The heavens set sail from the courtyard

Wang Gang works at the hospital and is unaware that He Jia Huan's job problem has fallen on his shoulders. Even if he did know, he probably wouldn't care!
If Liu Meixin thinks she can cling to Wang Gang, she is sorely mistaken.

Wang Gang has been patient during this period for two reasons: first, for the sake of his wife He Jiawen, and second, out of concern for He Changsheng's health.

As He Changsheng gradually recovered, Wang Gang had no more scruples and would not indulge Liu Meixin at all.

Although she is his mother-in-law, Wang Gang will not give in to her every whim. If things really come to that, he will cut all ties with her forever.

Anyway, there's no unbreakable blood relation.

As for He Jiawen, Wang Gang knew she could understand him, and he also knew that she was caught in the middle between her husband and his family, so he simply helped her break off all ties.

Wang Gang wasn't heartless; he just didn't really care about Liu Meixin. In the He family, only his sister-in-law He Jiali and father-in-law He Changsheng could make Wang Gang have some reservations.

He Changsheng's health was too poor, and Wang Gang was afraid that if things got out of hand, his father-in-law would die, and He Jiawen would be too heartbroken.

With the end of the workday approaching, Wang Gang, who didn't have surgery today, planned to go to the market early to buy groceries so he could enjoy some alone time with his wife and perhaps try out some new sexual positions later in the evening.

"Dr. Tang, someone outside is looking for you. They say they're your friend," said Nurse Jia as she entered the office.

"Who is it? Did they say their name?" Wang Gang put down his bag and asked.

"No, she's standing outside. I noticed she hasn't come in yet, as if she has something she can't say!" Nurse Jia said.

"Thank you! I'll go take a look."

Wang Gang walked out of the office and saw Zhang Qiufang standing in the hospital corridor, wearing a scarf to cover the bruises on her face.

"Sister Qiufang, you were looking for me, why didn't you go in?" Wang Gang asked curiously.

Zhang Qiufang felt a little embarrassed and stood there awkwardly for a long time without saying a word.

Wang Gang frowned and asked, "Sister Qiufang, are you feeling unwell?"

After hesitating for a long time, Zhang Qiufang finally spoke up: "Youmin, I have something I want to ask you!"

Wang Gang said, "Let's go into the office and talk!"

Since becoming a doctor, Wang Gang has often encountered acquaintances asking for favors, usually related to seeing a doctor or getting medicine.

Zhang Qiufang's visit this time must be because she's encountered trouble, not because she's seeking medical treatment.

"Sister Qiufang, just tell me what's wrong! I'll definitely help if I can." Wang Gang gestured for Zhang Qiufang to sit down and then poured her a glass of water.

Zhang Qiufang untied her scarf, revealing a large bruise near her eye.

“Youmin, you must have heard about my situation,” Zhang Qiufang said sadly, covering her face.

"Do you want to have your injuries checked?" Wang Gang asked tentatively.

Zhang Qiufang shook her head and said, "I want a divorce."

Wang Gang said silently, "Domestic violence only happens once or countless times. Divorce may be the best option."

Zhang Qiufang sighed, "But I'm pregnant."

Wang Gang exclaimed in surprise, "He hit you even though you were pregnant?!"

Zhang Qiufang's eyes were slightly red as she said, "Youmin, I don't want this child, but the abortion procedure requires a family member's signature."

Wang Gang was taken aback and asked, "Aunt Liu refuses to sign the papers. She doesn't want you to get a divorce?"

Zhang Qiufang said, "My mother told me to endure it for the sake of the child, but I really can't bear it anymore." Wang Gang fell silent upon hearing this.
Zhang Qiufang slowly recounted her unhappy marriage.

In 77, Aunt Liu helped Zhang Qiufang find a job as a steelworker through a friend's introduction.

The man's name was Liu Dazhu. He was quite well-known in the factory, and his father was the deputy factory director.

Aunt Liu coveted the Liu family's dowry and forced Zhang Qiufang to marry, even preventing her from attending university.

Zhang Qiufang resisted, but Aunt Liu threatened suicide and even attempted suicide by hanging. In the end, Zhang Qiufang compromised, gave up university, and married Liu Dazhu.

For the first two years, Zhang Qiufang's married life was quite good. Apart from having a difficult mother-in-law, Liu Dazhu still cared about her.

However, as the couple failed to conceive, the Liu family's attitude towards Zhang Qiufang gradually turned cold.

In recent years, the steel plant's profits have been declining, Liu Dazhu's father has gradually lost power, and Liu Dazhu has always been ostracized in the factory. His temper has become increasingly bad, especially after he started to drown his sorrows in alcohol, and he would often beat Zhang Qiufang while drunk.

At first, Zhang Qiufang endured it, but the more she endured, the more brutally Liu Dazhu beat her.

Even after Zhang Qiufang discovered she was pregnant, Liu Dazhu continued his domestic violence. Zhang Qiufang finally made up her mind to divorce him and ran back to her parents' home.

Zhang Qiufang originally thought her mother would support her divorce, but after hearing that she was pregnant, Aunt Liu strongly advised her to be patient and give Liu Dazhu another chance for the sake of the child.

Wang Gang had actually guessed what Aunt Liu was thinking; she simply didn't want her daughter to follow in her footsteps.

Aunt Liu's husband ran off with a young woman years ago, and she raised her two children alone. Naturally, she understands the hardships of being a single mother, so she doesn't want her daughter to follow in her footsteps.

It's hard for outsiders to understand domestic violence, since they're not the ones suffering the pain.

Aunt Liu was worried that her daughter would have a hard time in the future, but she didn't understand the suffering she was going through in her husband's family. In the end, it was all because of the preference for sons over daughters.

If it were Zhang Qiufang's younger brother, Zhang Qiulin, who was suffering, Aunt Liu would have already gone to their door to complain.

“Sister Qiufang, please put your hand out,” Wang Gang said.

Zhang Qiufang extended her right hand. After Wang Gang took her pulse, he frowned and said, "She is more than three months pregnant. The only option is to have an induced abortion."

Wang Gang withdrew his hand and said to Zhang Qiufang, "Sister Qiufang, the hospital has regulations that require a family member's signature for surgery, because any surgery carries risks, and the hospital cannot afford to take responsibility if something goes wrong."

Zhang Qiufang's face turned pale, and she said, "Can't you think of a way? I don't want my child to be born and see his father beating his mother."
And once the child is born, my ties with the Liu family will be truly severed!

Wang Gang sighed and said, "I can't do anything about the hospital's regulations. If I make an exception for you, you won't be able to work as a doctor anymore."

Zhang Qiufang lowered her head in disappointment and said, "I'm sorry, I was being unreasonable. I'll go back and think of another way."

Wang Gang stopped Zhang Qiufang and said, "Sister Qiufang, your child is already quite big. Apart from induced labor, other abortion methods are extremely dangerous and could very likely result in the loss of both lives. Please don't do anything foolish!"

After taking the child's pulse, Wang Gang discovered that the child was quite resilient, which explained why Zhang Qiufang hadn't experienced any accidents despite being subjected to domestic violence.

Zhang Qiufang, her face pale, asked, "Is there really no other way?"

Wang Gang said, "My suggestion is to report this to the subdistrict office. They will take care of your situation."

Zhang Qiufang said with a bitter face, "Liu Dazhu's mother works at the neighborhood office."

Wang Gang suddenly realized why Zhang Qiufang hadn't gone to the neighborhood committee but had come to him instead.

“This is a bit troublesome.” Wang Gang lowered his head and pondered, then said, “I was the one who pushed for the surgical consent process at the hospital. I can’t have an abortion for you privately. If Aunt Liu can sign, even if I have to trick her into signing, I can help you.”

Wang Gang seemed to be muttering to himself, but he was actually speaking quite loudly, and Zhang Qiufang immediately understood what he meant!
"Youmin, I have to go now." Zhang Qiufang hurriedly stood up and said, "I'll go back and try to persuade my mother again." (End of this chapter)