Chapter 13

After a while of excitement, Song Ci finally walked out from the circle of his sisters-in-law, holding Xiaoshu’s hand.

Just as she was about to go back, she suddenly heard Song Zhen calling her. She turned around in surprise. Although the two of them had reconciled on the surface, they still had no contact in private.

“Congratulations!” Song Zhen looked at her calmly and said.

“Congratulations to you too!” Song Ci saw that the crowd that was about to disperse gathered together again, pointing at her and whispering to Song Zhen. A trace of helplessness flashed in her eyes. She didn’t know what Song Zhen was up to. After all, this person had avoided her before.

Song Zhen asked again: “I wonder which school you applied to?”

“I majored in electronic engineering at Huada University, specializing in communications.” Song Ci simply spilled the beans. In her previous life, she’d worked at a major company since graduation; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to afford a house. The thought of a house she couldn’t even live in for a single day filled her with depression.

“What do you learn this for? Why haven’t I heard of it?” Wang Juan came closer to her again without her knowing.

“Sister-in-law, you can understand it as the person who made the telephone.” Song Ci thought for a while before saying.

“Then when you make a phone in the future, remember to give us a cheaper price. Making phone calls is very expensive.” Wang Juan said and then looked at Song Zhen, “Song Zhen, what’s your major?”

“I’m majoring in finance, so I can do accounting after graduation,” Song Zhen said. Of course, she had never considered becoming an accountant; she just thought this major offered a higher chance of passing.

“I know this. Accounting is a good major for girls to study. It’s unlike the major that Song Ci chose. It sounds like something only men study.” Wang Juan praised her.

Song Ci didn’t explain to her that the profession had no gender distinction, but said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back first.”

Seeing her leave, Zhou Yuanyuan couldn’t help but say to Song Zhen, “Sister Song Zhen, look at how arrogant she is. Isn’t it just because she did better on the test? You’ve forgiven her and even taken the initiative to talk to her, but she still doesn’t appreciate it. Who do you think you are?”

Wang Juan, who hadn’t left yet, turned to her and said, “If you get the top scorer in the city exam, your grandma’s head will be so high. Your brother got into college last year, and your grandma talked about it countless times. If I get the top scorer in the city exam, I’ll be so proud too.”

“You…” Zhou Yuanyuan looked at Song Zhen with red eyes, but Song Zhen did not speak for her.

Aunt Zhou was upset when she heard this. “Wang Juan, she’s just a little girl. Why are you arguing with her? If you have any complaints, tell me.”

Wang Juan nodded. “I’m not being fussy. I’m just helping to cure her pink eye. I have things to do at home, so I’m going back. Ci, wait for me.” Then, she ran towards Song Ci like greased feet. Of course, Song Ci was closer to her, as the two families were neighbors.

Zhou Yuanyuan stomped her feet in shame and anger, “I didn’t.” Unfortunately, Wang Juan had already walked far away, so she didn’t hear it.

Aunt Zhou glanced at Song Zhen, then pulled Zhou Yuanyuan home and said, “Silly child, why are you meddling in other people’s business? It’s not like you got into university.”

Song Zhen was helpless. It wasn’t her who asked Zhou Yuanyuan to say that. Zhou Yuanyuan was jealous of Song Ci and used her as an excuse, but she didn’t get angry.

Here, Wang Juan finally caught up with Song Ci.

“Ci, you’ve finally gotten your revenge. That previous incident may be over, but everyone still secretly blames you. Now that you’ve been admitted to university, you’ve finally gotten your reputation back. Didn’t you see Zhou Fang’s eyes were red with jealousy when you left? I’m not like them; I’m genuinely happy for you,” Wang Juan said, pulling her arm. She felt a pang of sadness, wondering why all the good things were going to Song Ci’s family. Li Yannian was getting a promotion, and Song Ci had such a good college entrance exam score. She’d really made a mistake.

“Thank you, sister-in-law.” Song Ci nodded.

“Ci, you have really changed. We used to be best friends and talk about everything, but now you just know how to put me off.” Wang Juan said, feeling a little aggrieved.

“What do you mean, sister-in-law? What I said is all true.” Song Ci said seriously.

“Okay, okay, I know you all dislike my big mouth.” After saying that, Wang Juan let go of Song Ci’s arm and walked in front, twisting her body.

Song Ci looked at her with amusement, but didn’t chase after her to explain. Before they reached the door, Song Ci and Xiao Shu saw Xu Yuan standing in front of her house.

“Godmother, my mother scored 395 points.” Xiaoshu said happily to Xu Yuan.

“Really? Song Ci, you are so amazing. I didn’t quite believe it when I first heard it.” Xu Yuanyuan said with surprise.

Song Ci opened the gate and let her and Xiaoshu in. “I didn’t expect to do so well in the exam.”

“You’re being modest. This score isn’t something most people can get.” Xu Yuan smiled and followed her. After they sat down under the eaves, she continued, “I have something I want to discuss with you. My mother-in-law is ill and wants to come here to recuperate. She says the conditions here are better than back home. You know, she and I are enemies because of Goudan’s incident, so how could I possibly agree to let her come? But my mother-in-law has been calling me every day lately, scolding Old Wu for being unfilial and even saying she’s going to sue us at the army. Old Wu hasn’t said anything, but I know he’s upset. After all, she’s his mother. Do you think I should let her come?”

Song Ci lowered her head and thought for a moment before saying, “Sister-in-law, this is your family affair, and I shouldn’t have said anything. But since you asked, I’ll tell you what I think. I think this matter mainly lies with Brother Wu. If your mother-in-law still wants to come in the end, I think you can consider going back to your parents’ home to take care of the pregnancy and give birth to the child first.”

“I’m at a loss, so I thought of coming here to ask you. I understand what you said. I’m just feeling depressed, so I wanted to talk to you.” Xu Yuan said with a sad face.

“Sister-in-law, you are pregnant now, so you can’t be angry. You should relax. You just need to express your attitude, and leave the rest to Brother Wu.” Song Ci advised.

“I don’t want to care, but your brother Wu is very tired from training every day, and he also has to deal with those people from his hometown. I can’t bear to see it. Apart from anything else, your brother Wu is very good to me, so I can’t bear to make him feel uncomfortable.” Xu Yuan said with a wry smile.

“Sister-in-law, I think you should trust Brother Wu and believe that he can handle these things. There is no need for you to be the first to do everything. They are his family members. Even if he says some harsh words, it will be fine after a while. After all, broken bones are connected by tendons. You should take care of yourself.” Song Ci knew that she shouldn’t say too much about other people’s family affairs, but she couldn’t help but persuade her.

Xu Yuan nodded. “You’re right. Song Ci, I really envy you. You’re capable, and your in-laws are easy to get along with. Why is my life so hard? I finally have a child, and now those people back home are causing trouble again.”

This was a difficult question to answer; anything she said would sound like bragging, so Song Ci didn’t respond. Somehow, a thought suddenly struck her: respect the fate of others and give up the temptation to help them. She was just an ordinary person, and couldn’t bear the fate of others. She thought, the sisters-in-law in the family compound must have tried to persuade Xu Yuan initially, but it was clear that they hadn’t been successful.

Seeing Song Ci’s once cheerful face turn expressionless, Xu Yuan couldn’t help but wonder if Song Ci, like her other sisters-in-law, looked down on her, disliked her lack of ambition, and disliked her constant gloom. She knew her faults, but what could she do? She was just born like this. Thinking about it, she began to cry.

Song Ci was awakened by her crying and quickly shook off the thoughts in his mind. He went over to ask her, “Sister-in-law, are you feeling unwell? Do you want to go to the clinic?”

“Ah? No, no. I just felt sad when I thought of those people in my hometown, so I started crying.” Xu Yuan wiped his eyes quickly.