Chapter 108 : Come on, Dad

Shen Jinxia’s words left Shen Zheng speechless.

It seemed like his wife earned more than he did.

By that logic, he had essentially brought home a mountain of gold.

Shen Jinxia, not getting a response, muttered to herself, “But it seems a little different. Dad, you’re not complacent. You’re also very capable.”

Shen Zheng replied, “But mom is the best in the family. She’s the most amazing. Look, mom can draw, embroider, grow delicious vegetables, cook great meals, tutor your older brother with his homework, and take care of you and the whole family… Isn’t she amazing?”

Shen Jinxia nodded enthusiastically. “Yes.”

Shen Zheng continued, “Dad only knows how to go to work, and doesn’t know anything else. So, Dad should work hard and try not to make Mom so tired, okay?”

Shen Jinxia thought for a moment and said, “Then, Dad, you’d better do your best.”

At that moment, Fang Xiaoluo entered the yard. Shen Haiping’s face turned pale as he looked around, seemingly feeling very insecure, but his hand was still clutching the corner of Fang Xiaoluo’s clothes, unwilling to let go.

Zheng Lanhua and Shen Haifeng heard the noise and came out of the house.

“Why are you back so late today?” Zheng Lanhua asked.

Fang Xiaoluo was holding Shen Haiping, who didn’t want to get down, and she didn’t insist.

“I ran into some problems before coming back,” Fang Xiaoluo said. “Mom, have you and Haifeng eaten? Shen Zheng is at the back. We ordered food at the restaurant at noon, and I thought I’d be back earlier, but with all the trouble, I’m not sure if I can still eat.”

Zheng Lanhua noticed that Shen Haiping wasn’t in a good state. She was a little concerned but didn’t ask further.

She watched Fang Xiaoluo carry Shen Haiping to her room and place him on her bed.

“Mom, please bring me some warm water and find a set of clean clothes for Haiping.”

After hearing this, Zheng Lanhua quickly went to get clothes and fetch water.

Fang Xiaoluo changed Shen Haiping’s clothes and wiped his face and hands.

She touched his forehead and the back of his neck, Shen Haiping had a slight fever.

She then touched his feet, which were icy cold. In this case, she needed to keep him warm.

She quickly pulled the quilt over him.

“Mom, Haiping has a fever. Do you still have the bottle of warm water you gave me last time?”

Zheng Lanhua was startled and quickly checked Shen Haiping’s forehead and feet. “Yes, don’t worry, I’ll get some water to warm him up.”

Fang Xiaoluo took the cup, filled it with spiritual spring water, and gently lifted Shen Haiping. “Haiping, this water is so sweet, drink it, and your illness will be cured.”

Shen Haiping leaned on Fang Xiaoluo’s shoulder dependently and drank the water very obediently.

“This is sister’s bed. I’ll be by your side. Don’t be afraid. Just sleep well, and when the sun rises tomorrow, we’ll be the real Shen Haiping.”

Shen Haiping didn’t say anything and just lay there, still clutching her hand.

After a while, Zheng Lanhua returned with a bottle of warm water and placed it under Shen Haiping’s feet.

“Do you want to give him some medicine to reduce the fever?”

Fang Xiaoluo replied, “His fever isn’t that high yet, so let’s observe him first. I’ll stay with him.”

Seeing that Fang Xiaoluo hadn’t changed her clothes, Zheng Lanhua sat down. “Go change your clothes, wash your face, and eat something. Cook some… instant noodles will be fine. I’ll watch over him. You can’t keep sitting like this, your waist will hurt.”

Fang Xiaoluo pointed to Shen Haiping’s hand and said, “Let him sleep soundly first, wait for a while.”

Zheng Lanhua was unsure. After thinking for a moment, she hurried to the kitchen to boil water and prepare instant noodles.

As soon as the water boiled, Shen Zheng brought Shen Jinxia back.

Zheng Lanhua took a quick look and decided to order two more packets of instant noodles.

Shen Zheng asked Shen Haifeng to take Shen Jinxia to wash their hands while he went to the kitchen with the vegetables.

“Luckily, these two dishes were fried, so they didn’t go bad,” Shen Zheng said as he placed the salt and pepper spareribs and the deep-fried pork tenderloin on a plate. “We had these at noon. Xiaoluo bought two more for you and Haifeng.”

Shen Zheng checked the dishes before he came back. The remaining Mushu pork had gone bad, so he threw it away. Otherwise, the old lady would have insisted on saving it.

Zheng Lanhua pulled Shen Zheng aside and asked in a low voice, “What happened today?”

Shen Zheng didn’t answer her question immediately. Instead, he asked, “How are Xiaoluo and Haiping?”

Zheng Lanhua replied, “Haiping has a slight fever, and Xiaoluo is with him.”

“See? Haiping’s holding onto her and won’t let go. She won’t eat either. It’s not good for her to just sit there.”

Shen Zheng lowered his voice and explained what had happened earlier that day. After hearing this, Zheng Lanhua was furious. “Xiaoluo’s adoptive parents are such bastards.”

“In my opinion, Haiping was scared, and Xiaoluo must have been frightened too. No matter what happens to Haiping in the future, don’t blame her for it. If anyone should be blamed, it’s her adoptive parents for being so unkind!”

Shen Zheng said, “Mom, look at what you’re saying. Am I the kind of person who would blame her? I’m already upset, so how could I possibly blame her?”

Zheng Lanhua said, “Stop standing around here. Go get some hot water and wipe your wife’s face and wash her hands. Soaking her feet will help relieve fatigue too.”

“See if you can let her lie down for a while. I’ll bring the noodles to her.”

While pouring water, Shen Zheng asked, “Mom, have you and Haifeng eaten?”

“We’ve already eaten. Go take care of your wife.” Zheng Lanhua shooed Shen Zheng away.

Shen Zheng brought a basin of hot water and a clean towel back to the room, where he found Shen Haifeng and Shen Jinxia standing around the bed.

Shen Jinxia was holding a sandwich cookie, and Shen Haifeng had a bowl of milk.

Shen Jinxia fed Haiping a bite, and then Haifeng did the same, with the food all eventually going into Fang Xiaoluo’s mouth.

“You two are quick,” Shen Zheng said as he set down the basin and found a chair to sit on.

With the children gathered around her, Fang Xiaoluo felt much more at ease. She smiled and said, “Are you jealous of me, having such good treatment?”

Shen Zheng twisted the towel and replied, “There are others who are even more envious and jealous.”

He gently wiped Fang Xiaoluo’s face, then carefully washed her hands, rubbing soap into a lather before rinsing it off, as if tending to a child.

Shen Zheng replaced the basin with fresh water, placed it on the floor, and said to Shen Jinxia and Shen Haifeng, “Mom bought you new toys. I just put them in the living room. You two can go and have a look. Haifeng, take Jinxia to eat as well.”

“By the way, Haifeng, your mother also brought you some salt and pepper spareribs and deep-fried pork tenderloin, dishes from the Dongfeng Hotel. Go and try them.”

Watching Shen Haifeng and Shen Jinxia head out, Shen Zheng slipped Fang Xiaoluo’s slippers on her feet, removed her socks, and gently placed her feet in the basin. “How’s the water temperature?”

“Just perfect,” Fang Xiaoluo replied.

Shen Zheng tried to pry Shen Haiping’s hands apart, but Haiping’s grip tightened even more.

He whispered in Haiping’s ear, “You’ve been holding onto your sister for so long. She’s been carrying you for a while, and now you can’t even move. You must be exhausted. If you keep holding on like this, you might just wear yourself out. And if you wear yourself out, you won’t have a sister anymore.”

The next moment, Shen Haiping actually let go of his hand.