Zhou Qiqi watched as her two sisters-in-law looked at each other, then simultaneously turned their gazes to her, their faces full of surprise. She smiled and went to greet them.

"Sister Chunxiao, Sister-in-law Wang, what's going on between you two...?"

She had just taken painkillers and had just earned over 800 yuan, instantly becoming a little rich woman. She felt as happy as if she had eaten honey, radiating energy, her face glowing with a rosy hue, looking joyful.

Her voice was clear and bright, like a lark's.

The two men looked her up and down, and Sister-in-law Wang spoke first, "You...are you alright?"

"What? Why am I not feeling well?"

Zhou Qiqi was completely bewildered by their questions, and seeing that they were both carrying bulging bags, she quickly ushered them into the house.

Qin Lei, that quick-witted fellow, was helping the workers move things in the backyard when he heard a commotion in the front yard. He quickly came over to pour tea and cut fruit.

Zhou Qiqi gestured with her chin toward him, "I'm here, don't bother, go to the back and lend a hand."

"Hey, sister-in-law, if you need anything, just call me. You can't do it yourself. This is a strict order from the regimental commander. If I disobey, I'll be criticized and denounced!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand and made a beheading gesture, then stuck out his tongue and made a face, which made the three women on the sofa laugh out loud, and the atmosphere in the room became much more relaxed.

Zhou Qiqi pushed the fruit plate towards her two sisters-in-law, "Sister Chunxiao, Sister Wang, what did you two say about me?"

Sister Wang pursed her lips before saying, "Last night, people in the alley were saying that you had a terrible stomachache and went to the clinic..."

"That's right, it sounds really ominous. They said you bled from your butt, and some people even said... Ugh! Those are all unlucky things, I'm not going to say anymore!"

Hu Chunxiao chimed in, but swallowed her words halfway through.

Zhou Qiqi raised an eyebrow. "What are you saying? Just tell us, we'll just listen for fun!"

Seeing that she had such a good attitude, Hu Chunxiao also relaxed and told her everything she had heard.

"They said it wasn't just a stomachache, it was a miscarriage, and you'll have to stay home and recover after childbirth."

"When we heard that, we were so worried that we didn't even go to work and quickly made an appointment to come and see you."

That's why their expressions were so somber when they first arrived at Zhou Qiqi's house.

"But you look more energetic than me, what a waste of these two cans of malted milk powder."

Seeing that she was alright, Hu Chunxiao felt relieved and started joking around, and Sister-in-law Wang chimed in.

"That's right. I was heartbroken when I heard you had a miscarriage. I dug out half a box of ginseng slices that I had left over from my postpartum period a few years ago, thinking that you should take good care of yourself."

Looking at the two bulging cloth bags on the coffee table, Zhou Qiqi felt a warm glow in her heart.

"Thank you both so much. I'm fine, but my stomach hurts terribly. My husband doesn't know any better and rushed me to the clinic, causing this huge misunderstanding."

She scolded him playfully, but Sister-in-law Wang was afraid that she would really resent Shen Huaichuan, so she quickly advised her.

"Hey, don't let the fact that Commander Shen is twenty-five fool you. He's been through so much in the army all these years and he's not interested in anything between men and women. He doesn't know anything about these things. He's just trying to be helpful. You two shouldn't argue about this."

Hu Chunxiao pointed to the hot tea on the table.

"Sister-in-law Wang, don't worry about that. Didn't you hear from Commander Shen's orderly that Qiqi isn't allowed to do any work? The young couple is doing just fine!"

Sister-in-law Wang patted her chest.

"That's good, that's good. I just hope that every family can live in harmony, otherwise I'll feel bad."

Her house was next to Liao Aimin's, and she could hear the couple arguing over trivial matters every day, with their child crying in fear. It broke her heart to see them like that.

Hu Chunxiao took half a day off, but had to go to work in the afternoon. After chatting for a few more minutes about digging the cellar, the two got up to leave.

"Since you're alright, we'll head back."

Zhou Qiqi quickly stopped them and pointed to the bag on the coffee table.

"Hey, don't just leave, take your belongings with you too."

The two of them kept waving their hands.

"That won't do! How can you bring gifts back home after visiting relatives or seeing a sick person?"

"That's right!"

Zhou Qiqi put on a stern face, her attitude resolute.

"I'm perfectly fine, why would I accept such nice things from you? People will laugh at me if word gets out! No way! I have to take this today!"

The two looked at each other, their faces crinkling into smiles.

Hu Chunxiao took a jar of brown sugar out of the bag.

“Okay, it’s good that you’re alright. I’ll take the malted milk powder. But since you’re not feeling well on your period, you have to keep these two pounds of brown sugar. It’s a perk from our company. The grocery store only sells this twice a month. You definitely won’t be able to buy it if you rush to buy it now. You have to keep it to drink.”

Sister-in-law Wang also brought out a jar of dried roses.

"You don't need the Codonopsis pilosula, but you have to take these roses. After this is over, soak them in water and drink the infusion. It will improve blood circulation and remove blood stasis, so it won't hurt as much next time."

"Hey, I'll take these two."

Zhou Qiqi didn't stand on ceremony. She put the things away and saw them to the door when she suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, Sister-in-law Wang, we're currently setting up a grape trellis and a gazebo at home, and we'd like to plant a ring of flowers around it. Could you get me some more seedlings?"

When flowers and plants are mentioned, Sister Wang's eyes immediately light up.

"Sure! No problem! I've been growing more and more tulips, daffodils, chrysanthemums, and stuff like that, and I'm just worried about where to put all these potted plants at home, but I don't want to throw them away. Let me know when you've finished building your gazebo, and I'll bring it over to you on my little cart. I'll also plant some hibiscus and hydrangeas around it, and it'll look amazing!"

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