CHAPTER 857: CHAPTER 578: DISCUSSION

Chuxia, Zhou Mikang, Lin Baohe, and Zhao Yulan returned home at half-past three in the morning. Except for Old Master Zhou, Old Madam Zhou, Old Master Wan, and three pregnant women and a child, everyone else was still awake.

Zhou Jingping and his two brothers, along with Lin Yanqiu and Liang Xiaohong, were playing a game similar to "Emperor." Zhou Huakang, Zhou Xikang, Zhou Zhongkang, and Yu Mingtao were playing mahjong. Zhou Jiping sat observing, while Mrs. Zhang, Little Jing, and Sister-in-law Yin chatted on the side. Whenever there was a need for some refreshments or fruit, they would bring some... The room brimmed with a lively and warm atmosphere.

Seeing the group come in, Lin Yanqiu was the first to put her cards down and greet them, "Come and sit down, have some hot water to warm yourselves. I just went out to test it—the outside is really cold." Liang Xiaohong also put her cards aside and came over, thoughtfully bringing a tray of fruit to place on the table.

As they spoke, Sister-in-law Yin had already brought over steaming hot tea, pouring a cup for each person.

"The car had the heater on, so it wasn’t cold, just dry to death." Chuxia lifted a cup of tea, sipped a few times, and felt a cozy warmth rise in her stomach, finally lifting her mood again.

Since leaving the Wang family, her mood had been somewhat pressed. She knew well enough that there are all kinds of parents and children in the world, but knowing is one thing; seeing it with her own eyes is entirely another.

"Did you run into something unpleasant?" Lin Yanqiu asked Zhao Yulan in confusion, "Why do you all seem off emotionally?"

Zhou Mikang replied, "We went to my third aunt’s house, and her nephew was there."

"Ah!" Lin Yanqiu exclaimed, "I thought so. You wouldn’t normally face anything unpleasant going to the Luo family. Your third aunt has been so unsettled tonight; she must have been worried about that. And just as expected, that kid went to stir trouble. Is Wang Jing and her dad alright?"

"No problem, that kid didn’t want to leave, so I carried him out," Zhou Mikang said just as Wang Lei appeared at the stairs, worriedly asking, "Did he resist when you carried him out? Did he say anything?"

"Third Aunt, you haven’t slept at all?" Chuxia hurried forward, helping her down the stairs. "Didn’t the doctor advise you to rest well? Why didn’t you listen?"

"I couldn’t sleep..." Wang Lei smiled sheepishly, "Lying there, my mind kept replaying scenes of me and Xiao Ching spending New Year’s. And when I think of her and her dad spending New Year’s all alone, I just can’t stand it.

Hearing the door, I knew you were back. I actually wanted to come out and say something, didn’t expect to hear you mention Xiao Ching’s side. If I don’t get clearer answers, I definitely won’t be able to sleep."

"My mentor and uncle actually got along well; Wang Jun didn’t dare cause too much trouble. He just sat there stubbornly with them, aiming to squeeze out more money and goods.

When we left, Zhou Mikang warned him that if he dared to go back and stir things up again, he’d be sent to jail. Judging from his expression, it seems he got scared."

Wang Lei sighed, "Scared, but only temporarily. Wang Jun’s personality is indeed like a stubborn mule. After a few days, he’ll definitely run back to my brother to stir things up. He won’t give up unless he gets something."

Lin Yanqiu quickly advised, "Sister-in-law, don’t worry too much. Any issue, however big, isn’t as important as the baby in your belly. For its sake, you need to relax."

"Big sis, I know." Wang Lei smiled bitterly. "But emotions can be beyond one’s control sometimes. I know being like this is bad for the baby, but I just can’t stop thinking about Wang Jing. I raised her since she was little, and the bond is akin to that between mother and daughter. Usually, it’s okay, but at New Year, I simply can’t control myself."

"We can discuss it later. In any case, Wang Jun won’t be able to cause trouble now. After the third day of the new year, let your older brother accompany you back to sort out this mess. How does that sound?"

"Ah!" Wang Lei sighed heavily, looking apologetically at Lin Yanqiu, "Big sis, sorry for burdening you. Honestly, I used to be quite angry with my brother, but after discussing with him last time, I’ve genuinely felt that his life these years isn’t what a life should be.

Since he’s in a second marriage, Sun Chunmei never really been on the same page with him. When Wang Jun isn’t around, she wants my brother to help raise Wang Fang."