"The number you have dialed is switched off. Please..."
First no answer, then the phone was switched off.
All sorts of thoughts began surfacing in Wei Zijin's mind, each more frightening than the last.
She shook her head hard.
She picked up her phone and found Yang Qingyu's contact.
The call connected, and she suddenly remembered Yang Qingyu was abroad.
She switched to WeChat and started a voice call.
It rang three times before it was answered.
"Qingyu!"
"Zijin? This early?" Yang Qingyu's voice sounded a little weak and breathless.
"How are you doing?"
"Don't even ask. I woke up spotting a few days ago. The hospital said it was a threatened miscarriage, and the doctor ordered bed rest to protect the pregnancy. I've taken several batches of medicine for it. Liu Xinyu won't let me out of bed. I'm so cooped up I'm practically growing mushrooms."
"Then do as you're told! You can't take chances!" Wei Zijin urged in a low voice, then quickly returned to her point. "Qingyu, has Xiaoliang arrived in Fucheng? His... phone's switched off. I just wanted to ask..."
Yang Qingyu paused. "He arrived yesterday. He's staying at our place. Hang on, I'll have someone check on him and call you back."
"Okay. Could you hurry? I'm feeling a little panicky."
"Zijin, you two are so in love, all right! Nothing's going to happen. Look how anxious you are."
The call ended.
Wei Zijin held her phone, staring at the screen.
One minute.
Three minutes.
Five minutes.
She got up in her slippers.
She paced. From the bed to the window, then from the window back to the bed.
Seven minutes.
She sat on the edge of the bed, then stood again.
Before ten minutes had passed, Yang Qingyu called back on WeChat.
Her heart