Chapter 12

Shen Yuebai saw that Grandma Xu’s expression was normal and assumed she couldn’t hear Xu Jiajia’s inner thoughts.

He stepped forward and asked, “Grandma, I heard from the villagers that Zhao Chunlan came by. Did she give you any trouble?”

Grandma Xu recalled Zhao Chunlan being driven to tears by Shen Zhou and couldn’t help but smile. Her wrinkled face radiated warmth, with laughter rippling outward like gentle waves.

“She? Shen Zhou chased her off with his antics.”

Shen Yuebai had complicated feelings toward his younger brother Shen Zhou. Deep down, he didn’t want any connection with him, but he couldn’t help paying attention to him.

“As long as you weren’t at a disadvantage.”

Grandma Xu continued, “That Shen Zhou even gave us wedding money.”

Shen Yuebai hesitated before responding, “Grandma, he hasn’t officially separated from the family. It’s not appropriate to take that money; we should return it.”

As Xu Jiajia came out of the house and overheard this, she glanced at Shen Yuebai and replied smartly, “I know you don’t want anything to do with that family, but Shen Zhou isn’t the same as his mother. If you get closer to him, it’ll drive Zhao Chunlan crazy. Think about it—defeating your enemy without lifting a finger. Isn’t that satisfying? Want to give it a try?”

Shen Yuebai found the idea surprisingly appealing. His gaze toward Xu Jiajia softened. “Alright, I’ll go home this afternoon.”

Xu Jiajia patted him on the shoulder. “That’s the way. Broaden your perspective, and you’ll feel better too.”

Grandma Xu chuckled, “Do you think Zhao Chunlan will lose her mind over this?”

Xu Jiajia grinned mischievously. “Getting stabbed in the back by her own son? It’ll definitely sting.”

Grandma Xu gazed at her with affection. “You’re full of wicked ideas!”

“She bullied Ah Yue first! Hmph, if she doesn’t want him to live well, then I won’t let her live peacefully either!”

Xu Jiajia raised her chin proudly, her radiant smile catching the morning sunlight. The golden glow made her look luminous and captivating.

Shen Yuebai’s heart raced as if it were about to leap out of his chest. In that moment, he realized he was completely smitten.

Grandma Xu looked from one to the other and felt she might be intruding. Covering her mouth, she tiptoed into the house.

At the door, she couldn’t resist sneaking a peek at the two of them through a crack. “The atmosphere’s heating up—why haven’t they hugged yet?”

The sooner they got closer, the sooner she could hold a great-grandchild!

Xu Jiajia noticed Grandma Xu peeking from behind the door. She walked over and stuck her head out too. “Grandma, what are you doing?”

Startled by Xu Jiajia’s sudden voice, Grandma Xu stammered, “Why are you here?”

She’d just been in the courtyard moments ago, and now the girl was right in front of her. Did she walk without making a sound?

Xu Jiajia’s forehead creased in exasperation. “I should be asking you that! Were you spying on us?”

Grandma Xu’s guilty expression flashed briefly before she straightened her neck. “I was not! Hmph, I’m going to mend some quilts. Move aside.”

Xu Jiajia: “…”

Grandma’s really stubborn!

Meanwhile, Shen Yuebai, recalling how he’d almost hugged Xu Jiajia earlier, felt his face flush. “Jiajia, are we heading to the meat factory?”

Xu Jiajia nodded. “Sure, let me grab some biscuits from the kitchen to eat on the way.”

After grabbing breakfast, Xu Jiajia called out, “Grandma, I’m heading to town for the meat.”

“Alright, come back early.”

“Got it—”

The last time Xu Jiajia went to the meat factory, she didn’t bring Shen Yuebai along.

This time, it was his first time meeting her classmates.

A proper introduction was inevitable.

Pointing to Shen Yuebai, Xu Jiajia told Wang Jun, “This is my fiancé, Shen Yuebai. We’re getting married tomorrow, so don’t forget to come for a drink. Just you and Liao Mei know, since you’re my high school classmates.”

Wang Jun was stunned by Shen Yuebai’s striking appearance. Wow! This guy is so handsome! In his military uniform, he looked upright, tall, and exceptionally dashing.

Oh my goodness!

Xu Jiajia had struck gold!

Wang Jun gave her a thumbs-up. “You’ve got skills! This guy is leagues better than the last one.”

Xu Jiajia smirked proudly. “Of course! The last one was arranged by my grandpa. This one? I picked him myself. Totally different!”

Wang Jun admired no one but Xu Jiajia.

“You’re incredible!”

Not wanting Shen Yuebai to feel left out, Wang Jun turned to him and asked, “Comrade Shen, which unit are you with?”

As a soldier, Shen Yuebai couldn’t disclose his unit number. He simply replied, “A unit in Jiangsu Province.”

Like many men, Wang Jun had dreamed of being a soldier. He thumped his chest and asked eagerly, “Comrade Shen, do you think someone like me could join the army?”

Shen Yuebai sized him up—about 1.65 meters tall with muscular arms visible under his vest.

His physique was even better than Shen Yuebai’s when he first enlisted.

“You’ve got a job, so there’s no need to enlist.”

Wang Jun sighed, “I’ve always wanted to join the army, but my mom won’t let me. She even threatened to die if I tried.”

Shen Yuebai responded, “Being a soldier is tough. Your mom’s concern is understandable.”

After chatting with Shen Yuebai for a while, Wang Jun turned back to Xu Jiajia. “Your taste is top-notch. How about finding someone for me? I don’t need someone super pretty—just someone kind and capable.”

Xu Jiajia didn’t believe him. With a job and city residency, what kind of girl couldn’t he find? Why would he need her help? “Get lost! Don’t tease me!”

Wang Jun, afraid she wouldn’t believe him, admitted the truth. “Sure, there’ve been matchmakers, but I haven’t liked any of them. They all felt a bit off.”

Xu Jiajia’s curiosity was piqued. “How many blind dates have you been on?”

Wang Jun stopped cutting meat and counted on his fingers. “More than ten, I think.”

Xu Jiajia rolled her eyes at him. “No wonder you’re confused. Don’t tell me you think having a job lets you make ridiculous demands on women?”

Wang Jun laughed in exasperation. “Do you really think I’m that kind of guy?”

Xu Jiajia replied honestly, “I don’t know. After all, dating and friendship are different. Who knows what you’re thinking?”

Wang Jun’s face darkened, and he gritted his teeth. “Xu Jiajia, I’m about to cut ties with you.”

Afraid he’d take back the meat, Xu Jiajia quickly handed it over to Shen Yuebai.

Her swift move nearly made Wang Jun explode with anger. Knowing Xu Jiajia for so long, this was the first time he found her so infuriating.

“Get lost, get lost! I don’t want to see you!”

Xu Jiajia grinned cheerfully. “Alright, I’m leaving.”

Wang Jun ground his teeth. “Leave—now!”

With a playful smirk, Xu Jiajia quipped, “I won’t roll. How about you show me how?”

Worried he’d get so angry he’d shorten his lifespan, Wang Jun waved her off. “Just go!”

As they walked out of the meat factory, Xu Jiajia couldn’t stop smiling. Her good mood was infectious, and even Shen Yuebai couldn’t help but smile. “Aren’t you afraid your classmate will really fall out with you?”

Xu Jiajia was confident. “No way! He can take a joke.”

After picking up the meat, they hurried home.

When they arrived, Xu Jianguo was there. Seeing Xu Jiajia’s sunburned face, he handed her a bamboo fan. “The sun is so strong. Why don’t you wear a hat when you go out? Even a scarf would be better than this.”

…

Shen Yuebai placed the meat on the table, grabbed some candy, and headed back to the Shen family home.

Shen Zhou was feeding the chickens. When he saw Shen Yuebai return, he immediately dropped the chicken feed and ran over. “Brother, you’re back!”

Shen Yuebai handed him the candy he’d brought.

Shen Zhou was stunned, his voice trembling with excitement. “Brother, is… is this for me?”

Shen Yuebai’s tone was steady. “Yes, take it. Consider it part of the celebration.”

Shen Zhou was so moved he almost cried. “Brother, I knew you cared about me. Don’t worry; if Mom ever bullies you again, I won’t let her off!”

This was exactly the effect Shen Yuebai wanted, but he feigned indifference. “That’s not a good idea. After all, she’s your mother. If you go against her, people will gossip.”

Shen Zhou shrugged, unconcerned. “As if there’s any shortage of gossip about our family.”

Shen Yuebai: “…”

When Zhao Chunlan returned from work and saw no smoke rising from the chimney, she shouted at the top of her lungs, “Shen Zhou! Shen Zhou, come out here!”

Shen Zhou had been engrossed in his brother’s stories about the military, and the interruption made him angry. “Why are you yelling? I’m not deaf!”

Zhao Chunlan, hurt by his attitude, snapped, “I told you to cook. Where’s the food?”

Only then did Shen Zhou remember her earlier instructions. But even though he was in the wrong, he refused to admit it. “Eating later is the same.”

Zhao Chunlan was so angry she trembled. “You… You’re trying to drive me to my grave so your father can remarry, is that it?”

Shen Zhou looked alarmed. “Don’t! I don’t want to end up with a stepmother like my brother did. That’d be unbearable.”

Zhao Chunlan burst into tears again, feeling that her sacrifices went unappreciated. “Ungrateful brat! Everything I do is for you and your siblings, so there’s less to divide later, and you and Sanmao get a bigger share!”

Shen Zhou scoffed, clearly uninterested. “I don’t care, and neither does my brother.

Mom, ten years ago, college graduates were valued. But look now—universities are shutting down. What does that tell you? Times change. Who knows what the future holds? Maybe one day we’ll all be running businesses!”

Afraid someone might overhear such bold statements, Zhao Chunlan’s face turned pale. “Are you crazy? Think before you speak!”

Shen Zhou snorted. “Anyway, you’re not allowed to target my brother or interfere with his wedding. If you do, I swear I’ll never marry in my life.”

Zhao Chunlan, utterly defeated, sighed. “I must’ve given birth to my own karma.”

Shen Zhou replied smugly, “Good that you know.”

Inside the house, Shen Yuebai overheard the entire exchange. Seeing Zhao Chunlan at a loss for words brought him immense satisfaction.

But he still felt it wasn’t enough.

“Shen Zhou, I’m staying for dinner today. Check what ingredients we have.”

Like an eager shop assistant, Shen Zhou immediately ran over. “Sure, Brother! We have eggs and preserved fish.

Brother, you work so hard in the military. Let me kill a chicken for you.”

Shen Yuebai nodded. “Alright.”

Zhao Chunlan, furious and helpless, wanted to strangle her rebellious son. She stormed into the yard, ready to explode, only to see Shen Zhou heading to the chicken coop with a cleaver. She rushed to stop him. “We only have three chickens left! No one’s allowed to touch them!”