Chapter 15

Li Chen reached out, trying to take the cup, but Shen Yiyi quickly moved it away. “Your hands are clumsy. I’ll feed you.”  

Li Chen paused for a moment before reluctantly opening his mouth.  

Shen Yiyi then fed him, one sip after another. His movements were a bit stiff, but she seemed extremely satisfied.  

Once he finished drinking, she smiled and urged him to continue preparing the chicken. “I’ll go soak the mushrooms.”  

After soaking the mushrooms in hot water, she washed two potatoes and then came out to ask: “Brother Chen, what leafy vegetables do we have in the garden?”  

“Napa cabbage.” Li Chen replied. The vegetable garden was right in the backyard, so he sent Er Bao to pick one and bring it back.  

Before long, the chicken was ready. He then washed the cabbage Er Bao had picked and carried it into the kitchen, placing it on the stove.  

Shen Yiyi put the soup on to simmer and then began preparing to stir-fry the meat.  

Li Chen said: “I’ll do it.”  

Shen Yiyi believed that the reason the original story portrayed her character as someone who did nothing after marrying Li Chen was probably because he was too capable and spoiled her too much, never letting her lift a finger.  

But she had no intention of following the original plot. If she did, then her return would have no meaning.  

“I can do it.” Shen Yiyi insisted, then turned to Da Bao, who was tending the fire, and asked: “The meal I made at noon was delicious, wasn’t it, Da Bao?”  

“Yes!” Da Bao answered immediately.  

Outside, Er Bao, who was playing with Xiao Bao, overheard and shouted: “Mom’s cooking is better than Dad’s!”  

From the kitchen, Li Chen shot Er Bao a chilly glance from afar, but Er Bao didn’t notice him at all.  

Clearing his throat, Li Chen finally relented. “Then I’ll tend the fire for you…”

“Dad, I can light the fire for Mom!” Da Bao said loudly.  

Li Chen replied: “You’re still too young to play with fire. Go outside and play with Er Bao and the others.”  

“But I’ve always lit the fire for you before.” Da Bao said. “I also lit the fire for Mom today.”  

Li Chen hesitated for a moment before saying: “…Fine, you do it then.”  

However, he did not leave. The kitchen was already small, and Shen Yiyi found it hard to move around while cooking. She looked at Li Chen and said: “Brother Chen, why don’t you step outside for a bit?”  

Li Chen responded: “…Hmm.”  

If Shen Yiyi had looked closely, she would have noticed a hint of reluctance on his face.  

But she was too busy cooking.  

Li Chen stepped out into the courtyard and immediately saw his two younger sons playing there. “Er Bao, Xiao Bao, come here.”  

“Dad!” Er Bao and Xiao Bao heard their Dad’s call and ran over at once, their faces beaming with joy. “You called us?”  

“Yes.” Li Chen crouched down and noticed a leaf stuck in Xiao Bao’s hair. He casually took it off and asked: “Did you have fun with your Mom today?”  

“Yes!” Er Bao and Xiao Bao shouted in unison.  

Li Chen was startled by their loud voices. He glanced toward the kitchen, relieved that Shen Yiyi had not turned around. Then he asked: “So, what did you do today?”  

Xiao Bao immediately began listing everything like a little storyteller: “We abandoned rice, swept the ground, went to the field—”  

“Wait a minute.” Li Chen interrupted. He noticed that Xiao Bao had something in his mouth, making his words unclear and causing him to drool a little. Li Chen wiped his mouth and asked: “What are you chewing on?”  

“Candy!” Er Bao answered on behalf of Xiao Bao, proudly declaring: “It’s White Rabbit Creamy Candy! Mom gave it to us!”  

“Mom gave it to you?” Li Chen repeated.  

“Mm-hmm.” Xiao Bao nodded eagerly and added: “Dad, didn’t Mom give you some too? She said she would.”  

She even gave him some?  

Li Chen’s face was full of confusion.

The moment Er Bao saw his Dad’s expression, he immediately realized that their Mom had forgotten to give him the candy. Without hesitation, he turned and ran toward the kitchen. “Mom must have forgotten to give you one! I’ll go ask her for it.”

Li Chen didn’t have time to stop him. He could only watch as Er Bao ran straight to the stove. Shen Yiyi was still busy cooking when Er Bao tugged at the hem of her clothes and whispered something to her. A moment later, she glanced in Li Chen’s direction.

For some reason, Li Chen felt guilty and quickly looked away.

“Dad! Dad!”

Er Bao’s excited voice rang out. Li Chen turned his head back and saw Er Bao running toward him, holding a piece of White Rabbit Creamy Candy in his hand. He handed it over and said: “Mom said we’re eating soon, so you can only have one!”

Li Chen: “….”

Was she treating him like a child?

Still, without even thinking, he took the candy. Ignoring Xiao Bao’s envious gaze, he tucked it into his pocket. Then he cleared his throat, put on a serious expression, and said: “Go on, go play now.”

Er Bao grabbed Xiao Bao’s hand and led him away, though Xiao Bao kept glancing back longingly.

Li Chen stole another glance at the kitchen. Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, he took out the White Rabbit Creamy Candy from his pocket, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth.

It was sweet and creamy.

He normally didn’t like sweets, but for some reason, he enjoyed the taste of this one.

Feeling an unexpected surge of motivation, he grabbed a bucket and decided to go fetch water from the village well. His goal was to fill up the large water vat at home.

He moved quickly and was strong, so it didn’t take long before the vat was full.

By then, Shen Yiyi had also finished cooking. Carrying a dish in her hands, she walked toward the main hall. When she saw Li Chen returning with the buckets, she called out: “Brother Chen, it’s time to eat.”

“Mm!” Li Chen responded immediately. He set the buckets down and quickly walked over.

Er Bao had already taken the initiative to serve rice, bringing a bowl for Xiao Bao as well. The bowls were neatly arranged on the dining table.

Two dishes and one soup—stir-fried chicken, home-style cabbage, and a rich mushroom soup made with chicken offal—paired with steaming white rice. Just looking at it was enough to make one’s mouth water!

Shen Yiyi took a bowl and scooped half a bowl of chicken into it. She handed it to Er Bao and said: “Take this to Grandpa or Grandma. Make sure to give it to them directly.”

“Got it, Mom!” Er Bao responded cheerfully before running off with the bowl of chicken.

He could hardly wait to come back and eat.

Meanwhile, in the old house, dinner was much simpler—sweet potato cornbread paired with a watery bowl of corn porridge.

The atmosphere at the table was quiet and slow, not because the food was particularly enjoyable, but because the rich aroma of meat lingering in the air made their plain meal feel even more unappetizing.

Li Tiezhu finally lost his patience. He threw his chopsticks down with a loud clatter. “I want to eat meat! I want meat!”

The chopsticks nearly hit Mother Li, who was sitting across from him. Before she could scold him, Jiang Ailing, who was seated beside Li Tiezhu, didn’t even bother to reprimand her son. Instead, she turned to Mother Li with a deliberately troubled expression and said,

“Mom, look at how upset Tiezhu is. This isn’t good for him. Maybe… you could talk to Second Sister-in-law?”

It was obvious.

She wanted Mother Li to go and ask Shen Yiyi to share some of their meat with Li Tiezhu.

Mother Li nearly spat in disgust. “Why should I go and ask? Huh? Did I buy that meat for Second Son’s family? Why should she give me any? You might not have any shame, but I do!”

“But Tiezhu—”

“Tiezhu, Tiezhu!” Mother Li was so furious that she spat as she spoke. “Do you think only Tiezhu wants to eat meat? I don’t? Your Dad doesn’t? This whole family doesn’t? Why don’t you manage your son better? Does he not understand our family’s situation? Just because others are eating meat doesn’t mean he can too! Their parents have money—does he?”

Jiang Ailing was completely stunned by Mother Li’s outburst. She looked at her in disbelief.

Wasn’t Tiezhu her eldest grandson?

Hadn’t she always spoiled him the most?

Why was she acting so differently today?