Xu Ailian was overwhelmed, continuously twisting the ignition button of the liquefied gas stove, too busy to pay attention to her son.
Shen Baozhu also came over, whining softly, “Mom, I want to wear that white floral jacket today. Could you warm it up for me? It’s still a bit damp.”
As soon as Shen Congjun got up, he found the thermos empty and the room freezing cold. His two children were crowded at the kitchen door, chirping like hungry fledglings, making noise without lifting a finger to help.
“What are you all crowding here for? Don’t you have hands? Can’t you start the fire and boil water yourselves?”
Shen Congjun scolded them. Shen Jinan and Shen Baozhu shrank their necks and hurriedly fled back to their rooms.
Xu Ailian gave up on lighting the stove and came out. “The liquefied gas stove is broken. I’ll call someone to fix it later. I can’t make breakfast now, so I’ll go buy some outside.”
The breakfast shop was outside the compound, located on the street ahead. The Western-style house was at the very back of the compound, and it took over ten to twenty minutes to walk out. Winter mornings were bitterly cold, and the round trip could leave a person frozen stiff. This was why Xu Ailian preferred making breakfast herself rather than going out to buy it.
Shen Congjun’s expression was grim. “Then hurry up and go.”
It was winter break, and he was the only one who had to go to work. With three idle people at home, he had woken up to no hot water and no breakfast. It was no wonder he was in a bad mood.
Xu Ailian put on her coat, wrapped a scarf around her neck, donned gloves and a hat, picked up her shopping basket, and headed out.
Not long after she left, there was a knock at the door.
Shen Congjun, who had just washed up with cold water, went to answer it.
When he saw Shen Qi, the anger he had been suppressing flared up instantly.
“You finally decided to come back?! Why didn’t you just die out there!” Shen Congjun pointed at Shen Qi and roared.
Grandma He quickly stepped in to shield her. “Xiao Shen, you mustn’t scold the child like that. Let’s talk this through calmly.”
“You have no idea how infuriating this child is!”
Shen Congjun didn’t dare lay a hand on Grandma He, so he glared fiercely at Shen Qi instead. “If she were one of my troops, I’d have thrown her out long ago!”
“Rewards and punishments in the troops are based on evidence,” Grandma He stood her ground. “Let’s go inside and talk.”
Shen Congjun had no choice but to let them in.
Upstairs, Shen Baozhu and Shen Jinan craned their necks, crouching by the railing to watch the three of them enter the house.
Shen Jinan covered his mouth and whispered, “With Grandma He here, Dad won’t dare hit her now. Just wait—once Grandma He leaves, Dad will definitely beat Shen Qi half to death.”
Shen Baozhu pursed her lips and pricked up her ears to listen to the conversation downstairs.
When guests came, it was customary to serve tea, but there was no hot water at home, and the liquefied gas stove was broken. The only option was to light the coal stove to boil water.
Shen Congjun had no idea how to use the thing.
He only knew how to burn firewood. At home, the coal stove was either handled by Xu Ailian or Shen Qi—he never lifted a finger.
Shen Congjun glanced at Shen Qi, signaling for her to come and light the stove to boil water.
Shen Qi kept her head down, avoiding eye contact with him entirely.
Shen Congjun gritted his teeth, convinced the wretched girl was doing it on purpose.
“Shen Qi, get the coal stove going,” Shen Congjun had to issue the command, his tone stiff and harsh.
Shen Qi didn’t resist and obediently did as she was told.
However, starting a fire from scratch was different from having already burning coal briquettes to ignite new ones.
The fire took a long time to catch, and there was no way hot water would be ready anytime soon.
Grandma He wasn’t there as a guest, and she didn’t care whether she could have a cup of hot tea at the Shen family’s home or not.
“Xiao Shen, no need for the trouble. I came to chat with you about Xiao Qi.”
Shen Congjun immediately lowered his posture. “Aunt He, it’s my failure in discipline. Rest assured, I’ll be stricter from now on. I won’t let Shen Qi do such disgraceful things again.”
Grandma He turned serious. “Disgraceful? Is that the only lesson you learned from yesterday’s incident?”
“What else? I provide her with food and clothing. What more could she be dissatisfied with? She even resents her parents now!”
Grandma He was momentarily stunned, all her heartfelt words dying before they were spoken.
Someone like Shen Congjun had his own logic and was quite stubborn. A few words wouldn’t sway him.
“I won’t say much else, just one thing: whatever you give your other three children, you must give Shen Qi the exact same. They’re all your children. As parents, you must treat them equally.”
Grandma He stopped smiling, her attitude firm. “If you respect this old woman, do as I say. If you won’t listen, I’ll call someone whose words you will heed.”
Shen Congjun choked back his words.
Treat them equally?
How was that possible? Even five fingers aren’t the same length!
Besides, Shen Qi was just a girl who’d spent over ten years in some mountain village, uneducated and unskilled. Wouldn’t investing too much in her be a waste?
But he didn’t dare refuse.
He knew Grandma He had extensive connections. Even the commander of his troops respectfully called her “Shiniang.”
If Grandma He called the commander over, his chances of promotion would become difficult.
Shen Congjun forced a smile. “How could you say that, Elder? Everyone in our Compound respects you.”
Grandma He took the opportunity to ease the tension. “Xiao Shen, family harmony leads to prosperity. If you want peace at home, you can’t favor some over others. Family harmony will greatly benefit your career.”
“Yes, yes, your guidance is wise.”
“I’ve already scolded the child yesterday. She knows she was wrong now. You and Xiao Xu shouldn’t be too harsh on her. She’s a good child – sensible and diligent. Many would wish for such a child but can’t have one.”
Shen Congjun truly couldn’t agree with this, only managing a dry laugh.
Shen Qi spoke up at the right moment. “Dad, please don’t be angry with me. I was impulsive yesterday. It won’t happen again.”
Having said what needed saying, Grandma He stood up. “I won’t disturb you further. Xiao Shen, we military people keep our word. No double-dealing.”
“Certainly, rest assured. I guarantee I’ll complete the task.”
Grandma He patted Shen Qi’s head. “Xiao Qi, come visit Grandma’s house when you’re free.”
Though they’d only spent one evening together, Grandma He had genuinely taken a liking to this girl.
Her own family was small, and while there were many people in the Compound, few suited her taste and temperament.
Grandma He sighed inwardly, wondering why she hadn’t discovered earlier how much Shen Qi appealed to her.
Shen Qi nodded. “As long as Grandma doesn’t find me annoying.”
This was completely unexpected good fortune.
Grandma He’s words were clearly telling Shen Congjun that she had backing now – he couldn’t say one thing to her face and do another behind her back.
After seeing Grandma He off, only father and daughter remained in the living room.
Shen Qi looked up to meet her father’s gaze. “Dad, Grandma He said we should be treated equally.”
Her tone was calm, but Shen Congjun distinctly heard a hint of provocation in it.
Shen Qi was challenging his authority as father and head of the household.
“You want fairness, but you must have the capability to grasp it!” Shen Congjun shed the reverence and humility he had shown Grandma He. “It’s not that we didn’t send you to school, nor that we never gave you pocket money.”
“You squander money the moment it’s in your hands, and your academic performance is an utter mess. It was your own choice to drop out because you couldn’t keep up with the studies!”