The next morning, Shen Ran went downstairs for breakfast.
The usually lively dining table was completely empty today.
Housekeeper Xu carried out a bowl of dumplings and a plate of dipping sauce from the kitchen.
Shen Ran looked around. “Xu Ma, where is everyone?”
Xu Ma replied, “Sir went to work early this morning. Madam took Yunyang to school. Yunrou… she hasn’t gotten up yet, I think.”
Shen Ran pulled out a chair and sat down. “Then you eat with me, Xu Ma. No one else is here anyway.”
Xu Ma smiled. “No need, I’ve already eaten.”
She had worked in the Shen household for over ten years. Honest, diligent, and never one to gossip, she treated the original master fairly well.
But in the Shen family, she had little authority—mostly, she only made something nice when the girl was upset.
Xu Ma said, “Ran, the supply store had fresh pork this morning. I grabbed a slab of pork belly for you. I’ll make your favorite four-happy meatballs for lunch.”
After the commotion at Shen House last night, Shen Ran must have been frightened—she even ate two bowls of food, which had never happened before.
Shen Ran paused mid-dip of a dumpling in soy sauce:
“Xu Ma, I’ll be out for a while this morning. I might not be back for lunch.”
Later, she would go with Qin Lie to finalize their divorce at the military base, a long journey, so she probably couldn’t return in time.
Xu Ma: “Alright, I’ll save some for you. You can eat it when you get back tonight.”
Shen Ran felt a warmth in her heart. “Thank you, Xu Ma.”
Seeing her polite demeanor with Xu Ma, yet her usual prickly behavior around the Shen family, Xu Ma couldn’t help but speak:
“Ran, why not try talking calmly with the Sir and Madam? There’s too much misunderstanding between you. If it goes on like this, it won’t help anyone.”
Shen Ran shook her head. “There’s no point. As long as Yunrou is around, they’ll never see me as their real daughter.
Take this time, for example. Yunrou incited her friend to report me for stealing a bracelet. The truth came out after all the chaos, yet no one apologized.
This has happened many times before.
In my parents’ eyes, I’m just an unsophisticated village girl—whenever something goes wrong, I’m the first to be blamed.
Do you think a few words of conversation would change their view of me?”
Shen Ran could speak so openly to Xu Ma because the original girl had often cried to her about grievances with the family.
Xu Ma had a tight lip and a kind heart—she never told Shen Father or Mother.
So in her presence, Shen Ran could speak freely.
Hearing this, Xu Ma could only sigh.
As a housekeeper, she couldn’t interfere with the family’s matters—her only role was to comfort.
“Alright, then you just try to stay cheerful, don’t sulk all the time.
Little Qin seems like a good young man. You two should get along; things will improve.”
“Mm,” Shen Ran replied, a little embarrassed.
If Xu Ma knew that she was going today to divorce Qin Lie, she’d probably panic.
Speaking of which, fate seemed to intervene.
Xu Ma had just finished speaking when a familiar figure appeared.
Her face immediately brightened:
“Little Qin, you’re here! Have you had breakfast? Auntie made three-flavor dumplings today—they’re delicious!”
Shen Ran paused mid-bite.
Instinctively, she glanced at her wristwatch—only 8:30 a.m.
The military base was in a remote suburb, a three-hour drive from the city center.
Meaning Qin Lie probably got up at four or five in the morning.
He was eager to finalize the divorce.
Seeing him not yet come inside, Shen Ran turned to look.
At the doorway, Qin Lie stood straight as a pine.
A white shirt, olive-green military pants.
The chest muscles strained against the fabric, revealing firm lines underneath.
His brows were sharp, jawline tense, and those eyes, usually like forged ice, now held complex emotions.
Shen Ran: …
So he overheard her conversation with Xu Ma and felt sympathy?
Could it be he might pity her and reconsider the divorce?
No, absolutely not!
She did not want any wavering in a decision already made.
Seeing Shen Ran staring at him blankly, Qin Lie’s dark eyes instantly hardened.
He suspected Shen Ran had deliberately said those things to Xu Ma to avoid the divorce.
“Finished eating?”
A flicker of impatience appeared on his face.
The divorce had to happen—nothing could change his mind!
Seeing his expression of displeasure, Shen Ran nodded. Perfect, that’s how it should be.
“I’m done. You sit and eat; I’ll go upstairs to change.”
Since he came so early, Qin Lie probably hadn’t eaten breakfast.
It would be awkward to share the same table—better to avoid each other for now.
Qin Lie frowned, about to refuse, but Shen Ran had already left.
At that moment, Xu Ma came over again, tugging his arm warmly:
“Little Qin, come sit! Auntie’ll give you a bowl of dumplings!”
Unable to refuse, Qin Lie sat down.
Soon, a steaming bowl of three-flavor dumplings, sprinkled with green onions, appeared in front of him.
“Eat while it’s hot. You haven’t tried Auntie’s cooking yet. I made extra today, so have as many as you like.”
Xu Ma beamed at him.
At this point, refusing would be impolite.
“Thank you.”
Not one to fuss over compliments, Qin Lie said simply, then grabbed a dumpling.
The thin-skinned dumpling burst with juicy filling in his mouth, the savory aroma filling every bite.
Surprised, Qin Lie’s eyes flickered.
He quickly ate the remaining dumplings in one go.
Then grabbed another, one after another, devouring them hungrily.
Having lost both parents at a young age, he had endured a harsh childhood, growing up often hungry and cold.
He had a near-obsessive passion for food.
Whenever he ate, it was as if he were wolfing it down—rough, messy, but instinctive.
The original Shen Ran often scolded him as a “starving ghost reincarnated.”
But as the saying goes: when you dislike someone, even their breath is wrong.
Such eating habits were common in the military.
Add his extraordinarily handsome face, and no one thought it unseemly.
Xu Ma enjoyed watching him eat.
“Don’t rush, take your time. There’s more in the pot; if it’s not enough, I’ll fetch more.”
“Xu Ma, your cooking is amazing.”
Qin Lie rarely complimented anyone—let alone freely.
Xu Ma’s smile grew wider at the recognition.
He pressed his lips together.
It might be the last time.
After the divorce, he wouldn’t return to the Shen household.
Then, a faint sound caught his attention.
Instinctively, he looked up.
At the top of the stairs, a flash of striking red entered his vision.
In an instant, Qin Lie froze…