Shen Ruohan nodded, "Dad, I understand."
The two of them left Shen Da and Zhang Laifeng's room, exchanged a look, and walked toward Xu Qinglan's room. After some comforting, Xu Qinglan led Shen Kang out of the room and they all walked toward the Main Hall.
The Main Hall was filled with the fragrance of Maocai, and the four of them uncontrollably swallowed their saliva.
Shen Ruoxi came over carrying bowls and chopsticks from the Kitchen, smiling as she spoke to the group, "Come, everyone sit down and eat. I'll figure out a way to buy some rice tomorrow; just make do with this today."
One cannot strike a smiling face; even though they hated Shen Ruoxi, it was difficult for them to lose their temper. They silently sat on the stools but did not start eating.
To be honest, they were quite hesitant to eat what Shen Ruoxi had prepared.
Seeing this, Shen Ruoxi served the Maocai into bowls one by one. "Try it, it's very delicious." As she spoke, she ate a piece of Konjac Tofu herself. After swallowing, she said, "Eat without worry, there's no problem."
Shen Kang, being two or three years old, lacked the self-control of adults. He was hungry, grabbed the food as soon as he saw it, and since he didn't know how to use chopsticks yet, he used his hands directly.
Xu Qinglan quickly snatched it away, "Don't eat..."
Shen Kang looked longingly at the food bowl, his expression timid, which was heartbreaking to see.
Shen Ruoxi reached out, took Shen Kang's food bowl, and fed him with chopsticks. "Sister-in-law, what happened before was my fault. If you want to hate someone, hate me. Kang'er is little; don't scare him."
She pursed her lips, "Sister-in-law, I will strive to find Big Brother and bring him back. I wronged you, and I will work hard to make amends."
Xu Qinglan got up and ran back to her room, leaving behind the sound of quiet sobbing.
Shen Kang jumped off the stool and ran after Xu Qinglan, "Mom..."
Xu Qinglan shut the room door, leaving behind the words, "Go eat."
Shen Kang stood at the room door, unsure what to do.
Shen Ruoxi carried Shen Kang back and continued to feed him. Seeing that Shen Ruohao and Shen Ruohan were not touching their chopsticks, she asked, "Are you waiting for me to feed you too?"
The two had been stunned by Shen Ruoxi's words earlier and hadn't recovered. Hearing her question, they quickly picked up their chopsticks and began eating in a way that looked like they were covering up.
While eating, the two exchanged glances repeatedly. Had Shen Ruoxi truly changed her ways? That seemed unlikely! She was probably brewing up some greater evil, using this "kindness" now to lull them into a false sense of security!
Huh?
This dish tastes incredibly good, better than any food they had ever eaten. How did she cook this?
Wait, could this be their last supper?
The two looked at their empty bowls, and a chill ran down their spines.
At this moment, Shen Ruoxi had also finished feeding Shen Kang. "Do you want more?"
Shen Kang shook his head, "I'm full."
Shen Ruoxi patted Shen Kang's head and coaxed him, "Then sit here for a bit. After Second Aunt finishes eating, I'll get hot water for your bath, okay?"
Shen Kang nodded, responding in a childish voice, "Okay."
Second Aunt is so gentle today; she isn't scolding him, and she even fed him. Today's meal is also so delicious; Second Aunt's cooking is even better than Mom's. It's so good.
Favorability Points +10.
Shen Ruoxi smiled at Shen Kang, then served herself a bowl of Maocai and glanced at the other two, "There's still so much left, aren't you eating?"
Shen Ruohao and Shen Ruohan mistakenly thought this was their last supper. They were scared, wanting to eat but afraid to, unsure how to answer.
Shen Ruoxi pointed her chopsticks at the Maocai. "Eat, why are you just standing there?"
They had already eaten one bowl, so what was the harm in another? Even if they died, they would die full. Shen Ruohao and Shen Ruohan adopted expressions of noble sacrifice and continued to serve themselves Maocai.
It was a rare full meal for the family. Honestly, if this meal hadn't been made by Shen Ruoxi, they would have been overjoyed.
Shen Ruoxi looked at their demeanor and thought to herself, could they possibly think she poisoned it?
After a while, Shen Ruoxi went to the Kitchen and brought out a large bowl filled to the brim with Maocai. "Ruohan, after we finish eating, take this to Sister-in-law and try to persuade her too."
"Understood." A flicker of surprise crossed Shen Ruohan's eyes. Had Shen Ruoxi truly changed her heart? Or was she planning to poison the entire family?
The possibility of poisoning everyone now seemed quite low. They had been eating for a while; if it were Poisonous, it should have taken effect already.
After eating, Shen Ruoxi went to the Kitchen to wash the bowls, Shen Ruohao went to look after their parents, and Shen Ruohan took the Maocai to Xu Qinglan's room.
It was completely dark outside, and the room was pitch black, with only faint breathing sounds.
There were no oil lamps or Candles in the house, so they had to navigate by touch. Shen Ruohan walked into the room blindly and called out softly, "Sister-in-law, it's time to eat."
Xu Qinglan's voice sounded somewhat agitated, "I'm not eating it, take it away."
Shen Ruohan showed concern, "You didn't eat at noon, and you won't eat at night. Can your Body handle that?"
Xu Qinglan gritted her teeth, "I won't eat anything made by Shen Ruoxi."
Shen Ruohan placed the bowl on the table, walked over to sit beside Xu Qinglan, and held her hand. "Sister-in-law, now is not the time to hold a grudge. If you keep this up, you'll ruin your health. What about Kang'er?"
Mentioning her son, Xu Qinglan's heart softened slightly. "Ruohan, I really can't take it anymore."
Shen Ruohan persuaded her, "Sister-in-law, just two more days. If Shen Ruoxi can't gather enough Silver, she'll be married off immediately. Just endure for two more days."
Xu Qinglan rallied slightly. Two more days, and she could be free from the nightmare that was Shen Ruoxi. "Fine, I'll eat."
In the Kitchen, after washing the bowls, Shen Ruoxi heated up a full pot of bathwater. "Kang'er, will Second Aunt give you a bath?"
"Okay." The little fellow sat on the fire Stool, looking into the stove opening, his small face flushed red by the flames.
Shen Ruoxi bathed the little one and took him to Xu Qinglan's room. "Go to sleep early."
The little fellow smiled at Shen Ruoxi, "Mm."
Favorability Points +5.
Shen Ruoxi patted the little fellow's head and turned back to her room.
The room was pitch black, and she couldn't see anything. Shen Ruoxi felt her way to the window, opened it to let the moonlight in, and then went to the Wardrobe to get clothes.
After searching for a long time, she couldn't find a single piece of clothing. Only then did she remember that the Original Owner had worn her clothes and hadn't washed them; the dirty clothes were now piled up in the corner.
She looked at the pile of dirty clothes and sighed helplessly, "I should wash the dirty clothes first."
Carrying the clothes, she walked to the Courtyard, exchanged one Favorability Point for some laundry powder, and soaked the clothes in warm water.
She brought over a Small stool and sat on it, picking up the clothes to rub them clean.
While she was washing clothes, Shen Ruohao and Shen Ruohan came out of their room after taking care of their parents. They looked utterly astonished to see Shen Ruoxi washing clothes in the Courtyard.
Normally, Shen Ruoxi would already be lying in bed sleeping at this hour; she would never do such things. Now...
As they watched in shock, Shen Ruoxi's clear voice rang out, "There is hot water in the pot; you two go take a bath."
The two of them: "..."
There must be a trick to this. Shen Ruoxi would never be this kind-hearted. The bathwater must have ash added to it, which would only make them dirtier the more they washed.
Thinking this, the two remained standing where they were.