Wang Pei took the invitation to the house assigned to Zhao Qiang and knocked on the door.
The door opened quickly.
The person who opened the door was Zhao Qiang.
When Zhao Qiang saw it was her, he put on a fake smile, “Auntie, what brings you here?”
He stood blocking the doorway, showing no intention of inviting Wang Pei inside.
Wang Pei glanced inside, but the door was completely blocked by Zhao Qiang, making it impossible for her to see anything clearly.
“Is Yaqin home?”
“She’s home, Auntie. You can just tell me whatever you need.”
Wang Pei gave him a suspicious look and took out the invitation, saying, “My granddaughter’s Full Moon Celebration Feast is the day after tomorrow. You and Yaqin should come together.”
“Alright, just give me the invitation. Yaqin and I will go together.”
Zhao Qiang reached out to take the invitation.
He planned to claim later that he had misplaced it and forgotten about it.
He had finally managed to calm his wife down. If Yaqin were to see Lu Jingyi again and Lu Jingyi started saying irresponsible things, all his efforts would be in vain.
Wang Pei had already learned about Zhao Qiang’s behavior from her daughter.
She didn’t trust Zhao Qiang at all now.
Wang Pei took half a step back, avoiding Zhao Qiang’s hand, and said, “I’ll speak with Yaqin personally.”
“Yaqin isn’t feeling well.”
Zhao Qiang remained blocking the doorway, preventing her from entering.
Wang Pei’s eyes turned cold, “Call Yaqin out. I want to ask if she knows you’re blocking the door and not letting me in.”
“Auntie, Yaqin really isn’t feeling well. It’s not that I’m not calling her.”
Just then, Su Yaqin heard the noise and came out. Seeing the two arguing at the door, she quickly stepped forward and said, “Auntie, you’re here. Please come in and sit.”
“Zhao Qiang, what are you doing blocking the doorway?”
Zhao Qiang gritted his teeth secretly but had no choice but to step aside.
Wang Pei walked straight past him into the house. She handed the invitation to Su Yaqin and said, “Yaqin, how come you’ve lost so much weight again?”
After what had happened, Su Yaqin didn’t dare talk about it openly. With the door open, if someone overheard, it would be disastrous.
Su Yaqin planned to tell them about it next time she visited Jingyi.
She took the invitation and opened it, her eyes lighting up, “I’m fine. The day after tomorrow is Long Bao’s full moon! Auntie, don’t worry, I’ll definitely be there.”
“Good, you must come then. Long Bao misses you very much.”
Su Yaqin nodded vigorously.
She missed Long Bao too.
After what had happened, she hadn’t dared to leave the house these past few days, afraid of encountering similar situations.
After seeing Wang Pei off, Zhao Qiang hugged Su Yaqin from behind and tentatively said, “Yaqin, you haven’t been feeling well these past few days. Maybe you shouldn’t go?”
Su Yaqin quickly broke free from his embrace, “How could I not go? She’s my goddaughter! I need to think about what to give her.”
With that, Su Yaqin enthusiastically returned to her room.
Zhao Qiang’s brows furrowed tightly.
Why be so good to someone else’s daughter? It’s not like she could expect someone else’s child to support her in old age.
Besides, it’s just a worthless girl anyway.
After returning home, Wang Pei told her daughter about what she had witnessed at Su Yaqin’s house.
Lu Jingyi frowned, a trace of confusion flashing in her eyes.
Although Yaqin didn’t want to divorce Zhao Qiang over the child issue, that incident was clearly a thorn in Yaqin’s heart. How could she possibly act as if nothing had happened?
Lu Jingyi gently patted the sleeping Long Bao while whispering, “When Yaqin arrives, I’ll ask her what exactly happened.”
“Alright.”
Lu Jingyi glanced outside and asked, “Where’s Xu Zhijun?”
“He went to invite his superiors to attend the Full Moon Celebration Feast.”
Xu Zhijun had just finished washing clothes and hadn’t even changed his damp outfit before rushing off to invite several leaders to join the feast.
Coincidentally, the leaders were gathered together discussing recent promotion matters.
Upon hearing Xu Zhijun had arrived, they immediately stopped talking and had the guard escort him in.
Xu Zhijun entered with a smile, “How convenient that all the leaders are here together – saves me running around. My Yunshu will have her Full Moon Celebration Feast the day after tomorrow. Would you all be available to come liven up our home?”
“So soon? Your child is already a month old? Of course we’ll come.”
“Comrade Xu, I’ve heard your daughter is as adorable as the babies painted in New Year pictures. I must see if she lives up to that reputation.”
“We’ll all be there, Zhijun. Why are your clothes wet? Such cold weather and you haven’t changed – be careful not to catch a cold.”
Xu Zhijun looked down at his clothes and scratched his head sheepishly, “Ah, I was in such a hurry to invite you all that I completely forgot. This is just splashed water from laundry – the inner layer isn’t wet. It’ll dry soon.”
“You do laundry at home?”
“My mother-in-law is taking care of my wife alone, and I didn’t want her to overwork herself. It’s just a small thing. I should be heading back now – hope you can all make it.” Xu Zhijun smiled before taking his leave.
After he left, the leaders exchanged glances and nodded approvingly.
“This Comrade Xu trains diligently, and unexpectedly he’s so considerate to his wife at home too. I think quite highly of him.”
“Indeed. Plus his father-in-law has made significant contributions. Compared to the other candidates, while Xu Zhijun may not be the most outstanding, he has no noticeable flaws and treats his subordinates very seriously. Regimental Commander Gu, what’s your opinion…”
Gu Zhitong pondered briefly, “We still have time. Let’s observe him further.”
“Reasonable, though I still favor Comrade Xu.”
“Let’s disperse for now. We’ll all go to Comrade Xu’s home for the feast the day after tomorrow.”
As they gathered their belongings to leave, they opened the door to find a child standing outside.
The five-year-old boy stood like a tender yet straight sapling, his serious expression evoking endless affection.
“Regimental Commander, your Anhe has come to fetch you for dinner again.”
Commander Gu smiled and walked over, ruffling his son’s hair, “Let’s go home for dinner.”
Gu Anhe nodded and took his hand.
Commander Gu said, “How about I take you to meet a little sister in a couple days?”
“No.”
“You should play more with children your age.”
“Don’t want to. They’re stupid.”
Commander Gu: “…”
Xu Zhijun remained unaware of the significant effect his deliberately damp clothes had made on the leaders as he hurried home.
After changing clothes, he slipped into the room and said with an ingratiating smile, “Darling, my colleague’s wife heard how adorable our Long Bao is and wants to attend his Full Moon Banquet too.”
Lu Jingyi continued patting their child, fully aware of what he was scheming.
These two people still thought Long Bao was their daughter.
“Fine, if sister-in-law wants to see, let her come take a look.”
Long Bao was right—if you don’t invite people over, how can you let others watch the show?
She was determined to see what kind of trouble Li Hong could stir up.