Chapter 18

As soon as this thought settled, the wooden door in front of him clicked open.  

“Brother Chen.” Shen Yiyi peeked her head out, her eyes filled with anticipation as she asked: “Do you want to sleep with us? The bed is big.”  

She was wearing a short-sleeved top and shorts, revealing her slender legs. Li Chen quickly looked away, not even processing what Shen Yiyi had said. He instinctively replied: “No…”  

The moment the words left his mouth, he realized what Shen Yiyi had just asked. He wanted to take them back, but the beautiful young woman in front of him already looked disappointed.  

“Alright then.” she said. “Can I let the Three Baos sleep with me instead? I’ll take good care of them.”  

Li Chen wanted to say something to make up for his response, but there was no way to cut in now. He could only mutter gloomily: “…Mm.”  

With that, Li Chen had no choice but to return to his small room alone. He tossed and turned until the latter half of the night before finally falling into a deep sleep.  

Meanwhile, Shen Yiyi, though regretful that Li Chen wasn’t with her, still felt extremely satisfied as she hugged her three obedient sons. She slept soundly, her heart filled with contentment.  

She had planned to wake up at five the next morning to make breakfast for Li Chen. However, she ended up sleeping in a little and only got up at five-thirty.  

Autumn had arrived, and the weather was a bit chilly. The Three Baos were curled up in a bundle, so Shen Yiyi carefully tucked a small blanket over them.  

She draped a coat over her shoulders, took a candle, lit it, and headed to the kitchen to start kneading dough.  

Just as she finished kneading, she heard a noise at the door.  

Shen Yiyi turned her head and met the sleepy gaze of the man standing at the entrance.  

The moment Li Chen saw her, he shivered, instantly wide awake. “Why are you up so early?”  

At the same time, Shen Yiyi asked: “Why are you up so early?”  

“I got up to make breakfast.”  

“I got up to make breakfast.”  

Once again, they spoke in unison.  

The two fell silent for a moment before Shen Yiyi spoke. “I’ll make breakfast. You should go back to sleep for a while—you still have to work later.”  

Li Chen looked at her with a hint of disbelief. “You’re… making breakfast for me?”  

“Yes!” Shen Yiyi nodded without looking up as she cut the dough into strips.  

Li Chen remained silent for a moment. Instead of leaving as she suggested, he stepped inside, washed his hands, and began boiling water.  

Shen Yiyi tried to persuade him again, but he refused to budge, so she gave up.  

With someone tending the fire, she added a few extra slices of cured meat before placing the noodles into the pot. Soon, the rich aroma of the cooking noodles filled the kitchen.  

Once they were cooked, she scooped them into bowls and fried a few eggs, placing them on top of the noodles. The two steaming bowls of fragrant noodles were ready, their enticing scent filling the air.  

During the process, Li Chen silently kept the fire going. Occasionally, his gaze lingered on her, watching as she worked.

Her long, dark hair was casually tied back, with a few loose strands falling against her cheek, making her already gentle features appear even softer.  

In the quiet morning, the scene felt especially warm and peaceful.  

Carrying the bowls to the main hall, they both went to wash up.  

By the time Shen Yiyi finished, Li Chen was already seated at the table, but he hadn’t started eating—he was probably waiting for her.  

As she sat down, she noticed something—there was an extra egg in her bowl.  

She had fried three eggs, placing two in Li Chen’s bowl and keeping one for herself.  

Without hesitation, she picked it up and placed it back into his bowl. “Brother Chen, one is enough for me. You have work to do later—eat more.”  

Li Chen tried to put it back in her bowl, but she quickly cradled her own bowl and dodged him, glaring at him in protest.

Seeing this, Li Chen finally gave up and started eating in big mouthfuls.  

Shen Yiyi, on the other hand, ate more slowly, taking small bites as she casually started a conversation. “I’m planning to go into town today.”

Li Chen paused, lifting his head to look at her. It seemed he hadn’t expected her to casually chat with him. In the past, she had never told him where she was going.  

Shen Yiyi explained: “The package from my parents’ home should have arrived, so I need to pick it up. Also, I want to buy some fabric to make new clothes for the Three Baos. Winter is approaching, and there are many things we need to prepare for the house.”  

“Mm.” Li Chen responded. But after a moment, he felt his reply sounded too indifferent, so he added: “Go ahead. I’ll take the Three Baos with me to work and let them play there.”  

“No need.” Shen Yiyi said. “Isn’t there always someone staying back at the old house to cook? If it’s Mom at home, I’ll ask her to watch them for a bit. I’ll try to return before noon.” Of course, if it was Jiang Ailing, then she would rather not.  

Li Chen nodded.  

Shen Yiyi then asked: “Is there anything you want to buy? I can get it for you while I’m there.”  

Li Chen shook his head. “I don’t need anything.”  

Shen Yiyi expected that answer—he was always so reserved. But it didn’t matter; she would plan for him anyway.  

Just as Li Chen finished his breakfast, the preparatory bell for work rang.  

Shen Yiyi told him to leave the dishes, saying she would wash them later. This time, he didn’t refuse and went back to his room.  

Taking advantage of the moment, Shen Yiyi grabbed Li Chen’s water flask and brought it to the kitchen.

She rinsed it with clean water before filling it with freshly boiled hot water.  

When he arrived in the kitchen, she handed him the flask. “Remember to drink more water.”  

Li Chen hesitated for a moment before taking it. Then, he handed her five large RMB notes. “Buy a few outfits for yourself too.”  

Shen Yiyi stared at the money, not reaching out to take it. “You… how do you have so much money?”  

“I had some savings from before.” Li Chen replied, seemingly unwilling to elaborate. Instead, he stuffed the money into her hands. “I have to go now. You haven’t finished your breakfast—go back and eat.”

After speaking, Li Chen picked up his sickle, hoe, and water flask, then left.  

Shen Yiyi: “……”  

She silently accepted the money, feeling a warm sensation in her heart.

Mm, her Brother Chen was truly a good man!  

After finishing her breakfast, she tidied up the house before heading next door. To her surprise, the one staying back to cook at the old house today was Dahua.  

Dahua looked at Shen Yiyi with a mix of surprise and unease. “S-Second Aunt-in-law, are you looking for me?”  

She knew that her Second Aunt-in-law had a bad temper, was educated, beautiful, and came from a well-off family. This made Dahua feel inferior whenever she faced her.  

“Yes.” Shen Yiyi replied. She didn’t have much impression of Dahua, only remembering that she had married early, but not well. The girl was quiet and reserved, but diligent and honest—entrusting the Three Baos to her would be reassuring.  

“You’re the one staying home to cook today? Can you help me watch the Three Baos for a bit? I’ll be back by noon.”  

“I can, Second Aunt-in-law.” Dahua responded without hesitation, her tone carrying a hint of eagerness to please.  

Shen Yiyi frowned slightly. Dahua’s timid nature was obvious, but she didn’t comment on it. Instead, she took out three cents and stuffed it into Dahua’s pocket. “Thank you. This is for you to buy an ice pop.”  

“Second Aunt-in-law, that’s not necessary…” Dahua knew this was meant as compensation and instinctively tried to return the money.  

Shen Yiyi pressed her hand down firmly. “Keep it.”  

Dahua had no choice but to accept.  

Just as Shen Yiyi was about to leave, she caught sight of Dahua’s timid expression and her frail, almost skeletal frame. In the end, she couldn’t ignore it and asked: “Have you eaten?”  

Dahua quickly nodded. “I have.”  

The moment the words left her mouth, her stomach let out a loud growl. The room fell into an awkward silence.