Chapter 16 Is he sick?

Fu Jingchuan couldn’t figure it out, but at least he was sure Jiang Wan was okay.
He braced himself with one hand on the ground and stood up in one swift motion, quickly turning and leaving the main room.

Even though she had only stayed here one night, the entire room was already filled with her sweet, soft scent.
It made him feel… off.
Somewhere deep inside his body, a wave of heat had risen out of nowhere, rushing wildly through his limbs.

Fu Jingchuan quietly closed the door behind him and left.

Then, with long strides, he walked straight over to the well.
He grabbed a ladle from the bucket and drank a full scoop of water in one go.
His movements were rough—like he was trying to put out the fire burning inside him.

Water trickled from his lips down his neck, soaking the front of his uniform.

“Dad, what are you doing?”
A child’s voice suddenly piped up behind him.

Fu Jingchuan froze and turned his head—
It was Fu Chen, woken by the noise, rubbing his sleepy eyes and standing there groggily.

“…Nothing much. You just woke up?” Fu Jingchuan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he put the ladle back in the bucket.

“Mm. Xiao Yan’s still sleeping… Dad, why did you come back?”

“…Just came to check on things.”

That’s when Fu Jingchuan remembered the real reason he came back—to properly store those two marriage certificates.
But Jiang Wan was still asleep.

He couldn’t just stash the marriage certificates in the woodshed, right?

Fu Jingchuan frowned unconsciously.
His gaze drifted, almost involuntarily, toward the kitchen.

He couldn’t resist. His voice a little hoarse, he asked Fu Chen,
“Who made the food in the kitchen?”

Fu Chen blinked and answered truthfully,
“It was that bad—uh, Auntie Jiang.”

“Mm.”

At that, Fu Jingchuan’s eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.
He paused before replying with a low grunt.

Looking at Fu Chen’s pouting little mouth, he thought for a second, then reached out with a broad, calloused hand and gently ruffled the boy’s hair.

“Fu Chen, I know the previous aunties weren’t very nice to you and Xiao Yan.”

“But I think… this Auntie Jiang is different.”

“You’re not allowed to insult her for no reason. But if she really does anything to hurt you or Xiao Yan, tell me immediately. Understand?”

“…Got it.”

After hearing this, Fu Chen’s big dark eyes trembled a little.

Actually, aside from being a bit fierce and saying some harsh words… this woman hadn’t really done anything bad to them.

She even let them take snacks… and made such delicious food.

Fu Chen couldn’t help licking his lips.
Then suddenly, his expression froze!

He reached out and touched his own belly!

Huh?! It wasn’t hurting!

No stomachache!!

“…”

What was going on?
He’d eaten so much meat… and snacks too.
Why didn’t he get a stomachache?

And his body—he even felt like he had more strength than usual!

“What are you doing?” Fu Jingchuan frowned, not understanding what this little rascal was up to.

Fu Chen looked like he got caught doing something wrong, quickly shaking his head,
“No-nothing!”

“…Alright. Then I’m heading back to the base.”

Fu Jingchuan’s eyes darkened again.
That whole ladle of water he drank earlier? Useless.
His neck still felt hot, and his heart was pounding like crazy.

His thick black brows remained furrowed.
He couldn’t help wondering:
Am I getting sick or something?

Since Jiang Wan was still asleep, he had no choice but to keep the marriage certificates with him for now.
If nothing else, he’d come back again tonight.

“You behave at home, alright? Granny Tang should come make dinner for you soon. I’m leaving now.”

With those parting words, Fu Jingchuan strode off with long strides.

Leaving Fu Chen behind, still frowning and rubbing his stomach, wondering—

What’s going on here? Why doesn’t my tummy hurt??

---

Not long after Fu Jingchuan left, Jiang Wan woke up.

She slowly sat up from bed, feeling something wet on her face.
Reaching up to touch it, she found tear stains at the corners of her eyes.

Her soft pink lips pressed together, and a twinge of bitterness flickered through her watery eyes.

Just now… she had dreamt about the day her parents died.

The memory was a little blurry, but pieces of it still lingered in her mind.

Jiang Wan let out a quiet sigh, got out of bed, and put on her shoes.
She slipped back into her underwear and dress, then walked out of the main room.

In the yard, Fu Xiaoyan was awake too.

She and Fu Chen were sitting on little stools, eyes glued to the front gate.

Jiang Wan’s elegant brows lifted slightly.
She knew exactly what those two were waiting for—Tang Granny again.

As annoyed as she was, she also understood.
The Tang women had been in this household for so long—it wouldn’t be easy for the two kids to stop relying on them overnight.

She didn’t say anything.

Instead, she headed for the kitchen—planning to hide the leftovers!

That cabbage and tofu dish still had tons of meat in it!

If Tang Feng saw it, she’d definitely eat all the meat!
No way!! Absolutely not!!!

Jiang Wan’s beautiful almond eyes flared with fire as she stormed toward the kitchen.

But the moment she looked at the counter—
She froze!

The dishes and bowls that had held the leftovers and rice… were empty!!

Spotless!!

Oh hell no!

Don’t tell me—those two kids got hungry again and ate everything?!

Jiang Wan’s lips parted slightly, her face full of shock.
But then she thought, those two little kids were so young. They had eaten plenty at lunch—how could they have possibly finished all the leftover food too?

Jiang Wan started to feel a bit uneasy.
She was worried—could a stranger have snuck into the house while they were asleep?

She leaned out slightly and called out from the kitchen doorway:
“Fu Chen! Did you two eat the leftover food in the kitchen?”

“Huh?!” Fu Chen was stunned and shouted back loudly, “We didn’t eat it! I was already super full at lunch, I couldn’t eat another bite!”

Fu Xiaoyan chimed in too: “Didn’t eat! I just woke up!”

“…”

Jiang Wan felt a bit panicked now.
But then Fu Chen suddenly let out an “Oh!”

“My dad came back just now! Maybe he ate it?”

“??”
Jiang Wan froze. “Fu Jingchuan came back?”

“Yup! He’s so weird—he came back just to drink a ladle of water…”
Fu Chen paused, then remembered Jiang Wan had asked who ate the leftovers.
He frowned and said puzzledly, “Maybe he was hungry?”

“Came back just to eat?”

“No, that’s not right! The base has food… and water too…”

Fu Chen confused himself with his own logic!

Jiang Wan rolled her eyes helplessly and went back into the kitchen.
Forget it. If it was really him who ate it, then it’s fine.
As long as it wasn’t a stranger sneaking into the house!

“Chenchen~~ Xiaoyan~ Grandma Tang is here~~”