The meaning of this gesture couldn't be more obvious.
Ever since Hua Xiaomai became pregnant, Meng's mother had kept a tight rein on the couple, initially wanting Hua Xiaomai to sleep in the same room with her, and after failing to achieve that, her watchful eyes never strayed from her son and daughter-in-law. If the two of them so much as got close, it would prompt a scolding from her, fearing they might "get up to mischief."
Not only that, but every visit to the Baosheng Medical Hall for a checkup, Dr. Xing would repeatedly stress his advice, and on encountering Hua Xiaomai casually, he would invariably whisper a few words of caution... With so many people murmuring in one's ear day in and day out, their words buzzed in the mind like mosquitoes, ceaselessly nagging. Even if one truly wished to do something, to avoid the endless chiding, restraint was the only option, wasn't it?
