All the heavens begin with the love in the courtyard.

When Qin Huairu went to borrow grain, she first thought of He Yuzhu's house. But halfway there, she thought about it, gritted her teeth, and turned to walk towards the inner courtyard. In this courtyard, besides He Yuzhu, there was another truly philanthropist. She couldn't just stand by and watch someone die.

This man was naturally an old man. In the past, the old man had helped Qin Huairu's family quite a bit, but he was far less diligent than He Yuzhu.

However, Qin Huairu's mind was in a mess right now. She really didn't want to see He Yuzhu and Lou Xiao'e being all lovey-dovey, so she ultimately chose to go to Uncle Yi's house.

pity!

The old man was probably out today; the door was tightly closed. Qin Huairu stood at the door, biting her lip, steeling her resolve, and turned to continue walking towards He Yuzhu's house.

Bang Geng will be back soon, so we can't let the kids go hungry tonight.

Qin Huairu pushed open the half-closed door of He Yuzhu's room. Inside, He Yuzhu and Lou Xiao'e were sitting together. No one knew what He Yuzhu said, but it made Lou Xiao'e laugh heartily!

The two were also taken aback when they saw Qin Huairu. He Yuzhu was even more surprised that Qin Huairu would come to his place.

The cold treatment during this period was very effective. Qin Huairu hadn't been to her own room for a long time, which might be because He Yuzhu was too busy and didn't give Qin Huairu a chance.

Qin Huairu was surprised to find Lou Xiao'e there as well. The courage she had just mustered vanished instantly. She didn't want to show any vulnerability in front of this woman.

Seeing Qin Huairu carrying an empty cloth bag, He Yuzhu was a little confused, but as a neighbor, he quickly stood up and greeted her warmly.

"What brings you to my humble abode, Sister Qin?"

Qin Huairu was in no mood to reply. Seeing the two being so affectionate, her grievances and heartache had reached a breaking point. But the fact was that there was no food at home. It was obvious whether saving face or feeding her child was more important.

Qin Huairu took a deep breath before speaking in a seemingly calm manner.

"We're out of food at home, Sha Zhu. Could you lend me some flour? Cornmeal will do too!"

He Yuzhu was a little curious about why Qin Huairu suddenly came to borrow flour. According to Qin Huairu's usual behavior, if she really wanted to borrow flour, she would never say the word "borrow".

Having lived with Qin Huairu for so many years, He Yuzhu understood Qin Huairu's personality. If she really wanted to freeload, she would never pretend to be calm and come into his room to ask to borrow flour, knowing that Lou Xiao'e might also be in his room.

If Qin Huairu were to suddenly come in with a basin to clean up his smelly clothes and socks, that would be more like the Qin Huairu of the past. But now, coming to his room with an empty bag to borrow grain feels rather strange.

In the past, when Qin Huairu wanted to take advantage of someone, she would find a private space, first tempt them, and then half-heartedly reveal her demands.

For example, she might feign pitifulness and ask you to put your arm around her shoulder. Then she might say in a pitiful tone, "You're taking advantage of me, but I still have hungry children at home! You'll have to pay for my meal today!"

Few men could resist such a half-joking request; after all, it was just a matter of a few steamed buns. This was Qin Huairu's most proficient tactic.

Now, just by looking at her eyes, He Yuzhu knew that Widow Qin was truly facing a food shortage.

He Yuzhu really couldn't understand it. Based on Qin Huairu's family's savings, he estimated that it would take two or three years to squeeze them dry.

How come it's only been a few months?

Is her family short of food?

He Yuzhu wanted to ask for clarification, since he didn't want to be a pushover for no reason.

At this moment, Lou Xiao'e stood up, took the initiative to step forward and hold Qin Huairu's hand, and said with great concern.

"If you have any difficulties, just tell me. We're all neighbors. Here, I'll get it installed for you!"

As he spoke, he took the cloth bag from Qin Huairu's hand and went to the flour bag where He Yuzhu kept his flour.

Lou Xiao'e generously filled most of the twenty jin of flour she had just brought home, at least ten jin, before stopping and handing the bag to Qin Huairu.

"Sister Qin, is this enough? The children are all growing, so if they have any difficulties, just tell me. Zhu Zi, you helped me take care of them for so long before, and I haven't thanked you yet. If you have any difficulties in the future, just remember to tell me!"

Qin Huairu blankly accepted the flour handed to her by Lou Xiao'e. She thought about everything she had experienced during this period, and then thought about the days when she was helped by Sha Zhujie. It felt like a lifetime ago.

Why should Lou Xiao'e steal away the silly pillar that I've worked so hard for all these years?

What makes Lou Xiao'e better than me?

She comes from a bad family background, is divorced, and might not even be able to have children. In what way is she better than me?

Sometimes people are like that; they think and think, and then they can't understand anymore. In Qin Huairu's dull eyes, there was a trace of hatred. She hated the woman in front of her for taking everything away from her.

She hated this woman for conquering the man before her without a word; the level of hatred in her mind was rising higher and higher, reaching a critical point.

"Sister Qin, Sister Qin, is there enough flour?"

"Enough, enough!"

Qin Huairu was interrupted by Lou Xiao'e's question. She forced a smile, said thank you, and turned to leave with the flour.

But no one noticed that deep in Qin Huairu's eyes, the lingering hatred was rising.

Chapter 36: Qin Huairu After Her Dark Turn

How has Qin Huairu managed to navigate relationships with so many men with such ease and success over the years?

It's definitely scheming!

She can tolerate poverty.

She can tolerate her mother-in-law's prejudice against her.

They could even tolerate their long-term meal ticket, that silly Zhu, suddenly marrying someone else.

But when Qin Huairu discovered that all her efforts over the years had suddenly come to naught, all her hard work and tolerance had ultimately yielded no reward whatsoever.

The child only cries and complains of hunger, while the mother-in-law only cares about herself, spending all her savings on painkillers and dumping all the burdens of life on her.

Even Sha Zhu would rather marry a woman from a bad family background who couldn't have children and was divorced than come over and tell her, "Qin Huairu, I like you!"

When all illusions are shattered, Qin Huairu's dark side finally awakens!

Carrying the flour, her expression remained blank on her face as she walked back to her room.

When she arrived at her doorstep, she stopped and looked up at the sky. A dark cloud was rapidly covering the sky, but a strange smile appeared on Qin Huairu's usually wooden face.

The dinner at Qin Huairu's house was very strange. No one spoke, and even the usually boisterous Bang Geng noticed that the atmosphere at home was not right.

But what thoughts could children possibly have? After finishing their meal and playing around for a while, they would prepare to go to sleep.

Qin Jingru is now living under someone else's roof and has no say, which makes her very upset!

Perhaps because the squinty-eyed old woman had eaten the steamed buns made from the borrowed flour, she began to reflect on herself, remaining silent and occasionally glancing in Qin Huairu's direction.

Qin Huairu, however, kept a calm face and worked, cooking, washing dishes, and helping the children wash their feet and faces before going to bed, without saying a word. Until everyone had washed up and gone to bed, she glanced at her mother-in-law and finally couldn't hold back any longer and spoke up.

"Huai Ru, don't blame me. I know it was my fault. Over the years, whenever I think of my deceased husband and son, my heart aches and my head aches. Every few days, if I don't take a few painkillers, I feel palpitations. I've come to terms with it. I'm sorry for you. You've suffered so much over the years! If you really want to find someone to rely on, then go ahead and do it. I won't stop you!"

Qin Jingru, who was sleeping next to her, didn't dare to breathe and could only pretend to be asleep.

Qin Huairu, who was sleeping against the wall, stared at the dark ceiling with her eyes open, silent and expressionless.

This time was different from before. She didn't vent her grievances and heartache with tears, but spoke in an ethereal tone, as if she were talking to herself in the darkness.

"I don't blame you. Blame God for being unfair!"

Hearing this, the squinty-eyed old woman immediately felt better and quickly agreed.

"Yes, this damned God is so unfair! Why did my son and husband die so young, leaving us, a widow and orphan, behind? God is so unfair!"

Qin Huairu stared at the dark ceiling with her eyes open, showing no joy or sorrow, quietly listening to her mother-in-law vent her emotions until her mother-in-law had completely finished, at which point she finally asked a question.

"Mom, I remember you saying before that you knew Lou Xiao'e's parents when you were young."

"Yes, back then, I worked as a maid in her family for several years. Her family was really rich back then. In the 1940s, the place in front of our street, which is now Hongxing Primary School, used to be her family's servants' quarters. It's a pity that things change. I heard that her parents were arrested recently."

If you could see Qin Huairu's expression now, you would definitely see a trace of pain and struggle. She finally shook her head, the hatred on her face flashed by, and she returned to calm, continuing to ask.

"I remember you said before that the Lou family treated their servants very well, and that they had a steward, right? Where does the steward live now?"

The squinty-eyed old woman thought Qin Huairu was just chatting about everyday things and didn't think anything of it, so she said...

"Butler Huang? Old Huang now lives at No. 48 Xihutong Street. I ran into his son last month. He works at the supply and marketing cooperative now. His family are distant relatives of the Lou family. They have been butlers for the Lou family for generations. When I was a maid, Old Huang took over his father's job. Back then, Old Huang was only in his thirties. Now, thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye!"

Qin Huairu ignored her mother-in-law's sighs and silently wrote down the address in her mind.

When Qin Huairu asked this question, the squinty-eyed old woman became interested and immediately continued to chatter on.

"I remember that the Lou family dismissed their housekeeper in 53, but their family relationships seemed to have always been maintained. It's only in recent years that they've stopped. You know, the daughters of Lou Xiao'e's family have really had a hard life..."

Listening to her mother-in-law recount the Lou family's past, Qin Huairu became even more certain of her suspicions.

She ignored her mother-in-law's continued nagging, slowly closed her eyes, and fell silent.

In the following days, He Yuzhu continued to go to work and just get by, while Lou Xiao'e was suspended from work at the steel plant due to the reasons from some time ago.

For now, she doesn't want to think about those things. She just wants to figure out how to get married to He Yuzhu so that things don't get complicated.

That day, Qin Huairu went directly to the Sixth People's Hospital and found Dr. Liu, whom she knew.

This Dr. Liu was her husband's cousin. The two families had a good relationship to begin with, and Qin Huairu was good at interpersonal relationships, so she tearfully told her cousin Qin Jingru about her situation.

Finally, they gave her a pound of eggs and several pounds of green onions. After some conversation, they successfully got what she wanted.

Looking at the test results in her hand, Qin Huairu revealed a strange smile in the deserted hospital corridor, as if she were talking to herself.

"Didn't you want a child? I'll send one over to you right now!"

Only her cousin, Qin Jingru, noticed something unusual about Qin Huairu's changes.

But this silly girl quickly forgot about this little thing, because Qin Huairu had prepared a huge surprise for her!

"Sister, do you really think Xu Damao would believe that?"

"Jingru, remember this: whenever Xu Damao asks about your child, you have to deliberately throw a tantrum so that he won't be interested in checking if it's real or fake. Also, pretend to have morning sickness later, and make sure it looks real. As for Dr. Liu, I've already made arrangements. Remember this: whether you can marry into the city depends on this!"

Qin Jingru was overjoyed. She had thought that Xu Damao had just used her for nothing. She had been feeling disheartened for a while, and her reputation was completely ruined. If Xu Damao didn't want her, she would have no choice but to go back to the countryside.

"Sister, I'll listen to you! Thank you, sister!"

Qin Huairu gave Qin Jingru a cold look and said earnestly.

"It's too early to say thank you now. Just listen to me from now on. Remember, once Xu Damao believes you, you must force him to get married as soon as possible. Don't believe a single word he says about someone like Xu Damao, understand?"

"Okay, sis, but what if he doesn't want to get married?"

Qin Huairu snorted and said in a flat tone.

"He will get married. You don't understand Xu Damao. The child is his lifelong pain. You just need to threaten him with the child, and he will definitely marry you!"

Qin Jingru nodded repeatedly, but after touching her stomach, she felt something was wrong and quickly asked again.

"What if he finds out I'm not pregnant after we get married? Will he leave me?"

Qin Huairu remained calm and composed.

"You just need to marry him first, pretend to be pregnant for a month, and then try to fake a miscarriage. I'll get you a certificate. Don't worry, if you really miscarry, Xu Damao will only blame himself. In another year or two, when you have your own child, everything will come true!"