Seeing her daughter's behavior, Geng Ling couldn't help but speak up for her: "Sisi, your mother-in-law is right. You really can't be impolite in front of outsiders. But you don't need to be so particular in front of your own family."
"Compared to this, you should just drive safely and smoothly on the road and get here safely. Your parents are willing to wait as long as it takes."
Duan Jingwei chimed in, "Yes, your mom is right. There are so many cars on the road now, you have to be careful while driving. Don't speed just because you're in a hurry, always be careful!"
Upon hearing this, Qiao Xiufen's expression, which had just begun to soften, turned somewhat unfriendly again. However, out of consideration for her feelings, she didn't expose her and simply sat there without saying a word.
Duan Sisi noticed the awkward atmosphere and quickly called out to everyone, "Alright, let's stop discussing my little matter and hurry up and eat, or the food will get cold!"
She had rushed here and was incredibly thirsty. Luckily, Qiao Chen had a cup of cooled tea next to her, so she picked it up and was about to bring it to her lips when she heard Qiao Xiufen shout urgently.
"Don't drink it!"
Duan Sisi stopped what she was doing, turned her head and looked at Qiao Xiufen in surprise, not knowing what to do.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
Qiao Xiufen snatched the teacup from her hand, tested the temperature, and her face immediately turned cold.
"You're drinking such cold tea! What if you hurt yourself like this and develop uterine coldness?"
Duan Sisi was stunned by these words. "Is my uterus so fragile that I can't even drink a cup of tea?"
Geng Ling also spoke up for Qiao Xiufen this time.
"Sisi, you have to listen to your mother-in-law on this. It's getting so cold, you shouldn't drink cold water. Drink some hot water, it's better for your health," Geng Ling advised earnestly.
Duan Sisi glanced around and saw that Duan Jingwei and Qiao Chen also seemed to agree, so she could only put down her teacup in frustration.
Qiao Xiufen placed a freshly poured cup of hot tea into Duan Sisi's hand.
"Drink it."
Duan Sisi felt the heat was too much to handle, so how could she dare to put it in her mouth?
"I suddenly don't feel so thirsty anymore, I'll drink it later."
She made up an excuse and put the scalding hot teacup on the table.
She watched the rising steam from the teacup in front of her, and subconsciously swallowed, feeling as if her throat was on fire.
While Geng Ling and Qiao Xiufen were exchanging polite pleasantries, Duan Sisi kept her eyes glued to the watermelon on the table, swallowing hard as she stared at it.
As she watched, she couldn't resist any longer. While Qiao Xiufen was talking happily, she quickly reached for the watermelon like a thief.
Qiao Xiufen caught a glimpse of red in her peripheral vision. She turned around in a flash and saw Duan Sisi with her mouth wide open, about to swallow the piece of watermelon.
She deliberately cleared her throat, and Duan Sisi immediately and obediently returned the watermelon.
Duan Sisi looked at Qiao Xiufen pitifully, "Can't we even eat watermelon anymore?"
"Watermelon is a cooling food, so it's not good for you..."
Just as Qiao Xiufen was about to launch into a long lecture, Duan Sisi hurriedly raised her hand to stop her.
"Mom, I understand, I won't eat it."
Qiao Xiufen couldn't help but sigh as she watched her looking so aggrieved and trying to please her.
"Sisi, I'm doing this for your own good." She picked up a piece of green vegetable with her chopsticks and placed it on Duan Sisi's plate. "Here, eat this."
Under Qiao Xiufen's various glances and coughs, Duan Sisi managed to finish her meal with difficulty.
The process of her picking up food was like a game of Minesweeper; she might run into a difficult dish at any moment.
At first, Geng Ling thought that Qiao Xiufen was thinking about Duan Sisi's health, but Qiao Xiufen continued like this throughout the meal. By the end, she saw that Duan Sisi didn't even dare to pick up any more food, so she couldn't help but speak up.
"Qiao Chen's mother, aren't you being a little too serious? If Sisi can't eat this or that, she won't even get enough to eat. How can she not get healthy?"
Although Geng Ling's words were tactful, they still made Qiao Xiufen's expression change slightly.
Qiao Xiufen forced a smile and turned around, "Mother-in-law, what are you saying? It makes me sound like some kind of shrew who won't let me eat. This is a special time!"
Geng Ling frowned in confusion upon hearing her words.
"What special period? Are you trying to conceive? Trying to conceive doesn't have to be this strict."
Qiao Xiufen looked surprised. "My mother-in-law doesn't know yet?"
She turned her head and lightly patted Duan Sisi reproachfully, "You child, why didn't you tell your own parents about such a big thing!"
Duan Sisi looked complicated. "I just haven't had the chance yet, I haven't found the right opportunity."
Geng Ling was completely confused. "What's wrong? Sisi, what happened?"
Duan Jingwei also became nervous and asked Duan Sisi urgently, "Sisi, are you feeling unwell? If you're not feeling well, you must tell me right away. Don't delay, Dad will find you the best doctor!"
Just as Duan Sisi was about to explain, Qiao Xiufen interrupted her.
“My dear in-laws, don’t be too anxious. We’re trying to conceive two children, so we went to the hospital for a checkup, and Sisi was found to have some problems.”
She added at the end, "But my Chenchen is perfectly fine."
By the time it reached Geng Ling's ears, the last sentence had been automatically ignored; her heart was filled with concern and anxiety for Duan Sisi.
"Sisi, why didn't you tell your mother about such a big thing? What's wrong with your health? Did the doctor give you any specific advice?"
Seeing the situation getting more and more complicated, Duan Sisi was overwhelmed, but she still tried her best to deal with it: "It's okay, Mom, it's not a big deal, you don't need to worry and get upset."
Before Geng Ling could even reply, Qiao Xiufen quickly interjected.
"Sisi, what are you saying? Is a woman's inability to conceive not a big deal? Then what value do you have?"
These words displeased Geng Ling.
"Qiao Chen's mother, you're wrong about that. When did a woman's value become limited to just giving birth?"
Qiao Xiufen turned around with a smile, "Mother-in-law, I was just saying it casually, you don't need to make such a big deal out of it."
Before Geng Ling could even clarify the matter, she was unjustly accused of "exaggerating the issue."
"Qiao Chen's mom, I'm not trying to be mean, but not being able to conceive isn't such a big problem. Most young people these days have irregular schedules, so they all have some kind of issue. Medical technology is so advanced now, you can totally do IVF!"
She turned to look at Duan Jingwei and said, "It just so happens that my husband knows a relevant expert. I'll go and consult him properly tomorrow."
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