Although they had encountered many troubles recently and weren't financially well-off, Xiang Wan and Lu Mingzhe's hearts were closely intertwined, their affection stronger than before. Lu Mingzhe walked ahead, supporting Xiang Wan, chatting and laughing. They were discussing a nickname for their unborn child, while Xiang Yang willingly followed behind, carrying their bags.
This was Xiang Wan's first formal prenatal check-up since her pregnancy, and everyone was taking it seriously. Seeing the fuzzy silhouette on the monitor, Lu Mingzhe even took a photo with his phone. When Xiang Wan lay down, Lu Mingzhe helped her up, and even put on her shoes for her. Even the doctor was touched by their affection. "I've seen so many pregnant women, but you are the most fortunate." The doctor continued, "Your husband is handsome and considerate, and your brother-in-law is also a handsome young man. Your child will surely be very happy once born."
Lu Mingzhe seized the opportunity to ask the doctor if they could reveal the baby's gender. The doctor didn't say, only that boys and girls were equally good, and that in recent years, people had even started crazily wanting daughters. Xiang Yang, afraid of misunderstanding, explained on Lu Mingzhe's behalf. "My brother-in-law wants a daughter too. He makes wishes towards my sister's belly every day and has even picked out a name for her."
"Oh? He likes daughters that much?" Lu Mingzhe replied, "My wife is beautiful, so a daughter would surely resemble her. How wonderful." "What name did you choose for your daughter?" Xiang Yang quickly answered, "Guo Guo (果果), meaning 'fruit' from 'achieving one's wish and bearing fruit'." The doctor chuckled, "Alright, you can go now. Take good care of Guo Guo's mother."
Everyone's eyes lit up. Lu Mingzhe was so excited he could barely control his expression. "Doctor..." "Shh..." the doctor waved his hand, "Don't spread the word, hurry outside." As the three walked into the lobby, Lu Mingzhe was still excited, gently touching Xiang Wan's belly. "Wife, we've achieved our wish. You've worked hard!" He continued, "I feel quite bad for you. It's been three months, and while other pregnant women are resting at home, waiting to be served and eating countless snacks, look at you..." "Let's not go to work today. We'll go buy some groceries and make a delicious meal at home to make up for it."
Xiang Yang happily agreed, "Great, great!" Seeing them both happy, Xiang Wan was also happy. "Then let's go to the wet market together. The vegetables there are abundant and fresh, and the prices are cheap. Besides being a bit dirty, there's nothing wrong with it." "Although supermarkets are clean, the vegetables aren't natural anymore. Eating too many of them isn't good for Guo Guo." As long as she could be with the person she loved, even visiting a wet market felt good.
Lu Mingzhe, finding joy in the experience, drove their car to a farmers' market closest to their residential area. The market was vast, with rows upon rows of stalls displaying colorful, tender, and juicy vegetables. The market was bustling with noise, men and women weaving through the crowds, filled with a vibrant, down-to-earth atmosphere. It was Lu Mingzhe's first time in such a place. Although the ground was damp and uncomfortable to walk on, he felt a sense of contentment. "You should have told me about this place sooner. We should have come here to buy groceries earlier. It's so fresh, so beautiful, it makes me want to eat everything raw."
Seeing his enjoyment, Xiang Yang suggested, "How about we set a rule? We'll come here to buy groceries every two days, all three of us. No unexcused absences, and whoever breaks the promise has to wash the dishes that day." The three of them picked out many vegetables. Xiang Wan skillfully haggled with the vendors, then went to the fresh produce section to buy some fish and shrimp. They lingered for quite some time, spending almost an hour before leaving.
Lu Mingzhe's mother, wearing sunglasses, sat in her car and watched her son emerge from the messy wet market, carrying a pile of vegetables with mud splattered on his shoes. He was talking and laughing with Xiang Wan. Passing a spice shop, they stopped, and she let Xiang Wan reach into his pocket for the wallet to take out some change. Then they went to buy oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar. Like many ordinary couples in the market, they gradually disappeared into the crowd.
Lu Mingzhe's mother felt a pang of distress. After graduating from university, she had not worked, dedicating herself entirely to raising her two children. She provided them with the best medical care, living environments, and educational resources, aiming for them to attend prestigious universities and achieve success, leading lives beyond the ordinary. But what was the outcome? After over twenty years of worry, her son hadn't improved; instead, he had become content with his current situation and increasingly ordinary. It was like she had nurtured an apple tree, which had finally flowered and fruited, only to have it stolen just as it was about to ripen. Xiang Wan had ruined her efforts. It was a feeling that those who had never been mothers couldn't comprehend. The desire for one's child to excel was a primal yearning for every parent. No one would be happy to see their child settle for mediocrity.
Perhaps Lu Mingzhe didn't understand her sacrifices now, but when he got older, experienced the hardships of life, and raised his own children, he would. A man without power, wealth, or status could only bow and scrape to others his entire life, like Lu Mingzhe's uncle, who lived at the lowest rung of society, enduring hardship and suppression. In middle age, he regretted not seizing opportunities, but it was too late. Lu Mingzhe's mother was unwilling to accept this, nor would she allow her son to become such a failed man. Today's scene only strengthened her resolve. She would rather her son hate her for a moment than for a lifetime. Sooner or later, he would understand his mother's earnest intentions.
The next day, despite it being the weekend, both Mingzhe and Wan went to work. Lu Mingzhe drove Xiang Wan to her building, and they shared a kiss goodbye. After watching him leave, Xiang Wan didn't go upstairs immediately. She paused for a moment before walking towards a familiar car parked by the roadside. Lu Mingzhe's mother was waiting for her there.
Sitting in the familiar back seat, looking at the face that so closely resembled Lu Mingzhe's, she felt an indescribable sorrow. They could have had the most intimate relationship in the world, but Lu Mingzhe's mother refused. "Mrs. Lu, what do you want to talk about?" Xiang Wan asked, neither subservient nor arrogant. Lu Mingzhe's mother took off her sunglasses and asked directly, "Have things been a bit unstable for you lately?" Xiang Wan met her gaze without flinching. "Yes. We don't even have a place to live anymore. Are you happy to see us in this state?"
"Actually, it doesn't have to be this way, Miss Xiang. You are an intelligent person. I've told you many times that if you leave my son, with your abilities, you could live a much better life." Xiang Wan, tired of hearing the same words, interrupted her directly. "If you're here to persuade me to break up with Lu Mingzhe, I'm sorry, but my answer is still the same. It's impossible, unless he actively chooses to leave me." "Mrs. Lu, may I leave now?" Lu Mingzhe's mother, seeing Xiang Wan's composed demeanor, lost her patience once again. "I'll give you one last chance. If you don't leave my son, I will become even more severe with you." "At this point, I won't hide anything from you anymore, Miss Xiang. The fire incident, your abnormal livestream data, the surge in sales, everything was my doing."