"Don't worry, sister-in-law. Xiao Hui was wrong, I'll talk to her."
Lin Xiaoyue did not show favoritism just because she was her sister, which made Chen Lishu feel even more that such a person was worth befriending.
"Sister-in-law, my dish is ready, can you help me take it out?" Chen Lishu said, changing the subject with a smile, and handed her a plate of stir-fried eggs with tomatoes.
"Okay." Lin Xiaoyue smiled and took it, carrying it to the living room.
Seeing her leave, Chen Lishu quickly washed the pot and soon finished stir-frying the last dish, taking it out.
As the dishes were served and everyone sat down, Zhou Liang looked at the large table full of food and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, you made so many dishes? It seems I'm in for a treat today."
Zhao Jing hadn't been home for a while, and he knew she wouldn't bother coming back even if he called, so he didn't mention it at all.
"Sister-in-law even made braised pork!" Li Weimin's eyes lit up, staring at the enticing, reddish-brown braised pork in the center, his Adam's apple bobbing.
The intensity of training in the military meant men were carnivores, and the little meat in the cafeteria dishes was never enough to satisfy them.
"Look at your appetite. Be careful not to drool." Wu Zheng said disdainfully, picking up a piece of braised pork with his chopsticks and putting it in his mouth. The meat was tender and melted in his mouth, making him so delighted that he almost bit his tongue.
"Sister-in-law's braised pork is superb. Try it, wife." Wu Zheng, enjoying the food, picked up a piece for Lin Xiaoyue beside him.
Lin Xiaoyue smiled and picked it up. As soon as she put it in her mouth, her stomach suddenly felt uncomfortable. She hastily put down her chopsticks and rushed to the bathroom.
Wu Zheng was startled by her action and immediately stood up to follow: "Xiaoyue, what's wrong?"
Lin Xiaoyue didn't have time to answer. She ran into the toilet and vomited, feeling a little better only after she had thrown up everything in her stomach.
Seeing that something was wrong, Chen Lishu got up, poured a glass of water, and took it to Lin Xiaoyue to rinse her mouth.
"Why are you vomiting when everything is fine? This is the second time in two days. How about I borrow a car from the unit and take you to the hospital to have it checked?" Wu Zheng said anxiously, patting Lin Xiaoyue on the back to help her catch her breath.
Lin Xiaoyue took the water Chen Lishu handed her, rinsed her mouth, and stood up, shaking her head: "I'm fine. Don't worry. Maybe I caught a cold from leaving the window open at night these past two days. I'll be fine in a couple of days."
Chen Lishu's mind turned as she heard their conversation and she asked, "Sister-in-law, have you been feeling unwell lately?"
Lin Xiaoyue thought carefully: "I haven't felt unwell anywhere, but I do get sleepy sometimes and lack energy."
Hearing her words, Chen Lishu was already more than half sure. She then leaned in and whispered a question into her ear. Lin Xiaoyue's expression froze when she was reminded.
"Sister-in-law, are you telling the truth?" Lin Xiaoyue asked uncertainly after realizing what was said.
Chen Lishu smiled: "I think it's more than likely."
"What are you two whispering about? Are you trying to drive me crazy?" Wu Zheng was very anxious. He was genuinely worried about Lin Xiaoyue's health, and sweat had started to form on his forehead in that short time.
Lin Xiaoyue gave him a reproachful look and then pursed her lips and smiled: "You silly man, it's not that I'm feeling unwell."
"If you're not feeling unwell, why would you vomit? I'm telling you, Lin Xiaoyue, you better take this seriously. Don't neglect yourself if you're not feeling well."
"I already told you I'm not feeling unwell." Lin Xiaoyue felt both happy and a little shy, saying: "You might be a father."
"Ah?"
The news was too shocking. Wu Zheng stared at her for a long time, then clasped Lin Xiaoyue's shoulders and looked into her eyes, asking, "Are you telling the truth?"
Lin Xiaoyue curled her lips and said softly, "I'm not sure yet. I'll know after the check-up."
"No need for a check-up. I can confirm it. You're definitely pregnant, haha!"
Wu Zheng said confidently, then started to chuckle to himself. Apparently not satisfied, he pulled her out and loudly announced to the people at the table: "I'm going to be a father."
Everyone immediately offered their congratulations upon hearing his words.
Zhou Liang laughed: "This is great news, Old Wu! You can't back down today, we must have a few more drinks."
Although he was smiling, he couldn't quite place his feelings.
He had gotten married a few months before Wei Gang, but Wei Xiaoya was already four years old. Zhao Jing had been unwilling to have children to maintain her figure, and now Wu Zheng, after being married for a while, was already expecting.
"Old Zhou is right, we definitely need to drink a few more glasses to celebrate."
Wu Zheng's mouth was so wide with joy that it almost reached his ears. His gaze fell on Gu Xingdong beside him, and he nudged his shoulder with his fist, saying smugly, "Old Gu, you need to hurry up this time."
He thought about how Gu Xingdong had shown off his watch to him during the day, and now his wife had brought him glory at night.
Thinking about this, Wu Zheng couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Gu Xingdong suddenly stopped his chopsticks: "Wu Zheng."
Wu Zheng: "Ha... Haha, what is it, Old Gu?"
"Nothing." Gu Xingdong smiled at him with narrowed eyes: "I just suddenly wanted to call you."
Wu Zheng's smile froze.
It was over. In his moment of pride and carelessness, he had forgotten that Gu Xingdong held grudges.
"Come on, let's drink. Whoever backs down today will have to stand on their head on the sports field early tomorrow morning."
Zhou Liang said, pouring himself a glass, and downing it first. He then held his empty glass upside down to show everyone, not a drop left.
The atmosphere immediately became lively.
"Back down? The word doesn't exist in my dictionary!" Wu Zheng jumped up, imitating Zhou Liang, finishing his drink. He then looked at Gu Xingdong and challenged him, "Old Gu, it's your turn."
...
Since the men had to get up early for morning exercises the next day, the meal did not go on too late, ending around eight o'clock, and everyone went home.
Gu Xingdong was slightly tipsy. Chen Lishu told him to wash up first and then go to bed. She and Gu Xingping quickly tidied up the outer room.
When she had also washed up and returned to the room, she found that Gu Xingdong was not asleep at all. He was sitting up against the headboard, staring straight at her.
His eyes, tinged with drunkenness, seemed brighter than usual. When he stared at her unblinkingly, it made her heart flutter unnervingly.
"Why aren't you sleeping yet?"
Chen Lishu sat down at the dressing table, picked up a jar of cold cream, unscrewed it, and applied it to her face while looking in the mirror.
After half a moment of silence without an answer from Gu Xingdong, Chen Lishu was about to turn around when she suddenly felt herself being lifted into the air. Startled, a cry escaped her throat involuntarily. Remembering that Gu Xingping was still in the house, she swallowed the cry midway.
"Xingdong, what are you doing?" Frightened, Chen Lishu instinctively reached out to wrap her arms around his neck.
"Doing business."
As Gu Xingdong spoke, he walked to the bedside in a few steps. Before she could react, Chen Lishu was thrown onto the bed, and the bed board creaked under the force.
"Xingping is still here, you..."
Before Chen Lishu could finish speaking, she felt a heavy pressure on her lips.