Chapter 349: Who Spread the Rumors

**Chapter 349: Who Spread the Rumor**

Before leaving for Shen City, Ye Xiaoxiao went back to the family compound.

As soon as Grandma Lu saw Xiaoxiao, she took her hand and whispered, "Xiaoxiao, are you pregnant?"

Ye Xiaoxiao was at a loss for how to respond. "Grandma, I'm not. Who told you that?"

Grandma Lu listed off a few names under her breath, but Xiaoxiao didn’t recognize most of them.

She added, “But I was just asking casually—after all, I’d much rather see you than some unborn great-grandchild.”

Still, she couldn’t help but wonder who had started such a rumor. It was so annoying.

"Grandma," Xiaoxiao continued, "I’ll be going to Shen City in a couple of days."

She wanted to let the old woman know in advance, so she wouldn’t worry if she couldn’t find her.

"What takes you all the way out there?" Grandma Lu asked, looking at Xiaoxiao with concern.

"My second sister-in-law gave birth recently," Xiaoxiao explained. "I want to go visit her."

"That’s right, you should go," said Grandma Lu. "I'll have Aunt Li prepare some gifts for you to take along."

"No need, Grandma," Xiaoxiao replied. "I’ve already gotten everything ready and sent a bunch of things ahead by mail."

Grandma Lu urged, "Well, travel safely then."

Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement.

Dinner, as expected, was another extravagant spread.

Xiaoxiao took the elders' pulses to check their health and felt reassured when both were fine.

"Don't worry, Xiaoxiao," Grandma said. "Your Grandpa and I get check-ups every quarter."

Grandpa Lu added proudly, "Don’t think we’re old—believe it or not, we're healthier than you youngsters."

Xiaoxiao smiled. "Then I won’t worry."

---

Shen City.

Shen Qiuyu was doing her month-long postpartum recovery. Besides her mother-in-law and mother, her older sister-in-law had also come over to help for a few days.

Zhang Yuexia brought in a big package from outside.

"No idea who sent this, but it looks like it came from Beijing."

Wearing a traditional confinement cap, Shen Qiuyu came out of the bedroom. The room wasn’t cold enough to worry about catching a chill, so she stepped out curiously. "Maybe it's from Xiao Xiao? Open it up and see."

When they opened the box, several tins of baby formula and some baby clothes were inside.

"Wow, this much formula could last months!" Shen Qiuyu’s mother exclaimed as she helped take things out.

Other things are probably fine, but formula milk is crazy expensive.

It just so happens that Shen Qiuyu isn’t producing enough milk, so the baby has to drink formula since birth.

Zhang Yuexia watched from the side, thinking to herself that her sister-in-law had really landed a good family—living the good life now, with a car and a house.

She doesn’t even need to nurse; the baby can just drink formula.

"Breast milk makes kids stronger. Look at our Xiao Qiang—he’s so healthy."

Shen Qiuyu replied, "Sister-in-law, tons of babies are on formula now. Never heard it makes kids any less bright. Besides, I don’t have any milk—I can’t just let Jiajia go hungry."

Miao Cuifang, who had just gotten her granddaughter down for a nap, walked over as well.

"Formula is just fine. That way, when the baby wakes up at night, Qiuyu won’t have to get up. Parenting is exhausting."

Shen’s mother knew very well that her mother-in-law was perfect—she wasn’t the type to boss people around but instead helped with everything.

Her cooking was delicious too. Her daughter was getting spoiled with good food during this postpartum month.

Zhang Yuexia was a little put out after being contradicted.

When she was in confinement, she wasn’t pampered like this.

The Shen family never mistreated their daughters-in-law, but they also didn’t treat her like royalty the way Miao Cuifang did.

"Mom, when is Xiao Xiao coming back? I’ll tidy up the room for her."

Shen Qiuyu knew Xiao Xiao was the baby of the family and had been doted on growing up. She was kind of nervous she wouldn’t be a good host.

After all, when she was at the Ye family, they treated her like royalty.

Now that Xiao Xiao was coming to her home, whether as a daughter-in-law or a sister-in-law, she wanted to do her best.

Miao Cuifang had already called Xiao Xiao.

"No hurry. Xiao Xiao said someone’s coming with her, so she might not stay at home."

Shen Qiuyu asked, "Who? Her husband?"

She had only met Lu Hanchuan once—at her own wedding.

But he left a strong impression—one good-looking guy.

"Xiao Xiao said no. Xiao Lu is tied up with army duties and won’t have time the entire October. It’s a bodyguard—the Lu family arranged it specially for her safety."

Shen Qiuyu nodded. If that was the case, staying at home might not be convenient.

But she still wanted Xiao Xiao to stay with them.

The bodyguard could always find a nice place to stay nearby.

She turned to her mother and said, "Mom, could you scope out some nice hotels near our neighborhood? Reserve two rooms in case they’re hard to get later."

Shen’s mother knew it was for guests. "Alright, I’ll go take a look soon."

Shen Qiuyu added, "I’ll get you the cash later. Check that the place is decent before paying the deposit."

Zhang Yuexia had been listening, finally seeing her opening to speak up.

"Mom still has to take care of you and Jiajia at home. Otherwise, I could go. I'm not really much help here anyway."

Shen Qiuyu thought for a moment. "That would be fine. Thank you for doing this, sis. Let me know once you've made the arrangements."

Shen Qiuyu handed the money to Zhang Yuexia.

Zhang Yuexia acted quickly—within half a day, she had found a place.

It was on the street opposite their neighborhood, just a ten-minute walk away—close and convenient for visits during the day.

After checking it out, Shen Qiuyu felt it was a good choice.

Ye Xiaoxiao arrived in mid-October.

She came with Duan Hong. Upon arriving in Shen City, they took a taxi to Ye Changan's house.

Taxis weren't particularly common back then, but plenty were waiting at the station entrance—no need even to hail one.

The fares were quite high, so most ordinary people still opted for the bus or other means to get home.

Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t mind the expense and naturally chose the most convenient option.

Originally, she had planned to find her own accommodation, but her sister-in-law had already mentioned over the phone that rooms had been reserved for them near the house.

Although Ye Changan’s new home was spacious, Miaocuifang and Mother Shen were both staying there, so Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t want to impose. Staying elsewhere was more convenient.

She brought Duan Hong to the house first. When they knocked, Mother Shen answered the door. "Xiaoxiao, you’ve gotten even prettier! Come in."

"And this must be Miss Duan? Please come in as well."

Ye Xiaoxiao greeted Mother Shen and led Duan Hong inside.

She washed her hands first before going to see the baby.

"My little niece is absolutely adorable."

She wasn’t just being polite—Ye Yijia, with her plump little cheeks, truly was lovely.

"You should’ve seen her when she first came home from the hospital," Shen Qiuyu joked about her own daughter. "Her little face was all wrinkled—not very attractive."

Ye Xiaoxiao took out the gold pendant Ye Changning had given her from her bag.

"This is a gold pendant from my third brother for Yijia, hoping she grows up safe and healthy."

Then she pulled out another box. "And this is a pair of gold bangles I bought for her."

Shen Qiuyu said, "This is too much. I can't accept these."

"Don’t be silly—we’re family. Besides, these are for Jiajia. Let’s see if our Jiajia likes them."