“Look at Jingya so sensible. Your sister, on the other hand, is a complete mess.”
Bai Jingya blushed under the praise, lowered her head, and smiled shyly.
Xu Linye looked at his father’s hand and, for some reason, found it rather annoying.
So, that morning, they didn’t go to work they went straight to help move people instead.
Most of Bai Jingya’s belongings had been taken by Xu Zhixia, and seeing how sensible she was, Xu’s father bought her quite a few things.
Until she saw her new place.
It was an apartment building, with many neighbors outside and a noisy environment.
It was a world apart from her previous living conditions.
Compared to the luxurious place from her dreams, it was even worse, making her resent Xu Zhixia even more.
Although Xu’s father had agreed to pick up Xu’s mother, since they had run off in the morning, he refused to spoil them they needed to be put in their place a bit.
So in the afternoon, after work, he took Bai Jingya and the others to Xu Zhixia’s place.
Xu’s father hadn’t been here before, but fortunately Bai Jingya had stayed here, so they found the place without trouble.
Lu Xiuyuan was cooking. Thinking about what had just happened, he planned to finish the meal and then have someone help check on Xu Zhixia.
If she wanted to stay here temporarily, then this would be her place.
He led Xu’s father and the others to the living room:
“Dad, you all sit first. I’ll pour some water.”
Xu’s father nodded, feeling relieved that his son-in-law was obedient.
He scanned the room and saw Lu Xiuyuan wearing an apron.
Recalling what Jingya had said to him, he spoke with a hint of anger:
“What time is it, and you’re cooking alone? Where’s Xu Zhixia? Sleeping, perhaps?”
Lu Xiuyuan immediately put down the water cup and replied in a deep voice:
“She’s tired. It’s normal for her to sleep a little longer.”
Even divorced, he couldn’t tolerate someone speaking about Xu Zhixia like that.
Bai Jingya fidgeted with her fingers:
“Sis has always been like that. When I stayed here, she also liked to sleep.”
Xu’s father frowned and immediately started lecturing:
“Xiuyuan, you shouldn’t indulge her like this. No wonder she doesn’t know her place and wants a divorce.”
“A woman is like a tree if you don’t prune it, how can it grow strong?”
Lu Xiuyuan was silent for a moment, glancing at the shy Bai Jingya beside him.
Her hands were smooth and fair, clearly unused to work.
“You’re right. Comrade Bai must have been pruned as well.”
Xu’s father, hearing him agree, was nodding, when he noticed Lu Xiuyuan teasing Bai Jingya.
He hurriedly said:
“They’re two different matters.”
Xu Zhixia, who had just rested and regained some strength, came out and immediately shouted:
“Dad! You came?”
Xu’s father frowned:
“Why shouldn’t I come? Jingya came to apologize to you, so why didn’t you learn from her example?”
Xu’s mother, having finally washed up and come out of the bathroom, overheard the commotion.
Having drunk the spirit spring water and taken a shower, she now felt completely refreshed.
Seeing Xu’s father, she frowned:
“Arguing at your daughter’s house aren’t you ashamed? You like her, I like my daughter.”
Xu’s father glared:
“Shuhua! Shut up.”
Seeing her mother wronged, Xu Zhixia couldn’t stay silent and spoke up:
“Dad, how do you explain Jingya drugging my husband?!”
Lu Xiuyuan had always been impressive in bed, but last night was unusual the temperature and his condition were off.
Xu Zhixia had never felt such a huge difference in physical strength between them.
Bai Jingya clenched her hands tightly. She had dressed up well today to show her own kindness and magnanimity who expected Xu Zhixia to suddenly bring this up?
How did she know?
But Bai Jingya wouldn’t admit it. She bit her lip and said:
“Sis, I came today to apologize for disturbing you. That’s all. But I won’t admit to something I didn’t do. I’ll go now.”
And she ran out.
Lu Xiuyuan’s gaze followed Bai Jingya’s retreating figure.
Two nights ago, Xu’s parents had invited him to dinner and drank two bottles of wine.
Xu’s mother repeatedly urged him not to divorce and to have children sooner.
Due to the unusual body reactions, he hadn’t investigated further.
Unexpectedly, it was Bai Jingya who had administered the drug. Seeing that Xu’s parents hadn’t intervened, he assumed they had done it.
Xu Linye had been present that day as well.
No man would drug himself, right?
Xu’s father glared, shocked that such a thing had occurred.
He remembered how often Jingya had expressed regret over Xu Zhixia’s divorce.
Suddenly, he understood her purpose: to reconcile the couple, a marital peacemaking scheme.
Look now they were reconciled, yet they still came to accuse Jingya.
Xu Linye, who had been silent, said coldly:
“I administered the drug, to improve your relationship with your brother-in-law. I didn’t expect you to misunderstand Jingya. Without the drug, could your relationship be this good? I’m leaving!”
He rushed out to chase Bai Jingya.
Xu Zhixia laughed in exasperation:
“Fine. Next time, drug Bai Jingya too it’ll help your relationship.”
Lu Xiuyuan interjected:
“Administering harmful drugs to soldiers is illegal and can be submitted to a military court.”
Xu Linye froze, his anger turning into an awkward smile:
“I did it for your good. Forget the military court.”
Lu Xiuyuan looked at Xu Zhixia:
“This matter is yours to handle.”
Xu Zhixia casually grabbed paper and pen, smiling:
“Write it down.”
Xu Linye didn’t expect her to escalate things so directly.
“You”
He was about to protest, but when he met his brother-in-law’s icy gaze, he could only grit his teeth and write down the evidence.
Xu Zhixia pinched the paper, nodding in satisfaction. If he wanted to play hero to save a girl, let him just hope he doesn’t turn into a coward.
At this point, Xu’s father couldn’t stay any longer and coldly told Xu’s mother:
“Spend more time disciplining our daughter, or you’ll regret it.”
Then he left with his son.
Xu’s mother’s good mood was somewhat dampened by their arrival.
Fortunately, Lu Xiuyuan had prepared dinner.
On the table: sweet-and-sour pork bones, braised pork, stir-fried vegetables, spicy and sour white radish, and a large bowl of noodle soup.
Xu Zhixia’s eyes lit up, her mouth watering at the sight of the radish.
“All my favorites thank you, Xiuyuan.”
She eagerly took a bite of the sour-spicy radish, its sharpness more satisfying than meat.
Perhaps due to her pregnancy, she was more interested in this dish than the meat.
She ate bite after bite, finishing half the bowl of radish by herself.
Xu’s mother watched, swallowing nervously could this child really be pregnant?