Zhan Yin and Su Teng stepped out of the house, trailed by two servants. The servants carried large trays laden with food and drinks, following the two masters closely.
Both men had exceptional eyesight and soon spotted their beloved women sitting on a bench in the distance.
Without needing to ask, Zhan Yin guessed that Haitong must be tired from walking.
In the past, he’d seen pregnant female employees at the company, even in their late months, still coming to work with their big bellies. Their workloads were only slightly reduced.
Having observed those women persist at their jobs while pregnant, Zhan Yin had assumed pregnancy and childbirth were straightforward matters.
He hadn’t considered it from their perspective: they kept working out of fear that taking maternity leave might cost them their hard-earned positions, leaving them sidelined or forced to start over upon returning.
Working at a big corporation offered promotion opportunities, but climbing the ladder was fiercely competitive and arduous. No one wanted to lose the spot they’d fought so hard to secure.
So, even while pregnant, they pushed through, often until around eight months. At that point, even if they didn’t want to take leave, the company would mandate it.
Before that eighth month, they soldiered on, and management and colleagues kept a close eye on them, offering protection to ensure nothing went wrong at work.
Having seen this so often, when Haitong insisted on returning to work early in her pregnancy to manage her business, Zhan Yin didn’t object, letting her do as she pleased.
Now, with her belly visibly rounded, Zhan Yin realized pregnancy and childbirth weren’t so simple. Even putting other challenges aside, someone like Haitong, with her stamina, now needed to sit and rest after walking a bit farther.
Before pregnancy, Haitong could roam the entire Youyou Villa without a hint of fatigue.
And she was a martial artist, no less.
Her体力 (physical strength) far surpassed that of most women.
As the year-end approached, Haitong’s company affairs were mostly handled by Shang Xiaofei. She and Shen Xiaojun only popped into the office occasionally.
Shen Xiaojun, however, went to the bookstore daily. Even with the winter break turning the shop from peak season to quiet, she stayed there, finding little tasks to keep busy rather than staying home to rest.
With no worries about food or money, and both her in-laws and natal family showering her with care, Shen Xiaojun—used to freedom and loving to be out and about—still found her life too dull.
Su Nan, ever the doting husband, let her do whatever made her happy. If she wanted to go to the bookstore every day, she could read, chat with neighbors, visit around, and pass the time. That was fine by him.
Whether she earned money or not was secondary; his wife’s happiness came first.
“They’re sitting over there,” Su Teng said to Zhan Yin.
He’d worried that after stepping outside, it might take a while to find them. He’d even pulled out his phone, ready to call Cheng Qin.
Youyou Villa was vast, its scenery shifting beautifully with each season, each offering its own charm.
Even someone like him, accustomed to such sights, couldn’t resist strolling through the villa a few times whenever he visited Grandma Zhan, admiring its seasonal transformations.
“I see them. Let’s head over. There’s a pavilion nearby. We’ll call them over, sit in the pavilion, sip some tea, and chat,” Zhan Yin said, striding purposefully toward Haitong.
Su Teng followed, asking about the marriage registration process.
“No need to overthink it. Tomorrow morning, just bring all the required documents to the Civil Affairs Bureau’s marriage registration office. They’ll guide you through the steps,” Zhan Yin explained.
“Nowadays, fewer people are getting married. You won’t have to wait long. It’ll be quick once you’re there,” he added.
Divorce rates, on the other hand, were up.
But Zhan Yin kept that to himself. Su Teng and Cheng Qin were about to register their marriage—a joyous occasion—and mentioning divorce would feel inauspicious.
