Chapter 89 is all an act!
Because of the series of bizarre things Wu Meifang had done, everyone was talking about this amazing pregnant woman. At the same time, they remembered that there was another pregnant woman in their compound. That was Ren's daughter-in-law, Dong Xiangxiang.
It was at this time that everyone realized that Dong Xiangxiang had been very low-key since she became pregnant, and she basically did not appear in front of everyone except when she was working.
You know, they're both pregnant women, so why is there such a big difference?
Dong Xiangxiang, a girl from the countryside, didn't think that having a child meant she had a secure position. She didn't take advantage of her pregnancy to act arrogantly and domineeringly in her husband's family.
See? That's the difference!
Suddenly, many people felt much more favorably toward Dong Xiangxiang.
So when Dong Xiangxiang went to wash the dishes by the sink at noon, she found that everyone's attitude towards her had become much warmer.
"Little Dong, here to wash the dishes again?"
"Oh dear, you're four or five months pregnant, aren't you? You're showing so much, why are you still washing dishes? You'll catch a cold. I'll have to talk to your mother-in-law."
"That's right, Guan Ailian is really something. It's the dead of winter, so cold, how could she let Xiao Dong, a pregnant woman, wash the dishes?"
Although Dong Xiangxiang was a little surprised, she quickly waved her hands with a look of panic, "Everyone misunderstood. My mother-in-law is very good to me. She was afraid I would get cold, so she specially poured me hot water."
The older woman curled her lip in disdain. "Tsk, you're so honest, still speaking up for Guan Ailian. We've seen what kind of life you've been living since you married into the family a few months ago, don't try to make excuses for your mother-in-law."
"That's right, that's right. Old Guan, this won't do. He seems so kind usually, how can he treat his pregnant daughter-in-law like this in private?"
Dong Xiangxiang grew increasingly panicked, sweat beading on her forehead. She hurriedly explained, "It's really not like that, it's really not like that, ladies, my mother-in-law is very good to me, she hasn't mistreated me..."
Unfortunately, her voice was too soft and was drowned out by the spittle flying from the mouths of the middle-aged women; no one heard her at all.
"Even if it's for the sake of the baby in her belly, you should at least treat pregnant women better. Old Guan is so petty!"
"Heh, she was just pretending before. Look at what she's been doing these past few months, tsk tsk tsk..."
"If you ask me, we can't entirely blame Xiao Dong for what happened back then. She was just a young girl; could she possibly stop Yong Sheng from doing what he wanted?"
"That's right..."
The group gradually veered off-topic, eventually bringing up the messy affair between Dong Xiangxiang and Ren Yongsheng, which actually cleared Dong Xiangxiang's name.
In the eyes of many people, Dong Xiangxiang is a simple, kind, hardworking, and honest country girl.
What did she do wrong?
It's all Ren Yongsheng's fault, that lecherous bastard!
Ren Yongsheng: "..."
What a huge black pot!
Dong Xiangxiang listened to these discussions and a slight smile appeared on her lips.
Where was there even a trace of fear on his face?
Dong Xiangxiang touched her belly. Once her son grew up, the money hidden in the house would be hers. Then she would see how she would repay the old man for all the grievances she had suffered.
...
On the other side, Jiang Qiubai, with her face covered in bruises, was washing dishes all alone, her eyes red with jealousy.
She looked at her hands, which were red and swollen like carrots, and felt very indignant.
Why does Dong Xiangxiang get hot water to wash dishes, while she has to use freezing cold water?
How come other people's mothers-in-law are so considerate, while my own is a black-hearted and vicious old hag?
Yes, after several months of getting to know each other, Jiang Qiubai's opinion of Chang Dafeng had changed from that of the best mother-in-law in the world to that of a black-hearted and vicious old woman.
The strained relationship between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law has officially ended.
At this moment, Jiang Qiubai wished he could use every vicious word he could think of to describe Chang Dafeng.
It's said that Jiang Qiubai has had a tough time these past few days.
When Chang Dafeng saw her, she was reminded of the 120 yuan she had lost, so she harassed her relentlessly to vent her anger.
Not only did she make Jiang Qiubai clean the entire house, but she also made her wash all the bed sheets and blankets. In addition to the housework she was supposed to do normally, Jiang Qiubai has been basically sitting by the sink every day for the past few days.
Chang Dafeng was reluctant to boil hot water for her, so she soaked her hands in ice water all day long. It was no exaggeration to say that Jiang Qiubai's hands were red and swollen like carrots.
Jiang Qiubai knew that the old woman was deliberately tormenting him.
What hurt her the most was that Haiyang acted as if he hadn't seen all the suffering she had endured. That night, she tried to get close to him to appease him, but he avoided her.
Jiang Qiubai felt extremely wronged; she hadn't even questioned him about what was going on between him and Bao Dayan yet!
How could he do this to himself?
Seeing Dong Xiangxiang stroking her belly with a happy expression, Jiang Qiubai felt increasingly sour and gritted his teeth in hatred.
They all married into the family together, so why do all these women from the countryside live better lives than her, a respectable city girl?
Forget about Cheng Jiajia; she's as cunning as a sieve. Yu Junsheng, that sly and stingy man, isn't much better. They're birds of a feather, so she'll accept that they're doing well together.
But Dong Xiangxiang, this woman who climbed into the husband's bed, has now actually gained the approval of her husband's family.
Not only did her mother-in-law feel sorry for her, but even the neighboring aunties spoke up for her and gave her reasons for climbing into bed in the first place.
Their lives were so much better than hers.
Why should I?!
Dong Xiangxiang's slightly protruding belly stung Jiang Qiubai's eyes again.
They were all married into the same family, so how come Dong Xiangxiang was so lucky to get pregnant?
But there's still no sign of pregnancy in my belly?
A flash of white light appeared in Jiang Qiubai's mind.
Yes, it all started changing after I got pregnant...
Would getting pregnant myself change my situation?
Jiang Qiubai stared at his stomach, lost in thought.
...
Zheng Haicheng saw Jiang Qiubai standing there in a daze through the window, and immediately complained to Chang Dafeng.
Zheng Haicheng was satisfied when he saw Jiang Qiubai obediently start washing the dishes after being scolded.
He straightened his clothes in front of the mirror on the washstand, combed his hair, and nodded in satisfaction.
Xiaohui has been frightened these past few days, so I need to go and comfort her, and take this opportunity to get closer to her.
While Chang Dafeng wasn't looking, Zheng Haicheng ransacked her room and finally found a bag of chicken cakes.
Then, carrying the pastries, he walked out the door with his head held high.
He had no choice but to stop using the money-making methods he had before. This was the only way he could find.
Why did his mother refuse to give him money?
Unfortunately, Xiaohui still refused to see him.
Zheng Haicheng could only comfort her through the window, "Xiaohui, please don't do anything rash. Wu Meifang's injury has nothing to do with you. You didn't push her."
A weak voice came from inside, "Haicheng, please stop. It's all my fault, it's all my fault, sob sob sob..."
Zheng Haicheng sighed, "You're just too kind and too considerate of others. You need to learn to be a little selfish."
Zheng Haicheng called out to Bai Xiaohui for a long time, but she refused to come out. She just hid behind the door and said a few words to him before telling him to go back.
Zheng Haicheng had no choice but to return home.
Before leaving, he placed the sponge cake on the windowsill of Bai Xiaohui's room and called out to her loudly, "I've left this sponge cake here for you. Remember to take it inside and eat it! It's quite delicious, don't waste it. I'll come see you again tomorrow!"
There was still no movement inside, so Zheng Haicheng could only leave disappointed.
Unbeknownst to him, the moment his figure disappeared from the Third Courtyard, the window opened, and Bai Xiaohui poked her head out, looked around, and seeing that no one was around, she quickly grabbed the bag of chicken cakes and went inside.
He didn't look unhappy at all.
...
Qin Miaomiao saw everything clearly from inside the house. She spat and cursed inwardly, "You pretentious vixen! Only Haicheng is blind enough not to see your true colors!"
Haicheng, how could he be so blind as to fall for Bai Xiaohui, that vixen?
How come he can't see how wonderful I am?
If I become Haicheng's girlfriend, all those delicious foods will be mine.
Qin Miaomiao glared hatefully at the house opposite. Damn it, the little fox spirit born of the big fox spirit!
The older one is fighting her for her father, and the younger one is fighting her for Haicheng. How shameless!
Little did she know, at that moment, Bai Xiaohui was staring at the bag of greenish sponge cakes on the windowsill with a dark expression, feeling deeply unlucky.
Bai Xiaohui cursed, "Pah! If you don't have money, don't pretend to be rich! You shameless bastard, trying to pass off a bag of moldy chicken cakes as something else, who are you trying to disgust?"
She was annoyed just looking at the bag of yellow and green things, and angrily picked up a handful and threw it on the ground, "Damn it, even pigs wouldn't eat this stuff!"
Zheng Haicheng, who had just returned to the Second Hospital, sneezed three times in a row, "Achoo," "Achoo," "Achoo."
Zheng Haicheng was cursing, "Which bastard is cursing me behind my back? That treacherous little..." His cursing suddenly stopped.
Zheng Haicheng chuckled foolishly, "It must be that Xiaohui misses me, that must be it!"
He just delivered a bag of sponge cakes; Xiaohui must have remembered his kindness while eating them and was missing him.
Bai Xiaohui: "..."
...
Cheng Jiajia wasn't just saying that she had mentioned bringing some cigarettes and alcohol to visit Grandpa Wang to Yu Junsheng last time.
In the past few days, she asked Yu Junsheng to exchange some tickets at his workplace, and then, taking advantage of her day off, she bought a bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) and a carton of cigarettes. The couple then went to the Wang family's house.
At that time, food was precious, and no household had any extra grain. In order to avoid being invited to stay for a meal by the Wang family, the two of them deliberately ate lunch before going.
Cheng Jiajia didn't say that she came to apologize for lying to people last time.
Otherwise, they would have to deal with Grandpa Wang's series of curiosities, including but not limited to a series of questions that would embarrass them so much they would scratch their toes.
They simply said they came to thank Grandpa Wang for taking care of them during this time.
Very well, Grandpa Wang had no doubts at all, and even warmly invited the two of them to eat the walnuts that his son had just bought.
Cheng Jiajia: "..."
What should I do if I suddenly feel guilty about deceiving an elderly person?
Tormented by her conscience, Cheng Jiajia refused Grandpa Wang's warm invitation. Sitting at Wang's house felt like sitting on a hot chair, and after only a short while, she dragged Yu Junsheng home.
On the way, Cheng Jiajia's expression was complicated. "Do you think I made a mistake? Should I have fooled Grandpa Wang like that? He actually believed it and started to believe it."
Yu Junsheng glanced at her and said, "It's no big deal. Don't keep bringing it up. Just pretend you don't know anything. Old Man Wang won't mind."
"Really?"
Yu Junsheng chuckled, "You think he really doesn't remember?"
Cheng Jiajia was confused. "What do you mean?"
"Maybe he didn't realize it at the time, but he'll definitely know later that you were lying to him. Old Wang isn't that old, and he's not stupid. He can't possibly forget what happened before and be fooled by your clumsy acting, can he?"
"Hey, no, what do you mean? You mean Grandpa Wang is faking it? That's impossible, I heard him say you live in compound number fifteen, and he still hasn't forgotten?"
Yu Junsheng sighed and tenderly ruffled his wife's hair. "He came to the compound once a month or two before we got married. Do you think he remembers?"
"Old Wang loves walnuts, but these days it's hard to buy mountain produce, even the supply and marketing cooperatives might not have them. He's just playing along with your act, making up an excuse to get his son to buy them."
Cheng Jiajia stared in disbelief, "Huh?!"
"So, everything he said was just him putting on an act?"
Yu Junsheng chuckled, "It was the two of you acting."
So this is what Grandpa Wang is really like.
The clown was actually herself?
The guilt vanished instantly, replaced by anger at having been used by the old man.
Cheng Jiajia jumped up and down, "No way! We have to get back the cigarettes and alcohol we gave you!"
Yu Junsheng tried to suppress his laughter, but he couldn't hold it in any longer. He turned his head away, grinned, and laughed for a while before turning back.
"That was originally meant for him, as a way of thanking him for taking care of you during this time."
Cheng Jiajia realized what was happening and immediately questioned Yu Junsheng, "Since you already knew, why didn't you warn me? Why did you just sit here and laugh at me?!"
Yu Junsheng felt a chill run down his spine and quickly walked forward. "Oh dear, I remember the floor hasn't been swept yet. I have to hurry back. Honey, you walk slowly behind me, I'll go first!"
Would he say he just wanted to see his wife get angry after being deceived, and that's why he went along with it?
He'd probably get beaten to death by her, right?
The two chased each other for a while, but they ended up in some alley, leaving Cheng Jiajia dumbfounded.
"Where is this? Do you know the way?"
She tried to salvage her last shred of dignity, saying, "I'm not familiar with this area, so I don't recognize it, but it's not that I don't remember the way."
There's no silver buried here.
Yu Junsheng's lips twitched. How could he forget that his wife was a terrible navigator?
"It's alright, just follow me, we'll be out in a bit."
He would never admit that he had brought her to this area before.
Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, Yu Junsheng swaggered in and took Cheng Jiajia's hand when suddenly a furtive figure passed by in front of them.
Cheng Jiajia paused, "Isn't that Aunt Yan from our courtyard?"
"Right, right?"
You should ask her why she's so sure?
There's no other reason than that the familiar clothes and headscarf made it instantly recognizable.
This person was clearly up to something shady, and knew to cover himself up completely with a headscarf, leaving only his eyes showing.
Uh, I mean, could you please not wear that blue floral cotton-padded jacket that you wear in the yard every day?
Could you please stop wearing that bright red scarf that you show off in the yard every day?
It's said that Qin Weimin bought it for her?
Cheng Jiajia expressed doubt about this, because the color was clearly not suitable for Aunt Yan's yellow skin, but rather complemented Bai Zhenzhu's skin tone better. Well, this was just her guess, and she dared not say it.
Yu Junsheng also raised an eyebrow as he looked at the figure in front of him. Tsk, he recognized him at a glance.
The two exchanged a glance. "Let's go, follow her and see what she's up to!"
The two hit it off immediately, and the dog followed Aunt Yan slyly behind them.
Following her, the dog crept to the entrance of an alleyway after turning left and right.
There was a middle-aged woman waiting there.
After Aunt Yan left, the two quickly huddled together, whispering to each other for quite a while.
Finally, the middle-aged woman mysteriously pulled a small paper packet from her sleeve and handed it to Aunt Yan.
Aunt Yan quickly took it and stuffed it into her pocket, glancing around as if afraid of being discovered.
They don't look like they're up to anything good.
Cheng Jiajia quickly shrank back.
She touched her chin and tugged at Yu Junsheng's arm. "What do you think is in that little paper packet?"
Yu Junsheng also seemed to be deep in thought. He felt that the person who met with Aunt Yan looked familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before, but he really couldn't remember where.
Where have I seen this before?
Cheng Jiajia didn't know what Aunt Yan was doing, but such a sneaky behavior couldn't be anything good.
She immediately became extremely vigilant and warned Yu Junsheng again, "You have to be careful. Who knows if she's up to some dirty trick to harm you?"
Yu Junsheng nodded obediently. He completely agreed with his wife's point: better safe than sorry.
"Don't worry, honey, I'll take good care of myself."
Cheng Jiajia was full of enthusiasm and eager to learn. "When we get back, I'll teach you a few moves. You'll have to learn things like grappling techniques and how to chop someone's neck, so you don't get attacked in a dirty trick."
Yu Junsheng tentatively asked, "No, is that alright?"
Hearing that it would require a lot of hard training, his small frame probably shouldn't go for it.
Cheng Jiajia glared at her, "Why not? Look at you, you're so weak, what if they force themselves on you?"
Yu Junsheng's lips twitched. "Okay, okay, wife, teach me a few moves so I can defend myself."
Yu Junsheng never expected that his casual remark would actually come true.
The tricks his wife taught him soon proved to be a great help to him.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
