I Became the Mother of His Child

Seeing how Xu Qingqing looked, she must have been standing around the corner for quite some time now, catching every word Xu Xiuxiu said. Her emerging stance clearly showed her support for Xu Xiuxiu.

"Xu Xiuxiu, why can't you give people a break? If I hadn't gone to the Song Family to check on you today, I would have had no clue about your reckless gallivanting these past days. Your mother-in-law was just nagging about you in front of me, saying you're too willful and don't take your health seriously. She told me to talk some sense into you! You'd better appreciate the good intentions of those who advise you. You weren't in the best of health to begin with when you had Cheng Guang, and now you're not properly resting during your confinement. If you end up with a chronic condition, you'll have only yourself to blame!" Xu Qingqing scolded Xu Xiuxiu without a hint of warmth, even poking her finger against Xu Xiuxiu's forehead.

"I understand," Xu Xiuxiu nodded helplessly. Although she was being chided and poked on the head, she didn't show any irritation. Instead, she revealed a touch of gratitude towards Xu Qingqing.

This was someone who genuinely cared about her. After all, Xu Qingqing always had a cold demeanor, lived her life according to her own ways. Mr. Xu and Mrs. Xu often neglected the children caught in the middle, like herself and Xu Xiuxiu. After her marriage, Xu Qingqing simply did what was expected of a daughter, never overstepping nor giving others cause for gossip.

It could be said that Xu Qingqing was very astute. She saw things clearly from beginning to end, treating all members of the Xu Family with formal politeness, but she was only truly affectionate with Xu Xiuxiu. Therefore, unlike Xiuxiu who was torn between helping or not helping Xu Fangfang—being guilt-ridden if she didn't, yet unable to persuade herself if she did—Xu Qingqing's thoughts were straightforward: if she didn't want to help, she simply wouldn't. No one was going to bind her thoughts and decisions with moral judgments.

"Silly girl, don't always wear your heart on your sleeve. Not everyone will remember your kindness," Xu Qingqing said with a smile. "Where's Si Ya? How is she doing? I heard she was hospitalized yesterday after an accident. Where did she get hurt?" Xu Qingqing had only a vague idea about Xu Jingjing's situation. She had heard that Si Ya was admitted to the hospital, that Si Ya's groom-to-be, Song Wenshu, was also seriously injured, and that the Police Station planned to detain and hold Wenshu. This had made her terribly worried, so she had hurried back to her parental home early this morning.

"Yes," Xu Xiuxiu nodded. "There was a bit of an incident yesterday." She tried to downplay it as much as possible.

"I'll go see her." Xu Qingqing was worried about Xu Jingjing and intended to enter the house, but she suddenly stopped and turned her gaze towards Xu Fangfang. "Elder sister, although I live in Cai Village, I've heard about the troubles at your home. Yesterday, those people apparently broke your elder brother-in-law's leg? Is that true? How badly is he injured?" Xu Qingqing asked Xu Fangfang, looking concerned.

It sounded like Xu Qingqing was expressing worry; however, the more one thought about her words, the more they seemed off.

"Mind your own business, that's enough. Stop prying into my affairs, and don't come here to gloat," Xu Fangfang forced out through clenched teeth, clearly perceiving the sarcasm in Xu Qingqing's words.

"Fine! I was just being nosy, and asking nonsense," said Xu Qingqing, nodding as if she understood, "Well, you'd better hurry home then! Otherwise, those people might tear down your mud walls when they can't get their money! Then you'll really have no place to nest." Xu Qingqing seemed to be kindly reminding her, but her words were tinged with mockery. She truly looked down on Xu Fangfang's character.

"Xu Qingqing, don't get too cocky. What goes around comes around; you might be the one capsizing in the gutter one day, and don't you come crying to me then," Xu Fangfang cursed Xu Qingqing with defiance.

Xu Qingqing, who was about to leave, came to an abrupt halt, turned her head, and scoffed, "Xu Fangfang, rest assured. I, Xu Qingqing, have never bent to you since I was young, and I won't bow to you in this lifetime. If it really comes to what you said, and I end up having a hard time one day, don't worry, I won't come to you for help." Xu Qingqing had always had issues with Xu Fangfang—let alone the times when their parents were not home and she wouldn't even share her cooking with her, she would act obedient and sensible in front of their parents, but went head to head against her in secret, throwing a spanner in the works now and then.

If it weren't for her being vigilant at the time of her marriage, she might have been deceived by Xu Fangfang. She never mentioned this to anyone, but Xu Qingqing had never forgotten for a minute. Xu Fangfang was not one to be trifled with, her jealously was not to be underestimated.

"Yeah, Xu Qingqing, you really think you're something!" Xu Fangfang pointed at Xu Qingqing and said, "Mother, you see, this is what they call sisterly affection? When they were younger, I took care of the three of them, always putting them first for the tastiest food and the most fun things. Now that I've made a mistake, they're all turning against me, their eldest sister. Fine, if you don't see me as your sister, then I won't consider you my relatives. From now on, let's be strangers and never cross paths till death." Xu Fangfang said, pretending to leave.

Mrs. Xu immediately stepped forward and grabbed Xu Fangfang's hand, "Fang, are you trying to stab your mother in the heart with a knife? Do you have to take it this far just because of an argument? What's all this exaggeration for? Were you all enemies in your past lives or what? Ah! Erya, you too, there was no need to berate your elder sister the moment you arrived. Don't you know she's already troubled enough with her family's crisis? None of you make life easy for me—I must owe you all." Mrs. Xu said, crying, holding Xu Fangfang's hand and walking towards the house.

"Come on, we're all family, let's get inside quickly! Erya, don't rush back home either, go in too. You sisters can close the door and argue however you like, but today, we need to clear things up," Mrs. Xu finally exerted the authority of the head of the household with a commanding tone to the several daughters at the door.

Xu Xiuxiu and Xu Qingqing exchanged a look, seeing Mrs. Xu's determination, they didn't say much else and were about to head inside.

Suddenly, a sharp and mean-spirited old lady's voice came through, "Heartless creatures, the whole Xu family in Xu Village are rotten to the core. You better return my son to me!" An old lady, cursing while she walked, approached quickly. This round and short lady had a spiteful presence that was terrifying.

"Aunt Song..." Xu Fangfang called out with a frown when she saw the approaching Feng Laidi, the mother of Song Wenshu.

"Who's your aunt, Xu Fangfang? Stop trying to curry favor with me, I won't fall for it. Do you think I don't know it's because of you, a little harlot, that my son got involved with the police and got arrested? Heartless people from an extinct family line. When you saw my son Wenshu had the ability to make good money, you came begging for a loan out of sheer envy. I warned him, but Wenshu, being too kind-hearted, didn't listen to me, saying that he felt sorry for you because you were relatives and struggling so much that he couldn't refuse to lend you money," Feng Laidi yelled at Xu Fangfang fiercely.