Chapter 198: Where the Heart Lies

Master Liu was too busy to handle everything himself, so he sent someone over to ask Lu Chuan to come and lend a hand.

Lu Chuan replied decisively, “My wife’s pregnant. I don’t have time.”

Everyone was stunned by his answer. Master Liu’s young apprentice said, “Boss, you said it yourself—your wife is pregnant, not you. What are you so busy with?”

Lu Chuan was basically dragged over by Master Liu.

To be honest, given Lu Chuan’s current state, even if he wanted to help, Master Liu wouldn’t really want his help. He’d just be in the way.

The only reason Master Liu called him over was because he saw Lu Chuan pacing anxiously outside his house, looking completely lost. He figured giving him something to do would help calm his nerves.

Master Liu tried to comfort him, “Once you have your second or third child, you won’t be this nervous.”

Lu Chuan replied, “It’s easy to say when it’s not happening to you. No matter how many you have, it’s never easy. I’m still nervous.”

Master Liu was so exasperated he didn’t even want to talk anymore. At his age, if his wife suddenly got pregnant, that would be a real crisis. Does this kid even know what he’s saying?

Master Liu snapped at Lu Chuan, “I shouldn’t have bothered trying to talk sense into you.”

Lu Chuan, having learned from Fang Yuan’s sharp tongue, shot back, “This isn’t something you can talk someone out of.”

Worried that Master Liu might get too worked up, the young apprentice quickly led him away.

Another apprentice came over to Lu Chuan. “Congrats, Lu! That’s great news!”

Lu Chuan couldn’t stop grinning, so happy he could barely close his mouth. “I actually forgot to buy candy!” he said, and dashed off like the wind.

Master Liu’s other apprentice said, “See, Master? If we just give Lu something to do, we won’t have to deal with his nerves.”

Master Liu shook his head. “Young people these days, so jumpy. It’s just a baby.”

The apprentice replied, “You’re right, Master, but now that the boss is going to have a kid, he’ll probably come around here less often. That’s not a bad thing.”

Master Liu agreed, “That’s about the only good part. It’s not that I mind her coming by, I just mind her making trouble. I’ve fixed everything here, but she brings in a unicycle for me to repair. Does she even think before she acts? And if I can’t fix it, she complains about my skills. Is that fair?”

Every word was heartfelt, every word a complaint.

The apprentice really felt for his master. Fixing a unicycle wasn’t about skill. “Master, just think of it as practice for us.”

Master Liu grumbled, “Even my apprentices can’t fix that thing.”

For the first time, the two apprentices realized how high Master Liu’s expectations were for them. It took the boss’s wife to get the truth out of him.

They started to flatter him, “Master, once our new equipment arrives and the repair shop is upgraded, you’ll be the chief supervisor.”

Master Liu was clear-headed, “That would drive the boss’s wife crazy.”

The apprentices quickly said, “Let’s not talk about it. The boss’s wife is pregnant—we shouldn’t jinx it.”

Master Liu wasn’t a bad guy, so he changed his tune right away, “The boss’s wife just can’t stand to see me idle.”

The apprentices laughed. Their master understood things well enough.

Meanwhile, as soon as Fang Yuan woke up, Lu Chuan hurried over with a meal he’d brought from the school cafeteria and set it in front of her.

While Fang Yuan ate, Lu Chuan reported on his day: he’d handed out celebratory candies at the construction site and at the repair shop, and even gave everyone a pack of cigarettes.

Fang Yuan lost her appetite. “You handed out cigarettes? Those are expensive! We’re about to buy new equipment, and we don’t have much money left.”

Lu Chuan replied, “It’s a happy occasion! I already made you compromise when we got married—I can’t let you feel shortchanged when we’re having a baby.”

Fang Yuan looked down at her still-flat belly. “We’re not having the baby yet.”

Lu Chuan said, “You’re pregnant, so it’s only a matter of time. Same thing.”

Fang Yuan didn’t quite agree. The baby had just been conceived, and he was already throwing money around.

But since he’d already given out the gifts, she let it go. She wasn’t stingy.

Hearing all that Lu Chuan had done, Fang Yuan felt a bit sorry for him. “You’ve been busy all day. How did you get so much done?”

Lu Chuan replied, “I can’t sit still. I’m too anxious.”

Fang Yuan nodded, “If I were awake, I wouldn’t be able to sit still either.”

Well, at least the two of them were in sync.

They looked at each other and laughed, not holding back at all.

Fang Yuan stroked her belly. “Finally, we have one. It wasn’t easy.”

Lu Chuan quickly reminded her, “Be gentle.”

Fang Yuan said, “You don’t have to be that careful. I won’t hurt it. I used to think you didn’t really want a child.”

Lu Chuan replied, “Of course I did! But I didn’t want you to feel pressured. Even if I wanted one, I couldn’t say it in front of you.”

Then he added, “But now that we have one, I have to cherish it. Just thinking about our child makes me excited.”

Fang Yuan said, “Alright, cherish it all you want. Just don’t go overboard with spending, especially not like you did today. That was too much.”

Lu Chuan agreed, “I’ll listen to you. By the way, do you feel okay? You slept so long—are you alright?”

Fang Yuan replied, “I’m fine. I actually feel great.”

Then she said, “When I get a chance, I want to go back to the village and walk around.”

She still remembered how she’d been upset by Li Meng’s pregnancy and wanted to show off a bit.

Lu Chuan protested, “No way. Until the baby is born, we’re staying here and taking good care of you. Our child is precious, and you’re even more precious. There’s no need to go back to the village just to show off. If you want to, I’ll go and hand out candy for you. No need for you to do anything.”

Fang Yuan said, “You really have a bad habit of spending money at the drop of a hat. But this time, it’s worth it.” She did want to show off.

Lu Chuan immediately reflected, “I was too hasty. Fifth Brother went back to get your mom—I should have had him hand out the candy.”

Fang Yuan knew her mom was too busy with her business to come. “I doubt my mom will have time to come.”

Lu Chuan said, “Doesn’t matter whose mom it is, as long as one of them comes. Both would be even better—we have plenty of room here.”

When Fang Yuan heard there was enough room, she said, “Then why are you still here? Shouldn’t we get the house ready? We don’t even have enough bedding.”

Lu Chuan said, “It’s summer. Don’t worry. When our moms come, they can bring their own.”

Fang Yuan turned to look at him. “My mom always says you’re filial—is this what you call filial?”

Lu Chuan replied, “You don’t need to worry about it.”

Lu Chuan’s plan was to treat Fang Yuan like a queen. Fang Yuan said, “The doctor said I just need to take it easy.”

Lu Chuan agreed, “The doctor’s right. When the elders come, we’ll listen to them.”

Alright, for the sake of the baby, Fang Yuan nodded her approval.

Both Fang Yuan and Lu Chuan realized they were both a bit flustered, jumping from one topic to another, never sticking to anything for long.

In the end, their attention settled on Fang Yuan’s belly. “I’m just so happy,” she said.

Fang Yuan meant it—she really was happy. And from then on, all their talk was about the baby.

199."