It's no wonder that Jiang Si had such a strong reaction. At the end of May, when she was having a physical examination at the military district hospital, Li Mei was only seven months pregnant.
It's early July now. All in all, the baby is only a little over eight months old. How could she have given birth already?
Could it be a premature birth?
It should be. Otherwise, there's no way the delivery could have been advanced by almost two months.
However, these are all other people's family affairs. So, although Jiang Si was surprised, she didn't really care.
Just as she was about to ask what the other person wanted, Li Mei's eyes subtly glanced in the direction of the storage room several times.
Thinking about the fact that this woman had lied about carrying a baby boy this time and now suddenly stopped her, Jiang Si immediately had a bad feeling in her heart.
But at this moment, Li Mei's face was deathly pale, an almost sickly pallor, and even her lips were ashen.
Jiang Si was such a smart person. Seeing her weak and helpless appearance, she knew there was no need to confront her head - on.
She didn't want this woman to roll her eyes and fall to the ground. Then, the on - lookers who didn't know the truth might think she had done something to her.
So, Jiang Si took two steps back. Instead of asking what she wanted, she firmly took the initiative into her own hands.
"Comrade Li Mei, the other day when you came to my home, I clearly told you that I don't have the habit of lending money to others, and three hundred yuan is not a small amount..."
The words about borrowing money were like a thunderbolt out of the blue. Not only was Li Mei stunned, but Old Lady Xiang was even more confused.
"What three hundred yuan?"
Jiang Si feigned surprise. "Don't you know that Comrade Li Mei wanted to borrow money?"
Old Lady Xiang: "..."
If she knew, would she still ask?
Realizing this, she immediately interrogated Li Mei in an unfriendly tone.
"What do you need to borrow money for? You're asking for three hundred yuan!
"Does the family lack your food or drink? How dare you borrow money behind my back.
"I'm asking you, what on earth do you need so much money for?"
"..."
Li Mei had imagined many possibilities, but she never expected that this so - called capitalist miss would be so vicious!
In the military dependents' compound, everyone knew how mean this old woman was.
She had begged her so humbly.
But this capitalist miss was as stingy as a miser and refused to lend a single cent.
Now, she even exposed her money - borrowing matter in front of so many people.
How would the other sisters - in - law in the compound look at her from now on?
Li Mei considered herself a person who cared about her reputation.
At this moment, besides being ashamed and angry, she also blamed Jiang Si in her heart.
Jiang Si didn't care about these things at all. She was too lazy to deal with this mother - in - law and daughter - in - law.
After shifting the conflict, she turned around and went back to the storage room.
Now, Li Mei's face looked even worse.
Seeing that Li Mei stammered and couldn't say a word for a long time and still had a long face, Old Lady Xiang was so angry that she shouted, "I'm asking you to speak. Are you dumb?"
Having no other choice, Li Mei staggered forward, pretending to faint while holding the baby.
This made Old Lady Xiang even angrier. "Every time I talk to you, you either cry or faint. What else can you do?
"Cry, cry, cry. You only know how to cry all day long. You've cried away all the good fortune of the family."
As she said this, Old Lady Xiang didn't lower her voice. Everyone looked over.
Most of these people were military dependents from the East District of the compound.
They had previously heard that Li Mei's mother - in - law was a tough woman who would scold her at the slightest disagreement.
Now they found that seeing was believing.
Seeing Li Mei hanging her head and silently wiping her tears, the sisters - in - law felt really bad.
Since they were all daughters - in - law, they instinctively sided with Li Mei.
Especially those who were on good terms with Li Mei.
One of them pulled Old Lady Xiang aside and said, "Auntie, she just gave birth a few days ago. Her body is still very weak. Let's talk about it after this storm has passed."
Another one supported Li Mei and said, "Yes, auntie. For the sake of the fact that she's added a grandson to your family, don't argue with her."
"Yes, auntie. Look how cute your little grandson is!" The other military wives also joined in to persuade.
As she said this, one of the sisters reached out to tease the baby.
"This baby is so well - behaved. He doesn't cry or make a fuss."
"Yes, he is. These days, he just eats and sleeps. We don't have to worry about him much."
Mentioning her little grandson, Old Lady Xiang's face finally didn't look so ugly.
However, thinking about the money she had spent, she was still extremely annoyed.
As soon as she sat down, Old Lady Xiang started pouring out her grievances to everyone.
At this time, the auditorium was as lively as a marketplace. Coupled with the continuous pattering of rain outside, Jiang Si couldn't really hear what they were saying clearly.
But judging from Old Lady Xiang's spitting image, one didn't even need to guess. It must be that she was scolding her daughter - in - law.
Maybe it was because the scene reminded her of something, Xu Mingjuan couldn't help but sigh.
"This Li Mei is really a poor thing. Since her mother - in - law came to the compound, she beats and scolds her whenever she's unhappy. I've seen her cry several times myself."
Jiang Si had a different view on this. "Sister, don't look at her being scolded with her head down now. In fact, she's been leading her mother - in - law by the nose."
"Ah?" Xu Mingjuan was a little surprised.
Jiang Si nodded. "Haven't you noticed that Li Mei has a very similar personality to your ex - mother - in - law?
"On the surface, she seems to have no opinions of her own, and her words and looks are all timid.
"But sister, think carefully. Doesn't she always look like someone who has been wronged but doesn't say anything every time she meets others?"
Hearing this, Xu Mingjuan fell silent.
Thinking about the rumors she had heard in the compound, she couldn't help but shiver.
You know what? Li Mei's personality was really similar to her ex - mother - in - law's.
One was a smiling tiger, and the other was a pig in sheep's clothing.
Both of these types of people seem harmless on the surface, but in fact, they have a lot of tricks up their sleeves.
Just like now, Li Mei didn't say a word, but all the sisters - in - law sided with her.
If they could speak up for her this time, next time they might help her blame Old Lady Xiang.
Maybe even Old Lady Xiang herself didn't know that she had already become the recognized evil mother - in - law in the compound.
In this matter, Hu Meili had the same opinion as Jiang Si.
"This Old Lady Xiang is not a good mother - in - law, but that Li Mei is no good either."
As she said this, she looked at Jiang Si knowingly.
"I said why she stood at your door for so long that day. So, she was trying to borrow money from you."
Jiang Si smiled and casually said, "I'm not stupid. I've never even had a proper encounter with her. How could I lend her money?"
However, there was still one thing that Jiang Si couldn't figure out.
"The other day when she was borrowing money, she was in such a hurry. But it's only been a few days, and now..." It seemed that she was okay again.
She didn't even finish the last few words.
Hu Meili suddenly stared at her with wide eyes, but the next second she shook her head.
"Surely not?"
