To avoid her mother's discovery and a scolding, the two had to leave less than half an hour after arriving.
Before leaving, Zhang Wei deliberately made a request of Peng Fei, hoping that Zhan Jingchun could visit smoothly next time.
"Will you bring Chun Chun to see me again in a couple of days? I rushed to the hospital and didn't even have a change of clothes. The set I'm wearing is soaked and smelly, it's so uncomfortable."
"I've been in the village for over a year, and Chun Chun is my only friend. I know it's inconvenient for you to travel back and forth, but there's no other way. Peng Fei, please do me this favor, will you?"
Before Peng Fei could speak, Wang Kang felt her request was too much.
"What are you talking about? His family doesn't have a motorcycle. He borrowed it today just to see you, which is already a lot. How can you ask him to run errands again?"
"If my clothes are wet, I'll get you new ones. It's not like I'm truly unable to go out. You're a mother, how can you be so clueless?"
Zhan Jingchun understood Zhang Wei's intention and quickly chimed in.
"It's fine, don't say that. She's my only friend. After finally giving birth to a son and undergoing surgery, she's weak and lonely. I'm willing to come and keep her company, as I have nothing else to do at home anyway."
"You've been friends with Peng Fei for so many years, you should help him with more than just bringing clothes. If we need help in the future, we'll still rely on you."
"Then it's settled. We'll go back to rest and bring you clothes in a couple of days. Take good care of yourself and wait for me."
The two women said their goodbyes reluctantly, their emotions running so high that their eyes welled up with tears. Wang Kang and Peng Fei watched, amazed.
How could the two women be so close?
On the way back, there was silence. Upon arriving home, Peng Fei quietly returned the motorcycle. Zhan Jingchun felt pressured and didn't want to eat, so she went straight to bed.
After preparing dinner, Peng Fei went to call her. Seeing her looking dejected, his heart melted.
"What's wrong? You were fine just now. Who upset you?"
Zhan Jingchun said no one, she just missed Zhang Wei.
"Giving birth was so scary. Seeing her scar today really frightened me."
Peng Fei was speechless. After a few seconds, he gently brushed her hair.
"Then let's not have children for now. We'll have them when you're no longer afraid and want to."
To be honest, at that moment, Zhan Jingchun felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
Giving birth for him was already an abnormal act, but because of his willingness to postpone it, it suddenly felt like a gift.
Life went on, and three days quickly passed.
The agreed-upon time arrived, and Zhan Jingchun was restless. Early in the morning, she discussed with Peng Fei about wanting to go to town.
In the past few days, Peng Fei had also been thinking about Zhang Wei's words. Although he hadn't agreed directly, his wife had, and he had to give her face. He had been looking for a plausible excuse to take her out without incurring his mother's wrath.
He finally came up with a good idea.
Zhan Jingchun's beautiful hair was valuable in their town.
Cutting it short would earn them some money and save on shampoo, a win-win situation.
His mother had always wanted to cut her hair, but Peng Fei refused. Now, he could use it as an excuse.
He shared the excuse with Zhan Jingchun, "We're not actually cutting it. It's just a pretext. If she asks what happened when we get back, I'll say they offered too little money and we didn't agree, so we'll let it grow out for now."
It was a thoughtful plan.
But it also sparked an idea in Zhan Jingchun.
Sell her hair?
She was worried about how she and Zhang Wei, both penniless, would escape. His idea opened up possibilities.
After getting permission from his mother, they left the village openly.
After a journey to town, Peng Fei wanted to go to the hospital, but Zhan Jingchun asked him to take her to a hair salon.
"Are you really going to sell your hair?"
Zhan Jingchun said yes, "In my opinion, when a friend has a baby, you give them a red envelope. I don't have money to give to Zhang Wei, so selling my hair is perfect."
Peng Fei: "...It's not necessary. We're a family now, so one gift is enough. We can give it when they have their post-natal banquet. It's a shame to cut it for nothing."
Zhan Jingchun insisted on cutting it: "The shampoo you bought is of poor quality. Even if I don't cut it, my hair will be ruined eventually. Since it can still fetch a good price now, let's cut it. It'll save trouble with washing it later and make it easier to explain to your mother. It's decided."
But Peng Fei was still reluctant.
Zhan Jingchun's hair was truly beautiful – black, straight, and silky, like a waterfall. He loved her, down to every strand of her hair.
"If you really feel bad about not giving Zhang Wei a red envelope, then give it. I have some money here, but you absolutely cannot cut your hair."
"I'll buy you good shampoo in the future. That's final, no cutting."
After some back and forth, Peng Fei took out fifty yuan from his own pocket as a red envelope.
Upon reaching the ward, Zhan Jingchun secretly gave it to Zhang Wei.
Zhang Wei's incision no longer hurt much, and she could walk, though slowly. As long as she could get into a car, it would be fine.
The two communicated with their eyes. Today was the day. They decided to find an opportunity to slip away.
Wang Ma went to wash the baby's diapers. Wang Kang was holding his son, boasting to Peng Fei and urging him to have a child quickly. Zhang Wei raised her voice.
"I need to go to the restroom. Oh, my incision hurts so much, I'm afraid to get out of bed. Chun Chun, could you help me?"
Wang Kang eagerly stepped forward to help her, but Zhang Wei objected.
"Hold your son properly, look what you've done to him... I'm fine, I can walk slowly. She can support me."
"Last time you helped me to the restroom, someone gossiped. What kind of man goes into the women's restroom so often? I don't want to be talked about again."
Wang Kang didn't pay it any mind. Recalling the scene from last time, he even amusingly recounted it to Peng Fei.
The two women, hand in hand, their hearts pounding, finally left the ward.
The moment they stepped out of the ward, Zhan Jingchun felt as if one foot had already stepped into South City, where she could see her longed-for parents. She was so excited she wanted to cry.
Zhang Wei quickened her pace, urging her, "Don't get too excited yet. We're not out of the woods yet. Let's get away from the hospital first."
"Hurry, don't run into her mother. Everything depends on this chance!"
Zhan Jingchun took a deep breath and practically dragged her along as they ran, disappearing into the stairwell.
The wind whistled in their ears and their hearts pounded. Finally, they had left the hospital!
Looking at the bustling street ahead, they had no time to celebrate before hailing a three-wheeled vehicle.
"To the bus station."
On the way, Zhang Wei asked the driver how much it would cost for the two of them to get to the county town.
There were many outsiders in town, but over ninety percent of them were wives who had been trafficked.
Seeing their youth and beauty, the driver had already been paying attention. Upon hearing her question, he turned back and eyed them meaningfully.
"You two aren't from around here, are you? What brought you here? What are you going to the county town for?"
Fortunately, Zhang Wei was prepared.
"We're teachers coming to volunteer teach. Today, the school asked us to get a physical. We came to this hospital, but they said the tests are incomplete and sent us to the county town. What's wrong? Afraid we outsiders can't afford the fare?"