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Chapter 94
The county town had only three buses heading to the city in the morning—departing at eight, ten, and twelve o’clock.
When Shen Yiyi and Li Chen arrived in the county town, it was not yet eight o’clock. However, they did not intend to catch the eight o’clock bus, as they had plenty of time.
Since they were not in a hurry, they ate breakfast leisurely. The two of them ordered a bowl of wontons, a bowl of porridge, two eggs, two fried dough sticks, and two meat buns.
Whenever Shen Yiyi was with Li Chen, she became particularly finicky.
Even though she had ordered the wontons herself, she lost interest after eating only a few and wanted to trade them for Li Chen’s meat porridge. As for the rest of the food, she merely took a bite or two of each, leaving the leftovers for Li Chen to finish.
Li Chen had a large appetite and was not picky about food. Naturally, he did not mind his wife’s behavior. Whatever she wanted him to eat, he would eat. In fact, before taking anything for himself, he would even ask her if she still wanted it. Only after she refused would he continue eating.
At around nine-thirty, the two of them finally prepared to head to the bus station. They had only just stepped out of the state-owned restaurant when a familiar voice called out from behind them—
“Second Brother! Second Sister-in-law!”
The two turned around and saw Li Dabin speeding toward them on his bicycle. They stopped and waited for him to get closer.
Li Chen then asked: “Big Brother, what’s the matter?”
Panting heavily, Li Dabin finally caught up and managed to say between breaths: “Your… mother-in-law is here.”
“What mother-in-law?” Shen Yiyi asked as she casually took out a bottle of water from her bag, which she had just bought from the state-owned restaurant, and handed it to Li Dabin. “Big Brother, have some water first.”
Li Dabin took several gulps before he finally caught his breath. “Second Sister-in-law, your mother and your younger brother have arrived!”
Her mother? And her younger brother? They are here?
Shen Yiyi was stunned. She exchanged a look with Li Chen and asked again for confirmation: “Big Brother, you’re not joking with me, are you?”
“Of course not! “
Li Dabin affirmed with certainty.
Shen Yiyi found it surreal, almost missing the moment entirely.
Knowing that they were in a hurry to get back, Li Dabin considerately offered them his bicycle, saying that he could walk home instead.
Li Chen did not stand on ceremony. He stuffed two yuan into Li Dabin’s hand, telling him to take an ox cart later, then rode off with his wife on the bicycle, heading home first.
On the way, Shen Yiyi sat sideways on the back seat, holding onto Li Chen’s waist. She could clearly sense that the closer they got to home, the more uneasy Li Chen became.
As for what he was nervous about, Shen Yiyi curled her lips into a smile and called out: “Brother Chen.”
“Hmm?” Li Chen, still pedaling, tilted his ear slightly to listen.
Shen Yiyi hooked her arms around his shoulders and teased: “Is there something you want to ask me?”
Cough.
Li Chen pretended not to understand. “What would I need to ask you?”
Still playing dumb!
Shen Yiyi huffed proudly. “Then I suppose there’s nothing.”
“…”
Li Chen admitted defeat. “Wife, tell me about Mother’s preferences.”
Shen Yiyi couldn’t help but chuckle, letting out a light hum. “Didn’t you just say you had nothing to ask me?”
“Wife~” Li Chen pleaded.
Shen Yiyi giggled and said: “My mother’s favorite thing in the world is me!”
Li Chen: “…”
Shen Yiyi clicked her tongue, patted his back, and emphasized: “I’m not lying. I’m telling the truth!”
And she was telling the truth!
Her original role was that of the wealthy and willful vicious female supporting character in the novel. In order to justify her character’s arrogance and misdeeds, the original author not only gave her a well-off family background but also made her family dote on her to an absurd degree, as if their intelligence had been downgraded solely to spoil her.
Of course, that included her mother as well.
Her mother had previously served as the director of the neighborhood committee. To have reached that position in Beijing was no small feat—she was undoubtedly a strong and efficient career woman.
She could handle anyone with ease, except for her own daughter. When it came to Shen Yiyi, she was utterly helpless.
In the storyline, her mother had doted on her from a young age. Later, when she grew spoiled and unruly, her mother did try to correct her. However, the moment she was too harsh, Shen Yiyi would throw a tantrum, and in extreme cases, even threaten to end her own life.
After experiencing this two or three times, her mother grew fearful and eventually let her do as she pleased.
Later, when she followed Lin Jiadong to the countryside, her mother had even less control over her. Given the distance and fearing that she might do something reckless, her mother was extremely cautious, even in her letters, carefully choosing her words.
“So, you really don’t need to be nervous.” Shen Yiyi said. “As long as my mother sees how you usually are, she’ll definitely like you!”
Li Chen let out a sigh of relief, only to hear his wife chuckle again. “But my younger brother might give you a little trouble!”
That did not worry Li Chen. The boy was only sixteen or seventeen—how hard could it be to win him over?
Shen Yiyi noticed his confidence and raised an eyebrow. Very well, she would just wait and see how he planned to handle her younger brother.
Before long, the two of them arrived home. As soon as Shen Yiyi got off the bike, she saw Mother Li sneaking out cautiously, looking anxious and on edge.
“Second Son, why are you back?” she asked, her voice full of urgency.
“Mother, what’s wrong?” Li Chen asked, confused.
Oh, how anxious Mother Li was!
Hadn’t she already reminded the eldest son? She had told him to send Li Chen away to hide for a while—had he failed to do so, or had he simply forgotten? Useless! Absolutely useless!
Mother Li hesitated, wanting to say something but holding back. With Shen Yiyi standing right there, she felt too embarrassed to speak frankly and could only mumble awkwardly: “It’s nothing.”
“In that case, Mother, if there’s nothing else, we’ll head inside first.” Shen Yiyi said.
“Ah…” Mother Li hesitated before nodding reluctantly.
Shen Yiyi and Li Chen entered the house.
Inside, Mother Shen and Shen Yuxuan were happily playing with the Three Baos, completely unaware of their arrival.
Seeing that familiar figure, Shen Yiyi suddenly paused.
It hadn’t been long since she last saw her mother—just a little over a month ago. Her final memory was of her mother cradling her blood-soaked body, sobbing uncontrollably.
Recalling that scene, Shen Yiyi felt her eyes grow hot.
Li Chen noticed and gently took her hand, giving her an encouraging look.
Shen Yiyi smiled at him, took a deep breath, and called out toward that familiar figure: “Mother!”
The people inside turned at the sound.
Mother Shen froze for a moment when she saw the young man and woman standing at the door.
Beside her, Shen Yuxuan had already jumped to his feet in excitement. “Sister!”
After seven years, the siblings met again, yet time and distance had not made them strangers.
Shen Yiyi shifted her gaze from her mother to Shen Yuxuan. Her younger brother was nine years her junior and had been her little shadow since childhood—the type to follow her around even after she had made him cry.
“Sis, you haven’t changed at all.” Shen Yuxuan said in surprise. He had thought that after spending so many years in the countryside, getting married, and having children, his sister would have turned into an old-looking wife.
Mother Shen also looked over. Although she had already guessed from the sight of the three children that her daughter’s life was not too bad, seeing her in person confirmed that she was actually doing quite well—even better than expected.
If her life had been difficult, she wouldn’t have been able to maintain herself so well.
Shen Yiyi had previously possessed a system and had never needed to do any hard labor, so naturally, she had taken good care of herself. Saying she looked eighteen would not have been an exaggeration.
Without much thought, Shen Yiyi could easily guess what Shen Yuxuan was thinking. She narrowed her eyes dangerously. “Were you looking forward to me turning into an old-looking wife?”
“No, no, no.” Shen Yuxuan waved his hands frantically, his survival instincts kicking in. “Of course, I hope you stay young and beautiful forever!”
Shen Yiyi snorted with amusement. “You’ve grown quite a bit taller, haven’t you? You’re even taller than me now—I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Of course.” Shen Yuxuan said proudly, though he still held grudges. He asked in a sinister tone: “Do you remember how you once told me that I’d never grow taller than you? Does that slap you in the face now?”
“If you were still shorter than me, it wouldn’t just be a slap in the face.” Shen Yiyi retorted bluntly. “Besides, why are you comparing yourself to me? Do you even know that men and women have different body structures? And anyway, you’re still not as tall as your eldest brother-in-law.”
“Sis, I’m only sixteen, okay?” Shen Yuxuan protested indignantly. “I’m still going to grow taller!”
Shen Yiyi didn’t seem too convinced and nodded absentmindedly before smoothly introducing Li Chen into the conversation. “Brother Chen, this is my younger brother! Little brother, this is your eldest brother-in-law. Come on, call him Eldest Brother-in-law!”
Shen Yuxuan had already noticed Li Chen standing beside his sister. The man had a rugged yet handsome appearance and seemed to treat his sister well. However, to Shen Yuxuan, anyone who had taken his sister away—good or bad—was an eyesore.
He had originally planned to ignore him completely, but out of consideration for his sister, he begrudgingly muttered: “Eldest Brother-in-law.”
“Yuxuan.” Li Chen nodded slightly—neither overly friendly nor distant, but just enough to avoid seeming cold.
After dealing with Shen Yuxuan, Shen Yiyi pulled Li Chen over to Mother Shen. “Mom…”
Having not seen her daughter for so long, Mother Shen could no longer keep up her stern facade. She shot Shen Yiyi a glance. “So you still remember I’m your mother?”
“What kind of nonsense is that?” Shen Yiyi let go of Li Chen, sat down beside her mother, and wrapped her arms around her neck, acting coy. “Mom, I’m really happy to see you.”
Mother Shen had not come all this way just to hold a grudge against her daughter. Besides, with Mother Li and Li Chen present, it wouldn’t be appropriate to keep a cold expression and put Shen Yiyi in an awkward position. She relented awkwardly: “At least you still have a conscience!”
Shen Yiyi grinned, then stood up and grabbed Li Chen’s hand. “Mom, this is my man, Li Chen! Brother Chen, this is my mom—hurry, call her ‘Mom’!”
“Mom!” Li Chen called out immediately, his demeanor calm as usual. However, Shen Yiyi could tell he was slightly nervous.
Mother Shen, however, was not as kind toward the son-in-law who had taken her daughter away. She questioned him sternly: “Don’t call me ‘Mom’ just yet. You went ahead and married my daughter without informing me or her father—do you think that was appropriate?”
Nearby, Mother Li, who had been keeping the three children from disturbing Shen Yiyi and Mother Shen’s reunion, felt her heart skip a beat. She looked over nervously.
“Mom!” Shen Yiyi wanted to say something, but Li Chen stopped her. Taking full responsibility, he admitted without hesitation: “Mom, I’m sorry. That was my mistake. But I am serious about Yiyi—please believe me.”
In the letter Shen Yiyi had sent through Zhao Youliang to her parents, she had already explained everything except for the part about following the storyline. However, Mother Shen had never seen the letter.
Now, as she looked at her daughter’s expression, she could tell there was more to the story—perhaps even that her daughter was at fault.
Yet, seeing Li Chen take all the blame upon himself made Mother Shen develop a much better impression of her son-in-law.
Her expression softened as she glanced at the large and small bags behind them and asked: “Are you planning to visit me and her father?”
“That’s right.” Shen Yiyi quickly answered. “It was your son-in-law’s idea!”
“Who asked you?” Mother Shen rolled her eyes at her, but the next second, she hesitated, glancing at her daughter somewhat nervously.
Shen Yiyi keenly noticed this and felt a pang of sorrow. She knew her mother was worried she might get upset again. So, she scooted closer, sat beside her mother, and grinned cheekily. “What, I can’t answer on my own?”
Mother Shen let out a quiet sigh of relief, though she was also surprised that her daughter hadn’t lost her temper. Still keeping up appearances, she said stiffly but with a noticeably softer tone: “Say whatever you want!”
“Aiya.” Shen Yiyi cooed, leaning against her mother’s shoulder: “Mom, I missed you so much!”
Mother Shen: “…”
Had her daughter been possessed?
But despite her confusion, her attitude finally softened. She gave Shen Yiyi a half-hearted glare, and Shen Yiyi responded with a playful grin.
Mother Shen couldn’t help but smile a little, and the atmosphere lightened.
Shen Yiyi secretly winked at Li Chen, who curled his lips into a slight smile and discreetly gave her a thumbs-up.
Mother Shen noticed their silent exchange.
Although she still had many unanswered questions, she felt much more at ease.
On the other side, Mother Li also exhaled in relief. Crisis averted—Li Chen wasn’t going to be beaten to death after all.
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stillnotlucia[Translator]
Hi~ If you want to know the schedule of updates, please visit the Novel's Fiction Page and look at the bottom part of the synopsis! Thank you so much for reading my translations! ૮꒰˵• ﻌ •˵꒱ა PS. You can also read my translations in my PATREON