Chapter 39: Too Late

Seeing Li Meilian’s hasty retreat, the others smiled awkwardly and turned to Qin Xueqiong.

“Auntie, welcome! Just ask if you need anything. We’re all family, and we should help each other. Do you need help cleaning today?”

Qin Xueqiong waved her hand. “No, we’re almost done.”

“Auntie, we have things to do. We’ll go now.”

The onlookers dispersed. Lu Shan, seeing no one supporting her and Shen Huaixu ignoring her, stamped her foot, glared at Tang Xiaorou, and left.

After everyone left, Qin Xueqiong looked at her daughter. “Xiaorou, I’ve caused you trouble.”

“Mom, what are you saying? You did nothing wrong.  Those gossiping women are wrong.” She pulled her mother to the table. “Let’s ignore them and eat. I’m starving.”

Qin Xueqiong said, “Right, let’s eat. We need to continue cleaning tomorrow.”

Shen Huaixu hadn’t expected his mother-in-law to be targeted so soon and felt apologetic. “Mom, I’m sorry. I didn’t expect those sisters-in-law to say such things.”

“Huaixu, it’s not your fault. They have their mouths, and you can’t control them. Don’t say that.”

Seeing Shen Huaixu’s apology, Qin Xueqiong said, “I’m fine. I don’t care about them. Let’s focus on our own lives. Come on, let’s eat.”

Tang Xiaorou said, “Mom, you’re easily consoled by Shen Huaixu but not by me. You’re showing favoritism.”

“You child…”

Qin Xueqiong patted her daughter. “Eat.”

After eating, Shen Huaixu helped for a while before leaving. Qin Xueqiong took Xiaoliang and Xiaoyan back to the guesthouse to rest. Only Tang Xiaorou and Yao Bingcheng remained.

“Sister, Grandma and I should stay at Grandma’s house. Staying here will only invite more gossip.” Shen Huaixu had suggested they stay together, but they didn’t want to cause trouble for Xiaorou.

Tang Xiaorou considered this and nodded. “Okay, let’s go check Grandma’s house in a couple of days.  I’ll have Mom rent a place nearby.” It would be better for her mother to live separately to avoid gossip.

Yao Bingcheng said nothing. He trusted Xiaorou’s decisions. Since she saved his grandmother and brought them out of Qingshan Village, she was the most amazing person to him.

“Okay, I’ll talk to Grandma and see if we can live with Auntie.”

They chatted and worked, and time flew by. When Qin Xueqiong arrived, they had finished cleaning. “Xiaorou, Bingcheng, rest. We don’t have to finish everything today. We can continue tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

Tang Xiaorou smiled and asked, “Are Xiaoliang and Xiaoyan with Grandma Yao?”

“Yes, they’re asleep. Auntie’s watching them. So I came to help.” Qin Xueqiong was diligent. Seeing the room was clean, she started washing dishes. “Xiaorou, your Grandma Yao asked about your plans. Will we stay here or look for a house outside?”

“Mom, after we finish cleaning, Bingcheng and I will check on Grandma Yao’s house, then decide.”

“Okay. If Auntie’s house is still there, we can move in directly.”

Qin Xueqiong wanted to stay with Grandma Yao, but knowing her daughter couldn’t handle two children alone, she decided to help.  As she was lost in thought, Shen Huaixu arrived.

“Why are you here so early? It’s not dinner time yet.”

Tang Xiaorou asked curiously.

“I’m free, so I came to see if I could help.” Shen Huaixu was observant. Seeing Qin Xueqiong washing dishes, he offered to help.

“Huaixu, it’s alright.”

But Shen Huaixu already started helping.

Qin Xueqiong was very pleased with her son-in-law.

With Shen Huaixu’s help, they finished cleaning quickly.

“Mom, Xiaorou, let’s eat at the state-run restaurant tonight. Let’s go to the guesthouse and get Grandma Yao and the children.”

Qin Xueqiong said, “Huaixu, let’s just eat something simple. Don’t spend too much.”

Shen Huaixu had already planned a nice dinner after their hard work.  But before they could leave, cries and commotion erupted.

“Xiaolei, what’s wrong? Don’t scare Grandma!”

“Auntie, take Xiaolei to the hospital! His face is purple!”

Hearing the cries and commotion, Tang Xiaorou knew something was wrong. She ran over and saw a crowd gathered around a tearful middle-aged woman and a small boy with a purplish face.

Tang Xiaorou didn’t hesitate. She grabbed the boy and performed the Heimlich maneuver.

“Hey… what are you doing?”

Qian Manzhu, furious that her grandson was taken, glared at Tang Xiaorou. “Give Xiaolei back! I’m taking him to the hospital!”

Tang Xiaorou continued the maneuver.  Even if they went to the hospital now, it might be too late.

The onlookers recognized Tang Xiaorou.

“Isn’t that Commander Shen’s wife? What’s she doing with Xiaolei?”

“I don’t know. Xiaolei is almost gone. If she delays any longer, he might die.”

Li Meilian was also watching. Remembering Tang Xiaorou’s words that morning, a glint of schadenfreude flashed in her eyes. She looked at Qian Manzhu with feigned concern.

“Auntie, that’s Commander Shen’s new wife. She’s from the countryside. She scolded me this morning. I don’t mind, but if she delays Xiaolei’s treatment, she’ll be responsible!”

Qian Manzhu was already panicked. Hearing this, she lost her composure and tried to hit Tang Xiaorou.

“Let go! Let go!!”