Chapter 10

Goudan was Jiang Ailing’s five-year-old youngest son. Upon hearing those words, he hurriedly ran out after them.  

Eldest Sister-in-law Li, who was sitting beside her third daughter while drinking thin porridge, touched the hands of her three daughters and shook her head at them.  

Dahua was already fourteen years old and handled it a little better, but Erhua, Xiaohua, as well as Jiang Ailing’s two daughters, Chunhua and Qiuhua, all lowered their heads in disappointment.  

They were girls, so whenever there was anything good in the family, it was always given first to Tiezhu and Goudan, the two boys.  

Of course, even Father Li and Goudan did not get to eat the meat that Mother Li had brought back because Goudan returned home crying, saying that his eldest brother had eaten all of it.  

In that instant, Mother Li’s heart turned cold.  

Li Tiezhu was the eldest grandson, naturally the one she cherished the most. Seeing him being beaten by Li Chen and crying so miserably, she had felt deeply distressed. A large part of the reason she had accepted Shen Yiyi’s meat was to bring it back and comfort him.  

But that was such a big bowl of meat—she had never even considered eating it herself.

Of course, it was not enough to be shared among such a large family, so she had planned to give it to her two grandsons, Tiezhu and Goudan, as well as to Father Li.  

The autumn harvest was exhausting, and Father Li was getting old. Working so hard every day, carrying ten kilograms at a time, he certainly needed some nourishment.  

And yet, Tiezhu had eaten all of it by himself?  

Recalling how the little Three Baos had urged her to eat meat, Mother Li realized for the first time how selfish Li Tiezhu was.  

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No matter what was happening over at the old house, over here, with Shen Yiyi’s family, the brief episode had passed.  

The family of five continued their meal, and from time to time, childish voices filled the air—  

“Mom, you eat some too.”  

“Thank you, Mom. Hehe.”

“Dad, lift me up quickly! I want to give Mom some meat!”  

The scene was heartwarmingly warm.

After the meal, Shen Yiyi was about to clear the table when Li Chen beat her to it.  

He gathered the bowls and chopsticks, placed them in a large basin of water, then carried it over to the water vat. Squatting down, he silently began to wash them.  

Under the scorching sun, his tanned skin glistened with sweat. His tall, broad-shouldered figure, strong and handsome features, and his practiced movements created a stark contrast.  

Shen Yiyi thought for a moment, then returned to her room and retrieved a handful of mung beans and a handful of brown sugar from her storage space. As she passed through the main hall, she casually picked up Li Chen’s green military canteen as well.  

Once in the kitchen, she first set the mung beans to soak. Then, using water drawn from the vat for cooking, she cleaned the canteen thoroughly before filling it with freshly boiled and cooled water.  

During this time, the three little ones trailed behind her, following her in and out like tiny shadows, their soft voices brimming with curiosity, bombarding her with endless questions—  

“Mom, what are you holding?”  

“A water canteen.”  

“What about these little green beans?”  

“Mung beans. Mom will cook mung bean porridge for the Three Baos later. Do you want some?”  

“Yes! We’ll drink anything Mom makes!”  

“So sweet.” Shen Yiyi praised.  

The little ones, both shy and proud, stayed quiet for a moment but soon couldn’t hold back—  

“Mom, why do the mung beans need to be soaked?”  

“Because soaking them makes them easier to cook.”  

“Oh! Then can I help you start the fire later?”  

“Mom, I’ll help too!”  

“Mom, me too!”  

“No way!” Before Shen Yiyi could refuse, Da Bao righteously declared: “You two are too young! What if you get burned? I’m the eldest brother, so I’ll help Mom with the fire. You two go play!”  

“But you’re the same age as me! You’re six, and I’m six too.” Er Bao argued.

“Then I’m also the big brother.” Da Bao said confidently, not flustered in the slightest. “Grandmother said I was born before you.”  

“No way.” Er Bao protested, unwilling to accept it. “You’ve been the big brother for so long. It’s my turn now! From now on, you have to call me ‘Big Brother.'”  

“Er Bao, are you asking for a beating?” Da Bao raised his tiny fists.  

“…”  

Faced with Li Tiezhu, who was already nine years old and would throw punches without hesitation, Er Bao could still argue.

But against his older brother’s small, soft fists, he could only purse his lips and look toward his Mom with a grievance-filled expression. “Mom, Big Brother is bullying me…”  

Shen Yiyi held back a laugh and reached out to ruffle both Da Bao and Er Bao’s hair. “Be good~”  

She did not take sides.  

Er Bao knew that his Mom wouldn’t back him up, so he huffed in frustration and mimicked the way a little calf would act when angry.  

Da Bao remained unfazed, perfectly embodying the demeanor of an older brother.  

Li Chen, having finished washing the dishes, placed them in the main hall. Outside, the bustling sounds of people moving about filled the air—those who had finished lunch were getting ready to head back to work.  

It was time for him to leave as well.  

Li Chen thought so, but he didn’t move immediately. Instead, he quietly listened to the sounds coming from the kitchen.  

“Brother Chen!”  

From outside the main entrance, Chen Qiang’s voice called out, accompanied by a few knocks on the door. “Let’s go, it’s time to work.”  

Li Chen snapped out of his thoughts, cleared his throat, and grabbed his hoe and sickle. Just as he opened the door, a soft, delicate voice called from behind: “Brother Chen, wait.”  

He turned around swiftly and saw a charming young woman running out of the kitchen, carrying a water canteen. As she approached, she handed it to him. “Here, water.”  

Li Chen looked down at the spotlessly clean canteen, then at the fair, slender hand holding it. His gaze moved upward, landing on the young woman’s bright, smiling face. He silently took the canteen from her.  

“Thank you for your hard work.” Shen Yiyi said gently. “Go on, hurry to work. The weather is too hot—make sure to drink plenty of water and don’t get heatstroke. You don’t need to worry about the house; I’ll take good care of the Three Baos.”

“Mm.” Li Chen pressed his lips together, gave her a glance, and then turned to leave.  

Seeing him step out, Shen Yiyi took a step forward, intending to close the door once he was gone. But just as she reached for it, she saw Chen Qiang standing outside, staring at her as if he had just seen a ghost.  

“…” Shen Yiyi raised her hand in greeting. “Comrade Qiang.”  

“…S-Sister-in-law.” Chen Qiang swallowed hard, then grabbed Li Chen and bolted.  

Shen Yiyi: ???  

Did she look that terrifying?  

It wasn’t that Shen Yiyi looked terrifying—it was that her behavior was terrifying!  

Chen Qiang still couldn’t believe his own eyes. That gentle, soft-spoken woman who had just spoken to his Brother Chen—was that really Shen Yiyi? Had she been possessed by a devil?  

That thought stuck in his head, and so he asked it outright.  

The next moment, he received a brutal smack on the head from his Brother Chen. “What the hell do you mean by that? Do you think I don’t know what my own wife is like? She’s always been this gentle and virtuous!”  

Chen Qiang thought to himself, Brother Chen, do you really believe what you’re saying?  

Li Chen, however, showed no guilt whatsoever as he continued: “She made lunch for me and the Three Baos today and said she wants to live a good life with me from now on. Keep your mouth shut and don’t say anything discouraging in front of me, or I’ll beat you up.”  

Chen Qiang quickly promised he wouldn’t, though he couldn’t help but think, Brother Chen, are you really not suspicious that your wife is planning something? Like, maybe she’s just coming up with a new scheme to divorce you?  

There was no denying it—brothers who had fought side by side in life-or-death situations truly shared a deep understanding. They were thinking the exact same thing.  

Li Chen also felt that Shen Yiyi’s sudden change must have a hidden motive. But he wasn’t going to say it out loud. He just hoped this change would last a little longer.  

Even if she was only pretending, he didn’t care.  

Because no matter what—he was never getting a divorce!