The news that Zhao Jingyu was getting married quickly spread throughout the entire compound.
Upon hearing that the bride had already arrived, neighbors who caught wind of the news curiously pressed their faces against the windows to peek inside.
They knew Xu Qingning—she lived near the No. 3 State Cotton Mill, not far from here. It was strange that she wasn’t getting married from her own home but had instead moved in early.
No one had ever seen a wedding handled this way.
Soon, they uncovered the truth: Xu Qingning’s father disapproved of her marrying into the family, which was why she had moved in ahead of time.
Knowing that Xu Qingning’s mother was a stepmother only fueled more speculation.
It seemed neither of the couple were good people.
Xu Qingning didn’t mind the onlookers. She drew the curtains, lay down on the bed, and dozed off. Being pregnant made all the difference—she felt unusually tired and constantly drowsy.
When sleepy, she slept; she never let herself suffer unnecessarily.
Xu Qingning simply unfolded Zhao Jingyu’s quilt and covered herself with it, sinking into a deep slumber. His quilt carried no smell of smoke or any other unpleasant odors; instead, it had a faint scent of soap. Hmm, a man who valued hygiene was quite nice.
By the time Zhao Jingyu returned with a lunchbox, the crowd had dispersed. Xu Qingning was already asleep, resting on his pillow and wrapped in his quilt, sleeping soundly.
He stood by the bed, quietly watching her.
This was the first time he had looked at her face so closely. In her sleep, the girl lost the stubbornness and fierceness she had shown earlier, leaving only gentleness and tranquility.
For a moment, he couldn’t tell which version was the real her.
In terms of appearance, Xu Qingning was exceptionally beautiful—almost too enchanting. Especially her peach-blossom eyes, which even in sleep curved slightly upward, like a tipsy little fox—lively and cunning.
Of course, no matter how beautiful she was, he had no other thoughts about her.
If not for that absurd night, he and she would never have crossed paths.
Zhao Jingyu set down the lunchbox, closed the door, and stepped out. Checking his watch, he started the car and headed to the station.
Yesterday, he had asked a younger brother to fetch his parents, and they were likely arriving soon. He had borrowed a large truck from his unit’s leader and needed to return it before dark.
The words Zhao Jingyu had spoken while questioning Xiao Tingshen at the Xu household had angered Xiao Tingshen, who couldn’t help but blame Tang Wenya: “Both Zhao Jingyu and Xu Qingning said you framed them. What do you have to say?”
Zhao Jingyu might be reckless, but he wouldn’t pick a fight without reason.
He found it hard to believe Tang Wenya could do such a thing.
“Tingshen, how could even you not believe me?” Tang Wenya stubbornly refused to admit it, her eyes instantly reddening as she sobbed, “I didn’t do it, so why should I admit to it? Why should their actions be blamed on me? Who else can I blame?”
Seeing her cry, Xiao Tingshen fell silent.
Hearing the two arguing, Jiang Yumei quickly sent Xu Jianguo out, asking him to invite Xiao Tingshen’s parents over for dinner. Matters of marriage required both sets of parents to sit down and discuss things properly.
They couldn’t let the situation with Zhao Jingyu and Xu Qingning affect Tang Wenya’s wedding.
Xu Jianguo agreed. Steeling himself, he left the house. He didn’t want to be accused of mistreating Tang Wenya; he genuinely wanted to handle this wedding well.
After Xu Jianguo left the house, Jiang Yumei knocked on the door and entered the room, speaking kindly to persuade the two: “Don’t argue over a few words from others. At this point, you should focus more on your own matters.”
“Mom, it’s Tingshen who doesn’t believe me…” Tang Wenya cried pitifully, her tears falling like raindrops on pear blossoms, a sight that stirred sympathy.
“It’s not that I don’t believe you. I just want to know the truth about that night.” Xiao Tingshen couldn’t bear to see Tang Wenya cry. Whenever she wept, his heart softened. Without minding Jiang Yumei’s presence, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and comforted her, “Alright, don’t cry anymore. I won’t ask.”
“The truth is that Qingning got pregnant with Zhao Jingyu’s child that night. In matters like this, it takes two to tango. If anyone is to blame, it’s them.” Jiang Yumei, after all, had been through such things before, spoke calmly. “Tingshen, you saw it too. We were originally planning to hold a proper wedding for them, but after your Uncle Xu said a few angry words, Qingning got upset and just left with Zhao Jingyu. It seems she doesn’t want to come back to this family anymore.”
That wretched girl even had the nerve to take the sewing machine with her.
The thought of it made her furious. That sewing machine was originally meant as a dowry for Tang Wenya.
“Auntie, don’t worry. I’ll arrange my wedding with Wenya as soon as possible and make sure she marries me with all the glory she deserves.” Seeing Jiang Yumei speak this way, Xiao Tingshen felt it inappropriate to press further about that night.
No matter how close his friendship with Zhao Jingyu was, they were still just classmates.
How could that compare to Tang Wenya? She was the love of his life. He knew well which mattered more.
“I knew you were reasonable and a good young man who could tell right from wrong. Our Yaya really found the right person.” Jiang Yumei looked at her future son-in-law with particularly gentle eyes and added, “Your Uncle Xu doesn’t know about Yaya’s pregnancy. We didn’t mean to hide it from him; we just didn’t want him to worry too much. Qingning’s matter is already troubling enough for him.”
“Auntie, rest assured. I understand. Besides my parents, no one else knows about this.” Xiao Tingshen caught her meaning. “I’m at fault in this matter, and I’ll treat Wenya well.”
“With those words, I’m satisfied.” Jiang Yumei found her son-in-law more and more pleasing to the eye. “Your Uncle Xu has gone to invite your parents. I’ll go prepare dinner now. We’ll have a good gathering tonight.”
“Then I’ll head back first and come over with my parents later.” Xiao Tingshen gently squeezed Tang Wenya’s hand and said softly, “Rest well. I’ll come back tonight.”
“Alright, I’ll wait for you.” Tang Wenya gazed at him affectionately. “Come early.”
After Xiao Tingshen left, Jiang Yumei went to the kitchen in the hallway to cook. Thinking about the whole pigs and sheep Zhao Jingyu had taken away, her heart ached with the loss.
When the opportunity arose, she would demand them back from Zhao Jingyu. There was no reason to simply hand her daughter over to him for free.
“What has Xu Qingning been doing since she left with Zhao Jingyu?” Tang Wenya asked the System.
System: “She and Zhao Jingyu obtained their marriage certificate. She is now sleeping at home, while Zhao Jingyu has gone to the station to pick up his parents. Zhao Jingyu is hosting a wedding banquet for the people in the compound tomorrow.”
“They’re holding the wedding tomorrow?” Tang Wenya found it somewhat unbelievable. “So soon?”
System: “Zhao Jingyu only has three days of leave left. If they don’t do it now, it’ll be too late.”
“He’s quite eager.” Tang Wenya sneered coldly. “Xu Qingning, following such a ruffian, will surely have a hard life ahead.”
The thought of Xu Qingning living poorly made her very happy.
Who told Xu Qingning to spend all her time competing with her, snatching new clothes, grabbing delicious food, and even stealing her boyfriend? Serves her right!
When Zhao Jingyu brought his parents home, Xu Qingning was still asleep.
Perhaps she got too warm while sleeping, as she had kicked the blanket onto the floor.
“Since she’s asleep, don’t wake her up,” Zhao Jingyu’s mother, Yang Yuelan, stood at the doorway, glanced at the bed, and didn’t enter, whispering, “Let her sleep!”
Zhao Jingyu agreed, stepped forward to pick up the blanket, and covered her with it. Xu Qingning turned over, muttering in her sleep, “Zhao Jingyu, you jerk, the child is yours. If you don’t believe it, just get lost!”
Zhao Jingyu: “…”
When did he ever say he didn’t believe it?
Why is this woman even cursing him in her dreams?