After Wang Guifen slammed the door and Li Xiuhua slipped away, the neighbors lingering at the alley didn’t immediately leave.
They watched Xu Zhaozhao standing alone, their expressions a mix of curiosity, surprise, and slowly shifting respect, whispering to each other:
“My goodness, sextuplets! I’ve never heard of such a thing in my life!”
“No wonder her belly is so big… six babies! We’ve been wrong about her all this time.”
“Wang Guifen is really heartless—taking all that money from her son and still tormenting a pregnant woman. Such cruelty!”
“If Commander Chen knew, he’d be heartbroken…”
“Xu Zhaozhao looks delicate and weak, but she’s a tough one. Wang Guifen’s really hit a wall this time.”
Xu Zhaozhao heard their murmurs and realized public opinion was already turning in her favor. She needed to strike while the iron was hot to consolidate this hard-won advantage.
She didn’t immediately enter her home. Instead, she turned to a few neighbors who had spoken up for her earlier or shown signs of sympathy, giving a slight nod and a weary but polite smile.
“Aunts, sisters-in-law, I know my belly caused quite a stir earlier and led to a lot of gossip… I apologize for letting everyone worry or be amused.”
Her voice was soft but clear:
“The hospital has confirmed it—six babies. Now I can rest assured. We’ll continue living in this compound, so I hope everyone will be kind and look out for one another.”
Her tone was neither humble nor overbearing. It explained the earlier misunderstandings while expressing a willingness to get along in the future. By keeping her posture low, she actually won goodwill.
Sure enough, a few kind-hearted aunts quickly spoke up:
“Zhaozhao, don’t say that! It was all a misunderstanding. Talking it out like this is enough.”
“Yes, yes. Carrying six babies isn’t easy. Go back and rest.”
“If you need any help, just ask.”
Xu Zhaozhao thanked them once more, then turned and pushed open her courtyard gate.
Inside, the main hall was quiet. Wang Guifen’s door remained firmly shut, and Li Xiuhua was probably hiding inside as well.
Xu Zhaozhao ignored them and went straight to the east wing room. Closing the door, cutting off outside sight, she finally relaxed, a wave of exhaustion washing over her.
Today’s ordeal had nearly drained all her energy.
Leaning against the kang (heated bed platform), she slowly sat down and took out the diagnosis certificate, examining it carefully once more.
Her fingertips brushed over the three words: “sextuplets”, filling her with a strange warmth and an indescribable sense of responsibility.
【Congratulations, streamer! Justice served!】
【This is so satisfying! The evil mother-in-law’s face must be green!】
【Streamer, make sure to eat something nutritious. Your complexion is terrible.】
【What’s next? Wang Guifen definitely won’t let this go.】
The live comments remained active, full of celebration and concern.
Xu Zhaozhao took a deep breath, knowing they were right. Wang Guifen wouldn’t give up easily; she was merely temporarily intimidated.
Her current priority was to replenish nutrition, protect her body, and safely get through the pregnancy.
She now had the ten “small inherited bills” from last night, a few grain and oil coupons, and the national grain tickets and industrial coupons left by the original owner, plus the nutritional supplements prescribed at the hospital.
With limited starting funds, she had to use them wisely.
After thinking it over, she carefully hid most of the money and crucial coupons, taking out only two yuan, a few local grain tickets, and half a jin of meat coupons, preparing to go to the military family service store.
After a short rest, feeling slightly recovered, Xu Zhaozhao stepped out again.
This time, walking through the compound, she noticed a change in people’s gazes.
Some nodded in acknowledgment, others asked, “How was the checkup?” When she confirmed it was six babies, they all showed expressions of amazement and goodwill.
This was reality. When you become strong and in control of reason and evidence, the world around you responds accordingly.
The military service store was small but adequately stocked. Xu Zhaozhao had clear goals: she used the meat coupons and money to buy one jin of marbled pork, a bunch of vegetables, a dozen eggs, and a small bag of millet.
It emptied the money and coupons she had brought out, but knowing it would replenish much-needed protein and nutrients, she considered it worthwhile.
As she carried the groceries back, she sensed watchful eyes lurking—likely Wang Guifen or Li Xiuhua—but she ignored them, keeping her back straight and walking calmly home.
Back at her home, Wang Guifen’s door remained closed. The stove in the main hall was cold—no one had prepared lunch.
Xu Zhaozhao didn’t expect them to help. She put the groceries away and took over the stove herself.
Though the original owner had been weak, she still remembered how to do household chores.
She skillfully lit the fire, rinsed the rice, and prepared a hearty millet porridge, adding minced meat and vegetables to make herself a proper, nutritious meal.
The aroma of porridge and meat gradually filled the air, a stark contrast to the thin, bland food Wang Guifen normally served.
The east wing door crept open slightly; Li Xiuhua peeked in, greedily sniffing, swallowing hard, then sulked back inside.
Xu Zhaozhao ignored her, focused on stirring the pot.
The porridge was thoroughly cooked, the rice oils released, mixing with the meat and vegetable aroma, making one’s mouth water.
She served herself a full bowl, sat at the table in the main hall, and ate slowly and deliberately.
This was the first proper, nutritious meal she had had since transmigrating.
The warm, thick porridge slid down her throat, bringing an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.
She knew Wang Guifen and Li Xiuhua were listening and smelling from next door, making this the best possible demonstration and blow to them.
Sure enough, after a while, muffled sounds came from the west wing: Wang Guifen coughing and banging things in frustration.
Xu Zhaozhao’s lips curved slightly as she continued to enjoy her porridge.
After finishing, she tidied the stove, returned to the east wing, and took the vitamins and iron supplements prescribed by Director Li, following the instructions carefully.
Then she lay on the kang to rest and restore her strength.
In the afternoon, Xu Zhaozhao was awakened by a knock at the door.
She got up to answer and found Director Liu of the family committee, along with a serious-looking middle-aged man in military uniform.
“Director Liu?” Xu Zhaozhao was surprised and quickly invited them in.
“Zhaozhao, this is Officer Zhao from the Political Department,” Director Liu introduced.
“We heard you went for a hospital checkup today. How was it? There have been some rumors, so we came to clarify.”
Xu Zhaozhao understood immediately. Word of her public reveal of the diagnosis certificate had reached the organization—they had come to check and offer support. This was a good sign.
She invited them to sit and once again took out the diagnosis certificate, handing it over.
“Director Liu, Officer Zhao, this is today’s checkup result from the military hospital,” she said calmly.
“Director Li personally examined me. I am carrying six babies, sixteen weeks along, all completely normal. The doctor mentioned I am malnourished and anemic, so I need extra care.”
Director Liu and Officer Zhao studied the certificate, their faces showing shock and seriousness.
Sextuplets—truly earth-shaking news!
Officer Zhao examined the seal and signature carefully. Satisfied, he nodded and returned the certificate, his tone softening:
“Comrade Xu Zhaozhao, we understand your situation. You have been wronged. Carrying six babies is a contribution to the country—you are a heroic mother! The organization will ensure you are cared for.”
He glanced at the empty main hall and the closed west wing door, hinting:
“Family issues are not for the organization to intervene too much. But if someone deliberately mistreats a military family member, especially one carrying multiples, we will not sit idly by. Comrade Chen Zheng is shedding blood and sweat at the front; his home must be stable!”
His voice was loud enough for the people inside to hear.
He also held Xu Zhaozhao’s hand warmly:
“Zhaozhao, focus on your pregnancy. If you encounter difficulties, come straight to me. Make sure your nutrition is adequate. Don’t worry about money—your health comes first.”
“Thank you, Director Liu, thank you, Officer Zhao,” Xu Zhaozhao said gratefully.
With the organization’s support clearly stated, even a resentful Wang Guifen would not dare openly bully her again anytime soon.
After seeing Director Liu and Officer Zhao out, Xu Zhaozhao closed the door, feeling the air around her refreshingly clean.
She knew that from this moment, she had truly established her footing in this home and military family compound.