Chapter 224 So shameless!

A look of gratitude flashed in her eyes, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

She knew that this trip was not just about buying groceries, but also the first step for them to get closer to each other again.

Fang Xiaoju immediately stepped forward, her face full of concerned smiles.

She walked quickly to Qiao Wanyin's side and said softly, "Sister Wanyin, you are pregnant now, it's inconvenient for you to run around, let me go instead."

"You can rest at home; I'll take care of this little thing."

"No."

Qiao Wanyin smiled, her smile as gentle as the warm spring sun, her eyes and brows exuding kindness and naturalness.

She gently took Qiu Zishu's arm, her fingertips applying slight pressure, as if afraid that the other would break free. "We sisters haven't seen each other for so long, and we have so much to say. Let's chat and catch up."

As she spoke, she pulled Qiu Zishu out, her steps light yet steady.

As she reached the gate of the courtyard, she suddenly stopped, turned around, and said in a gentle yet perfectly polite tone, "Mom, thank you for your trouble and Xiaoju's help. Preparing this meal at home is no easy task, you've really worked hard."

As soon as I stepped out of the courtyard gate, the cool morning breeze brushed my cheeks, and I could faintly hear voices and crowing of roosters from the streets and alleys.

Qiu Zishu finally couldn't hold back any longer. She bit her lip and said in a low voice, "Sister Wanyin, I'm really sorry for what I said that day. I acted impulsively and got emotional. I shouldn't have said those things. Those words must have hurt you."

Upon hearing these words, Qiao Wanyin felt a surge of warmth in her heart, like the sunlight streaming into a room on a winter's day, dispelling the long-standing gloom.

She turned to look at Qiu Zishu, her eyes filled with understanding and comfort. She gently patted the back of her hand, her gesture tender yet firm. "It's all in the past, don't take it to heart. We're sisters who grew up together, how can we become estranged over a few words?"

Qiu Zishu sniffed, her eyes slightly red, and her mood was noticeably more relaxed.

She took a deep breath, forced a smile, and asked in a low voice, "Sister Wanyin, what exactly happened between your mother-in-law and that Fang Xiaoju? Just now in the kitchen, the way they looked at me was strange, really scary, like... like I had done something wrong."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Wanyin's lips curled into a cold smile, a smile devoid of warmth, instead exuding a sharp chill.

She lowered her voice, her tone calm yet tinged with disdain, "They were trying to set a trap for me, their plans were so meticulous. And then you came at this perfect moment, it's like even God is on my side, the timing couldn't be more perfect."

Qiu Zishu's eyes widened suddenly, her pupils trembling slightly, her face filled with shock and confusion. "Huh? What exactly do they want? Why are they targeting you? What kind of conspiracy is hidden behind this?"

"Let's talk as we walk."

Qiao Wanyin didn't explain further, but simply held Qiu Zishu's arm tightly, quickened her pace, and walked towards the town's supply and marketing cooperative.

Along the way, she briefly recounted how Song Yazhi secretly planned and how Fang Xiaoju cooperated in the act—from framing her for stealing public cloth coupons to humiliating her in public, and then to today's seemingly warm but actually treacherous family dinner.

After hearing this, Qiu Zishu's face turned red with anger, her fists clenched involuntarily, and her voice trembled slightly, "This is too much! It's simply outrageous! Sister Wanyin, they're deliberately trying to drive you to your doom! We must find a way to expose them and not let them succeed!"

No rush.

Qiao Wanyin slowly shook her head, her steps still steady, but her eyes suddenly became sharp, like a blade quietly gleaming in the cold night.

She stared straight ahead, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. "Since they want to play dirty tricks, then we'll play a big one with them. Let them jump into the pit they dug themselves, so they can't climb out."

When the two returned home after buying groceries, it was already noon.

Sunlight streamed obliquely into the courtyard, wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys, and the air was filled with the aroma of food.

Song Yazhi and Fang Xiaoju were busy in the kitchen, the sounds of spatulas clattering and oil sizzling creating a lively atmosphere.

Seeing them come in, Song Yazhi immediately put down what she was doing and quickly came to greet them, taking the vegetable basket from Qiao Wanyin with a big smile. "Qingqing, you can just chat with Zishu for a while. We can take care of the cooking. You're carrying a lot of weight, so don't tire yourself out."

Qiao Wanyin smiled sweetly, her voice as soft and sweet as honey, "Thank you, Mom, you've worked so hard. With you and Xiaoju helping out, this meal is sure to be especially delicious."

During the meal, Song Yazhi was exceptionally enthusiastic, almost to an exaggerated degree.

She kept putting food on Qiao Wanyin's plate, saying, "Qingqing, eat more. You're carrying two people now, so you need to make sure you get enough nutrition. Don't neglect the little baby in your belly."

Meanwhile, Fang Xiaoju was also busy.

She picked up the teapot and carefully poured Qiu Zishu a cup of hot tea. Her posture was respectful and her tone was attentive: "Comrade Qiu, please try this Longjing tea. It's a top-grade tea that my uncle brought back from Ningzhou. It's not something that ordinary people can get. It's fragrant, sweet, and mellow, and it's very good for the stomach."

Just as the tea was about to be poured into the cup, Qiao Wanyin suddenly reached out and stopped her, her movements swift and decisive, leaving no room for doubt.

"etc."

She spoke softly, her brows slightly furrowed, her tone concerned, "Zishu has a bad stomach. The doctor warned her long ago that she can't drink tea, especially strong tea, as it's too stimulating."

Before Fang Xiaoju could react, Qiao Wanyin had already reached out and gently removed the teacup. Then, she turned it around and pushed it in front of Fang Xiaoju herself, still wearing a gentle smile on her face. "It's Xiaoju who has been busy doing all this, washing vegetables and tending the fire. She deserves a cup of hot tea and a rest."

Fang Xiaoju stared at the steaming cup of tea in front of her, her fingers stiffening slightly, and her face turning pale instantly.

She stared at the teacup, a fine layer of cold sweat unknowingly beading on her forehead. Her heart pounded, and only one thought echoed wildly in her mind: this cup of tea…

But it's been tampered with!

It contains a powder that can cause people to panic, sweat, or even faint on the spot!

Song Yazhi, with her sharp eyes, immediately noticed the unusual atmosphere.

She quickly put down her chopsticks, trying to remain calm as she smoothed things over, her voice feigning ease, "Let's eat first, let's eat first, the food's getting cold. As for the tea, we can have it later, take our time, no rush."

After dinner, the afterglow of the setting sun spilled into the courtyard, golden spots of light falling on the locust tree leaves, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves.

Qiao Wanyin and Qiu Zishu sat side by side on a stone bench in the courtyard, eating freshly picked grapes and whispering to each other.

Song Yazhi and Fang Xiaoju were busy washing dishes in the kitchen, the tap running and the porcelain plates clinking together.

"Why isn't Qiu Zishu leaving yet? He's really getting in the way."