"Mom, we're back."
Qin Nian's voice rang out, and Shen Xianjun straightened up, turning his gaze toward the door as the mother and her two children walked in hand in hand.
"Dad!"
Clearly, Dabao had a good memory—he recognized Shen Xianjun immediately.
"Yeah, good boy."
Men, especially at his age, still cherished the warmth of a loving wife and children.
"Erbao, say hello to Dad."
Qin Nian bent down and spoke softly beside Erbao.
"Dad."
Erbao obediently called out, but his eyes lingered on Shen Xianjun’s face—the beard was gone, making him look different.
"You’re back just in time. The noodles will be ready soon. Everyone, go wash your hands."
Yang Yufen’s voice carried over from the kitchen.
"Got it."
Qin Nian responded, and Dabao, who had been about to rush toward Shen Xianjun, swiftly changed course at the mention of food, dragging Erbao along to wash their hands.
"Grandma, Grandma! What are we eating today? It smells so good!"
Erbao’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Yang Yufen.
"Noodles. I poached an egg for each of you. Go sit down—it’ll be ready in a minute."
Yang Yufen smiled warmly at the children. Dabao pulled Erbao along, and the two dashed back to the main room.
Qin Nian had already set up their little table.
"Why do they each have their own table?"
Shen Xianjun frowned.
Qin Nian’s brows also furrowed slightly.
"It’s their habit since they were little. It’s easier for them to eat this way."
She spoke in a low voice.
"Oh, but you shouldn’t spoil kids too much. They’ll develop bad habits. In the army—"
"Shut your mouth. Those who don’t take care of the kids don’t get a say. Eat."
Yang Yufen strode out, holding vinegar in one hand and a bowl of noodles in the other. She poured the vinegar liberally into Shen Xianjun’s bowl while glaring at him.
If she had been a second later, this blockhead might have spouted more nonsense.
"Mom, that’s enough, enough!"
Shen Xianjun, distracted by the vinegar, instinctively reverted to calling her "Mom" instead of "Mother."
Qin Nian suppressed a smile and went to the kitchen to bring out more noodles.
It had been a while since he’d had vinegar. The aroma alone whetted Shen Xianjun’s appetite. Indeed, being discharged from the hospital was a blessing—his mom’s cooking suited his tastes perfectly, even if her temper left much to be desired.
If only she wouldn’t undermine his dignity in front of his wife. But he knew she’d never change. Oh well, he was used to it—though he felt a little sorry for Qin Nian.
"Nian, I stir-fried some chicken gizzards with pickled vegetables. It’s great with rice—have some."
Yang Yufen placed a plate of the dish in front of Qin Nian.
"Thank you, Mom. You should eat too."
Qin Nian quickly urged Yang Yufen to sit down.
"Mom, I’d like some too."
Shen Xianjun’s mouth watered at the aroma.
"The doctor said you can’t eat that."
Yang Yufen dismissed him outright, even scooping most of the dish onto Qin Nian’s plate.
Shen Xianjun watched helplessly as the plate was emptied. But since it was for his wife, he couldn’t very well snatch it back from her.
"Nian, if you can’t finish it, I’ll help. Wasting food is shameful."
He made a last-ditch effort. He remembered Qin Nian didn’t eat much—that big bowl of noodles, plus two eggs! Meanwhile, he, the injured patient, only got one egg—the same as the kids!
He understood his mom doting on her grandsons, but weren’t mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law supposed to be natural enemies? Why did this feel different?
Qin Nian said nothing, quietly finishing every bite, even drinking up the broth. Normally, she wouldn’t have been able to eat so much, but today, buoyed by her mother-in-law’s affection, she emptied the bowl completely.
"If you like it, I’ll make it again for you next time."
Yang Yufen was almost worried Qin Nian had overeaten. She knew her daughter-in-law’s usual appetite—she’d only piled on the food to encourage her, not force her.
"Your cooking is delicious. I’ll take Dabao and Erbao out for a walk—they’ll need their nap soon."
"Go ahead, go ahead."
Yang Yufen began clearing the dishes.
"Mom, I could still eat more."
Shen Xianjun held out his empty bowl.
"Were you a pig in your past life? One bowl wasn’t enough?"
"Mom, training in the army increased my appetite."
He defended himself.
"No wonder you ate up all your stipend over the years."
Yang Yufen huffed but still cooked him another serving—though no egg this time, since there’d be chicken for dinner.
"Godmother, we’ll have more people for dinner tonight. One of my students raised fish, and I brought back a big one. Stewed with your pickled vegetables, it’ll be amazing."
Wang Shuo walked in carrying a fish as long as an arm—at least three and a half pounds.
"Wonderful! I’ll make some flatbreads to go with it and add extra sauce. I remember you all love that."
Yang Yufen beamed as she accepted the fish and vegetables from Wang Shuo.
"I’ll clean the fish—no need to trouble you, Godmother. Should I keep the fish innards too?"
Wang Shuo pulled the fish back slightly.
"Yes, stewed together, they’re delicious."
Yang Yufen took the vegetables to the kitchen and returned with a basin.
Shen Xianjun felt like an extra in his own home. His mom had barely glanced at him while cleaning, yet here she was, chatting cheerfully with her godson. What was this?
"Brother Wang!"
"Uncle!"
"Uncle!"
Qin Nian returned with the children from their walk and greeted Wang Shuo, who was cleaning the fish in the yard. The kids excitedly ran over and crowded around him.
"Wow! Such a huge fish!"
They poked at it curiously, unfazed by the blood.
Shen Xianjun’s heart ached even more.
Since his return, the kids hadn’t clung to him once. Qin Nian had barely spoken to him, yet now she stood there, smiling as she watched another man handle a fish.
Once he recovered, he’d do more than clean fish—he’d slaughter a pig if he had to!
And what was so impressive about cleaning a fish? The kids were practically worshipping Wang Shuo, showering him with sweet words, completely forgetting their own father!
"It’s a bit messy. Dabao, Erbao, go take your nap. When you wake up, Yaoyao can play with you, and we’ll have a delicious dinner."
Wang Shuo rinsed the kids’ hands with water.
"Yay!"
Dabao cheered, pulling his brother toward the house for their nap.
"Thank you for your hard work, Brother Wang."
"Not at all. Go take care of the kids, sister-in-law."
Wang Shuo continued cleaning the fish.
"I’d like to nap too. Where should I sleep?"
Shen Xianjun spoke up as Qin Nian prepared to take the children inside.
Qin Nian froze awkwardly, but Dabao, focused only on waking up to a feast, tugged Erbao into the house without waiting for her.
"Maybe I can sleep with the kids?"
Shen Xianjun suggested hesitantly.
Qin Nian bit her lip lightly. The children were restless sleepers, and Shen Xianjun was still injured.
