"Oh." Xia Xuan put down the salt jar and went to the sink to wash the vegetables.

Today is a holiday, and Xia Xi called her sister and brother-in-law to come over for a reunion dinner.

The two sisters were busy in the kitchen, while the others were chatting and watching TV in the living room. Xia Xi put down her phone, continued preparing the food, and chatted with her sister: "How are you getting along with your mother-in-law?"

There was the sound of running water. Xia Xuan paused in washing the vegetables and glanced at the sofa area in the living room. Chen Songbai was playing with building blocks with two children. She then gave her sister an indescribable expression.

Xia Xi frowned: "Did your mother-in-law bully you?"

She had just returned to China and had not spent much time with Chen Songbai's family. Just on the day of the wedding, she could see that Miao Cuixia was not an easy person to get along with.

"It's not bullying, it's just..." Xia Xuan bit her lip. "She's very sharp-tongued and always uses words to stab me. She even mentioned to me that I don't work and spend a lot of money. I explained that I can make money painting, but she didn't believe me. She even kept bringing up the idea of having children."

"Didn't Chen Songbai speak up for you?"

"He's on my side, but they're his parents after all. They gave birth to him and raised him, so they can't say harsh words to him." Xia Xuan sighed. She felt very annoyed when she thought about the past few days. "Now that the two old people have returned to their hometown, we can live our lives in peace and quiet."

Xia Xi was worried and repeatedly reminded him, "No matter who says anything about having a baby, you can't give up. Don't be morally kidnapped and risk your life for a child. Your own health is the most important thing. If you lose your life, you lose everything."

Xia Xuan nodded: "I know."

"I'll give Chen Songbai another knock later." Xia Xi said.

Xia Xuan hurriedly intervened, "Don't, he's quite protective of me." She then changed the subject, expressing concern for her sister's relationship issues, "But you, has that Xu Yanfeng contacted you again?"

Xia Xi almost cut her hand: "...No."

Xia Xuan tilted her head: "Really?"

Xia Xi reached into the sink, scooped up a handful of water and sprinkled it on her: "Stop asking nonsense, wash the vegetables properly. It's already late and you haven't eaten yet."

Xia Xuan giggled and shrank her neck to avoid it.

*

The next day, around six o'clock in the evening, Xia Xi changed her clothes and went out. She drove to the subway station to pick up Zhao Lei, and the two went to Xiting Hotel together.

She may have a connection with this place, as she came here for the second time after returning to China.

When Zhao Lei got in the car, she looked at Xia Xi and praised her for being more beautiful than before. She also asked her how she was doing abroad in recent years and what she was doing now.

The two chatted all the way, and when they saw the glittering sign of Xiting Hotel in front of them, Zhao Lei suddenly asked, "Have you and Xu Yanfeng reconciled?"

Xia Xi stepped on the brakes and the car stopped steadily in front of the hotel entrance. She turned to look at the woman in the passenger seat: "Why do you ask that?"

The valet came to help open the car door, took the car keys, and drove the car to the designated parking lot.

Zhao Lei took Xia Xi's arm and walked up the stairs. She coughed lightly and continued the conversation in the car: "The squad leader secretly told me that Xu Yanfeng would be coming over tonight, so I guessed that you two had reunited."