Chapter 496: Chapter 497 A Harmonious Group
Song Xiaodong finished washing Miao Qingqingâs feet and then prepared some water and a towel for her, so Miao Xuanxuan could wipe down her body herself. He simply couldnât do that for her.
After twenty minutes or so, Song Xiaodong carried Miao Xuanxuan out of the bathroom. Once she sat on the sofa, she stretched her arms and said, "Now I feel really refreshed. Not bathing for two or three days almost killed me with my own stench."
"Itâs just a wipe-down, is it really that big of a deal?" Miao Qingqing gave Miao Xuanxuan a sideways glance.
Miao Xuanxuan returned the look, "You havenât gone days without a shower. If you had, youâd know how unbearable it is."
Miao Qingqing quickly retorted, "Well, I donât want to try it."
Miao Xuanxuan wiggled her toes and said, "Still, I wiped myself down, and it wasnât quite satisfying. Having my brother-in-law wash my feetâthat felt nice."
Miao Qingqingâs face darkened, "Are you serious? Now you want your brother-in-law to wash your feet? Why donât you just ask him to wipe your butt? Arenât you taking it a bit too far?"
Song Xiaodong had just taken a sip of water and spat it out immediately. Xiao Yingying hurried over with a tissue to wipe his face, trying to suppress her giggles.
Rolling her eyes, Miao Xuanxuan said, "I canât bend over, alright? Look at you, making a big deal out of a foot wash as if Iâm really bullying the brother-in-law."
Feeling indignant, Miao Qingqing said, "Not consider it bullying? I have never let your brother-in-law wash my feet, yet you actually let him. Really, youâre something else."
With a smug expression, Miao Xuanxuan chirped, "Hehe, then why donât you let the brother-in-law wash yours? He washed my feet because I couldnât after breaking my leg, but if he did yours, that would certainly be a lot more fun, wouldnât it, brother-in-law?"
Miao Qingqingâs cheeks flushed slightly as she spat back at Miao Xuanxuan, "Canât you ever say anything proper for once? I think instead of stopping you from walking, itâd be better to sew your mouth shut."
Watching Miao Qingqing and Miao Xuanxuan bicker, Song Xiaoru couldnât help but smile wryly to herself. Miao Qingqingâs emotional intelligence was really low, while Miao Xuanxuan was particularly cunning in this aspectâit was good that Miao Xuanxuan looked after her sister, or else Miao Qingqing would probably help count the cash even if she was sold off.
However, it was undeniable that the atmosphere at home was quite pleasant. Song Xiaoru had always been worried that conflict would arise between the three of them because of Song Xiaodong, but it seemed like such a situation was unlikely to occur.
It was past ten, and Miao Xuanxuan was getting sleepy. Song Xiaodong took her upstairs, and when he came back, Xiao Yingying was looking at him with eager anticipation.
Miao Qingqing said, "You guys go ahead and sleep, I still have some things to take care of."
Xiao Yingying immediately responded, "Then weâll go to sleep first, thank you, Sister Qingqing."
Miao Qingqing nodded nonchalantly and said, "Go on."
Xiao Yingying happily took Song Xiaodongâs hand and headed to her room. It was her turn to be with Song Xiaodong today and she had been looking forward to it. This was much better than being sneaky about it, and it made her even happier to be with Song Xiaodong openly.
Song Xiaoru watched as the two entered the room and turned to Miao Qingqing, saying, "Qingqing, do you really not feel even a slightest bit uncomfortable about this?"
Miao Qingqing moved her laptop from her lap to the couch and gently shook her head, saying, "To say I feel nothing at all would definitely be lying, but what can I do now? Yingying canât live without Dongzi, and I canât leave Dongzi just because of Yingying, can I?"
"I just always feel this is being unfair to you," Song Xiaoru shook her head.
Miao Qingqing said, "Letâs forget it, Yingying at least treats me with respect, and given the state of her health, I really canât bear to quarrel with her. If it continues like this, then Iâll accept it."
Song Xiaoru said, "Youâre really broad-minded, Iâm afraid someone else wouldnât be able to be so open about it."
Miao Qingqing gave a bitter smile and said, "Actually, many wealthy people have more than one woman at home, they always have a couple outside, and most wives turn a blind eye. Men, well, theyâre just like that, always looking for novelty, especially in sexual matters. Their minds are always tempted by whatâs outside, and if they can be satisfied at home, itâll prevent them from making trouble outside."
Song Xiaoru said sympathetically, "Youâre being too accommodating toward Dongzi. It makes me want to seek justice for you."
Miao Qingqing shook her head, her face regaining its smile, and said, "Sister Xiaoru, I donât really feel that bad about it now. Dongzi treats me quite well, and the more time I spend with Dongzi, the more I realize his extraordinariness. Our little Tiannan City probably isnât the stage for Dongzi. His stage will be much bigger, and when that time comes, whether I can hold onto his heart, I really donât know."
Song Xiaoru immediately said, "No matter how capable he is, this place is still his home. If he dares to ditch you, I wonât let him get away with it."
Miao Qingqing let out a light laugh and said, "With Sister Xiaoru backing me up, I really have nothing to worry about. I know Dongzi listens to you the most."
Song Xiaoru nodded and said, "Qingqing, rest assured, no matter what this brat does in the future, I can guarantee that the one heâll marry will definitely be you."
Miao Qingqing quickly said, "Sister Xiaoru, matters of the heart really canât be forced. Weâre good together now, but who knows if it will still be the same in the future. If we really canât get along later on, thereâs no need to force us to stay together. I, Miao Qingqing, am not the type to cling to Dongzi. My life wonât revolve solely around a man. Iâll have my own career, my own life."
Song Xiaoru nodded and said, "Qingqing, no matter what, remember this, I will always be your support, and no matter what happens, I will stand by you."
"Thank you, Sister Xiaoru." Miao Qingqing revealed a sweet smile.
Song Xiaoru took Miao Qingqingâs hand and said, "You being able to accept Yingying has really relieved me of many worries as an older sister. I truly appreciate it. What I fear the most is having unrest in the family."
Miao Qingqing took Song Xiaoruâs hand, saying, "Sister Xiaoru, donât worry, I, Miao Qingqing, am definitely not the kind of unreasonable shrew. I want to have a good relationship with Dongzi, and even if we truly canât stay together, weâll part on good terms."
Miao Qingqing changed the subject and said, "By the way, Sister Xiaoru, Dongzi already has two girlfriends; you should also start to consider your own matters."
Song Xiaoru gently shook her head, saying, "Iâll think about it when I meet the right person." But in her heart, she was suddenly startled by the image of Song Xiaodong appearing unexpectedly. Why did Song Xiaodong come to mind when talking about boyfriends?