"I'm going to ride the motorcycle! To the hospital!"
"Mom, you bandage her up and go now! My son can't have an accident!"
Peng Fei's family had no transportation, so Wang Kang, stumbling, rode his motorcycle with Zhang Wei and her mother out of the village.
Watching their retreating backs, Zhan Jingchun's heart leaped into her throat.
Given how bumpy the ride would be, she wondered if Zhang Wei could handle it. What if something really happened...
She dared not imagine the consequences, silently praying in her heart that Zhang Wei would escape danger, even if she couldn't escape this time...
Peng Fei pulled her back inside.
Back home, Zhan Jingchun neither ate nor drank, just sat by the courtyard gate, gazing into the distance, hoping to hear news of Zhang Wei soon.
Lunch was already prepared, but she was still lost in thought.
Peng Fei went to call her back inside. Seeing her face flushed from the heat, her expression serious and earnest, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.
"It's still early. They've probably just reached the town by now. Rushing won't help. Nothing should happen. Let's go back and eat."
Zhan Jingchun ignored him.
Peng Fei squatted in front of her. "You're not well yourself. Even if you're worried about her, you can't neglect yourself. I added two eggs for you. Be a good girl and go eat."
Still no response.
Peng Fei reached out to take her pale, tender hand resting on her knee, but Zhan Jingchun dodged him.
"I don't want to eat. I'm not hungry. I want to see Zhang Wei."
"..."
"She's my only friend. If anything really happens to her... I'm not joking, I'll be worried to death. Peng Fei, Wang Kang is your friend too, isn't he? Aren't you curious about how he's doing? Let's go see them together!"
Now it was Peng Fei's turn to fall silent.
Not only was there no precedent in the village for people chasing after someone to the hospital, but even if there were, his mother had recently fallen out with Wang Kang's mother, there were still many chores at home, and he didn't have a motorcycle, making it inconvenient to go.
More importantly, once they went to town, who knew if his wife could be brought back.
Seeing his silence, Zhan Jingchun could guess what he was thinking and quickly reassured him.
"I won't run away! I promise. I just want to see Zhang Wei. As soon as I confirm she's okay, I'll come back. If not, you can tie me up with a rope! Really, I absolutely won't run away, okay?"
Peng Fei: "..."
"Please, won't you? I'm begging you!"
The more she acted like this, the more Peng Fei worried about her intentions and the less he dared to agree.
He simply carried her back to the room, not daring to let her out.
Zhan Jingchun was truly furious.
If Zhang Wei had deliberately induced her premature labor today, it was an opportunity fought with her life.
They had all seen a glimmer of hope, how could it be extinguished by her?
With no other recourse, she thought for a moment, gritted her teeth, and decided to use her charm.
Peng Fei placed her on the edge of the bed and was about to leave, unsure if he was going to bring her food or lock her up.
As soon as he straightened up, Zhan Jingchun pounced and hugged him.
Peng Fei was 185 cm tall, while Zhan Jingchun was 166 cm. As she leaned into his embrace, her head rested perfectly against his jawline, and a slight tilt of her head brought her mouth to his ear.
Zhan Jingchun rested on his chest for a brief two seconds before looking up and whispering into his ear.
"Husband~ Please~ Let's just go for a bit and come back~ I'm so afraid of not having friends. You should pity me~"
This was the first time since arriving here that she had actively embraced Peng Fei, and in broad daylight, not only did she hug him willingly, but she also called him... Husband?
This term, Peng Fei had fantasized about, but never dared to ask for. Happiness had come too suddenly!
Although she used cheap shampoo, Zhan Jingchun's hair was still very fragrant.
Held by her fragrant and soft self, Peng Fei's bones felt like they were melting, and certain parts reacted quite noticeably.
Zhan Jingchun was no longer the ignorant young girl she once was. On the contrary, she was very aware of Peng Fei's reactions recently.
Knowing he was moved, and perhaps close to wavering, she hardened her resolve and pressed closer to him.
"Okay? I've begged you so much. Please agree, my husband~"
Peng Fei couldn't utter a single word. He lowered his head and met her gaze, a burning fire in his eyes.
Zhan Jingchun's eyes were full of charming innocence. Seeing through his thoughts, she boldly stood on tiptoe and brushed her lips against his.
"Mmm—"
Peng Fei didn't let her pull away again.
As the saying goes, even heroes fall for beauty. They hadn't eaten lunch, and after a period of intimacy, Peng Fei finally relented.
"Alright, but we can only go after the chores are done."
"Ah?"
"I'll do them now. The sooner we go, the sooner we'll be back. Otherwise, Mom will scold me."
Zhan Jingchun was so angry she wanted to break free from his embrace. "Mama's boy! How old are you, and you're still so afraid of her?"
"It's not fear, it's not wanting to upset her. She's had it tough... Forget it. Anyway, you wait here. I'll finish quickly."
How could Zhan Jingchun wait?
"I'll go with you. Two people will be faster!"
Peng Fei was amused by her.
Instead of eating at mealtime, the two of them locked themselves in the room. Mother Peng could probably guess what was happening.
She had intended to scold her son when he came out, telling him not to overwork himself and to take care of his health. However, when he emerged, he didn't say a word to her, but instead grabbed his wife's hand along with a hoe and ran off.
Mother Peng chased after them, asking if they weren't eating and where they were going.
Peng Fei smiled with immense satisfaction. "We're not eating! We're going to work!"
Ultimately, Peng Fei couldn't bear to see Zhan Jingchun work in the fields. He worked like a machine, tirelessly, and finally finished clearing the remaining weeds before four o'clock.
Taking advantage of his mother not knowing, they had to return before dinner. There was no time to change clothes, so he pulled Zhan Jingchun straight to Er Gen's house.
He had a motorcycle there, which he usually treasured and barely rode.
If it weren't for trying to please his wife, Peng Fei would never have asked to borrow it.
Precisely because he never asked for anything, he easily got it.
Peng Fei, with Zhan Jingchun riding behind him, sped along the winding, steep mountain road, scaring Zhan Jingchun so much that she didn't dare to open her eyes the entire way.
Only then did she understand why the women who came here seemed to resign themselves to staying. This place was truly poor, backward, remote, and difficult to navigate.
It was like Tao Yuanming's Peach Blossom Spring; without a local guide, one could hardly find their way out on foot.
It took over an hour for the motorcycle to reach flatter terrain, and another half hour to reach the town.
The two went to the only clinic in town and found Wang Kang by asking around.
Thank heavens, Zhang Wei was alright. She had given birth to a son via C-section, weighing four catties and two liang. Mother and child were both safe.
Although Wang Kang was the first in the village to spend money on childbirth and had to have his wife hospitalized, which meant another expense, he was still very happy because he had a son.
He described the hardships of the journey to Peng Fei in detail and then pulled him outside to smoke.
"I've been holding back all day. I'm dying for a smoke. Come on, let's have one before we go back."
Wang Kang was beaming, holding his newborn son. While no one was paying attention to them, Zhan Jingchun asked Zhang Wei how she was.
Zhang Wei had just had surgery. Although she was weak, she still managed a smile.
"I'm fine. At least I'm out, and you are too. There's hope now."
"You go back first. I'll see you in a couple of days. I need to get used to the environment. Next time, we'll leave."