Chapter 15: The Child Is Not Corn

“That family is my sister’s in-laws.” Ning Songyun’s voice trembled as she spoke.

“After my sister got pregnant, my brother-in-law brought his mother over. At first, everything was fine.

But half a month ago, when my brother-in-law went on a business trip, that awful old woman brought along her youngest son and his pregnant wife.

My sister thought they were just staying temporarily.

But the day before yesterday, when she went to call them for dinner, she overheard their conversation in the room.

They said my sister’s due date was only two days apart from that young daughter-in-law’s, and they wanted to secretly switch the babies.

When my sister pushed the door open to confront them, her mother-in-law shoved her to the ground—she nearly lost the baby.

But when we got to the hospital and my dad and brother asked, they flatly denied everything. They said they never said such things, and accused my sister of trying to frame them because she didn’t want to feed them for free.”

By the end, Ning Songyun was crying and shouting: “My sister is such a good, gentle person! How could they plan to bully her like this, just because my brother-in-law and mom aren’t home?”

Zhao Yu gently patted her back to calm her down. “Don’t panic. Take a breath. Your father, your brother, and even the commander would never allow this.

A baby isn’t like corn—you can’t just swap it because you prefer one over the other.

I’ll help you think of something…

Here’s what we’ll do: before the commander returns, we’ll take turns asking for leave. That way, while keeping up with training, one of us can stay with your sister every day.”

“Yuyu, you’re too kind!” Ning Songyun couldn’t stop crying.

“That’s what good friends are for.”

Zhao Yu stroked her head, feeling her emotions gradually settle. “But us watching over your sister isn’t enough. There’s one more thing you have to do.”

She leaned in and whispered a few words. As Ning Songyun listened, her eyes grew brighter and brighter.

By the end, she even bounced up from the bed. “Yuyu, that’s brilliant! I’ll do it right now!”

“Don’t rush!” Zhao Yu quickly pulled her back. “It’s already dark. Wait until tomorrow.”

The next day, Ning Songyun took the morning off again. When she returned in the afternoon, she looked delighted.

“All done?”

“Mm-hmm!” Songyun nodded, excited. “When my brother heard, he even helped. I guarantee that family won’t discover a thing.”

“He actually agreed to it?”

Zhao Yu was surprised—after all, Ning Songyi usually disdained such shady tricks and never allowed them.

“My brother said a gentleman knows what he should and shouldn’t do. But for his own sister, bending the rules once in a while doesn’t matter.”

“That’s good. Starting tomorrow, we’ll take turns staying with your sister.”

Perhaps because of the earlier beating from Ning Songyi, Liang’s family didn’t dare show up at the hospital during the week Ning Songxu was awaiting delivery.

With her younger sister and Zhao Yu keeping her company, Songxu’s mood gradually improved, and the baby in her belly was no longer in danger.

“Yuyu, I owe it all to you staying by my side.”

Ning Songxu held Zhao Yu’s hand and made her sit beside her, while her gaze drifted toward Ning Songyi, who rushed in carrying fruit.

“And thanks to you, I can often see a certain someone.”

Zhao Yu froze at those words. She sneaked a glance at Songyi, who was also looking their way. Flustered, she quickly looked away.

Seeing this, Songxu’s smile nearly burst out.

She supported her belly and slowly made her way to the hospital bed. “Ah, Yun will be here soon. Songyi, why don’t you walk Yuyu back first?”

“I’ll wait for Songyun. Leaving you alone worries me.”

“What could happen in just a short while? You’ve been running around all day—go rest.”

“Come on.” Ning Songyi picked up Zhao Yu’s coat and stood by the door waiting.

Zhao Yu had no choice but to say goodbye to Songxu and leave with him.

On the way back, neither of them spoke.

Just as Zhao Yu was about to enter the dormitory building, Songyi finally broke the silence. “Yuyu… thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

She smiled lightly. “You’re my neighbor-brother, and Songyun is my best friend. Whether as a friend or a neighbor, looking after Sister Ning is what I should do.”

“Neighbor-brother?” Songyi repeated softly, then muttered, “Only a neighbor-brother?”

“What?” Zhao Yu didn’t catch his words.

“Nothing. Go on in.”

Zhao Yu wanted to ask more, but since he didn’t continue, she figured it wasn’t important and turned to enter the building.

She had only taken two steps when someone yanked her hard.

“Zhao Yu!”

She stumbled, nearly falling. Regaining balance, she saw it was Lu Jing who had grabbed her.

“What are you doing here?”

She hadn’t expected him to have time to appear in front of her. Had Lin Shu and that difficult mother-in-law of hers been dealt with already?

“I’m asking you—who were you just with? Did you bring Jianguo’s mother here?”

“Are you insane? Why accuse me? Do you have proof?”

Zhao Yu couldn’t believe he blamed her for that old woman’s trouble. His words made her laugh in anger.

“I know—you’re upset because I’m marrying Lin Shu. That’s why you called Jianguo’s mother here, to stop our wedding, isn’t it?”

Lu Jing grew more agitated, gripping her shoulders tightly. “You even brought Ning Songyi here on purpose to spite me, right?

I understand. Don’t worry.

I’ve already explained everything to Lin Shu, told her to go back home with her mother-in-law and live well. I owe her and Jianguo, and I’ll repay them.

Ayu, as long as we make it up to Lin Shu together, she’ll forgive us!”

“What kind of dream are you having? Let me go!” Zhao Yu struggled, but couldn’t break free.

“Ayu, I know what you mean. We—who’s there!”

Before he could finish, someone yanked him back by the collar and punched him squarely in the face.

“Stone Brother!”

Zhao Yu grabbed Ning Songyi’s arm, stopping him from throwing more punches. “Stop! If you keep hitting him, you’ll get punished!”

Pulled back by her, Songyi finally let Lu Jing crawl up from the ground.

“You’re nothing! What happens between me and Ayu has nothing to do with you. Stay out of it!”

Songyi clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles whitened, teeth grinding. Hearing this, he nearly lunged again.

But just then, Songyun came running, panting hard.

“Brother! Yuyu! Come quick—sister’s in labor!”

At that, both Zhao Yu and Songyi dropped Lu Jing without a second thought and rushed toward the hospital.

“Zhao Yu! You’re really going with him?”

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