The pushover offended a top-tier boss

The two of them set off for Nanjing after waking up the next day.

Ye Zhenzhen missed home terribly during her time away. Although she would video chat with her parents, the time difference and inconsistent signal made them extremely worried when they heard that she was pregnant and alone there.

That's good, they're finally back.

Before the car had even come to a complete stop, the elderly couple were already waiting at the door, as if welcoming some important person.

As soon as Ye Zhenzhen got out of the car, two people grabbed her arms, one on each side. She was both amused and exasperated: "Mom and Dad, this is too much! I'm not made of paper. I'm jumping around and full of energy right now!"

As she spoke, she took a few quick steps and dashed into the yard, her movements so nimble that she didn't seem like a woman six months pregnant at all.

"Hey, slow down—" Ye's mother called out from behind, her voice filled with both anxiety and heartache.

Zhou Huaijin took out large and small bags from the trunk and followed behind. Some of them were taken by Ye's father. He glanced at the nimble figure in the yard and couldn't help but remind him, "Watch your step."

Ye Zhenzhen turned around and made a face at him, then ignored him.

Ye Zhenzhen was already favored, and now she's being treated like a princess.

The sofa had already been fitted with soft cushions and a lumbar support by Ye's mother. She also brought over a large plate of washed fruit, including strawberries, blueberries, and cherries.

"These are all freshly picked, without pesticides. I checked online, and they are low in sugar, so they are good for pregnant women."

Ye Zhenzhen leaned back on the sofa, eating fruit, like a cat that had been pampered.

"Honey, what do you want to eat? Mom will make it for you." Ye's mother tied on her apron and started rummaging through the refrigerator.

Ye Zhenzhen rattled off a long list of dishes, from braised pork ribs to sweet and sour fish, from salt and pepper shrimp to stir-fried potatoes, eggplant, and green peppers—she ordered a whole bunch.

The three people busied themselves in the kitchen, the spatulas clanging and the range hood whirring. She sat in the living room, scrolling through her phone and eating fruit, listening to the lively sounds from the kitchen, feeling incredibly at ease.

A large table of dishes was laid out, and she was given priority to eat first.

Zhou Huaijin served her food and soup, Ye's mother peeled shrimp and removed fish bones for her, and Ye's father put the tenderest chicken wing meat into her bowl. Ye Zhenzhen felt that she was treated better than the Empress Dowager.

Halfway through the meal, Zhou Huaijin put down his chopsticks: "Mom and Dad, Zhenzhen is due in three months. We plan to give birth in Bin City. We'll need your help to come and take care of her for a while."

The Ye couple readily agreed, with Mrs. Ye repeatedly saying, "Yes, yes, yes."

It's perfectly reasonable for family members to go and take care of the new mother during her postpartum period. But if you follow the ways of the wealthy, they'll have to keep her by their side so they can see their grandchildren.

There are plenty of nannies and maternity nurses at home. If we don't let them get involved, they'll worry about us. They feel most at ease when their daughter is in postpartum confinement with her own mother by her side.

She felt that her son-in-law was really thoughtful and considerate. Her daughter lived and gave birth in Binzhou, and her in-laws did not make things difficult for her.

It is often said that the essence of conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law is the husband's inaction. Indeed, if husbands could protect their wives, there would be no conflicts.

"We'll come over to take care of you when your belly gets bigger," Ye's mother patted her daughter's hand.

Ye Zhenzhen chewed on a rib and mumbled, "Mom, I still want to go back to get my PhD."

Upon hearing this, Ye's mother's expression changed: "This won't do. Her belly is getting bigger and bigger; she can't study abroad alone."

Zhou Huaijin chimed in from the side, "Mom is right."

Ye Zhenzhen knew he would pull this stunt.

"It only takes three years to graduate with a PhD abroad, but it takes five years in China," she tried to argue.

Zhou Huaijin glanced at her: "Your school has a Sino-foreign joint campus in Bin City. I had someone inquire, and it's possible to transfer your student status back here."

Ye Zhenzhen's eyes lit up immediately: "Really? Will it work?"

"It should be fine."

Ye Zhenzhen was immediately happy.

She's pregnant now, and it's impossible for her to leave the baby at home to continue her studies after giving birth. Her job at the university requires her to be in the office every day. If she could transfer her PhD to a university in China, she could graduate in three years, and by then her child would be older, which would be perfect.

It can both improve one's academic qualifications and allow one to accompany their child's growth.

However, Ye's mother remembered something else: "When are you going to have your wedding?"

"Get it done as soon as possible," Zhou Huaijin said decisively.

Ye Zhenzhen shook her head: "No, my belly is like this, how can I wear a wedding dress?"

She looked down at her pregnant belly, feeling somewhat disappointed. She had only tried on the custom-made wedding dress once in the store, and hadn't even had time to take many photos before this accident disrupted everything.

Zhou Huaijin said, "The design can be modified again."

She firmly shook her head: "I don't want to get married while I'm pregnant."

If others see this, they'll definitely laugh at us.

Seeing her resolute attitude, Ye's mother relented: "Yes, now that her belly is big, if something unexpected happens, let's wait until the baby is born before we talk about it."

Zhou Huaijin had no choice but to give up.

Ye Zhenzhen lowered her head and touched her belly, feeling a little disappointed. She still couldn't wear that beautiful wedding dress.

There are always many regrets between them.

After finishing her meal, Ye Zhenzhen went back to her small bed and took a nap.

After waking up, Zhou Huaijin said he had to go to the county government to handle some official business.

"Oh," she replied lazily.

"Want to come together?" Zhou Huaijin asked, standing at the door.

Ye Zhenzhen yawned: "I won't go if you have official business to attend to."

Zhou Huaijin reminded her, "Didn't you want to apologize to County Chief Yang?"

Thinking of this, Ye Zhenzhen still went with him.

Inside the Nanjiang County government building, a group of officials were stunned to see Secretary Zhou walk in with a pregnant woman.

Everyone immediately understood that the news of Secretary Zhou's marriage that had been circulating for some time was actually true.

Yang Guanyu's gaze fell on Ye Zhenzhen's stomach, paused for a moment, and then looked away.

His face remained expressionless as he stepped forward and politely asked, "Sir, everything is ready. Shall we begin the meeting?"

Zhou Huaijin nodded.

Yang Guanyu turned around and said to the staff around him, "Send someone to take good care of the leader's wife."

Ye Zhenzhen sat in the reception room, where various drinks and refreshments were served with respect and attentiveness.

She scrolled through her phone listlessly, and the meeting finally ended almost an hour later.

She saw Zhou Huaijin and Yang Guanyu walk out side by side, followed by several cadres who were talking in twos and threes.

After everyone left, Ye Zhenzhen walked over somewhat embarrassedly, stood in front of Yang Guanyu, and said with her head down, "Senior, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were acting at the time, and I thought... I said a lot of nasty things."

Yang Guanyu looked at her, his eyes devoid of resentment, only a faint smile. "It's alright. If I really did those things, your scolding would be too lenient."

He paused, his gaze falling on her protruding belly. "How many months pregnant?"

"Six months."

"Congratulations."

"How are you feeling?"

"fine."

"That's good."

Yang Guanyu nodded and didn't say anything more.

Now that she is his boss's wife, he should avoid any appearance of impropriety, both in terms of status and propriety.

Seeing how genuine and relaxed she was when she was by his side, he finally understood that when it comes to relationships, it's not simply about being compatible or a perfect match.

He admitted that Xu Shih-han's conditions made him waver, but he ultimately chose his conscience.

If he had to do it all over again, he would make the same choice.

He once wanted to beat Zhou Huaijin, but not through such means, but through fair competition between men.

He originally thought that Zhou Huaijin was just playing with her like a caged bird, after all, for officials of his rank, marriage was mostly a union of interests.

He never expected that Zhou Huaijin would marry her, and bring her into the public eye so openly and honestly.

This, on the contrary, made him feel a bit of admiration.