Chapter 820: Chapter 555: Informing
"Hey hey hey..." As soon as Chuxia entered the hospital, Luo Xiaoqiong, who had been waiting there, pulled her aside, "Guess what, Ye Meiru actually came back to work."
Chuxia rubbed her forehead speechlessly, "After such a scandal, she still has the face to come back to work, she must have a strong mental fortitude, impressive!"
"Yeah, when she came in the morning, everyone was whispering, but she straightened her gaze and went to the Director’s office, and now she’s checking in with Director Jing." Luo Xiaoqiong shrugged, "Surprising, right?"
Chuxia’s eyes widened in shock: "She became one of Jing Zhe’s assistants?"
"That’s right." Luo Xiaoqiong nodded, "Otherwise, why would I need to catch you here so early? I just wanted to give you a heads-up so you can be mentally prepared.
I really can’t figure out what she’s up to, you know, if she can’t link up with your group’s leader, does she want to make a move on your bro?
The problem is, Captain Zeng and Teacher Jing are already engaged, if she really has that intention, life will be tough for Captain Zeng in the future.
Regardless of whether Teacher Jing has any feelings for her, with someone like that around, as Teacher Jing’s fiancée, it’s no wonder if Captain Zeng can’t sleep well."
"What kind of mess is she stirring up, during the New Year period, it’s like she can’t be happy unless others are miserable?" Chuxia sighed, "I’ll call Sister Meili later, no matter what, she’s Zhou Mikang’s cousin, both publicly and privately, I should notify her, Xiaoqiong, no need for thanks, after all, we’re good sisters, for life."
"Silly, who told you to thank me, also, don’t think you can take advantage of me, I’m your sister-in-law you know."
"Shameless, you haven’t even married my brother yet." Chuxia tapped her nose, "So brazen."
"Who’s brazen? I’m just reminding you, if we’re talking sisters, I’m your elder, and in terms of family, I’m your sister-in-law, so mentioning thanks to me is too distant."
Chuxia waved goodbye: "Okay, no more banter, I’m heading back to the office, let’s chat at noon."
Luo Xiaoqiong sighed: "Director Xu is resigning today, there’s quite a bit going on, I might not have time to eat lunch with you, let’s wait for the evening, tonight I’ll go see Uncle Baohe and Aunt Yulan."
When Chuxia arrived at the office, Wang Jing and Liu Yaning were cleaning, because Song Xiaoyu agreed to assist Liu Yaning after the New Year, she would come by to help whenever she had time. Clearly, she wanted to get along well with Wang Jing before coming over, as Wang Jing’s reputation wasn’t great before.
"Senior Sister Liu, are you done with your work over there?" Chuxia asked softly.
"Yes." Liu Yaning nodded, "I came early in the morning, everything’s done over there."
When Liu Yaning spoke, she didn’t dare to make eye contact, she wasn’t like this before, Chuxia took a closer look, and this scrutiny revealed a large bruise on her neck...
"Senior Sister Liu, there’s some dirt on your back."
Liu Yaning reflexively looked back, and at that moment, Chuxia and Wang Jing saw her face covered with bruises and bloodstains...
"What happened to your face?" Wang Jing put down the broom and grabbed her shoulder, "I was wondering why you came in with your head down, kept it low, were you hit by your dad or daughter?"
"It’s nothing." Liu Yaning forced a smile, "I just got caught in the middle while trying to break it up, it’s nothing, a little medicine will make it okay quickly."
Wang Jing furrowed her brows: "Did Director Tao hit your mom again? Why?"
"His mom complained to him, said the New Year’s goods my mom prepared were less, accused us of secretly taking it to her family home, he went back and, without a word, just started hitting my mom.
I happened to come home and see this, so I stepped in to break it up, he blamed me for interfering, pushed me, and I bumped into the table, got a bruise on my forehead.
Originally my mom wouldn’t fight back, but seeing me hurt, she couldn’t hold back any longer, they started grappling, his daughter came out from the room and joined him in hitting my mom, I certainly couldn’t stand by then.
Their strength outmatches me and my mom, so as a result, me and my mom got more severely injured, they got lightly injured.
It’s nothing, I’ve been through situations like this before, and anyway, I don’t plan to stay in that house long, I’ll just endure it this time.
In the morning when I got to work, my mom said that after the New Year, she would ask him for a divorce and then take me back to live with my grandparents.
My grandparents have already agreed to let the two of us stay with them until we can afford to rent a place on our own."
"Oh dear, what a life you’re living. By the way, if your grandparents’ place is too cramped, you could consider staying in the dormitory. Let your mom go back home; it might be better that way, right?"
"If I stayed in the dormitory, how could anyone else sleep?" Liu Yaning laughed awkwardly. "There’s a balcony at my grandparents’ house. Once the door is closed, the soundproofing is quite good. I stay there and won’t bother anyone."
"You should be able to manage your snoring. I suggest you go to the Chinese medicine department for some treatment, and also..." Chuxia hesitated but continued, "Since you’re not living at the Tao family’s house anymore, it should be easier for you to wash properly, right? Don’t get mad at me for saying this, but honestly, that time when I lay there for a moment, I almost passed out from the smell. It’s good to pay attention to these things for a girl."
"I know." Tears welled up in Liu Yaning’s eyes. "I don’t like to talk about it much, but honestly, there’s nothing I can do about it.
I have no place at home to wash. Tao Fang wouldn’t let me wash in the bedroom, and there’s no way I can wash in the living room. He demands that I have to be home within twenty minutes after work, so it’s not possible for me to shower at the hospital’s bathhouse.
At first, I struggled to adapt, but later I got used to it. I know others are bothered by the smell, but I really have no other choice."
"What’s his deal?" Wang Jing looked speechless. "He’s your stepfather, not your husband. Why does he make such unreasonable demands of you?"
"He wants me to come home early to make paper boxes for extra income, or else he won’t let me work at the hospital," Liu Yaning sniffled. "No matter what, I’m still grateful he let me work at the hospital. It’s my mom’s wish, and it’s my dream. I love this job, really love it, so I don’t hate him at all."
Wang Jing scrutinized Liu Yaning carefully, then said, "I’ve just realized, you’re actually quite pretty, Chuxia, don’t you think?"
"I realized a long time ago. She just never tidies up, and she often keeps her head down, so people don’t notice her..." Chuxia said, patting Liu Yaning’s back. "Stand up straight and lift your head."
Wang Jing complimented, "Not bad, not bad. It really does make a difference. You look a lot more spirited, and the whole person looks different."
"Really?" Liu Yaning laughed shyly. "Tao Fang always said I was ugly, and my mom told me not to look at people head-on, so I always thought I was really ugly."
"You, silly girl..." Wang Jing put an arm around her shoulder. "Tao Fang says you’re ugly because he’s jealous. Your mom tells you not to look at people head-on to protect you.
If I’m not mistaken, your mom must be worried your stepfather may have ideas about you, otherwise, she wouldn’t do that."
Chuxia glanced at the time and hurried to the phone: "I need to make a call. Sister, thank you for your hard work today. I’ll take care of the cleaning tomorrow."
"It’s just a little work, isn’t it? You make it sound like we’re strangers," Wang Jing said as she grabbed the kettle and walked out. "Yaning, hurry up and go back. Just a few more days on the job, hang in there."
"I know." With the start of work close, Liu Yaning didn’t linger. Whatever the situation, she and her mom still had to spend the New Year at the Tao family’s house. According to local customs, a married daughter cannot go back to her parental home for the New Year, and they had nowhere else to go. No matter what, this wasn’t the time to fall out with Tao Jianping.
Zeng Meili was quite happy to receive Chuxia’s call. To her, Chuxia was both her third sister-in-law and her younger sister-in-law, not to mention her former student and her fiancé’s former crush. After so long, she had automatically overlooked the crush part. The other three roles made her feel very close, and above all, she really liked Chuxia’s character and personality, and was happy to have a relationship with her.
"Third sister-in-law, why are you calling me so early? Don’t tell me you miss me," Zeng Meili said in a light-hearted and cheerful voice, clearly in a good mood.
"Sister Meili, stop teasing me. Didn’t we agree to this? In private, we keep things informal, otherwise, I don’t know how to talk to you."
"Haha..." Zeng Meili laughed. "I knew it. You must have something to say if you’re calling me this early. Go ahead, don’t be formal with me."
"Well..." After carefully considering her words, Chuxia said, "There’s something I think it’s necessary to give you a heads-up about. Ye Meiru has become my brother’s assistant. It was just decided this morning."
"Ye Meiru became Jing Zhe’s assistant?" repeated Zeng Meili, chuckling softly. "Are you worried I might be jealous, or that Jing Zhe might be seduced by Ye Meiru?"
"I..." Chuxia was at a loss. Yes, what is she worrying about? The moment she learned Ye Meiru became Jing Zhe’s assistant, she was worried for Zeng Meili. But what exactly is she worried about?
"Third sister-in-law, thank you." Zeng Meili’s voice was full of sincerity. "Your concern really moves me. Honestly, if you didn’t see me as someone very dear, you wouldn’t have worried for me or called without a second thought. Don’t worry, Ye Meiru won’t stir up much trouble. This time, I’ll definitely let her have her way." (To be continued. If you like this work, please go to Qidian () to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please read via .)