Just like yesterday, the shop closed early today. Shen Qi didn’t go to the hospital but tidied up and returned to the Compound.
Entering home, she found the living room unexpectedly empty.
Listening carefully, there seemed to be noise coming from the second floor.
Shen Qi raised her voice and called out: “Mom, I’m back. Remember to cook dinner for me tonight.”
Shen Jinan rushed out abruptly, his expression suggesting he had a bellyful of curses to spew, but his lips were tightly pressed together, and not a single word escaped.
Xu Ailian emerged a step later, tugging at Shen Jinan and signaling with her eyes for him to go back inside.
Shen Jinan snorted coldly, glared fiercely at Shen Qi, then turned and left.
Xu Ailian looked down at Shen Qi from her higher position, her gaze not that of a mother looking at her daughter, but rather like she was looking at an enemy.
“Mom? What’s wrong?” Shen Qi tilted her head, feigning innocence.
“I’m not feeling well today. You go make dinner.”
“Alright.” Shen Qi agreed unexpectedly readily. “But it’ll have to wait a bit. I’m going to Grandma He’s house to deliver some things.”
Without waiting for Xu Ailian to respond, Shen Qi helped herself to two cans of malt extract and a bag of apples from the cupboard and left.
“Mom, I’ll be back soon.”
Shen Qi left carrying two bags of items, leaving Xu Ailian fuming with a twisted expression.
Intentional!
She was definitely doing this on purpose!
What kind of daughter acts like this? Causing trouble at home day after day!
If she wants to give people things, can’t she buy them herself? Why does she have to take them from home?!
Once outside, Shen Qi no longer held back her laughter and chuckled aloud.
When Shen Jinan came out earlier, she had heard Shen Baozhu’s crying.
That alley had a mixed crowd, so Shen Baozhu probably had a rough time there.
Likely no real physical danger, just frightened.
She was really curious how Shen Baozhu managed to navigate her way out of those maze-like alleys.
The reason Shen Qi was familiar with them was that after being released from prison in her previous life, she had lived in that area.
The houses were dilapidated, the environment chaotic, but it was cheap.
Those alleys hadn’t changed much over the past decade or so. Even now, Shen Qi could easily find her way out.
Shen Qi knocked on Grandma He’s door. Seeing it was her, Grandma He welcomed her warmly.
“You didn’t need to bring anything, just coming yourself is enough.”
“I had to. Last time, Grandma He helped me a great deal. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what would have happened to me.”
“It was just a hurdle. Once you get past it, things will be fine.”
Entering the house, she found a thin but spirited old man sitting in the living room. Shen Qi greeted him respectfully.
“Hello, Grandpa Han.”
“You’re Shen Qi?” Grandpa Han was quite amiable, though his eyes were somewhat sharp, carrying a scrutinizing tone.
“Yes, Grandpa Han, I’m Shen Qi.”
Shen Qi felt a bit of pressure, secretly took a deep breath, and tried hard to straighten her posture.
“Alright, Xiao Qi, have a seat. I’ll make some tea.” Grandma He shot a warning glance at Grandpa Han, signaling him not to cause trouble.
Grandpa Han pursed his lips disapprovingly. He just wanted to educate the young—how could they not take their own lives seriously?
If they have grievances, they should talk to adults. Threatening to jump from a building is not only irresponsible to themselves but also creates a bad influence in the Compound.
Shen Qi placed the malt extract and apples on the table but didn’t sit down. Instead, she checked the coal stove.
“The fire seems a bit low. The coal briquettes underneath are probably burnt out. I’ll replace a couple.” Shen Qi worked deftly; while speaking, she had already replaced the coal briquettes and quickly swept the floor.
Grandma He came out carrying tea. “You’re the guest, why are you busy working?”
“It’s no trouble at all. Thank you, Grandma He.”
Shen Qi took the tea.
She chatted with the two elderly folks about daily life and discovered Grandpa Han was interested in rural matters. She shared some farming and vegetable-growing techniques, which greatly piqued the old man’s interest.
“That composting method you mentioned—is it really effective? Don’t fool me now.”
“Of course it’s effective. If you don’t believe me, you can have someone try it.”
Only the Western-style House in the Compound had conditions suitable for growing vegetables. Since Grandpa Han and Grandma He lived in an apartment building, even if they made compost, they’d have nowhere to use it.
Seeing that it was about time, Shen Qi stood up to take her leave.
“Next time you come, don’t bring anything, or I won’t let you in,” Grandma He instructed.
Shen Qi smiled without responding.
Returning to the Shen Family, the living room was still empty.
As it was nearly time for Shen Congjun to return home, Shen Qi went into the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Opting for something quick and convenient, she made tomato and egg Dalu Noodles.
Just as she finished, Shen Congjun entered the house.
Shen Qi brought out the noodles with sauce. “Dad, you’re back.”
Shen Congjun was momentarily stunned, then nodded.
In the past, when he returned from work, Shen Qi would only timidly call him “Dad,” unlike her current cheerful and confident demeanor.
It had to be said, this kind of personality was more likable.
It seemed that working outside had its benefits.
“I came back a bit late and was afraid you wouldn’t have a warm meal when you returned, so I made tomato and egg Dalu Noodles. I hope you don’t mind,” Shen Qi explained as she served noodles to Shen Congjun.
Shen Congjun frowned. “Where are your mother and the others?”
Shen Qi was the one with a job—why did she have to come back and cook? Weren’t there three others at home who neither attended school nor worked?
Xu Ailian and Shen Jinan came downstairs.
“Just these few noodles?!” Shen Jinan was dissatisfied with the meal. “I want Hongshao Rou!”
For the past few days, Xu Ailian had been cooking, and Shen Jinan hadn’t been enjoying the food. He had been hoping Shen Qi would make a bowl of Hongshao Rou to satisfy his cravings.
Shen Qi looked apologetic. “There wasn’t enough time, so I made Dalu Noodles.”
“Are you doing this on purpose?” Shen Jinan said rudely. “You came back early. Didn’t Mom ask you to cook? Was two hours not enough for you to make two dishes?”
“Eat if you’re going to eat, or get out if you’re not,” Shen Congjun said sternly after finishing his bowl of noodles, giving his son a sharp look. “Or do you insist on having two ‘hard dishes’?”
Shen Jinan’s arrogant demeanor instantly deflated.
Hard dishes?
Nothing but stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork and stewed pork with cane strips, no doubt.
Go ahead, keep hitting him.
Shatter their father-son bond—his dad would surely regret it!
Shen Jinan angrily took two big mouthfuls of noodles, venting all his frustration on the food.
Shen Qi pretended to look around and asked Xu Ailian, “Mom, isn’t Shen Baozhu eating?”
She wanted to see if Shen Baozhu’s eyes were as swollen as two rotten peaches.
“Baozhu isn’t feeling well,” Xu Ailian said irritably.
“Not feeling well? Does she have a cold? Oh, she needs to take medicine promptly then. But she should eat first before taking medicine, or it’ll hurt her stomach.”
“Enough already. Stop with the fake concern—it’s disgusting,” Shen Jinan snapped at her.
Shen Qi looked hurt. “Yes, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Shen Jinan,” Shen Congjun said sternly. “How are you speaking to your sister?!”
“Dad, you don’t know, Shen Qi, she…” Shen Jinan was utterly aggrieved and wanted to accuse Shen Qi of her wrongdoings.
Under the table, Xu Ailian stomped hard on her son’s foot, signaling him to shut up.
Shen Qi sighed, “I know you’ve never regarded me as an elder sister in your heart. I don’t blame you—after all, we didn’t grow up together, and I understand it’s hard for you to accept me in such a short time.”
“But while it’s fine to act this way at home, you can’t do the same outside. If others see us, they’ll think there’s discord among our siblings and assume our parents failed in raising us properly.”
“Right, Dad?”