Chapter 76: Targeting

Shen Sangyu’s face flushed, somewhat unfamiliar with being called by that name.

Wen Qingchuan didn’t introduce the visitor, so Shen Sangyu simply nodded in response.

Wen Qingchuan exchanged a few casual words with the other person, and as they walked into the village, he explained,

“Honglian Village is like a large collective; each household has some relationship, but you don’t have to remember them.”

Shen Sangyu nodded and suddenly asked, “But who were those two just now? I saw that you were having a good chat.”

Wen Qingchuan answered seriously, “I don’t know them.”

Shen Sangyu: “…”

She couldn’t help but glance at the man beside her. He had answered very seriously, making it clear he was being truthful.

“You seemed so happy chatting with people you don’t know,” she teased.

Wen Qingchuan smiled and said nothing.

Having been away from home for ten years, he realized how much had changed. In a decade, many children had been born, and many elderly had passed away.

Time had altered everyone, especially since he had minimal contact with people in the village during his childhood.

As the two talked, they finally stopped in front of a blue brick and tile house.

The house was large one of the only two-story buildings in the village and appeared newly built. The yard was spacious, lined with cherry trees that were almost ripe.

Shen Sangyu was momentarily taken aback but then understood.

The Wen family was complicated. In addition to Wen Qingchuan’s parents, there were also his grandparents.

However, both elderly people had been ill for years, leaving the family struggling financially.

Wen Qingchuan’s younger brother, Wen Chao, worked at the commune, and it was the commune secretary who had supported Wen Chao for Wen Qingchuan’s sake.

Yet, Wen Chao had only been working there for less than a year and was now dating, so he hadn’t saved much money.

It was likely that Wen Qingchuan had sent money to support the family in the past.

As the two stood at the door, they were greeted by Wen Chunyan, who was taking out the garbage.

Shen Sangyu almost didn’t recognize her at first.

In less than half a year, Wen Chunyan had become noticeably darker and thinner.

Wen Chunyan stared blankly at the two of them until Li Shuhua, noticing her standing at the door, came out cursing,

“What are you doing standing there? The dishes in the house haven’t been washed yet…”

When Li Shuhua saw Shen Sangyu, her demeanor changed. Her reaction was much quicker than Wen Chunyan’s, especially as she noticed the bags the couple was carrying.

She hurried over, seemingly forgetting their earlier unpleasant parting, and greeted them with a bright face, “Qingchuan, Sangyu, why didn’t you tell me you were back?”

After the formalities, Li Shuhua’s gaze fell on the large bag in Wen Qingchuan’s hand.

If she wasn’t mistaken, there was malted milk in it!

Malted milk was hard to come by now. Previously, the second daughter-in-law had wanted some but couldn’t find any, yet Shen Sangyu had two cans!

Li Shuhua’s mood lifted significantly as she continued to be polite, “You’re back home, why are you still carrying so many things…”

As she spoke, Li Shuhua reached for the items in Shen Sangyu’s hands.

However, Shen Sangyu quickly stepped back, her eyes alert.

Li Shuhua was puzzled.

Wen Qingchuan stood protectively in front of Shen Sangyu, saying, “Mom, Sangyu bought these snacks herself.”

Li Shuhua: “???”

Her expression shifted, and her face fell: “Why buy so many? Isn’t this a waste of money?”

She had initially assumed the snacks were for her!

Li Shuhua glanced at the items in Wen Qingchuan’s hands. Though there were many, they didn’t seem as valuable as what Shen Sangyu had brought.

Despite her irritation, Li Shuhua decided not to dwell on it and let them in.

The interior of the house was bright, and Shen Sangyu noticed that the lights were larger and brighter than those in the family compound.

Leaning against Wen Qingchuan, she covered her mouth and whispered, “Let’s decorate our home after we go back.”

Wen Qingchuan felt a surge of joy at the word “our home.” He could tolerate Shen Sangyu’s penchant for spending: “We’ll decorate it together when the time comes.”

From her vantage point on the bench, Li Shuhua watched the couple whispering.

Unable to hear what they were saying, she grew more annoyed. “What are you two whispering about?

Sangyu, it’s great that you’re back! You and Chunyan go to the kitchen and wash the dishes.”

Before Shen Sangyu could respond, Wen Qingchuan interjected, “Mom, I’ll wash them. Sangyu has been traveling for two days and isn’t feeling well.”

“I think she’s fine. Can washing dishes really make you lose a piece of meat?

Do you really think you’re a young lady?” Li Shuhua retorted, her tone dripping with disdain.

She still remembered the argument from half a year ago.

At that time, she had spent over a hundred yuan on clothes, but Shen Sangyu only contributed fifty. She had wanted to buy a bicycle but ended up spending only a small portion of her money. Shen Sangyu had nearly ruined her son’s marriage.

Now, her reluctance to wash dishes only fueled Li Shuhua’s dislike for her.

Wen Qingchuan was taken aback by his mother’s words. “I called the commune before we came here.

You should know we’re back today. You didn’t even ask if we had eaten. Now you want Sangyu, who’s been on the road for two days, to wash dishes?

People would think Sangyu came home just to wash dishes!”

Li Shuhua’s eyes widened in disbelief.

She couldn’t fathom that Wen Qingchuan would dare speak to her this way!

“Okay!” Li Shuhua stood up from the bench, furious. “You dare to go against me now? Wen Qingchuan,

I am your mother! Now that you have a wife, you forget your mother and dare to lecture me! Do your military leaders know you act this way?

Do you want me to call back and ask if the army taught you to behave like this?”

Li Shuhua knew of Wen Qingchuan’s high position in the army, and that very knowledge only fueled her dissatisfaction.

In the past few years, he had sent back a substantial amount of money, but since last year, he had only sent five yuan every month without fail!

All of this had changed since Shen Sangyu came into the picture!

Shen Sangyu sighed inwardly and maintained an expressionless demeanor as she observed Li Shuhua’s performance.

Just as Li Shuhua was about to unleash more anger, Shen Sangyu abruptly stood up from her seat.

Li Shuhua was startled, thinking Shen Sangyu was about to confront her.

Instead, Shen Sangyu said, “Mom, where’s the kitchen? Let me wash the dishes today.”

Li Shuhua: ???

This was not the response she had anticipated!

Hadn’t everyone in the family compound claimed that Shen Sangyu was the type who wouldn’t even help with a spilled soy sauce bottle?

Wen Qingchuan wanted to say something but, upon seeing Shen Sangyu’s teasing eyes, he quickly fell silent, a slight smile forming at the corner of his mouth.