Xia Xiao followed Mu Xingzhi and spoke of her grudge with Dong ihua, which, once started, ranged from initial gratitude after being awakened by a snake bite, to becoming distant, then annoyed, and now to feeling disgusted.
At this point, Mu Xingzhi was sowhat troubled. Dong ihua, being a Military Wife like everyone else, could not easily be transferred elsewhere, as He Xuexiang had just co over.
Moreover, their group of Military Wives could not single out Dong ihua for ostracization; doing so would an forming cliques. Xia Xiao saw Mu Xingzhi’s difficulty. Now that Lin Jianjun, Yu Shijie, and He Xuexiang had joined, the team was no longer as pure as before—it was clear soone was being watched.
Although Liu Yuanchao was her cousin and Mu Xingzhi her cousin-in-law siding with her, it did not an she could eject Dong ihua. Additionally, Gao Jiaxing had drawn considerable attention by standing out in the major assessnts twice. Xia Xiao could not afford to hold Gao Jiaxing back either.
Thinking of this, Xia Xiao held Mu Xingzhi’s hand and said, "Cousin-in-law, don’t worry. I haven’t taken her seriously. I just wanted her to keep her distance and not to feign closeness and friendliness. I’d hate for others to misunderstand."
"I’ll try to keep you two apart as much as I can," Mu Xingzhi said.
Though Mu Xingzhi was a military doctor, she was ultimately Liu Yuanchao’s wife, and everyone listened to and obeyed her leadership.
Xia Xiao shook her head, "Cousin-in-law, don’t bother. Let’s just let things happen naturally. If she doesn’t harbor any ill will, I can put up with her, but if she does, I will never tolerate it."
Mu Xingzhi smiled, "Don’t worry about that. If she really harbors ill will, you won’t need to say anything—I’ll ask her to leave."
"Thank you, cousin-in-law," Xia Xiao expressed her gratitude to Mu Xingzhi.
Mu Xingzhi shook her head, "You’re Yuanchao’s cousin, there’s no need for such formality. Don’t worry about anything else."
Mu Xingzhi sat for a while longer, then left.
Xia Xiao was left reflecting on Dong ihua’s matter and also puzzled about the bag of items Xue Baozhu had sent. Her heart was indeed troubled.
With Gao Jiaxing absent, Xia Xiao talked to Shitou, "What do you think Xue Baozhu ant by that?"
"How would I know?" Shitou replied.
"She’s Grandpa Xue’s daughter. We know Grandpa Xue, but that doesn’t an she needed to send those things, especially since we aren’t that close with her," Xia Xiao was conflicted.
Shitou said, "Didn’t they say she abandoned a son once? Maybe she thinks Gao Jiaxing is her son."
This offhand remark from Shitou suddenly shocked Xia Xiao, as if a revelation hit her.
Zheng Xianghong knew Xue Baozhu, and Xue Baozhu knew Zheng Xianghong. If Xue Baozhu abandoned a son, could it be Gao Jiaxing or Gao Jiazhi?
But Gao Jiaxing resembled Gao Guoqiang, and Gao Jiazhi resembled Zheng Xianghong...
As Xia Xiao reached this point in her thoughts, Gao Jiaxing returned from training outside. Seeing Xia Xiao’s conflicted expression, he asked, "What’s wrong? You seem troubled."
"Brother Gao," Xia Xiao suddenly called out.
"Hmm?" Gao Jiaxing responded.
Xia Xiao said, "I think I may have discovered a big secret."
"What secret?" Gao Jiaxing found a stool to sit down on. Sweaty from training and dirty, he did not get close to Xia Xiao, intending to shower first.
Xia Xiao looked at Gao Jiaxing with a conflicted expression, "Go wash up and co back, then I’ll tell you."
"Leaving a conversation halfway through like this is really tantalizing," Gao Jiaxing didn’t move, fixing his gaze on Xia Xiao.
Xia Xiao sighed and pointed to the bag of items set aside, "I think I understand why Comrade Xue Baozhu sent us these things."
"Why?" Gao Jiaxing was still very patient, standing up and pouring himself a glass of water to drink.
"She might suspect you are her son."
"Ptui!"
As soon as Xia Xiao finished speaking, Gao Jiaxing spat out the water, and it went all over Xia Xiao’s face.
Ay, Xia Xiao’s small face was really scrunched up now; if it wasn’t for the fact that the child was already asleep, she would have wanted to scream.
"Sorry, so sorry." Gao Jiaxing hurriedly took a cloth to wipe Xia Xiao’s face.
"Brother Gao, you..." Xia Xiao glared, trying to say sothing, but then Gao Jiaxing laughed again, making a surrendering gesture, "That’s what you get for talking nonsense."
Xia Xiao was speechless; she hadn’t expected that, but after drying her face, she said, "I’m not talking nonsense, I’m speculating."
"That’s impossible; everyone knows I look like my dad. Although I might be a bit more handso, anyone with eyes can see we’re father and son," Gao Jiaxing said.
"But Xue Baozhu doesn’t know that," Xia Xiao spoke hastily: "Didn’t Grandpa Xue say his daughter abandoned a child? Look at what Xue Baozhu sent, the materials she chose were all so carefully picked. A scarf for each of us, two pairs of socks for you, an outfit for each son, even outerwear. We’re not related to her by blood or marriage, yet she sends us these things, without including any for your cousins. What do you think?"
"You’re overthinking it; maybe she just wanted to give gifts," Gao Jiaxing said.
Xia Xiao looked pensively at Gao Jiaxing, "Could it be she mistook soone else for her own? If it’s not you, then it must be your older brother."
"That’s even more impossible. My brother looks like my mom, and my mom married my dad early on and had three daughters. It’s also impossible for Xue Baozhu to have any connection with my dad, or else, given my mom’s temperant, she would not have tolerated it and would have turned the world upside down by now."
As soon as Gao Jiaxing finished speaking, Xia Xiao said, "But Mom tolerates Old Lady Gao quite a bit, don’t you think? Everybody in the production team knows. Now that I think about it, it seems unreasonable for Mom to put up with her like that."
Suddenly, Gao Jiaxing paused, his entire deanor shifting to one of contemplation, his movents slowed down, and then he sat down, looking lost in thought.
"Brother Gao, are you okay?" Xia Xiao asked.
"I’m going to take a shower," Gao Jiaxing said hurriedly, grabbing his clothes and heading out.
Xia Xiao watched Gao Jiaxing’s retreating back and sighed. She was unsure of what to think but felt it was more likely to be Gao Jiazhi.
It must have been because of Gao Jiazhi that Zheng Xianghong had been able to put up with Old Lady Gao. Zheng Xianghong had also ntioned to her about being pregnant with Gao Jiazhi.
While Xia Xiao was entangled in her thoughts, Gao Jiaxing was also in a ss of confusion in the shower.
anwhile, Mu Xingzhi had gone to et Dong ihua. Dong ihua naturally wanted to ingratiate herself with Mu Xingzhi, although she was Xia Xiao’s sister-in-law.
"It’s my fault. I just wanted to make up with Xia Xiao and had no other intentions. I will work hard to correct my mistakes, and I hope you all will supervise ," Dong ihua’s attitude was very good, willing to admit her wrongs.
"Recognizing and correcting your mistakes makes you a good comrade," Mu Xingzhi said with a smile.
Dong ihua replied sheepishly, "Did Xia Xiao get angry? I will go apologize to her."
Mu Xingzhi shook her head, "No need; Xia Xiao isn’t angry. From now on, don’t overthink things. We are all military wives; we’re all in the sa boat. Just focus on doing your best."
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