Chapter 92 Get Out, All of You!

After comforting the two little ones, Zhou Jiayan booked a hotel room nearby, and Li Baixiu safely escorted Jiang Zao back home.

That night, as she lay in bed, preparing to sleep, memories of the day kept her restless and awake. She opened her social media to pass the time and saw Meng Qiaoyuan’s post about her late-night overtime meal—instant noodles, sausage, and a marinated egg.

Jiang Zao opened the chat and sent a message: “Thank you for your hard work, medical staff. Sincere regards from me personally.”

A while later, Shen Mushi sent a selfie. In the background, Meng Qiaoyuan was bent over, writing medical records. Both looked exhausted.

He added a text: “Frontline medical workers appreciate your concern. Your kindness is received—she says she wants milk tea.”

She opened the delivery app; at that late hour, only convenience stores were open. She ordered an entire box of instant milk tea, adding a note: “Salute to medical workers. Don’t be too moved.”

Before putting her phone away, she mused that Meng Qiaoyuan, upon seeing the delivery note, would surely toss the paper aside with a blank face, then send a heap of random drinks and snacks to her house in return.

Sure enough, early the next morning, the errand boy knocked on the door.

Aunt Hui confirmed several times with the delivery man before believing the goods were meant for Jiang Zao—two whole boxes of fruit-flavored milk drinks.

Yawning, Jiang Zao sat at the dining table, eyeing the drinks warming to room temperature and asked, “Aunt Hui, did you go to the supermarket?”

Aunt Hui was startled. “Weren’t these ordered online by you?”

Jiang Zao thought for a moment. “Oh, Qiaoyuan bought them. Never mind. Please open one for me—strawberry flavor.”

Aunt Hui brought her a bottle, felt it was chilly, and took it back to the kitchen to warm in hot water.

After breakfast, Jiang Zao finally sipped the sweet drink and received a message from Meng Qiaoyuan.

“I knew you wouldn’t get an upset stomach from these. Watch your intake, though; too much sugar isn’t healthy. I’ll visit you in a couple of days. My brother has made progress, and he asked me to thank you on his behalf.”

Just as she sent a sticker, the door was knocked again.

She grabbed a pillow to cover her head. No matter what Li Baixiu might say today, she wouldn’t leave the house. With the deadline for her draft looming, staying home to paint was surely the sweeter choice. Why must she go out?

Unexpectedly, the visitor was not Li Baixiu as she imagined, but a woman she had never met.

The woman strode in on high heels, bypassing Aunt Hui who tried to block her way, and marched up to the sofa, looking down at Jiang Zao with arrogance. “You’re Jiang Zao.”

Hearing the unfamiliar voice, Jiang Zao removed the pillow from her face and looked up.

Enemies always cross paths—yesterday she had run into this woman at Li Baixiu’s shop, and today she appeared at her home.

Jiang Zao put down the pillow, unwilling to speak to her. “Aunt Hui, I don’t know her. Call the police—someone has broken into our home.”

With that, she didn’t spare her another glance and stood to leave for her room.

Zhao Luyi grabbed her arm, refusing to let her go. “Stop right there! I haven’t said my piece yet!”

Jiang Zao gently pulled her jacket free, looked at Zhao Luyi with a cold expression, and said, “Miss Zhao, if I get hurt, it’s two years minimum for you. Either leave on your own, or wait for the police to escort you out.”

Zhao Luyi froze for a moment, and in those two seconds, Aunt Hui quickly retrieved Jiang Zao’s arm from her grasp.

The call was already connected, and Aunt Hui spoke into the phone, “Someone has entered our home while the door was open—there’s a pregnant woman here. Please come immediately!”

Zhao Luyi was startled, not expecting Aunt Hui to actually call the police. Panic flashed across her face; she was so angry today that she hadn’t thought things through. If the police did arrive, it would be hard to explain and a troublesome mess.

She glared at Jiang Zao. “What, you think you can latch onto the Zhou family just because you’re pregnant? Who do you think you are, daring to carry Zhou Li Chuan’s child? Planning to hide away and give birth to a bastard nobody wants? Just looking at your wretched face makes me sick!”

Aunt Hui stepped in front of Jiang Zao, furious. “Miss, when has it ever been your place to speak to our young mistress like this? Leave our home at once!”

Standing behind Aunt Hui, Jiang Zao witnessed her like this for the first time.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Luyi, humiliated, lashed out and slapped Aunt Hui.

A loud smack, and Aunt Hui’s face instantly swelled red.

Jiang Zao shouted sternly, “Zhao Luyi! If you have a problem, get help! Coming to my home to assault people—who gave you the nerve?”

She had been a quiet, reserved presence till now; Zhao Luyi hadn’t expected Jiang Zao’s anger to carry such force, and was stunned into silence.

Zhou Li Chuan arrived before the police.

He had just left his workplace, glasses still perched on his nose, his dark suit and leather shoes lending him an imposing air.

“Jiang Zao! Are you alright?”

The door swung wide, and Zhou Li Chuan strode in.

Upon seeing him, Zhao Luyi looked as though she’d found salvation. “Li Chuan, I just came to chat with Miss Jiang, but her housekeeper insulted me! Miss Jiang acted as if she’d devour me. Li Chuan, didn’t you tell her about my father proposing marriage to you? We’re about to get engaged, you—”

With a crash, Jiang Zao grabbed a decorative porcelain vase and smashed it to the floor, shards scattering everywhere.

“Get out of my house!”

Zhou Li Chuan was bewildered—he wanted to explain that he knew nothing about any marriage proposal or engagement, but Jiang Zao pointed at him and shouted.

“You get out, too!”

It was over—Jiang Zao was truly angry now.

The baby, who had been quiet as a mouse for over four months, seemed affected by her fury and suddenly kicked hard inside her belly.

“Ooh…”

Jiang Zao clutched her stomach, bending with pain.

Aunt Hui forgot her own pain, rushing to protect Jiang Zao. “What’s wrong, Zaozao? Don’t scare us—does it hurt? Are you uncomfortable?”

Zhou Li Chuan’s expression changed instantly. He pushed Zhao Luyi aside and stepped over the porcelain fragments to reach Jiang Zao.

The movement lasted only a moment; once it eased, Jiang Zao forcefully swatted Zhou Li Chuan’s hand away, glared at him, and retreated into her room, slamming the door.

Zhou Li Chuan narrowly avoided being struck by the door, then turned to see Aunt Hui’s swollen cheek. “Aunt Hui, are you alright?”

Hearing she was fine, Zhou Li Chuan nodded. “Please clean up the floor carefully so Zaozao doesn’t get hurt. Zhao Luyi, right? Come with me.”