"Mom, what do you think? Isn’t my wife wonderful?" Shen Xianjun couldn’t help but ask as his mother entered the kitchen.
"Hmph, of course my daughter-in-law is wonderful. If you dare do anything to hurt Nian, watch your legs! It’s not just because she married you that she’s good—she was always good. Smart, filial, she’d be a blessing to anyone. You got lucky, so don’t act smug." Yang Yufen scooped a ladle of water to wash her face.
"Mom, how can you be so harsh on your own son? I’m not that bad."
"Hmph, even dung doesn’t think it stinks. Don’t you have any self-awareness? You’re a soldier, always away from home. Do you know how much hardship your wife has to endure alone?
Afraid of burdening you, she wouldn’t even let me come to help. What if I really hadn’t come? How much suffering would she have faced, pregnant and alone? Would Dabao and Erbao have been born safely?
And what about the gossip? People would’ve stabbed her in the back. With all her talents, she could’ve helped so many, but because of you, her light dimmed.
You have your duty as a soldier, but as your wife—someone with no blood ties to you, who never even got your protection—why should she sacrifice so much? Have you ever imagined how close you came to losing everything?"
Yang Yufen’s words poured out like a storm. Deep down, she feared this happiness was just a fleeting dream. Whenever she had a moment to herself, unease crept in.
Shen Xianjun lowered his head, silent. He wasn’t a good son, nor a good husband. So much of this had never crossed his mind.
"Just focus on cooking."
Yang Yufen took a deep breath, set the ladle back in the water jar, and walked out.
When Qin Nian returned with the children, she didn’t see her mother-in-law in the kitchen—only her husband quietly cooking, his mood visibly off.
"What’s wrong?"
The children were in the main room doing homework.
"I’m sorry. I haven’t been a proper husband. I’ve let you face so much unfairness and hardship."
Shen Xianjun’s apology caught Qin Nian off guard.
"It hasn’t been that bad. After Mom came, she helped me a lot, always standing up for me. I didn’t suffer much. I understand your duty and mission. It’s just..."
Qin Nian suddenly bit her lip. If her mother-in-law hadn’t come, she would’ve missed out on so much.
In the main room, the children’s innocent chatter filled the air—poking, giggling, their hands busy with homework, their mouths never still.
"Dad, Mom, when’s dinner? I’m starving!"
Li Wu burst into the kitchen, breaking the silence.
"Almost done. Have you all finished your homework? If so, clear the table and call Grandma for dinner."
Shen Xianjun quickly responded.
"Yay! Dinner time! I’ll get Grandma!"
Li Wu cheered and dashed off. Shen Xianjun hurriedly scooped the stir-fry from the pan, added a ladle of water, and waited to cook the noodles.
Yang Yufen returned with freshly gathered eggs. She’d check tomorrow morning to see how many more she could collect—enough to bring to Sister Liu.
At the hospital, Yang Yufen knew the orthopedics department like the back of her hand. After asking a nurse for the room number, she found Aunt Liu in no time.
Inside the ward, Aunt Liu was struggling to reach for something, her body tilted precariously. The room had no other patients.
"Careful, careful!"
Yang Yufen rushed forward as Aunt Liu nearly toppled off the bed.
"What brings you here?"
"To see you, of course. Were you trying to get water?"
Yang Yufen steadied her, then poured water from the thermos and handed it to her.
After a few sips, Aunt Liu looked a little better.
"The caregiver hasn’t shown up today—no idea why. The nurses were so busy, I thought I’d manage on my own. It didn’t seem far, but I almost fell."
Aunt Liu forced a smile, but the bitterness in her eyes was unmistakable.
"Have you eaten?"
"Yes, yes. My child brought breakfast before rushing to work."
"If the caregiver’s this irresponsible, just replace her. And you should’ve called the nurse."
Aunt Wang sat down beside her. It had only been a few days, but Aunt Liu had visibly lost weight.
Noticing the IV bag was nearly empty, Yang Yufen called a nurse. Even after the nurse replaced it, the caregiver still hadn’t arrived.
Originally, Yang Yufen had planned just to visit and chat awhile, but now she and Aunt Wang settled in, refusing to leave.
By noon, Yang Yufen bought noodles from a nearby shop and brought them back for Aunt Liu. They were nearly finished eating when the caregiver finally appeared—a plump woman in her thirties, hardly the image of a diligent worker.
"Oh, you’ve already eaten, Granny? Sorry, something came up at home."
The woman’s apology rang hollow.
"You’re not needed anymore. You can leave."
Aunt Liu spoke firmly.
"Granny, how can you say that? Your son hired me. If you send me away, I won’t refund the money."
"You—you—!"
Aunt Liu was livid.
"Hands off! Those eggs are for her, not you."
Yang Yifen scowled as the woman not only argued shamelessly but also tried to pocket the eggs they’d brought.
"If you brought them for Granny, I’ll take them to cook for her."
The woman spoke as if it were obvious.
"Take them home to feed your family while starving your employer? You’ve got nerve."
"Starving her? Granny, don’t lie! The doctor said she needs light meals. And with her bedridden, the nurses handled mornings. I was only a little late—why make such a fuss? You’re ruining my reputation!"
Yang Yufen gripped the basket tightly. When the woman realized she couldn’t snatch it, she slapped her thigh and started wailing.
"How is someone like this qualified to care for patients?"
Yang Yufen frowned. Aunt Wang pressed the call button.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
The woman panicked at the sound of the bell.
"You’re disturbing the patient. At our age, we can’t risk a scuffle. Let the doctors handle it."
Aunt Wang patted Aunt Liu’s hand reassuringly.
"You’re being unreasonable!"
Yang Yufen gathered their things, keeping them out of the woman’s reach. Soon, a nurse arrived.
"What’s the matter?"
"This woman is disrupting the patient’s rest," Aunt Wang said.
"I’m the caregiver her son hired! These two old ladies want to kick me out!"
"I don’t want her. She vanished all morning, left me starving, and tried to steal my things."
The nurse, familiar with the situation, nodded. She hadn’t seen the caregiver all morning either.
"Please leave. You’re disturbing the patient."
Grumbling, the woman finally left, though not without a few parting curses.
"Honestly, a different caregiver might be better. She’s strong, but she’s never been attentive."
The nurse added before walking away.
