Chapter 89

Shen Yiyi told Mother Li about her plan to return to her parents’ home the next day.

Mother Li had heard a little about it from Li Chen a few days ago, but she didn’t know the details, so she asked: “How long will you be gone?”

“Half a month.” Shen Yiyi replied. “So, I’ll have to trouble you, Mother, to help take care of the Three Baos during that time.”

Taking care of the Three Baos was, of course, not a problem. However, Mother Li hesitated for a moment and asked: “Why are you going for so long?”

Shen Yiyi explained: “Mother, ever since I came here, I haven’t gone back home even once. It’s so far away, and now that I finally have the chance to go, of course, I want to stay with my parents for a while.”

Ten days really wasn’t that long. If she could bring the Three Baos with her, she would have even considered staying until the New Year before returning.

Hearing this, Mother Li realized it had indeed been a long time since Shen Yiyi last visited home. She then smiled and said: “Yes, yes, after so many years, it’s about time you went back for a visit. Go ahead, leave the Three Baos to me. I’ll make sure to take good care of them!”

Shen Yiyi nodded. “Then, Mother, why don’t you stay at our place tonight? I’ve already prepared grain, meat, and vegetables. I’ll bring them over to you later.”

“Alright…” Mother Li was just about to agree when she suddenly caught sight of He Zhaodi coming out of the house from the corner of her eye. Startled, she quickly changed her mind and said: “No, no, no! I’ll go to your place and cook instead.”

Shen Yiyi looked at her in confusion. She didn’t understand why Mother Li had suddenly reacted so strongly. It wasn’t a problem if she went over to cook—she had already prepared enough grain, meat, and vegetables.

She had even set aside a generous portion of meat. Originally, she had planned for the Three Baos to come over and eat, but she knew she couldn’t let them enjoy it alone—she had to consider everyone else as well.

And with that, the matter was settled.

Jiang Ailing saw the large iron pot Shen Yiyi had brought over and approached with a smile. “Mother, since Second Sister-in-law has given you a new iron pot, does that mean we can have the old one?”

The new kitchen had been completed, but it needed a couple of days to air out before being used.

Once it was in use, the kitchenware from the old kitchen would have to be divided up.

Most of the items were easy to distribute, but there was only one iron pot for cooking. This kind of item was valuable and hard to come by—whoever got it would have it, while the others would have to go without. Even if they wanted to buy another, it might not be possible.

And with Father Li and Mother Li present, their third household had no chance of competing against the eldest household for it.

Jiang Ailing had been fretting over this when Shen Yiyi suddenly brought over a brand-new iron pot, solving her urgent dilemma.

Although she was jealous that Shen Yiyi had the ability to acquire such a thing, she still thickened her skin and asked.

Mother Li shot her a glare. “Then the aluminum pot, as well as the ladles and bowls, will all belong to us!”

“Mother, at least leave a few for us, won’t you?” Jiang Ailing was unhappy. Without pots, bowls, and ladles, she would have to buy new ones, which meant spending money again!

“Leave you what?!” Mother Li spat. “If you don’t want to give them up, then we’ll take the iron pot instead.”

Although the iron pot was old, with a chipped edge, it was still far more valuable than ladles and bowls.

Jiang Ailing had no choice but to agree and left angrily.

Shen Yiyi stood to the side watching, realizing that with Mother Li around, she didn’t even need to deal with Jiang Ailing herself.

Since she was going to be away for so many days, Shen Yiyi thought for a moment and decided to visit Lin Daniu.

It had been more than ten days since Lin Daniu had given birth. At this moment, she was leaning against the heated brick bed, weaving something. Her face looked pale and weary, but she was much better than she had been before she had fainted.

When she saw Shen Yiyi enter, her eyes lit up slightly. She sat up a little and smiled. “Yiyi, what brings you here?”

“I came to check on you.” Shen Yiyi said, glancing at the yarn in Lin Daniu’s hands. “What are you knitting?”

“A little hat for An’an.” Lin Daniu replied.

An’an was the name of Lin Daniu’s daughter, carrying the meaning of “peace and safety.”

Shen Yiyi asked: “Didn’t you prepare one before?”

“I did, but her head turned out to be a little bigger than expected, so the hats I prepared before are a bit loose.” Lin Daniu said with a smile, her expression filled with maternal warmth.

Shen Yiyi also smiled and set down the things she was carrying. “Here, I brought a pig’s trotter. Let Chen Qiang stew it for you later. And this is a bag of nuts—keep them for yourself and eat them regularly. They’re great for recovery.”

These were things Shen Yiyi had stocked up on for her trip back to her parents’ home, as well as food she had prepared in advance for the Three Baos over the next half month. She had taken them out from her space, all of which had been properly purchased through legitimate means in the market.

Lin Daniu panicked upon hearing this. “Yiyi, take them back! These things are too valuable—I can’t accept them!”

“I’m not giving them to you for free.” Shen Yiyi said. “Don’t worry, I’ll have Qiangzi give me the money later.”

“I really don’t need them!” Lin Daniu continued to refuse. “You should take them back—”

“You do need them!”

Before she could finish speaking, a voice interrupted her.

Chen Qiang came in, holding An’an in his arms. He peeked his head inside and grinned sheepishly. “Sister-in-law, how much? I’ll pay you!”

“I don’t need to buy these things.” Lin Daniu still wanted to argue.

Shen Yiyi ignored her and turned to Chen Qiang. “Twenty yuan!”

Hearing this, Chen Qiang immediately pulled out two large banknotes and handed them to her, thanking her as he did. “Thanks, Sister-in-law. If you get more of these in the future, feel free to bring them over to us.”

Shen Yiyi didn’t stand on ceremony with Chen Qiang. She knew that ever since he started working with Li Chen, he had earned quite a bit of money. The only issue was that his money couldn’t be openly spent, making it difficult for him to use.

Chen Qiang was about to leave with the baby in his arms when the child whimpered twice and started crying.

He immediately lifted the baby toward Lin Daniu, his expression no longer as natural as it had been in front of Shen Yiyi. Instead, he looked somewhat stiff. “She’s hungry.”

Lin Daniu carefully took the baby into her arms. Just as she was about to feed her, she noticed that Chen Qiang was still standing there. Her tone turned slightly cold. “Go out first.”

Chen Qiang finally reacted. On normal days, it might not have mattered, but with Shen Yiyi present, it did feel a bit awkward for him to stay. He said: “Call me when you’re done.”

Lin Daniu nodded. Chen Qiang hesitated for a moment, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he left.

Shen Yiyi watched from the side, finding it rather interesting.

Reality really had a way of teaching people lessons.

Afraid that Lin Daniu might refuse to eat the food she had brought out of spite toward Chen Qiang, Shen Yiyi added: “I brought these things for you, so you better eat them.”

Lin Daniu understood what Shen Yiyi was trying to say—she was advising her not to let her grievances with Chen Qiang make her neglect her own well-being. Her eyes grew slightly misty, but she forced back her tears. “I know!”

As long as she understood, that was enough.

Shen Yiyi nodded.

She had no intention of advising Lin Daniu any further. One should not lecture others on kindness without experiencing their suffering firsthand. Besides, she didn’t think Lin Daniu needed her advice.

Lin Daniu might not have had much education, but she had endured too many hardships. She was intelligent, resilient, and knew how to adapt to circumstances. She understood better than anyone else what choices were best for her.

After the difficult labor that had left her unconscious and hospitalized, it was certain that she held some resentment toward Chen Qiang.

But in no time, she would still be his caring and devoted wife.

Once An’an was full, Shen Yiyi watched as the little one burped in Lin Daniu’s arms.

She felt an itch in her hands and, unable to resist, asked eagerly: “Can I hold her?”