For some reason, a deep fear gripped her. But no one else seemed nearly as concerned—aside from Li Changming. Everyone else just went about their business as if nothing was amiss.
The sun had set, and people were returning from the fields in twos and threes. Zhang Huai, carrying a seedling rake on his shoulder, was walking with Zhang Dashuan and He towards their courtyard gate when he spotted Juhua squatting by his family's bamboo grove, doing who-knows-what.
He exchanged a curious glance with He, handed her the seedling rake, and walked over himself. He asked suspiciously, "Juhua, what are you doing lingering here?" 'Shouldn't she be making dinner right now?'
When Juhua saw Zhang Huai, it was as if she'd suddenly found her support. She stood up, grabbed his arm, and said urgently, "Huai Zi, Meizi's in labor!"
