Chapter 145 : Can’t Find a Wife Because You’re Too Fat?

Shen Haifeng, who was hiding by the room door: …

Fang Xiaoluo shielded Yu Feixu behind her. “I’ve already punished them. They’ve learned their lesson and won’t act on their own again. Right?”  

Yu Feixu nodded frantically. “Yes, I promise!”  

From behind, Shen Haifeng chimed in, “I promise too!”  

Shen Zheng and Yu Xinzheng exchanged a look.  

Then Shen Zheng said, “Since you two have so much energy, starting tomorrow, you’ll run every morning at 5:30. Two kilometers a day, rain or shine.”  

Yu Xinzheng set the broom aside and added, “That’s settled then. Morning runs it is.”  

Yu Feixu was on the verge of tears, running sounded exhausting!  

Fang Xiaoluo, however, thought it would be a good way for the kids to exercise.  

“Brother, sister, why don’t you stay for dinner tonight?”  

Han Weiping waved her hand. “No, no, I’ve got food cooking at home.”  

With that, Yu Xinzheng and Han Weiping took the children and left.  

Yu Xiaopang glanced back every few steps. “Xiaxia, I’ll come see you later!”  

—

Early the next morning, Shen Haifeng was rudely awakened by Shen Zheng and dragged out for jogging.  

By the time the two kids finished running, they were completely exhausted, only to be made to do stretches afterward.  

After breakfast, everyone in the family went about their day.  

Shen Zheng left for work, and Zheng Lanhua went to visit friends and relatives. She hadn’t been home for a few days, so she needed to catch up with her old friends.  

Shen Haifeng stayed in his room doing homework, while Shen Jinxia was pulled outside by Yu Xiaopang to play.  

At home, Fang Xiaoluo tended to the vegetables in the yard. It was clear Shen Zheng hadn’t been idle during her absence, the house was spotless, and the weeds in the garden were almost entirely cleared.  

Shen Haiping followed her around, helping water the plants, dig the soil, and sow seeds.  

“Haiping, why don’t you go out and play?” Fang Xiaoluo asked.  

“It’s not as interesting as being with you, Mom,” Shen Haiping replied earnestly.  

Fang Xiaoluo chuckled. “Haiping, primary school registration is starting in a few days. Should I register you for first grade?”  

Shen Haiping froze. “Go to school?”  

Fang Xiaoluo squatted down to meet his gaze. “If you think you’re ready, I’ll sign you up, and you can start first grade in September. If you’re not, we can wait another year.”  

Because of family circumstances and health issues, Shen Haiping hadn’t attended kindergarten or preschool. He had never set foot in a classroom.  

He still remembered the harsh words he’d overheard last year from that man and woman:

“What’s the point of kindergarten? It’s just a waste of money!”  

“Study? You can’t learn anything. You’re just finding excuses to slack off!”

“You think you have the brains for school? You’re only fit to dig ditches!”  

Tears welled up in Shen Haiping’s eyes. “Mom, I want to go to school this year.”  

Fang Xiaoluo smiled and ruffled his hair. “Alright. In a couple of days, I’ll take you to register.”  

Shen Haiping nodded firmly. “Yes.”  

Fang Xiaoluo gently explained, “Haiping, studying is your right, and supporting your education is our responsibility. If your health were still like before, I wouldn’t feel at ease sending you to school, but now it’s different. You’re careful, smart, and steady. I have complete confidence in you.”  

Shen Haiping tried to hold back his tears, but they fell uncontrollably.  

Fang Xiaoluo gently wiped his face. “There, there. Be good.”

Shen Haiping hugged Fang Xiaoluo tightly, tears streaming down his face. “Thank you, Mom.”  

To Fang Xiaoluo, these children truly needed to be cherished and loved. She only wanted to do her best to help them move past those dark times, even if just to bury the memories in a corner, covered and forgotten.  

—

After dinner that evening, Fang Xiaoluo checked Shen Haifeng’s homework before heading off to take a shower.  

Meanwhile, Shen Zheng found Zheng Lanhua. “Mom, it’s already the 26th day of the sixth lunar month. I checked, and the 6th is Xiaoluo’s birthday. Don’t cook that day, I’ll take everyone out to eat and celebrate her birthday.”  

Zheng Lanhua set down what she was holding, wiping her hands on her apron. “The 6th? That’s coming up fast!”  

Shen Zheng nodded. “Don’t tell her yet, I want it to be a surprise.”  

“Alright,” Zheng Lanhua agreed. “But don’t forget to invite her family. It’s her first birthday since being reunited with them.”  

“Don’t worry, Mom, I’ve got it all planned,” Shen Zheng assured her.  

After he left, Zheng Lanhua started pondering what to give Fang Xiaoluo as a birthday present. It wasn’t an easy decision, she’d never prepared a birthday gift for anyone before. If her cooking were better, she would’ve happily prepared a table full of delicious dishes for her.  

Shen Haifeng, who had overheard the conversation, was now deep in thought.  

His mom’s birthday was coming up?  

He was already planning to visit the department store in Qingshi Town tomorrow to pick out something nice, but now he needed two gifts: one to thank her for her hard work and one for her birthday.  

Of course, he couldn’t keep this plan to himself. He needed to involve Shen Haiping and Shen Jinxia too.  

—

Later, in the small square at the compound, Shen Haifeng found Shen Haiping and Shen Jinxia playing amidst the noisy crowd of children.  

“Haiping! Xiaxia!” Shen Haifeng waved to them.  

The two siblings ran over, with Yu Xiaopang tagging along behind them.  

“What’s up, big brother?” Shen Haiping asked.  

“I just heard from Dad and Grandma, Mom’s birthday is on the 6th. We have to prepare something nice for her,” Shen Haifeng announced.  

This was a big deal for the three of them. Shen Haiping and Shen Jinxia nodded eagerly.  

Yu Xiaopang’s eyes widened in surprise. “What? Auntie’s birthday is coming up?”  

“Shh!” Shen Haifeng pressed a finger to his lips.  

Yu Xiaopang quickly covered his mouth and nodded. Lowering his voice, he said, “Then I need to prepare a gift for Auntie too.”  

“Fine,” Shen Haifeng agreed, “but no one can let Mom know beforehand. It has to be a surprise.”  

The group of children all nodded in unison.  

They then huddled together, whispering excitedly as they brainstormed the perfect gift ideas.  

—

Later, as Yu Xiaopang ran home, he bumped into his dad, Yu Xinzheng, who had just returned from work.  

“Yu Xiaopang! Why are you running so fast? Is a tiger chasing you?” Yu Xinzheng teased.  

Yu Xiaopang spun around and leapt into his father’s arms. Yu Xinzheng picked him up, laughing. “You’ve put on weight again after eating so much in Honghe Village. You should start losing some of it!”  

When they got home, Yu Xiaopang ran straight to his mom, Han Weiping, pouting. “Mom! Dad says I’m too fat and wants me to lose weight. It’s so hard for me to even get some meat to eat!”  

Han Weiping emerged from the kitchen, shaking her head. “Eat, eat, eat. That’s all you do. I think your dad is right, you’re so fat now that no one will want to marry you in the future!”  

Yu Xiaopang froze, stunned. “What? I can’t find a wife if I’m too fat?”