Just Smiling Can Cause Suspicion?

The Jia family had another daughter.

The news quickly spread throughout the Siheyuan.

Lou Xiao'e asked in surprise, "Honey, how did you know Qin Huairu would have a daughter?"

Lin Zhen smiled and said, "By the shape of her belly."

"What? You were staring at Qin Huairu's belly? You're asking for a beating!"

"Haha, I guessed. A 50% chance, I just got lucky."

"Hmph! You're just making excuses."

"Hey? What are people in the courtyard buying as gifts?"

"Just eggs and brown sugar. I'll go buy them with Third Mistress later. Qin Huairu is coming back tonight, and we'll deliver them together."

"Okay, I'll head to work then."

Even though it was a chaotic courtyard, when it came to happy or sad occasions, everyone still went through the motions.

When a neighbor had a baby, they usually gave half a catty of brown sugar and ten eggs.

In the afternoon, Silly Zhu made two trips.

The first trip, he pushed Qin Huairu and the baby back home on a cart.

The second trip, he pushed Jia Dongxu back.

Since Qin Huairu had just given birth, she couldn't go to the hospital anymore. Jia Zhangshi needed to take care of two people for a while.

Therefore, Jia Dongxu was discharged early. Fortunately, his wound had mostly healed and could be cared for slowly at home.

As soon as they returned home, the neighbors came to visit Qin Huairu.

Although Jia Zhangshi and her son had a bad reputation in the courtyard, Qin Huairu was good at handling people and garnered a lot of sympathy.

Everyone entered the Jia family's home almost entirely because of Qin Huairu.

Lin Zhen also came to visit with his wife.

Jia Dongxu was the oldest among the younger generation in the courtyard, and Qin Huairu was the eldest sister-in-law of the younger generation.

Therefore, Lin Zhen didn't need to be reserved and could directly enter the room to see the newborn Huai Hua.

As soon as he entered, Silly Zhu was standing inside, chatting with Jia Dongxu.

Jia Dongxu sat in the inner part of the heated brick bed, propped up by a quilt behind him so he wouldn't have to lie down completely.

Qin Huairu sat on the outer side, while little Huai Hua slept snugly wrapped up beside them.

He Yushui sat nearby, accompanying Qin Huairu. The children were happily playing outside. The three elders kept their distance and stood at the doorway, chatting.

At this moment, the Siheyuan finally had a bit of a harmonious neighborly atmosphere.

No matter how resentful Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu were towards the people in the courtyard, they greeted them with forced smiles now.

"Oh! Second Aunt, you didn't have to go to so much trouble," Jia Zhangshi said, smiling as she accepted the brown sugar and eggs.

"It's nothing, it's what we should do. Where's the baby?"

"She's here, Second Aunt. She just fell asleep," Qin Huairu replied with a smile.

"Oh my, Third Mistress and Xiao'e are here too! Come in, come in."

Silly Zhu chuckled, "Hey! Lin Zhen, come here quickly. Look how pretty little Huai Hua is. Don't you want Lou Xiao'e to have a daughter for you?"

Lou Xiao'e chided, "Silly Zhu, what nonsense are you spouting in front of your sister-in-law!"

"Oh dear, I spoke out of turn. I shouldn't have said that in front of my sister-in-law."

Everyone in the room burst into laughter. Qin Huairu smiled, "Silly Zhu actually knows when he's talking too much? That's a rare sight!"

Lin Zhen looked at little Huai Hua in the swaddling clothes. Her features were indeed well-defined.

After all, both Qin Huairu and Jia Dongxu were good-looking, so their daughter wouldn't be bad-looking either.

Lin Zhen thought to himself, they say daughters are a father's little padded jacket. Seeing little Huai Hua, I really do like her. I want to have another daughter.

As he thought about Lou Xiao'e giving him a beautiful and well-behaved daughter, a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

When this smile was directed at little Huai Hua, it seemed a bit doting.

Jia Dongxu had already been wary of Lin Zhen. Seeing Lin Zhen smiling dotingly at little Huai Hua, his heart instantly felt like a jar of aged vinegar had been overturned.

This, this is my daughter, why are you smiling like that?

Seeing this little girl makes me angry, how can you like her so much?

You, you...

Huh!

Why does this little girl's face look a bit like Lin Zhen's?

Lin Zhen hates Bang Geng and Xiao Dang, so why is he so fond of Huai Hua?

What is going on!

Jia Dongxu had become nearly deranged since learning of his paralysis.

He was already prone to baseless accusations, but seeing Lin Zhen smile dotingly at Huai Hua with his own eyes instantly changed his expression.

Lou Xiao'e, with her sharp eyes, noticed Jia Dongxu's smile freeze and his face turn deathly pale.

Seeing Lin Zhen's affectionate gaze towards Huai Hua, she immediately understood.

She quickly tugged lightly on her husband's sleeve, "Honey, we've delivered the things and seen the baby. Let's go back."

Lin Zhen looked up and saw Jia Dongxu's expression, letting out an internal curse.

Seriously, he's suspicious just because I smiled?

Who wouldn't smile when visiting a baby?

Silly Zhu's been grinning from ear to ear, why aren't you suspicious of him?

Forget it, I should just head home.

As soon as Lin Zhen and Lou Xiao'e left, Jia Dongxu coldly said, "I'm tired. Mom, help me lie down, I'm going to sleep for a bit."

This was tantamount to chasing away their neighbors.

Seeing this, the three aunts offered some polite words about resting and then got up to leave.

Silly Zhu and He Yushui helped the Deaf Old Lady back.

When Jia Dongxu saw that there were no outsiders left in the room, he asked coldly, "Qin Huairu, why was Lin Zhen so happy to see Huai Hua?"

Qin Huairu was taken aback and sighed, "Everyone who comes to see the baby is happy. Look at First Elder, she acted like she was seeing her own grandchild. Silly Zhu was also very happy."

"Don't explain to me, I'm asking why Lin Zhen was so happy?"

"How would I know? Maybe he wants a daughter too. Who can say for sure?"

"Hmph! I think he came specifically to see his own daughter!"

"Ah? You! You! How could you say such a thing..." Qin Huairu's eyes reddened, and she started to cry again.

Jia Zhangshi said impatiently, "Stop crying, all you do is cry. If the man is unhappy, can't you say something nice? Instead of arguing, you just cry!"

Jia Zhangshi didn't join Jia Dongxu in suspecting Qin Huairu this time.

Because she knew in her heart that Huai Hua was indeed Jia family blood.

The room wasn't large to begin with, let alone soundproof.

Jia Zhangshi was an experienced woman; she knew when the pregnancy started. Huai Hua was born according to the due date, there was no mistake.

She was only worried about her daughter-in-law running off in the future, not about any past infidelity.

"Dongxu, you're overthinking it. Mom knows, Huai Hua is your daughter."

"Mom! Don't be foolish. When I look at the girl, she looks a bit like Lin Zhen!"

"Sigh! A baby only a few days old hasn't had her features develop yet, you can't tell. Besides, Lin Zhen and his wife, and you and your wife are all good-looking. Good-looking babies tend to look alike. Don't overthink it, Mom wouldn't lie to you."

"Hmph! Then we'll see in ten days to half a month."

"Ah~ Achoo!"

Lin Zhen, who was fine moments ago, suddenly sneezed.

He couldn't help but mock himself, "It's over. Jia Dongxu must be talking about me behind my back."

Lou Xiao'e chuckled, "Who told you to be so clueless, smiling at someone else's daughter all the time."

"Hahaha, I just really want a daughter."

Lou Xiao'e giggled charmingly, "When I'm settled at work next year, but I'm telling you now, if I give you twin boys again, don't blame me."

"Ah?!!"