Shen Xiaoyan pressed down her impatience, smiling and said, "Alright then. At noon, I'll cook."
Xu Shi found this suggestion quite pleasing. Although Shen Xiaoyan had only left for a day, and Shen Xiaoming had cooked yesterday, Shen Xiaoming had fainted this morning. After checking on Shen Xiaoming's room, she realized she'd have to cook herself.
Thinking of this, Xu Shi hesitated again. Shen Xiaoyan was married. If Shen Xiaoming were to leave too, who would do the household chores in the future?
Shen Xiaoyan walked into the kitchen. She started the fire and cooked in one go. Although it was her first time in the Shen family's kitchen, the sense of familiarity was etched deep into her bones.
For lunch, she didn't try anything new, just simple farm food, the same as what the Shen family used to eat.
Even so, Shen Cheng's family ate with great relish.
Shen Xiaoming was young. Although he could cook, his skills weren't high.
As for Xu Shi, after marrying into the Shen family, she had cooked very few times, and her cooking skills had long since become rusty.
After lunch, Shen Cheng himself suggested going to town. Since the decision was made, it was better to get it done as soon as possible.
Shen Xiaoyan had to return to her own home in the evening. If the household registration wasn't settled, she wouldn't be able to take Shen Xiaoming away. Who would take care of him then?
Shen Xiaoming watched Shen Cheng and Zheng Wei leave together. Only when they were out of sight did he reluctantly withdraw his gaze.
As soon as she turned around, wanting to go into the house to check on Shen Xiaoming, she saw Xu Xiao'e standing behind her, a faint smile on her face.
"What do you want?" Now that things were settled, she had no interest in playing along with them anymore.
Xu Xiao'e revealed a knowing smile. "You've really changed."
Shen Xiaoyan shrugged. "If you'd died in the river once, you'd change too."
Hearing this, Xu Xiao'e said no more. "No matter how you change, in the end, I'm the one who wins."
After saying this, Xu Xiao'e turned and walked towards the main house.
Shen Xiaoyan smiled indifferently at Xu Xiao'e's retreating figure and walked into Shen Xiaoming's room towards the west.
At noon, Shen Xiaoming woke up. She had made him some congee. Shen Xiaoming only ate half a bowl before falling asleep again.
Shen Xiaoming was still sleeping now. His little face had returned to normal, and his breathing was no longer heavy.
Shen Xiaoyan pulled a wooden stool and sat by the window, resting her chin on her hand. She thought about Xu Xiao'e's words just now.
She understood what Xu Xiao'e meant. From the original owner's memories, she already knew that after Xu Shi brought Xu Xiao'e to the Shen family, Xu Xiao'e had always regarded her and Shen Xiaoming as thorns in her side.
The reason for this was none other than that she and Shen Xiaoming were Shen Cheng's biological children, while Xu Xiao'e was a child brought by the second wife.
However, Xu Xiao'e was sweet-mouthed and cunning, pleasing Shen Cheng immensely, making him forget even his own daughter.
After the birth of the dragon and phoenix twins, Shen Cheng forgot about her and Shen Xiaoming even more.
Now that she had been sold by Xu Shi for twenty taels of silver, and the money was to be used as dowry for Xu Xiao'e, Xu Xiao'e was naturally even happier.
She wanted to take Xiaoming away today, along with their household registration. This meant completely separating from the Shen family. Xu Xiao'e naturally thought she had won.
She had succeeded in driving her and Xiaoming out of their own home, yet Xu Xiao'e, an outsider, was enjoying everything in this house.
She could imagine Xu Xiao'e's face beaming with joy right now. However, whether this was good or bad remained to be seen.
"En~"
Just as Shen Xiaoyan was thinking, she heard a soft groan from Shen Xiaoming on the bed. She quickly stood up and walked to the window.
"Xiaoming, how are you feeling?"
Shen Xiaoming slowly opened his eyes and smiled gently at Shen Xiaoyan. "Sister, I'm thirsty."
"Sister will pour you some tea." Shen Xiaoyan said as she walked to a low stool by the wall.
On the stool was a teapot containing tea she had brewed and cooled. It was now at the perfect temperature.
Shen Xiaoming drank three cups in a row before shaking his head and saying he wouldn't drink anymore.
"Sister, am I leaving with you today?" Shen Xiaoming lay in bed, his eyes shining as he looked at Shen Xiaoyan.
Shen Xiaoyan nodded heavily. "Yes, we'll leave together once Zheng, um, your brother-in-law returns. Didn't Sister say she would definitely take you away?"
Shen Xiaoming smiled again upon hearing this, but his expression was dejected. "I know. My parents don't want to raise me anymore. I'm sick, can't work, and still cost money to keep. That's why they're giving me to you."
Shen Xiaoyan gently stroked Shen Xiaoming's head and said softly, "What nonsense are you talking about? You're just sick. After a few days of care, you'll be as lively as ever."
Shen Xiaoming lowered his eyelids and said, "Sister, you don't have to lie to me. I heard you talking this morning."
Shen Xiaoyan was surprised. She hadn't expected Shen Xiaoming to be awake at that time.
However, Shen Xiaoyan had no intention of explaining anything now. If others overheard, it might cause further complications.
Just as Shen Xiaoyan expected, Xu Shi was standing outside the room, listening to them talk.
Xu Shi had originally intended to exchange pleasantries with Shen Xiaoyan. After all, Shen Xiaoyan had indirectly helped her by taking away the person who was now competing for the family property with her son.
But before she could enter the room, she heard Shen Xiaoming wake up. Her heart stirred, and Xu Shi stopped in her tracks, standing outside and listening to their conversation.
Hearing Shen Xiaoyan's lack of reply, Xu Shi felt that Shen Xiaoyan must not know what to say.
Xu Shi felt much better. The thorn in her side was finally being removed.
"Oh my, Xiaoming is awake!" Xu Shi strode into the room, looking at Shen Xiaoming lying in bed and exclaiming dramatically.
Shen Xiaoyan turned her head and saw Xu Shi enter with an exaggerated smile. "Yes, he's awake."
Despite Shen Xiaoyan and Shen Xiaoming's cool reception, Xu Shi didn't mind at all. She continued to smile and say, "It's good that he's awake. Xiaoming, you'll go to your sister's place later. It will surely be better for your recovery than staying at home. Perhaps you might even live a few more years."
Indeed, after hearing these words, the light in Shen Xiaoming's eyes dimmed a little more.
Shen Xiaoyan was furious. She said coldly, "Mother, are you here to give money?"
Xu Shi was taken aback. "What money?"
Shen Xiaoyan sneered, "Mother, you have a poor memory. Although Father asked me to take Xiaoming away, no matter what, Xiaoming is his son. As his sister, I'm taking care of him, so he should provide some money, shouldn't he?"
Hearing this, Xu Shi immediately became flustered. She gave a forced laugh and said, "Oh dear, I can't stand for long periods. My eyes are blurry, and my head is spinning. What did you just say? Never mind, I'll go back and rest for a while. You don't need to tell me when you leave later."
With that, Xu Shi left as quickly as a gust of wind, showing no signs of dizziness at all.
Shen Xiaoyan just sneered at this. She quickly said to Shen Xiaoming, "Don't overthink it. Sister will definitely cure you. It's not a serious illness, you just need to eat well and recuperate properly."
Shen Xiaoming nodded but didn't reply. Although he was young, he had heard about matters in the village.
The Zheng Wei whom his sister married was an orphan, cast out by the Zhu family. Apart from a few rooms and two mu of barren land, he had nothing else.
Although he was a skilled hunter, hunting could barely fill their stomachs.
If he added his medicine and recuperation to that, it would only become a burden for his sister and her husband.