Before Song Zhaodi could even respond, the two children had already rushed out of the house.

"Mom, we haven't seen Brother Stone for a long time. Please let us go with you."

Shu Ying originally intended to refuse, but if too many people knew about something without evidence, it would only make things worse.

If things get out of hand, everyone will be embarrassed.

"You two go back and do your homework first. When Mom comes back, she will tell you about Stone Brother's situation. It's not convenient for too many people to come now. If Stone Brother gets seriously ill, you might pass the new virus to him."

Yueyue's little face scrunched up as she shook Shuying's arm. "Mommy, please let us go! My brother and I will be careful, and you already promised us at school, didn't you?"

Shu Ying was stunned for a moment, but had no choice but to agree.

Xie Zhiyan took her hand and said, "I'll go with you. It's all for the child's good. If there's any misunderstanding, the adults can clear it up. Xiao Xueyi will be home early tonight, so Lü Jie probably doesn't know yet."

Shu Ying hesitated for a moment, then realized that what he said made some sense.

No one is trying to make a fool of anyone; everyone is just trying to do what's best for the child. She's upright and honest, so she's not afraid of any more gossip.

At this moment, Lü Jie felt a little guilty. She took out her key from her pocket and opened the door. Yang Suxian squeezed in from behind her first.

She had casually piled up the local specialties she brought from the countryside in the yard, and was a little puzzled when she saw that the stone hadn't come out.

"Where did that jinx go? His own grandmother came all the way from the countryside, but he didn't show up. This little jinx is getting more and more resourceful. I think you haven't taught him well."

Lu Jie hurriedly tucked a stray hair behind her ear with one hand, trying to cover it up guiltily.

“He’s probably still playing on the playground. A lot of kids have come to the compound these past few days, and he’s going crazy with fun. I’m not his biological mother, and with so many people watching, it’s not right for me to interfere. Otherwise, other people will think I’m mistreating him.”

Lü Jie's eyes darted around, and she spoke haltingly, taking a long time to come up with this reason.

Yang Suxian gave her a disdainful look and sat down on the sofa with an annoyance.

"You're a useless woman. You've been married to my son for so long and you still haven't conceived. You can't even teach that troublesome boy properly. You're just lucky to be born at the right time. A woman like you who can't do anything right would have been beaten to death by her in-laws back in our day. How could you be living in such a big house and having such a good life?"

Lu Jie felt a bit aggrieved. Every time this old woman came over, she would nitpick. She would bring up old grievances from her youth, saying that the new era should have a new look. She would repeat those things over and over again, just to belittle Lu Jie, the new daughter-in-law.

“I also want to give the Xiao family a big, healthy grandson as soon as possible, but Xueyi is never here. He’s always away on business, either this month or that month. Even when he’s home, he has to take time out to be with Shitou. It would be a miracle if I could get pregnant.”

Although Lü Jie said this, she also felt that she was not living up to expectations.

It's been almost three years already, I've been counting on my fingers. How come some people can get pregnant with just a touch, but it's so difficult for her?