When the two of them went downstairs, the meal was ready, and Zou Liye was already waiting.
Shen Qingjun quietly shot Zou Zhanyang a glance. He smiled in response, trying to be agreeable. Shen Qingjun found a seat, and Zou Zhanyang sat right next to her.
The seating arrangement changed from a straight line to a ┐ shape.
Zou Liye sat at the head of the table, the left-hand seat empty, and to his right sat Shen Qingjun, with Zou Zhanyang beside her.
Watching Zou Zhanyang constantly serving her food, ladling soup, peeling shrimp, and picking fish bones—his eyes practically glued to Shen Qingjun—Zou Liye couldn’t help but sigh. Indeed, a grandson already married is like water spilled, and this one, not even married yet, was already doting.
He didn’t even want to look.
After the meal, Zou Liye called Shen Qingjun over and handed her a black velvet box. “Since it’s your first visit, here’s a gift from your grandfather. Open it and see if you like it.”
She opened it to find a high-quality jade bracelet. Shen Qingjun’s eyes lit up—it was beautiful, and even more so on her wrist.
“I really like it. Thank you, Grandpa.”
Zou Liye’s expression softened. “Good. If you like it, that’s enough. It’s getting late—Zhanyang, take Qingjun home.”
…
As they walked, Zou Zhanyang glanced at the bracelet on her wrist, his voice low and serious. “Grandpa really likes you. This bracelet was my grandmother’s favorite when she was alive.”
Hearing that, Shen Qingjun hesitated. “Maybe we should return it to Grandpa, as a keepsake for him.”
Zou Zhanyang shook his head. “No need. My grandmother said this bracelet is for the future granddaughter-in-law.”
Realizing she’d been tricked, Shen Qingjun placed her hands on her hips, fuming like a puffed-up pufferfish, and raised her fists. “Oh, Zou Zhanyang, you’re teasing me!”
Zou Zhanyang wrapped her in his arms, letting her vent.
To him, her punches and flailing were harmless—more like tickling than attacking—and as she wriggled, it only made her end up closer to him.
“You’re perverted,” Shen Qingjun struggled, but he held her tighter, and now she didn’t dare move.
Though she’d had boyfriends in her modern life, it had been limited to holding hands and playful teasing. She’d never experienced this kind of deep physical closeness, and her face burned hotter by the second.
“Wife, there’s no one around—kiss me.”
Zou Zhanyang’s voice was rough and hoarse. Before Shen Qingjun could respond, he leaned down and kissed her. She clutched his clothes, her legs weakening. Luckily, they were still in the yard—no one could see.
Just then, Shen Qingjun caught a glimpse of a shadow in the corner. Startled, she quickly ducked behind Zou Zhanyang. “Th-there’s… someone.”
Su Xiangmei stepped out, embarrassed. “Ah, Zhanyang, I was going to deliver some soup to the chief, but it looks like now isn’t convenient. I’ll come another day. Siyuan’s waiting at home, so I better go.”
In an instant, she was gone.
“Who was that?” Shen Qingjun peeked out from behind Zou Zhanyang.
“That was Uncle Lu’s wife, Su Xiangmei,” he explained.
Shen Qingjun nodded, relieved he hadn’t lost control. “Let’s go home.”
…
The next day, knowing Shen Hanyang and Bai Yue would return in the afternoon, Shen Qingjun ate outside.
When she got back, Shen Hanyang and Bai Yue were already home.
They sat on the sofa. Bai Yue, usually immaculate, had messy hair and dull eyes, still wearing the same clothes from the day before. Shen Hanyang looked no better—stubble on his chin and dark circles under his eyes, exuding exhaustion from inside out.
Shen Xinwei had returned at some point, sitting between them, fussing over them and serving water and tea.
After a cup of hot tea, both looked a little better.
Seeing Shen Qingjun, Shen Hanyang’s face darkened. “Where have you been?”
He seemed eager to vent his frustration from the past couple of days, speaking more harshly. “Look at you! You don’t understand anything. We came back, and you didn’t even ask. See how considerate Weiwei is—she knows just how to care for us. And you? Acting like nothing’s wrong. Nothing in this house concerns you, right?”
Bai Yue didn’t speak, her gaze toward Shen Qingjun full of disapproval.
“Dad, calm down. Anger isn’t good for your health. Weiwei will worry herself sick,” Shen Xinwei intervened, trying to soothe him.
Clearly, their recent confinement had taken a toll.
Shen Qingjun pouted.
Shen Hanyang took a deep breath. “Our family is going to be relocated. The Revolutionary Committee people will come tomorrow.”
Shen Qingjun was surprised—she thought he would have kept it secret until the last day.
Her calm reaction seemed to unsettle him. Catching a trace of mockery in her eyes, his unease turned into anger.
“What are you looking at?”
Shen Qingjun shrugged, her eyes scanning them. “I’m just marveling at Weiwei’s luck. How did she manage to find her real parents just before relocation? And they’re from the same compound. Strange, after all these years, no one noticed.”
Bai Yue looked uneasy. She and Shen Hanyang had long known Shen Xinwei’s background, but couldn’t bring themselves to acknowledge it fully. Weiwei had been so obedient… if she had been their daughter…
Shen Hanyang impatiently cut her off, tone harsh. “Don’t forget, your surname is Shen now, Shen Hanyang’s Shen. If anything happens to your mom and me, you won’t do well. Come here—I have tasks for you.”
“Our family is being relocated to Minghua Village. The climate is mild, but there are plenty of insects. Go buy food, cloth, and daily necessities for the whole family—especially medicine. And stay low-profile. Don’t draw attention.”
So she was being assigned as a purchaser. Shen Qingjun nodded. “Give me the money.”
Shen Hanyang frowned. “Didn’t I give you 1,500 yuan a few days ago?”
Shen Qingjun looked at him oddly. “That money was for clothes, not these supplies. If you don’t want to give me more, find someone else.”
Shen Hanyang, irritated by her cheeky tone, gritted his teeth. “Fine! Here, take it!”
Bai Yue handed her 3,000 yuan and a thick stack of bills. “Take care not to lose it.”
Shen Qingjun casually acknowledged it with a hum and set out.
…
Toothpaste, toothbrush, towels, soap… cloth, cotton clothes, quilts—after buying everything, Shen Qingjun carried her net bag out of the supply store. She noticed someone following her, so she turned into an alley. The figure followed.
Outside, Su Xiangmei paused, puzzled. That girl earlier… she seemed to be Zou Zhanyang’s partner.
In the alley, Sun Lanzhi hurriedly spoke. “Give me the household register.”
Shen Qingjun tapped her head, realizing she had forgotten. “It’s at home. Want to come get it with me?”
Sun Lanzhi waved her hands. “No. The Revolutionary Committee is coming tomorrow. If I go, it’s like running into the gun barrel.”
“Then I’ll bring it to you later.”
Sun Lanzhi hesitated, worried Shen Qingjun would be seen entering her house.
“Then come when it’s quiet, late at night. That should work.”
Sun Lanzhi nodded. “In a few days, Weiwei will be sent to the countryside. Help her with chores, and if you’re obedient, I’ll consider sending some things over. After all these years as mother and daughter, even without blood, we have feelings.”
Shen Qingjun snorted. Who’d fall for that?
Suddenly she smiled. “Aunt Sun, Weiwei hasn’t prepared her things for the relocation yet. Coincidentally, I bought an extra set. Since she can’t carry it tomorrow, I can sell it to you at a discount.”
Sun Lanzhi emerged from the alley, holding a heavy net bag.
A while later, Shen Qingjun came out. Su Xiangmei saw her pale face and purple lips, panicked, and stepped forward. “What happened?”
Shen Qingjun recognized her as Su Xiangmei and called out, “Aunt Su, I’m fine. Just resting a bit.”
She had felt unwell in the alley, realizing she’d forgotten to drink the spirit spring water while busy. She quickly drank some, finally recovering.
Seeing her condition improving, Su Xiangmei relaxed. “I’m going back to the compound. Shall we go together?”
Shen Qingjun nodded.
Su Xiangmei stopped the car nearby and took Shen Qingjun along.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at the Shen family residence.