Xu Rou left the ward in a huff and was about to go home for lunch when she suddenly spotted Xu Wan’s back.
From the direction she was heading, it looked like she was going to the hospital cafeteria. Xu Rou paused and followed her.
The Shao family members all had their own jobs. Under normal circumstances, they ate lunch at their workplaces. As for little Bao, there were people at home taking care of him, so there was nothing to worry about.
“Xu Wan.”
Hearing Xu Rou’s voice, a trace of impatience flashed in Xu Wan’s eyes.
She turned around and asked softly, “Why are you at the hospital? Are you feeling unwell? Do you need me to go get you checked?”
The moment Xu Rou saw Xu Wan’s gentle, soft-spoken demeanor, she felt irritated.
This woman really was just like Wen Yu—both were pretentious actresses. No wonder people in the courtyard thought she and her mother were bullying them.
Hmph. Two actresses gathered together. The Shao family was going to be very lively in the future.
“I’m asking you—didn’t Wen Yu leave? Why is she back again? Is she still going back to Shanghai?”
“She probably won’t,” Xu Wan replied with lowered eyes. “Wen Ye cares about her a lot. He won’t easily let her go.”
There were some things that could be said by others, but she definitely couldn’t be the one to say them.
“As for the rest, you should already have an idea.”
“Stop dodging my questions. I’m asking how she got injured, and how she managed to contact Shao Wenye so he went to pick her up.”
“I don’t know the details. If you want to know, go investigate yourself. As long as you ask, Dad will help you find out.”
“And even if Dad is busy, Mom will help you look into it.”
Xu Rou’s anger eased a lot.
Hmph. It wasn’t only Wen Yu who was pampered at home—she was just as spoiled.
“Forget it. Asking you is useless.”
Useless—couldn’t even get a straight sentence out of her. No wonder Shao Wenqing ever liked her.
Xu Rou’s eyes flicked downward and landed on Xu Wan’s lunchbox—two steamed buns and a portion of stir-fried greens.
Without hesitation, she reached out and took one bun.
“You’re not in good health and can’t eat that much anyway. I didn’t bring meal tickets, so I’ll help you finish one. No need to waste food.”
Xu Wan didn’t react. She seemed used to it. She simply picked up her lunchbox and walked to a window seat.
The surrounding people had clearly seen everything.
A child without a mother really was pitiful. Because their father favored one over the other, even at twenty-seven or twenty-eight she was still being bullied by her younger sister.
If she hadn’t married into the Shao family, who knew what her life would be like now.
The accusing looks from others made Xu Rou feel like she was being pricked by needles. She quickly left the cafeteria.
Damn it—she forgot again. Xu Wan was the best at acting pitiful and gaining sympathy.
No surprise, tomorrow the courtyard would be full of rumors about her bullying Xu Wan again.
Annoyed, Xu Rou rushed home while still clutching the bun.
Xu Mu was washing dishes.
“You’re only back now? Did you eat? Where did that bun come from?”
Biting into it, Xu Rou replied unhappily, “Where would I eat?”
Her salary and ration coupons were all kept by her mother, under the excuse of saving money for her future marriage.
She used to think it was safer that way when she was young.
Now she only felt regret. Who in their twenties still needs their parents to “save money” for them?
And worse—what if she never got it back?
Xu Mu brought out the remaining buns and dishes. “Hurry and eat. Then go to work. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Xu Rou frowned. “If you know I might be late, why don’t you give me my money and coupons? Then I wouldn’t need to come back for meals.”
Xu Mu smacked her lightly on the back. “You ungrateful girl. You don’t run a household, so you don’t know how expensive things are.”
Xu Rou retorted, “Mom, you’re a city person. Why are you being so stingy? You’re acting just like a rural woman.”
“Are you looking for a fight today?” Xu Mu’s expression darkened. She hated being compared to rural people.
Partly because of prejudice.
And partly because her husband had once married a rural woman—Xu Wan’s mother—which was a thorn in her heart.
She said coldly, “Look at Xu Wan. She once had Shao Wenqing wrapped around her finger. He refused to marry anyone but her. Why can’t you learn from her?”
Mentioning this made Xu Rou even angrier.
“I even said back then I wanted to marry Shao Wenye—but you refused, saying he was useless!”
Xu Mu felt awkward.
If she had known Shao Wenye would turn out so capable and become a battalion commander so young, she would never have allowed Xu Wan to marry into the Shao family.
At the time, she thought marrying the two girls into different families would bring more benefits to the Xu family.
Who would have thought the promising Shao Wenqing would die, while Shao Wenye would rise instead?
Truly unpredictable.
Even though she regretted it, Xu Mu refused to admit it.
“There are plenty of capable young men in the courtyard. Why fixate on the Shao family? Besides, Shao Wenye is already married. Give it up.”
Hearing this, Xu Rou’s heart ached.
She and Shao Wenye grew up together. She knew him inside out—how was she worse than Wen Yu?
Why did Wen Yu, who had just arrived, manage to take him away so easily?
Was childhood friendship not as important as a marriage arranged after years apart?
The more she thought, the more wronged she felt.
She was already twenty-three this year—all because of Shao Wenye, she hadn’t married yet.
But he got married just like that.
Men really were that heartless.
Her father was like that too. So was Shao Wenye.
Sniffling, she asked, “Mom, do you know how Wen Yu got injured?”
Xu Mu immediately became cautious. “Are you trying to interfere again?”
“No!” Xu Rou denied quickly. “I just want to understand the situation. Maybe it’ll be useful later.”
“As long as you’re not thinking about Shao Wenye, I’ll help you ask.”
Xu Rou immediately promised, “I have pride. I would never steal someone else’s man.”
Xu Mu’s expression changed slightly. If she didn’t know her daughter well, she would’ve thought she was being sarcastic.
“Fine. Eat your meal and go to work.”
“Mom, don’t forget to ask!”
“I know.”
Xu Rou finally felt satisfied.
Since they all lived in the same courtyard, she might run into Wen Yu again in the future.
The more information she had, the better prepared she would be.