Chapter 132: Passing the Days

Chapter 132: Chapter 132: Passing the Days

She had, of course, seen the hospital report. For now, everything seemed to be going relatively smoothly. However, the doctor had also said that if unexpected complications arose, they would be beyond his control. There was a definite element of risk, and with Lu Zhengchuan’s cautious nature, he would surely think she was gambling with her life and the lives of their two children.

But she couldn’t bring herself to give up on her children.

Lu Zhengchuan left in the afternoon, and Su Wan went back to class. After class, she didn’t head home right away, going to her dorm room instead.

Her dorm mates had all met Lu Zhengchuan by now and had quickly accepted the fact that Su Wan was a military wife.

Hao Mei even took the initiative to fetch a kettle of hot water for Su Wan.

"Student Hao, what’s this for?" Su Wan asked, puzzled.

Hao Mei was all smiles. "I never expected your husband to be so handsome and considerate. No wonder you got married so young."

"Actually, I got married before the college entrance exams were reinstated. I didn’t know they were coming back when I got married." Su Wan could tell Hao Mei was fishing for information, but she didn’t call her out on it.

As long as the other person meant no harm, she didn’t want to escalate any conflict.

"Oh, so that’s how it was. Well, Wanwan, since you and your husband are from the same village, you must be very close, right?"

The moment Hao Mei asked that, Su Wan had a pretty good idea of who she was asking for.

"Not really. Even though we’re from the same village, we rarely saw each other before. We barely knew one another. We probably just got married because it was a suitable match," Su Wan said deliberately.

"Huh?" Hao Mei’s surprise didn’t seem feigned. "Wanwan, you mean you didn’t marry someone you loved, but just found someone to settle down with?"

Su Wan countered, "What other choice was there? Before we could take the college entrance exams, the future for people in our village was clear: either try your best to get a stable factory job or farm the land."

"Finding a suitable and capable partner to marry became a priority for us. Back then, Lu Zhengchuan was the right age, and the bride price he offered was considered a fortune in the village. Plus, he wasn’t bad-looking and was a hard worker. Marrying him meant my children could have a good life, so I did."

Hao Mei was momentarily stunned by her matter-of-fact, pragmatic reasoning.

She gave an awkward laugh. "I just thought someone as beautiful as you, Wanwan, would marry for love. It wouldn’t have been hard for you to find someone from the city, even."

"Isn’t marriage just about building a life together? I happened to meet a suitable person in my husband, so I got married."

"Oh... So, Wanwan, does that mean you don’t love your husband?"

"We’re already married, so of course it’s familial affection now. We’re a bit old-fashioned; we only care about whether we can make a life together. We don’t think too much about things like love." After brushing off Hao Mei, Su Wan started packing her things to go home.

She grabbed her satchel, turned, and pulled open the dorm room door, only to come face-to-face with Xu Rongrong and Lu Zhengchuan standing right outside.

Su Wan froze for a second. Seeing the look on Xu Rongrong’s face and the slightly ajar door, she knew they had heard everything she had just said.

’Although I was intentionally fabricating parts of it, I never thought he’d overhear it so coincidentally.’

Su Wan sighed internally but kept her expression neutral as she asked, "Zheng Chuan, when did you get here? Why didn’t you come in?"

"If we had come in, how could we have heard your true feelings, Su Wan?" Xu Rongrong’s voice was dripping with schadenfreude. "Su Wan, I never knew you were such a pragmatic person. So you only married Brother Lu for his money."

Su Wan glanced at the silent Lu Zhengchuan, completely unfazed. "What, was I supposed to marry a poor man and live a life of poverty?"

"You..." Xu Rongrong was shocked that she would dare to admit such a thing in front of Lu Zhengchuan. Her eyes filled with confusion. "No man would be happy to hear you say that, would they?"

"If Lu Zhengchuan really decides to leave me over these truths, then it just proves we’re not a good match, and his departure was inevitable." Su Wan’s tone was calm. She glanced at Lu Zhengchuan and said pointedly, "I got married in the first place because I wanted to build a stable life."

"Now I have my children. As long as our family is together and well, nothing is more precious than that." Su Wan’s eyes were full of love as she caressed her belly.

Xu Rongrong couldn’t help but look at Lu Zhengchuan, her expression complex. "So this is the partner you chose? Is this really what you wanted?"

"My family affairs are none of your business. I don’t regret my choice, so from now on, you should focus on your own life and stop meddling in my and my wife’s business." Lu Zhengchuan showed no anger at her sarcastic remark.

"Wanwan, let’s go. I’m here to take you home. You don’t have class tomorrow morning, right? We’ll go to the hospital for your prenatal check-up."

"I know. I’ll try to be ready early tomorrow morning. Don’t rush me." Su Wan walked past Xu Rongrong and headed out.

Lu Zhengchuan followed, supporting her by the arm. He frowned and said, "I’m not rushing you. I just thought if we get to the hospital earlier, the doctor can get us the results sooner."

"So what if we’re a little late? Are you in such a hurry? You’re always away on missions and have no time for me. Now that you finally have a chance to come with me for a check-up, you’re still telling me not to dawdle."

Listening to their very realistic, domestic bickering, the air was filled with the mundanity of everyday life.

Xu Rongrong stared after them, her gaze unwavering. The longer she watched the couple, the deeper her brow furrowed.

"Xu, I already asked Su Wan what you told me to..." Hao Mei said, creeping out of the dorm room to remind her.

Xu Rongrong impatiently pulled a large bill and a few ration coupons from her wallet. "Good job. You’d better keep your mouth shut about this. Know your place, understand?"

"I know, I know! Don’t worry, Xu, I definitely don’t want any trouble from you." Hao Mei gave a fawning smile, grabbed the money and coupons, and scurried back into the dorm, afraid Xu Rongrong would change her mind.

-

"Wanwan, what made you think saying those things would make Xu Rongrong give up?" Lu Zhengchuan asked softly, helping her as they walked off campus.

Su Wan didn’t stop stroking her belly. "How did you know I said those things on purpose?"

"You’re not usually like that."

"But I was speaking from the heart about one thing. I do want these children." Su Wan stopped, turned to look at him with a resolute gaze, and brought up the old topic again.

Lu Zhengchuan realized what she was referring to. His lips tightened as his dark eyes met hers. "Wanwan... so the report did say it’s dangerous for the mother, didn’t it?"

If the pregnancy were perfectly healthy and without risk, Su Wan wouldn’t be so insistent or worried he would disagree.

Seeing that he had guessed, Su Wan didn’t deny it. She started walking again. "The doctor only said there’s a possibility. But that’s like saying someone might get into a car accident just by going outside. It’s something no one can predict, so I can’t give up my children for a reason like that."

"Besides, after a month of rest and care, the babies’ development has improved. There’s been a clear improvement."

Overcome with maternal love, Su Wan’s voice softened. "I believe I can protect them."