Before she met Li Heng, Chen Jinsheng rarely spoke this much to her.
You Sanmei couldn’t help but stare blankly for a moment; by the time she snapped back to her senses, Chen Jinsheng had already stepped outside.
She took a few breaths to steady herself, then walked slowly toward the main hall.
As she went, she glanced down at the shoes on her feet.
They fit perfectly—there wasn’t a single thing wrong with them!
Who ever said her Chen Heigou only made trouble? That he couldn’t take care of anyone?
You Sanmei sighed with a heavy heart.
She’d missed so many little details, and now that she’d been reborn, they all came rushing back at once.
On their wedding night, when she’d had that episode—who was the very first to notice if not Chen Jinsheng? How could he possibly not know how to care for someone?
They’d been lying on the kang together, their faces so close their lips had almost brushed. When he saw something was wrong with her, he’d been terrified—not put off, not angry. He’d kept saying over and over: “Don’t be scared, I’ll go get someone right now!”
Don’t be scared!
He’d had his pants half-pulled down, caught around his hips. He’d nearly tripped as he yanked them up, calling out in a voice that was flustered and frantic all at once.
When Xu Linghua and her two sisters-in-law arrived, they’d immediately tried to push him out.
Her mother-in-law’s face had turned cold, her brows furrowed. “When have you ever known how to tend to anyone? What are you standing there for? Don’t just stand around making things worse!”
“Your older brothers have already gone for the doctor. Get out of here!”
Chen Jinsheng had frozen for a long moment before saying, “Then let me take my cricket cage with me.”
And with that excuse, he’d squeezed back through the door.
At the time, his older brothers’ wives had been shouting over one another, each louder than the last. You Sanmei, still reeling from the shock of the wedding night and then her episode, had only been able to lie there pale and trembling.
Chen Jinsheng had caught a lull in their chatter, looked at her with a complicated expression, then quietly closed the door and slipped away without a sound.
You Sanmei remembered it faintly: she’d glanced at his retreating back, cricket cage in hand, walking slowly—as if he were waiting for something.
When the door finally clicked shut, the dim light had caught his profile, making him look lost and unsure.
She wondered now…
Had he been waiting for her to call out to him?
Had he thought that with his new wife finally here, someone in this house would finally need him?
But she hadn’t.
She’d thought he was better-looking than she’d expected—but once the lamp went out and they were alone in the room, everything had changed.
She’d grown afraid: afraid of how unfamiliar he was, afraid of how bright his eyes shone even in the dark, afraid of the heat radiating from his broad frame as he leaned over her…
Oh, dear.
She’d been so scared she’d fallen ill—and everyone had been right to tease her.
She really was as timid as a mouse!
The main hall faced the courtyard gate. When You Sanmei arrived, everyone else was already seated.
Yang Cuilian paused for a moment when she saw her, then went back to ladling noodles, her voice sharp with sarcasm: “Well, look at you—walking over to eat all by yourself? No need for someone to bring your bowl to you anymore?”
Chen Haobei and Chen Haonan stood side by side nearby, waiting to help serve. At her words, both turned to look at her in unison.
You Sanmei smiled back at them. “I have Second Sister-in-law to thank for that big apple—after I finished it, I felt so much stronger. I figured I’d just come over myself instead of troubling you all to bring it to me.”
“!”
Chen Haonan puffed out his cheeks in anger. Chen Haobei tugged at his arm, trying to calm him down.
Xu Linghua, Eldest Brother Chen, and Second Brother Chen—those three usually as still as wooden posts—finally stirred, their usually unreadable faces showing clear surprise.
Chen Jinsheng, who always preferred to eat huddled by the wall, held his bowl up and narrowed his eyes, filled with suspicion.
Has she been possessed? Why does she seem like a whole different person?
Usually she was like a sick little mouse, barely willing to speak a word.
Today not only had she laughed—she’d actually gotten up and walked over to eat with everyone?
…That can’t be right!
Chen Jinsheng gave a sudden jolt, quickly ducking his head.
What does it matter to me if she’s happy? It’s not like she’s smiling at me!
He shoveled noodles into his mouth, but his eyes seemed to have a mind of their own—before long, they kept darting back toward You Sanmei’s face.
Xu Linghua spoke gently: “As long as you’re feeling better. Keep taking your medicine on time. Sit next to your Second Sister-in-law.”
You Sanmei nodded obediently and took her seat.
She could feel his gaze burning into her back, lingering there without moving—and her heart grew more certain than ever.
Chen Jinsheng truly cared about her.
The very first time they’d met, he’d stared at her for the longest time.
The longer he looked, the brighter his eyes had grown.
Bright and brighter still.
Even on their wedding night, he’d rushed to kiss her—so eager that she’d bitten his lower lip by accident, startled.
Softer than soft…
His lower lip was plumper than his upper one.
“…”
You Sanmei unconsciously pressed her lips together, shifting on her seat, and felt heat rising to her cheeks again.
Chen Jinsheng’s voice drifted over, sharp and petulant: “What? Can’t even sit still for a minute?”
“If you’re not feeling well, why bother coming out here? Wouldn’t you rather stay inside playing the pampered lady?”
You Sanmei clenched her hands in her lap, fighting back a laugh.
How childish can you get? It’s no different from a boy pulling a girl’s pigtails just to get her attention!
Xu Linghua frowned. “Chen Jinsheng.”
He pouted. “What? Am I wrong? She’s not going to go hungry—plenty of people are happy to wait on her hand and foot.”
The words made You Sanmei’s teeth ache. She suddenly stood up. “Mother, I’m finding it a little uncomfortable sitting here—there’s nothing to lean against, and I can’t seem to sit steady.”
With that, she walked straight over to Chen Jinsheng.
He was perched on a tiny stool; being so tall, he looked as if he were squatting.
You Sanmei took a soft breath, her voice quiet and gentle: “…Jinsheng, can we swap places?”
“I’d be able to lean against the wall here.”
“…”
Chen Jinsheng had a mouthful of noodles halfway to his lips when he suddenly choked, coughing violently.
Xu Linghua’s brow furrowed deeper. “You’re not a child anymore—how do you manage to choke on your food? Stand up and sit at the table, and let your wife lean there instead.”
“Cuilian, get Sanmei a bowl of noodles—go easy on the sauce; the doctor said she can’t have anything too salty or greasy.”
Chen Jinsheng finally stopped coughing, shifted his weight, and ducked his head again. “I’m fine squatting. I don’t need to sit at the table.”
You Sanmei sat down without hesitation.
“Aren’t your legs tired like that?” she asked him. “Aren’t there more stools in the kitchen? Go get one, won’t you?”
“…”
This time, Chen Jinsheng completely lost his appetite. He knit his brows and stared at her.
You Sanmei grinned, her young face bright and sweet. “Jinsheng, Eldest Sister-in-law’s already got my noodles ready—can you pass them to me?”
Chen Jinsheng’s heart raced so fast it felt like it would burst. He shot to his feet. “…I’m full! I’m going out!”
The room fell dead silent.
It wasn’t just Chen Jinsheng—no one could make sense of You Sanmei today.
Chen Haonan nudged Chen Haobei’s arm, voice trembling with fear. “Brother… do you think Auntie’s been… possessed by one of those ghost women from the stories?”
“You know—the kind that smiles and steals your soul right out of your body?!”
“…” Chen Haobei’s face turned pale then flushed red.
That’s probably it!
Why else would I have done whatever she said today without even thinking about it?!
We’re doomed…
My soul’s probably already been snatched away by the ghost inside Auntie!