"I'm getting older and have been feeling a bit overheated lately. I happened to run into your sister-in-law at the hospital, and she took me to see a traditional Chinese doctor. I got some medicine to cool the internal heat—you can ask your sister-in-law about it if you don’t believe me."
Yang Yufen met her daughter-in-law Qin Nian’s skeptical gaze and dragged Zhou Ang into the conversation.
"Grandma!"
Dabao and Erbao came running over and immediately clung to Yang Yufen’s legs.
"Yes, yes, you must be hungry. Come on, wash your hands and let’s eat!"
"Okay!"
The two children answered brightly.
Whether it was the medicine taking effect or simply getting proper rest these past few days, by the time Shen Xianjun was discharged from the hospital, it happened to be a Sunday.
The car that brought him home was driven by an acquaintance.
"Auntie, we’ve brought him back safe and sound."
"Brother of Nian, thank you so much for taking the time to bring him home despite your busy schedule."
Yang Yufen opened the door wide.
"No trouble at all. It was an assigned task, and besides, we’re practically family."
Hu Jun immediately helped Shen Xianjun up.
"Let me help too."
Wang Shuo, who happened to be home on leave, quickly stepped forward. The two men supported Shen Xianjun on either side and helped him onto the sofa in the living room.
Shen Xianjun wanted to say he could walk on his own, but the two didn’t even give him a chance to speak.
"Brother Xianjun, I’m Wang Shuo, Auntie’s sworn son. I work at the Agricultural Sciences Institute, and our families are neighbors. If you need anything, just call for me—I’m usually home after work in the evenings."
Wang Shuo introduced himself and quickly took the stool Yang Yufen was carrying.
"Auntie, I’m off duty today. If you need anything, just call me. If I’m not around, Little Fang will be home."
"Good, good. Come over for dinner tonight. I’m slaughtering a chicken—bring Little Fang and the kids too."
"Alright then, Auntie. I’ll head out now to get some vegetables. No need to prepare too much."
Before leaving, Wang Shuo nodded at Shen Xianjun, who sat stiffly on the sofa, leaning back due to the wound on his abdomen.
When had his mother even taken in a sworn son? And why was her attitude toward him so different from how she treated this "son"?
Had she thought he was really dead during his mission and decided to adopt someone else? But this man worked at the Agricultural Sciences Institute—why would someone his age even want a sworn mother?
"Come over for dinner tonight too. I know you’re busy with assignments, so I won’t keep you longer."
After seeing Wang Shuo off, Yang Yufen turned to Hu Jun.
"Alright, Auntie. I’ll take my leave then."
With that, Hu Jun got into the car and waved at Yang Yufen before driving off.
The doorway had been lively, but inside the house, it was quiet and cold. Shen Xianjun waited for a while, but his mother didn’t return.
The stitches on his abdomen had been removed, though the wound was still bandaged. He could move around a little, so he straightened up and walked outside.
Just as he stepped out, Yang Yufen returned from the neighbor’s house.
"If you need the toilet, it’s over there. Don’t forget to flush."
She pointed casually, making no move to help him. Instead, she picked up a bamboo stick, tested its sturdiness with a tap, and handed it to him.
"Go on."
Shen Xianjun hadn’t really needed to go, but now that he was outside and his mother had said that, it felt awkward not to. So he went ahead and used the toilet.
To his surprise, there was even a handrail inside. He chuckled to himself and flushed as instructed.
"Mom, where are the kids?"
Shen Xianjun asked, puzzled.
"Nian took them to get new clothes made. It’s getting hot, and kids grow fast. Since she’s on leave, you should just go watch TV and stay out of the way."
Truthfully, Yang Yufen had mentioned the day before that the children needed summer clothes.
Qin Nian, unsure how to face Shen Xianjun, had volunteered to take the kids shopping.
"Also, Mom has a favor to ask. Since Xianjun’s been gone all these years, he doesn’t have any clothes here. Even at the hospital, he wore patient gowns. Could you pick up some everyday clothes for him while you’re out? I’ll give you the money."
Yang Yufen pulled some cash from her pocket.
"Ah—Mom, I have money. But I’ve never bought clothes for him before. I don’t even know his size. Maybe you should come along?"
Qin Nian froze. She had no problem buying clothes for the kids or taking them out, but shopping for that man?
"Someone needs to stay home in case there’s urgent business. Besides, we’re having guests over tonight, and I need to prepare. You’re already taking the kids out—it’s perfect. It’s settled."
Yang Yufen shoved the money into Qin Nian’s hands and went to the kitchen to wash dishes.
Ever since Qin Nian returned, Yang Yufen had taken over dishwashing duties while Qin Nian took care of the children. The two kids adored their mother, always pulling her along to play outside.
At the department store, Qin Nian bought new clothes for the children and even picked out a set for her mother-in-law. But when it came to men’s clothing, she hesitated.
"Mom, I’m hungry! I want a pancake!"
Dabao tugged at her sleeve, eyeing someone else’s snack.
"Alright, we’ll get one after we finish shopping."
Qin Nian snapped out of her thoughts and pointed at a plain white undershirt.
"Two of these, large size. And two pairs of these pants. Also… two pairs of underwear."
Following the same habit as when buying clothes for the kids, she made sure to get everything—innerwear, outerwear, even shoes. Black pants, white undershirts, and a light jacket, since it wasn’t scorching yet.
Once everything was paid for, she exhaled deeply, avoiding looking at the bags as she carried them out.
Dabao happily munched on his pancake while Erbao tugged at Qin Nian’s sleeve.
"Mom, I miss Grandma."
"Okay, let’s go home."
Qin Nian led the children onto the bus.
Back at the residential compound:
"Mom, what’s for lunch?"
Shen Xianjun’s stomach growled after using the toilet. The porridge he’d had for breakfast hadn’t lasted long.
"It’s only eleven. Nian and the kids aren’t even back yet, and you’re already hungry? Wait."
Yang Yufen was preparing to slaughter a chicken. With so many guests coming, one bird wouldn’t be enough—she’d need to add potatoes to the stew.
After tying up the chicken, she turned and poured a glass of milk powder.
"Drink this."
"Mom, I’m not a kid. Why milk powder?"
Shen Xianjun stared at the glass in disbelief.
"Take it or leave it."
Yang Yufen huffed and walked away. A moment later, the chicken let out a single, abrupt squawk before going silent.
She’d done it on purpose. Normally, she’d have muffled the sound, but right now, she wasn’t in the mood to be careful.
The chicken fat sizzled in the pan, perfect for frying eggs and boiling noodles.
Yang Yfen checked the time and began rolling out dough for fresh noodles.
By the time Qin Nian returned with the children, the water in the pot was just right for cooking.
