After playing with Long Bao for a while longer, Su Yaqin said she needed to head back.
Wang Pei, who was clearing the dishes, quickly set them down and took off her apron. “Let me see you home.”
“Auntie, there’s no need to trouble yourself. I can just ride my bike back.”
“It’s no trouble. I have a car—it’ll only take a few minutes. Riding your bike would take twenty. As for these dishes, Xu Zhijun can wash them.”
Xu Zhijun, who had just finished doing the laundry and walked in: ?
Noticing Su Yaqin glance over, he immediately nodded and said, “Yes, I’ll take care of them.”
Su Yaqin’s brother was the Mayor. Although he couldn’t directly help with Xu Zhijun’s promotion, maintaining good relations was always wise.
Without even looking at Xu Zhijun, Su Yaqin took her grandmother’s arm and went out.
“Auntie, you’re so good to me.”
“You’re just as much of a sweet talker as Long Bao.”
Chatting and laughing, the two left. Xu Zhijun glanced at the messy table, resigned himself to his fate, rolled up his sleeves, and got to work.
These tasks used to be done by Lu Jingyi.
Ever since Lu Jingyi was discharged from the hospital, they had fallen on him.
Once Lu Jingyi finished her postpartum confinement, he would make sure she stayed home obediently to look after the child.
His mother had said: Mothers are the most attached to their children. If Lu Jingyi refused to stay home with the baby, they could just let Long Bao get sick a few times—that would make her comply.
Meanwhile.
Su Yaqin arrived at the apartment allocated by her husband’s work unit.
She got out of the car and waved to Wang Pei inside. “Auntie, drive carefully on your way back. I’ll visit Lu Jingyi when I have time.”
“Alright, it’s getting dark. Head home soon.”
Su Yaqin waved as the car drove off, then turned to go inside.
She hadn’t taken more than a few steps when a neighbor called out to her, “Yaqin, who dropped you off? That was a car!”
“I went to see a friend’s baby. Auntie worried it was getting dark, so she personally drove me back.”
Su Yaqin arrived home and had just taken out her keys, but before she could insert them into the lock, the door was pulled open from inside.
“Yaqin, you’re finally back! It’s been so long—let me get a good look at you. Child, how have you gotten so thin? Has A-Qiang not been taking good care of you?”
Though the words were similar, the tone was entirely different depending on who spoke them.
When her aunt said it, it was out of concern.
But when her mother-in-law said it, it always seemed loaded with implication.
Even though she had already learned from Long Bao that her husband had invited his parents to act as peacemakers, seeing them standing right in front of her still made her heart sink.
“Mom, Dad, what brings you here?”
“Well, A-Qiang told us you two were having a disagreement. It’s actually my fault, so we decided to come and explain things to you in person.”
Su Yaqin was pulled into the house.
Zhao Qiang handed her a cup. “Here, drink some warm water. Look how cold your hands are.”
Su Yaqin instinctively took the cup and set it on the table.
Not only were her hands cold—her heart felt even colder.
Even she could see it now: Zhao Qiang was scheming against her again.
“Yaqin, don’t be angry with A-Qiang. It was all my idea. It’s been three years now—your health should be fully recovered. Besides, all the people around me are holding their grandchildren, and I want one too. I was afraid you wouldn’t agree, so I told A-Qiang to do it that way. If you’re going to blame anyone, blame me.”
Su Yaqin withdrew her hand and said, “Mom, did Zhao Qiang ask you to come persuade me?”
“Zhao Qiang didn’t want you to be angry either. All couples quarrel but make up quickly. If you have any grievances, just speak up. Your father and I will definitely stand by your side.”
Su Yaqin looked at her parents-in-law.
Her father had sacrificed his life in the revolution, and her mother’s health had always been poor. After learning this tragic news, her mother passed away too.
If it weren’t for several of her father’s comrades who helped raise her and her brother, they might have starved to death long ago.
Having lost her parents since childhood, she initially thought Zhao Qiang’s parents’ kindness meant she finally had parents after marriage.
But now it seemed she had misunderstood.
These three people would only unite to bully her alone.
Su Yaqin withdrew her hand and said, “Mom, Dad, I’m not angry with Zhao Qiang. Since you’re here, stay and enjoy yourselves for a few days. I have overtime work, so I’ll move into the dormitory provided by the hospital first.”
Zhao Qiang quickly followed her into the room, watching her pack her clothes, then snatched them away.
“Su Yaqin, my parents came personally to apologize. Why do you still want to move out? What more do you want?”
Even with her clothes taken, Su Yaqin didn’t get angry. She picked up another piece of clothing.
“I’ve said we need some time apart to cool off. Since you wouldn’t listen and called your parents over, I have no choice but to return to the hospital. You can keep making a scene, and then I’ll go find my brother.”
Zhao Qiang immediately became subdued.
“Yaqin, I really know I was wrong. If you want to go to the hospital, go ahead. Just please don’t let your brother know.”
Su Yaqin snatched back the clothes from his hands, packed them into a woven bag, and walked out the door.
Not one of the three people at home dared to stop her as she left.
Her mother-in-law wore an incredulous, almost horrified expression. “Since when did Yaqin become so strong-willed?”
“She went to see Lu Jingyi. It must be Lu Jingyi stirring up trouble.”
“How could that woman do this! And I actually thought she was a decent person.”
Her mother-in-law had a very strong impression of Lu Jingyi.
Back when her son and daughter-in-law got married, Lu Jingyi had brought many novel gifts.
Zhao Qiang: “We can’t let this go on. The longer it drags out, the more I fear Yaqin will want a divorce.”
“Son, what do you plan to do then?”
“Mom, you stay here. In three days, pretend you’re sick and ask her to come back to see you.”
“Alright.”
The next day.
After breakfast, Wang Pei took some money and went to the factory to find Sister-in-law Qian. She offered ten yuan to hire her help with preparing a banquet.
Sister-in-law Qian was still hesitating when the money was already pressed into her hand.
Wang Pei: “Don’t worry, this is just payment for your help. We’ll handle all the ingredients ourselves, and we’re only inviting three tables.”
Only then did Sister-in-law Qian agree.
Watching Wang Pei’s retreating figure, Sister-in-law Qian held the money but couldn’t feel happy.
“You’re getting ten yuan just to cook one meal, why aren’t you happy?” another sister-in-law nearby asked.
Sister-in-law Qian sighed and said, “You know how Comrade Lu used to bully Li Hong before. I’m afraid my cooking won’t suit her taste. What if a capitalist young lady like her holds a grudge against me?”
“What are you afraid of? You’ve already been paid, and I’ve noticed Comrade Lu’s temper has been much better since she had her child.”
“Although that’s true, I’m still uneasy. I’ll go ask Li Hong for advice when it’s time for the meal.”