First watch.

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Due to Luo Xiaoqiong’s unexpected "victory," Li Aiyuan decided to stay.

However, staying at the Zhou family’s place long-term was not an option. Even if the family didn’t mind, they couldn’t be so shameless. So, after lunch, Li Aiyuan, Zhao Yushan, Luo Gangshun, and Fat Auntie went out house hunting with Zhao Yulan, Lin Baohe, and Lin Yanqiu. Thanks to their connections with the Zhou family, it didn’t take long for them to find some housing options.

There were three suitable options at the moment. One was a two-bedroom set close to the old Zhou residence, located on the first floor, making it convenient to come and go, but far from the Health Bureau and the 401 Hospital.

The other two options were close to the 401 Hospital and the Health Bureau, one being a two-bedroom and the other a three-bedroom, both on the second floor and relatively convenient for access.

The elders planned to first visit these locations to check the layout, lighting, and surrounding amenities, and then, once Director Xu returned, finalize the location of Luo Xiaoqiong’s workplace for a more detailed decision.

Finally liberated, Luo Xiaoqiong could sit together with Chuxia and Yun Doudou, and she let out a long sigh of relief, "Chuxia, how did you get through all this?"

"If Fat Auntie and Eldest Aunt knew you said this, they’d be so wronged. They worked hard to make good food for you, yet you criticize them..." Chuxia said with a smile, "But, you don’t regret making this decision, right?"

Luo Xiaoqiong nodded, "Although I’m forced to eat this and drink that, and not allowed to do certain things, it’s still much better than the inner turmoil I was feeling before."

"What was Fat Auntie’s reaction when you told her?" Yun Doudou asked curiously, "I wanted to ask when you went out, but I had to hold it in."

"What else could her reaction be?" Luo Xiaoqiong rolled her eyes, "Were you disappointed you didn’t get to see the drama?"

"Look at what you’re saying, am I that kind of person?" Yun Doudou pushed her with some annoyance, "Before, you’d say Fat Auntie would beat you if she found out, but what I saw was that Fat Auntie didn’t beat you at all, instead she was twice as cautious and kind to you.

The reason I’m so persistent with asking is because I’m curious, yes, but mostly, I hope you’ll realize your own mistakes. You just don’t really know your own mom well enough!"

"I guess that’s true..." Luo Xiaoqiong sighed, "I really don’t understand my mom. I thought she would be the first to leave when she found out, and even if she calmed down, it would take a month or two.

But aside from her being stunned at first, pointing at my forehead out of anger and calling me an idiot, she immediately changed her attitude, asking if I felt uncomfortable anywhere.

According to my mom, she wanted to go to the hospital first, confirm everything, and then tell my in-laws. But my dad thought that was inappropriate, he said it’s necessary to tell your in-laws about this first-hand, he didn’t want them to feel like they weren’t important.

I was embarrassed to tell my mother-in-law, so my mom told me to wait while she personally went to find my in-laws, and then they came over, and their attitude towards me was warmer than before.

Afterwards, they called Zhao Qiliang over and scolded him, saying he was too careless, and told him to cater to my needs in the future, not allowing even half a word of disagreement.

The rest you guys already know..." After a brief pause, Luo Xiaoqiong looked at the two and said seriously, "Given our relationship, it feels pretentious to say thank you, but all I can do now is say thanks to both of you. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

If it weren’t for you two, I might still be agonizing, that feeling of panic is too unbearable. Although I’m restrained now, compared to before, it’s truly a blessing."

"Right?" Yun Doudou snorted, "When I tried to convince you before, you had all sorts of reasons, but now you get it, parents’ tolerance for their children is limitless.

Take me for instance. I used to fight anyone who said my mom was tolerant, but after this experience, I realized how narrow-minded I was.

When she yells at me, it’s out of disappointment, feeling that her daughter is not close to her, which makes her anxious. In a nutshell, she’s also stuck in her own way of thinking, because of love.

Now that we’ve talked it through, my mom’s been much calmer. When she used to talk to us, her voice would naturally become sharp, but now it’s so gentle."

"Yeah, compared to you, I’m even worse. I grew up with my mom, yet I misjudged her like this, sigh..." Luo Xiaoqiong sighed, "My mom wanted to stay, but my dad wouldn’t let her.

My dad said since I’m now married into the Zhao family, I should spend more time with my mother-in-law. Actually, my mom is very worried about me, but for my own good, she held back."

In the past, I always envied how Aunt Yulan treated Chuxia so well, saying my mom didn’t care for me as Aunt Yulan did for Chuxia. But in truth, they’re quite similar, it’s just the way they express it that’s different."

"As long as you realize that, don’t be confused again in the future..." As they talked, Chuxia suddenly slapped her forehead, "Oh right, I haven’t seen Sister Qihui, she was here at noon, but after lunch, she disappeared. You guys continue chatting, I’ll go look for her."

"I think I saw her and Little Jing head into the yard together..." Yun Doudou stood up, "Sitting here too long makes me sleepy. I’ll go with you, Xiaoqiong. If you’re tired, take a nap. We’ll go for a walk."

"Get out of here..." Luo Xiaoqiong glared at her, "It’s only been a month, what’s there to be tired about?" She pointed to Chuxia’s belly, "She isn’t tired after nearly seven months; am I that weak?"

The three walked over to the flowerbed and saw Zhao Qihui and Little Jing sitting side by side, "Third Young Madam, Comrade Luo, Comrade Jun..." Little Jing quickly stood up, nervously greeting them.

"Come sit here..." Zhao Qihui waved them over with a smile, "Seeing you all chatting enthusiastically, as the single one, I didn’t want to intrude, so I invited Little Jing to walk with me."

"Sit down, Little Jing." After sitting, Chuxia called out to Little Jing who was awkwardly standing aside, "You were chatting well with my sister earlier. Seeing you like this, people might think I’m really overbearing."

"No, no..." Little Jing waved her hands in a fluster, "Third Young Madam, I feel embarrassed. I haven’t handled my feelings well and had to trouble Comrade Zhao for advice. I’m... sorry..."

"Alright, sit down." Chuxia sighed, "We’re all around the same age, let’s just sit and chat casually. No matter what you’re thinking, why not tell us?

I’m not intentionally prying into your privacy. You know Grandpa and Grandma care about you. Seeing you sulking around all day makes them feel bad.

They want to ask you, but worry you’d overthink and make things worse. But if you continue like this for a long time, it’s not good for everyone, right?"

"Hmm." Little Jing nodded apologetically at Chuxia, "Third Young Madam, I’m sorry about pouring water on you that day, it was truly unintentional..."

Chuxia interrupted her unhappily: "That matter is already behind us, why bring it up again? Little Jing, maybe we haven’t spent enough time together, you don’t understand me.

Regarding such matters, I absolutely mean what I say—I won’t pretend. If I say I don’t mind, I truly don’t mind. If I say I believe, I genuinely believe. So, don’t keep dwelling on such issues.

What’s the source of people’s troubles? It’s from overthinking. I can roughly guess your thoughts. After breaking off your engagement with Zhang Jun, it’s less about emotions and more about pride, right?

I haven’t been married to the Zhou family for long, and don’t quite understand the families who’ve lived with them for generations, but I believe there’s probably some comparison among you. You’re worried they look down on you, and that’s what’s keeping you from moving on, isn’t it?"

"Hmm." Little Jing lowered her head, then bit her lip, "I know the more I’m like this, the more they’ll look down on me, but I can’t just accept it calmly."

Chuxia looked at her seriously: "Then what do you think will make you accept it calmly?"

Little Jing shook her head: "I don’t know."

Sighing, Chuxia said: "If Zhang Jun wants to marry you now, would you accept?"

Little Jing shook her head without hesitation: "No! I don’t want to marry him anymore."

Chuxia sighed again: "What if we introduced you to someone better than Zhang Jun, would you feel better?"

"I..." Little Jing hung her head, unable to continue. Chuxia understood she’d struck a chord.

"Going by your logic, if you can’t find such a person, you’ll stay hidden forever? If Grandma sends you somewhere else, what would you do? Seek an end?"

"..." Little Jing hung her head even lower.

"For someone to be respected, it’s not about relying on charity..." Chuxia paused, then continued, "To earn respect from that group of people, you can’t wait passively here.

Regardless of whether people look down on you because of this, speaking of respect, you should work hard and live happily, not wallow in self-pity like now.

Perhaps you find my words hard to accept, but I hope you’ll ponder them. In your current state, how can you meet a good man, and how could he dare marry you?"

Little Jing’s face turned bright red, she glanced at Chuxia, lips moved a few times, but she couldn’t utter a word.

"Say whatever you’re thinking, we’re sitting here to solve the problem..." Chuxia frowned at her, "I don’t want my bedsheets always being damp."

Little Jing’s body shook, looking up at Chuxia with a flustered expression: "Third Young Madam, I... I didn’t mean it, please... please don’t be angry, I... I really didn’t mean it..." (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations, monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)