Why Would a Smile Spark Suspicion?

The Jia family had another daughter.

The news quickly spread through the Siheyuan.

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

Lin Zhen smiled. "By the shape of her belly."

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

"Haha, I guessed. There was a fifty-percent chance of getting it right. I just happened to guess right."

"Hmph! Excuses."

"Hey, what are people in the courtyard buying as gifts?"

"Just eggs and brown sugar. I'll go buy some with Third Mistress later. Qin Huairu will be back tonight, and we can bring them over together."

"Alright, then I'm off to work first."

Though it was a chaotic courtyard full of squabbles, people still had to keep up appearances when it came to weddings and funerals.

When a neighbor had a child, people generally gave half a jin of brown sugar along with ten eggs.

That afternoon, Silly Zhu made two trips.

On the first trip, he pushed Qin Huairu and the baby home in a handcart.

On the second trip, he brought Jia Dongxu back.

Since Qin Huairu had just given birth and could no longer keep going to the hospital, Jia Zhangshi had to look after two people for the time being.

So Jia Dongxu was discharged early. Fortunately, his wound had mostly healed, and he could recuperate slowly at home.

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

Although Jia Zhangshi and her son had poor reputations in the courtyard, Qin Huairu was good at dealing with people and had won considerable sympathy.

Nearly everyone who entered the Jia family's home had come for Qin Huairu's sake.

Lin Zhen came along with his wife to pay them a visit.

Jia Dongxu was among the oldest of the younger generation in the courtyard, while Qin Huairu was considered the young generation's eldest sister-in-law.

Therefore, Lin Zhen did not need to avoid suspicion and could go directly inside to see the newborn Huai Hua.

As soon as he entered, Silly Zhu was standing in the room chatting with Jia Dongxu.

Jia Dongxu sat on the inner side of the kang, propped up against a quilt so he would not have to lie down.

Qin Huairu sat on the outer side, while Little Huai Hua lay sleeping beside her, wrapped up tightly.

He Yushui sat beside Qin Huairu to keep her company. The children were happily running around outside, while the three Elders avoided entering and chatted by the door.

For once, the Siheyuan finally had a bit of neighborly harmony.

No matter how resentful Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu were toward the people in the courtyard, they still forced smiles as they welcomed them.

"Oh! Second Aunt, you came—and you even went to the expense." Jia Zhangshi smiled as she accepted the brown sugar and eggs.

"It's nothing, it's only proper. Where's the baby?"

"Right here, Second Aunt. She just fell asleep." Qin Huairu answered with a smile.

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

Silly Zhu smiled. "Hey! Lin Zhen, come look. Isn't Little Huai Hua adorable? Don't you want Lou Xiao'e to give you a daughter?"

Lou Xiao'e said coyly, "Silly Zhu, you're going to be an uncle—what nonsense are you talking about?"

"Oh dear, I talked too much. I shouldn't have said that in front of my younger sister-in-law."

Everyone in the room laughed. Qin Huairu said with a smile, "Silly Zhu knows when he's talked too much? Now that's a rarity!"

Lin Zhen looked at Little Huai Hua in her swaddling clothes. Her features were indeed quite delicate.

After all, Qin Huairu and Jia Dongxu were both good-looking, so their daughter could not possibly turn out badly.

They say a daughter is her father's little padded jacket. Seeing Little Huai Hua, I really do like her. I want another daughter too.

As he imagined Lou Xiao'e giving him a pretty, obedient daughter as well, a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

With that smile directed at Little Huai Hua, it seemed somewhat doting.

Jia Dongxu had already been wary of Lin Zhen. Now, seeing Lin Zhen smile dotingly at Little Huai Hua, he instantly felt as if a vat of aged vinegar had been overturned in his heart.

Th-this is my daughter. What are you smiling about?

I get angry just looking at this girl. How can you like her so much?

You... you...

Ah!

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

Lin Zhen dislikes Bang Geng and Xiao Dang, so why does he like Huai Hua so much?

What exactly is going on here?!

Ever since Jia Dongxu learned that he was paralyzed, his mind had become nearly twisted.

Even when he had not seen something himself, he would still make wild guesses. Now that he had personally seen Lin Zhen smiling dotingly at Huai Hua, his expression immediately changed.

Lou Xiao'e had sharp eyes and noticed Jia Dongxu's frozen smile and deathly pale face.

Then she saw how fond Lin Zhen looked of Huai Hua and immediately understood.

She hurriedly gave her husband's sleeve a gentle tug. "Honey, we've delivered the gifts and seen the baby. Let's go home."

Lin Zhen looked up and saw Jia Dongxu's expression, and he could not help but curse inwardly.

What the hell? A smile can make him suspicious?

Who comes to see a baby without a smile on their face?

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

Forget it. I'd better get home quickly.

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

That was no different from driving the neighbors out.

Seeing this, the three Mistresses said a few polite words about getting plenty of rest, then got up and left.

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

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

Qin Huairu froze, then sighed. "Everyone who came to see the baby was happy. Look at First Aunt—she was like she'd seen her own grandchild. Silly Zhu was happy too."

"Don't explain that 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, didn't he?"

"Huh? You! You! How could you say something like that..." Qin Huairu's eyes reddened, and tears began to fall again.

Jia Zhangshi said impatiently, "Stop crying. All you know how to do is cry. Your man's upset, can't you say something nice? Either you argue back or you cry!"

This time, Jia Zhangshi did not join Jia Dongxu in suspecting Qin Huairu.

Because she knew perfectly well that Huai Hua was the Jia family's own flesh and blood.

The room was small to begin with, and soundproofing was out of the question.

Jia Zhangshi had been through it all before. She knew when Qin Huairu had conceived. Huai Hua had been born right on schedule, so there could be no mistake.

She only worried that her daughter-in-law might run away in the future. She did not suspect her of having been unfaithful before.

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

"Mom! Don't be confused. Why do I think that girl looks a little like Lin Zhen?"

"Sigh! A baby only a few days old hasn't even fully developed her features yet, so you can't tell. Besides, Lin Zhen and his wife are both attractive, and you and your wife are attractive too. Pretty children all look more or less alike. Don't overthink it. Mom wouldn't lie to you."

"Hmph! Then let's wait another ten days or half a month and see."

"Ah-choo!"

Lin Zhen suddenly sneezed for no reason.

He could not help mocking himself. "Well, that's it. Jia Dongxu must be talking about me behind my back."

Lou Xiao'e smiled. "Who told you to be so oblivious? You kept smiling at someone else's daughter."

"Hahaha, I just want a daughter."

Lou Xiao'e laughed sweetly. "Once my job is stable next year, we can try. But let's make this clear first—if I give you another pair of twin sons, don't blame me."

"Huh?!!"