Chapter 256 Don't Rush to Conclusions

Song Yazhi carried an old bamboo basket and slowly walked over under the scorching sun.

Her steps were a little unsteady, she held onto the wall for support, her forehead covered in sweat, but she still insisted on holding the basket tightly to her chest.

"Wanyin, Mom made dumplings with chive and egg filling. They just came out of the pot and smell wonderful. They are all golden and plump, and piping hot. Eat them while they are hot, they won't taste good when they are cold."

Qiao Wanyin felt a warmth in her heart as she smelled that familiar, homely, and warm fragrance.

She quickly took the basket; it was still warm to the touch, clearly having just been taken from the kitchen.

"Please don't keep making this trouble. It's so hot, it's tiring to go back and forth like this."

She gently advised, her voice full of concern, "I can go back and get it anytime, or you can just make a phone call. Why bother bringing it here in person?"

"That won't do!"

Song Yazhi waved her hand, her face showing unwavering determination, "What's this little thing? It's the kindergarten my granddaughter will be attending in the future, how could I not lend a hand? Even if it's just a meal, I want her to know that her grandma is always thinking about her."

She spoke earnestly, her eyes filled with love and expectation, as if the unborn child was already standing in front of her, acting coquettishly.

Qiao Wanyin and Fu Li'an exchanged a glance. The moment their eyes met, the corners of their mouths unconsciously turned up, and their smiles spread like ripples.

Although they don't yet know whether the baby in their belly is a boy or a girl, the ultrasound report still holds a little mystery.

But the mother-in-law called her "granddaughter" so affectionately and sweetly, one sentence after another, as if she had already decided that it was her little girl.

Hearing these words, Qiao Wanyin's heart warmed slightly, as if she were being caressed by a spring breeze or gently enveloped by sunlight.

These days, who doesn't wish for a son?

The whispers among neighbors and the subtle inquiries from relatives were all about gender.

But she was different—the person her mother-in-law talked about most often was her "granddaughter".

Yes or no……

She also quietly breathed a sigh of relief, no longer putting pressure on herself or adding to her burden.

This thoughtfulness and respect touched her more than any gift.

In the afternoon, Qiu Zishu brought several young factory workers' wives to help paint the walls.

Dressed in old clothes, with their sleeves rolled up, they chatted and laughed as they carried paint buckets, rollers, and brushes, like a vibrant construction team.

Sunlight streamed into the courtyard, illuminating their busy figures. Three originally dark and dilapidated classrooms were gradually transformed under their skillful hands.

The walls were painted a clear, deep blue, like the sky on a clear, early summer morning—clean and vast.

On the top of the wall, fluffy white clouds dotted the sky, and several small birds with outstretched wings seemed to be about to take flight at any moment.

"Sister Wanyin, how about this?"

Qiu Zishu stood on the ladder, holding onto the wall with one hand and a paintbrush in the other, carefully sketching the last stroke.

As she spoke, the tip of her nose inadvertently rubbed against blue paint, leaving a small, noticeable mark, which only made her look more lively and adorable.

"So beautiful!"

Qiao Wanyin tilted her head back, her gaze sweeping from the ground to the ceiling, her eyes filled with surprise and emotion, her voice rising slightly, "It's even more beautiful than I dreamed of! It really looks like a cottage from a fairy tale!"

Her tone was sincere and passionate, as if she could see the future gradually becoming a reality.

The setting sun cast its golden rays, bathing the entire courtyard in a golden glow.

She stood quietly at the entrance of the newly renovated kindergarten, with newly paved bluestone slabs under her feet and walls covered with childlike murals beside her.

A gentle breeze brought a touch of coolness, but her heart felt as warm as if it had been warmed by the sun.

A month ago, this place was full of broken walls and tiles, overgrown with weeds, and bricks were piled up haphazardly on the ground. Even a cat wouldn't stay here for long.

Now, this place has become the brightest and most vibrant spot in the entire compound, where children run and jump around, their laughter echoing everywhere.

What are you thinking about?

Fu Lian quietly approached from behind, gently wrapping his arms around her, carefully avoiding her protruding belly, as if afraid of causing her the slightest discomfort.

His voice was deep and gentle, like an evening breeze brushing past your ear.

“I was thinking,” she said softly, as she leaned into his arms, feeling the warmth of his chest, “how happy our child would be to go to school here, listening to the laughter of his classmates, drawing, singing, playing games…”

"yes."

He lowered his head, kissed her hair, and smiled, "You're the one who caused all of this."

His words were simple, yet full of respect and pride, as if this small kindergarten was the first gift he was giving to his future children, and she was the one who created it all.

"Evening Sound".

He suddenly called her name in a low voice, which was deeper and more serious than before.

"Um?"

She turned her head and looked into his eyes, where the setting sun and her own reflection were mirrored in his pupils.

The man stared at her, his gaze as deep and unwavering as a lamp that never goes out in the night, stubborn and affectionate, as if he wanted to etch this moment into his heart.

He whispered, "Meeting you is the luckiest thing I ever wanted to miss in my life."

There were no flowery words, no grand vows, but every word landed on her heart, heavy and burning with emotion.

Qiao Wanyin's eyes brightened slightly, her moist eyelashes trembled, but the corners of her mouth curled up, revealing a playful yet confident smile.

She raised her hand, her fingertips lightly touching his lips, and said with a smile, "Fu Li'an, don't rush to conclusions. You'll realize how lucky you really are later."

On the first day of kindergarten, before dawn and with the morning star still hanging in the sky, Qiao Wanyin opened her eyes.

She didn't dare to move, and even her breathing was extremely soft, for fear of disturbing Fu Lian, who was sleeping soundly beside her.

His chest rose and fell slightly, his breathing was even and deep, and a few strands of hair on his forehead were damp with the morning moisture, clinging gently to his skin.

The light coming through the window was still faint, and it was still early, but the morning breeze had already quietly stirred the corners of the curtains, as if reminding her that a new day had quietly arrived.

As I opened the window, a cool breeze carrying the scent of damp grass rushed in, as if it had just come from the depths of the fields, carrying the unique dewy aroma of the morning, crisp and refreshing.

The wind blew through the window frame, ruffling the papers on the table and ruffling a strand of hair by her ear.

She took a deep breath, trying to suppress the inexplicable unease and tension in her heart.

In the distance, a few sparrows hopped around on the treetops, chirping and chattering, as if arguing about who discovered the morning dew first.

Occasionally, a dove will flutter up from a branch, streak across the sky, and leave a faint shadow.

A thin layer of grayish-white appeared on the horizon, like rice paper that had been lightly wiped clean, gradually spreading out, foreshadowing the sun's imminent leap above the horizon.

"You woke up so early?"

Fu Lian muttered something softly behind him, his voice hoarse and languid, still clinging to the lingering sleepiness.

He turned over, draped his arm over her shoulder, and his warm body temperature wafted through her thin pajamas.

Qiao Wanyin slowly turned her head and saw that his eyes were half open, his eyelashes trembled slightly, and there was a faint smile on his lips.

He sat lazily against the headboard, wearing only a faded old factory green vest with the collar slightly rolled up.