This was truly a dilemma, and even the usually decisive Zhou Qiqi was now deeply hesitant, her brows furrowed.
The three remained silent for a moment when a noise suddenly came from the courtyard gate, as if someone had pushed the door open and entered.
Qin Peilan immediately became alert, quickly wiped her face with the back of her hand, and whispered a reminder:
"Oh dear! It must be Zhouzhou coming back from playing! Quick! Wipe your tears, everyone, don't let them show on your faces, we can't let the child notice anything wrong!"
Zhou Qiqi quickly took out a handkerchief and wiped the moisture from the corners of her eyes, trying her best to put on a smile.
However, the door creaked open, and instead of the small figure, it was a travel-worn Shen Huaichuan who stepped in.
When Zhou Qiqi saw it was him, she immediately felt relieved, and her forced smile crumbled. She continued to rub her reddened eyes with her handkerchief.
Seeing that Shen Huaichuan was about to approach, her eyes darted around quickly, and she preemptively raised her voice:
"Huaichuan, you're back just in time! Quick, go to the cellar and get me some pears. I'll make you some rock sugar pear soup tonight to soothe your throats."
Shen Huaichuan was a straightforward person and didn't think much of it. Hearing this, he immediately responded and turned to walk towards the cellar in the backyard.
Having successfully distracted her husband, Zhou Qiqi quickly seized the opportunity, lowered her voice, and eagerly asked her in-laws:
"Dad, Mom, does Huaichuan... know about Zhouzhou's background?"
Qin Peilan and Shen Zhenbang exchanged a glance and shook their heads somewhat embarrassedly.
Qin Peilan whispered:
"I thought the fewer people who knew about this, the better. I was afraid that if word got out, it would be bad for the child, and I was also afraid that it would cause trouble. So I didn't tell him specifically. Later... I just couldn't find a suitable opportunity to bring it up."
Before Zhou Qiqi asked, this secret was known only to the elderly couple.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qiqi frowned and said with some disapproval:
“Mom and Dad, that’s not right of you. Huaichuan is family. You shouldn’t keep this from him. He’s a sensible person. Even if he knew, he would never tell anyone.”
She recalled the invisible barrier between the family members, which had kept her in the dark and almost caused a huge misunderstanding, and couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
Hearing their daughter-in-law say that, the elderly couple both looked guilty.
Qin Peilan sighed and said:
"Qiqi, you're right. Your parents didn't think things through. It's mainly because these past few years, at home... sigh, we've always been separated more than we've had. There have been so few opportunities to sit down together and have a heart-to-heart talk. Things have just gotten rushed, and it's been dragging on until now..."
Shen Zhenbang chimed in, "How about we talk to Huaichuan about it when he brings the pears back later?"
Zhou Qiqi glanced at the darkening sky outside the window and shook her head:
"Forget it, Dad. It gets dark quickly in winter, and I reckon Zhouzhou will be back from playing soon. This can't be explained in a few words. If we talk about it at home, it might not be good if the child suddenly comes back and sees us."
Furthermore, seeing the undisguised fatigue on her in-laws' faces, she knew that their recollection and outpouring had taken a toll on their mental energy, and she couldn't bear to let them tire themselves out any further.
She thought for a moment and said:
"How about this, I'll take him for a walk around the playground, and then I'll talk to him."
Perfect timing. She also needed to get some fresh air to calm herself down and think carefully about whether or not to continue the treatment.
Upon hearing this, Qin Peilan felt both grateful and heartbroken. She took Zhou Qiqi's hand and said:
"Oh dear, my good child, then... I'll have to trouble you again..."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qiqi deliberately pouted, lowered her head, pretended to wipe away tears with a handkerchief, and said in a pitiful voice:
"Mom, look at you again. All you ever say to me is 'thank you' and 'it's a hassle,' but you never say those things to Zhouzhou! You still treat me like an outsider! I know... I'm just destined to be a workaholic..."
She made such a dramatic face, as if she had truly suffered a great injustice.
Qin Peilan panicked as soon as she saw this, and quickly patted the back of her hand to explain:
"Oh dear! Qiqi! Look at you! That's not what Mom meant! Mom truly loves you! Mom has always considered you her own daughter! How could you be an outsider! Okay, okay, Mom won't say that again, okay! Don't take it to heart!"
Zhou Qiqi then raised her head, her face completely free of tears, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous smile, and she shook her head as she said:
"That's good! Mom, you have to keep your word!"
Qin Peilan then realized that she had been tricked by this little girl. She was both annoyed and amused. She reached out and gently tapped the girl's nose, laughing and scolding her:
"You little rascal..."
However, her outburst dispelled much of the heaviness in her heart and the weariness on her face, and a genuine smile returned to her eyes.
Just then, Shen Huaichuan walked in carrying a basin of pears.
He immediately noticed the relaxed smiles on the faces of the three people in the room, especially his wife and mother, who were smiling particularly happily.
Although somewhat confused, I was also touched by the warm atmosphere, and a smile unconsciously crept onto my face as I asked:
"The pears are here. What are you all talking about? Why are you so happy? Is there good news about Zhouzhou's treatment?"
Shen Huaichuan really knows how to bring up the most sensitive topics!
One sentence punctured the previously relaxed atmosphere.
Zhou Qiqi glared at him lightly, annoyed, and without saying anything more, grabbed his arm and pulled him outside, saying:
"Come on, come on, don't just stand there, come with me to the playground for a walk and get some fresh air!"
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