Chapter 217 My mind is in turmoil

"What could I possibly know! It's all just overthinking, I was just saying it offhand, don't overthink it, really don't overthink it..."

After she finished speaking, she turned and walked towards the kitchen without looking back. Her steps were hurried and messy, and her slippers made a "pat-pat" sound on the floor. Even her back view showed a sense of panic.

"You...you should go and rest. Don't stand for too long; it's not good for your health. I'll cook. I'll cook tonight..."

Qiao Wanyin watched her mother-in-law's hurried departure, her gaze calm and composed, but a faint, cold smile slowly crept onto her lips.

The laugh was extremely light, like the wind sweeping across a lake, leaving no trace, yet concealing a chilling coldness.

"Mom, do you need my help?"

She stood there, speaking gently and considerately, as if she were truly a dutiful daughter-in-law.

"No need! No need!"

Song Yazhi's voice came from the kitchen, her tone hurried and visibly trembling. Even the sound of the spatula hitting the stove seemed particularly harsh. "You're pregnant, you can't overexert yourself or be exposed to cooking fumes. Go and rest, I'll take care of things here."

Qiao Wanyin responded softly, "Mmm," her voice low and gentle, like cotton falling to the ground.

Then she walked slowly towards the bedroom, each step unhurried, as if the confrontation just moments before was nothing more than casual conversation.

As soon as the door closed, the room became quiet.

She immediately covered her mouth, her shoulders trembling slightly, and finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The laughter was initially suppressed, but gradually it burst forth, carrying a hint of smugness and pleasure, as if long-suppressed resentment had finally found an outlet.

This play is really exciting!

She leaned against the door, a sly glint in her eyes.

She didn't mention at all that the person who anonymously reported Fang Xiaoju for possessing contraband was actually herself.

She planted informants in the disciplinary team and, with a forged note and a vague letter, got Fang Xiaoju on the investigation list.

She wanted to make her mother-in-law guess, to make her toss and turn at night, to make her suspicious and paranoid, but she couldn't find any evidence or catch her in the act.

The more unclear things are, the more panicked I become; the more panicked I become, the more I lose my composure.

And her goal was achieved little by little.

She gently touched her slightly protruding belly, her movements tender, as if comforting a sensible child, and whispered, "Baby, Mommy just stood up for us. None of those who bullied us will get away with it. When you are born, no one in this family will dare to step on our heads again."

By dinnertime, it was already dark, and the wind outside the window was rustling the branches.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was eerily quiet; even the air seemed to have frozen.

Fu Li'an was unable to return for dinner because he received a last-minute assignment.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law sat facing each other, each eating their own food. The clinking of bowls and chopsticks was particularly clear in the silence, and they hardly uttered a single word.

The dim light in the room cast shadows of varying shades on the two people's faces.

Song Yazhi was restless, her eyes darting around, and her hands trembled slightly as she picked up food.

Several times, the vegetables I picked up with my chopsticks slipped off before I could even put them in my bowl, falling onto the tablecloth and leaving a few oil stains.

She hurriedly reached for it, her fingertips were icy cold, and even her breathing became short.

Qiao Wanyin pretended not to see, focusing on eating her food with her head down, chewing slowly and carefully. She would occasionally look up and praise with a smile, "Mom's cooking today is really delicious, especially this braised pork. It's cooked to perfection, melting in your mouth. It's even more authentic than what I used to eat in the city."

"Qingqing."

Song Yazhi finally couldn't hold back any longer. As if she had been forced into a corner by an invisible pressure, she spoke cautiously, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible, "You... just bought some face cream at the supply and marketing cooperative today? Didn't... nothing else happen?"

Qiao Wanyin slowly put down her chopsticks, her movements elegant, her face open and even somewhat innocent. "Yes, what's wrong? There were so many people at the supply and marketing cooperative, I had to queue for ages to buy it. I remember you said you liked this brand, so I brought you a box too."

"No...it's nothing."

Song Yazhi lowered her head and mechanically ate her rice, not even noticing the rice grains sticking to her lips.

Her voice was so soft it was almost drowned out by the clatter of the bowls and spoons. "I just feel like that brand is really hard to buy lately. A lot of people haven't been able to get their hands on it. You're so lucky..."

Qiao Wanyin smiled and nodded, her eyes crinkling, looking just like a simple and kind young wife. "You bet I'm really lucky. Not only did I buy face cream, but on my way back, I also happened to run into the police catching bad guys. It was so satisfying!"

She paused, deliberately lowering her voice with a hint of mystery, "I heard that person had been hoarding a lot of banned books and foreign goods, hiding in a back alley to resell them. He was caught red-handed and completely humiliated. Don't you think people who corrupt morals like that should be arrested?"

With a "snap," Song Yazhi's chopsticks slipped from her fingers and slammed heavily onto the table.

The sound exploded in the silent room, like a slap in the face, striking the heart.

Her face turned deathly pale instantly, her fingers gripped the edge of the table tightly until her knuckles turned white, and she seemed to be nailed to her seat.

Qiao Wanyin immediately widened her eyes and looked at her mother-in-law with concern. Her voice was soft but tinged with anxiety: "Mom, what's wrong? Is your hand sore? Or are you feeling unwell? You look a little pale."

Song Yazhi forced a smile, her fingers trembling slightly as she put down her needlework. She said in a low voice, "I'm probably a little tired today. I didn't sleep well last night, and I felt dizzy and lightheaded when I woke up this morning."

Qiao Wanyin said gently, "Then you must go to bed early tonight. Don't push yourself because of things at home. I'll do more, so you can rest assured. Your health is the most important thing. Don't overwork yourself."

Song Yazhi nodded stiffly, her eyes staring blankly ahead, as if her soul had already drifted elsewhere.

Seeing her mother-in-law's distraught state, Qiao Wanyin was secretly overjoyed, but she still wore a considerate smile on her face. However, a hint of smugness and mockery flashed across her eyes and brows—she was sure to win this round.

At the same time, in the disciplinary team's office, Fang Xiaoju was crying her eyes out, tears streaming down her face, her lips were pale, and her shoulders were heaving violently.

Sobbing, she kept repeating in a hoarse voice, "I'm innocent! I really didn't! I didn't do any black market transactions, those things aren't mine! I've been framed! Please, please find out the truth!"

Song Yazhi didn't sleep well all night, tossing and turning, thinking about what happened last night. Her mind was filled with the news of Fang Xiaoju's arrest, and her heart felt heavy, as if a big stone was pressing on it, making it hard to breathe.

Before dawn, with the morning star still hanging in the eastern sky, she suddenly jumped up and hurriedly washed up. The icy water splashing on her face did not calm her down.

She stood in front of the mirror, solemnly tying her hair into a neat bun, each strand combed and secured, leaving no mess.