Chapter 30 : Two Traitors

As soon as Shen Haiping spoke those two words, Zheng Lanhua’s chopsticks fell to the ground with a “clink.”

At the same time, there was a “clattering” sound from behind Fang Xiaoluo, as something fell to the floor.

Fang Xiaoluo had been looking at Shen Haiping’s smile. He was very thin, but his eyes were bright. When he smiled, there were two dimples on his face. If he gained a bit more weight, he would surely be very cute.

She was about to pick up another piece of meat for Shen Haiping when she heard the noise and suspiciously glanced at Zheng Lanhua, then turned to look at Shen Zheng, who was still frozen in place.

For Shen Zheng and Zheng Lanhua, hearing Shen Haiping speak those two words was truly shocking.

Since Shen Haiping was brought back, he had not spoken a single word.

The moment Shen Zheng entered the house and smelled the delicious food in the air, he knew Fang Xiaoluo had been cooking. But as soon as he stood there, he heard Shen Haiping speak. It was impossible not to be stunned.

He ignored the walnuts scattered on the floor and quickly walked over to Shen Haiping’s side. “Haiping, say it again.”

Unfortunately, Shen Haiping acted as though he hadn’t heard.

Zheng Lanhua was equally excited and reached out to grab Shen Haiping’s hand. “Haiping, what did you just say? Say it again for Grandma to hear!”

But Shen Haiping still seemed not to hear.

His bright, clear eyes were solely focused on Fang Xiaoluo.

Fang Xiaoluo smiled and picked up another piece of meat, offering it to Shen Haiping. He obediently opened his mouth and ate it, chewing slowly. After a long while, he finally spoke. “Thank you, Sister.”

Shen Zheng furrowed his brows. “Not ‘Sister,’ you’re too young for that. You should call me ‘Mom.'”

Unfortunately, Shen Haiping didn’t seem to hear what Shen Zheng said.

Fang Xiaoluo was even happier to hear the “Sister” address. She reached over and patted Shen Haiping’s small head. “Good boy, Haiping, all the delicious food I make is for you.”

Shen Haiping nodded seriously, obedient as ever.

Fang Xiaoluo swapped his bowl of dark, mysterious food with a fresh bowl of rice and placed it in front of him. She then pushed the two plates of dishes toward him. “Eat more.”

Shen Haiping didn’t say anything. He just quietly picked up the food and began eating, savoring each bite with rice.

Shen Haifeng and Shen Jinxia couldn’t help but swallow their saliva, watching him.

Fang Xiaoluo pretended not to notice.

She turned to Shen Zheng and asked, “Have you eaten?”

Although Shen Zheng found it a bit inappropriate for Shen Haiping to call Fang Xiaoluo “Sister,” he didn’t say anything more. After all, it was a miracle that Shen Haiping could speak at all.

“No, not yet,” Shen Zheng replied, crouching down to pick up the walnuts on the floor.

Fang Xiaoluo pointed to the other side. “There’s food in the kitchen. Go get it.”

Zheng Lanhua stared at the two plates of food, then picked up the bowl in front of her and finished everything in one gulp.

Shen Zheng brought the food over, and Zheng Lanhua stood up. “I’m done.”

Shen Zheng looked at the bowl in Zheng Lanhua’s hand. “Mom, what did you make this time?”

“Dumpling soup. It’s got meat and vegetables. Very nutritious.”

With that, Zheng Lanhua went back to the kitchen.

Shen Zheng: …

He didn’t need to taste it to know exactly what it would be like.

In the past, he’d just eaten whatever was served, but now, with Fang Xiaoluo’s food in front of him, there was no way he could swallow the other stuff.

Shen Jinxia, being so young and not very clever, had been completely overcome by the hunger. Her little head was full of thoughts of food.

She quietly reached out her small hand and tugged at Fang Xiaoluo’s sleeve.

Fang Xiaoluo felt the tug, turned around, and saw Shen Jinxia’s big, wet eyes looking up at her.

“Is something wrong?”

Although Fang Xiaoluo didn’t want to argue with a three-year-old, she wasn’t the type to let herself be put in a passive position in front of these children.

She had already married Shen Zheng. If she wasn’t in a dominant position, how would she be able to live the future?

Shen Jinxia was a bit scared, but the air was filled with delicious aromas, and she really couldn’t resist.

The little girl swallowed her saliva and cautiously called out, “Sister?”

Shen Haifeng slapped her other hand. “Jinxia, stop calling her that. You should have some pride.”

Shen Jinxia felt a bit wronged. She really, really wanted to eat something delicious.

Stubbornly, she ignored Shen Haifeng and softly called again, “Sister.”

Her second brother had just called her sister, so it meant there was food to eat.

Fang Xiaoluo took Shen Jinxia’s small hand in hers.

This little hand was so tiny, it was even smaller than her own palm.

The small hand was thin and soft, nothing like the chubby hands of children she had seen elsewhere.

Looking at her timid eyes, Fang Xiaoluo felt a pang of sympathy.

She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of life these kids had lived before Shen Zheng brought them back. They were malnourished, thin, and frail, and emotionally, they had been deeply scarred.

Fang Xiaoluo asked, “Do you want to eat?”

Shen Jinxia nodded.

Fang Xiaoluo wasn’t stingy and served Shen Jinxia some rice, adding dishes for her.

However, her arms were too short, and she couldn’t quite reach.

The chair she was sitting on was also a high one, clearly replaced after Shen Zheng and the others returned.

Shen Jinxia held her spoon and mixed all the dishes Fang Xiaoluo had served into her rice, eating it all in big bites.

Shen Haifeng muttered from the side, “Just eat it. Aren’t you afraid it’s poisoned? Poisoning you…”

Shen Jinxia didn’t think too much about it. All she knew was that this meal was better than what they had at the cafeteria. It was the best thing she had ever eaten.

She ate until she was half full, then lifted her little face from the bowl and looked at Shen Haifeng. “Big Brother, if we’re going to die, I’d rather be a full ghost, like you said before.”

Shen Haifeng snorted lightly, turned his face away, and continued drinking the unappetizing dumpling soup.

Shen Zheng observed the children’s behavior and had a general idea of what was going on.

Shen Haifeng was the oldest, with the most thoughts and awareness.

Given their previous stepmother’s constant abuse, it seemed that he was still unable to accept another one.

This was something Shen Zheng had overlooked. If the kids caused trouble, Fang Xiaoluo would definitely be wronged.

Shen Zheng picked up a piece of stir-fried meat and put it in his mouth, savoring the rich flavor of the meat. The slices were tender and smooth, and the sauce spread throughout his mouth, making it incredibly delicious.

He then picked up some shredded cabbage, which was fresh, crisp, and complemented by the subtle sweetness of carrots and the tender, delicate texture of the wood ear mushrooms. The dish was not only tasty but also refreshing, helping to cut through the richness.

No wonder the two younger kids were eating so eagerly.

Since Shen Haifeng wasn’t eating, Fang Xiaoluo and Shen Zheng didn’t save any for him.

After finishing the meal, Shen Zheng stood up. “Haifeng, clean up the dishes.”

Shen Haifeng had eaten but felt like he hadn’t.

Especially with his younger siblings having turned traitors.

He responded reluctantly and quickly went to clear the dishes.

There were still a little bit of sauce left in the two plates.

Shen Haifeng sniffed and swallowed his saliva.

He looked around for a while and, seeing no one at the door, quickly dipped his finger into the sauce and tasted it.

He squinted in satisfaction, then bent down and licked all the remaining sauce from the plates, still feeling unsatisfied.

He patted his stomach. It was really delicious.

But he couldn’t give in. Who knew if that woman had made such delicious food on purpose to lure them?

Their previous stepmother had nearly killed them, and he needed to protect his younger siblings. He couldn’t trust anyone easily!