Chapter 16

Shen Yan, who had been called out by name, frowned and said with obvious displeasure,
“Wife, what’s this crazy woman outside looking for me for?”

“Pfft!”

Gu Keqing couldn’t help but laugh when she heard Shen Yan actually call Qi Zhilan a crazy woman.

“My man is so outstanding—she’s probably got a thing for you, so she’s just making up excuses to come here and get close to Mom and Sister-in-law.”

Shen Yan’s brows furrowed even deeper. “Like me? Hah~ After dinner, I’d better go tell the team leader. Behavior like hers is harassment—someone like that doesn’t deserve to be a zhiqing and should be sent to the cowshed.”

Gu Keqing: ??? Wow, the male lead’s moral awareness is this high?

“Let’s eat first—try the chicken soup and see if it suits your taste.”

She took Shen Yan’s hand and led him into the washroom, scooping water for him to wash his hands.

Following behind them, Han Dashuan saw everything, then walked up to Qi Zhilan with a mocking tone.
“What are you doing? Coming here to make a scene? And you call yourself a zhiqing. Go on, get out!”

“Mind your own business—I’m looking for Shen Yan!”

Qi Zhilan pushed past him, trying to head inside.

“Hold it. First tell me what you want with Yan-ge.”

From the very first time Han Dashuan saw Qi Zhilan, he knew she had feelings for Shen Yan—
so there was no way he’d let her stir up trouble in the Shen household.

He was afraid this woman would ruin Shen Yan’s reputation.

“I… I wanted to ask him to take me hunting in the mountains.”

Qi Zhilan quickly made up a lie.

“Hunting? I’m your guy for that. Everyone in Caohua brigade knows I’m the best hunter around. What are you going to him for? He’s a sickly type—can’t even climb a mountain.”

Han Dashuan, a stalk of foxtail grass dangling from his lips, spoke with a lazy grin.

When Shen Yan—just done washing his hands—heard Han Dashuan call him “sickly,” he curled his lips and said,

“Wife, see if Dad and the older brothers are back yet—let’s start the meal.”

The smell of meat in the main hall was already wafting out of the courtyard. Father Shen and his two sons had caught the scent and quickened their pace home.

“Get out of my way—I must see Shen Yan today!”

Qi Zhilan stubbornly tried to force her way in.

Her persistence irritated Mother Shen.

She had once been a young woman herself, and she could tell Qi Zhilan’s intentions were anything but pure.

“Comrade Qi, you’d better go back. Running to a married man’s house and causing a fuss is very improper. You… you’re not here to scrounge a meal, are you?”

Mother Shen’s words cut deep, stabbing straight into Qi Zhilan’s heart.

In her previous life, it hadn’t been like this!

In her last life, Mother Shen had liked her.

Everyone had liked her.

Why had everything changed in this life?

“Third! See the guest out!”

Father Shen’s firm voice startled Qi Zhilan.

“This way, please!”

Shen Ming glared fiercely at her, tightening his grip on the shovel in his hand.

Qi Zhilan: What am I, some kind of monster? Why is everyone treating me like this?!

“Wait—take your things with you. Our Shen family doesn’t need them!”

Shen Zhiyun ran out, stuffed Qi Zhilan’s gifts back into her hands, then darted back inside, bolting the gate behind her.

Qi Zhilan bit her lip, barely holding back her tears.

Shen Long, worried about his wife’s health, quickly came over to support her. “Slow down—she’s not worth running for.”

His voice was loud enough for everyone inside and outside the yard to hear.

Old Lady Chen, still licking her bowl after finishing her meal, chuckled. “Oh my, got kicked out? What a disgrace.”

“Mind your own damn business, you old hag!”

Qi Zhilan, full of pent-up anger, lashed out at Old Lady Chen.

But who was Old Lady Chen?

Someone who never took a loss, that’s who.

She set down her chipped bowl, ready to throw down with Qi Zhilan.

Aunt Xu rushed over to break them up before it got physical.

It took quite a while before the two were separated.

Qi Zhilan shot one last resentful glance at the Shen family’s courtyard and thought to herself:

Too many people this time. Mother Shen must’ve been embarrassed to accept my gifts. Next time, I’ll come when there are fewer people.

It had to be said—the novel’s heroine really was dramatic.

Like an unkillable cockroach, her fighting spirit was frighteningly strong.

Once the yard quieted down again,
the Shens had almost finished off both chickens.

Shen Ming couldn’t stop eating, praising non-stop: “Second sister-in-law, where did you buy this hen? It’s so tasty—way better than the ones raised by the brigade.”

Gu Keqing smiled and placed a good piece of meat into his bowl. “If you like it, eat more. I’ll be going to town the day after tomorrow, so I’ll buy two more and make them in different ways.”

“That’s great—second sister-in-law, you’re the best!”

Shen Ming grinned so wide his eyes almost disappeared.

Han Dashuan rubbed his full belly and sighed. “This is just amazing—better than the wild pheasants in the mountains.”

Gu Keqing snickered inwardly: Of course it’s good—these are farm-raised hens from my space’s manor, fed on special feed you can’t buy anywhere. Of course they’re delicious.

But she didn’t show it on her face and instead said, “Next time I’ll bring two back and send them to the team leader so he can try them too.”

Hearing that, Han Dashuan lit up at the thought of more free food. “Then I’ll thank you in advance, sister-in-law.”

After a glance at Shen Yan’s expressionless face, he relaxed and went back to drinking his soup.

After dinner, Gu Keqing and Shen Yan went back to their room to rest.

Qi Zhilan did the dishes, with Shen Long and Shen Ming helping.

The Shen family were people who knew how to be grateful. They knew that meal had cost a lot, and that Gu Keqing had bought gifts for everyone—so they refused to let her do any chores.

Gu Keqing pushed Shen Yan toward the bath, then slipped into her space in secret.

That afternoon, Old Lady Chen had mentioned her little grandson had no formula to drink and had been crying from hunger.

Her compassion had been stirred.

Her space had more than enough formula and supplements, so she decided to take out a few cans to do the neighbor a favor.

Good relationships could be very useful later.

She transferred the formula from the English-labeled cans into glass jars, added handwritten labels, sealed them, and stepped out of the space.

“Aunt Chen, you home?”

She knocked and heard a baby crying inside.

“I’m here—coming!”

Old Lady Chen opened the door and immediately noticed the glass jars in her hands, with words she didn’t recognize written on them. “Shen Yan’s wife, what’s this?”

“Auntie, I went to town to shop today and picked up some formula. I heard you say your baby’s been going hungry at night, so… if you don’t mind, please take this for him.”

Gu Keqing’s words were perfectly phrased, touching Old Lady Chen deeply. The older woman wiped at the corners of her eyes with her rough hands and thanked her repeatedly. “Thank you, Shen Yan’s wife.”

“No need to thank me—we’re neighbors, helping each other is just what we should do. I was even thinking of asking you to make me a few pairs of shoes in a few days.”

Old Lady Chen’s face brightened—she wasn’t about to just take someone’s gift for nothing. She patted her chest and promised, “Leave the shoes to me. Just tell me your size tomorrow, and I’ll have them done for you in no time.”