Cheng You stood in place for a long time, until he walked out and the door gently closed.
She trembled, came back to her senses, looked at the box on the stove, and picked it up.
She could guess that this was something Qi Chengyan had given her, as it wasn't something that could be bought on the market like a watch.
Cheng You hesitated for a moment and opened it.
Inside was a jade pendant, without a chain.
The jade was a brilliant green, crystal clear.
This kind of quality looked like the same as the jade bangle her mother had left her.
Cheng You felt that this likely wasn't something Qi Chengyan had bought himself, but rather something left to him by an elder in his family.
If it was a family elder, and Qi Chengyan carried it with him, it must hold some significance in his heart.
Cheng You suddenly felt the jade pendant in her hand was a bit heavy, and she dared not move it carelessly.
Its meaning was too great, placing a psychological burden on her.
Cheng You closed the box, put it away, and the next day went to the educated youth point, intending to return the box to him.
Qi Chengyan didn't accept it and instead asked, "Don't you like it?"
Cheng You thought for a moment. What girl wouldn't like something like this?
The jade pendant itself was beautiful.
"It's too precious."
"If you like it, it means it still has value."
Cheng You's fingers curled slightly. "Qi Chengyan, how have you become so glib lately."
He used to be such a traditionalist.
Qi Chengyan said with a straight face, "I'm not glib, I'm telling the truth."
Cheng You glanced at him. "This was left to you by your family, wasn't it?"
"Mm, my grandmother."
Cheng You felt the item in her hand become even hotter.
"Then if you give this to me, won't your grandmother be angry?"
A faint smile curved Qi Chengyan's lips. "Before she passed away, she told me to give it to a girl I liked."
He hadn't found anyone before, so he kept it with him.
Now that he had Cheng You, he suddenly realized she was the most fitting owner for the jade pendant.
Cheng You bit her lip. "If you find another suitable girl in the future and want to take it back from me, I won't let you."
The word "suitable" had become her nightmare.
Although she didn't want to admit it, she cared deeply.
Qi Chengyan raised his hand and gently swept a stray strand of hair from her temple.
"You have no idea how much I regret speaking the most insincere words to you."
Cheng You let out a soft snort. "Insincere? Why do I feel those words were very sincere?"
Qi Chengyan now tasted what it meant to bring trouble upon oneself.
"So, are you going to accept this?"
Cheng You tucked the box away. "Why wouldn't I accept it? This must be very expensive. If I'm ever broke, I'll just sell this!"
Qi Chengyan smiled indulgently. "Alright, I'll let you sell it."
Cheng You scrunched up her face. He knew she wouldn't actually sell it.
"Cheng You!" Duan Liping suddenly emerged.
"What is it?"
Duan Liping's face was troubled. "Go and try to persuade Xiao Wan. She seems to have gotten into a feud with Cheng Tao."
Cheng You followed her inside. Sun Xiaowan was still grinding her teeth in anger.
"Just wait until I catch her slipping up, and I'll make her pay dearly!"
Sun Xiaowan was full of resentment. Wang Hongxia had hit her so many times yesterday. She would make Cheng Tao pay one day.
Cheng You asked, "What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to follow her. I don't believe I won't find any dirt on her."
"Follow her?" Cheng You nodded, not trying to dissuade her, but instead cheering her on.
"If you really find out something about Cheng Tao, I'll help you deal with her."
Duan Liping said helplessly, "Cheng You, why are you joining in the mischief?"
"This isn't mischief at all! Who told Cheng Tao to be so wicked! You're such a loyal friend." Sun Xiaowan grinned and patted Cheng You on the shoulder.
Cheng You smiled. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
Sun Xiaowan's actions indirectly helped her.
However, she hadn't held much hope for Sun Xiaowan. Cheng Tao was pregnant now, what kind of dirt could she possibly dig up?
To her surprise, she actually managed to find something.
One day, Sun Xiaowan secretly followed Cheng Tao. Seeing her furtive behavior, she knew something was up.
After following her for a long distance, she only saw Cheng Tao secretly throwing away a garbage bag.
Sun Xiaowan was a bit speechless. What kind of garbage was so shameful that she had to go so far to throw it away?
She hesitated for a moment, but her curiosity got the better of her, and she opened the bag.
What she saw made her gasp. Inside were used sanitary pads!
Although it was a bit disgusting, Sun Xiaowan felt more excitement.
Why would Cheng Tao secretly throw this away in such a remote place? It meant this thing belonged to her!
But how could a pregnant woman use such a thing?
A glint flashed in Sun Xiaowan's eyes. Cheng Tao wasn't pregnant at all!
She hadn't expected that after so many days of effort, she would actually discover such a big secret.
Sun Xiaowan was not one to keep things to herself. She immediately took the bag to Old Zhao's house.
Whether it was true or not, they would know after confronting her.
As soon as she arrived at the door, she saw Zhao Lifang's wary expression.
"What are you doing here?"
Sun Xiaowan curved her lips into a smile. "Come to give you a gift."
Zhao Lifang didn't believe her. "Get out of here quickly, or my mom will come and beat you."
"Your mom might need to beat someone, but it won't be me."
Sun Xiaowan threw the bag in her hand onto the ground. "Take a look yourself."
Zhao Lifang looked at her suspiciously. "What is this?"
"You'll know when you open it," Sun Xiaowan teased.
Although Zhao Lifang disliked her, she couldn't resist her curiosity. She opened it and saw the sanitary pads, quickly tossing it aside.
"Are you a pervert? Bringing something like this to show me!"
Zhao Lifang said with disgust and ran to wash her hands.
Sun Xiaowan walked over. "This isn't mine. Want to guess whose it is?"
"How would I know whose it is! Take it away, I'm not interested!"
Just looking at it made her feel disgusted.
Sun Xiaowan kicked the bag, and a corner of the sanitary pad was revealed.
"This belongs to Cheng Tao. I saw Cheng Tao secretly throwing this away! Take a good look at the bag. I remember seeing one like this at your place last time. Isn't this something only supply and marketing cooperative employees have?"
Zhao Lifang froze and looked at the bag on the ground.
Indeed, this bag was something Zhao Yunlin had brought back from the supply and marketing cooperative.
Her head buzzed, and she thought of something incredible.
But if this was Cheng Tao's, then it would mean...
Zhao Lifang gasped and stared, dumbfounded.
"Cheng Tao she..."
Sun Xiaowan kindly finished her sentence for her. "Yes, Cheng Tao is faking her pregnancy."
"Don't talk nonsense!" Zhao Lifang immediately retorted.
Sun Xiaowan scoffed. "I'm not talking nonsense, nor am I slandering her. I personally saw her throw this away. If it's not hers, it can't be your mom's, right?"
Zhao Lifang's eyes widened. "Of course not!"
"So, if it's not your mom's, why would Cheng Tao still have her period? She must be faking her pregnancy to deceive your whole family!"