They even specifically asked Duan Ruilian’s sister-in-law, Hao Liping, to visit Yu Xinyan and gave the same instructions: "We’ll come call you when we go out to eat later."
Yu Xinyan smiled and after some pleasantries said, "Sister-in-law, I have some food in my bag that might spoil if left too long, so I won’t join you for dinner tonight. Thank you."
Duan Ruilian’s sister-in-law, Hao Liping, upon hearing this, reminded her to be safe and to find them in their room if she needed anything, then left.
When Duan Ruilian saw her sister-in-law enter, she asked, "Sister-in-law, where’s Xinyan?"
Hao Liping smiled faintly and said, "Your female classmate said she has some food in her bag that might not keep, so she won’t come down for dinner tonight. I guess she might be short on money."
Duan Ruilian put down the book in her hand, glanced at her sister-in-law, and said, "Sister-in-law, you’re mistaken about that."
Hao Liping looked up at her sister-in-law and asked, "Mistaken about what?"
Duan Ruilian stood up with a smile and said, "Do you know why I didn’t object to your arrangement? It’s because I know my classmate Yu Xinyan can afford to pay for the guesthouse."
Seeing her sister-in-law didn’t understand, she continued, "She’s the classmate I mentioned before who won first place in the city and provincial math competitions."
The couple, who worked in the city and rarely returned to the Mechanical Factory, finally understood the implication of the little sister-in-law’s words: "I knew there must be something special about this classmate of yours since you didn’t object to my decision to stay. She’s truly remarkable."
When Duan Ruilian heard her sister-in-law say this, she replied, "Of course, I understand your kind intentions. It’s raining so heavily, and I definitely have to consider your situation. If you caught a cold from getting soaked, it wouldn’t be good."
She knew her sister-in-law had been sick a few days ago, and if her ingratitude caused her to catch a chill again, it would be her fault.
Although Hao Liping seldom returned to the Mechanical Factory, she was genuinely good to her sister-in-law. Originally, for this college entrance examination, she had wanted her sister-in-law to stay at their home. Unfortunately, with such weather and the house being slightly far from here, she suggested booking a room at a guesthouse near the exam venue so her sister-in-law wouldn’t have to travel back and forth and could rest well.
Fearing it might be unsafe for her to stay here alone as a girl, with her elder brother accompanying her, it wouldn’t be appropriate to stay in the same room. Renting another room would be too expensive, so Hao Liping volunteered, hoping to let their in-laws see her good intentions.
Xinyan remained unaware of this conversation between the sisters-in-law. She had already closed the door and entered the space.
Maybe it was because of the rain since yesterday; the house was particularly cold, so she directly entered the space.
She first steamed some rice before heading upstairs to read.
*
Elsewhere, when two Liberation trucks arrived at the family compound gate, it was full of parents there to pick up their children.
Only Qiu Qingmei, after looking around for a long time, did not see anyone there for her. Already upset about today’s unsatisfactory exam, she returned home with a black face and erupted as soon as she entered the door.
Instead of the expected parental concern, her second sister-in-law, Wang Sulan, came from the kitchen and said, "Little sister, you’re back. Dad is hospitalized. Big Brother, Sister-in-law, and Second Brother all went to the city."
Upon hearing this, Qiu Qingmei became anxious, "Dad was perfectly fine this morning. How did he end up in the hospital?"
Though displeased by the question, Wang Sulan only dared to think it silently, "Dad had a fall at the station today."
Now, Qiu Qingmei was truly unhappy, "They’re all in the city, yet no one thought to inform me?"
Pregnant and unwilling to stir trouble, Wang Sulan replied, "Little sister, let me prepare some hot water for you. Quickly change your clothes once you enter the room."
Qiu Qingmei, knowing better than to compromise her health, frowned and entered the room.
At this moment, Qiu Jouxuan lay in the hospital ward, muttering, "Ever since Qingmei went to the Capital, everything’s been going wrong for our family. It’s really strange."
Huang Yufeng, afraid her son and daughter-in-law in the hallway might overhear, whispered, "Old man, keep your voice down. Qingmei’s situation must be kept from them. Who knows what they’d think if they found out?"
Huang Yufeng feared that if anyone in the family found out about Qingmei’s mishap and couldn’t keep their mouth shut, it might eventually spread and harm her daughter.