As soon as Wen Xin'er left Shen Lu's home and walked a few steps, she ran into Fan Cuiying, whose face had darkened.
Wen Xin'er immediately felt that something bad was about to happen. Before the other party could see her, she turned around and tried to walk in the opposite direction.
A sharp voice called out to her.
"Stop!"
Fan Cuiying was already fuming and looking for an outlet for her anger when she encountered Wen Xin'er.
However, due to Wen Xin'er's status within the Gu Family, Fan Cuiying couldn't say anything, no matter how angry she was.
But unable to vent her pent-up frustration, Fan Cuiying still couldn't help but call out to stop Wen Xin'er.
"Sister-in-law, what's wrong? You look so unhappy."
Wen Xin'er had no idea what had happened yet, so she could only brace herself and speak, trying to get some information from Fan Cuiying.
Fan Cuiying spoke sarcastically, "Nothing, I was just scolded on the mountain."
She would never publicize the great deeds of that little slut Shen Lu.
Seeing this, Wen Xin'er knew it was best not to ask further. She stepped forward and linked her arm with Fan Cuiying's.
She said with an apologetic expression, "I'm sorry, sister-in-law. I genuinely want what's best for the Gu Family. Perhaps I didn't do something right, but I've always treated you like my own sister-in-law. You are my role model."
Wen Xin'er, a young woman, said these words without any shame.
These words successfully improved Fan Cuiying's expression considerably.
Fan Cuiying felt much better after being appeased by Wen Xin'er, so she spoke directly.
"Look at you, child. I've always treated you like my own sister. Don't worry, this has nothing to do with you."
"Blame that little slut Shen Lu for meddling sneakily. Otherwise, you wouldn't have misunderstood. Don't worry, my heart is with you."
Seeing that she had cleared herself, Wen Xin'er tentatively asked.
"How did Shen Lu return unharmed? Could it be that I was mistaken just now?"
Fan Cuiying remained silent about Shen Lu.
She only said, "That little slut Shen Lu, who's asking for a beating, I'll kick her out of the Gu Family sooner or later."
Wen Xin'er saw Fan Cuiying's hateful look towards Shen Lu and her declaration of wanting to kick Shen Lu out. Thinking she had successfully caught a cheating spouse, she couldn't help but feel delighted and casually agreed with Fan Cuiying.
Thus, Wen Xin'er missed the opportunity to learn the truth.
As Shen Lu reached her home's entrance, her mind finally settled. Her neck also began to ache faintly.
Shen Lu then remembered the wound on her neck.
Li Mei peeked out from her home and called out to Shen Lu.
"Sister-in-law, I made too much food today. Why don't you bring the two little ones over to eat at my place?"
Hearing this, Shen Lu didn't try to be strong. After thanking Li Mei, she took the two children to Li Mei's home.
Li Mei thoughtfully prepared a first-aid kit and had Shen Lu disinfect the children's wounds.
It was Shen Lu's first time doing this, and her movements were still a bit clumsy. She accidentally hurt the two little ones' wounds.
The two little ones were clearly in pain, but they didn't flinch at all. Their eyes were fixed on Shen Lu's gentle profile.
Would their mom really not leave them anymore?
The morning had been too taxing. After having lunch at Li Mei's, Shen Lu practically fell asleep the moment she got home.
When Shen Lu woke up in the afternoon, the two little ones were still sleeping.
Shen Lu knew the two little ones had been frightened, so she didn't wake them up.
She went to her desk, opened the translation manuscript.
Shen Lu immersed herself in her translation work. When she looked up again, the sun had already set.
Thinking there wasn't much food at home, Shen Lu picked up her vegetable basket to buy groceries and meat.
When the two little ones woke up, they realized no one was home. They were a little scared at first, but much better than before.
They sat on their small stools, obediently waiting for Shen Lu to return.
When Shen Lu returned with her heavy vegetable basket, she saw that her house lights were on. As she opened the door, she saw the two little ones waiting for her obediently.
It felt so good to have someone waiting for her.
Among the myriad of lights, finally, there was one lit specifically for her.
"I bought a lot of things. I'll make you two something delicious."
Shen Lu said as she went into the kitchen to cook.
Since the ingredients were rather limited, Shen Lu couldn't rely solely on them. Thus, she focused on the seasonings and bought quite a few items.
After all, she would soon have royalty payments. She didn't need to worry too much about money. Shen Lu bought many things, filling the cupboard to the brim.
Shen Lu looked at her efforts with a sense of accomplishment.
She cooked efficiently, while the two little ones perched by the door frame, watching the busy Shen Lu.
The tacit understanding between the three was as if they were playing "Red Light, Green Light."
When Shen Lu turned around, the two little ones, who were secretly watching, froze instantly, feeling very awkward.
Shen Lu, with her back to them, smiled broadly.
Soon, Shen Lu completed two simple dishes: braised pork belly and shredded potato salad.
Shen Lu served each of the children a bowl of rice and then took out two pairs of chopsticks.
The two little ones picked up their chopsticks and began to eat.
They first took a bite of the braised pork belly. Shen Lu's braised pork belly had tender skin and meat, was soft and not greasy, with a rich, thick sauce. Each bite left a lingering fragrance.
Paired with the fluffy rice, it was incredibly satisfying.
The shredded potato salad was crisp and delicious. Shen Lu hadn't used any oil. With one bite, the sour, sweet, and spicy flavors exploded in her mouth, whetting the appetite with each mouthful.
The two little ones were initially a bit hesitant and shy about eating, but after the first bite, their entire focus shifted to the food, completely forgetting their shyness.
Shen Lu propped her head on her hand, smiling as she watched the two little ones devour their meal.
As the chef, Shen Lu's greatest joy was seeing people enjoy the food she made.
Food so delicious that no one had any extra words to speak was undoubtedly the best reward for her.
"Eat slowly. Mom will make more for you tomorrow."
As Shen Lu spoke, she scooped the leftover braised pork belly from the pot into a small plate and sent it over to Li Mei's house opposite.
Li Mei initially tried to refuse.
Shen Lu blocked her by saying, "The two little ones have relied on Sister Li's care for so long. Are you saying you don't consider me your sister, Sister Li?"
"Alright then, I won't be polite."
In this era, it was rare for people to eat braised pork belly that looked and smelled so appetizing every meal. Li Mei couldn't help but swallow.
But she knew how precious this meat was, so she took a small piece of cured meat from her own house beam and handed it to Shen Lu.
Shen Lu tried to refuse, but Li Mei forcefully placed it in her hand.
"Sister Shen, you're a great cook. When you get back, try to figure out how to cook this cured meat deliciously. Teach me when you have time. Every time I cook cured meat, my children and their father find it too salty, wasting such good cured meat."
Shen Lu had witnessed Li Mei's character.
After agreeing, she no longer refused.
The two little ones had slept too much in the afternoon and were full of energy at night.
Shen Lu decided to have the two little ones help her with planting.
She bought some seeds from the supply and marketing cooperative: clustered bird's eye chilies, ginger, garlic, scallions, cilantro, celery, water spinach, mainly seasonings, and some easy-to-grow vegetables.
The garden attached to the house was quite large, about a hundred square meters. Shen Lu planned it out reasonably and began planting.
She thought children would strongly resist farm work, but the two little ones were full of spirit.
It was their first time planting with their mom, and they were very excited.
The seeds they planted were like the hopes they sowed in their hearts.
They couldn't help but wonder if their mom would leave them if she cared for these plants.
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