Before long, Nannan led Mrs. Zhou out of the restroom. Zhou Rou’s eyes flicked with intent. "Nannan! Hey, thank you so much. The dical scans won’t be ready until 3 p.m. I was thinking, let’s go get so lunch first. After that, you and Mom can head back ho while I stay here to pick up the results."
Nannan, visibly relieved, had been dreading the long wait for the results until 3 p.m. She wasn’t at all inclined to sit idly for hours.
"Sure! Let’s go grab so food first!"
By the ti lunch was over at a nearby restaurant, Zhou Rou had already managed to glean considerable information about Zhang Yao through casual probing.
That afternoon, she returned to the hospital alone and quickly inquired about Zhang Yao’s room. Upon seeing it was a VIP private suite, she instantly deduced that Zhang Yao’s family must be well-off!
Zhang Yao’s parents were utterly drained from last night’s ordeal. Given their age, it had been particularly taxing. Zhang Yao’s mother was staying to care for her, while her father had gone ho to retrieve so items. She’d only need to stay for a couple of days before being discharged.
The hospital room had two beds; Zhang Yao’s mother was napping on the other one.
When Zhou Rou softly knocked and entered, Zhang Yao, puzzled by the sound, looked toward the doorway to see this poised and elegant figure. "Who are you looking for?"
She didn’t think they were acquainted. Zhou Rou strode gracefully to her bedside and introduced herself warmly. "Hi there! I’m Nannan’s boyfriend’s sister. I ca with my mom to the hospital today, and I happened to hear you were admitted, so I thought I’d stop by to see you.
I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I brought so fruit. I hope I’m not intruding?"
Zhang Yao nodded ever so slightly. "Thank you! You’re too kind. Really, I’m fine and will be discharged soon! Please, have a seat!" Regardless of the situation, this was the future sister-in-law of Nannan’s fiancé, so Zhang Yao made sure to be polite.
Hearing voices in the room, Zhang Yao’s mother woke up, sat up, and was surprised to see an unfamiliar girl. "Who might you be?"
Zhou Rou greeted her with a smile. "Auntie! I’m Nannan’s boyfriend’s sister. I was just passing by and decided to stop in and say hi! Please don’t mind . I hope I didn’t disturb your rest—so sorry!"
Zhang Yao’s mother, taking a mont to adjust, slipped on her shoes and got out of bed. "Oh, it’s nothing! Thank you for coming to visit! Have a seat!" She then pulled over a chair for Zhou Rou.
After all, this was Nannan’s future sister-in-law, and she seed decent enough so far. Zhang Yao’s mother nodded subtly in approval.
"Thank you!"
Zhou Rou took the seat beside Zhang Yao’s bed without hesitation and started chatting naturally. "Beijing’s weather is really hot right now. It’s so different from my hotown, North City, where we’re still wearing long-sleeve jackets!"
She was gambling here—if it wasn’t related, Zhang Yao’s reaction wouldn’t give anything away. In that case, she could always chalk it up to fostering familial connections in advance for Zhou Gang.
But if it was related, how could she pass up the chance to make use of this?
Sure enough, Zhang Yao’s expression subtly shifted, though the change didn’t escape Zhou Rou’s sharp eyes. Pretending not to notice, she asked casually, "So you’re from North City? Is North City a fun place to visit?"
That woman was also from North City. Could they possibly know each other?
Zhang Yao’s mother, seeing the two chatting warmly, happily excused herself to the restroom.
Her chronic constipation, exacerbated by the stress over her daughter’s condition, was acting up again. But with soone keeping her daughter company, she could afford to stay in the restroom a little longer.
Zhou Rou nodded, smiling. "Yes, I’m from North City. It’s a great place! You should definitely visit if you have the chance. But it does get extrely cold there! Winter’s only fun if you enjoy skiing, otherwise sumr is the best ti to visit!"
"Oh, really?" Zhang Yao replied noncommittally. They weren’t close, and she had no idea how to broach the topic she was curious about.
Zhou Rou, watching Zhang Yao’s expression closely, spoke with enthusiasm. "If you’re interested, you should co visit soti. Bring Nannan along. I’m a true native of North City—there’s nothing and no one I don’t know!"
Zhang Yao hesitated briefly before asking, "Oh, really? Actually, I do know soone from North City. I think her na is Li Si—have you ever heard of her?"
A flicker of triumph flashed in Zhou Rou’s eyes. She’d hit the mark!
So Li Si wasn’t as remarkable as she seed, huh? Not even married yet, and her husband-to-be was already caught up in rumors with another woman? Now, that was satisfying news!
"Li Si? Hmm, I’m not sure if we’re talking about the sa person. She was a classmate of mine in high school, but we haven’t really kept in touch. Last I heard, she snagged herself a rich husband. Oh, right! They’re supposed to have their wedding on June 1st. Is that the sa person you an?"
"Yes, yes, that’s her! I don’t know her personally, but a friend ntioned her to . What was she like before? Sorry for prying—I’m just a little curious! I heard the man she’s with now is incredibly wealthy!"
Suppressing her inner excitent, Zhang Yao maintained a façade of idle curiosity.
Zhou Rou deliberately furrowed her brow. "Oh, she’s sothing else now! I’ve heard that man of hers is filthy rich! But you know, sotis people far away don’t see the truth clearly. They say she’s settled now, but she’s had her share of fun in the past. She found herself a husband far from ho and is now playing the innocent act—who can argue with that?"
Zhang Yao leaned in, her interest clearly piqued, a sly smile appearing on her lips. "Really? Why hasn’t this stuff co out yet? Does nobody know?"
If Leng Mochen ever found out about this, she didn’t believe he’d still want soone like that!
What man could tolerate soone with such a past, especially soone like Leng Mochen, who was rich and handso? Zhang Yao felt like fate itself was lending her a hand. Just as she was contemplating her revenge, soone had co knocking with the perfect opportunity.
"If you want to hear about it, I can fill you in..." Zhou Rou played the part of the considerate confidante, though the satisfied gleam in her eye was impossible to hide. Zhang Yao, lost in her plotting to expose this information, failed to notice.
"Yes, yes! Tell ! What’s the story?" Zhang Yao’s anticipation was palpable. The more damning Li Si’s background was, the better things would be for her.
Zhou Rou’s gaze sharpened as she lowered her voice and began to narrate her fabricated story. "Let tell you, nobody knows more about her than us, her old classmates. That Li Si? She doesn’t just lack parents—she might’ve faked it all back in school! Pretending to live modestly, but she always had the best clothes, the best food. Fancy cars would pick her up at the school gates—different cars every ti! And if the car kept changing, you’d think the person driving it did too, right? Who’d believe she wasn’t after sothing? Oh, and so of our classmates even gossiped that she had an abortion once. Who knows if it’s true, but where there’s smoke, there’s fire, don’t you think?"
"That’s very plausible!" Zhang Yao agreed with malicious glee.
After a pause, Zhou Rou bit her lip and continued. "There’s more. Her relatives are infamous in North City! I heard her uncle is actually her grandmother’s illegitimate son from another man. Can you imagine? Their family’s drama is endless!"
These stories were undeniably more credible since they contained fragnts of verifiable truth. It was nearly impossible for anyone to doubt them in the end.
"What kind of people are they? The whole family is so shaless!" Zhang Yao exclaid, covering her mouth in feigned shock.
Just then, Zhang Yao’s mother returned from the restroom and questioned, "Yaoyao! What’s going on?"
"Oh, nothing, Mom!" Zhang Yao quickly deflected, throwing a knowing glance at Zhou Rou.
Zhou Rou imdiately caught on. "Auntie! I was just sharing so fun stories about my hotown!"
Zhang Yao’s mother gave Zhou Rou an approving look. This girl seed wonderful! Her daughter, who had been so disheartened and pessimistic just monts earlier, now seed relaxed and even cheerful.
But not long after, Zhang Yao’s mother would look back on this day with deep regret. How could she have misjudged so badly? Why did she have to go to the restroom at the exact mont this girl showed up, missing her chance to stop her daughter from making a terrible mistake? (To be continued. If you enjoyed this story, please visit Qidian (qidian) to vote with your recomndations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian to read.)
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