Chapter 36 : Why Are You Two Here?

After delivering the buns, Fang Xiaoluo returned home with an empty plate and heard voices coming from the kitchen.  

“Mom, why are you steaming rice again? Didn’t Xiaoluo already make buns?” Shen Zheng asked as he noticed his mother and Shen Haifeng bustling in the kitchen.  

Zheng Lanhua replied, “I tried them, they’re too greasy. At my age, I need something lighter. Haifeng isn’t eating the buns either. He doesn’t like them.”  

Shen Haifeng quickly chimed in, “Yeah, Dad, I don’t like buns.” But even as he said this, his gaze lingered longingly on the buns at the table, and he swallowed hard.  

Shen Zheng had seen enough to recognize a lie when he heard one. Shen Haifeng’s longing gaze made it all too obvious. Still, Shen Zheng didn’t call him out on it. “Fine, if you don’t like them, don’t eat them. I love them, I’ll eat more myself.”  

With that, Shen Zheng returned to the dining table and sat down.  

Fang Xiaoluo washed her hands and sat across from him. “Why aren’t you eating yet?”  

“I was waiting for you,” Shen Zheng replied.  

Fang Xiaoluo couldn’t help but smile. She picked up a bun and handed it to him. “Alright, Captain Shen, eat up. Don’t go complaining that your wife starves you.”  

Seeing her smile, Shen Zheng finally relaxed. He took the bun and began to eat heartily.  

In the corner, Shen Haifeng watched, drooling despite himself. He tried to resist, but the sight and smell were overwhelming. He counted as his father devoured seven buns before stopping.  

Seven whole meat buns!  

After finishing the meal and tidying up, Fang Xiaoluo headed back to the bedroom to rest. Before she could enter, a small hand tugged at the hem of her shirt.  

Looking down, she saw Shen Haiping.  

Fang Xiaoluo crouched down, “Haiping, is there something you need?”  

Shen Haiping looked at her seriously, saying nothing but refusing to let go of her hand.  

Fang Xiaoluo held his hand gently. “It’s time for your nap. Do you want to nap with me?”  

Shen Haiping nodded earnestly.  

Behind them, Shen Zheng voiced his disapproval. “No way.”  

Shen Haiping, however, chose to ignore Shen Zheng’s objection.  

Fang Xiaoluo stood up and grabbed Shen Zheng’s hand with her free one. “Be generous! The bed’s big enough. You can lie on the other side.”  

For the first time, Shen Zheng found himself deeply annoyed by Shen Haiping.  

The three of them lay on the bed. Fang Xiaoluo looked at Shen Haiping’s small frame and sighed. At six years old, he was tall for his age, but so thin that he seemed all skin and bones.  

She gently patted him, and he soon fell asleep.  

Shen Zheng, after staring for a while, finally slipped his arm around Fang Xiaoluo’s waist.  

In a low voice, he asked, “You’re not mad anymore, are you?”  

Fang Xiaoluo replied softly, “You said you don’t even remember that woman, so what’s there to be mad about?”  

Shen Zheng felt a subtle joy. The fact that Fang Xiaoluo cared enough to be jealous meant she had feelings for him.  

Fang Xiaoluo turned to face him and asked, “Let me ask you something, was Haiping always like this since birth, or did something happen to him to make him this way?”  

At the mention of this, Shen Zheng sighed. “When my sister was around, the child was fine. But ever since last year, after Wei Hongxia joined the family, Haiping’s condition deteriorated. It was worse than this back then, his body was covered in bruises. He screamed constantly, had nightmares every night, and wouldn’t stop calling out in his sleep.”  

“Wei Hongxia… she’s their stepmother, right?” Fang Xiaoluo asked.  

Shen Zheng nodded. “Yes.”  

Fang Xiaoluo continued, “Do you know what might have happened in that household to traumatize Haiping so badly?”  

Shen Zheng explained, “Qin Zhitao and Wei Hongxia wouldn’t admit anything directly, but Haifeng told me. He said Wei Hongxia made them do chores every day, and if they didn’t finish or she wasn’t satisfied, they got beaten with whips, belts, anything. She’d even lock Haiping alone in a pitch-black storage room often.”  

“This kid has always been scared of the dark and thunderstorms, always saying there are ghosts. When my sister was alive, she never left him alone.”  

Fang Xiaoluo felt her heart ache. “And you just let those two get away with it?”  

Shen Zheng replied, “I reported them to the police, and they were detained for a few days. Honestly, I found an opportunity later and secretly gave them each a good beating. Beyond that, there wasn’t much else I could do, given my position…”  

Fang Xiaoluo understood. As a soldier, Shen Zheng couldn’t go too far. Taking in all three kids and changing their last names was already a big step.  

“I also took Haiping to see a doctor. They all said there wasn’t much to be done, it’s a psychological issue. At this point, as long as he doesn’t cry, doesn’t throw tantrums, eats, and sleeps well, I’m content to just take care of him as best I can.”  

“Yesterday was the first time in a long while that he spoke. Xiaoluo, you’re truly my good fortune.”  

—

That evening, Fang Xiaoluo didn’t prepare anything elaborate. With leftover buns from lunch, she made a simple shredded radish soup.  

Shen Haifeng couldn’t figure out how such a basic dish could turn into something extraordinary in her hands.  

The soup was creamy white, with every strand of radish distinct and bursting with flavor. The taste was like a revelation, fresh and delightful, as if it were the finest cuisine in the world.  

As everyone ate buns and sipped soup, Shen Haifeng, unable to partake, shoveled leftover rice from lunch into his mouth with frustration.  

Later, when washing dishes, he couldn’t resist sneaking the last two spoonfuls of soup from the pot. Even though it had cooled, the silky texture and sweetness of the radish were still delicious.  

For a brief moment, Shen Haifeng’s resolve wavered.  

‘Maybe if I helped her , I could eat this kind of food every day.’  

But he quickly shook his head. ‘No, I can’t. I have to stay vigilant. I still have younger siblings to protect!’  

—

The next morning, after breakfast, Fang Xiaoluo and Shen Zheng prepared to return to Honghe Village for the customary “return visit” after the wedding.  

Shen Haifeng headed off to school after eating.  

Just as Fang Xiaoluo was about to leave, Shen Haiping followed her out.  

Seeing him, she asked, “Do you want to come with me?”  

Shen Haiping nodded.  

“Alright, let’s go together.” No one said you couldn’t bring a child for a return visit.  

The three of them set out to Qingshi Town where Shen Zheng’s unit was stationed, to buy some gifts before catching a bus to the provincial capital.  

The bus passed by Honghe Village, and they soon arrived.  

The village entrance was just as lively as always, with small groups chatting and working.  

When people saw Fang Xiaoluo, many greeted her warmly.  

“Xiaoluo, back for the return visit!”  

Fang Xiaoluo smiled and responded, “Yes, back for the visit today.”  

The entire way, Shen Haiping held onto Fang Xiaoluo’s hand. He wasn’t timid, but his world seemed to consist of only her.  

When they reached her parents’ house, Fang Xiaoluo pushed the door open and called out, “Mom, we’re home!”  

Zhang Xinyan, busy preparing lunch, rushed out when she heard the call.  

Fang Shijun followed closely behind her.  

Their faces lit up with joy at seeing their daughter again.  

Just as Zhang Xinyan was about to speak, two more people appeared at the door. Her expression instantly froze.  

Fang Xiaoluo turned around and saw them too, Xu Yaqiu and Zhou Yanwen.  

‘Of all days to visit, why did these two come on our return visit day?!’