The Tao family felt guilty. Hearing those words, they didn’t dare say anything more.
Tao Dazhuang grabbed Li Juhua, forcing a smile. “Better, much better. He’s being discharged today and going home.”
Qin Shanhai said, “That’s good. Your own family wouldn’t give him that kind of drug. Someone must have done this on purpose—too vicious. I’ll go report it to the police with you.”
Li Juhua hurriedly waved her hands. “N-no need. Mushuan accidentally took that kind of medicine. It’s not a big deal. He’s fine now anyway.”
Feeling guilty, yet unwilling to fall out with the Qin family, they still wanted to rely on the so-called life-saving favor to pressure Qin Yanzhou into marrying Tao Xiaohong.
If it didn’t work today, they’d try again next time.
At least for now, they had already stirred up Qin Yanzhou’s guilt toward Tao Xiaojun.
Afraid the Qin family would pursue the matter of the drugging, the Tao family quickly made excuses and left in embarrassment.
Right after they left, Qin Yanzhou tried to go out too, but Qin Shanhai slapped him back.
“Don’t think I don’t know—you want to go find Li Minghui and fight him.”
Qin Yanzhou said angrily, “Shouldn’t I? Castrating him would already be going easy on him.”
“Li Minghui deserves it, but it shouldn’t be you taking the lead.” Qin Shanhai was so angry his hands itched to hit someone again.
Qin Yanzhou ran a hand through his hair irritably and went back to his room.
However, after lunch, he tried to leave again.
“Stop. Where are you going?” Xie Yulan called out.
“To the billiards hall.”
“You’re not allowed to go.”
She knew her son too well. Saying he was going to the billiards hall probably meant he was gathering his gang to find Li Minghui.
“Mom, I’m already grown up. You can’t keep me from going out forever.”
“No matter how old you are, you’re still my son.”
Mianbao sat on a small stool counting ants. Sensing the tense atmosphere, she looked up and ran over.
She tugged uneasily at Xie Yulan’s sleeve.
Xie Yulan lowered her head gently. “What’s wrong, Mianbao? Did you get scared?”
Mianbao didn’t speak. Her lips trembled, her eyes reddened, and she opened her arms for a hug.
Xie Yulan’s heart softened immediately, and she picked her up.
“Don’t be afraid, Mianbao.”
Qin Yanzhou suddenly thought of something.
“Mom, give me the little radish. I’ll take her out to play—I guarantee I’ll cheer her up.”
Mianbao turned her head in surprise, looking at Qin Yanzhou expectantly.
Uncle was willing to take her out?
Did that mean he was starting to accept her?
Her little heart raced.
But Xie Yulan refused outright. “No!”
She gave birth to him—she knew exactly what he was thinking.
He just wanted an excuse to go find Li Minghui.
Seeing there was no way, Qin Yanzhou could only give in for now and went back to lie down.
Mianbao squatted down again, disappointed, and continued counting ants.
An hour later, Xie Yulan returned from visiting neighbors with Mianbao. When she opened her son’s door, the room was empty.
She was furious.
“That brat dared to sneak out!”
With Qin Shanhai not at home, she didn’t feel safe leaving Mianbao alone, so she took her along to find Qin Yanzhou.
At the billiards hall, the air was thick with smoke. Xie Yulan frowned.
“Auntie, who are you looking for?” the owner called out.
“Where is Qin Yanzhou?”
He was a regular here, famous as a troublemaker. The owner immediately recognized her resemblance to him.
“He’s not here.”
Xie Yulan didn’t quite believe it. Thinking he might be covering for him, she let go of Mianbao’s hand and lifted the curtain to look inside.
At that moment, Mianbao, who had been standing obediently beside her, spotted a familiar figure.
A floral jacket, two braided pigtails tied with pretty ribbons.
It was the bad sister!
She went into an alley with a man!
Mianbao clenched her little fists and quietly followed them.
After looking for a while and still not seeing Qin Yanzhou, Xie Yulan decided to check the dance hall. When she turned around—
Mianbao was gone.
Her face instantly turned pale.
“Mianbao!”
…
Mianbao followed them into a deep, secluded alley. She hid in a corner and watched as Tao Xiaohong and Li Minghui finally stopped.
They looked around. Seeing no one, Li Minghui pulled Tao Xiaohong into his arms.
“Xiaohong, I missed you so much.”
Tao Xiaohong pushed him half-heartedly. “Not here, we’re outside—be careful.”
Li Minghui scoffed. “We’ve done it outside before. Why worry now?”
She poked his chest. “That was before. We’re not married, and now… things with Qin Yanzhou aren’t settled yet. We need to be more careful.”
Li Minghui frowned, displeased. “You asked me to help, and I did—even ended up in the police station. If you don’t reward me, then don’t blame me…”
Tao Xiaohong pressed a finger to his lips.
“I’m already carrying one in my belly. Once I marry Qin Yanzhou and get the Qin family’s property, there’ll be plenty of time to reward you.”
“Didn’t you say he would definitely marry you?”
Thinking about Qin Yanzhou raising his child made Li Minghui impatient with anticipation.
He planned to reclaim the child later to care for him in old age.
Tao Xiaohong frowned. “I don’t know what’s going on. Qin Shanhai and Xie Yulan just won’t agree.”
Seeing her fuller figure after pregnancy, Li Minghui couldn’t help himself. His hand slid to her waist, pulling her close again.
“Careful,” she said coyly.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a piece of clothing sticking out from a corner. Her gaze turned cold, a vicious glint flashing.
That clothing… belonged to the Qin family’s little brat!
She tapped Li Minghui’s shoulder and whispered, “The Qin family’s little brat saw us.”
Li Minghui paused, a cold light flashing in his eyes.
They exchanged a glance and quietly walked over.
Unaware of the danger, Mianbao peeked out from behind the wall—only to meet their approaching figures.
She froze.
Li Minghui grinned wickedly. “Uncle will take you to buy candy.”
Mianbao shook her head, backing away in fear, pressing against the wall.
Li Minghui reached out to grab her.
“Little radish!”
Qin Yanzhou’s voice suddenly rang out from the distance.
Li Minghui froze.
Tao Xiaohong grabbed his arm nervously. “Qin Yanzhou is here—we can’t let him find out!”
In a hurry, they had no choice but to abandon Mianbao.
Before leaving, Tao Xiaohong glared at her like a venomous snake and warned, “You little brat, if you dare tell the Qin family anything, I’ll sell you to traffickers!”
Terrified, Mianbao fell to the ground, her little face pale.
Tao Xiaohong and Li Minghui ran off in the other direction.