"I don't know Li Minxi well, so it might be difficult to speak with her," Xu Liping said.
"But you know Xiao Hong, right? Those few girls are inseparable now, going shopping and having tea, discussing prenatal education every day."
"Alright then, it's good to know someone."
"They are all very easy to get along with. These pregnant women have common topics, either chatting about their unborn babies or prenatal education. I'm sure you'll get along fine."
"Thank you, Director Guo."
"Don't mention it. I'm just building a bridge for you. You'll be spending your days together from now on. My wife is quite easy to get along with, and she's suffered a lot over the years trying to conceive."
As they chatted, they quickly arrived at the Wangzhe Villa.
"Tong Xin, take them upstairs to rest. I need to go to Brother Liang's place shortly."
"Why go so early? Besides, he doesn't have that much space to accommodate everyone. Didn't you just say you'd help Jiang Wuxi with her physical conditioning?"
"Yes, that's important. Then you take Xiao Yu and Ms. Xu upstairs. I'll take Xiao Xi to my room."
"Okay, Captain Guo. Get some rest early, goodnight."
Tong Xin bid Guo Xuyang farewell and led Xu Liping and Xiao Yu upstairs to rest.
"Yangzi, what should I do if I'm pregnant?" Jiang Wuxi asked Guo Xuyang plaintively.
"What are your thoughts?"
"I don't know what to do."
"Doesn't your school have provisions for taking a leave of absence to give birth? Can you take a leave?"
"What will my family think if they find out?"
"Just don't tell your family, then."
"If I don't go home for a long time, my family will surely worry."
"How often do you usually contact your family?"
"It's hard to say. If there's nothing important, I rarely contact them. Usually, it's about once a month."
"Do you need money for living expenses?"
Guo Xuyang's question made Jiang Wuxi blush, and she couldn't help but nod. Children these days don't seem as close to their families. During her rebellious phase, she often argued with her parents. Although she eventually got into a good university, she came to Shanghai to escape her parents and put distance between them. Once in university, she felt she had finally grown up, could spread her wings, and no longer be controlled by her family. Jiang Wuxi was precisely that kind of girl. She wasn't a dutiful daughter; otherwise, she wouldn't have done what she did at the bathhouse. She just happened to meet Guo Xuyang. The other girl who went through a similar experience wasn't as fortunate as she was.
"That makes things easier. Since you don't contact your family very often, you can try contacting them once every month and a half or two months. By then, even if you've given birth, they might not know."
"Are you suggesting I take a leave from school to have the baby?"
"That depends on your opinion. If you don't want to continue studying, you can also come out and work for me later."
"I still want to study. I want to get my university degree first."
"That's easy. When you get back, ask your classmates about the procedures for taking a leave of absence. I'll have Wang Yu or Xiao Yu help you with it. Why don't you just stay home and join the other sisters for prenatal education?"
"If my body allows, I'd like to finish this semester's classes. That way, I can go back to school right after giving birth."
"Sure, whatever you think is best. Whether it's continuing your studies or taking a leave, I'll support your decision. We'll do whatever you say. Come upstairs with me first, and I'll help condition your body. Once you feel better, you won't have morning sickness anymore."
"Yangzi, was the Xiao Xi you mentioned the one who got married last time?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Was she also pregnant when she got married?"
"Mm-hmm. She was pregnant before we got married."
"I heard on the car ride that several pregnant women will be at the same table tomorrow. Can I join them?"
"Of course. We originally planned for you to help with the wedding procession, but then you got pregnant. We had to find someone else."
"Are pregnant women not allowed to be part of the wedding procession?"
"Certainly not. The hosts have taboos about that."
"Oh. Then I'll be at the same table as Ms. Xu tomorrow."
"You can. I'll call Xiao Xi tomorrow morning."
"I remember you seemed very curious when you heard my name. Is it because I'm called Xiao Xi?"
"A little bit, perhaps. Mainly, you hadn't been corrupted by society yet. Society is a great dye vat, and your demeanor and determination at the time made me feel a good impression of you. If you hadn't pursued me then, our connection would have just been a one-night stand."
"You men are all like that, you don't cherish what you get easily."
"That's not entirely true. The main reason is that there are too many materialistic girls now, all wanting shortcuts and unwilling to put in the effort. Furthermore, such girls lack genuine emotions. Why are there so many sugar babies in society now? It's because their worldview has become distorted."
"You don't resent me for being like that, do you?" Jiang Wuxi asked.
"How could I? I tend to trust my judgment."
"Really? Then what kind of person do you see me as?"
"A highly educated, intelligent, and determined girl, who is also emotionally intelligent and beautiful."
"Is that all?"
"What else? Perhaps I haven't discovered it yet?"
"Would you mind if I had dated before?"
"Of course not. You're a university student, after all. Nowadays, finding a girl who has never dated, never held hands, and never kissed is probably something you'd have to make a reservation for at your mother-in-law's house. In movies, television, and books today, romance is portrayed very openly, not like in the past where it was hidden. Back then, men and women were much like they are now, without foot-binding or so many taboos."
"Why do you say that?"
"Isn't it true? Even kindergarteners know how to hold hands as friends now. And many boys already have girlfriends and have learned to kiss."
"It's the adults who teach them these things."
"You can't say that. The main reason is that current television, movies, and cartoons all have these scenes. Children don't know right from wrong; they just follow along, thinking it's fun. Being friends is normal, but being girlfriends isn't."
"I don't know what's wrong with people these days. Why are they so careless about children's matters?"
"Human hearts are not as they used to be," Guo Xuyang sighed.
"When we have children in the future, we must pay attention to these things. We can't corrupt these children."
"Agreed. We will strengthen our education and absolutely prevent our children from learning these misguided things."