"It won’t be a problem, I’ll arrange everything." Luo Zhiyong said with a smile as he gently held her hand, "Besides, I’m relieved with mom looking after you."
Fang Pingying smiled back at him, then remembered the incident on the road just a moment ago, "I ran into Luo Zhiming and Xu He on the road."
Luo Zhiyong’s smile paused, "Did they say anything?"
Fang Pingying replied, "I laid out what happened before, and they basically admitted to it."
"Let him be. From now on, I’ll act as if I don’t have such a brother." Having overcome the most infuriating period, Luo Zhiyong had gradually come to accept the situation, and he had completely lost hope in his brother Luo Zhiming. He had also been certain in his heart that Luo Zhiming was behind it all, so he wasn’t surprised to learn about Luo Zhiming’s admission.
However, he specifically instructed Fang Pingying, "But if you run into them again in the future, don’t confront them. Xu He is so malicious, who knows what she might do. You should not bother with that sort of person. Take care of yourself; that’s what’s important."
Fang Pingying’s belly grew larger by the day, and by the eighth month, it was as big as a small hill. When she looked down, all she saw was her huge belly; she could not even see her feet when she walked.
Because of this, there were many things for which Fang Pingying needed help.
When Luo Zhiyong was at home, things were pretty good. He took care of everything for her, even tasks as minor as cutting her nails or putting on shoes, tirelessly and without complaint, which deeply touched Fang Pingying.
She had always thought this man to be rough around the edges, but he turned out to be so attentive towards her, and he showed no machismo whatsoever. He was willing to do anything as long as she was comfortable.
In truth, Fang Pingying could have done many things herself with a bit of effort, but Luo Zhiyong wouldn’t let her.
Once again, Fang Pingying felt that in choosing this man in her second go at life, she had made the right decision.
Because with this man, she could endure much hardship.
But when Luo Zhiyong wasn’t home, she would worry about Yu’er and Luo Honglan, both young girls inexperienced with childbearing, not knowing what to do, and busy with the shop, unable to properly care for Fang Pingying.
So taking advantage of the weekend when Luo Zhiyong was off, he tidied up the house and arranged for Zhao Longsheng to send someone with a car to pick them up.
Zhao Longsheng also lived in a military compound, but the compound where Zhao Longsheng resided was far nicer than the one Luo Zhiyong’s family lived in.
A three-room apartment with spacious rooms, their place on the first floor even had a large yard. Li Aihua had planted many flowers and plants in the yard, and it was well-maintained. The whole place looked like a small courtyard, very spacious.
Li Aihua arranged for Fang Pingying to stay in the largest room in their home, which Fang Pingying guessed Li Aihua and Zhao Longsheng had vacated for her. Fang Pingying quickly said, "Mom, I can just stay in the smaller room next door. After the baby is born, I’ll move back to my own house. It’s only for a few months; why go through all this trouble?"
"Besides, Uncle Zhao usually needs to check documents or read books when he comes back. That tiny room of yours doesn’t even have a desk; it’s not very convenient."
Li Aihua continued to organize her things while smiling, "It’s alright, it was your Uncle Zhao’s idea, to give the big room to you two. You’ve got the baby, more stuff, and when Zhiyong comes, the small room won’t be enough."
While they were talking, Zhao Longsheng strode over with a broad gait and asked with a smile, "What are you mother and daughter chatting about?"
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Fang Pingying said, "Uncle Zhao, I really think it’s better for you and my mom to live in the big house."
"Silly girl, we’re family, why stand on ceremony?" Zhao Longsheng was a military man, direct in his actions and words—he meant what he said, "This house is for you to live in, whether you’ll stay here long-term or not, this house will always be reserved for you. Every girl’s parental home should have a room for her."
"I just worry that it’s not convenient for you to work or read." Fang Pingying was genuinely touched. Although Zhao Longsheng was at most a stepfather, every conversation with him made Fang Pingying feel as if he were her biological father.
Although Zhao Longsheng had never spoken of such matters to Fang Pingying, the things he did, and the naturalness in his words made her feel their relationship was like that of a biological father and daughter, without any barriers.
Zhao Longsheng laughed and patted Fang Pingying on the shoulder, pointing to another small house next door, he said with a smile, "Don’t worry, I usually read in the study, and that hasn’t changed."
With Zhao Longsheng saying this, naturally Fang Pingying found it hard to refuse, so she could only respond, "Alright then."
The days spent at Li Aihua’s home were idle but not boring.
Zhao Longsheng went to his military job every day, leaving early and returning late; Li Aihua usually went to class in the morning, then spent the entire afternoon at home, keeping Fang Pingying company and chatting or taking a walk with her.
During her time at their home, Fang Pingying actually spent more time with Sister-in-law Zhou, the housekeeper.
Sister-in-law Zhou was still quite young, only in her thirties, with two children at home. Her husband worked at a construction site, a job that was risky, but didn’t earn much money each month. Life was tough for the couple working in the city.
After Fang Pingying got to know Sister-in-law Zhou, she discovered that Zhou’s hometown was actually not far from Luojia Village, in another nearby village, and Sister-in-law Zhou even knew Luo Zhiyong.
In rural areas, anyone who makes something of themselves becomes well-known, and so Sister-in-law Zhou knew of Luo Zhiyong.
This discovery made Fang Pingying feel it was fate, and it brought her closer to Sister-in-law Zhou as they spent time together at home.
In a blink of an eye, Fang Pingying was already nine months pregnant. She had been checked at the hospital, where the doctor said she might give birth prematurely, so lately Fang Pingying dared not go anywhere and stayed honestly at home, ready to call an ambulance at any sign of labor.
One day, while Fang Pingying had nothing to do, she and Li Aihua were knitting woolen clothes for the baby when they suddenly heard a knock on the door, followed by Luo Honglan’s voice, "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, I’ve come to visit you."
Fang Pingying and Li Aihua smiled at each other; Li Aihua immediately got up to open the door, welcoming Luo Honglan inside with a smile, "It’s Hong Lan, come in, come in."
Fang Pingying gestured for Luo Honglan to sit beside her, asking with a smile, "What brings you here?"
Upon hearing this, Luo Honglan’s face blushed slightly as she stole a glance at Fang Pingying, hesitating to speak.
After eating for a bit, she then said, "Sister-in-law, it’s been a long time since I last visited you. Since I wasn’t busy this afternoon, I asked Yu’er to mind the shop while I come to see you."
"Just come, you didn’t have to buy anything," Li Aihua said with a laugh, pointing to the things Hong Lan had left on the coffee table, "No need for such formalities at auntie’s place, it just costs money."
Luo Honglan chuckled sheepishly, "Heh heh, it wasn’t much, just some fruit." (To be continued. If you work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)