Chapter 291 Covering Eyes

Qiao Xuezhi stood in the center of the courtyard, swinging an axe with both hands, chopping firewood one stroke at a time, wood chips flying everywhere, his movements steady and powerful.

On a small stool in the corner, Miao Miao was writing her homework diligently, her little hands red from the cold, yet she wrote each stroke neatly.

"mother!"

Miao Miao suddenly looked up, her eyes lit up, and she immediately jumped up from the stool and rushed into her mother's arms. "Look! The teacher gave me a little red flower today! Only three children in the whole class got one!"

Li Hongmei felt a surge of warmth in her heart and hugged her daughter tightly. Her nose tingled slightly, and she kissed her daughter's rosy cheeks forcefully: "Our Miaomiao is the most promising! She writes so fast and beautifully, even the teacher praises you, doesn't she?"

Her voice was so gentle it almost melted, and she added, "From now on, you'll go to school in this city and wear a little red flower every day. Mom will definitely make sure you have a good life!"

Qiao Xuezhi put down the axe, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and stared at his wife's face suspiciously for a long time.

The more he looked, the more something seemed off—the man, who was usually frowning, was smiling like he'd found a gold mine.

"Hongmei," he asked tentatively, "did you hit the jackpot today? Why are you so happy? Where did you go? Did something happen?"

Li Hongmei gently put Miaomiao down, straightened her scarf, and then turned to walk towards her husband, a mysterious smile playing on her lips: "I met a friend, an old acquaintance. We chatted for a few heartfelt words and took care of a big matter."

She looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping before leaning close to Qiao Xuezhi's ear and whispering, "Honey... we can stay! We can really stay in the city! We don't have to live in fear of being sent back to the countryside anymore!"

Qiao Xuezhi's brows immediately furrowed into a deep frown, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes: "What wicked scheme are you plotting now? Let me tell you, you're not allowed to lay a finger on my little sister, and you're absolutely not allowed to trick her!"

"You're talking about outsiders!"

Li Hongmei immediately retorted, her tone resolute and brooking no argument, "I'm helping her! Do you understand? Helping her sort out her household affairs and get things done properly!"

But in her heart, the words Liu Piaopiao had said before parting echoed uncontrollably—

Sometimes, a gentle lie is the most sincere way out.

Those words, like tiny vines, quietly entwined around her heart, making her feel both guilty and at ease.

After dinner...

The kitchen was filled with the crisp sound of pots and pans clattering together.

For the first time, Li Hongmei took the initiative to wash the dishes. She quickly scrubbed the pots, rinsed the bowls, and wiped the stove, not even letting the grease get away.

What surprised Qiao Xuezhi even more was that she had specially boiled a pot of water, brought it to the main room, and pushed it to his feet.

"Come on, soak your feet and warm up."

She smiled and said, her eyes unusually gentle.

This is very unusual.

Qiao Xuezhi sat on a bench with his feet soaking in the warm water, but his heart was pounding like a rabbit's.

While rubbing his feet, he tentatively asked, "Why are you being so diligent today? Is there something you're hiding from me?"

Did the factory give you a bonus? Or did someone give you a gift?

"Or...did someone really help you?"

Li Hongmei simply kept her head down, tidying up the bowls and chopsticks on the table, a smile on her lips, but she didn't say a word, no matter how many questions he asked, she never responded.

In the middle of the night, all was quiet.

Moonlight streamed through the window paper, casting dappled shadows on the wall.

Li Hongmei stared wide-eyed at the dark ceiling, unable to fall asleep.

Qiao Xuezhi's breathing was steady and long, but her heart felt like it was being pulled by a string, taut and tense.

The words Liu Piaopiao taught her kept replaying in her mind, each word crystal clear, as if they were engraved on a wooden board.

"Just say she offered it herself... say she's grateful for all the years we've taken care of the elderly... say she's willing to give up her spot..."

Those words, each one barbed yet each one reasonable, were like a knife wrapped in cotton cloth—seemingly gentle, but actually sharp.

A few days later.

Qiao Wanyin found it extremely strange.

In the past, when I met parents on the street, they would all greet me with smiles and be as warm as their own relatives, asking about my well-being and chatting endlessly.

But in the last few days, the situation has completely changed.

As soon as she approached, some people immediately looked down at their phones, pretending to reply to messages; others simply quickened their pace and walked around her; still others, upon seeing her from afar, would turn into nearby alleys or side streets, as if avoiding a plague.

Even the attitudes of kindergarten teachers have subtly changed.

Yesterday afternoon, as she passed by the teachers' office, she heard laughter coming from inside. Several people were chatting enthusiastically in a very harmonious atmosphere.

But the moment she gently pushed open the door, all the sounds in the room came to an abrupt halt.

The talking stopped, the laughter ceased, and even the sound of turning pages disappeared.

The air seemed to freeze, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone kept their heads down, pretending to be grading homework, and no one looked up at her.

Qiao Wanyin's heart tightened. She forced a smile, greeted them, and turned to leave.

"Second sister-in-law."

She took a few steps, then turned back, grabbed Li Hongmei who was squatting on the ground picking up toys, and asked in a low voice, "Have you noticed that the way people are looking at me lately... seems a little strange?"

Li Hongmei looked up, her face full of doubt, and blinked. "Really? I really didn't notice. Are you just too tired lately and overthinking things?"

Qiao Wanyin stared at her for a few seconds. Seeing that her expression was natural and she didn't seem to be faking it, she could only nod with some doubt and didn't ask any further questions.

She walked away silently, but her heart felt heavy, as if something was pressing down on it.

As soon as the school bell rang, the children were picked up one after another.

Instead of packing her things leisurely as usual, Li Hongmei quickly grabbed her coat, took off running, and headed briskly towards the cultural troupe.

"Comrade Fang!"

She rushed into the practice room, breathless, her cheeks flushed and beads of sweat on her forehead. "It's done! Everyone knows!"

Liu Piaopiao was doing leg stretches while holding onto the barre when she heard the sound and slowly stopped.

She looked up and saw Li Hongmei's excited face reflected in the mirror.

A fleeting, icy glint flashed in her eyes before she regained her composure.

“Sister Li, don’t rush,” she turned around, picked up a water glass from the chair beside her, took a sip, and said calmly, “Sit down and talk slowly. Director Qiao… hasn’t noticed, has she?”

"She's still completely in the dark!"

Li Hongmei plopped down in a chair, her eyebrows dancing with excitement, and said, "But it's already an uproar outside! Parents' groups, the break room, everyone's talking about it! They're describing it in such detail, even making up clear details about her 'embezzling donations'!"

Liu Piaopiao pretended to ponder, tapping her knee lightly with her fingers, "Then... you'd better be ready."

What should we prepare?

Li Hongmei was taken aback and tilted her head to ask.

"When the rumors are flying everywhere and the storm is at its peak, when everyone is cursing and criticizing her, saying she's heartless and doesn't deserve to be the principal... then you can stand up and say a few good words for her."

"Ouch!"