The visit from Director Liu and Officer Zhao acted like an invisible protective charm, making Xu Zhaozhao’s days much more peaceful.
Wang Guifen sank into complete silence. Except for necessary outings, she spent almost the entire day locked in the west wing, even avoiding meals around Xu Zhaozhao.
Li Xiuhua had tucked her tail between her legs. Even when they occasionally crossed paths, her gaze held only jealousy and fear; she no longer dared to provoke.
The household became suddenly quiet. Though the atmosphere remained tense, for Xu Zhaozhao, it was a much-needed peace.
She knew well that her body was her most important asset—especially carrying six children—and she could not afford any negligence.
For now, her top priority was to take advantage of this brief calm to restore her depleted strength.
Every morning, she no longer slept late. Instead, she rose early.
The air in the courtyard was fresh, and she would take slow walks, moving her limbs and doing gentle stretches based on her knowledge of pregnancy from her previous life.
At first, she would get winded after a few steps, but she persisted, gradually increasing her activity.
【Streamer is so disciplined! Light exercise during pregnancy is great for health!】
【Seeing her getting stronger day by day makes me so happy!】
【Be careful, carrying sextuplets is a heavy burden.】
After her walks, she prepared breakfast. The millet and eggs she had bought earlier came in handy.
Sometimes it was thick millet porridge with boiled eggs, sometimes golden steamed egg custard, occasionally drizzled with a few drops of sesame oil.
She ate carefully—small portions but highly nutritious.
The jin of pork was divided into small portions. She cut or minced just a little each time: added to porridge or stir-fried with vegetables—never wasting a bit.
The protein and fat intake gradually brought color back to her pale face.
Perhaps out of shame or fear of being exposed further, Wang Guifen surprisingly began buying some food and vegetables for the house.
Though the quality was average and the quantities meager, at least the kitchen was no longer empty.
Xu Zhaozhao happily made use of whatever Wang Guifen brought home, without hesitation.
In addition to dietary supplementation, she also took the vitamins and iron tablets prescribed by Director Li on schedule.
Through the live comments, she also learned about simple food therapy remedies.
For example, red dates and longan boiled in water to supplement qi and blood—she managed to get some red dates and drank a bit every day.
Days passed slowly but steadily, regulated by her careful regimen.
Xu Zhaozhao’s complexion improved noticeably in a short time.
Though her belly remained astonishingly heavy, requiring support while walking, the deep fatigue and dizziness had lessened, and her eyes became bright and alert.
She no longer stayed confined in dim rooms.
On sunny afternoons, she would bring a small stool to sit outside her door, sewing tiny clothes for her future children while casually observing the activity in the compound.
She no longer avoided neighbors’ gazes; instead, she would nod and smile at those who had shown kindness, sometimes chatting about the weather or children.
Her speech was calm and measured, her demeanor confident and poised, gradually washing away the impression of “weakness” or “suspiciousness” she had previously left.
“The Chen Zheng household, she looks so much better today.”
Aunt Zhang from next door brought over a handful of her home-dried beans in a dustpan. “Here, take some to add to your stew—it’ll smell good.”
“Thank you, Aunt Zhang,” Xu Zhaozhao replied with a smile, accepting them without refusal. She understood this was a neighborly gesture of goodwill.
“Your belly… really six?” Aunt Zhang couldn’t resist asking in a lowered voice.
Xu Zhaozhao nodded calmly, patting her stomach. “Yes, the hospital confirmed it. These six little rascals are very lively.”
“Oh my, such a blessing! But also such hard work!”
Aunt Zhang kept sighing, her gaze toward Xu Zhaozhao now tinged with respect and sympathy.
Interactions like this gradually increased. Xu Zhaozhao’s resilience and growing composure slowly earned her respect.
Neighbors brought her scallions, informed her of scarce goods at the service store—information flowed. She was no longer isolated.
However, beneath the calm surface, currents still ran.
She noticed that some of her better food ingredients left to dry in the courtyard would mysteriously diminish. The food stored in the east wing also showed signs of being tampered with.
She knew these were Wang Guifen and Li Xiuhua’s resentful little maneuvers—like rats in a gutter, too cowardly to seize openly, only sneaky.
She remained unfazed, hiding important items more securely and placing drying goods where she could watch them.
Such minor trouble was still tolerable.
What worried her more was sensing that bitter gossip about her “peculiar pregnancy” or “excessive blessing shortening lifespan” was quietly circulating in corners of the compound again.
The source was obvious.
That afternoon, she sat at the door sewing a small garment, and spotted Li Xiuhua whispering with a notorious gossip from the neighboring courtyard, occasionally glancing her way.
Xu Zhaozhao smiled coldly to herself, knowing their malicious intent had not died.
Defense alone would not suffice. She needed to secure stronger protection for herself and her children and completely discourage these petty schemers.
She thought of Chen Zheng.
This nominal husband she had never met since transmigrating—the original owner’s memory of him was vague, only that he was tall, silent, with sharp eyes.
He sent allowances every month, but his letters were few, dry, mostly reminders to obey her mother-in-law and take care of herself.
Would such a man believe her? Would he care about the children in her belly?
Xu Zhaozhao touched her stomach, feeling the vigorous movements of the babies inside.
No matter his attitude, these children were real, her responsibility, and her foundation for establishing herself in this world.
She returned indoors and took out paper and pen.
It was time to write the first letter to her distant husband.
Not to complain or seek sympathy, but to inform him, clarify responsibility, and lay groundwork for any future support she might need.
She chose her words carefully, refraining from detailing Wang Guifen’s cruelty or emphasizing her own grievances.
She simply calmly and objectively described the hospital’s confirmation of sextuplets, relayed the doctor’s advice on nutrition and rest, and asked for his thoughts about the children’s future.
At the end, she subtly added:
“The household is complicated. My mother is elderly, and my body is limited. I fear my care may be insufficient. Please focus on your duties without worry.”
This letter conveyed the joyful news, highlighted the challenges, and showed concern for him, striking the perfect balance.
She placed the letter in an envelope, affixed a stamp, and stared at the words “For Chen Zheng’s Eyes Only”, her gaze calm.
This letter was both a probing stone and a seed.
She dropped it into the compound’s mailbox, watching the green flap disappear, her heart at peace.
The wind rose, rustling the leaves of the old locust tree in the courtyard.
She knew the real storms might just be beginning—but she was no longer the Xu Zhaozhao who could be manipulated at will.
She turned, facing the rising evening breeze, and walked back step by step to the home that was, for now, hers.
Resting and gathering strength, preparing for the future.