Chapter 98

Li Chen and the others went hunting and only returned by dusk.  

Shen Yuxuan and Li Sanhong arrived first, bringing back a total of eight wild pheasants, five wild rabbits, one roe deer, and two wild mountain goats.  

Before Shen Yiyi could ask anything, a commotion outside passed by her doorstep. Amidst the noise, she vaguely heard the words “wild boar.”  

Shen Yuxuan’s expression was filled with excitement. “Sister, let’s keep these things at home for ourselves. We’ve brought them back first. Eldest Brother-in-law also caught a wild boar and has already called the villagers to help carry it. I’m going to help too!”  

After saying that, he and Li Sanhong, who was equally unable to contain his excitement, ran off again.  

Having grown up in the city, Mother Shen had never witnessed such a scene. Without hesitation, she took Xiao Bao and Mother Li along to join the excitement.  

Shen Yiyi did not go. She had just noticed how dirty Shen Yuxuan was and figured that Li Chen, along with Da Bao and Er Bao, would be no better. She decided to heat two large pots of water so they could wash up when they returned.  

Just as the water finished boiling, Li Chen returned alone. The mud and blood on him were even worse than on Shen Yuxuan.  

Shen Yiyi hurriedly stepped forward, her face full of concern. “What happened to you? Why is there so much blood? Are you injured?”  

Li Chen patted the bloodstains on his clothes. “No, it’s the blood of the prey.”  

Shen Yiyi let out a breath of relief and scooped some water for him to wash his hands. “That’s good. Where are Da Bao and Er Bao?”  

“They went with Yuxuan to watch the pig being slaughtered.”

“Why do they love excitement so much?” Shen Yiyi muttered before asking: “They didn’t get hurt, did they?”  

“No. The moment there was any danger, I told them to climb the trees.” Li Chen reassured her. “I wouldn’t let them get hurt. Don’t worry.”  

If Da Bao and Er Bao really got injured, wouldn’t his wife skin him alive?  

Since Li Chen was their father, Shen Yiyi trusted him and didn’t press further. Instead, curiosity got the better of her. “I heard you caught a wild boar? You’re amazing!”  

Her praise was generous, making Li Chen feel elated. With a hint of pride in his voice, he said: “That’s right! It’s even bigger than the one you encountered last time.”  

Shen Yiyi looked at his smug expression. “…”  

Unable to help herself, she rained on his parade. “But it’s still too dangerous. You need to be more careful next time, understand?”  

“Got it!” Li Chen replied. “But don’t you already know what I’m capable of? I never charge into anything unless I’m confident!”  

“…” No matter what, he always found a way to praise himself.  

Shen Yiyi couldn’t help but laugh.  

This man—seriously!

Maybe after observing her for a month and realizing that she truly intended to build a life with him, he had become increasingly relaxed around her. His shamelessness had also grown.  

“Alright, as long as you’re confident.” Shen Yiyi smirked and aimed right for his weakness. “Just remember, if anything happens to you, I’ll take the Three Baos and remarry. I’ll have them call someone else ‘Dad’!”  

Li Chen’s expression instantly turned serious. “Not allowed!”

“You think just because you say it’s not allowed, it won’t happen? If something happens to you, you won’t be able to stop me.” Shen Yiyi taunted.  

Li Chen reached out to grab her.  

Shen Yiyi couldn’t escape. She struggled while laughing. “Don’t touch me! Ahhh, you’re filthy! I boiled hot water—go wash up first… mmph!”  

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was home, Li Chen pulled his wife into his arms and kissed her fiercely.  

Shen Yiyi nearly lost her mind. The mud and grime on him had rubbed off on her clothes. “You better wash my clothes properly later, I’m telling you!”  

“Alright!” The fully satisfied man was particularly obedient. He rubbed his nose against hers and bargained: “Wife, can you stop saying things like that just to make me mad?”  

“Of course not.” Shen Yiyi replied bluntly. “I have to remind you all the time, or else how would you know how serious the consequences are?”  

“…”  

“Hurry up and take a bath before Mom and the others get back.” Shen Yiyi pushed him.  

“We should deal with the game first, or it’ll just make another mess later.” Li Chen said.  

Shen Yiyi looked at the pile of prey. “But how should we divide it?”  

Since Li Dabin and Li Sanhong had joined the hunt, they would definitely need a share.  

“Give Eldest Brother and his family two pheasants, one rabbit, and one mountain goat. Give Li Sanhong one pheasant. We’ll keep the rest for ourselves.” Li Chen decided.  

On this hunting trip, Li Chen had been the main force, while Shen Yuxuan was the most enthusiastic. Li Dabin, with his great strength, had also helped a lot.

Li Sanhong, on the other hand, was slow to react and not as agile as the others. At the first sign of danger, he would run. During the wild boar hunt, he had even dragged them down—Li Dabin ended up with a cut on his hand while trying to save him.  

The only thing he managed to do was work with Er Bao to corner a pheasant. Later, when the village divided the wild boar meat, everyone who had gone hunting would surely get a good share. Giving him a single pheasant was already more than enough.  

“Alright.” Shen Yiyi had no objections. She set aside Li Dabin’s and Li Sanhong’s portions, leaving them with five pheasants, four wild rabbits, one roe deer, and one mountain goat.  

“Let’s make lamb soup today.” Shen Yiyi suggested. “It’s too cold, and this will warm us up. The rest should either be air-dried or cured—it won’t spoil in this weather anyway.”  

“Alright.” Li Chen completely followed his wife’s lead and began processing the game.  

Just as they were finishing up, Mother Shen, Shen Yuxuan, and the Three Baos returned, carrying wild boar meat.  

Each of the adults who participated in the hunt received 20 jin of wild boar meat. Normally, Shen Yuxuan, not being a resident of Qing Shui Village, wouldn’t have been given such a large share.  

However, because Mother Shen had bonded so well with the village women the day before and spoke highly of Shen Yuxuan, he also received 20 jin of meat.  

Shen Yuxuan was overjoyed. The moment he saw Li Chen, his eyes practically sparkled. He and Er Bao—one big, one small—chased after Li Chen, chattering non-stop, bombarding him with questions about hunting techniques.  

They both looked like little fanboys.  

Shen Yiyi: “…”  

Her little brother had been won over by her husband this quickly. She wasn’t sure if she should be happy or not.