Chapter Sixteen: The Watch is Missing
Upon hearing this, Xu Haiyu felt even more like crying.
How could she explain that these two people were bullying her?
"I'm fine, sister-in-law."
As Xu Haiyu said this, she glanced at Xin Li with a small look.
Those unaware of the situation would easily misunderstand that Xu Haiyu was being bullied by Xin Li, but dared not reveal the truth because of Xin Li's status.
Although Zhang Jinhua had a good impression of Xin Li, she had heard a lot of rumors about Xin Li recently, and she also had some doubts in her heart.
When Zhang Jinhua realized that Xu Haiyu, whom he had watched grow up, was the one being wronged, he immediately wavered.
"Shen—"
Her question was interrupted by He Mingzhou: "You cry and whine even at other people's homes. Is this how I've taught you all these years?"
Once He Mingzhou spoke, Zhang Jinhua couldn't say anything more.
In particular, He Mingzhou briefly explained the situation at the dock, and when he learned that Xu Haiyu had cried for no apparent reason, Zhang Jinhua frowned.
"That's where you're wrong, Xiaoyu. Your brother Mingzhou finally came back, and I asked you and your sister-in-law to go pick him up. You should have gone happily. Aren't you happy to see your brother return safely? Why are you crying all the time?"
Zhang Jinhua is also a military wife. Influenced by her husband, she has a very strong personality and looks down on some weak and easily crying girls.
If it were someone else, it would be one thing, but Xu Haiyu was pampered by everyone since she was a child and was taught by He Mingzhou. How could she have developed such a crybaby personality?
Xu Haiyu knew Zhang Jinhua's preferences. She tried her best to hold back her tears and find an excuse for herself, but when she saw Xin Li and He Mingzhou sitting next to her, and He Mingzhou not speaking up for her at all, she felt more and more wronged and wanted to cry. Tears kept falling.
Zhang Jinhua was even angrier now.
"Xiaoyu, if you have something to say, you should just say it. How can you keep crying?"
"What exactly happened?"
Xu Haiyu knew she couldn't keep crying anymore, but she just couldn't hold it in.
"I……"
"Hiccup..."
Xu Haiyu opened her mouth and hiccuped, her face flushed, so ashamed she wanted to disappear into nowhere.
Zhang Jinhua shook his head, handed her a handkerchief, patted her shoulder and said, "Alright, stop crying. It's such a nice day, it's not good to keep crying. I'm going to cook, calm down and come help me."
Zhang Jinhua's original intention was to give Xu Haiyu a way out.
After all, crying like that in front of her own brother and sister-in-law would make anyone who didn't know better think she was trying to sow discord.
But Xu Haiyu didn't recover even after a long time, and Zhang Jinhua became increasingly impatient.
Seeing this, Xin Li stood up and said, "Sister-in-law Lu, let me help you."
Zhang Jinhua exclaimed, "Oh dear, I'm so sorry, Xinxin, why don't you sit down and rest for a while?"
Xin Li shook her head: "It's nothing. I've been eating and drinking for free for so long, sister-in-law, why don't you help me out?"
"Or is it that your sister-in-law thinks I'm clumsy and is afraid I'll only make things worse?"
Zhang Jinhua chuckled: "You silly girl, you're so cheeky. I would never look down on you. Come on over if you want."
"Okay."
Xin Li's straightforward and capable personality contrasted sharply with Xu Haiyu's tearful and whiny demeanor.
Xu Haiyu could tell that Sister-in-law Lu was angry with her, but she felt really wronged.
She thought that since Sister-in-law Lu and Xinli had gone to cook, it would be just her and He Mingzhou left, and she could have a proper chat with him.
Unexpectedly, as soon as the two people left, He Mingzhou stood up and said he needed to go home first, then strode out.
"Brother Mingzhou..."
Xu Haiyu subconsciously stood up to follow, but He Mingzhou paused at the door and said in a deep voice, "Calm down first. It wouldn't be good if people misunderstood you if you chased after them like this."
After saying that, he left without looking back.
Xu Haiyu's swollen eyes were filled with anger.
It's all Xinli's fault!
If Xinli hadn't deliberately provoked her, she wouldn't have lost her composure like this!
Xu Haiyu's gaze fell on the watch on her wrist, and her expression gradually turned cold.
...
By the time the meal was ready, Xu Haiyu had calmed down.
Seeing that although her eyes were swollen, her expression had become much more natural, Zhang Jinhua felt a pang of pity for her.
"Xiaoyu, don't keep things to yourself. We are all your family, and we will definitely help you and won't let you suffer."
"I know, I was just thinking about my brother, so..."
Xu Haiyu rubbed the watch on her wrist: "It won't happen again."
Zhang Jinhua felt even more distressed upon hearing this.
"Silly child."
Xin Li ate her meal in silence.
Xu Haiyu rallied her spirits and kept trying to find topics to chat with He Mingzhou during the meal.
He Mingzhou didn't completely ignore him, but his attitude wasn't enthusiastic either.
Xu Haiyu, however, seemed oblivious, and kept making small talk.
Xinli ate less than usual at this meal.
There's no way around it, it's just too noisy.
It felt like a hundred ducks were quacking in her ears, making her head buzz.
"Xinxin ate so little today?"
Zhang Jinhua noticed this and asked worriedly, "Is it because the food today wasn't to your liking?"
Xinli smiled and said, "It was delicious. I was probably not that hungry today, so I ate less."
Make sure you eat your fill.
Xinli smiled and agreed.
After finishing their meal and chatting for a while, Xinli and He Mingzhou decided to go home.
Xu Haiyu looked at the two perfectly matched figures, gritted her teeth, and jumped up, saying anxiously, "Oh no! The watch my brother left me is gone!"
"What?"
Zhang Jinhua, who was washing dishes in the back, rushed out with the soap still on her hands: "How could it be gone?"
"I don't know, I just left it here!"
Xu Haiyu got up and searched around anxiously, saying, "I really missed my brother today, that's why I wore my watch. I never thought it would be gone... How can I face my brother..."
"How could something that was perfectly fine at home just disappear?"
Seeing that she was about to cry, Zhang Jinhua quickly comforted her, "Don't worry, you might have misplaced it somewhere."
Xin Li watched this scene quietly, a look of understanding flashing in her eyes.
She thought Xu Haiyu was scared and wouldn't cause any trouble, but unexpectedly, Xu Haiyu still started her performance.
"Let's help look for it too."
Xinli glanced at He Mingzhou and urged him to help search.
He Mingzhou kept his brows furrowed, but upon hearing Xin Li's words, he didn't say anything and silently helped with the search.
The group searched the house thoroughly, but still couldn't find the watch.
Xu Haiyu stared blankly at her empty wrist, as if her soul had been ripped out, muttering to herself, "How could it be gone... how could it just be gone..."
"It's such a big thing, I would definitely feel it if it fell, and I didn't go anywhere today..."
Upon hearing her words, Zhang Jinhua pondered, "If it wasn't lost, could it have been stolen?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Haiyu suddenly looked up and glanced at Xin Li.
Zhang Jinhua followed her gaze and looked at Xin Li.
"Xinxin, you've been with Xiaoyu all day. Did you see her watch?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com