“Brother Xu, here are the materials you asked me to look up, along with some of the papers you needed.”
Zheng Shuyuan came over during the weekend.
He brought along all the materials, papers, and books Pei Xu had asked him to find.
Shen Zhiyi cut up some fruit and made two glasses of refreshing summer drinks.
“Passion fruit lemon sparkling water. Try it and see how it tastes.”
Pei Xu and Zheng Shuyuan were talking in the master bedroom. After Shen Zhiyi brought the drinks in, she sat on the tatami in the living room and started editing her videos.
Her daily life was now very fulfilling.
When they were at home, Pei Xu and Shen Zhiyi each went about their own business.
Although they didn’t disturb each other, they both enjoyed their current life.
“Brother Xu, she…”
“She’s fine. We’re not divorced yet, so you should call her sister-in-law.”
Hearing Pei Xu say this, Zheng Shuyuan quickly corrected himself.
“I misspoke. Sister-in-law… is she good to you?”
“Very good.”
Pei Xu reached out and felt the two cups on the desk.
After touching his own cup, he pulled it toward himself.
“I didn’t expect sister-in-law to actually be willing to stay by your side. Last time, I even said so many unpleasant things to her.”
Pei Xu put down his cup. “What did you say to her?”
“I told Shen… I told sister-in-law that if she wanted to leave, she should leave quickly and not harbor any inappropriate thoughts. I also asked her if she was trying to save money by not taking you to the hospital for follow-up appointments.”
Zheng Shuyuan told Pei Xu honestly.
What he had said at the time was probably even harsher than what he had just recounted.
“She didn’t hit you?”
Zheng Shuyuan shook his head, then remembered Pei Xu couldn’t see and continued, “No. At the time, I thought sister-in-law would hit me too.”
“She treats me very well. You don’t need to worry.”
After finishing her video editing, Shen Zhiyi checked the time.
It was almost lunchtime.
“Pei Xu.”
Shen Zhiyi opened the refrigerator and took out the ingredients for lunch.
“Coming.”
Pei Xu walked toward the kitchen.
He had tripped countless times and bumped into walls countless times at home, which was why he could now move so smoothly.
“Wash the spinach, cut the cilantro into sections, and oh, help me beat a few eggs…”
Shen Zhiyi and Pei Xu were both already used to it.
At home, this was basically how they spent their days.
But Zheng Shuyuan was dumbfounded in the living room.
Didn’t Brother Xu say sister-in-law treated him quite well? Was this what “quite well” meant?
“Stay for lunch. You probably haven’t tried my cooking yet.”
Shen Zhiyi glanced toward the living room and, seeing Zheng Shuyuan, politely invited him to stay for lunch.
“No, sister-in-law, I was just about to head back.”
Shen Zhiyi cooking… how did Brother Xu survive these past two months?
“Stay and try it. Zhiyi’s cooking is delicious.”
Zheng Shuyuan’s expression was hard to describe in words.
Had Brother Xu’s sense of taste gone wrong?
Zheng Shuyuan wanted to help in the kitchen, but the kitchen wasn’t very spacious, and it would be a bit crowded if he went in.
“You’re a guest. Go sit on the sofa.”
Hearing Zheng Shuyuan’s footsteps, Pei Xu told him to wait in the living room.
Today, Shen Zhiyi specially made one of her signature dishes, stir-fried pork.
Usually, she and Pei Xu had three dishes and one soup. Since they had a guest today, she naturally added two more dishes.
As usual, Shen Zhiyi told Pei Xu the position of each dish on the table.
Zheng Shuyuan picked up his chopsticks and waited until Pei Xu had taken a portion of stir-fried pork before following suit.
“Does it suit your taste?”
Pei Xu asked Zheng Shuyuan.
“Sister-in-law’s cooking is indeed good.”
“This scrambled egg was made by Pei Xu. Give it a try.”
Shen Zhiyi pushed the plate of scrambled eggs toward Zheng Shuyuan.
He took a bite, and his expression changed.
“It’s edible enough…”
“You should try some too.”
Shen Zhiyi also picked up a piece for Pei Xu.
The moment the egg entered his mouth, Pei Xu’s chewing slowed down.
“A few more tries and it’ll be fine. I didn’t get the salt right, and the eggs seem a bit burnt too.”
“Alright, take your time learning.”
Seeing that Pei Xu hadn’t given up on learning to cook, Shen Zhiyi decided to support him.
She would support him until he gave up the idea.
Cooking requires precise control of seasonings and a good grasp of heat.
Even if Pei Xu memorized the positions of all the seasonings and the steps for each dish, his limited vision might result in dishes that didn’t meet his expectations…
After finishing the meal, Zheng Shuyuan wanted to help with washing the dishes and tidying up.
But Pei Xu took care of everything, leaving him no chance to intervene.
“Sister-in-law, I misunderstood you before. Please don’t hold it against me.”
“It wasn’t entirely a misunderstanding.”
Shen Zhiyi tilted her chin, directing Zheng Shuyuan’s gaze toward Pei Xu, who was washing dishes in the kitchen.
“I just think Brother Xu is quite foolish…”
Shen Zhiyi didn’t respond, but she shared the same thought as Zheng Shuyuan.
After seeing Zheng Shuyuan off, Pei Xu organized the materials on the table, using his phone’s screen reader to identify their contents.
“Is it raining outside?”
“Not yet, but the weather forecast says it’ll rain within half an hour.”
The wind had picked up outside, so Shen Zhiyi closed the windows.
“Is your headache acting up again?”
Shen Zhiyi suddenly remembered what Pei Xu had told the doctor during his follow-up appointment at the hospital.
He actually experienced headaches every day, but they were more severe on rainy days.
“It’s fine.”
Shen Zhiyi didn’t believe him.
“Lie down on the sofa. I’ll massage your head for you.”
“No need. I’ll just take a couple of painkillers later.”
Pei Xu rarely took medication unless his headache became unbearable.
“It’s better to avoid painkillers if possible.”
Shen Zhiyi had Pei Xu lie on the sofa and covered him with a thin blanket.
“Let me know if you feel uncomfortable.”
Shen Zhiyi placed her fingers on Pei Xu’s temples and gently massaged them.
“Is the pressure okay?”
“Mm.”
Watching Pei Xu’s brow gradually relax, Shen Zhiyi shifted her fingertips upward to a different spot.
When her hand accidentally brushed against the scar on Pei Xu’s head, she paused briefly before slowing her movements.
She massaged for a while, only stopping when she heard Pei Xu’s steady breathing.
Sitting on a low stool, she stared at Pei Xu’s face, lost in thought.
It wasn’t until Shen Zhiyi yawned that she realized how late it was.
She stood up, returned the low stool to its place, then went to the master bedroom to fetch a pillow, placing it under Pei Xu’s neck.
“Goodnight…”
Shen Zhiyi lowered her voice and whispered goodnight to the sleeping man.
Only after hearing the sound of the secondary bedroom door closing did Pei Xu slowly open his eyes.