Compared to their hurried return, Li Yue Shu and Shen Wei took their time this time.
The two sat on horseback, one in front of the other, moving slowly as if on a stroll.
Aunt Liu stood at the doorway, watching their retreating figures, and couldn't help but sigh, "These two children look so well-matched!"
Mother Mo nodded in agreement.
It was just a pity that if Shen Wei weren't foolish, Madam wouldn't have to work so hard.
Li Yue Shu was unaware of the gazes behind her. Leaning against Shen Wei's chest, she felt an indescribable heat radiating from his back.
In her eyes, Shen Wei was just a slightly more robust child, so even sharing a bed with him didn't make her feel anything.
But at this moment, sensing the intense masculine scent that almost completely enveloped her, Li Yue Shu's heart couldn't help but skip a beat.
How could she have forgotten that no matter how young Shen Wei's mind was, his body was still that of an adult.
Li Yue Shu squirmed uncomfortably on horseback, unable to find a comfortable position.
Shen Wei lowered his gaze to the fluffy little head fidgeting in his arms, a smile seeming to spread to the corners of his eyes.
Just then, Li Yue Shu suddenly turned her head, "Can you hurry up? We'll miss Amin and the others getting out of school soon."
Shen Wei looked at her innocently, his eyes filled with pure sincerity, "But I don't know how to ride a horse."
Li Yue Shu: "..."
She looked at him with disbelief, but Shen Wei's expression was too innocent to be a lie.
Had the muscle memory disappeared along with his urgency?
Li Yue Shu's lips twitched, and she resigned herself to controlling the horse herself.
Since the horse was originally bought to pull a carriage, it had no saddle. Coupled with their lack of haste on the return journey, Li Yue Shu was completely unaccustomed to it.
All her attention was focused on how to control the horse, and she naturally didn't notice that every time her operation was incorrect, Shen Wei would subtly teach her to correct it.
They spent a full two hours on the road to the neighboring town.
When they dismounted, Li Yue Shu's legs were weak, but her riding skills had improved noticeably.
Because they had been delayed on the road for too long, by the time they reached the academy, only a few children like Shen Yi Min were waiting glumly at the entrance.
To make up for the children, Li Yue Shu decided to cook herself.
While she was busy in the kitchen, the children learned about the afternoon's events from Shen Ting Yi.
Shen Tan and the others were both angry and annoyed, regretting that they weren't there at the crucial moment to let Madam face it alone.
When Shen Yi Min heard about what Li Yue Shu had done to Mother Shen, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, his gentle demeanor tinged with an inexplicable depth.
He used to find this woman cruel and detestable.
Now, this woman was still cruel, yet she made him feel inexplicably at ease.
Shen Ting Wen, however, looked at the kitchen with a complicated expression.
Did she twist Mother Shen's arm in anger because that old woman pushed her third sister?
Would she even apologize to her third sister because of this?
Admittedly, at this moment, Shen Ting Wen was touched.
However, the Shen family's repeated disturbances to their peaceful life, and that loose-lipped Aunt Zhao, could not be let off lightly!
"Third sister, do me a favor..."
...
To celebrate the children's holiday, Li Yue Shu cooked many delicious dishes, catering to everyone's tastes.
Everyone ate happily, as if the afternoon's events had never happened.
Shen Ting Wen took a mouthful of rice and nudged Shen Ting Yi beside her with her elbow.
The latter understood, and placed a piece of meat into Aunt Liu's bowl, "Grandma Liu protected Ah Yi today, thank you Grandma Liu."
Aunt Liu was stunned for a moment, then her face lit up with surprise, "Good child, Grandma should protect you."
The smile on her lips was almost reaching her ears, and she felt that this piece of meat was the most delicious she had ever eaten.
Shen Ting Yi smiled, "Don't worry, Grandma Liu. I know Uncle and the others are always bothering us out of jealousy. This just shows that we are living happily, and that's why they are envious."
Her words were sincere and sensible, but at such a young age, hearing them from her lips was heartbreaking.
Aunt Liu couldn't help but feel her eyes welling up. She reached out and gently stroked Shen Ting Yi's head, "Ah Yi, you're a good girl. We won't argue with those people. It's their loss if they don't like you!"
"Why don't they like Ah Yi? Did Ah Yi do something wrong?" Shen Ting Yi pouted pitifully. "And Grandma Zhao, why did she instigate Uncle to cause trouble for us?"
At these words, everyone at the table stopped eating. Only Wei Ling, who understood nothing, was still engrossed in fighting with a bone.
Aunt Liu's nose twitched, and she quickly hugged Shen Ting Yi, "Ah Yi did nothing wrong, they are the ones who are wrong. Aunt Zhao is just like that. Her mouth even drove her own daughter-in-law to death, it's not directed at Ah Yi."
A flicker of darkness flashed in Shen Ting Yi's eyes, but when she looked up, she was filled with confusion, "Grandma Liu, how could she drive her own daughter-in-law to death with just her mouth?"
Just as Aunt Liu was about to speak, Old Man Liu beside her nudged her, "Why are you telling the child these things!"
Aunt Liu paused, realizing that she had almost spoken of those sordid matters in front of the child. Her expression stiffened slightly.
Mother Mo, not knowing what had happened, spoke with great perceptiveness, "Everyone, eat quickly. The weather is cold, and the dishes will get cold fast. Don't eat cold food later."
Everyone tacitly picked up their chopsticks, quickly changing the subject, and Shen Ting Yi also breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, she was just a child. Even if she was smart, she hadn't expected her words to cause such a reaction.
She lowered her head and ate, stealing glances at Shen Ting Wen beside her, asking what to do with her eyes.
She had expected to find out something, but she hadn't expected Aunt Zhao to be involved in matters that the adults considered unspeakable.
Shen Ting Wen gave her a reassuring glance and gently shook her head.
Although she didn't know the specifics of what had happened, Aunt Liu's words had already revealed something: Aunt Zhao had caused the death of her own daughter-in-law.
Knowing this was enough.
The siblings were unaware that their subtle actions had been observed by Li Yue Shu.
She had thought Ah Yi's foxy words and expressions were so familiar, and now she realized Ah Wen had taught her.
However, why were these two little ones inquiring about Aunt Zhao?
Li Yue Shu didn't expose the two children. Instead, she secretly observed their actions and privately asked Aunt Liu about Aunt Zhao's situation.
...
A few days later, Li Yue Shu went to the restaurant with Shen Can to discuss hiring staff for the official opening after the New Year. After that, she went to the carpenter's shop to inspect the wheelchairs, and then headed back.
But she didn't go home. Instead, she took Shen Wei to the Sun family's home.
Madam Zhou was boiling medicine. Upon seeing the couple, her face instantly turned cold. "I've said it before, our two families owe each other nothing from now on. Why are you here again?"
Li Yue Shu seemed completely oblivious to her unwelcoming attitude, and said with a shallow smile, "This wheelchair was specially made for Brother Sun. It's not good for him to always lie in bed. This wheelchair will allow him to get some fresh air. It has armrests on the tires, so he can push it himself."