Cheng Su couldnât quite understand what she felt toward Mother Qi, her mother-in-law. Old-fashioned, mean-spirited, stingy, unknowledgeable, and especially after meddling with the birth control between her and Qi Taiguo back in the day, she preferred to keep her distance from her.
The tricky relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was something she never found a balance in. Her pleasant demeanor toward Mother Qi was all for the sake of Qi Taiguo.
So, some of the unfair things, as long as they didnât cross her bottom line, she endured. After all, she was just an ignorant, old-fashioned rural lady.
Upon hearing that the car she was in had an accident, Cheng Suâs mind went blank and she felt dazed for a moment.
She wasnât a cold-hearted person. The old lady had taken the bus in this weather to come take care of her and the child...
Thinking of this, Cheng Suâs heart tangled into a knot, feeling a bit guilty and uneasy.
Qi Fenglian was crying, and Cheng Su pinched the soft part of her arm, the pain bringing her some clarity.
"Big Sister, stop crying, I canât think." Cheng Su forced herself to calm down and said.
Qi Taiguo was out on a mission, not around, and in the old home, the father-in-law was old, Qi Fengping had exams, and the younger brother was in Guangcheng. She, as the eldest daughter-in-law, had to take charge.
Liu Wenjing also patted Qi Fenglian on the shoulder.
Qi Fenglian immediately stopped crying, looked at Cheng Su, opened her mouth, but couldnât say a word.
Cheng Su closed her eyes slightly, exhaled a long breath, and said, "Someone just said the bus flipped, but a lot of people are still alive, just a few are seriously injured, and theyâve all been taken to Xi Countyâs hospital. Mom hasnât sent us news for so long; either sheâs still unconscious or doesnât know our phone numbers, thatâs why thereâs no news."
Her words were still a bit of a stretch; if she didnât remember their numbers here, she should remember the ones back home.
"Another possibility, could it be..." Qi Fenglian blurted out.
"Big Sister!" Cheng Su stopped her and said sternly, "Until we see her or receive any notice, donât think too much and scare yourself."
Qi Fenglian covered her mouth, but her tears couldnât stop flowing.
"I think we need to go to Xi County hospital and see." Cheng Su said, glancing at the clock, grabbing the phone, and calling the restaurant to have Deng Weixia come back immediately.
After hanging up, she said to Liu Wenjing, "You stay home with the kids, donât go. Weixia, Big Sister, and I will go."
Liu Wenjing looked flustered and nodded.
Qi Fenglian, who had calmed down, said, "No, Weixia and I will go. Youâre about to give birth, and itâs so late, donât trouble yourself. If something happens... how will I explain to Taiguo?"
"Exactly! Let Weixia and Cousin go first. Itâs so late now." Liu Wenjing also advised.
Cheng Su looked down at her big belly and gave a bitter smile.
If Qi Taiguo were here, she wouldnât think of going. But with him gone, Deng Weixia and Qi Fenglian werenât decisive people. If something happened and they hesitated, what could they do?
"Itâs fine. With you two there, Xi County is just two hours by car from Qing City, traveling wonât be an issue," Cheng Su said, pursing her lips.
"Thatâs not okay, itâs so late, and the roads are harder to navigate," Qi Fenglian still disagreed and said, "Given the situation now, if Mom is hurt, thereâs nothing to worry about. But if she..." Qi Fenglianâs face turned pale, unable to say the word, gritting her teeth, "If something happens, going there wonât change anything. You better stay home!"