Chapter 93: Going Back to My Mother's Home 'Undercover'
Everyone was not only surprised by Ai Xiaoxia's return, but also speculated about the purpose of her return.
While Meng Qiuju was out cooking, she went to the west room, closed the door, and discussed things with her eldest son and daughter-in-law.
After entering the house and closing the door, Meng Qiuju whispered to Guan Mingyue, "Did you hear everything?"
Guan Mingyue nodded: "Yes, I heard it, Mom, what's going on with Ai Xiaoxia?"
Meng Qiuju said: "I guess she came back from a fight with Lu Jingshen, but she was too embarrassed to say it. This is a good opportunity for us."
Guan Mingyue thought for a moment and said, "Mom, are you trying to use their marital discord to separate them so that Ai Xiaoxia can still work for us?"
Meng Qiuju nodded. "That's what I mean. I originally thought Ai Xiaoxia was useless, but now it seems our chance has come. You must treat her well these few days. When people are vulnerable, they are most likely to be easily influenced."
Ai Lai Fu finally reacted and exclaimed, looking at the two of them: "You are so smart, right? Why didn't I think of it?"
Meng Qiuju said, "Anyway, no one should mess with her these days. Her family is going to the market to make money, and Lu Jingshen's salary is high. We can't lose this long-term meal ticket."
After everything was discussed, Meng Qiuju brought Guan Mingyue out to cook.
Ai Xiaoxia was not in the mood to help, so she asked Ai Xiaoping to accompany her to Fang Lan'e's house. She would go there to see their family situation in person, and pretend that she was visiting her parents' home.
This way, Ai Xiaoping doesn't have to work and can talk to her sister in private.
Ai Xiaoxia gave the hat and scarf she brought back to Ai Xiaoping, put on a large cotton-padded jacket with a hood, and left the house.
The snow outside was getting heavier and heavier, and there were few people on the road.
Ai Xiaoxia held her sister's hand. No matter whether she was a member of the Ai family or not, her sister grew up with her, and she couldn't ignore her sister.
"Xiaoping, how are you doing at home recently? Has your sister-in-law bullied you?" Ai Xiaoxia asked her sister.
Ai Xiaoping sighed, "They haven't been hitting me much lately. Even though I do a lot of work and get scolded a lot, I'm content as long as I don't get beaten."
In fact, every time Ai Xiaoxia sees her sister, she always suspects that she is overthinking it. After all, her sister is also a poor little person who survives in the cracks.
But just like Lu Jingshen said, if you have doubts, then seek answers.
She said to Ai Xiaoping, "Xiaoping, if they beat you, go to my place." Then she took out fifty yuan and gave it to Ai Xiaoping, "Hide it well. You'll need it when it matters most."
Ai Xiaoping didn't dare to ask for so much money: "Sister, it's too much. I can't hide it. If they see it, won't they think I stole it? I will be in more trouble."
Ai Xiaoxia also knew that Ai Xiaoping was timid. People who grew up in such an environment and were oppressed for a long time would all be like this. Wasn't the original owner the same? Thanks to her for coming, otherwise, these two sisters would not have recovered.
She took back the thirty yuan and said, "Twenty is not much. Take it. If they see you, just tell them the truth. It's okay if I give it to you."
Ai Xiaoping put the money away and said, "Thank you, sister."
"Xiaoping, I want to ask you, has there been anything strange about them after I got married?" Ai Xiaoxia asked.
Ai Xiaoping thought for a moment and shook her head. "No, I haven't noticed. Anyway, my family is just fretting about my eldest sister-in-law not getting pregnant and building a house. What kind of house is it? There's nothing else to worry about."
After saying that, Ai Xiaoping suddenly remembered something and said, "A few days ago, Mom went to the city and came back the same day. She said she was visiting relatives, but we don't have many relatives in the city. Mom came back very angry. Does this count?"
After hearing this, Ai Xiaoxia stopped and asked, "What details do you remember?"
"It's strange. Mom didn't bring anything with her, and it doesn't look like she's just visiting friends."
"Xiaoping, remember, if Mom goes to the city again, you should call your brother-in-law and tell him to call immediately, but be sure to keep it a secret."
"Sister, isn't Mom going to the city to cause trouble for you?"
"No, she didn't come to me. I'm not sure about this, so just keep an eye on her for me."
"I understand, sis."
As they were talking, the two arrived at Fang Lan'e's house.
After entering the yard, Fang Lan'e's mother burst into tears when she saw Ai Xiaoxia: "Xiaoxia, seeing you reminds me of my Xiao'e. Where did that child go?"
Ai Xiaoxia knew that Fang Lan'e's mother was good to her and also favored boys over girls, but she still wanted the best for her daughter. It was just that she didn't make the decisions in the family. With her husband and mother-in-law around, no one listened to what she said.
Ai Xiaoxia didn't want to go into the house. She pulled Fang Lan'e's mother to the side of the stable and said in a sheltered place: "Aunt Hua, I don't know where Xiao'e is, but she wrote to me. I know she's doing well. Don't worry."
"Then there's no address for the letter?" Fang Lan'e's mother had also inquired about many ways to find her daughter during this period, so she had some understanding of this.
"She used a fake one, so it couldn't be found." Ai Xiaoxia quickly explained.
Fang Lan'e's mother was somewhat disappointed: "Now his in-laws are always making trouble. I don't know what to do. It's right not to come back. Life here is too hard. But if I don't come back, we can't bear it anymore."
"Aunt Hua, what are Xiao'e's in-laws' requirements?" Ai Xiaoxia still wanted to know the latest developments.
"They're anxious to have a child. Didn't their family ask us to return the betrothal gift and get a divorce? But you know, the betrothal gift was used for my son's wedding. How can we get the money to return it?"
"I remember Xiao'e's betrothal gift was one thousand, not much. How much does your family have? Let me see if I can help borrow some."
"Xiao'e's grandmother wouldn't let me take a cent, so I had no choice."
"Aunt Hua, let's hold on for a while. Xiao'e's in-laws are also very angry now. Wait a minute, I will look for Xiao'e and see if I can get her to come back to talk." Ai Xiaoxia felt that the time was not yet ripe. She needed to let Fang Lan'e continue to stay outside. When they couldn't hold it back anymore, she could come back and cut the Gordian knot. If she came back now, there would probably be a lot of trouble for both sides.
Fang Lan'e's mother nodded and said, "Thank you for taking so much trouble. Are you going back to your parents' home? If you hadn't gotten along so well with Xiao'e, I really wouldn't have recognized you. You've married so well, thanks to your grandfather for choosing a good family for you."
Ai Xiaoxia said, "Yes, I really want to thank my grandfather for this. Aunt Hua, if it's okay, we won't go in. Don't worry, I promise to take good care of Xiao'e."
"I feel relieved when you say that. I won't let you into the house either. Those people in the house say unpleasant things, and no one really wishes Xiao'e well." Fang Lan'e's mother sighed.
"Then let's go back, Aunt Hua." Ai Xiaoxia took her sister and said goodbye to Fang Lan'e's mother, and the two sisters walked back.
The snow was still falling heavily, and a lot of snow had accumulated on the two of them.
After walking for a while, they passed by the door of their second uncle Ai Weimin's house and said to Ai Xiaoping, "Let's go see grandma."
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