Marriage was a bit early for Mu Yuxin. Her relationship with Guan Yang was unstable, and coupled with her poor financial foundation, she wouldn't consider marriage until she had a better career to support herself.
The sisters ate and chatted.
Mu Wanqiu loved listening to Mu Yuxin talk about her university experiences, her face filled with longing for college life.
Seeing her sister like this, Mu Yuxin felt both heartache and sadness. Mu Wanqiu's academic performance wasn't poor; it was just that family matters were too numerous. She had to do chores, work part-time, and attend school, leaving her no time for anything else.
After failing to get into college, Mu Yuxin wanted her to retake the entrance exam for another year, but she refused.
"Xinxin, I know my limits. I'm just not cut out for studying. But failing the exam is for the best. It makes me give up on college. From now on, I'll work, and you'll study hard. I'll support you through college."
Feng Wanhuai naturally opposed both girls going to college. In her opinion, girls should just get married when they grow up; attending a good university was not as important as finding a rich husband.
Mu Yuxin had good grades, and Mu Wanqiu worried that even if Mu Yuxin got into college, she wouldn't be allowed to attend. So, she wanted to work first to save money for Mu Yuxin's tuition. That way, they wouldn't have to ask Feng Wanhuai for money, and she wouldn't have so many objections.
High school was tough. Mu Yuxin had to wake up at five in the morning to memorize vocabulary and texts. Mu Wanqiu would wake up even earlier to make her breakfast and review with her. Every time Mu Yuxin saw Mu Wanqiu, her eyes barely open from sleep, still remembering to drape a coat over her, she was deeply moved. At that time, she didn't think about using her university earnings to support Feng Wanhuai; instead, she wanted to give her first paycheck to Mu Wanqiu.
University life was relatively free and relaxed. Mu Yuxin took on several part-time jobs, earning a good income. Knowing that Mu Wanqiu was not doing well, she would secretly send her money. Naturally, she was furious that her kind sister was experiencing domestic violence. She had come to see Mu Wanqiu with only one goal: to photograph evidence of Gao Pingyang's abuse and send that scumbag to jail.
After chatting for a while, Mu Wanqiu, due to her pregnancy, became drowsy. Mu Yuxin helped her to bed. "Sister, you should rest for a while. I'll tidy up."
Mu Wanqiu yawned several times. "Xinxin, I'm sorry. I wanted to chat more, but I'm just too sleepy."
Mu Yuxin smiled and comforted her, "I'm not planning to leave so soon. When you wake up, I'll be the first person you see."
"Okay."
Mu Yuxin couldn't take photos in front of Mu Wanqiu. Once her sister fell asleep, she took out her phone and took several pictures of Mu Wanqiu's face. Then, she gently lifted her skirt. Seeing the bruises and contusions on the skin beneath the skirt, Mu Yuxin's eyes instantly welled up. That beast, Gao Pingyang, had actually laid hands on a pregnant woman. Fortunately, the baby in her sister's womb was fine; otherwise, a thousand deaths wouldn't be enough for Gao Pingyang!
Mu Wanqiu woke up not long after. The messy house had already been tidied by Mu Yuxin. She held Mu Yuxin's hand and sat down, feeling quite apologetic. "Xinxin, you should have let me tidy up. You've come all this way, how could you clean?"
Mu Yuxin patted her sister's hand and smiled, comforting her. "With your pregnant belly, how can you clean? Besides, I'm not doing anything else. It's good to help you tidy up. Sister, the sun isn't too strong now; shall I take you out for a walk? I heard pregnant women should walk more to make labor easier."
"Okay."
The sisters hadn't gone for a happy walk together in a long time. Mu Wanqiu seemed very happy. When Mu Yuxin took out her phone to take pictures, she immediately covered her face. "Xinxin, don't take pictures of me like this."
Mu Yuxin felt a pang of sadness but smiled. "You probably haven't had maternity photos taken yet, right? The baby is coming soon, and you won't be able to get these kinds of pictures then. How about this, I'll only take profile pictures, not front-facing ones."
Mu Wanqiu was persuaded by Mu Yuxin. Mu Yuxin took several photos of her looking down and caressing her round belly. Mu Yuxin's smile was beautiful and gentle. She truly loved the baby in her womb and would protect it even if she was beaten. Sometimes, when she couldn't eat, she would force herself to eat for the baby's sake.
"Sister, do you know if the baby in your belly is a boy or a girl?"
Mu Wanqiu shook her head. "I don't know. Your brother-in-law asked the doctor before, but the doctor didn't say. However, for me, it doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl; they are both my children."
Mu Yuxin nodded. "Have you decided on a name?"
Mu Wanqiu looked at her belly and smiled slightly. "Qiaoqiao. Whether it's a boy or a girl, the name will be Qiaoqiao."
"Mmm, that's a good name."
In the evening, Mu Yuxin cooked dinner. After they ate, seeing the sky darkening, Mu Wanqiu became anxious. "Xinxin, it's getting late. When are you going home?"
Mu Yuxin curved her lips into a smile. "Sister, I've decided to stay with you for the next few days. I'll go back after you give birth to Qiaoqiao safely."
Upon hearing this, Mu Wanqiu's expression turned grim. "You're staying here? This... how can that be?"
"Why not? I saw that you've been living separately from Gao Pingyang recently, right? I'll sleep with you at night." Mu Yuxin said, putting her arm around Mu Wanqiu. "What? Sister, are you trying to drive me away?"
"No... How could I drive you away? It's just..." Mu Wanqiu was afraid that Gao Pingyang might come back drunk or after losing money and go crazy, and what if Xinxin got hurt? But she couldn't tell Mu Yuxin the truth, so she forced a smile and said, "I'm worried about Mom being home alone with no one to look after her."
"Mom is very healthy and can take care of herself. As for you, you're about to give birth; it's not good to be alone. Are you still thinking of relying on Gao Pingyang?"
Mu Wanqiu was speechless. She thought about it. Her due date had arrived. Although her labor hadn't started yet, she could go into labor at any moment. She couldn't rely on Gao Pingyang. If Xinxin were here, she would feel a little more at ease.
Seeing Mu Wanqiu's worried expression, Mu Yuxin smiled. "It's alright. I'm just here to accompany you. I promise you, as long as Gao Pingyang doesn't lay a hand on you again, I'll pretend he doesn't exist and won't have any conflict with him."
Hearing this, Mu Wanqiu finally relaxed completely.
The sisters hadn't slept together in a long time, and Mu Wanqiu seemed very happy, even reminiscing about their childhood. Listening to her gentle voice, Mu Yuxin grew even more disgusted with Gao Pingyang. Her sister was so good, yet that scumbag Gao Pingyang didn't cherish her and even hit her. Beast!