The summer heat was intense, with the sun so scorching that during the peak hours of the day, no one dared to step outside.
Work was done only in the early mornings and after the sun had set in the afternoon.
This hottest season was also when the watermelons in their brigade ripened.
On a sweltering day, nothing was more refreshing than a bite of ice-cold watermelon.
But all of this had little to do with Song Wei.
Her beautiful face was drawn into a pout as she held the sweetest center piece of a watermelon slice.
Yet, nothing could lift her sour mood.
Because she could only have this one piece!
A whole, huge watermelon, perfect for beating the heat, and she was allowed just one slice!
Even if it was the sweetest part.
She was still full of resentment.
“Why does pregnancy have to take so long?”
As she savored the sweet watermelon, Song Wei felt her cravings grow even stronger and couldn’t help but sigh.
Lin Zhen comforted her, “If you can’t have more watermelon, there are other things to eat. I’ll find other fruits for you.”
True to his word, Lin Zhen reached out to his buddies at the transport station, asking them to bring back any fruits or other tasty treats they came across during their trips.
Of course, he paid for everything.
Though she couldn’t indulge in watermelon, she had beef jerky to satisfy her cravings, which made things a bit more bearable.
Once her pregnancy began to show, her belly seemed to expand like a balloon. At just over four months, it was already as large as someone else’s at seven months.
Lin Zhen was worried sick and took her to see Old Ji several times a month.
Fortunately, Song Wei had an easy pregnancy with almost no morning sickness. Instead, her appetite had grown tremendously.
Her feet weren’t swollen, and despite her large belly, she remained agile and energetic—so much so that she felt she could even climb a tree.
Of course, Lin Zhen wouldn’t let her engage in any such risky activities.
Song Wei’s strength remained undiminished. Sometimes, itching to exercise her arms, she would sneakily lift heavy baskets when working in the fields with Lin Zhen, startling everyone around.
Lin Zhen: …………
“Looks like Lin Zhen really isn’t going back to his job at the transport station.”
With Lin Zhen staying home for so long without returning to work, people couldn’t help but gossip.
Some even took pleasure in his situation.
The first to gloat were those from Old Lady Lin’s family, though they didn’t dare say anything to Lin Zhen’s face.
However, a few of Lin Zhen’s childhood rivals, for reasons unknown, chose this day to approach him with sarcastic remarks.
Lin Zhen was working in the fields, watering the wheat. In areas too far from the river, water had to be carried over manually.
Song Wei followed closely beside him, also carrying a bucket of water.
This was something she had insisted on doing—otherwise, Lin Zhen would never have let her do any heavy work.
But to Song Wei, it wasn’t heavy at all!
“Well, if it isn’t our brigade’s truck driver? How long has it been since you last drove a truck?”
Lin Zhen glanced at them.
Three young men—the kind who had never gotten along with Lin Zhen since childhood.
Song Wei also shot them a look.
“Move aside.”
Lin Zhen had no intention of engaging with them.
“What are you so proud of? You got kicked out of the transport station, and here you are acting all high and mighty. Bet you messed up big time there, huh? Come on, tell us what happened.”
“Get lost!”
Lin Zhen was already irritated. He shoved past them and tried to leave with Song Wei.
But they shamelessly blocked their path again. “Hey, it was just a joke. Why so serious? We’re just looking out for you since we grew up together.”
“Lin Zhen, you really got fired, huh? Hahaha… Everyone used to praise you, but look how long you lasted at the transport station. If you’re not cut out for it, why not recommend us instead?”
Before Lin Zhen could react, Song Wei flung a bucket of water straight at them.
The three yelped in shock. “You… you crazy woman!”
Song Wei swung the bucket and hurled it at them.
“What, you think just because I’m pregnant I can’t swing a blade? You’ve got some nerve!”
Bang! Bang! The bucket struck two of them, knocking them to the ground and nearly stunning them.
“Stop! Stop hitting us!”
Song Wei dropped the bucket and kicked out instead.
The three scrambled away, covering their heads.
Lin Zhen quickly set down his bucket and carefully pulled Song Wei into his arms.
“Don’t get angry. It’s not good for your health. Let me handle this!”
Once he’d calmed Song Wei down, Lin Zhen strode over and began laying into the three with punches and kicks.
“Oww! Stop, Lin Zhen! Don’t hit us!”
Lin Zhen didn’t say a word—he just kept hitting.
It wasn’t until the three’s parents arrived that he finally stopped.
“What do you think you’re doing? How dare you hit our sons!”
“Someone come quick and judge this! Who does he think he is, beating people up just because he’s strong? This is outright tyranny!”
Song Wei clutched her stomach. “Lin Zhen, my stomach hurts.”
Lin Zhen rushed to her side, his heart instantly seizing with panic.
Song Wei whispered in his ear, “I’m faking it. Play along.”
Hearing this, Lin Zhen relaxed slightly.
Song Wei leaned into his arms, still moaning in pain.
The onlookers were confused. What was going on?
The other side was loud, insisting that Lin Zhen and Song Wei had attacked them.
But Song Wei was pregnant, and those who were friendly with her immediately took her side without even hearing the full story.
“You think just because you’re loud, you’re right? Can’t you see Song Wei is in pain? What did those three do to her?”
“That’s right! Someone go get Dr. Ji! She’s pregnant—this could be serious!”
Aunt Xinghua arrived and shot a fierce glare at the noisy crowd, instantly silencing them.
“Shut up, all of you!”
“Now, what happened here? Everyone quiet down and let Song Wei and Lin Zhen explain.”
The relatives of the three young men were still not convinced, but under Aunt Xinghua’s fierce glare, they reluctantly fell silent.
Leaning against Lin Zhen’s chest, Song Wei repeated everything the three had said.
“Lin Zhen took leave from the transport station because he’s worried about me and wanted to care for me at home. I’m carrying twins, and with my manuscript fees, we can manage just fine.”
“These three came over and started mocking him. They even demanded that Lin Zhen get them jobs at the transport station. Their words were so offensive that I lost my temper and threw a bucket of water at them. They tried to hit me, and Lin Zhen only stepped in to protect me.”
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