If He Xuezhu had given birth to a daughter, and then “accidentally” became pregnant with Lin Shiheng’s child…
Her eyes gradually lit up with hope.
In the courtyard, rumors began to spread slowly. While He Xuezhu was pampered by her husband, her relationship with her mother-in-law was terrible.
These rumors seemed believable, and although no one took them seriously, they weighed heavily on their minds. The issue was that no one had the courage to tell He Xuezhu.
Miao Xing, not particularly clever with major affairs but savvy about underhanded tactics, knew that conflict doesn’t erupt suddenly; it accumulates over time. She had let Zhou Qianqian spread rumors about how Lin Shiheng’s mother made He Xuezhu do hard labor and looked down on her.
Even if Lin Shiheng’s mother arrived and heard these rumors, she would likely dismiss them as mere gossip about her daughter-in-law spoken behind her back, deepening the rift between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
Even if He Xuezhu had a son, raising a child carries its own burdens. Coupled with the existing rumors, the two women could never coexist peacefully.
Recently, she had started to take care of herself, dipping into her personal savings to buy several new outfits and cosmetics.
She had to make a good impression on Lin Shiheng’s mother; if she could win her over, Miao Xing would find it much easier to get what she wanted.
On the day Miao Xing had carefully prepared for, Lin Shiheng finally took a vacation he had been saving up. It was rare for him not to be in military uniform; cheerful, he borrowed a car to take care of business.
When asked where he was going, he answered with a smile, “I’m picking up my mom from the train today.”
Not long after Lin Shiheng left, He Xuezhu sat down in the yard with a book in hand, waiting for him and her mother-in-law’s return.
Zhou Qianqian and Miao Xing, along with a group of women, were sewing under a tree. They watched He Xuezhu, who was pregnant yet seemed graceful rather than cumbersome as she basked in the warm winter sun. Zhou Qianqian’s tone dripped with derision and jealousy, “Look at her, afraid her mother-in-law thinks she’s not caring enough, waiting at the door. She’s been sitting here for over an hour; she must be frightened.”
Miao Xing shook her head disapprovingly and said, “She should have gone with Shiheng. It’s not proper for the mother-in-law to come to meet her daughter-in-law.”
“That’s true,” Zhou Qianqian replied, feeling vindicated. “But she might be scared. Didn’t she often get scolded by her mother-in-law? Maybe she’s worried about getting a backlash when she goes outside.”
Sister Zhang had gotten along well with He Xuezhu recently. Unable to listen anymore, she frowned. “Don’t spread baseless rumors; it can lead to serious consequences.”
“Who is spreading rumors?” Zhou Qianqian challenged. Rather than back down, she argued vigorously, “Everyone knows He Xuezhu isn’t favored by her mother-in-law! Isn’t that common knowledge?”
“Common knowledge? Then tell me, if the regiment commander’s mother has never been here, why are there so many rumors about her not liking Xuezhu?” Sister Zhang scoffed. “Don’t think everyone is blind. What’s the use of going around spreading this nonsense? Lies are lies and will never become truth.”
“Who said it’s a lie?” Zhou Qianqian retorted, her face growing angry. “What I said is true!”
“What? Are you going to pull out that plastic bag bet again if you can’t prove it?” Zhou Qianqian’s dark expression turned sour; she had tried to forget about the plastic bag incident, but now, months later, it resurfaced, igniting her fury.
“I tell you, what I said is true. I’d be willing to eat dirt off the ground if it’s not!”
“Alright! Everyone heard that. If you can’t back it up this time, you’ll have to stay home forever. You’ll be too embarrassed to show your face!”
Just as she finished speaking, Lin Shiheng’s borrowed car slowly drove into the courtyard.
The car door opened, but before Lin Shiheng could reach it, the door swung open by itself.
An elderly lady rushed out of the car, spotting He Xuezhu and heading straight towards her.
“Oh my darling Xuezhu! Let me see, you’ve lost weight, haven’t you? You must have felt terrible without me to make you chicken soup.”
“Mom! This time I brought back several old hens from our hometown. Let’s make up for all the nourishment!”
Lin Shiheng watched this scene with a smile. Upon seeing several women under the tree, he turned back to converse with his mother and wife before walking over to them.
“Let me introduce you; this is my mom.”
“Mom, these are all the families of soldiers. We live in the same courtyard, and when I’m away, they help take care of Xuezhu.”
Upon hearing that, Li Chunhua’s face lit up with happiness. She grabbed the hand of one of the girls and thanked them profusely. “Thank you so much! Really, I appreciate you all. Shiheng is still young and doesn’t have much experience, and I worry so much at home. I’m afraid he won’t take care of Xuezhu well. Thank you, thank you!”
As she spoke, she occasionally glanced at the pregnant He Xuezhu as if feeling pity for her daughter-in-law for all the grievances she must have suffered.
Zhou Qianqian, who was being shaken and thanked by her, thought… Didn’t she just claim to dislike this daughter-in-law?