Zhang Yimei jumped at the sight of Wang Wenju. What was he doing here when he was supposed to be at work? Trembling, she stammered, "It's Mom... She wouldn't eat properly, and Shanzi was fussing, so I just—"

Wang Wenju's face was dark, his fists clenching and unclenching. "Pack your things. Take Shanzi and go back to your hometown. Or we get a divorce."

Zhang Yimei stared at him in disbelief. "What did you say? You want a divorce?"

He meant it. He and Zhang Yimei had been introduced by a matchmaker. They'd never had much in common, but she was a decent wife and had borne him a son. He'd thought they could make it work—like many other couples who stayed together without real love. Not everyone could have what Zhou Huainan and Lin Xiaoxiao had.

But seeing the resolve in his eyes, Zhang Yimei panicked. "No! I won't get a divorce! I'm pregnant! I won't go back to the countryside, and I won't divorce you!"

Wang Wenju looked at her, his expression numb. "Keep the baby if you want. Have an abortion if you don't. It's your choice. But we are getting a divorce. You like making scenes, don't you? Go to my unit. Tell them I'm a cheater, that I've got another woman. You're good at making up stories—I'm sure you'll think of something."

"But this divorce is happening. You can leave Shanzi with me or take him. I'll send half my salary every month for support."

Terror seized her. Zhang Yimei shook her head wildly. "No... I don't want a divorce. I'll change, I promise! I'll treat your mother better. I'll never hit her or yell at her again."

"You won't change," he said flatly. "I told you Zhou Huainan saved my life. I warned you not to make trouble. And then you went and wrote that letter. Do you have any idea how ridiculous you looked? I don't care who put you up to it. I'd rather lose my job and farm the land than stay married to you."

"I won't spend my life with a malicious woman. Who knows—one day you might turn me in, too."

Zhang Yimei was trembling too hard to cry. She reached for his hand, but he shook her off.

"Please," she begged, choking back a sob, "for Shanzi's sake... for the baby... don't do this. I'll change, I swear. Just forgive me this once..."

Wang Wenju shook his head. "Enough. You know how I am—when I say something, I mean it. I put up with you mistreating the neighbors. But this? I can't forgive. Stop crying. Take the child and go home."

He turned away from her, picked up the bowl, and began patiently feeding his mother. As disappointed as he was in her, she was still his responsibility—he wouldn't abandon her.

Zhang Yimei cried for a long time, holding her son, but Wang Wenju didn't so much as glance her way. She finally understood: he was serious.

She carried the child home, hoping his anger would fade.

On the way, she ran into Xiao Yan, who was carrying her medical kit. Seething with rage and nowhere to direct it, Zhang Yimei put Shanzi down and grabbed Xiao Yan's arm. "You used me,

didn't you? Lin Xiaoxiao didn't do anything wrong—you lied and said she messed up the surgery! You made me report her!"

Xiao Yan stumbled, caught off-balance. Seeing Zhang Yimei's red, swollen eyes, she guessed Wang Wenju had confronted her. She put on a wounded expression. "How can you say that? Why would I use you? I just felt sorry for you—taking care of a child and an old woman, spending all that money..."

But Zhang Yimei wasn't buying it. "You're a doctor! You had to know! What did I get out of all this? Wang Wenju wants a divorce!"

Xiao Yan was startled. She never thought that quiet, meek man would ever mention divorce. Was he willing to throw his career away? "Don't worry," she soothed. "He won't really divorce you. It would ruin him. He's just trying to scare you. Lin Xiaoxiao just got lucky this time."

But Zhang Yimei was clear-eyed now. "You were trying to hurt Lin Xiaoxiao, weren't you? Because you're jealous she married Zhou Huainan."

Xiao Yan stiffened. "How could you think that? We've known each other so long—do you really think I'm that kind of person?"

The more Zhang Yimei thought about it, the angrier she became. She tightened her grip on Xiao Yan's medical kit. "I've always been good to you! And how did you repay me? You used me! You're tearing my family apart! What kind of heart do you have?"

Xiao Yan grew impatient. "Stop talking nonsense! Everything I did was for you! If I'd known you'd be so ungrateful, I wouldn't have bothered!"

That was the last straw. Shoving Xiao Yan hard, Zhang Yimei screamed, "You call this for my good? I'm getting divorced!"

Xiao Yan shoved back. Right there on the street, the two women began clawing and hitting each other.......By the time Zhou Xiaoling heard the gossip, the fight was over. Zhang Yimei, overwhelmed and exhausted, had miscarried.

Zhou Xiaoling handed Lin Xiaoxiao a peeled apple, talking animatedly. "I really wish I'd seen it, sis—what a show! They turned on each other just like dogs fighting. Serves them right."

Lin Xiaoxiao was surprised Wang Wenju had actually chosen divorce. What a waste—he wasn't a bad man, just married to the wrong woman. "They had it coming," she said, and took a satisfied bite of the apple.

Zhou Xiaoling agreed. "Anyway, good riddance. So... how's my little nephew doing?"

"Seems fine," Lin Xiaoxiao said. "But to be safe, I'm staying in bed seven days, then resting at home another two weeks. After three months, we should be in the clear."

The baby was what mattered. Work could wait. resting meant more time to study and pick up some side income.

Zhou Xiaoling nodded. "You know, you don't really need that job. If my brother's salary isn't enough, you can have mine too."

Lin Xiaoxiao laughed. "No way. You save that for your dowry."

After seven days of rest, Lin Xiaoxiao started taking short walks around the yard. Feeling no discomfort, she went to the clinic to have an experienced female doctor check whether her cervix was too low—which would have meant staying in bed until delivery.

Fortunately, everything was normal.

Relieved, Lin Xiaoxiao headed home—but just outside the clinic gate, she ran into Xiao Yan.