Chapter 111: Two in One

Chapter 111: Two in One

Zhong Tuanjian shifted all the blame to Zhong Xiaoxiao, as it was indeed her idea to concoct the sex-change pills in the first place. The first victim was He An, and it was still undecided how she would be compensated legally, but the preliminary investigation would definitely be thorough. The pills had already been sent for ingredient analysis.

Zhong Xiaoxiao, on the other hand, insisted that she had not engaged in illegal sales of the sex-change pills. It was all Zhong Tuanjian's idea, and she only admitted to having the intention of pleasing her friend He An.

"You call yourself a friend? This is how you treat her?"

"You know very well that this thing isn't any good."

……

Accompanied by Qin Yao, He An went to meet Zhong Xiaoxiao. When Zhong Xiaoxiao caught sight of her, she glared with hatred. After being detained for a night, her mental state was highly unstable, and she was defensive towards everyone.

"I did this for your own good, and yet your family reported me to the authorities." Zhong Xiaoxiao, being the kind of person who never blamed herself, shifted all the fault onto He An. If it weren't for He An's pregnancy, she wouldn't have come up with such an idea, and now her job is ruined.

He An, incredulous, said, "I considered you a friend. Why would you want to harm me?"

"Hah, friend? Who asked to be your friend? You act like you're so much better than everyone else, just because you were born into a good family."

"I deserve this, but don't get too cocky. You took my pills; go get an abortion quick! Or you might give birth to a monster!" In a moment of carelessness, Zhong Xiaoxiao let her true feelings slip and immediately covered her mouth in shock.

In reality, it would be quite a spectacle if He An didn't terminate the pregnancy. If someone as fortunate as her gave birth to a "monster," how would people look at her then? Would she still be able to hold her head high?

But forcing her to abort now would cause her immense pain—serves her right.

Zhong Xiaoxiao felt quite smug, her mind already twisted. She could even find joy in such a situation, and this was one of those moments.

"You idiot, you deserve this. Someone as foolish as you deserves all the bad luck in the world." Zhong Xiaoxiao didn't envy He An's family background, but the more she interacted with her, the more she resented how someone as smart as herself could be suffering so much, while someone as foolish as He An could live such a peaceful life.

He An, stunned, said, "I didn't take it."

Zhong Xiaoxiao was also taken aback. "?!?"

"I considered you a friend, and I treasured the pills you gave me. Although I felt something was off, I couldn't bring myself to throw them away. I thought you genuinely had my best interests at heart, so I appreciated your gesture, but I never used them."

"You told me you took it!" Zhong Xiaoxiao was on the verge of losing her mind, unable to comprehend what this woman in front of her was saying.

"I told you a long time ago that I think having a daughter is just fine too." He An was never tempted by the sex-change pills, but she found the gesture from a friend quite touching.

She had planned to tell Zhong Xiaoxiao after giving birth to a daughter, to confess that she hadn't used the pills, thus not hurting her feelings.

"You—" The blow Zhong Xiaoxiao felt now was far greater than the shock of being arrested.

She didn't take it? Zhong Xiaoxiao's eyes widened in disbelief. What had she been working so hard for? What was the point?

Calling He An a fool, yet she never truly put herself in harm's way.

……She had acted as if she had really taken the pills.

Zhong Xiaoxiao was so angry she rolled her eyes, almost losing her breath. She had been deceived by this seemingly foolish woman. How could she, who prided herself on being clever, fall for it?

After meeting Zhong Xiaoxiao, He An and Qin Yao walked out, with He An looking dejected and feeling a bitter taste in her heart. Qin Yao, having witnessed their conversation, felt a bit amused.

He An, in her state, seemed like a naive and innocent person, but there was also a hint of someone who is sweet on the outside, but sharp underneath. Perhaps her lifelong smooth sailing was due to her ability to keep her cool.

She had a strong sense of resilience, never letting one-sided stories or others' opinions sway her. If it were someone else, constantly being told about the wonders of sex-change pills, they might have been tempted. But He An remained unshaken, as if saying, "You think you tricked me, but I was just playing along."

In a way, she’s also a tough person.

"Sister-in-law, do you think I’m naive and easy to trick?"

Qin Yao shook her head. "Sister-in-law, perhaps everyone has their own unique way of navigating life. You’ve made it this far, which shows that your approach works for you."

"Sister-in-law, you’re really a great writer. You really know how to speak."

Qin Yao smiled. At that moment, she guessed that the issue wasn’t that He An was stupid, but that she was a bit lonely. He An didn’t know how to make friends and didn’t have a true bosom friend. Zhong Xiaoxiao kept insisting that she was looking out for He An, and hearing this made He An feel comfortable, which was why she was reluctant to break off the relationship and unwilling to doubt her intentions.

When people are bored, they can even watch ants moving house for a long time. Perhaps He An just wanted to watch Zhong Xiaoxiao’s antics for amusement.

Friendship really depends on fate. In a lifetime, it’s hard to find a few close friends.

"Sister-in-law, you’re too capable and excellent. Compared to you, I feel a bit selfish." Upon reflection, He An couldn’t help but feel scared. Although she hadn’t taken the sex-selection pills, according to Zhong Xiaoxiao, these pills could cause fetal deformities. What if other pregnant women had taken them? That would have harmed countless children.

And the initial instigator was Zhong Xiaoxiao, who had come up with this scheme because He An was pregnant.

Fortunately, it was stopped in time, otherwise... it would have been too tragic!

"Yaoyao, you’re the real hero. If you hadn’t acted decisively and chased after her, more children would have been harmed, and many families would have been destroyed."

Qin Yao smiled and shook her head. "I just did what I had to do."

The two sisters-in-law returned to the Gu family. That night, during dinner, the Gu family members couldn’t stop praising Qin Yao. Especially Gu Cheng’s father, Gu Zhuyong, who had a change of heart about this daughter-in-law. He felt that she had real integrity.

Gu Cheng had been married for three years, and while Gu Zhuyong hadn’t openly criticized Qin Yao, he wasn’t fully satisfied with her. His elder son’s marriage had been arranged by the organization, and they had married properly and had children. For a more traditional man like Gu Zhuyong, he appreciated his elder son’s marriage more, seeing it as a model of mutual respect.

His younger son and daughter-in-law lived far from home after marriage, and he didn’t know much about their true characters. At first, she worked as a nurse, then joined the cultural center, and even started writing novels. He always thought she lacked focus. Now it seemed she had a good temperament.

"Xiao Cheng, you really know how to pick a wife."

Gu Cheng broke the steamed bun in his hand. Although his facial expression didn’t change much, it was evident that the corner of his mouth curled up slightly.

Across from him, his elder brother, Gu Xing, bit into his bun, noticing that his younger brother seemed even more youthful after getting married.

Or rather, when this guy came home for the New Year in his younger years, he had never been so neat and handsome. He looked so sharp that he could pass for his own son.

After dinner, Qin Yao went upstairs with her elder sister-in-law. Miaomiao, the child, followed them and diligently pulled out a chair and poured tea for Qin Yao, speaking very politely. "Aunt Qin, you’re really amazing and brave!"

Gu Miaomiao had a different personality from her mother. She was a lively little cadre, a young leader. She wasn’t a docile person. Regardless of friends, she had several loyal supporters and organized gatherings and games. She was a very opinionated little girl.

Although she occasionally disapproved of her mother’s personality, deep down, she protected her. Knowing that Qin Yao had helped catch Zhong Xiaoxiao, who wanted to harm her mother, she was extremely grateful to this aunt.

Now she just wished her uncle didn’t work far away on an island, so far that he couldn’t come home often. Otherwise, her mother wouldn’t be so lonely and wouldn’t have mistakenly befriended a wolf.

"I really owe you one, Aunt Qin." He An smiled and caressed her belly. "My family called, and they were really shaken up when they heard what happened. Especially my uncle and aunt."

"Now that we know everything is fine, we can relax." He An turned to Qin Yao and continued, "My uncle is now a manager at a brewery. They want to send you some white wine, which would be great for entertaining. They’ll send it directly to the island. Do you enjoy fruit wine? My aunt brews it herself, and it’s delicious."

Qin Yao nodded and didn’t refuse her elder sister-in-law’s kindness. She was surprised that He An’s relatives worked at a brewery. Jobs in breweries and tobacco departments were considered good positions.

It seemed that her elder sister-in-law had a good relationship with her uncle’s family.

"Sigh." He An sighed. "Sometimes I feel like everyone else is so capable, and I don’t measure up."

After graduation, I landed a decent job, married a good man, and became part of a respectable family.

The work at hand didn't offer her any challenge or sense of achievement. Despite living a good life, she sometimes felt bored and dull.

What is there to be dissatisfied with in this kind of life? If she complained, people might think she was being greedy or ungrateful. After all, many people were still suffering in the countryside.

"Sister-in-law, maybe you're just lacking a sense of achievement."

"Life seems to be about conquering one difficult problem after another. Although these challenges can cause headaches and feel awkward, the sense of accomplishment we feel after overcoming them is unparalleled."

"If life has no ups and downs, if it just passes by day after day without any sense of achievement, it can feel very boring."

He An nodded, agreeing with this logic. "Do you mean I should go out of my way to create some difficulties for myself?"

Growing up, He An's parents were busy with work. Although her family had good material conditions, she had grown accustomed to being obedient and well-behaved, not causing trouble for her family. She grew up obedient and well-mannered.

"With a child on the way, don't stress yourself." Qin Yao shook her head. "Sister-in-law, what you probably need now is a close, understanding friend."

But finding friends wasn't easy.

"I struggle to judge people. How about you, Yaoyao, pick a good friend for me to get along with?"

Qin Yao was left speechless. "Sister-in-law, friends aren't found that way."

"Then what should I do? Help me out by looking at who might be a good fit. I want to get closer with some of the families in the yard."

There were quite a few families in the yard who were around He An's age, but they didn't interact much. Those who were of similar status to He An didn't appear in the same settings unless necessary. They were usually surrounded by people who fawned over them, keeping only nodding acquaintances.

Some of the less well-off women were overly enthusiastic and pushy, leaving He An unsure of how to handle the interactions, unable to gauge the right level of engagement. This frustrated her, and since she didn't need people fawning over her or causing trouble, she minimized her interactions. However, this was a case of avoiding problems instead of solving them.

He An thought that maybe she should go out more. She admitted that she struggled to judge people and asked Qin Yao to go out with her to meet new people.

He An had great confidence in Qin Yao's abilities. Besides, Qin Yao was a writer who wrote books, naturally earning people's admiration and respect.

The families in the yard were full of hidden talents, and He An felt she had nothing to show for herself. The only advantage she had, perhaps, was her good luck.

"Your voice is really soothing. When I hear you speak, I feel like you must be great at reading books aloud."

The sister-in-law laughed. "My voice isn't good enough to compare with a radio announcer. I'm not cut out for that style at all."

"I know." Qin Yao thought that the sister-in-law's voice, soft and gentle, had a natural healing quality. It would be perfect for reading stories on the radio, soothing to the ear, making people feel comfortable and relaxed, as if they were being lulled to sleep in their mother's arms.

Most radio announcers these days had loud, passionate voices that kept people awake instead of helping them fall asleep.

"But my husband really likes it when I read the newspaper to him... and give him a massage. He always falls asleep, which is a bit annoying." Speaking of this, the sister-in-law smiled, though she also seemed a little annoyed.

Qin Yao couldn't help but laugh.

"Sister-in-law, how about you read the newspaper and give me a massage so I can enjoy it too?"

"Sure."

With that, Qin Yao lay down on the sofa. The sister-in-law's voice was gentle as she read the newspaper aloud, and her fingers lightly massaged Qin Yao's temples. On a cold, windy winter day, the warmth of the room and the soothing massage felt like a priceless luxury.

If only there was a hot spring to soak in, it would be the ultimate spa experience.

Gu Miaomiao, the child, was listening nearby and felt herself getting sleepy, unable to stifle a yawn.

Gu Xing and Gu Cheng, the brothers, were talking by the window on the second floor, wrapped in heavy coats. They pushed open the window, and the cold moonlight poured in, followed by the chilly wind. Neither of them seemed to mind the cold.

Gu Xing lit a cigarette, holding it between two fingers. Gu Cheng didn't smoke, and the smell of the secondhand smoke made him wrinkle his nose. He didn't enjoy the taste of secondhand smoke.

"Big brother Gu looked down on his younger brother with disdain.

Gu Cheng retorted, "Big brother, you sound more like Dad than he ever did."

Gu Xing felt a surge of frustration.

"Tomorrow, you'll go running with me," demanded the elder brother, unable to bear the mockery about his age. He needed to get rid of his growing belly.

Gu Cheng calmly replied, "Sure."

"I think you’ve given me an impossible task."

Gu Xing: "????"

With a playful glint in his eyes, Gu Cheng said, "Bro, asking me to help you lose weight during the New Year? That’s a tall order. I’ve come back with a mission to gain ten pounds."

Gu Xing's eyes shifted sideways: "..."

"My wife told me to eat more back home, preferably gain ten pounds. She thinks I'm too thin. Unfortunately, I just don't put on fat. Look at me—chest muscles, abs, upper arm muscles... Want to feel?"

Gu Cheng wasn’t usually interested in showing off his physique in front of others, but at thirty, men either became skinny or developed a belly. Few were like him, with well-proportioned and handsome muscles. Not only did his wife like it, but Gu Cheng himself also enjoyed admiring his reflection.

He could hide his talents from others, but not from his big brother. After all, they were family.

Gu Xing's hand holding the cigarette trembled: "..."

It seemed Gu Xing's plan to lose weight was just talk, not serious. Now, his younger brother was teasing him, and it set him off.

The brothers silently competed, and after their conversation, they went inside. There, they saw their wives—He An giving a massage to their sister-in-law. Gu Xing looked stunned.

It felt like his younger siblings were here to settle some old scores, even taking over his family home.

The next day, Gu Xing and Gu Cheng started running early in the snow. Qin Yao and He An watched from the second floor. Before long, Chen Baozhen and Gao Jianguo arrived.

Chen Baozhen had come to visit her grandfather and took the opportunity to see Qin Yao.

Gu Xing and Gu Cheng were still running. Gu Xing was nearly exhausted, panting like a dog. Chen Baozhen, urging Gao Jianguo to join the run, said, "Come on, go run with them."

Gao Jianguo didn’t budge. "Let them run. I'll stay and chat with you."

Chen Baozhen mocked, "Lazy."

Gu Cheng and Gu Xing returned, their inner clothes soaked with sweat. They took a hot shower and changed into dry clothes.

Gu Xing shot Gao Jianguo an annoyed look. "You look older than my son."

He An’s eyes widened in shock, thinking, 'Where did he get a son?'

Gao Jianguo was also stunned. Was Gu Xing really that old? No, he looked so young. Could his son be that old?

"How old is your son? You really don’t look your age," Gao Jianguo said respectfully.

Gu Xing expressionlessly pointed to Gu Cheng. "That one over there is my son."

Gu Cheng slapped his hand. "Don't point randomly."

He An’s eyes widened in shock.

Gao Jianguo was speechless, choking on his words: “……”

"Brother Gu, you're truly humorous," Gao Jianguo said with a smile, but inwardly he was fuming: *This is infuriating!* Another person was mocking him for being older than Gu Cheng, and right to his face no less.

In the 1970s, material conditions were scarce, but the festive atmosphere during the New Year was rich. Even the poorest families would add something to celebrate the New Year. Gift boxes from the pastry shop were flying off the shelves. The honey glazed fried pastries that Gu Cheng bought, along with egg cakes, were popular treats for children during the New Year. There were also other snacks like peach pastries and fried twists.

In the same row of courtyards as the Gu family, one household was hosting a tea gathering and had invited many people. He An brought Qin Yao to join the gathering, where they drank tea and chatted. Every household was lively and bustling, with red decorations everywhere. As they arrived at the entrance, they saw a table set up, and someone was writing couplets.

The accumulated snow had been swept away, and some people were boiling tea by the stove. The aroma of tea wafted through the air. The golden oranges had been warmed by the fire, and the bananas were even sweeter when heated.

“He An, you’re here too. You’re quite far along, congratulations! We’re all waiting to attend your child’s full moon celebration.”

“This is your sister-in-law? Gu Cheng’s wife? She’s really beautiful and talented. I heard she writes books!”

……

“Hello, hello, Auntie,” Qin Yao had thought this would be a tea gathering among the ladies, and her mind had raced with over a million words of scheming novels. But when she arrived, it was nothing like what she had imagined.

Everyone seemed warm and welcoming, without any sign of hostility. They were all harmonious and joyful. There was hardly any argument, let alone verbal disputes. Each person was more understanding than the last, and they all spoke auspicious words.

Qin Yao had never seen such a lively scene and found herself chatting comfortably. The families here were indeed full of hidden talents. Many impressive and talented women were present; some were women cadres, others were Communist Youth League officials, and there were various figures from the literary and art circles. There were several female writers, and some had family elders who were leaders of newspapers or publishing houses.

Her own accomplishments seemed insignificant in comparison.

However, in such gatherings, no one showed off. Everyone was more low-key, simply chatting, drinking tea, and enjoying the lively atmosphere.

After drinking tea for a while, Qin Yao realized that everyone present was quite shrewd. Even the elder sister-in-law was smiling warmly and appeared amiable. People spoke very politely, ensuring the atmosphere never became awkward, and no one deliberately embarrassed others.

The longer she sat, the more bored she felt. It was comfortable, but rarely did anyone share their true feelings, and it was hard to make genuine friends. Attending once or twice was refreshing, but frequent visits quickly became monotonous.

There were no provocations or quarrels like in those scheming novels. Everyone was harmonious, and most people understood the importance of “keeping a low profile.” The more influential the family, the more courteous they were.

Qin Yao thought it would end peacefully, and as she ate two oranges, she noted that oranges from the south were rare in the north. Eating them in the cold weather was indeed refreshing and delicious.

Not far away, a short-haired woman, Xu Sihan, had noticed Qin Yao several times. Her heart was anxious. She had come with Sister Kang and had graduated from one of the top universities in the country. After graduation, she was assigned a good job and had a husband. Later, envious of the steel factory’s profitability, she switched jobs and joined the steel plant. However, her husband wasn’t very capable, and over the years, he had nearly forgotten his knowledge, which led to trouble. In the past six months, the plant had conducted a comprehensive assessment and began emphasizing the importance of knowledge. Her husband was marginalized.

Later, through an accidental meeting with Sister Kang, she received help. Upon learning about her husband’s situation, and since Sister Kang knew some leaders in the plant, she put in a good word, and her husband was transferred to a procurement position.

This experience showed Xu Sihan the benefits of having connections. This time, following Sister Kang, her main goal was to meet Zhang Rui’an, who worked in education. She no longer wanted to stay in the factory and hoped to find a way to transfer to a university as a teacher.

Unfortunately, she hadn’t had the chance to speak to Zhang Rui’an. Xu Sihan was getting anxious. Earlier, she overheard Sister Kang mention that Zhang Rui’an didn’t get along well with He An. It seemed Zhang Rui’an was jealous of He An’s harmonious marriage, which made her uncomfortable. Apparently, Zhang Rui’an thought He An was too pretentious.

A thought crossed Xu Sihan’s mind. If she could subtly embarrass He An and her sister-in-law, Zhang Rui’an would surely be pleased. Perhaps there would be future opportunities to connect.

She could also take the chance to show off her own talents! A two-for-one opportunity.

With this in mind, she walked up, putting on an innocent face. “You are Qin Yao, right? I’ve read your books, which were adapted into movies, right?”

“Is that so?” Qin Yao wiped her hands, unsure of her intentions.

Xu Sihan’s tone then shifted, becoming less friendly: “I read books very carefully. I found several loopholes in your books, and the logic isn’t very coherent.”