Cheng You felt a bad premonition. In the next moment, she saw Cheng Tao clutching her stomach and collapsing.
Things began to descend into chaos.
Zhao Yunlin rushed over from somewhere and scooped up Cheng Tao.
The surrounding people started to condemn Sun Xiaowan, saying that no matter what happened, one shouldn't lay hands on a pregnant woman.
What if that slap caused a miscarriage?
Sun Xiaowan's expression was panicked. She had been too angry and hadn't expected Cheng Tao to be so fragile.
"I... I'm sorry, I didn't expect this..."
Duan Liping held her hand and said, "Let's go take a look too."
After all, she was the one who had caused this, and it wouldn't look good if they didn't go see.
Sun Xiaowan looked at Cheng You with a tearful face.
She really hadn't meant to.
Cheng You patted her shoulder, "It's okay, let's go and see."
She found it a bit strange, though. If Cheng Tao was really experiencing stomach pain, why didn't she go to Uncle Li's place, but instead came home?
As the three of them reached the entrance of Cheng Tao's house, Zhao Lifang blocked their way, absolutely refusing to let them in.
"Are you satisfied now? You almost killed my sister-in-law!"
Cheng You said, "Lifang, if Cheng Tao is really in trouble, shouldn't we go to Uncle Li's, or the health clinic?"
Zhao Lifang glared at her, pushing her forcefully, "What do you mean by that? Do you think my sister-in-law is faking it?"
Sun Xiaowan quickly said, "We don't think she's faking it, we're just worried."
"Worried? If you were worried, would you have gotten into a fight with my sister-in-law? I think you did it on purpose!"
Sun Xiaowan's face paled, "I didn't do it on purpose!"
If she had known that slap would cause Cheng Tao to be in such a state, she would never have struck her.
Besides, she didn't even think she had hit that hard.
Of course, she didn't dare to say such things aloud.
Before Zhao Lifang could speak, Wang Hongxia, who was inside, rushed out.
She raised her hand high, her target clear: Sun Xiaowan's face.
Cheng You raised her hand to block, and with a 'snap', the slap landed on her arm.
Her skin was fair, and it immediately turned red, a vivid handprint.
Duan Liping exclaimed angrily, "How can you just hit someone?"
"She almost caused me to lose my grandson, and I can't do anything? I'm going to do something today, and if I don't beat you to death, my name isn't Wang!"
Although Wang Hongxia was old, she still had considerable strength. She grabbed Sun Xiaowan's clothes, almost tearing them apart.
Sun Xiaowan had come with guilt to apologize, but before the situation was even clear, Wang Hongxia started hitting her without regard. Her own anger finally flared up.
She pushed Wang Hongxia away, unwilling to back down, and said sternly, "Why did I hit Cheng Tao? Because of her, I lost my chance to return to the city! A while ago she said she wasn't feeling well, so if she's not well, why is she out making a scene? I don't think her body is necessarily due to my hitting her, is it? Since you say I almost made you lose your grandson, why didn't Cheng Tao go to the health clinic? So, if someone in your family isn't feeling well, they just lie in bed and get better, is that it?"
Wang Hongxia flew into a rage, her face contorted with fury as she lunged, "I'll tear your mouth apart!"
Cheng You and Duan Liping had been trying to break up the fight, but Zhao Lifang actually joined Wang Hongxia in attacking. The two of them couldn't stand by and watch, so they were forced to enter the fray.
They couldn't let Sun Xiaowan be beaten by two people alone.
It wasn't until Sixth Aunt arrived that someone managed to pull them apart.
Sixth Aunt looked on coldly, "Are all the men in the Zhao family dead, that you two women have to step up?"
Wang Hongxia, with her hair disheveled, retorted stubbornly, "She almost made me lose my grandson, so of course I have to teach her a lesson!"
Sixth Aunt let out a cold laugh, folding her hands in front of her, and looked at her.
"A while ago, you were also spreading rumors everywhere that I caused your daughter-in-law to almost miscarry. I'm also very curious, if it was so serious, why didn't you go to the hospital?"
Wang Hongxia's movements froze. Cheng Tao had said she just needed to rest and would be fine, so she hadn't thought much of it.
Perhaps she had truly been unwell, but not to the point of miscarriage. Wang Hongxia had exaggerated.
"Sixth Aunt, Cheng Tao was genuinely feeling unwell. Would I lie to you?"
Sixth Aunt smiled, "I didn't say you were lying, no need to be so sensitive. I just find it strange. Since you're saying Cheng Tao is unwell again this time, why don't you go to Uncle Li's? Sun Zhiqing will cover the medical expenses, how about that?"
Sun Xiaowan angrily pulled at her hair, "Fine, I have no objections!"
Now it was Wang Hongxia's turn to be uncertain. If Cheng Tao was faking it, she would be exposed at Uncle Li's place.
"Cheng Tao is resting in bed. I need to go in and ask her."
Sun Xiaowan scoffed, "Ask what? Didn't you say I almost made you lose your grandson? Of course, you should go to Uncle Li's. Don't mention Uncle Li's, even if you go to the health clinic, I'll cover all the medical expenses!"
Sixth Aunt smiled, "See, Xiaowan's apology is quite sincere."
Wang Hongxia ignored them and hurried into the house, closing the door, eager to see what was really going on with Cheng Tao.
As soon as she entered, she saw Cheng Tao sitting on the bed, happily eating pastries and smiling.
If not for the fact that she still had her grandson in her belly, Wang Hongxia would have slapped her.
"I'm out there fighting over your situation, and you're here hiding and eating, so leisurely!"
Zhao Yunlin quickly stood up, "Mom, it's not..."
"Not what? Even if you were faking it, you should have told me something! Sixth Aunt at the door is clamoring to take you to Uncle Li's. Once everyone sees you're faking it, how will you explain yourself!"
Cheng Tao quickly said, "Mom, I won't go to Uncle Li's!"
If she went, what if they discovered she wasn't actually pregnant?
Wang Hongxia sneered, "What were you waiting for all this time!"
Zhao Yunlin managed to placate Wang Hongxia after much persuasion and coaxing, finally getting her to go out and deal with Sixth Aunt and the others.
No matter what Sixth Aunt said, Wang Hongxia stuck to one explanation: "Cheng Tao is resting, she has already taken medicine and is not to be disturbed at the moment."
Sixth Aunt snorted, "Then this matter ends here. Don't let me hear you gossiping behind people's backs again."
Cheng You pulled Sun Xiaowan, "Let's go."
The three of them, having fought, were all somewhat disheveled.
Sun Xiaowan was fuming, with a bruised face. If Sixth Aunt hadn't arrived, she could have had a major brawl with Wang Hongxia.
Duan Liping saw Cheng You's arm. It seemed like she had bumped it on the ground earlier and it had swollen up.
"Cheng You, do you want to go see Uncle Li?"
Cheng You shook her head and pulled down her sleeve, "I'll be fine after I put some medicine on it when I get back."
As she spoke, she looked at Sun Xiaowan and comforted her, "It's okay if you can't get into the worker-peasant-soldier university. It's just a matter of time, you'll definitely be able to return to the city in the future."
Sun Xiaowan sniffled aggrievedly, "Really?"
She hadn't been selected and had been hit. Now, all she wanted was to be in her family's embrace.
But her parents weren't here, so having Cheng You around was good.
"Really, I won't lie to you."
"Wuwuwuwu, Cheng You, you're so kind. You even helped me fight today. From now on, you're my sister. No one can bully you, not even Brother Chengyan!"
Cheng You: "..."
She actually didn't want to fight; it was Sun Xiaowan who had pulled her into it.