Wu Linlin's condition was also exaggerated by Xie Sui; it didn't actually cost that much. Xie Sui's five hundred yuan was more than enough, and they even got over a hundred yuan back.
However, Wu Linlin also saw Xie Chen's true colors because of this incident and was truly heartbroken. After being discharged from the hospital, she stayed at her parents' home and refused to return to Xie Chen's.
Wu's mother was also very distressed. She had misjudged this son-in-law. He was a university student yet so unreasonable, so heartless and cold-blooded. Her daughter had truly fallen into a pit of fire.
Yet, she hadn't considered advising her daughter to divorce. After all, the baby was on the way; what would happen if they divorced?
In this era, divorced women were gossiped about. Many people chose to endure and live their lives with quarrels.
As Wu Linlin felt better, she came to talk to Lin Wanwan, also to apologize. Her heart felt heavy with unspoken thoughts, and she needed someone to talk to.
Her previous jealousy had completely faded due to this accident.
Lin Wanwan saw her with mixed feelings: anger and sympathy. As a woman herself, she knew how difficult it was to be pregnant and see no hope.
She herself had been in such a state before. Fortunately, Xie Sui had repented, and she had forgotten the despair of that period.
"Wanwan, I am truly sorry..."
"Don't say that. Xie Sui already told me. It's good that you know you were wrong and have changed. Isn't the child doing well? Don't think so much about it."
Wu Linlin sighed, "The child is fine, but I dare not imagine the future. I thought Xie Chen at least had me in his heart, but I was wrong. He only cares about the child, and can even disregard my life. What am I living for?"
Lin Wanwan comforted her, "For the child. If the man is no good, just pretend he doesn't exist. Live for the child from now on.
You have a job and can support the child, so what are you afraid of!
A mother becomes strong. Don't think too much; it's bad for your health."
"But after the child is born, won't I be tied to Xie Chen for life? I find him disgusting now, let alone living with him."
Xie Sui returned and overheard their conversation. He said, "Then get a divorce. You are so young; there's no need to hang yourself on one tree."
Lin Wanwan: "Don't advise her to divorce. If Auntie finds out, she'll scold you all day!"
"Let her scold. If I can't win against her, I've lived all these years for nothing. Xie Chen is a scoundrel. If he weren't my cousin, I wouldn't even want to look at him.
A person like him doesn't deserve a wife."
Lin Wanwan said helplessly, "Shut up. The baby inside is already so big; can you just get a divorce?"
"Why not? Half the children abroad are in single-parent families. Women can hold up half the sky. Wu Linlin, if you're worried about not being able to support the child, come to my factory. I'll arrange a position for you. If you do well, you can even become a general manager."
"Can I do it?"
"If you ask that, you're doubting yourself. Be bold. Just correct your mistakes. I'll give you opportunities to make mistakes."
"Thank you, then. I'll consider it."
"No rush. The child is innocent. After it's born, let Auntie raise it. Let my grandmother teach the child. She teaches better than Auntie. I was raised by my grandmother."
Xie Lan came out to get water and said, "Nonsense, I raised you."
Xie Sui: "Yes, eldest sister also contributed. We raised you together. I'm grateful to you both and will be filial, alright?
Eldest sister, I still have two sets of skincare products. Remember to apply them every day. I see you getting younger, and the wrinkles on your face have faded."
"Really?"
Xie Lan happily touched the corners of her eyes. It seemed they had faded. "Stop joking; you just know how to flatter your sister."
Wu Linlin looked at them enviously. This was what a happy family looked like. Although her mother-in-law treated her well at Xie Chen's home, something always felt missing.
Xie Lan looked at Wu Linlin's lost expression and said, "Cousin's wife, life isn't easy for us women. Take it one step at a time. Let's focus on giving birth to the child first."
Wu Linlin nodded, "I know. Thank you for your concern. I've just been thinking too much. If it's a daughter, I don't think my mother-in-law will be pleased. They might even divorce."
Xie Chen could really do that. They were only allowed to have one child now, and he couldn't be without a son. If Wu Linlin left him, it would be better for him to divorce and remarry.
Xie Sui snorted, "He wants a divorce? Unless he doesn't want his job anymore. Even if he divorces, he might not have a son if he remarries. Will he keep divorcing?
He cares most about his career, doesn't he? If you dare to divorce, go to their workplace and make a scene. Divorce because of having a daughter, and see if he can get promoted in this lifetime!"
Wu Linlin's heart felt relieved. That was right. The initiative was in her hands now. She could divorce if she wanted to, or not. What was there to fear? Sudang novel network.
"Talking with you all has made me feel so much lighter. I was ignorant before. Thank you."
Xie Lan pursed her lips, acknowledging she had spoken the truth. "Stay for dinner. I'll stew pig's trotters with soybeans; it's very nourishing."
Xie Sui: "Eat more pig's trotters to replenish collagen; it will make your wrinkles disappear."
"Really?"
Xie Lan made up her mind to eat more pig's trotters from now on. Poor Lin Wanwan, she later got tired of eating pig's trotters and truly didn't want to see them anymore.
Xie Lan ate quite a bit. Her wrinkles did reduce, but she gained weight.
She was so angry that she chased Xie Sui, hitting him. She had gained so much weight that even her brother-in-law couldn't recognize her. She needed to lose weight.
Xie Lan couldn't imagine that one day she would actually go on a diet. She had once struggled to get enough food and was as thin as a stick. She had always envied those who could eat meat and gain weight. But when it happened to her, she wasn't happy.
Lin Wanwan's pregnancy had passed the three-month mark. Her belly was slightly showing, her condition was stable, her appetite had increased, and her complexion had improved.
The weather also grew warmer. By September, Xie Sui's first phase of family housing was completed. The entire county celebrated, especially the factory workers who were eagerly awaiting their new homes.
At this time, the tallest buildings were only six stories high, with no elevators. Xie Sui built small units, mostly two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments. There were no one-bedroom units; they were too small. What family didn't have multiple members, and even three-bedroom units felt small?
The first batch of veteran workers in the factory were allocated three-bedroom apartments. Later workers were assigned based on their performance evaluations. Workers from both factories received apartments and happily praised Xie Sui to everyone they met. He was undoubtedly the county's most popular figure.
Of course, there were also troubles. Some people didn't like their assigned floor, while others felt the apartments were too small and approached the leadership, wanting to pay more for larger units. These issues were handled by the factory leadership and didn't require Xie Sui's direct involvement.
Next were the construction of the shopping mall and new factory buildings, both of which had already laid their foundations and were expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Lin Wanwan looked at the shopping mall, wondering if it could open before the Lunar New Year. But looking at her belly, she decided it was better to wait until after the new year.
Xie Sui held her arm, protecting her carefully to prevent her from falling. The ground was full of potholes, reinforced concrete, and a fall wouldn't be a joke.
Du Feiyang ran over from a distance, as lively as a puppy, hopping and skipping, looking quite cheerful.
"Wanwan, doesn't he look like our dog, Gouzi? What great news! To think he can jump so high."
Lin Wanwan laughed, holding her belly, "Don't try to make me laugh; Fei Yang will get angry with you if he hears."
"I'm afraid of him? It's the truth!"
"Brother Xie, my elder brother is finally going to hold the funeral for Father. We have to go back and watch the excitement!"
Xie Sui shook his head, "I'm not going back. You all go. I need to stay home with Wanwan."
Lin Wanwan said, "It's okay, you go. I'm fine."
"No, I wasn't with you during your last pregnancy, and I was worried every day. This time, I absolutely cannot be separated. What if my son doesn't feel close to me when he's born?"
Du Feiyang seemed a bit disappointed, "Sister-in-law, why don't you go too? Traveling by train at this stage of pregnancy should be fine, right?"
Lin Wanwan seemed tempted. Going to Port City sounded quite good!