mind a chaotic blur. She had come thinking the news of Ji You terminating her pregnancy was true, but Ji You hadn’t done it.
This mother and child were so eager to keep the baby, and they were so kind to Ji You?
The situation shifted drastically. Originally, she had been Zhang Guilan’s backup daughter-in-law, but now she suddenly felt like an outsider.
Zhang Guilan turned around anxiously, worried that the three of them would see the redness in her eyes. When she reached the door, she asked, “Why did you go to the clinic? A black clinic? In the future, let Fang Yi accompany you. Were you afraid of going to a black clinic?”
It was a good question. Since everyone had doubts, Ji You had to explain. She said, “As a media professional, supervising public opinion is my responsibility. Going to a black clinic is to gather information, understand the situation, and prevent more people from being deceived or harmed. That’s one reason. Xiao Yu is correct that I want to achieve two goals at once. She sent me to the black clinic. In your eyes, she’s sensible and kind, but I want you to see her intentions clearly.”
Xiao Yu was dumbfounded.
Supervising public opinion? A pregnant woman running to a black clinic to monitor public opinion, what a joke.
And on top of that, Ji You wanted to expose her true nature? She was popular with everyone, while Ji You was despised.
But Ji You argued logically and persuasively. Xiao Yu felt like Ji You was using a university-level intellect to overwhelm her middle school-level reasoning, making her look ridiculous.
Not willing to give in, she retorted, “Do you believe it? Ji You didn’t go to the black clinic to terminate her pregnancy; she went to report? She’s just making things up.”
Fang Yi remained squatting in front of Ji You, holding her as if she were encircled in his arms. He said in a deep voice, “Of course, Ji You is serious and responsible about her work.”
Xiao Yu was shocked.
Had Fang Yi and his mother also been fooled by Ji You’s reasoning?
She defended herself, complaining, “It’s not like you couldn’t go to a hospital for the abortion. You went to the clinic yourself. I didn’t force you. How can you blame me?”
Zhang Guilan, worried that Ji You might get upset and affect the pregnancy, wanted to quickly end the argument. She said, “Xiao Yu, it’s your fault. If you hadn’t urged Ji You, she wouldn’t have gone to the black clinic. Don’t cause trouble in my house. Fang Yi’s matters are none of your business. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being angry. It’s late; you should go home.”
Xiao Yu was stunned and speechless. This was a dismissal?
She came and went freely in this house, as if it were her own. Zhang Guilan wasn’t displeased with Ji You, and even wanted her as a daughter-in-law. How could she be sent away?
She felt wronged, coming in joyfully but now almost in tears.
She took steps toward the door, expecting Zhang Guilan to either let her stay for dinner or have Fang Yi see her out. Her pace was slow, giving them the chance to call her back. Yet no one did. She walked alone down the hallway, her steps heavy and solitary.
By the time she reached the building entrance, she pouted, stamping her foot. We’ll see, she thought. She didn’t believe Ji You, the troublemaker, could live a peaceful life.
Fang Yi’s legs were numb, but he didn’t want to leave, as if changing position would make Ji You change her mind. He tried lowering his body, resting his face on Ji You’s lap. Seeing that she didn’t refuse, he relaxed.
Ji You looked down, noticing his sharp features framed by messy black hair. She reached out, fingers massaging his scalp.
She had never been this gentle with him before. The soft touch rippled through his body. Fang Yi was enjoying it immensely when a voice above interrupted, “You should wash your hair.”
Fang Yi froze.
Not a single warm moment remained; Ji You still found fault with him.
He quickly stood, his sore legs forcing him to jump to ease the numbness. From the corner of his eye, he caught Ji You smiling.
He hurried to fetch a towel, soap, and washbasin to go to the family compound’s bathhouse.
After finishing his bath, dinner was ready. Ji You didn’t have to do anything; she just needed to eat.
The dinner was simple: steamed millet with boiled vegetables, plus a bowl of soft, thick silver fungus with red dates. Ji You was very satisfied.
But Zhang Guilan, worried about her nutrition, said to Fang Yi, “Take Ji You to the hospital when you have time. Ask the doctor if there’s anything for morning sickness. She hasn’t been eating well and isn’t getting proper nutrition.”
Fang Yi, always prioritizing his wife, said, “I can take time off. Ji You, whenever you want to go, I’ll accompany you.”
Ji You replied, “I’ll rest these few days. We can talk about the check-up later.”
After dinner, the couple went for a walk to aid digestion, then prepared to bathe.
Fang Yi suggested, “You’re pregnant now; you don’t need to bathe frequently.”
Ji You refused, saying, “I want to.”
Her voice was soft and sweet, different from her usual broadcast tone, with a hint of playfulness. Fang Yi felt as if he had been fed a piece of candy and smiled, “I’ll get you some hot water.”
Ji You bathed in the room instead of the bathhouse.
Fang Yi prepared the water, along with soap, towels, shampoo, and fresh clothes. He stayed at the door, occasionally checking on her.
He worried about low blood sugar or slipping.
“Ji You, is the water cold? There’s hot water in the thermos.”
“Not cold.”
“Is the room stuffy?”
“No.”
“Ji You…”
He couldn’t think of what else to ask.
Zhang Guilan, tidying the dirty laundry, frowned. Her son was fine in every way, except he treated his wife like royalty. In other families, wives worked hard, but he was completely devoted to her.
While silently grumbling, Ji You finished bathing. Fang Yi quickly fetched her clothes and handed them to his mother. “Mom, wash Ji You’s clothes separately, don’t mix them with ours.”
Zhang Guilan took the clothes and silently mouthed, “So picky.”
Fang Yi entered again. Seeing her hair still damp, he quickly helped dry it with a towel, vigorously rubbing her scalp. Water splashed across Ji You’s face, tangling her hair.
She endured silently; after all, her husband was rough.
Realizing he had tangled her long hair, Fang Yi quickly took a comb to detangle it. Ji You grimaced and finally said, “You’re hurting me, be gentle.”
Fang Yi’s ears turned red instantly, the color spreading to his cheeks, his face burning like fire.
Before pregnancy, Ji You would have said this too, but only in the dark.
Ji You stood in front of him, his tall figure casting a shadow. She couldn’t see his expression, but after several tugs on her scalp, she could no longer tolerate it.
She disliked the rough Fang Yi for a reason, and with time, she would train him. Today, lacking energy, she let it slide.