Chapter 1159: Pushing One

The Qiu family

While washing dishes in the kitchen, Xia Qiu hesitated repeatedly before finally speaking to her mother-in-law: "Mom, I want to go to the city tomorrow. My mother's due date has passed, and she hasn't called yet—I'm worried."

Before Qiu Mu could respond, An Xiaojing walked in carrying a basin and cut in: "Big sister, my due date is also these days. The team's workload is heavy, and Dad and Mom are exhausted after a full day's work. If you go back to your parents' home again, what am I supposed to do?"

Qiu Shaofeng, who had just come over with his son to find his mother, overheard this: "Sister-in-law, what kind of nonsense are you talking? Can your big sister give birth for you? If she goes back to her parents' home, what's your problem? You're not her responsibility—you should be talking to Shaocheng, not dragging your big sister into this."

Ever since she was refused when she tried to borrow milk powder from them, this sister-in-law had been making up all sorts of excuses. Xia Qiu, knowing she was pregnant, had always avoided conflict—but now this woman was pushing her luck.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She turned to her younger brother, Qiu Shaocheng, who was chopping wood: "Second son, control your wife. The baby in her belly is yours—don't keep dragging your big sister into this. People who don't know might think her husband is your big sister."

At these words, the several people in the kitchen, all previously grim-faced, burst out laughing.

Qiu Mu also felt her second daughter-in-law had been acting unreasonably lately: "Second daughter-in-law, I'm your mother-in-law—I'll handle your childbirth. You don't need your big sister. Junjun is still young; your big sister taking good care of him is already enough. Besides, if things get too busy, Shaomei can still help."

An Xiaojing retorted: "But Shaomei still has to work for her work points—otherwise, how will this whole family eat this year?"

Qiu Shaofeng grew even angrier: "I can support my own wife—I don't need you to worry about it."

He then turned to his younger brother, Qiu Shaocheng, who had just walked over: "You agree, second son?"

Qiu Shaocheng looked helplessly at her: "Xiaojing, your brother-in-law is right. Don't worry—I'll work hard too. I won't let you or the baby go hungry. Just take care of yourself. Don't meddle in other people's affairs."

An Xiaojing, seeing her husband being led by his elder brother, felt even more bitter: "Qiu Shaocheng, don't you know why I'm doing this? Isn't it for the sake of this whole family?"

Seeing her second sister-in-law about to start again, Qiu Shaofeng waved to Xia Qiu: "The boy's getting sleepy—I can barely hold him anymore. Take him back to the room. I'll clean up."

Xia Qiu understood exactly what Qiu Shaofeng meant. She was also tired of her sister-in-law's tactics: "Fine. Just wipe down the stove and sweep the kitchen floor. I've already taken care of everything else."

Seeing Xia Qiu about to take the child and leave, An Xiaojing, for reasons unknown, clutched her belly and said: "My stomach hurts."

She then sat down on the floor.

Everyone knew her due date was imminent and assumed she was having contractions from emotional stress—they all grew anxious.

They scrambled to help her up, but she refused to rise, instead fixing her gaze on Xia Qiu: "I won't get up until your big sister apologizes to me."

No one expected her to say that.

Qiu Shaofeng snapped: "What has your big sister done to you that she must apologize? Because you're carrying a baby, your big sister has already been letting you have your way all along. Now you're pushing it too far. Do whatever you want—we don't have time to play along with you."

He shoved the baby into Xia Qiu's arms: "Come on, go soothe the boy."

Zhang Shanmei, who had been watching the drama from the main house, burst out laughing: "Second son's wife, you've gone too far."

Qiu Shaohu nudged her with his elbow: "Don't stir up trouble."