"I need to get there early today. A new batch of timber arrived at the lumber mill, and the foreman said whoever gets there first gets to choose their work."
He put down his bowl, took out a few crumpled banknotes from his pocket, and stuffed them into his wife's hand.
"Here's twenty yuan. Don't eat at the canteen for lunch; go to a state-run restaurant and get something good to eat."
Just as Li Jinhua was about to decline, Su Mingqiang stood up and kissed her on the forehead.
"I'm leaving now. Eat slowly. Remember, don't touch cold water. Leave the heavy work to me when I get back."
He walked to the door and then turned back to give him some more instructions.
"The school stairs are slippery, so hold on when going up and down."
"Okay, you can go now."
Li Jinhua waved with a smile.
After the door closed, Li Jinhua slowly savored the breakfast her husband had prepared.
The steamed egg custard melts in your mouth with a subtle sesame oil flavor; the pickled cucumber is crisp and refreshing, perfectly relieving the discomfort of morning sickness.
She recalled the day she returned home in a disheveled state, expecting to face her husband's scolding, but instead received unexpected forgiveness.
After finishing breakfast, Li Jinhua tidied up her lesson plans and straightened her collar in front of the mirror.
The woman in the mirror had a rosy complexion and her eyes had regained their long-lost sparkle.
She gently stroked her lower abdomen and whispered.
"Baby, Mommy's going to work."
The sound of students reading aloud filled the campus of the Steel Rolling Mill Primary School.
As soon as Li Jinhua entered the office, she felt several eyes on her.
Ever since she vomited in the office, rumors about her being pregnant have been circulating among her colleagues.
"Teacher Li."
Mr. Liu, the math teacher, came over.
"Vice Principal Zhang wants to see you. He wants you to go to his office as soon as you arrive at work."
Li Jinhua's fingers unconsciously clenched the lesson plan.
Since that unpleasant experience, she has avoided being alone with Zhang Haiyang.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Haiyang took the initiative to contact her today.
"Thank you, I understand."
Li Jinhua thanked them, took a deep breath, and headed towards the vice principal's office.
Standing in front of the vice principal's office, Li Jinhua raised her hand but hesitated to knock.
The sound of Zhang Haiyang talking on the phone could be heard from inside the door.
"...This matter must be handled properly...Yes, the result is needed today..."
She suddenly remembered that this man had spoken to her in a similar commanding tone before, and then...
"Teacher Li? What are you doing standing at the door? Come in!"
Zhang Haiyang's voice suddenly came from inside the door, interrupting her recollection.
Li Jinhua pushed open the door, and the smell of tobacco wafted out of the office.
Zhang Haiyang sat behind a large desk, dressed in a suit and tie, his hair neatly combed, his eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses coldly scrutinizing her.
"Close the door."
He commanded.
Li Jinhua hesitated for a moment, then left the door slightly ajar without closing it completely.
This little gesture did not escape Zhang Haiyang's eyes, and a sarcastic smile appeared on his lips.
"Did you go to the hospital?"
Zhang Haiyang got straight to the point.
Li Jinhua slightly raised her chin.
"I've gone."
"Did you fight it?"
Zhang Haiyang squinted.
Li Jinhua felt nauseous, but even more so, she felt angry.
She looked directly into Zhang Haiyang's eyes, her voice clear and firm.
"Why would I hit him? The child is my husband Su Mingqiang's."
Zhang Haiyang suddenly stood up and walked a few steps to Li Jinhua.
"What tricks are you playing on me? The child is clearly mine!"
"Vice Principal Zhang."
Li Jinhua took a step back, her back pressed against the door.
"Please have some self-respect. My husband and I have always had a normal sex life, and the child is of course his."
Zhang Haiyang's face flushed red, and his eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses flashed with a dangerous light.
"Li Jinhua, don't push your luck!"
He spoke slowly and deliberately.
"Go to the hospital now and get an abortion, otherwise!"
"Or what?"
Li Jinhua interrupted him, her voice trembling with anger.
"Will you threaten my job again? Or force me like last time?"
With Su Mingqiang backing her up, Li Jinhua was no longer the weak and easily bullied woman she once was; her temper was anything but mild.
The air in the office seemed to freeze.
Zhang Haiyang was clearly surprised that the usually docile Li Jinhua would resist like this. He was stunned for a few seconds, then sneered.
"Well, you've gotten too big for your britches, haven't you? You think you can blackmail me just because you're pregnant?"
"I didn't intend to blackmail anyone."
Li Jinhua stood up straight.
"I just want to live a peaceful life. This child is something my husband and I have longed for, and it has nothing to do with you."
Zhang Haiyang suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist, the force so strong that she winced in pain.
He said through gritted teeth.
"Li Jinhua, I'm giving you one last chance. Abort the child, or I'll make sure you can't stay at the steel mill elementary school!"
Such threats used to terrify Li Jinhua.
But at this moment.
Li Jinhua abruptly pulled her hand back and slapped Vice Principal Zhang across the face.
"Zhang Haiyang!"
She angrily called him by his name.
"You dare touch me or my child! If you dare lay a finger on them, my husband will kill your whole family! And if you harass me again, I'll report you to the education bureau for sexually assaulting a female teacher! We'll fight to the death!"
Zhang Haiyang was stunned by this sudden counterattack. He took a step back, somewhat incredulous.
"You...you're insane?"
His voice had lost its previous strength.
"Do you even know the consequences of reporting me for all your dirty deeds?"
"I don't care!"
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