Volume One, Chapter 15: Is That the One for Sister Shen?

Page 1/3

Yang Huihui truly admired this sister-in-law. However, she said no more and turned to enter her own room. Shen Erge sat by the window, having overheard Li Xiuying’s words, and comforted his beloved wife, “Huihui, don’t mind what sister-in-law says.”

“I know,” Yang Huihui replied, turning to pick up a piece of fabric on the table. She held it up against Shen Erge and said, “The cloth that Third Brother brought back is quite nice. I’ll cut some and make you a garment.”

Shen Erge replied, “It’s fine if you make clothes for yourself and the kids. I have enough to wear, no need to make anything for me.”

Yang Huihui shot him a sharp glance. “What are you thinking? Of course, the clothes are for me and the children. As for you, I was just thinking of setting aside some cloth to make you some trousers.”

Shen Erge laughed. “Alright then, I’ll be waiting for you to share some cloth with me for my trousers.”

He took his wife’s hand and walked toward the bed. “It’s late, let’s get some rest.”

The room was filled with warmth.

Over in the kitchen, peace reigned as well. Shen Zhiyuan ate noodles while telling Shen Zhiyi about his recent travels.

Zhiyi looked at him and asked, “Brother, was it hard work?”

“Not at all, I’m not tired.”

He took turns driving with another driver on the truck, so there was rest time, though living and eating on the truck wasn’t very convenient.

Before he left, Shen Zhiyi had prepared many things for him: tea to relieve fatigue, snacks, cakes to fill his stomach, condiments for meals, enough clothing to change, and so on.

With all that, the journey wasn’t too difficult.

“Sis, you guessed right. When we passed through a small mountain pass this time, someone did try to stop the truck, but I listened to you—no stopping, no getting off.”

Although Shen Zhiyuan had a rough temper, his greatest virtue was obeying his sister.

Back in their school days, he liked to go up the mountain to catch birds and fish but disliked studying. Shen Zhiyi forced him to study and do his homework, and he obediently complied, stumbling through to graduate high school.

After graduation, Zhiyi urged him to apprentice at a repair shop, learn to drive, and get his license, and he did.

Before this trip, Shen Zhiyi’s reminders were firmly etched in his mind.

“By the way, Sis, you haven’t opened the package I sent you. Go see if you like it.”

At his urging, Shen Zhiyi opened the package to find food, drinks, and clothes inside.

The dress was a red-and-white checkered pinafore made of cotton-linen fabric, hanging naturally with a flattering cut.

Shen Zhiyuan said, “Sis, you’ll look great in this dress. Many girls over in Guangdong wear something like this. Wear it to school tomorrow.”

Page 2/3

“Alright, I’ll wash it first.”

Since it was warm, washing and hanging it overnight would dry it by morning.

She didn’t need to wash it thoroughly, just a quick scrub and rinse.

“Brother, you bought so many things. Don’t tell me you spent your entire paycheck?”

“Almost forgot—here.”

Shen Zhiyuan pulled out a stack of cash and vouchers and handed them to Shen Zhiyi. “Sis, use this to spend.”

Zhiyi didn’t take it. “If I take it, what will you do?”

“I kept some for myself and saved the family’s share to give to Mom tomorrow. This is all for you.”

Zhiyi said no more. “Okay, I’ll help you save it.”

“No need. Just spend it.”

Shen Zhiyuan had long planned to give most of his wages to his sister since money was of little use to him.

Zhiyi smiled but neither accepted nor declined outright.

After chatting a while longer, they parted and returned to their rooms.

Shen Zhiyuan lay on his clean, tidy bed, sighing contentedly.

Home was still the most comfortable place.

Though he’d been away for over a month, his room remained neat and clean. Shen Zhiyuan guessed that Shen Zhiyi had anticipated his return and had tidied up the bed beforehand. After all, most kids these days were used to rough living; his parents wouldn’t think of such details, and neither would his two older brothers.

Resting his head on a pillow that still faintly smelled of herbs and flowers, Shen Zhiyuan slept soundly.

The next morning, Shen Zhiyi put on the new dress.

Sister-in-law Li Xiuying sneered but dared not speak since she had been warned beforehand.

Yang Huihui, however, praised Shen Zhiyi warmly. “Little sister, that dress suits you so well—fresh and lively, just perfect.”

As they spoke, a figure hurried over.

“Hurry, Xiaoyi! Your Third Brother is in a fight!”

Hearing this, Shen Zhiyi hurriedly set down what she was holding and rushed out.

By the time she arrived, the fight seemed over. Shen Sange’s voice came from the crowd:

“If you ever badmouth my sister again, I won’t hit you because you’re elders, but your sons? I’ll beat them every time I see them!”

The boy’s mother, whose son had been beaten, wailed, “This is terrible! I can’t even say a word as his aunt? I only said a little—your sister is unwell and had her engagement broken off. Isn’t that true?”

Her bruised-faced son tugged at her sleeve. “Mom, please say less!”

As if the beating wasn’t enough.

Shen Zhiyuan had risen early to jog through the village when he overheard several women gossiping harshly about Shen Zhiyi, each worse than the last.

Without hesitation, he sought out the son of the woman who had spoken the worst and without a word, punched him.

The stunned boy reacted and fought back, but Shen Zhiyuan landed three blows for every punch he received, until the boy was left defenseless.

Only when others intervened did the fight end, and the beaten boy realized once again he had been dragged into trouble by his mother.

Since he was clearly in the wrong, he dared not argue and left with his mother.

The crowd soon dispersed.

Shen Zhiyi examined Shen Sange carefully. “Brother, are you hurt anywhere?”

“No. Beating him was like hitting a chick. How could he hurt me?”

Shen Zhiyuan wanted to ask about Shen Zhiyi’s broken engagement but feared upsetting her, so he didn’t. Instead, he turned to his two older brothers for more details.

Li Xiuying, terrified Shen Zhiyuan might come for her, fled before he arrived.

He paid her no mind.

After learning from his brothers about Shen Zhiyi’s broken engagement and the trouble she faced, Shen Zhiyuan was furious. He immediately declared,

“Sis, I’m taking you to school today!”

Apricot Blossom Middle School.

Noon.

Two figures stood at the school gate.

Watching the number of people leaving the campus dwindle to just a few, Wang Tieniu asked nervously,

“Boss, are you sure Sister Shen will really come out for lunch? What if she eats at school?”

Song Huaichuan was momentarily caught off guard.

He hadn’t thought of that; he only knew she’d be at school and decided to wait for her there.

Just then, Wang Tieniu exclaimed,

“She’s coming! But… is that Sister Shen’s boyfriend?”

At Wang’s words, Song Huaichuan looked up sharply.