Chapter 57: Eating Hamburgers

At a burger shop, Shen Yunhe sat at the table with the three kids, enjoying their meal. The table was filled with cola, fried chicken, and fries.

Jiang Huaiyu took a sip of the ice-cold cola and bit into a fried chicken leg, her eyes squinting in satisfaction.

“The ice-cold drink is so refreshing!” she exclaimed.

Jiang Huairou was also eagerly gnawing on a chicken leg.

“Dad, you must never let Mom know we’re eating burgers. She says it’s junk food and doesn’t let us eat it!”

“Don’t worry, it’s okay to have it once in a while,” Shen Yunhe replied as he grabbed a napkin and gently wiped their mouths.

At the counter, An Xiuxiu and Song Shiyan, with their daughter in tow, were also ordering burgers. An Xiuxiu’s eyes sparkled as she stared at the delicious pictures on the menu, eagerly calling out,

“I’ll take five burgers, two cups of cola, fries, and fried chicken! And I want a bucket of popcorn too!”

“Are you sure you can eat all that?” Song Shiyan asked helplessly, holding their daughter in his arms.

“I’m a big eater, of course I can finish it!” An Xiuxiu shot him a defiant glance.

“Well, isn’t that why I’m here too? This is our meal for all three of us!” she added with a smirk.

Song Mingzhu happily wrapped her arms around her dad’s neck. “Dad, I want popcorn too!”

“Your mom already got it.”

“That’s for Mom! She can eat a whole bucket by herself, there’s no way there’s any left for me!” Mingzhu pouted.

Song Shiyan couldn’t help but laugh. His wife had always loved all kinds of food, and although she had lost some weight, she had slowly started gaining it back. She didn’t seem to mind, though—who was going to stop her?

Once the food was ready, An Xiuxiu carried the tray and looked for a seat. Song Mingzhu excitedly pointed ahead, calling out,

“Hey, Mom, Dad, look! It’s Brother Yu and them! Wow, they’re eating here too! Let’s go over, quick!”

Their daughter was restless in Song Shiyan’s arms, so he put her down. Song Mingzhu happily ran over to the table.

“Brother, Sister, you’re here too! That’s great!” she exclaimed.

Jiang Huairou and the others put down their burgers.

“Mingzhu, who brought you here?”

“My mom and dad! They’re over there!”

Mingzhu pointed to An Xiuxiu and Song Shiyan, who were walking toward them. Shen Yunhe stood up to greet Song Shiyan.

“Hello, I’m Shen Yunhe, the kids’ father.”

“Hello, I’m Song Shiyan,” replied Song Shiyan, who had already guessed Shen Yunhe’s identity from the resemblance between him and the kids.

An Xiuxiu covered her mouth in surprise and exclaimed, “You… are you Commander Shen?”

“You know me?” Shen Yunhe glanced at An Xiuxiu, not recognizing her.

“I saw you from afar when I was in the army. My ex-husband is Luo Yechengg, you must know him well!”

“You’re Luo Yechengg’s ex-wife?”

Shen Yunhe was taken aback; he hadn’t expected to run into his comrade’s ex-wife. From the looks of it, she had remarried and had a cute daughter. She seemed to be living a happy life. He wondered if his old comrade regretted it.

“Yes! I’ve never regretted divorcing him. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be as happy as I am now!”

An Xiuxiu’s face radiated with happiness as she lovingly looked at her husband. Oh, how wonderful it would have been if she had met her dear husband earlier!

Song Shiyan chuckled lightly and reached up to ruffle her hair. Shen Yunhe felt a little awkward, watching the couple, his expression neutral. It felt like they were flaunting their love in front of him.

“Come on, let’s sit down and eat together!”

While the adults were chatting, Song Mingzhu had already sat down and started eating with her older siblings.

“Alright!” Song Shiyan placed the tray of burgers on the table.

“Today, let’s enjoy these with the kids. It’s fun to eat something different once in a while!”

Shen Yunhe smiled, raised his glass of cola, and toasted with Song Shiyan. The two men sat in the middle of the group of children, chatting and laughing.

Jiang Huairou took a bite of fries and looked at Song Mingzhu.

“Next weekend, my parents are taking us to the amusement park. Are you coming?”

“Yes, I want to go too!” Song Mingzhu ran over to her dad. “Dad, next weekend, can we go to the amusement park with brother and sister?”

Song Shiyan picked up his playful daughter, and Shen Yunhe spoke up, “Let’s all go together next weekend. The kids finally have a break, let’s make sure they have a good time.”

“Alright.” Song Shiyan agreed with a smile. Song Mingzhu clapped her hands excitedly.

“Yay! I’ll go with brother and sister too!”

After they finished eating, everyone parted ways. Song Shiyan and Shen Yunhe exchanged contact details and continued chatting happily, moving from talking about the kids to the economy, the conversation growing more lively.

“Yunhe, it’s been great meeting you! Let’s talk more next time!”

Song Shiyan was delighted to have made a new friend.

Shen Yunhe nodded with a smile and shook his hand in farewell. After Song Shiyan left, the kids rushed over.

“Dad, let’s go too!”

“Wait a second!” Shen Yunhe went to the front counter and ordered another set of burgers and cola.

Jiang Huaijin asked in confusion, “Why did you buy another one?”

“There’s a friend who didn’t eat, so I’m bringing them some.”

“Who is it?” The kids looked up at their dad. Shen Yunhe didn’t say anything, just smiling as he ruffled their hair, and led them home.

That night, Jiang Huaijin sat leisurely on the swing, and Shen Yunhe brought out the reheated burger into the yard.

“Guess what Dad brought you?”

Jiang Huaijin looked up, sniffed the air, and smiled happily. “Is it a burger?”

“Great job! And there’s cola too. Do you like it?”

Shen Yunhe handed the burger to his son, watching him with a loving gaze. Jiang Huaijin took a bite of the burger, his voice a bit muffled as he spoke.

“This is the first time I’m eating food… and the first time I’m eating a burger!”

Shen Yunhe felt a pang in his heart, and he took a deep breath.

“Son, if you want to eat anything in the future, just tell Dad. I’ll get it for you.”

“Okay.” Jiang Huaijin continued to eat the burger, and Shen Yunhe handed him the cola to drink.

“Dad, the holiday is almost over, right?”

“Yes, just one more week, and then I’ll be leaving. I want to take you all with me.”

“Mom won’t let us go with you.”

“Sigh, son… I want to remarry your mom, but she still holds a grudge against me and refuses.”

Shen Yunhe sighed, expressing his inner frustration to his son.

“I love your mom, and I love you both. I don’t want to be apart from you, but I just can’t understand why your mom hates me so much.”

Jiang Huaijin finished the burger in his hand, relaxed against the swing’s ropes, and looked up at the moon. He took out a carved wooden doll made from sandalwood.

“Dad, this thing helps you relax. If you put it next to your bed when you sleep, it will help you sleep better.”

“Thank you, son.” Shen Yunhe took the doll, laughing lightly. His son liked dolls, and even gave him one as a gift.