Chapter 93

“Brother Xu Zhao?”

Jiang Suihan silently repeated the phrase in her mind. She looked up at the speaker—a woman in her late twenties, wearing a white knitted dress under a dark red wool coat. Her long hair was tied up, revealing a smooth forehead, but her skin looked a bit rough and dull, with a faint smile on her lips.

It seems that she is coming with bad intentions.

“Hello, may I ask who you are?” Jiang Suihan asked politely.

“I’m Qiao Hui. I grew up in the same neighborhood as Brother Xu Zhao. I heard he came back last night, and since I had some free time this morning, I thought I’d come by and see him,” Qiao Hui replied.

She had liked Xu Zhao for many years, ever since middle school. She had always thought he was interested in another girl from their compound, so her feelings remained a secret. After that girl married someone else, she realized her misunderstanding. She confidently approached Xu Zhao to confess her feelings, only to be met with a merciless rejection.

Over the years, she had been on several blind dates, but she subconsciously compared each man to Xu Zhao. Time and again, she found herself unable to let go of her feelings for him, convinced that with patience, one day he would return her affection.

However, things didn’t go as she wished. Xu Zhao got married, and the bride was not her.

After hearing from her grandfather that Xu Zhao was back, Qiao Hui couldn’t sleep that night, tossing and turning. The next day, after breakfast, she quickly found someone to come with her to the Xu family. She wanted to see for herself what kind of woman had captured Xu Zhao’s heart.

The moment she saw Jiang Suihan, her heart sank. She had expected someone worn out from caring for a child, perhaps looking haggard and tired. Instead, this slender woman with fair skin was standing before her. Was this really Xu Zhao’s wife?

Qiao Hui felt deceived. The man she had admired from afar seemed just an ordinary person after all, drawn to beautiful women like everyone else.

Jiang Suihan secretly complained in her heart, calling Xu Zhao brother all the time and growing up together in the same compound, wasn’t it telling her that they were childhood sweethearts?

Regardless of whether she was a white lotus or a green tea type, Jiang Suihan couldn’t be bothered to engage.

With a faint smile that didn’t come off as impolite, she replied, “Hello, Comrade Qiao. I apologize for not greeting you properly. Excuse me, but I need to go have breakfast now. Please carry on with your conversation.”

Was that all?

Qiao Hui hadn’t expected Jiang Suihan to remain so calm. Most women in her situation would have been defensive or confrontational upon meeting a childhood sweetheart of their husband.

“You shouldn’t skip breakfast. It’s bad for your stomach. My sister-in-law is a great cook and gets up early to make breakfast for everyone. Aunt Su does everything herself. I really envy you for having such a wonderful mother-in-law who does everything for you,” Qiao Hui remarked.

Jiang Suihan raised an eyebrow subtly, interpreting it as a jab at her for sleeping in.

What was this woman’s game?

Though she didn’t feel threatened by Qiao Hui, the incessant buzzing was annoying.

Jiang Suihan replied with a smile, “I also consider myself lucky to have such an understanding mother-in-law. She knows I struggle to get up in the mornings and never scolds me for sleeping in. She encourages me to rest, especially since there’s not much to do at home.”

Pausing, she smiled sweetly and asked Qiao Hui, “From the way you speak, I gather your mother-in-law isn’t so nice to you?”

Qiao Hui clenched her teeth. “I’m not married yet.”

Jiang Suihan was momentarily surprised. Qiao Hui looked a bit older, and it was rare for a girl in her late twenties to be unmarried.

Her mind raced. Was Qiao Hui waiting for Xu Zhao to marry her, which was why she hadn’t settled down yet? If that was the case, Xu Zhao was in for trouble.

“People say marriage is a woman’s second chance at life. You must choose carefully. If you haven’t met the right person, it’s better to wait than settle, considering you’ll spend a lifetime with this person.”

Qiao Hui didn’t expect to share similar thoughts with Jiang Suihan. “What about you? Did you settle for Xu Zhao?”

Jiang Suihan wasn’t surprised that Qiao Hui knew the circumstances of her marriage. She smiled lightly, “No, I didn’t.”

Seeing the warmth in Jiang Suihan’s eyes made Qiao Hui feel worse. An impulsive thought surfaced: “But I think you did.”

It felt as if Jiang Suihan and Xu Zhao were merely tolerating each other, then she might still have a chance.

Jiang Suihan’s expression turned serious, and she replied without a hint of a smile, “I don’t need your opinion. I only care about what I think.”

A little sunshine brightens the day. For someone trying to pry into her life, she shouldn’t be polite. Jiang Suihan realized she had been too accommodating, mistakenly thinking Qiao Hui was easy to deal with.

Jiang Suihan took her time finishing breakfast, and by the time she was done, the guests in the living room had already left.

“Mom, where’s Chenchen?” she asked.

Su Ying was sitting on the sofa, snacking on sunflower seeds. “The old man took him out to play. Xu Zhao’s friends came over looking for him, and he went out with them.”

Both Grandpa Xu and Xu Zhenguo were eager to show off Chenchen to their old friends. This was a wish they had waited two years to fulfill. After having breakfast, Grandpa Xu was overjoyed as he carried Chenchen out to showcase him.

Su Ying hadn’t been in the kitchen long enough to catch what Jiang Suihan and Qiao Hui had discussed.

When Qiao Hui visited that morning, Su Ying felt uneasy. Most people in the compound knew that Qiao Hui liked Xu Zhao. With Xu Zhao’s return, Qiao Hui rushed over, making her intentions clear.

Su Ying wanted to explain to Jiang Suihan but feared it might complicate things further. She decided it was best to wait for her son to return and let him handle the situation since he had stirred up the trouble.

In the evening, everyone was there. After dinner, a group of people played with Chenchen in the living room.

Chenchen was an energetic child, curious about everything and eager to explore. The once tidy living room was now in disarray, with drawers opened and items strewn carelessly across the floor.

Jiang Suihan felt a bit of a headache. She had taught Chenchen many times not to make such a mess, and it had taken a lot of effort to break that habit. Now that they were back in the capital, it seemed he was reverting to his old ways.

“Chenchen, what did Mommy say at home before?” she asked.

Chenchen held a small gourd pendant, ready to toss it aside, but upon hearing his mother’s voice, he looked up and noticed her displeased expression.

Immediately, he gently placed the pendant down and raised his small face to smile at her, as if to say, “Look, I didn’t throw it!”

With a stern face, Jiang Suihan replied, “Mommy taught you before that you can’t throw things around. You have to put them back where you found them. Chenchen is a good boy, you can do this, right?”

Chenchen puffed out his little chest and nodded, “Chenchen is a good boy.”

Grandpa Xu and the others watched as Jiang Suihan educated the child without intervening. If it had been Xu Zhao teaching, they might have felt compelled to say something about being too strict, suggesting they could take it slow with a young child.

Chenchen, with his short legs, picked up items one by one. As for whether he put them back correctly, that didn’t matter. Jiang Suihan just wanted to instill the habit of not throwing things away in him, though it was quite challenging for a child under two.

Su Ying observed as Chenchen ran around, panting from exhaustion, and quickly grabbed a towel to wipe his sweat. She also poured a glass of water for him.

After finishing the water, Chenchen wobbled as he held the cup, and everyone watched him with interest.

Su Ying stopped him from reaching for the hot water dispenser, worried he might burn himself. “You can’t touch that. Chenchen, what do you want to do? Grandma will help you.”

Chenchen lifted his cup and said, “Water.”

His speech was still developing, often coming out in one or two-word bursts.

Su Ying poured a bit of water from the dispenser into his cup, and when Chenchen noticed it was too little, he said, “More.”

After pouring in some more, it was half full now.

With both hands holding the cup, Chenchen carefully walked to Jiang Suihan, managing not to spill any water along the way. “Mommy, drink water,” he said.

Jiang Suihan looked into his bright, clever eyes and immediately understood the little rascal was worried she might scold him, so he was trying to please her. At such a young age, he had so many thoughts; she wondered who he got that from.

Just then, she realized she was thirsty too. Taking the cup, she drank the water and ruffled Chenchen’s small head. “You’re such a good boy, Chenchen. Great-grandpa and grandpa are thirsty too. Can you help pour them some water?”

Receiving praise from his mother made Chenchen beam with joy, and he eagerly continued his water-pouring mission.

Su Ying chuckled, “Our Chenchen is so filial! He knows his mom is thirsty and is helping her drink, and he’s pouring water for great-grandpa too!”

In a grandmother’s eyes, her precious grandson was the most beautiful and lovable, obedient and dutiful, shining like gold.

Jiang Suihan remained silent for a moment, deciding not to reveal the true purpose behind Chenchen’s water-pouring. Let the elders bask in the illusion of his filial piety.

At bedtime, Chenchen’s grandparents eagerly wished to sleep with their precious grandson. Since Chenchen had gotten familiar with them throughout the day, Jiang Suihan saw he wasn’t resistant and allowed him to stay with them, bringing over his milk powder and bottle as well.

After taking off her coat, Jiang Suihan snuggled into the warm blankets, feeling drowsy when Xu Zhao came in.

He reached out to wrap an arm around her waist. “What did you do at home today?”

“I met someone interesting today, a female comrade,” Jiang Suihan replied.

At this moment, Xu Zhao didn’t yet realize he had dug a pit for himself. Casually, he asked, “Who?”

“Qiao Hui.” Jiang Suihan didn’t hide anything, looking at Xu Zhao with a half-smile. “She told me that you two grew up together and have had a good relationship since childhood. Just how good was it?”

Xu Zhao paused for a moment, finally recalling who Qiao Hui was.

“Are you jealous?” he asked.

Jiang Suihan shot him a glance. “I don’t have the time for that. She came to visit, and I was just satisfying my curiosity.”

Xu Zhao poked her nose playfully. “Boys in our compound usually didn’t play with girls. I wasn’t very familiar with her. After high school, I rarely saw her, maybe only a couple of times during the New Year. What did she say to you?”

Jiang Suihan pinched Xu Zhao’s ear. “Not much. But looking at her age, she’s in her late twenties and still unmarried. What kind of trouble have you caused?”

Xu Zhao felt a bit wronged. During his freshman year’s winter break, Qiao Hui suddenly confessed her feelings for him, and he rejected her right away. He had thought that would be the end of it, but he hadn’t expected there would be more to come.

What a situation!

Jiang Suihan glanced at him sideways. “Nothing more to say, huh?”

Xu Zhao smiled. “I can smell a strong hint of jealousy.”

Jiang Suihan twisted his arm playfully. “Yes, and there’s also a hint of chili. How about I make you some chili vinegar noodles tomorrow?”

Let’s see how you handle a bowl filled to the brim with chili and vinegar.

Xu Zhao replied, “I still prefer beef noodles.”

Jiang Suihan yawned. “Fine, I want beef noodles tomorrow.”

Xu Zhao caressed her face gently. “Are you tired? Go to sleep.”

Jiang Suihan yawned again, feeling unusually sleepy these past few days. Was it a side effect of the train ride?