C18 Getting Pregnant

Zhang Zhiwen returned to the company to submit his materials before heading home, where he found Hee Qingqing cooking. The dishes she prepared were exceptionally bland, lacking any hint of oil. He couldn't understand why her taste had deteriorated so drastically lately, causing her to feel nauseous with every bite. Despite this, he had joined her in eating these simple meals for several days.

Unbeknownst to him, Hee Qingqing was actually pregnant. She had kept this secret from Zhang Zhiwen, too afraid to reveal it for fear that he might not accept her. She was also uncertain about his current feelings and worried about the consequences if he rejected her. Furthermore, she knew that their manager, Zhang Xiaohao, would certainly not take responsibility, as he already had a family of his own.

It was a cruel twist of fate. Just yesterday, she had been feeling unwell and, to her surprise, discovered she was pregnant. To complicate matters, her health was fragile, and she was prone to miscarriage. Abortion wasn't an option; not only could it prevent her from conceiving in the future, but it would also cause significant harm to her body. She had to be cautious to avoid any further health complications.

"Honey, why so quiet? Come, have some food. Is your appetite any better today?" Zhang Zhiwen asked.

"It's a bit better, but I still don't feel like eating much. Nothing tastes good to me, and I just can't handle greasy food," Hee Qingqing replied.

"Make sure to visit the hospital when you get a chance. I'm swamped these days and can't accompany you, but please look after yourself and take good care of your health," he advised.

Zhang Zhiwen had actually suspected that Hee Qingqing might be pregnant for quite some time, but since she hadn't mentioned it, he felt compelled to feign ignorance. It made getting along easier. Truthfully, Zhang Zhiwen had no plans to stay with Hee Qingqing in the long run. He questioned her past and her motives, considering her history with other men. For now, he relied on her to help expand his market reach, but once he was more established, he intended to find someone better.

Deep down, Zhang Zhiwen doubted the sincerity of Hee Qingqing's feelings for him. He believed her to be more liberal in her relationships and suspected she was only with him for his looks and potential. After all, he was confident in his eventual success. What future could there be with a junior manager who was too intimidated by his wife to consider a divorce?

Two people shared a bed every day, each harboring their own secret agendas. One desperately clung to the other, while the latter sought to break free as quickly as possible. Their relationship was merely transactional: Hee Qingqing needed an escape route, and Zhang Zhiwen needed someone to clear his path. Deep down, Hee Qingqing was terrified. She feared the day Zhang Zhiwen would no longer need her, wondering if he would then coldly cast her aside.

Currently, she was young and attractive, but she knew all too well that a woman's youth is fleeting. What would she do when her beauty faded with age? Hee Qingqing's plan was straightforward: regardless of Zhang Zhiwen's true feelings, securing him was the priority. This would ensure her future stability. After all, it wasn't as if Zhang Zhiwen was completely indifferent to her.

Hee Qingqing's fear was that her desire to be with Zhang Zhiwen might not be reciprocated. She noticed how many women at the company sent him longing glances. She had even caught him in the act once, but Zhang Zhiwen denied it, claiming it was merely a friendly gesture. But was holding hands necessary for just a simple favor?

Now that she belonged to him, she felt devalued, weary of the novelty-seeking nature of men. For the sake of her family, herself, and the future of her child, Hee Qingqing was resolved to keep Zhang Zhiwen close. She was determined not to let him slip away.

"Hubby, I'm thinking of leaving the company. A friend has offered me a partnership. What do you think?"

"Why leave a good thing? You've been with this company for so long; leaving now would be such a waste."

Zhang Zhiwen pondered, "What is she up to now? She wants to quit? Who will liaise with the manager for me then? I can't afford to lose an ally like her."

Hee Qingqing didn't genuinely want to resign; she was merely leveraging the situation to pressure Zhang Zhiwen into marrying her, seeking a sense of security and peace of mind. She aimed to avoid ending up with nothing.

"I really don't want to leave, but I'm exhausted from running around at the company every day. I'm looking for a less stressful job. Honey, let's get married. We've been together for so long, it seems like the right time."

"Why the rush to marry me? I have nothing to offer you right now. It wouldn't be fair to you. Let's wait another two years, just a bit longer."

Zhang Zhiwen deflected Hee Qingqing's advances, fully aware that she feared he would abandon her because she was pregnant and wanted to secure their relationship. He wasn't naive enough to be trapped that easily. Yet, if he refused to marry her, she would quit her job. He was in a bind.

She was quite strategic; it wouldn't be easy to outmaneuver her.

"Honey, here's my thought: if we get married, I'll stay at the company and continue to support you for a while. If we're not rushing into marriage, then I'll join my friend's company. By the time you've made a name for yourself, I'll be established too. Then, it'll be the perfect time for us to get married, right?"

"Qingqing, listen, marriage isn't a trivial matter; it's significant. We can't take it lightly. It's not just about us; it's about bringing our families together. My mother hasn't even met you yet. Shouldn't we introduce our parents to each other first?"

"Oh, right. I forgot about that. You're always so thoughtful."

"There's a lot to do when getting married. We can't rush it."

"You know, since the company forbids office romances, why don't we just get the marriage certificate first and skip the wedding banquet for now? That way, we won't risk the news getting out."

Hee Qingqing could tell that Zhang Zhiwen was just making excuses, citing the lack of time to plan a wedding and the many considerations as reasons to delay. The ceremony might be dispensable, but the marriage was not. If they didn't secure the marriage certificate soon, what would she do as her belly continued to grow?

"Honey, look around – so many of our friends are already married, and some even have kids who come up to me and call me 'auntie.' Can you blame me for feeling anxious? My mom is on the phone every month, pushing me to tie the knot."

"This is a big city, where people focus on their careers. It's perfectly normal to marry later here. It's not like the countryside, where some marry right after middle school. Here, getting married in your thirties or forties is commonplace. Let's not rush into marriage just yet. I'm swamped with the Hainan project – if I don't nail it, my job could be on the line."

Understanding his stress, Hee Qingqing knew she couldn't press him further and reluctantly let the matter rest.