Chapter 164 - 161: Preparing to Suspend Studies
Zhou Lian acted the same as usual at school; even Zhang Hongying didn’t notice anything was off. At noon, Li Xiu came with Nuonuo to pick Zhou Lian up from school. He ran into Zhang Hongying, who was walking with Zhou Lian, and said with a smile, "I’ll have to trouble you to look after Bao’er a bit more. She hasn’t been feeling too well lately."
"What’s wrong? Where are you feeling unwell? Did you go to the hospital?" Zhang Hongying asked anxiously, grabbing Zhou Lian’s arm and looking her up and down.
Gently patting Zhang Hongying’s hand, Zhou Lian shot Li Xiu a look and said with a smile, "It’s nothing. Don’t listen to Jin Chen’s nonsense."
Zhang Hongying glanced at Li Xiu, then stared closely at Zhou Lian again. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, she relaxed a little and asked, "So what’s really going on?"
The group slowly walked home as Zhou Lian said softly, "I think I might be pregnant. Don’t worry!"
"Really? That’s wonderful! This means our Little Nono will have a little brother or sister," Zhang Hongying said happily. ’Zhou Lian and Li Xiu are both so good-looking, so their children are bound to be beautiful too. Just look at Nuonuo—so adorable. Another miniature version of Little Nono would be such a delight to see!’
"I’ll have to trouble you to look after her more at school from now on," Li Xiu said to Zhang Hongying with a grateful smile. With his wife at the university, he was willing but unable to help; he really couldn’t be there to take care of her, so he could only entrust her to her best friend, Zhang Hongying.
Zhang Hongying confidently puffed out her chest. "No problem. I’ll definitely keep a good eye on her."
"We’re really imposing on you. Thank you!" Li Xiu said, thanking Zhang Hongying earnestly.
"Don’t be a stranger. We’re best friends. Isn’t that what friends are for?" Zhang Hongying said, waving her hand dismissively.
Li Xiu just smiled and said no more. ’There’s no such thing as "should" or "shouldn’t." It’s just that Zhang Hongying is a kind person who genuinely cares for Zhou Lian. If it were anyone else, I really wouldn’t dare ask. Who knows if they’re a friend or a foe?’
Halfway there, Zhang Hongying suddenly asked, "Will you be okay like this? What will you do when your belly starts showing? Will it affect anything?"
Zhou Lian smiled and said, "It’s fine for now. In a few months, once it’s noticeable, I’ll apply for a leave of absence from my studies. While it’s not a huge deal, I’m still a student, so it’s better to be mindful of the impression it gives."
Zhang Hongying nodded in agreement. Although the university environment was relatively simple, people’s hearts were hard to fathom, and there was no stopping the incessant rumors and gossip. Even if they didn’t care about such things, Zhou Lian still planned to continue her advanced studies at the school, so it was best to be careful.
After parting ways with Zhang Hongying, Li Xiu, holding Nuonuo, walked home hand-in-hand with Zhou Lian. He asked with concern, "Bao’er, were you okay this morning? Any morning sickness?"
Giving him a sweet smile in return, Zhou Lian said softly, "I was fine. No symptoms at all. Don’t you worry."
"How could I not worry? You have to juggle your studies on top of this. It’s definitely going to be tough," Li Xiu said, his heart aching for her.
"Jin Chen, don’t worry. I’m very happy to be giving Nuonuo a little brother or sister," Zhou Lian said with a smile. ’This man... honestly. All I do is attend school; how hard can it be? I’m just pregnant, it’s not that serious. It’s true that in both of my lives, I never had to work while pregnant, but this life is clearly much better than the last one. My heart isn’t weary!’
"Bao’er, after this one, let’s not have any more. I’ve already asked around. After a while, I’ll go get a minor procedure done. It’ll be a permanent solution!" Watching Zhou Lian’s beaming face, Li Xiu gently announced his decision, completely unaware of the bombshell he had just dropped.
"A minor procedure? What kind of procedure? A ’permanent solution’?" Zhou Lian stopped in her tracks and looked at him, asking uncertainly. ’It couldn’t be what I’m thinking, could it? That damn man, he really dares to think of it. That’s not a procedure you get done casually. In my last life, he did it secretly behind my back. I only found out because the village publicly praised him for it. And now he’s trying it again in this life!’
"Bao’er, it’s just a precaution. Besides, I’m in good health. It’s just a minor operation, nothing to worry about!" Li Xiu said casually. ’In my last life, I did it behind her back, and she was furious when she found out. This time, I won’t hide it from her, but I have to explain it properly so she doesn’t get angry!’
"What. Kind. Of. Procedure?" Zhou Lian asked, enunciating every word. ’Beating around the bush, being evasive... he’s got a guilty conscience!’
"It’s just a minor procedure, a vasectomy. It’s a very small operation, don’t worry," Li Xiu said, rubbing his nose guiltily. ’My wife’s temper is as fiery as ever.’
"A vasectomy. And you call it a ’minor procedure.’ Where did you hear that!" Zhou Lian asked, her face devoid of expression.
"After I dropped you off at school this morning, I stopped by the hospital since it was on the way and asked about it!" Li Xiu lied with a straight face. ’Can I really tell her I knew about this from my past life?’
"No. I don’t approve!" Zhou Lian said resolutely.
"I took Nuonuo to the Imperial Palace today. I spoke with Elder Ping, and he’s already agreed!" Li Xiu said in a small voice. ’I knew this would happen. But with Elder Ping backing me up, things should still go according to my plan. We’re not planning on having any more children, so of course we need to take precautions. There aren’t any good contraceptive methods available right now, so if I get this minor procedure, it’s a permanent solution. Isn’t that great?’
"You... you really... You made a decision on such a huge matter without even discussing it with me. You’ve gotten pretty bold, haven’t you!" Hearing his words, Zhou Lian knew there was no room for negotiation. She couldn’t very well go back on their word with Elder Ping, after all. Still, she said, pouting angrily.
Li Xiu handed Nuonuo to Sister Fang, who had come out to greet them. After watching her carry Nuonuo inside, he turned back and pulled Zhou Lian into his arms. "Bao’er, don’t be angry. It’s just a minor procedure, nothing to worry about. Besides, you know we don’t plan on having any more children. What if you get pregnant again? If we don’t keep it, it’s hurtful to both your body and your heart. Just listen to me this time, okay?"
"I’m just worried about you!" Zhou Lian said sullenly, burying her face in his chest. ’No matter how minor it is, it’s still a knife cutting into your body!’
"Mm, I know, Bao’er. You have summer break in two or three months. Do you think you can hold out until the end of the semester?" Li Xiu subtly changed the subject, diverting Zhou Lian’s attention to the issue of her taking leave from school.
"I can manage. I’ve thought about it. By summer break, I’ll be a little over four months along. I’ll take a leave of absence for the next semester. The due date is around the same time as Nuonuo’s was, so I can do my postpartum confinement during winter break this year. By the time the new semester starts next year, my confinement will be over, and I won’t fall behind in my sophomore spring semester classes. The only tricky part will be persuading the university," Zhou Lian said slowly, holding Li Xiu’s hand as they walked into the house.
"That shouldn’t be a big deal. Don’t you have final exams at the end of the semester? If you do well on them, it should be fine. As for this matter, I’ll go talk to your department head. You don’t need to worry about it. Just focus on taking care of yourself," Li Xiu said, looking at Zhou Lian gently, not seeming too concerned. ’My wife’s grades speak for themselves, and all her professors see it. I’m sure the university will be flexible.’