Shen Xianjun carried Little Baby back to Qin Nian, only to be pinched by her.
"I told you not to get involved, didn’t I? I saw everything just now."
"Sweetheart, I didn’t do anything. I just reminded him that it’s been a while since he visited the old leader. How can you blame me? Little Baby, tell your aunt—didn’t I just ask that uncle to go see the old leader?"
Shen Xianjun looked wronged, and Little Baby nodded earnestly.
"Auntie, don’t be mad. You can have my candied hawthorn."
After a moment’s thought, Little Baby handed his candied hawthorn skewer to Qin Nian.
"You’re so sweet, Little Baby. Auntie doesn’t want it—you eat it."
Before Shen Xianjun could even feel relieved, he realized he’d been outdone. Why hadn’t he thought to buy one for his wife earlier? Even a child knew how to share the spoils.
"Should I go buy you one?"
Shen Xianjun spoke up.
"Sure, get a few more. Yaoyao and Miaomiao are probably at home too."
Hearing this, Shen Xianjun patted his pockets and walked over to the candied hawthorn vendor.
"I’ll take all of them. Give me a discount."
If he was going to buy some, he might as well get enough for everyone. It wouldn’t be fair to leave anyone out.
"All of them? There are over thirty skewers here."
Shen Xianjun glanced at the display.
"I’ll give you eight yuan for the whole lot. Otherwise, I won’t be able to carry them all."
He reached into his pocket.
"Ah, no problem! Here you go—hold them steady."
"Wow! Uncle is amazing!"
Little Baby gasped in awe at the sight of Shen Xianjun hauling the entire bundle of candied hawthorn skewers on his shoulder.
Shen Xianjun plucked the largest skewer from the bunch and handed it to Qin Nian.
"Go ahead, they’re all ours now."
Qin Nian took it. Truthfully, she wasn’t particularly craving candied hawthorn, but her heart felt inexplicably warm.
"I can’t finish this. Help me eat a couple."
After taking a bite, she noticed Shen Xianjun balancing the skewers on one shoulder while holding Little Baby with his other hand, leaving him no way to eat. So, she held her skewer up to his mouth.
Shen Xianjun stared at the glistening red treat, his body moving faster than his brain as he took two whole hawthorn berries in one bite.
Sweet. Then sour. A little sticky on the teeth.
Qin Nian watched his cheeks puff out and stifled a laugh. This man was amusing—when she said "eat two," he really went for two huge berries without worrying about choking.
Little Baby gaped at Shen Xianjun’s mouth in amazement.
"Uncle’s mouth is so big! He can fit two candied hawthorns at once!"
The child’s innocent remark made Shen Xianjun cough mid-swallow. Qin Nian couldn’t hold back her laughter anymore, though she quickly turned her face away when he shot her a look, trying to suppress her giggles.
"Go ahead and laugh. Don’t hurt yourself holding it in."
Shen Xianjun sighed. If only he had a third hand, he’d ruffle Little Baby’s head in retaliation.
"I didn’t mean to. Kids say the darndest things."
Qin Nian managed to compose herself—until Fan Juan approached.
"I thought you’d take longer."
"If I had to handle everything myself, it would’ve taken ages. But the boss assigned me an assistant. The registration and coupon distribution were already delegated, and every step had someone overseeing it. No room for mistakes. We hit the jackpot this time—I’ll fill you in later."
Fan Juan lowered her voice, though her excitement was unmistakable.
"Here, have a candied hawthorn."
Qin Nian handed her a skewer, and only then did Fan Juan notice the massive bundle Shen Xianjun was carrying.
"With this many, the kids are going to lose their minds."
She accepted it without hesitation.
Originally, they’d planned to head straight to the noodle shop, but now, with the candied haul in tow, they had to make a detour to the residential compound first.
When they got home, they found not only their own door locked but also Aunt Wang’s place empty.
"I’ll go help Mom at the noodle shop."
Shen Xianjun figured the women would want privacy to talk.
"Alright."
"Little Baby, want to go see Grandma Yang?"
The moment Shen Xianjun asked, Little Baby darted away from Qin Nian’s side.
"Go see Grandma Yang!"
"I’ll take Little Baby with me, then."
"Sure."
Qin Nian had things to discuss with Fan Juan anyway.
As Shen Xianjun and Little Baby reached the gate, Professor Wen returned with a group of children in tow.
"Dad!"
"Grandma! Brother!"
Little Baby squirmed to be let down, and Shen Xianjun quickly obliged.
"Where are you off to?"
Professor Wen asked.
"Helping Mom at the noodle shop. Qin Nian and Comrade Fan Juan are talking at home. Since Big Brother and his wife are busy, we’ve been looking after Little Baby."
Shen Xianjun explained.
"Good. Since we’re all back today, let’s have dinner together tonight."
After getting used to their shared meals, Professor Wen had grown fond of the lively gatherings whenever both families could make it.
"I’ll let Mom know. As for Little Baby..."
Shen Xianjun glanced at the child.
"The kids can play together. You go ahead."
Professor Wen took charge, and Little Baby nodded eagerly.
"Uncle is super strong! He carried a HUGE bunch of candied hawthorns! There were so many!"
"Grandma bought us bread—and some for you too, Little Baby. Next time we go out, if you get tired, Brother Zhenghao and I will take turns carrying you."
Li Wu flexed his arms proudly.
The children chattered excitedly as they headed into the compound, while Shen Xianjun made his way to the noodle shop.
Dinner was still an hour away, but Aunt Wang was already there with Yaoyao and Miaomiao.
"Xianjun’s here."
Aunt Wang spotted him first.
"Aunt Wang, Mom."
Shen Xianjun greeted them.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with Qin Nian?"
Yang Yufen, busy slicing cooked lamb and offal, frowned when she didn’t see her daughter-in-law.
"She’s at home. I just saw my mother-in-law—she said we’re all having dinner together tonight."
"Dinner together? Then go buy groceries. I saved a nice rack of lamb ribs today—already blanched. Just stew them with radish. Make sure to tell Brother Wang and Sister Fangfen not to cook—they’re joining us too."
As she spoke, Yang Yufen pulled ten yuan from her pocket.
"See if you can get a big fish too."
"Right. Oh—should Yaoyao and Miaomiao come back with me? Li Wu and the others are all home playing. I can bring them along when I return."
Shen Xianjun adored the two little girls.
"That’d be a big help. I’ll stay and assist your mom. Take the kids back when you’re ready."
Aunt Wang had been bored at home all morning. After lunch and a nap with the girls, she’d come straight to the shop. Time flew when chatting with Yang Yufen while the children played in the courtyard.
