Chapter 223 A Heavy Burden
In the living room, Song Yazhi and Fang Xiaoju immediately fell silent, exchanging a knowing glance before their faces were filled with enthusiastic smiles, as if their whispers had never happened.
"It's all changed?"
Song Yazhi immediately stepped forward, her tone almost cloyingly affectionate, "Oh my, this color of the dress really suits you, it makes you look so much better, you're so beautiful and the clothes complement you perfectly."
Qiao Wanyin didn't speak, but just smiled faintly, her gaze sweeping over the two of them, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes, but she didn't reveal it at all.
She had completely understood.
These two were indeed up to no good. On the surface, they were all smiles and concern, but behind her back, they secretly put laxatives in her tea. Their only goal was to force her to use her supernatural spatial ability and take advantage of her weakness to seize control.
The three sat back down on the sofa. Snacks and fruit were laid out on the coffee table. On the surface, they seemed to be having a good time and the atmosphere was harmonious. But in reality, each of them was secretly wary of the other, speaking cautiously and acting restrainedly. A silent confrontation and calculation filled the air.
"Sister Wanyin, you haven't eaten this pastry yet," Fang Xiaoju suddenly picked up a piece of golden osmanthus cake, smiled and handed it over, her eyes eager, "It's a well-established brand that I specially asked someone to bring it from Nancheng. I heard it's good for the stomach and replenishes qi, and it's especially suitable for your current constitution."
Fang Xiaoju handed over another pastry, looking at Qiao Wanyin with a beaming smile, a smile so sweet it seemed to be mixed with honey.
She gently held the plate in her hands, her movements tender yet brooking no refusal, as if she had already made up her mind to make the other person accept it.
Qiao Wanyin looked at the pastry, her brows twitched slightly, and a hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes.
The pastry was white and tender, sprinkled with a few osmanthus petals, and smelled sweet and delicious, but for some reason, it made her feel a sense of unease.
Is it absolutely necessary for me to eat this today?
She secretly wondered what was going on, feeling that there was more to this than met the eye.
Fang Xiaoju was never this attentive, especially when her mother-in-law, Song Yazhi, was present.
This sudden act of thoughtfulness seems to have some ulterior motive.
Just as I was thinking of how to refuse, there was a sudden "knock knock knock" at the door.
The sound wasn't urgent, but it was clear and powerful, piercing through the stuffy air in the room.
"Wanyin, are you home?"
A familiar yet long-lost voice came from outside the door, its tone tinged with a hint of caution.
Upon hearing the voice, Qiao Wanyin's eyes lit up immediately.
The voice was like a spring breeze, dispelling the long-standing gloom in my heart.
She almost immediately leaned forward slightly from her chair, her heart pounding a little faster.
It's Qiu Zishu!
That close friend who was always by her side and with whom she shared everything.
Although the two have recently drifted apart due to a misunderstanding, their friendship has never truly ended.
Last time, because of Lin Zhiming's matter, the two said some harsh words to each other, and their words cut apart their originally close relationship like a knife.
Later, neither of them took the initiative to contact the other, and as the days went by, the opportunities to meet gradually disappeared.
In addition, I've recently become pregnant, which has made my physical condition unstable and my emotions particularly sensitive.
Meanwhile, her mother-in-law, Song Yazhi, was very fussy, constantly nagging and finding fault with everything, making the atmosphere at home extremely tense.
She had been wanting to find a free day to see Qiu Zishu, have a good talk, and open up.
She had originally planned to go see her in a few days to mend their relationship.
Even just sitting together and having a cup of tea can make you feel much more relaxed.
After all, the bond between them couldn't be erased with just a few words.
Unexpectedly, she came to our door first!
At this moment, a warm current surged in Qiao Wanyin's heart, as if a long-awaited rain had come after a drought.
Qiao Wanyin's face showed a genuine smile, and even her eyebrows were filled with joy.
Without thinking twice, she walked quickly toward the door, her steps so light they were almost running.
"Zishu, I'm here!"
She responded as she walked, her voice brimming with undisguised joy.
She opened the courtyard gate and saw Qiu Zishu standing outside, wearing a faded blue cloth shirt and a simple headband.
Her round face was slightly flushed, as if she had been sweating from walking, or perhaps because she was nervous.
Her eyes looked somewhat uneasy, and she clutched a small bundle tightly in her hands, her fingertips turning white.
"Zi Shu".
Qiao Wanyin recognized her old friend at a glance, and her heart warmed. She immediately grabbed the other person's hand.
The palm was slightly cool and damp, indicating that the person had been quite nervous before coming.
Without saying a word, she led the person into the courtyard, saying, "Come in and sit down quickly, the sun is strong outside, don't get sunburned."
Since that argument, the two haven't had a proper conversation.
Every time Qiao Wanyin recalls the scene of the argument that day, she feels a pang of regret.
Things that could have been explained calmly were instead clouded by emotions.
If it weren't for a bunch of things going on at home, she would have gone there long ago.
She didn't want to lose this friend, nor did she want this relationship to end.
"Sister Wanyin, I heard you're pregnant. I...I brought you some food."
Qiu Zishu lowered her head, her voice trembling slightly, her tone filled with apology and shyness.
She slowly lifted the small bundle wrapped in oil paper, her movements very gentle, as if afraid of damaging the contents.
"These are your favorite dried apricots and hawthorn cakes. I heard they're good for the appetite and good for pregnant women..."
Qiao Wanyin's nose tingled, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.
Those weren't just ordinary snacks; they were filled with heartfelt sentiment.
She remembered the days when they were little, secretly hiding under the old locust tree behind the family compound and sharing a piece of hawthorn cake.
Back then, we were poor, and we would even break a piece of candy in half to share.
But it is precisely those kinds of days that are the most genuine and the warmest.
Qiu Zishu was her closest friend in the military compound.
The two grew up together, went to school on the same route, joined the army in the same year and were assigned to the military as family members, and even their partners were children of cadres recruited in the same year.
The tacit understanding between them far exceeds that of ordinary friendship.
If it weren't for Lin Zhiming's meddling, they would still be talking about everything as they used to...
Those late-night heart-to-heart talks and mutual support should not be so easily destroyed by a rumor.
"Come in and sit down."
Qiao Wanyin said softly, deliberately making her tone cheerful in an attempt to lighten the mood.
She held onto Qiu Zishu's hand tightly, afraid that she would turn around and back away.
"Why don't we stay for lunch? I'll ask Mom to prepare a couple more dishes; it's been a long time since we've eaten together."
Song Yazhi's face immediately darkened, and the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.
She sat on a rattan chair in the main room, slowly fanning herself with a palm-leaf fan, but her eyes unconsciously drifted towards the small bundle.
"Oh dear, I didn't buy much food today, I'm afraid it won't be enough to entertain the guests..."
She spoke very slowly, as if she were reminding someone of something.
"It's okay, I'll go buy it!"
Qiao Wanyin immediately responded, giving her mother-in-law no chance to continue interfering.
She turned around and looked at Qiu Zishu with bright eyes. "Zishu, would you like to come with me to the supply and marketing cooperative? We can take a walk and clear our heads."
Qiu Zishu nodded quickly and agreed immediately.
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