Chapter 8

The atmosphere in the Shen family was completely different from that in the Xu family.

As soon as Xu Zhilu entered the house, she received VIP treatment. This kind of treatment was something Shen Siyan had never experienced.

Shen’s mother was all smiles, and after Xu Zhilu changed her shoes, she took her hand and led her into the house, “Our Zhilu hasn’t come to see Aunt Chen for a few days?”

She pretended to be angry but wasn’t really upset, “You look even prettier after not seeing you for a few days.”

Xu Zhilu couldn’t help but smile silently.

She reached out and hugged Shen’s mother, saying, “I’ve been busy these days, I’ll come every day from now on.”

Upon hearing this, Shen’s mother didn’t hesitate, “You better keep your word and come every day from now on.”

Xu Zhilu: “……”

Shen Siyan watched the two of them, feeling rather speechless.

“Mom.”

He raised his eyelids slightly, asking indifferently, “Don’t we have to go to school?”

Shen’s mother snorted, unceremoniously exposing him, “Zhilu indeed has to go to school, but you certainly don’t.”

Shen Siyan: “……”

Great, there’s no sense of ‘fairness’ in this house for him.

Xu Zhilu glanced at his defeated expression, looking away to stifle her laughter.

Just as Shen Siyan was about to reprimand her, he caught sight of her bright almond eyes and swallowed his words.

The girl’s features were small and exquisite, her face bare of makeup, her big, bright almond eyes like glass marbles, her red lips, and her fair skin. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail, making her look sunny and energetic.

She was still wearing the most ordinary blue and white school uniform. The evening sunset streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a shallow light and shadow on her shoulders, making her look even more fresh and radiant.

Shen Siyan stared at her for a moment before casually looking away.

Shen’s mother glanced at her son, then at Xu Zhilu, knowing exactly what was going on.

Facing Shen’s mother’s gaze, Shen Siyan touched the tip of his nose, and couldn’t say a word to refute, so he could only use a concise and indifferent word, “Oh.”

Shen’s mother: “……”

Xu Zhilu was speechless.

“Zhilu, let’s not bother with him.” Shen’s mother refocused her attention on Xu Zhilu, leading her to the dining room. “Aunt Chen made a lot of your favorite dishes tonight, make sure to eat a lot.”

Xu Zhilu smiled, her lips curving. “Okay.”

She really liked Shen’s mother.

Shen’s mother was one of the few elders who treated her particularly well. Recently, due to her rebirth, Xu Zhilu didn’t know how to face her. Plus, she wanted to avoid Shen Siyan, so she hadn’t come over.

Thinking about this made Xu Zhilu feel an inexplicable sense of guilt.

She clung to Shen’s mother’s arm, playfully saying, “Aunt Chen, how have you been lately?”

Shen’s mother patted her head and said, “I’m doing well. I’d be even better if you came to see me often.”

Xu Zhilu smiled.

The two sat down at the table, and just as Shen Siyan was about to pull out a chair to join them, Shen’s mother gave him a sharp look.

“Shen Siyan, aren’t you going to pour Zhilu some water?”

After sternly speaking to him, she turned to Xu Zhilu with a smile and asked, “Zhilu, would you like lemon water, orange juice, or just plain water?”

Shen Siyan smirked slightly. “She wants yogurt.”

Xu Zhilu: “…… Okay.”

She looked at Shen Siyan, not the least bit polite, and said, “I want yogurt.”

Shen’s mother exclaimed, thought for a moment, then said, “I think we’re out of yogurt.”

Xu Zhilu quickly said, “If there’s none, I’ll drink something else.”

Shen Siyan responded with a hum, “I’ll go check.”

–

After a while, Aunt Chen brought all the prepared dishes.

Aunt Chen’s cooking skills were excellent. Xu Zhilu never gets tired of liking food made by her and Aunt Liu.

As expected, the table was laid out with the dishes Shen Siyan had mentioned earlier, along with soup and vegetables.

Xu Zhilu glanced around and asked softly, “Is Uncle Shen not home?”

Shen’s mother nodded. “He’s on a business trip. We don’t have to worry about him.”

She handed Xu Zhilu a pair of chopsticks and said, “Let’s start eating.”

Xu Zhilu nodded, then asked instinctively, “Where’s Shen Siyan?”

It had been ten minutes since he went to get her water, and he still hadn’t come back.

Aunt Chen, who was helping to set the table, laughed and said, “You haven’t been here for a while. The yogurt in the fridge expired a couple of days ago, so Siyan went out to buy some.”

Shen Siyan didn’t like being called “young master” or similar titles. At home, both the cook and the driver called him by his full name.

Xu Zhilu was stunned.

Seeing her expression, Shen’s mother thought she was embarrassed and quickly said, “That brat must have wanted some for himself too.”

Xu Zhilu nodded. “Mm.”

She thought so too. Shen Siyan wouldn’t go out of his way just because she wanted something.

Seeing her decisive nod, Shen’s mother had an inkling that she might have misspoken. But explaining further would seem too deliberate, so she sighed helplessly and muttered, “There’s a supermarket just around the corner. Why is he still not back after ten minutes?”

As soon as she finished speaking, they heard some commotion from the living room.

Both of them turned to look and saw Shen Siyan carrying a box of yogurt, panting heavily.

It wasn’t clear whether he had rushed too much or the yogurt was too heavy, but beads of sweat were rolling down his cheeks.

Shen’s mother, unfazed, called out, “Hurry up and come eat.”

Shen Siyan responded, grabbed two bottles of yogurt, and walked to the kitchen by the door. When he came out, he had a bottle of cola in his hand.

He handed the two bottles of yogurt to the ladies and opened the can of cola with one hand.

Xu Zhilu couldn’t help but glance at his actions.

Noticing her gaze, Shen Siyan lazily asked, “Want some cola?”

“No.”

Xu Zhilu took a sip of her favorite yogurt, avoiding his eyes. “I was just looking.”

Shen Siyan didn’t think much of it and sat down across from her.

At the Shen residence, Xu Zhilu felt completely at ease.

Maybe it was because she had visited often, or maybe it was Shen’s mother’s enthusiasm that kept her from feeling any restraint.

Although Shen Siyan looked quite cold.
_