The two of them simultaneously recalled what happened that morning in the conference room of the military region's discipline inspection commission.
Back then, in order to prove how much Shen Huaichuan cared about her, Lin Yao deliberately raised her voice and gave examples of fruit candy and plum powder.
She stiffened her neck and said that when Shen Huaichuan was little, he clearly didn't like sweets, but he would save up his pocket money to buy her a big bag of them, as if it were the truth.
Shen Huaichuan suddenly moved closer to Zhou Qiqi, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe, and he chuckled softly.
"So back in the hospital... you said I didn't like fruit candies because you were jealous?"
Zhou Qiqi's cheeks flushed hot under his gaze. She hurriedly looked away, her eyelashes trembling, and mumbled something under her breath.
"...That...that's the truth, isn't it?"
Her tone held a hint of embarrassment at having her secret exposed, yet it also carried an air of self-righteousness, like a kitten that refused to back down.
"It's not what you think, actually..."
Just as Shen Huaichuan was about to say something, Jiang Xiangyang's clear voice came from outside the courtyard gate.
"Aunt Zhou, I brought Zhouzhou back! Is there a reward?"
The two exchanged a glance and tacitly stopped talking.
Zhou Qiqi quickly turned around and ran into the house, grabbed a handful of fruit candies, stuffed them in her pocket, and went out to greet them.
Jiang Xiangyang, that mischievous monkey, is up to his old tricks again; his pants are worn through at the knees once more.
Zhou Qiqi called him in, found a sewing basket, picked up a scrap of cloth of a similar color, and quickly patched it up for him. Then she patted his back and let him run away.
While she was busy, Shen Huaichuan had already efficiently set the food on the table.
Dinner was a takeout meal from the military region's canteen, and the chef's cooking was indeed delicious.
These are all foods that Zhou Qiqi and Zhouzhou love to eat.
After dinner, Zhou Qiqi took out the framed picture and showed it to Zhouzhou:
"Look, doesn't the painting you gave to Brother Guangming look even more beautiful now that it's framed?"
The natural wood frame framed the starry sky drawn by Zhouzhou with crayons. The crooked little figures held up stars, their childlike clumsiness revealing a touch of charm, making it much prettier than before.
Zhouzhou's fair face immediately lit up with surprise. Her eyes widened, and her little mouth opened into an "O" shape, silently mouthing the words:
"Will Brother Guangming like it?"
He'll definitely like it!
Zhou Qiqi smiled and patted her head.
Initially, she thought that since the Zhuo family was well-off, she should buy them an expensive gift.
Shen Huaichuan said that this was a sentiment between children, and it would be best to do it according to Zhouzhou's idea.
In retrospect, this gift, imbued with childlike innocence, is the most precious.
After washing the dishes, Shen Huaichuan sat down at his desk and opened the documents.
Although he returned early, there were still loose ends to finish in his year-end summary report. Under the lamplight, his brows furrowed slightly, and he looked focused.
Zhou Qiqi took Zhouzhou to the playground for a run.
Without Xu Shu and Lin Yao's family causing trouble, the playground in the family quarters was exceptionally quiet in the evening.
With the evening breeze on her face, she ran a few laps with Zhu Yingying and Deng Cuixiang, then chatted for a while, the atmosphere relaxed and pleasant.
Jiang Xiangyang jumped and ran around Zhouzhou, playing and laughing, his laughter carrying far.
Zhou Qiqi unknowingly ran two more laps, feeling refreshed all over.
The wind on the playground carried the coolness of the evening, dispelling the thrilling events of the day.
Several women strolled slowly around the track, and their conversation naturally turned to the farce that morning.
Deng Cuixiang, being the most impatient, spoke first, clapping her hands loudly:
"Those bastards Xu Shu and Lin Yao, their hearts are as black as soot! They should be smashed flat and thrown out to feed the dogs! And that Xu Zao, she's just like her brother, with her eyes on the top of her head, she deserves to go back to the village and dig mud!"
Zhu Yingying walked beside Zhou Qiqi, her voice soft and gentle, tinged with lingering fear:
"That was terrifying... If Qiqi hadn't been so careful, this mudslinging would have been impossible to wash away, no matter how hard we tried..."
She paused, her brows furrowing as she asked worriedly, "I just don't know what the final outcome will be?"
Zhou Qiqi gently patted Zhu Yingying's shoulder, then looked at Deng Cuixiang:
"This matter is complicated, involving many people. It will take at least ten days to half a month to make a decision after investigation and evidence collection. Those three members of the Xu family will definitely not escape punishment, especially Xu Shu. The charge of disrupting a military marriage is enough to give him a hard time. As for Xu Zao, he will probably be forcibly repatriated to his hometown and go back to his village."
She paused, her tone carrying a hint of practical consideration:
"It's about Lin Yao... Her parents are doctors, quite influential, and I heard her brother works in a government agency. Plus, she's pregnant now... Her family might try to smooth things over. It's really hard to say what the final outcome will be."
Zhu Yingying suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Zhou Qiqi:
"Qiqi, that hospital treatment slip... So you were at the hospital that day because you bumped into Lin Yao and Xu Shu? No wonder you suddenly said you had something to do and left in a hurry."
"you do not say!"
Zhou Qiqi smiled, her eyes filled with gratitude.
"If I hadn't been there to help you with your fertility preparations, I would never have noticed that Lin Yao was gagging and acting strangely. If I hadn't gone to the hospital with you, how could I have happened to run into her like that? It was because I was being overly cautious that I wanted to find out what was going on, otherwise..."
She squeezed Zhu Yingying's hand, her tone sincere yet playful:
"I really have to thank you this time! No, I mean thank you for your future baby! When this little one arrives, I absolutely have to make sure they become the godmother!"
Zhu Yingying blushed deeply at her teasing and lightly punched Zhou Qiqi:
"Oh dear! Qiqi! It's nothing even true yet, you're just talking nonsense..."
"Who's talking nonsense?"
Zhou Qiqi wouldn't listen, pulling her to a stop and pointing to the long shadow cast on the ground by the streetlight.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com