141. Pregnancy or a Car Accident (Supplementary)

The days of summer were long and the time ample. A group of them played until the sun dipped below the horizon and twilight descended. They had scoured the place so thoroughly—not just the shallows, but the very mud itself—that they finally stopped to wash their hands and feet at the nearby embankment before putting on their shoes to head home.

As they went to fetch their bicycles, Shen Mo suddenly turned to Wang Ke and asked, "How about we come back tomorrow? What do you think?"

Wang Ke hesitated, but before she could answer, Mao Shanshan, who was visiting for the first time, chimed in eagerly, "Yes, please! I want to come back and play too."

Liu Bei added, "Count me in. I want to play as much as I can before the summer homework starts."

The rest of the group, still in high spirits, echoed the sentiment. They turned to Fang Chang'an, who laughed and said, "Don't look at me. If you’re willing to come, I’m not going to chase you away, am I? Besides, I’m not providing meals, and this river doesn't belong to me."

Wang Ke and Liu Bei remained hesitant. The others lived in town and could easily ride their bikes over, but both of them lived in the countryside. More importantly, they both lived north of town; cycling there was quite a distance, and the weather was sweltering. Today, they had been driven over by Shen Cheng'an at Shen Mo's request, and they couldn't keep inconveniencing him like that.

Sensing their hesitation, Shen Mo smiled and said, "Don't worry about it. My uncle is very free right now. Since we're on break, he doesn't have to sell steamed buns, and my aunt has her driver's license now, so she can drive too."

"Teacher Cheng has a driver's license?" Fang Chang'an was startled. "Did she pass the test herself?"

In these times, driving school regulations were remarkably lax; many people didn't even bother to learn how to drive, let alone take an exam—they simply paid a fee and received their license.

Fang Chang'an remembered very clearly that in his previous life, Cheng Mengfei had only taught their class through the first year of junior high. After that summer, she stopped teaching them. He had had very little contact with her at the time and never knew the specific reason. Rumors had offered two versions: one claimed she had been in a car accident, and the other that she had become pregnant.

Fang Chang'an had kept this matter in the back of his mind. He had once been quite conflicted, unsure of what had actually happened to Cheng Mengfei that summer. If it were a car accident, he might have been able to offer a warning or help; if it were a pregnancy, there was nothing he could do. Of course, he didn't hope for a car accident—he only wished for her to continue as their head teacher. If it were an accident, he might be able to change things; but a pregnancy... it would feel strange if his rebirth were the cause of a pregnancy that hadn't occurred on the original timeline.

Still, if he thought about it carefully, it wasn't impossible. As long as it wasn't an accidental pregnancy, there were logical explanations. For instance, perhaps the elderly family members and the couple themselves had felt a sense of emptiness after Shen Mo transferred schools, and a nudge from the elders might have prompted Cheng Mengfei and Shen Cheng'an to decide on having a child. Because of his own influence, Shen Mo hadn't transferred schools after the winter break, delaying that process. Furthermore, the improvement in Class Four's grades might have ignited Cheng Mengfei's professional ambition to lead the students to graduation before having a child.

"Yeah, my aunt got it a couple of days ago. She even went out driving yesterday." Shen Mo, oblivious to Fang Chang'an's concerns, looked proud of her aunt as she told Wang Ke and Liu Bei, "Don't worry, we'll all come back together tomorrow."

Wang Ke and Liu Bei, who had both wanted to keep playing, looked at each other and agreed.

Fang Chang'an, however, was genuinely alarmed. Over the past year, he had grown grateful for and developed a bond with Cheng Mengfei and her husband. His rebirth had already affected many things. Specifically, Shen Mo's decision not to transfer and her playful nature could further influence the couple. If Cheng Mengfei were truly destined for a car accident, and in his past life she hadn't returned to school for a year, there was a risk that his interference might have exacerbated the situation.

Whether it was due to the dry season or the fish not having time to grow, they had caught significantly fewer fish than in the previous autumn. Shen Mo and the others couldn't carry them all, so Fang Chang'an shared some with Fang Dianqiu's family and took the rest home, keeping the liveliest ones in a basin to keep them alive. He reminded the others to bring plastic bags tomorrow so they could take some home, as the catch wouldn't be enough to go around otherwise.

Afterward, Fang Chang'an called Shen Cheng'an. After mentioning that Shen Mo had returned home, he asked, "Uncle Shen, I heard from Mo Mo that Teacher Cheng got her driver's license?"

Shen Cheng'an laughed. "Mo Mo told you, did she? It’s true, she just got it."

Fang Chang'an took a breath and asked, "And... did Teacher Cheng actually go to training? Did she take the test herself?"

"She didn't train—too much of a waste of time—but she did take the test. Took her two tries to pass." Shen Cheng'an didn't hide anything. "Why do you ask?"

Fang Chang'an exhaled and said, "Mo Mo and the others said they want to come back tomorrow, and they mentioned that Teacher Cheng could drive them. I was just worried that since she’s new to driving, she might be excited and want to do it."

Shen Cheng'an caught his drift and chuckled. "What are you thinking? That’s such a long drive; even if she wanted to go, I wouldn't let her. Don't worry, I'll be the one driving."

"That's good to hear."

Fang Chang'an nodded and added, "You need to be firm, Uncle Shen. Don't let her give you a look or act sweet and make you lose all your principles and boundaries."

"You brat, what kind of talk is that?" Shen Cheng'an was both annoyed and amused. "Am I that spineless?"

"Yes!" Fang Chang'an replied honestly.

"Go on, you're looking for a beating, aren't you?"

"I'm serious. At the very least, don't let Teacher Cheng drive alone. Even in town, if she's driving, you should be right there with her. Keep that in mind."

"I know, don't you worry. With her skills, I wouldn't feel comfortable letting her drive alone either."

Although Shen Cheng'an didn't understand why Fang Chang'an was being so solemn, he hadn't intended to let his wife drive alone anyway, so he readily agreed.

After hanging up, Fang Chang'an thought about it, but other than the warning, there was little else he could do. He hoped this would at least heighten Shen Cheng'an’s safety awareness.

The next day, the sun wasn't too harsh. After Shen Mo and the others arrived, Fang Chang'an led them into the water a bit earlier, choosing a wider stretch of the river. They caught enough fish for everyone to take some home.

Shen Mo brought some home, fried them that evening, and called Fang Chang'an to say how delicious they were.

Fang Chang'an told her, "Don't come to play tomorrow. We've played for two days straight; it's time to rest. Besides, I have something to take care of in town."

"What are you doing?"

"I was just about to ask you. Do you know of any cake shops in town? Nothing too expensive."

"Your birthday isn't for a while, is it?"

"It's Changming's birthday."

"Oh! Let me ask my aunt and uncle; they should know."

"Great."

Fang Changming's birthday was on the 18th day of the fifth lunar month, which fell on July 5th—tomorrow. Initially, fearing his mother would scold him for being wasteful, Fang Chang'an hadn't planned on buying a cake. He hadn't bought one for his younger sister Yanran's eighth birthday earlier that year, either; he had just boiled an egg for her.

However, because of Cheng Mengfei's license, Fang Chang'an still felt uneasy. He planned to head over to check on her and offer a few more words of caution—it was the most he could do. Since he was going to town, he might as well buy a cake for Changming. He had never had a birthday like that growing up. When Yanran's birthday came around this year, he would buy her one too.

This semester, Fang Chang'an had made over forty thousand yuan. Although he had invested it all in stocks, it was appreciating. He had kept two thousand in his card for emergencies, so he could afford a cake. After all, even the income he reported to his mother was three thousand a month.

The next morning, Shen Cheng'an called to say he knew a great cake shop. The owner was an acquaintance, so he’d called ahead and ordered a ten-inch cream cake for Fang Chang'an to pick up in the evening.

It was hot, and there was no refrigerator at home, so the cake wouldn't last long. Fang Chang'an waited until the sun began to set before heading out. He went to Shen Cheng'an's house first, as the shop was a bit out of the way and Shen had offered to show him the way.

As soon as he walked in, he ran into Shen Cheng'an, who was about to leave. Seeing him, Shen Cheng'an laughed. "Perfect timing. Gou Zhu—that Uncle Gou of yours—has something going on, and I need to head over there. I've already called the cake shop; they'll send the cake over here shortly."

Cheng Mengfei said with a pout, "I told you I could go pick it up myself. You go do your thing, I can drive too."

"You go do your thing—you've got to be kidding. With your skills, how could I be comfortable letting you drive alone?" Shen Cheng'an looked both helpless and speechless. "Besides, Chang'an called me specifically a day or two ago, worried that you'd try to drive Mo Mo to pick up her classmates. Do you think he'd dare ride in your car?"

Cheng Mengfei laughed, annoyed, and glared at Fang Chang'an. "Don't trust your teacher, huh? Next time you come over, I'll drive you back to school."

Fang Chang'an gave a dry laugh. "Teacher Cheng, why don't you practice a bit more with Uncle Shen? Wait until you're comfortable before you go out on your own."

"I'm quite comfortable already!" Cheng Mengfei clearly wasn't convinced. She looked to Shen Mo for support. "Right, Mo Mo?"

"Mm-hmm!"

Shen Mo had likely ridden along while Shen Cheng'an practiced with her, and she nodded vigorously to support her aunt. "Auntie is very steady when she drives, just a little slow."

Cheng Mengfei smiled. "That's just me being safe."

Just then, someone called out from the courtyard—a middle-aged man Fang Chang'an didn't recognize. Shen Cheng'an answered, and just as he was about to grab his keys, the man said, "I drove over. Just hop in with me."

"Alright, I'm off then." Shen Cheng'an said to his wife and left with the man.

Fang Chang'an was about to watch some TV while waiting for the cake when Cheng Mengfei looked at the car keys on the coffee table. Her eyes darted between Shen Mo and Fang Chang'an. She walked over, picked up the keys, tossed them into the air, and caught them. She said to Fang Chang'an, "Come on, Teacher will take you for a spin. Let me show you what I can do, so you'll stop doubting me!"

"No, no, no!" Fang Chang'an was startled and refused without hesitation. "Forget it, Teacher Cheng. I believe you! I really do!"

Cheng Mengfei said, "Then let's go!"

"I already believe you, so there's no need to prove it, right?"

"If you believe me, why are you afraid to ride in my car?"

"I'm not afraid! I’m just saying it's unnecessary."

Fang Chang'an hadn't expected that Cheng Mengfei, who usually seemed so mature, could have such a childish side. He couldn't tell if she was just still riding the high of her new license and looking for an excuse to drive.

"Come on, let's go."

Cheng Mengfei walked over to pull him up. Fang Chang'an leaned back into the sofa, his survival instincts kicking in so hard that he kicked his legs out, flailing like a turtle stuck on its back. His whole body screamed refusal. "I'm not going, I'm not going! Teacher Cheng, I beg you! Please, please don't go!"

Shen Mo found his awkward, funny posture hilarious and couldn't stop laughing. Cheng Mengfei was both annoyed and amused; she reached out to tug at his ear, but Fang Chang'an retracted his neck and dodged.

She sighed, feeling both defeated and amused. "Fine, fine. If you won't go, you won't go. Mo Mo, let's go. Just us two—we won't take him!"

Saying this, she turned to leave with the keys. Shen Mo chirped a sweet "Okay!" and started to follow.

Fang Chang'an scrambled off the sofa. "Wait, wait! I'll go, I'll go."

Since he couldn't stop them, he had no choice but to follow. If something happened, maybe he could at least help. Otherwise, they’d really be at the mercy of fate.

Seeing him follow, Cheng Mengfei gave a satisfied "Hmph." "That's better."

She told the auntie she was leaving, walked to the car, and sat in the driver's seat. Shen Mo automatically climbed into the back, and Fang Chang'an chose the front passenger seat.

Cheng Mengfei understood his intent and smiled. "Still worried?"

"Uncle Shen isn't here, so I feel safer sitting here," Fang Chang'an replied.

Cheng Mengfei shot him a look, started the engine with confidence, then hesitated as she glanced at the rearview mirror. Seeing her pause, Fang Chang'an asked, "Teacher Cheng, what's wrong?"

Cheng Mengfei looked a bit embarrassed. "Your Uncle Shen didn't pull the car out to face forward. Why don't you go outside and guide me?"

Fang Chang'an nodded, feeling slightly more at ease. At least Teacher Cheng had the self-awareness not to blindly reverse out.

Cheng Mengfei rolled down the window, and Fang Chang'an went outside to direct her. "Back up slowly... turn the wheel to the right... slow down, no rush."

Throughout the process, he stood far away, watching the car with extreme vigilance, ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble. After all, he’d seen news reports of wives killing their husbands while reversing into parking spots, or getting themselves crushed while looking out the back. Compared to that, a teacher killing a student while reversing out of a driveway didn't seem so far-fetched.