Take Me Away, My Love - Chapter 13 - The Marriage
“Enough, everyone! I’ll get married!”
To everyone’s surprise, just as the argument had intensified, Xiu’er, who had been hiding inside the house, rushed out and declared to everyone around her.
“Xiu’er!”
Even Zhang Xiang, no matter how timid he might be, would never joke about his sister’s future.
In the past, the plan about Jian Yiqing was made because Jian Yiqing was indeed a good man, and Zhang Bin, who had grown up with him, knew his nature well. Marrying this guy would be like jumping into a fire pit, and Zhang Xiang could not tolerate such a thing happening.
“Brother, do you think, given my current situation, any decent man would still want to marry me?”
Xiu’er’s words left Zhang Xiang speechless and unable to retort.
Indeed, the incident involving Xiu’er had become widely known. How could anyone still be willing to marry her? Her previous situation already made it difficult for her to hold her head high, and now this incident happened again. How could such a young girl continue to live on Zhenmu Island?
“Zhang Bin, I want you to come with a palanquin carried by eight people1. Can you do that?”
Xiu’er’s words made Zhang Bin grin from ear to ear, nodding like a pecking chicken.
“Alright then, bring the bridal palanquin the day after tomorrow.”
After saying that, regardless of her brother and sister-in-law’s sighs outside or Zhang Bin’s delight, she returned to the room.
Xiu’er was seething with anger. How could she not hate the situation? If it weren’t for this unexpected mishap, how could she end up marrying Zhang Bin?
Jian Yiqing and Li Minchun must have been behind all this. If they wouldn’t let her live peacefully, she would ensure their lives were miserable. From this moment, Xiu’er began to harbor deep hatred for Li Minchun and Jian Yiqing.
She was determined to ruin them before she was satisfied!
Yet, regardless of her feelings, it seemed to have no impact on the peaceful lives of Li Minchun and Jian Yiqing.
“Did you hear, my wife? Xiu’er is getting married today,” Jian Yiqing said with a mysterious smile on his face, appearing quite pleased.
Li Minchun smiled and replied, “What’s so surprising about that? People here are more closed off than those outside. The gaze and gossip of others alone would be enough to torment Xiu’er. Marriage is her only available path.”
Regarding this matter, Li Minchun took it in stride. However, she then expressed her own concerns, “I think there might be something wrong with us, which is why all these things are happening.”
“What do you mean?”
“For the people on Zhenmu Island, we’re outsiders, and we’re too conspicuous…” As she spoke, Li Minchun had an epiphany and quickly added with a smile, “I get it. From now on, whether in life or interactions, we should keep a low profile. Isn’t it better to remain unremarkable?”
“You’re absolutely right. My wife is truly wise,” Jian Yiqing complimented her, taking advantage of her good mood.
Yet, Li Minchun voiced another worry, “Being attached to you like this, could I be harming you?”
With that thought, she looked at Jian Yiqing with a worried expression, her eyes filled with deep sorrow and guilt.
“Why would you say that?” Jian Yiqing found it a bit unbelievable. Only when he was with Li Minchun did he feel like he was truly living, truly smiling. So how could she say it was harming him?
Li Minchun continued, “Even though you’re a talented president, I’ve trapped you on this small Zhenmu Island. Every day you’re surrounded by fishermen living a simple life, discussing trivial matters with them. I’m really afraid you’ll feel wronged.”
These were Li Minchun’s heartfelt thoughts.
Even though she was very happy when they first arrived on Zhenmu Island, thinking it was fate’s way of providing her with a fine environment to calmly and safely give birth to their child, as time passed, her worries resurfaced intensely, causing her to feel quite anxious.
What will happen if one day Jian Yiqing gets tired of her and dislikes her for being an old woman?
Today’s visitor was Xiu’er, who Jian Yiqing doesn’t care much for. But what if tomorrow it’s another woman whom he actually likes? Li Minchun didn’t dare to continue imagining.
“Do you know what you look like right now?” Jian Yiqing said with a chuckle, “You look like a woman pining away in her boudoir, overthinking everything.”
Saying this, he pulled Li Minchun tightly into his arms. “Silly, in my heart, you’re the only one. You’re the only one who can ever enter my heart in this lifetime. I know pregnant women tend to let their imaginations run wild, but there’s one thing I ask of you: no matter how much you think or worry, don’t doubt me. Always trust me, okay?”
Such a simple sentence meant more than a thousand “I love you.”
Li Minchun hugged the man beside her tightly, her face beaming with happiness. “I trust you.”
In her heart, though, she was secretly thinking that Jian Yiqing only had two years left to wait.
Just wait, until the baby is born and when I have recovered, I will set out to sea to find the world’s most potent antidote for you, to rid you of all the toxins in your body.
Then, you’ll be able to live like a normal person, watching the sun rise and set, and then slowly grow old.
As time passed day by day, Li Minchun’s belly gradually grew larger, and her movements became increasingly cumbersome.
Watching her belly grow bigger, like a balloon slowly inflating, Li Minchun marveled at the miracle of life.
Sometimes, the little one inside would kick her belly, making her feel so full and joyful.
In just a few days, it would be time for the baby to be born, but Jian Yiqing’s expression didn’t look too good. What was wrong with him?
“Husband…”
Li Minchun walked over to him, gently shook his shoulder, and called out softly.
Perhaps startled by her greeting, Jian Yiqing suddenly burst out, furiously exclaiming, “This is really such a terrible place! Not even one decent obstetrician can be found!”
As he spoke, he angrily held Li Minchun’s hand, repeatedly saying, “Do you know? These past few days, I’ve almost scoured the entire Zhenmu Island looking for a good obstetrician for you. But all these people claim they’re very knowledgeable about it!”
“So many people being knowledgeable is a good thing, isn’t it?” Li Minchun cheerfully comforted him.
Hearing her words, Jian Yiqing was about to lose it, “Wife, don’t you see? They’re used to having babies at home with the help of midwives, and that’s what they call ‘knowledgeable’?”
“But isn’t that how babies were traditionally delivered? Plus, this place is a bit more traditional. Are you expecting a male doctor to help them…”
At this moment, Li Minchun realized she had misspoken.
To be honest, if they hadn’t ended up here, Ru Long, who happens to be a man, might have been the one delivering her baby.
“I don’t care; I must find a good doctor.” After saying this, Jian Yiqing was still resolved to go out and continue searching. Li Minchun quickly grabbed him and said, “Husband, even if you search the entire Zhenmu Island, the result will be the same. I think we should ask Xiao Ru’s mom to help us, don’t you agree?”
Upon hearing Li Minchun’s suggestion, Jian Yiqing furrowed his brow but didn’t object this time.
Seeing that he didn’t object, Li Minchun continued persuading him, “Xiao Ru’s mom has experience with childbirth, and we’re familiar with her. Rather than entrusting our lives to those we barely know, it would be more reassuring to rely on Xiao Ru’s mom.”
Li Minchun seemed to make some sense, so Jian Yiqing nodded, which was as good as agreeing.
In recent days, Jian Yiqing has been diligently catching fish, having heard that eating more fish is beneficial for pregnant women. He would often bring back some fish and shrimp whenever he could.
“Be a good girl and eat this all up,” he would say.
Looking at the large bowl of fish in front of her, Li Minchun felt full just by looking at it. How could she find the appetite to eat? Naturally, she didn’t want to pick up her chopsticks.
However, Jian Yiqing was unfazed by her lack of enthusiasm. “You’re about to become a mom, so you need to take care of your body. Look how thin you are. You have to eat more to regain the strength you’ll need for childbirth, understand?”
No matter how hard Jian Yiqing tried to convince her, Li Minchun still refused to touch the food.
Eating fish every day had become tiresome. She longed for the taste of fresh vegetables, but unfortunately, there was only fish available.
“But I really don’t want to eat. How about skipping it?”
Li Minchun pleaded pitifully at Jian Yiqing, who maintained his firm demeanor. “Do you think I’ll agree to that?”
Li Minchun shook her head in resignation.
“Then why resist when you know the outcome? Eat it all up!”
When he gave orders, it was as if they were imperial decrees; he might feel pleased with himself, but Li Minchun felt suffocated.
Oh my god, how did things get like this?
“I really don’t want to eat,” Li Minchun quickly covered her mouth, fearing he might force her. She wasn’t in a condition to wrestle with Jian Yiqing. Once, because of a meal dispute, that brute had made her drink down a whole bowl of fish soup.
She still remembers that experience vividly and doesn’t want a repeat.
“Jian Yiqing, if sister doesn’t want to eat, just let it be…”
Xiao Ru’s mom couldn’t stand to see Jian Yiqing forcing Li Minchun to eat more. Preferences can’t be imposed, right?
Unfortunately, Jian Yiqing remained strict and unmoved by Xiao Ru’s mom’s plea. With a stern face, he said, “No way. You haven’t eaten all day, and your health will suffer if this goes on. Whatever happens, you must finish this fish today, or else don’t expect to sleep.”
“But I don’t want to eat…”
Suddenly, Li Minchun clutched her stomach and cried out, “Ah, my stomach hurts…”
Footnote:
- A Palanquin Carried by Eight People(八抬大轿):A palanquin is a traditional form of transport in many Asian cultures, consisting of a covered seat or bed carried on poles by bearers. In this context, a palanquin carried by eight people refers to an especially grand and ceremonial version.
