Chapter 252 Carpenter
Someone else muttered under their breath, "Didn't this mother-in-law always look down on her daughter-in-law? Why is she suddenly standing up for her?"
"Wanyin opening a kindergarten is truly doing something for the factory's employees!"
Song Yazhi's voice echoed in the hall, her tone resolute, "As the mother-in-law, I'm the first to stand up and support you! Anyone who dares to gossip will have to ask me first if I'll allow it!"
She slowly turned around, her gaze falling on Qiao Wanyin, a complex mix of emotions flashing in her eyes—guilt, heartache, and an undisguised apology.
“Wanyin,” her voice softened, “Mom was confused before and believed those rumors, and misunderstood you too much. But now I understand—where can you find a daughter-in-law as kind, capable, and devoted to others as you? I’m sorry for what I did to you.”
Qiao Wanyin was shocked, and her mind went blank for a moment.
She stood there, her palms slightly sweaty.
She couldn't believe that her mother-in-law, who had always treated her coldly and been critical of her, would say such things in this setting, in front of everyone.
Her first reaction was suspicion: Was this just a superficial gesture to save face?
Is there something else going on?
But Song Yazhi's eyes were serious, and her wrinkled eyes even glistened with moisture.
Before she could even react, Fu Xianxiu stepped forward.
He was dressed in a neat factory uniform, his shoulders were straight, and his expression was solemn.
"Gentlemen," he began, his voice steady and powerful, "we are a factory family, and we have served in the military for many years. We know best what education means for the next generation."
"Children cannot be left unattended and uneducated in the rear just because their parents are guarding the country on the front lines."
He paused, looked around at everyone, and said, “My daughter-in-law’s kindergarten is not just a small business; she is doing a good thing for the country and the people! Our factory’s children deserve a safe place to grow up!”
This turn of events left everyone speechless.
Originally, some people wanted to question the kindergarten's qualifications, funding sources, or Qiao Wanyin's background, but now even her parents-in-law have stood up, and they are a respected old foreman couple in the factory team. Who would dare to say another word?
The atmosphere changed immediately after the meeting ended.
The factory staff who had been the most vocal and outspoken in their opposition actually gathered around.
Their faces were beaming with smiles, and their tone became warmer.
"Comrade Qiao, my husband is a carpenter back in our hometown, and he's very skilled! He can make tables, chairs, and benches. If you need anything, I can have him come and help for free!"
“I graduated from high school. Although I have never formally taught, I know pinyin and arithmetic. Can I be a teacher? As long as it can help children go to school, I will not take a penny!”
"I have a bunch of old toys at home, all of which my child used when he was little. They can still be played with after being washed. Could we donate them to the kindergarten? It would be our way of doing something!"
Qiao Wanyin responded to each one with a grateful smile on her face, her throat so dry and itchy it felt like it was about to burst into flames.
She nodded, thanked them, wrote down their names, and explained the purpose of their drinks, without even having time to drink a sip of water.
Qiu Zishu helped with the registration, writing incessantly in a small notebook, beads of sweat forming on her forehead and her temples getting wet.
As she took notes, she reminded them, "These two ladies, please leave your contact information. We'll arrange for the delivery of toys and supplies later."
After the meeting ended, the crowd gradually dispersed, and the dimly lit auditorium returned to silence.
Qiao Wanyin lowered her head to tidy up the materials on the podium—a few flyers, a stack of parent questionnaires, and a financial plan that had been revised repeatedly.
Her fingertips unconsciously brushed against the corner of the plan, the paper was already a little curled, and there were still tea stains on it that she had accidentally spilled while staying up late to calculate last night.
Song Yazhi stood a few steps away, her hands clasped in front of her, her eyes falling on Qiao Wanyin several times before quickly looking away.
She tried to walk over several times, but stopped as soon as she took a step, as if afraid of disturbing them, or as if she didn't know how to start the conversation.
Finally, she took a deep breath, mustered her courage, took a step forward, and softly called out, "Wanyin..."
Qiao Wanyin raised her head and looked at her.
"Would Mom help you get some?"
Song Yazhi's outstretched hand hovered in mid-air, her tone cautious, as if afraid of being rejected.
Qiao Wanyin paused, her fingertips resting on the edge of the paper.
She glanced at her mother-in-law quietly, then smiled gently. The smile was like a spring breeze, but it wasn't warm: "No need, there's only a little bit. I can do it myself."
That smile was just right—polite and impeccable, leaving no room for criticism, yet it clearly carried an invisible distance, like a thin layer of ice separating two hearts.
Song Yazhi's hand hovered in mid-air for a few seconds, her knuckles slightly curled, but she ultimately did not reach forward again.
She slowly withdrew her hand, lowered her head, her lips moved, but ultimately she said nothing.
On their way home, the sun was setting, and the golden afterglow cast long shadows on the street.
Fu Xianzheng walked ahead carrying the bag, Qiao Wanyin followed half a step behind, and Song Yazhi followed at the very back, maintaining a subtle distance between the three.
No one spoke; only the soft echoes of footsteps reverberated in the alley at dusk.
The wind ruffled Qiao Wanyin's hair and also wrinkled the lines around Song Yazhi's eyes.
Fu Xianxiu walked at the front, his pace unhurried, deliberately slowing down, pausing after each step, as if waiting for the two behind him.
He turned his head slightly, and out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the distance between his daughter-in-law and mother, which remained at a half-step gap, as if neither of them dared to approach rashly.
He said nothing, but silently slowed his pace, leaving this silent space to the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
Song Yazhi followed behind, her hands folded in front of her abdomen, but her eyes kept glancing at Qiao Wanyin.
She stole several glances, and each time her gaze fell on her daughter-in-law's profile, she quickly looked away as if she had been electrocuted.
Her lips moved slightly, her throat bobbed, as if a thousand words were stuck on her lips, but in the end she just pursed her lips and didn't dare to speak.
"mom."
Qiao Wanyin suddenly turned her head, her voice as soft as a leaf falling on water, yet clearly reaching Song Yazhi's ears, "How long do you plan to stay this time?"
Song Yazhi suddenly raised her head, her eyes lighting up as if a clear spring had suddenly gushed forth from a dry well.
She instinctively took half a step forward, her voice full of eagerness: "Whatever! Mom can stay until you give birth! I'll leave whenever you want!"
Afraid that Qiao Wanyin would misunderstand, she quickly added, her tone so firm it was like she was making a vow: "I'll take care of your postpartum period! I guarantee you and the baby will be comfortable! Nutrition, daily life, baby care—I'll do everything myself! You can be a mom without even lying down!"
The slight smile that had been playing on Qiao Wanyin's lips froze instantly upon hearing those words.
That smile was like the surface of a lake ruffled by the wind; before it could spread, it was frozen by the chill.
Her fingers unconsciously tightened on the hem of her clothes, she lowered her eyes, and her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible: "Then...it's too much trouble for you."
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