Chapter 59 : Did the War End in Victory?

Han Weiping wasn’t in the mood to talk about whether something was delicious or not. She didn’t like Shen Zheng’s family, but she considered herself a reasonable person. “If my Xiaopang broke the hairpin, we’ll definitely compensate you. I’ll buy a new one and send it over.”

Fang Xiaoluo didn’t refuse. “Thank you, then.”

Shen Haifeng had thought that today’s visit to Yu Feixu’s house would lead to a big confrontation, but instead, Yu Xiaopang apologized, and his mother promised to buy a new hairpin for Shen Jinxia.

Was the matter really settled just like that?

So, when things happen, you can talk to your parents and let them help you out?

Fang Xiaoluo, as a mother, could stand up for them and be their pillar of support!

Han Weiping watched as Fang Xiaoluo took the two kids and left, feeling utterly confused.

The whole compound knew that Shen Zheng’s three children weren’t his biological kids.

When Shen Zheng got married, the wedding was lively, but many people behind the scenes were saying that Shen Zheng, having married such an unbelievably beautiful wife, wouldn’t be able to keep her.

This wasn’t a wife he married, it was just a young lady enjoying life.

Not to mention, how could she possibly treat three children who weren’t her own well?

But now it seemed that Fang Xiaoluo really cared about these three children, especially when Shen Zheng wasn’t home.

Shen Jinxia’s dependence on Fang Xiaoluo was absolutely real.

On the way home, Shen Jinxia was hopping along, her pigtails bouncing with each step. Fang Xiaoluo couldn’t help but feel happy just watching her.

She pulled Shen Jinxia’s hand with her left hand, and the two of them jumped along together.

It felt like when she was little and loved to walk like this, so light and carefree.

Shen Haifeng walked behind, watching the big and small of them walking and jumping together, laughing as they went. He felt rather helpless.

Fang Xiaoluo turned her head and waved at Shen Haifeng. “Come on, join us!”

Shen Haifeng: “Childish.”

Fang Xiaoluo stopped and waited for Shen Haifeng to catch up. She tapped his head with her finger. “How old are you? If you don’t jump, you’re the childish one!”

With that, she pulled Shen Haifeng’s hand with her right hand and dragged him along. “We’re all in the same boat, you can’t escape.”

Shen Haifeng, dragged along by Fang Xiaoluo, couldn’t resist joining in and hopping along with them.

Fang Xiaoluo laughed. “See, you’re childish too.”

Shen Haifeng: …

Liu Qianru was on her way to her aunt Liu Lijuan’s house, holding a box containing the qipao she had bought at a high price.

Before she reached her destination, she saw Fang Xiaoluo, happily skipping along with the two kids.

She felt an overwhelming sense of frustration.

Look at how Fang Xiaoluo, as a stepmother, had been married for only a few days, yet the kids were already so close to her.

She used to say being a stepmother was hard.

What did this prove?

The kids from Shen Zheng’s family had such good personalities, being a stepmother to them was incredibly easy.

Soon, Shen Zheng’s money would all be hers. The kids would do well in their studies and become successful, and she could just sit back and enjoy the rewards.

At this point, Liu Qianru regretted even more why she hadn’t gone for a blind date back then.

She tightened her grip on the qipao in her arms, feeling gloomy, and walked toward Liu Lijuan’s house.

Because the army was conducting a mock combat exercise, the compound had been very quiet these past few days.

Liu Lijuan had already finished eating with the kids when she saw Liu Qianru. “Qianru, you’re here! Have you eaten yet?”

Liu Qianru smiled as she walked over. “Aunt, I already ate at the canteen.”

“Aunt, our dormitory is going to have a routine inspection. I can’t leave this qipao in the dorm. Could I leave it with you for a few days?”

Liu Lijuan responded, “Of course, just put it wherever. You can take it back whenever you need it.”

Liu Qianru had already anticipated that her aunt would say that, so she had already decided where to leave the qipao before she came.

Her aunt’s living room had a wardrobe, with a compartment at the bottom.

Since her qipao came with a box, Liu Qianru simply placed it in the very obvious compartment, not bothering to put it inside the wardrobe.

Her aunt’s children were all grown up and never messed with things, so she felt completely at ease.

After placing the items, Liu Qianru stood in front of Liu Lijuan and said, “Aunt, the steamed buns that Shen Zheng’s wife sent last time were really delicious. Have you sent anything to them as a return gift?”

When Liu Lijuan heard this, she became a bit melancholy. “I’ve been thinking about what to send back, but those steamed buns were so delicious, I can’t make anything that tastes close to them. I just never ended up sending anything.”

Liu Qianru advised, “Aunt, how about buying some fruits or something and inviting her over to the house for a visit? It’d be good for building a relationship.”

Liu Lijuan thought for a moment, then said, “That’s a good idea. The men are all away, so she can bring the kids over to play.”

Fang Xiaoluo hadn’t returned yet, and Zheng Lanhua hadn’t gone to bed either.

She was walking in circles around the yard, occasionally thinking about what would happen if Fang Xiaoluo failed at fighting.

Before long, she heard Fang Xiaoluo and the two children laughing.

As they entered the yard, Fang Xiaoluo sent the two children off to bed.

Zheng Lanhua glanced at her. “Did you win the battle?”

Fang Xiaoluo smiled cheerfully. “Oh, Mom, look, with me around, how could there be a battle? I’m just too gentle and beautiful, don’t you think?”

Zheng Lanhua rolled her eyes. “Who believes that?”

“Don’t worry, for your sake, I wouldn’t go fighting. I’ve never met anyone more reasonable than me,” Fang Xiaoluo said seriously.

Zheng Lanhua thought for a moment. It didn’t matter whether Fang Xiaoluo fought or not. From the look of things, even if she had fought, she must have been the winner.

As long as they weren’t at a loss, that was fine.

After the afternoon nap, Shen Haifeng went to school.

He’d never felt so energized in the afternoon before.

Usually, he couldn’t fall asleep during his lunch break, but today, he woke up early and fell asleep quickly, sleeping soundly.

Fang Xiaoluo slept for just twenty minutes before getting up and continuing to embroider her qipao.

By around 4 p.m., she finally finished embroidering the first qipao she had brought home.

This really was a very labor-intensive and skill-testing task.

Fang Xiaoluo carefully folded the qipao and then went to prepare dinner.

She steamed rice and made a simple minced meat mashed potato dish.

Once the minced meat mashed potatoes were done, they smelled delicious and looked great.

She spread the freshly steamed rice on top and mixed it together.

Each grain of rice was coated with minced meat and mashed potatoes, sticky and smooth in texture, with a hint of meat chunks. Every bite was full of flavor.

The meal was ready, and just then, Shen Haifeng returned home from school.

“It smells so good!”

Shen Haifeng felt like his nose wasn’t enough to take in the fragrance.

He pulled Shen Haiping and asked Shen Jinxia to wash their hands, then settled them into their chairs.

Fang Xiaoluo placed a big bowl of rice mixed with minced meat and mashed potatoes on the table. Zheng Lanhua grabbed the bowls and chopsticks behind her and served everyone.

Shen Haiping took a big spoonful of the rice and meat mixture, put it in his mouth, and squinted his eyes in satisfaction. “Delicious.”

Fang Xiaoluo couldn’t help but feel a bit helpless. Since she met Shen Haiping, those were the two words he had said the most.

She wondered when this child would finally improve.

Halfway through dinner, someone ran into the yard. From the sound, it was a little kid.

“Shen Jinxia, Shen Jinxia, are you home?”

The voice came from Yu Xiaopang.

He ran in, panting, holding something precious in his hands. He walked up to Shen Jinxia, lifted his head, and said, “Xiaxia, look what I brought you.”