Chapter 4

“These things…”

Last night, when Gu Keqing took them out from her space, she had placed them together with her dowry.

But then she thought about it—her family, the Gu family, was so stingy, how could they possibly have given her so much grain and meat?

So she smiled and said, “These were gifts from a few sisters I studied with, sent along with my dowry.”

Only then did Mother Shen feel relieved. Buying so much food must have cost a lot of money, and the Shen family could not afford to take in things of unclear origin.

“Mother, let’s make braised beef brisket with potatoes for lunch, steam a pot of mixed flour buns, and fry some green peppers with eggs. That way Shen Yan can eat his fill and have the strength to work.”

As she spoke, Gu Keqing scooped out a big bowl of white flour.

She didn’t even dare suggest making pure white-flour buns.

After all, she was afraid Mother Shen might notice something unusual.

“Alright, you keep the fire going and prep the vegetables, I’ll do the cooking.”

Before moving to the countryside, Mother Shen had been the wife of a commander, used to the best food, clothing, and daily necessities.

So when she saw her daughter-in-law showing such care for her son, she was quite comforted.

She didn’t argue and the two of them started bustling about together.

While tending the fire, Gu Keqing recalled how the Shen family was described in the book.

Shen Yan was the second son; above him was his elder brother Shen Long, and below him a younger brother Shen Ming.

The three brothers’ father, once Commander Shen, had also gone out to work.

Shen Long’s wife, Qi Zhiyun, was the cousin of the book’s female lead, Qi Zhilán.

As the saying goes, “The pavilion closest to the water enjoys the moonlight first.”

According to the plot, Qi Zhilán eventually ended up with Shen Yan, thanks largely to this helpful sister-in-law’s matchmaking.

Gu Keqing guessed as much in her heart.

So she thought that when her sister-in-law returned, she would sound her out and act accordingly.

“Mother, did Sister-in-law also go to work?”

Gu Keqing asked casually.

“Mm, she’s not in good health, so they gave her lighter work like cutting pig grass and weeding. She earns just three work points a day, so it’s not too tiring.”

Mother Shen said regretfully as she sliced the beef.

“Not in good health?”

Gu Keqing searched her memory of the story.

The eldest sister-in-law had a heart palpitation problem, and with the poor medical conditions after moving to the countryside, it worsened.

Later she stopped working altogether, stayed home most of the time, and her overall mental state declined.

“Does Sister-in-law have heart trouble?”

“Yes. You’re so thoughtful, child—just married in and already concerned for your sister-in-law.”

Mother Shen stopped slicing after half a block of beef, about to put the rest away, when Gu Keqing stopped her.

“Mother, since she’s not well, let her eat more meat to build her strength. I also have some medicine; when she comes back, I’ll give it to her.”

Gu Keqing originally wanted to say it would be an instant cure, but thought better of it—best not to make such absolute claims.

After all, she had all kinds of miraculous medicines in her space and could cure her eventually, but the treatment timeline should be stretched out.

“Oh, my good Keqing, that’s so kind of you—but this meat…”

When she had been the commander’s wife, Mother Shen had eaten all kinds of delicacies.

Now, in hard times, she wanted to eat well but was too cautious.

Seeing her mother-in-law’s hesitation, Gu Keqing smiled and said,

“Mother, just go ahead and cook without worry. You don’t need to fret about the household’s food or clothing—that’s on me. I’m very good at making money, and I won’t let any of you go hungry. Since I’m married into the family, I’ll be filial to you alongside Shen Yan and won’t let you suffer again.”

“It’s just… I can’t do farm work, so I’ll contribute more to the household in other ways. Is that alright?”

Gu Keqing had already decided to be a rich woman in this era. Since she intended to run a business and get rich, she obviously couldn’t go out to the fields to earn a few measly work points.

To avoid future family conflicts, she decided to lay her cards on the table early, so the mother-in-law–daughter-in-law relationship wouldn’t sour and put Shen Yan in a difficult spot.

“Alright! Shen Yan already told me this morning that he didn’t want you working in the fields because he cares for you. Besides, with the men in the family all working, we won’t go hungry.”

Mother Shen patted her hand and told her not to worry.

Hearing this, Gu Keqing felt a warmth in her heart and said emotionally, “Mother, you’re so kind!”

Then the two of them chatted and laughed as they cooked together.

…

In the fields, Shen Yan was sweating when he heard the team leader calling him and quickly walked over.

“Captain, you were looking for me?”

Shen Yan had gotten married just yesterday, and although he and his wife had been up until midnight, it hadn’t affected his work at all today.

He was still full of energy—if anything, he seemed even stronger.

Team leader Han Deguang gave him instructions:

“This afternoon, you and Da Shuan will take the team’s tractor to pick up the new batch of educated youths. I hear there are quite a few this time. Bring them back and settle them at the educated youth dormitory.”

“Alright.”

Shen Yan agreed and went back to work.

“Yan-ge, what’s up?”

Han Dashuan, the team leader’s son, didn’t put on any airs despite his father’s position.

He loved tagging along after Shen Yan.

“My dad said you and I need to pick up the educated youths this afternoon.”

Shen Yan kept working without looking up.

“Why didn’t he send someone else? Going for an afternoon means losing half a day’s work points. No wonder he didn’t tell me—if he’d asked me directly, I’d have told him no.”

“It’s fine. It’s just a few work points. If we don’t go, he’ll have to send someone else, and that’ll make things harder for him.”

Shen Yan reassured him.

“Yan-ge, how was your wedding night? They say your wife is really beautiful, and she just got here before marrying you—you’re so lucky!”

Han Dashuan asked with a teasing grin.

“Mm, I think I’m very lucky too.”

The moment Shen Yan mentioned his wife, his usually cold face softened completely.

“Tsk tsk… Look at that happy face—makes me jealous!”

Shen Yan glanced around, making sure no one was nearby, and said quietly to Han Dashuan:

“Enough chatter, let’s work. Tonight we’re going up the mountain.”

“Up the mountain?”

Han Dashuan immediately knew what that meant—Shen Yan was going hunting again.

Shen Yan nodded.

“Mm, I want to get some game to improve my wife’s meals.”

“Alright, I’ll come find you after dinner.”

“Good.”

Just as they finished making plans, someone called out to Shen Yan.

“Shen Yan, your wife’s here with lunch!”

Lunch?

Shen Yan had brought some dry food this morning and was planning to go home at noon.

Hearing his wife had brought lunch, he quickly dropped his hoe and hurried to the edge of the field.

In the sweltering summer heat, Gu Keqing was drenched in sweat.

She truly hadn’t expected the country roads to be so difficult to walk on.

Mother Shen had packed two large aluminum lunch boxes—one with braised beef brisket and potatoes, another with stir-fried green peppers and eggs—plus a basket of mixed-flour buns.

Gu Keqing carried them, both hands full, walking for quite a while before arriving.

Shen Yan, feeling distressed, wiped her sweat and scolded,

“Wife, why did you come? It’s so hot—you must be exhausted.”

Last night, he hadn’t been able to restrain himself and had been rather rough with her, so he was feeling guilty.

He hadn’t even wanted to wake her that morning.

Now, when she must still be feeling unwell, she had come all this way to bring him food.

“Feeling sorry for me, huh?”