She lowered her head silently, her fingers unconsciously curling slightly as she felt a little uncomfortable.
However, Zhou Qiqi instinctively looked at Shen Huaichuan first. Their eyes met, and they whispered almost simultaneously:
"Our bedroom..."
With just a few words, they understood each other perfectly.
Shen Huaichuan gently squeezed Zhou Qiqi's hand, signaling her to speak.
Zhou Qiqi took a deep breath, suppressing the grievances in her heart, and took the initiative to speak, her tone very sincere:
“Uncle, there are guest rooms in the military dependents’ area, but the conditions are basic and the location is remote. You and Aunt are not in good health, so it’s not convenient for you to stay there. How about this, we’ll vacate our bedroom for you and Aunt, and we can sleep in her room with Zhouzhou. Zhouzhou’s bed is quite big, so the three of us can squeeze in without any problem.”
Upon hearing Zhou Qiqi's arrangement, Shen Huaichuan immediately nodded in agreement:
"Yes, Dad, let's do as Qiqi says and listen to her."
Shen Zhenbang frowned even more as he looked at his son’s almost obedient manner, a look of astonishment flashing in his eyes.
His youngest son has always been very stubborn and opinionated. Once he's made up his mind, nothing can change it, and he often ignores his father's words.
When did you become so "obedient"?
It's like he's a completely different person!
The Lin couple had previously tearfully claimed that Shen Huaichuan had been bewitched by a country woman and lost his mind. At the time, he scoffed at the idea, thinking it was impossible.
But now, looking at her son's almost blind obedience to that woman, and then at the glaring "luxury goods" in the yard...
He had no choice but to believe it.
Thinking about it this way, Shen Zhenbang felt a tightness in his chest and a surge of frustration welled up inside him, so he didn't want to stay any longer.
He stood up abruptly and bluntly uttered:
"You guys pack up first, I'm going to the clinic to check on your mother."
After saying that, without waiting for a response, he walked out with his hands behind his back.
As soon as the old man left, the air in the room seemed to circulate, and the suffocating low pressure dissipated considerably.
Shen Huaichuan breathed a sigh of relief and said to Zhou Qiqi:
"Sit down and rest for a while. You must be exhausted after being discharged from the hospital and walking around for so long. I can help you pack your things."
Zhou Qiqi shook her head, deftly rolled up her sleeves, and said:
"This isn't any heavy physical work, how can you manage it all by yourself? Besides, I'm worried you'll be clumsy and mess it up. Here's the arrangement: I'll give the instructions, and you assist me!"
She already had a plan in mind, and she made arrangements as she went:
"I made several new sets of bed sheets and duvet covers myself, and I've washed and stored them all. The bedding in both rooms needs to be replaced with new ones. I also have spare quilts, so I'll take out two of the newest ones for my parents to use."
"Also, we need to pack away our personal belongings for now and make room in the wardrobe drawers for Mom and Dad."
"besides..."
She went on and on about all the arrangements.
Shen Huaichuan silently helped along, but upon hearing this, he paused and whispered:
"Actually... there's no need to go to so much trouble. They probably won't stay for more than two days, they'll probably leave tomorrow or the day after. There's no need to arrange so much, that's enough."
Zhou Qiqi stopped what she was doing, gave him a disapproving look, and said:
"How could you say that? Your aunt and uncle are not in good health, especially your aunt, who just had surgery not long ago. She came here specifically because she was worried about you. As the younger generation, we should at least do our part to show our appreciation."
Shen Huaichuan gave a bitter smile, a smile tinged with weariness and a hint of self-mockery, and explained:
“Qiqi, you don’t understand. They came this time probably... just because things escalated to the sanatorium, and they felt they lost face in front of Uncle Lin and the other old comrades, and they can’t get over that hurdle in their hearts. They... don’t actually like being with me.”
His Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice lowered, filled with bitterness:
“Every time I go back home for the New Year, they always find various reasons to make me hurry back to the military region after only two days. This time... it should be the same. Once they figure out what happened with Lin Yao, or feel that they can save face, they will leave.”
He looked up at Zhou Qiqi, his eyes filled with apology and worry:
"From childhood to adulthood, I was probably the son they disliked the most. But my eldest and second eldest brothers both had accidents, while I am still alive and well."
As he spoke, he took Zhou Qiqi's hand, looked her in the eye, and said...
"Qiqi, I'm sorry, you may suffer in the next few days, but don't worry, I will do my best to protect you."
Zhou Qiqi was stunned, and her hands stopped packing.
Looking at the deep-seated loneliness and inferiority in Shen Huaichuan's eyes, she felt a sharp pang in her heart and quickly comforted him:
"No, I think your dad..."
Shen Zhenbang didn't look at her once the entire time, which gave her the opportunity to openly observe her father-in-law.
When the old man came out and saw Shen Huaichuan, a few tears welled up in his eyes immediately, which she could see clearly in the setting sun.
Those tears were filled with worry.
If she truly didn't love her son, why would there be tears in her eyes upon their long-awaited reunion?
Her nominal father from her past life was the one who truly didn't love her. He always looked at her as if she were an unwanted burden, and she still vividly remembers that coldness and disdain.
The way Shen Zhenbang looked at Shen Huaichuan just now was completely different.
She wanted to tell Shen Huaichuan her observations, suggesting that he might have misunderstood his parents.
But Shen Huaichuan seemed afraid of hearing something and preemptively ended the conversation:
"Forget about that, let's get on with the packing."
Zhou Qiqi glanced at the darkening sky outside the window, thinking that her parents-in-law should be back soon. Time was indeed tight, and there was no need to rush some things.
So she swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue and nodded: "Okay, let's get ready."
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