Chapter 407: Selective Forgetting – Daily Gossip in the Sickly Aunt’s Courtyard

**Chapter 407: Selective Amnesia – The Sickly Little Aunt’s Drama-Watching Days in the Compound**

When it came to taking medicine, Wang Qiaomei also brewed her newly acquired home remedy in the evening while Lin Qing was making her herbal tea.

Wang Qiaomei didn’t want to draw attention, so she always timed her brewing to coincide with when the smell of herbs wafted from Lin Qing’s place. Still, she wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but her remedy’s herbal scent wasn’t as strong—this gave her a huge sigh of relief.

She wouldn’t have minded brewing openly, but since she was perfectly healthy, doing so would be like handing gossip material straight to others.

Once people found out, speculation about why she was taking medicine would spread in no time.

She had no intention of ending up as gossip fodder.

As for Auntie Zhou in the same household, she wasn’t worried. They were family after all—if Auntie Zhou exposed her secrets, she could do the same in return. It was a two-way street.

The next morning, Lin Qing woke up early. She just knew that Zhang Mengyun’s second morning in the compound wouldn’t go smoothly, and she wanted to catch the action.

One of the downsides of living in this crowded courtyard was the mad scramble every morning—whether it was for the toilet or the water tap, it felt like a war zone.

But ever since her parents moved in, her mornings had become much easier. She no longer had to fetch water herself—Dad would do it for her before she even got up, so she could wash right away.

As for the bathroom, well, that depended on the situation.

"Sweetie, why are you up so early today?" Mom asked as she saw Lin Qing come out of her room, glancing at the clock inside. This was nearly twenty minutes earlier than usual!

"Nothing, I just felt like waking up early."

"Oh, okay!" Seeing there were no dark circles under her daughter’s eyes, Mom didn’t press further. "Go wash up then. Your dad already got the water for you."

The old couple slept little and rose early when things were still quiet.

"Alright!" Lin Qing grabbed her basin and headed to the doorway to brush her teeth.

Hmm. The courtyard was bustling as usual. A line had already formed at the front tap, and stoves were being lit in various kitchens.

Ah, the door of the lovebirds’ room at the junction between the front and back yards was still closed. Were they still asleep?

At this hour, if they didn’t get up soon, they’d be too late to cook breakfast!

After brushing her teeth and washing her face, Lin Qing sat by the door to fully wake up. Breakfast would still take a while.

Truthfully, Lin Qing’s life was the envy of everyone. Which other woman in the courtyard wasn’t run off her feet?

Even Lin Shu, who was pregnant, had to fuss over dressing her two stepchildren!

Finally, Zhang Mengyun stumbled out bleary-eyed, and Lin Qing watched as she dashed out the gate—probably desperate to use the bathroom.

But given the usual chaos at the public toilet, no use rushing anyway.

Lin Qing’s eyes lit up. "Mom! I’m heading to the bathroom! Be right back!"

"Alright!" Her mother replied, only to see her daughter dash off.

What’s the rush? She hadn’t said anything earlier.

Mom shook her head helplessly.

Lin Qing followed Zhang Mengyun to the alley’s public bathroom and got in line, with three people between them.

She kept peeking ahead—yep, long line ahead. Suddenly, she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around.

"Auntie Liu, why are you so late today?" Lin Qing asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.

Auntie Liu gave Lin Qing an amused look. "Do you think I'm late? Isn't it you who's early?"

Truth be told, this was the first time Auntie Liu had ever run into Lin Qing in the morning.

"Uh..." Lin Qing glanced at her watch and realized she *was* early—she'd almost forgotten she'd deliberately woken up early today just to catch the action.

"Hehe! I almost forgot I got up earlier than usual today," Lin Qing laughed awkwardly.

"I was wondering why I ran into you today. By the way, did Cen Gong go on a business trip to the big city?"

"Yes!" Lin Qing suddenly felt on guard, puzzled by Auntie Liu’s unexpected question.

Auntie Liu clapped her hands together. "Ugh, if only I’d known earlier!"

"What for?"

"I wanted to ask your Cen Gong to bring back some vibrant fabric from the big city for us." Her voice was laced with regret.

Lin Qing immediately relaxed. Whew! So it was just about asking them to bring something back. For a second there, she thought it might be another snoop fishing for details.

But bright-colored fabric?

Hmm...

Suddenly, Lin Qing caught on. "Auntie Liu, is your family preparing for a wedding?"

"Hehe! Yes! My second son, Liu, has finally agreed to go on a blind date!" If he’s willing to meet someone, we’ll have a daughter-in-law in no time!

"Haha! That’s wonderful news. Early congratulations!" Lin Qing offered her warmest wishes.

She remembered that the eldest Liu brother worked in the workshop, while the second was better educated—apparently serving as a secretary to one of the deputy factory managers. She wasn’t sure which one.

She thought that since Second Brother Liu had agreed to a blind date, given his background, he’d probably find a match soon. Auntie Liu’s wish really was coming true!

"Ha! I’ll take that luck!" Auntie Liu chuckled happily. The last time they chatted in the alley, Lin Qing had said that their luck in love could turn around any day.

Wouldn’t you know it?

Her second son had already agreed to a blind date—haha, a daughter-in-law really was on the way! She’d been waiting for this for ages!

Lin Qing was genuinely happy for Auntie Liu, and the two continued chatting and laughing for a bit longer.

Up ahead, Zhang Mengyun plugged her nose, grimacing. Even though the toilets she’d just used were worse, conveniently, she seemed to have forgotten.

"It stinks in there! Can’t they hurry up?" Zhang Mengyun snapped impatiently.

Just then, a feisty older woman overheard her. Not recognizing Zhang, she shot back, "If the stench bothers you, don’t use this toilet!"

"If there were real apartments available, do you think I’d be stuck waiting here?"

"Then move to one if you’re so fancy!" The woman spat sarcastically—and literally—as she walked past, hocking a loogie right at Zhang Mengyun’s feet.

"Ahhhh!!!" Zhang screamed, revolted.

Lin Qing had already turned to look when that older woman started arguing, but she still jumped at Zhang Mengyun’s scream.

She glanced at the ground by Zhang Mengyun’s feet and placed a hand over her heart, suddenly relieved that she had lagged behind a bit, standing a few people back in line. Otherwise… that would’ve been awful.

"Why’d this girl have to go and cross Auntie Liu?" Auntie Liu muttered under her breath.

Auntie Liu was no small fry—she was the terror of the entire alley. By comparison, just spitting was actually one of her milder moves…

Still pretty gross though.