He Wanrou's words were all directed at Qin Peilan.
She knew that Qin Peilan was the softest-hearted and most sentimental, making her the easiest person for her to win over.
But to her utter surprise, no sooner had she finished speaking than Qin Peilan firmly shook her head and said:
"Xiao He, I know you're responsible, I appreciate it all. But as you can see from this courtyard, there really aren't any extra rooms. I'm really fine here, so just follow Huai Chuan's instructions and go..."
Upon hearing Qin Peilan's refusal, He Wanrou panicked and hurriedly interrupted her before she could finish speaking:
“Aunt Qin! It’s alright! I’m really not afraid of hardship! I can sleep on the sofa in the living room, or even sleep on a makeshift bed next to your and Uncle’s beds! No matter what, I have to stay by your side and take care of you! Have you forgotten? When you suddenly fell ill, if I hadn’t discovered it in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable! Later, when you had surgery, Uncle wasn’t feeling well either, so I stayed by your bedside for several days and nights. I can endure it! I really can endure it!”
She specifically mentioned this life-saving grace and the hard work she put in to protect her, which was her most valuable asset.
She firmly believed that, given this immense favor, Qin Peilan, who was grateful and sentimental, would definitely soften her heart and compromise.
However, she completely miscalculated.
After listening, Qin Peilan's eyes did soften somewhat, filled with gratitude, but her shaking her head remained unchanged as she said:
"No, no, Xiao He, your good aunt will remember you for the rest of your life, but it's winter now, the ground is damp and cold, and the sofa is rock hard, it's impossible to sleep well. You've been traveling with us all day, you can't make do like this. Listen to your aunt, go to the resettlement house. The conditions are simpler, but the beds are ready, clean and warm, it's better than suffering here."
She paused, noticing He Wanrou's face instantly turn pale, then softened her tone and added:
"Auntie knows you're worried about me, but I'm feeling much better now. You should rest well, and you can come back tomorrow."
Seeing that his wife had made up her mind, Shen Zhenbang also spoke in a deep voice:
"Alright, Xiao He, your aunt is just looking out for you. It's getting late, stop dawdling and hurry up and go."
As he spoke, he put his arm around Qin Peilan's shoulder, turned around and went to the inner room to get a change of clothes, no longer giving her a chance to pester him.
Zhou Qiqi watched the whole thing with a cold eye, too lazy to say a word or get involved, and had already taken her bowl and chopsticks into the kitchen.
He Wanrou stood frozen in place, staring at the now empty main room, a huge sense of humiliation and anger slowly rising in her heart.
Qin Peilan actually refused?!
How could she dare refuse?!
What right does she have to refuse?!
I was her savior!
This family is so heartless! So ungrateful!
She was so angry that her fingertips were trembling, and she wanted to smash everything in the room to pieces!
But her remaining rationality told her that losing her temper here would only make her look worse.
She clenched her teeth tightly, suppressing the resentment that was about to burst out of her mouth, and stood there for a long while, her face pale and ashen.
Finally, he went to the porch where he put his luggage, lingered for a while, grabbed his canvas bag, and left.
After He Wanrou left, Shen Zhenbang and his wife brought their luggage, which had been left outside the courtyard, into the house and tidied it up simply.
Just as they finished getting ready, Shen Huaichuan came to tell them to take a bath.
Zhou Qiqi and Zhouzhou were quick and had already finished washing; the bathroom was still filled with warm steam.
Two brand-new towels were neatly hanging on the rack, clearly prepared especially for them.
The elderly couple took a nice, hot shower, feeling that much of their fatigue from the journey had been washed away.
Shen Huaichuan casually took their clothes to wash and told them to get some rest.
According to their routine at the sanatorium, they should have been asleep by now, around eight o'clock.
But today was different. Although my body was more tired than usual, my mind was in a state of excitement. I couldn't fall asleep even after lying down, so I just leaned against the headboard and talked.
With no outsiders around, Shen Zhenbang relaxed and curiously tried out the strange pillow on the bed.
I twisted my body around on it and found that no matter how I leaned against it, it was just the right firmness and softness, which felt particularly comfortable and novel.
I couldn't help but admire her again; this daughter-in-law is truly skillful, uses fresh words, and makes things that are even more practical.
Qin Peilan noticed his strange posture and asked with a smile:
"What's wrong, old man? What are you thinking about? Didn't you just take a shower? Is your back itchy or something? Do you want me to scratch it for you?"
Shen Zhenbang coughed lightly, a little embarrassed to admit that he was examining the cushions his daughter-in-law had made, and smoothly changed the subject:
"Uh, it's nothing. By the way, Perrin, I was just thinking... why didn't you agree to let Xiao He stay?"
Shen Zhenbang knew best that his wife was truly devoted to He Wanrou.
While at the sanatorium, Qin Peilan listened to He Wanrou in almost everything, finding her to be meticulous and considerate.
face cream, dresses, watches...
Qin Peilan was reluctant to buy these rare items for herself, but she was willing to buy them for He Wanrou, truly treating her like her own daughter.
So he was genuinely surprised that Qin Peilan had refused He Wanrou's request to stay.
Qin Peilan was taken aback by the question, then replied:
"Isn't that because Zhouzhou is afraid of her? I was even thinking that once Zhouzhou is closer to us in a couple of days, I'd let her sleep with us at night! It would definitely be inconvenient if Xiao He were here; I can tell from her, Zhouzhou really isn't close to her at all..."
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