“Mother, this might just be my fate.” Xu Qinglan wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “Let’s go home.”
“Okay.” Xu Mu picked up Kang'er. “Kang'er, say Maternal Grandmother.”
Xiao Kang'er called out in a milky voice, “Maternal Grandmother.”
“Good boy.” Xu Mu patted the back of Kang'er’s head, then patted her own face, revealing a few smiles.
In the Kitchen—
After comforting Xu Mu, Shen Ruoxi came to the Kitchen to help cook.
Shen Ruohao and Shen Ruohan quickly stood aside, staring vigilantly at Shen Ruoxi like mice spotting a cat. They had cooked all the meat and vegetable dishes; Shen Ruoxi might fly into a rage.
“What are you standing there for?” Shen Ruoxi beckoned to Shen Ruohan. “You go tend the fire, Shen Ruohao, cut the fish, and I will stir-fry the dishes.”
The two feared and hated Shen Ruoxi, and now that they had done something guilty, they were afraid of her gaining the upper hand, so they quickly did as she said.
Shen Ruoxi withdrew her gaze with satisfaction, took the spatula, and stirred the fat meat in the pot to render the oil.
After all the fat meat was rendered into oil, Shen Ruoxi began stir-frying the dishes.
After a busy spell, she made celery stir-fried with meat, braised fish with Tofu, and a wild vegetable soup. Everything was served in large bowls, making for a very rich meal.
“Whose house is cooking such delicious food, it smells so fragrant?”
“Is that meat? It seems there’s fish too. I’ve never smelled such a fragrant smell.”
“It seems to be drifting from Shen Ruoxi’s house…”
The fragrance spread, permeating the Village. Everyone who smelled it couldn't help but speculate.
In the Kitchen, Shen Ruoxi took a cloth to wipe her hands. “Time to eat.”
Shen Ruohao and Shen Ruohan didn't need Shen Ruoxi to say more; they consciously brought dishes, rice, bowls, and chopsticks. Today’s lunch was highly anticipated.
Shen Ruoxi carried the soup to the Main Hall and said to Shen Ruohao, “Go call Grandfather and Grandmother over to eat with us.”
Shen Ruohao froze for a moment. “I’ll go right away.”
Shen Zhen and Grandma Shen were just about to start cooking. They hadn't expected the First Branch to ask them to eat, and in their surprise, Shen Ruohao had already pulled them out the door.
The houses were adjacent, just in different directions within the same Courtyard, only a few steps away.
Shen Zhen was very happy. “Who made lunch today?”
Although Shen Ruohao hated Shen Ruoxi, he wouldn't lie. “Shen Ruoxi made it, and she’s the one who asked us to call you over to eat.”
Grandma Shen didn't believe it. She felt Shen Ruohao was speaking up for Shen Ruoxi. “Shen Ruoxi has such good intentions?”
Shen Ruohao said, “Grandmother, it really was Shen Ruoxi who said it. I wouldn't lie to you.”
Grandma Shen disliked Shen Ruoxi intensely and said with some annoyance, “You don’t need to speak for her. We know what kind of person Shen Ruoxi is; she would never invite us to eat.”
Shen Ruohao hesitated. “Grandmother, Shen Ruoxi seems different. You’ll know when you see her later.”
Grandma Shen said no more, but her brows were deeply furrowed; she clearly didn't believe it.
Shen Ruoxi came to the door to greet them. “Grandfather, Grandmother, the meal is ready. Please sit directly in the Main Hall.”
Shen Zhen asked with a chuckle, “Did you make the food?”
Shen Ruoxi felt this Grandfather was quite nice and felt a bit of closeness toward him. “I made it. The flavor should be good; Grandfather can taste it later.”
Shen Zhen said with a smile, “Good, good, good. Our Ruoxi has grown up.”
Grandma Shen kept a stern face.
Seeing her expression was off, Shen Ruoxi only greeted her briefly and didn't say much more, leading the two to the Main Hall and seating them.
When Shen Zhen and Grandma Shen saw the food on the table, like everyone else, they were full of surprise. There was meat and fish—was this too good to eat?
Shen Ruoxi served rice for everyone. “Auntie is visiting today, so I specifically went out to buy some dishes. Everyone, eat as you like.”
“Ruoxi, this rice?” Shen Zhen looked at the white rice placed before him. Even eating coarse rice wasn't this extravagant; how could they eat refined rice like this? It was too luxurious!
Shen Ruoxi casually explained, “I helped someone in the County Town this morning, and this is the Thank you gift they gave me.”
Shen Zhen was relieved. “Then you met a benefactor.”
Shen Ruoxi smiled. “The person was quite good.” A man who loved his wife so much couldn't be too bad.
Grandma Shen’s expression softened considerably as she looked at the fine food.
Shen Ruohao and Shen Ruohan took the food to their parents in the room. When they saw the white rice, the slightly curled meat from the stir-fry, and the tender white fish and Tofu, it was as if they were seeing the Last Supper.
Shen Da was extremely surprised. “Where did this come from?”
Shen Ruohao helped Zhang Laifeng sit up against the headboard. “Sister-in-law’s mother is visiting today. Shen Ruoxi bought this specifically to entertain the guest.”
Zhang Laifeng was very surprised. “Ruoxi bought it?”
Shen Ruohao nodded. “Yes, this rice, these dishes, and this meat were all bought by Shen Ruoxi. Looking at how open and honest she was, it doesn't seem like she stole or robbed it.”
Zhang Laifeng worried. “Keep an eye on your Second Sister during this time, don’t let her do anything wrong.”
Shen Ruohao was reluctant, but finally agreed. “I understand, Mother, I will watch her.”
The debt collector would arrive tomorrow afternoon. Shen Ruoxi wouldn't possibly save up Ten taels of silver, so she would be married off the day after tomorrow. She might as well endure this one day for herself.
After taking care of their parents’ meal, Shen Ruohao and Shen Ruohan left the room and came to the Main Hall to eat.
Looking at the food on the table, Xu Mu felt as if her suspicion that the Shen family was feigning poverty was confirmed. With such good food, her daughter shouldn't be wronged. She secretly felt relieved.
Although the food was excellent, everyone ate with different thoughts in mind, as they all felt the origin of these items was unclear.
Shen Ruoxi didn't pay attention to their thoughts. Having been here for two days, she finally had a decent meal. She felt deeply emotional, realizing how difficult life was.
After lunch, Xu Mu went back, and Xu Qinglan went to see her off.
Shen Ruohao and Shen Ruohan washed the dishes.
Grandma Shen went home, but Shen Zhen stayed behind. He lectured and advised Shen Ruoxi extensively. Shen Ruoxi promised to follow his advice, only then did he return home feeling reassured.
On the way back, Shen Zhen was smiling broadly. His granddaughter had grown up, and her cooking was truly delicious.
Shen Ruoxi went to her parents' room. “Mother, Father, I learned how to Take pulse from Great Grandfather this morning. I’ll try it on you now.”
Both of them stared with wide, shocked eyes. “You went to study medicine?”
Shen Ruoxi nodded. “I did. Great Grandfather said I have talent and learn things instantly. So, I’m here to try taking your pulses.”
Zhang Laifeng beckoned to Shen Ruoxi. “Ruoxi, come and Take my pulse.”
As long as her daughter could learn well, she was willing to let her do anything.
Shen Ruoxi walked over, sat by the bed, reached out to Take Zhang Laifeng’s pulse, and after checking the pulse, lifted the Quilt to examine her Body. Her brow furrowed slightly; the situation was not optimistic.
Zhang Laifeng asked kindly, “Ruoxi, can you tell why Mother is paralyzed?”
Shen Ruoxi smiled sheepishly. “Mother, my skills are still shallow right now, so I can’t tell anything yet. Let me study a bit more, and then I’ll examine you again.”
She wasn't actually unable to tell; she could see it, and she felt it was extremely tricky.