Shen Wei pushed the door open, his expression calm, his steps steady, his eyes devoid of any ripples.
Behind him, there was no sign of anyone else.
Wei Zimiao instinctively sat up straighter, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Shen Wei had gone out with Li Yue Shu today; they had gone to the Hengde Pharmacy and couldn't have possibly returned this quickly.
Furthermore, Shen Wei never entered before Li Yue Shu.
Thinking of something, Wei Zimiao's lips curved into a smile, "No need to rush, we can stay a few more days before leaving."
"What?" Wei Tong Hao turned to look at him in surprise, as if he had misheard.
Just as he was about to ask why his son had suddenly changed his tune, he saw his son suddenly get up and walk towards the door with a rattle drum.
"Why is Young Master Shen back alone?" Wei Zimiao asked with a friendly smile.
Shen Wei gave him a calm look, "Ah Shu has other matters to attend to, so she sent me back first. Is there something you need?"
Wei Zimiao raised an eyebrow, his inner thoughts seemingly confirming a certain idea.
He raised the rattle drum in his hand, his smile growing gentler, "I've come to give you a toy. You lost the one I gave you before, didn't you? This is a new one I bought, do you like it?"
Shen Wei's fists clenched.
This guy was definitely doing it on purpose!
He always bought him childish and boring toys, and if he secretly threw them away, he would buy new ones the next day!
Shen Wei's expression was blank, his demeanor turning somewhat cold, "You should keep these childish things for yourself, Young Master Wei."
He no longer saw any need to feign ignorance.
Wei Zimiao showed no surprise, but his tone was filled with astonishment, "Your imbecility has been cured?!"
His voice was not soft, and it instantly attracted the attention of everyone in the courtyard.
"What did you say? Did I hear you correctly?" Wei Tong Hao was the first to rush over, looking at Shen Wei with disbelief, "Have you really recovered?"
Shen Wei glanced at Wei Zimiao, then nodded with a soft "Mm."
"That's wonderful!" Old Man Liu couldn't hide his joy, "You used to be the most capable person in our village. Now that your imbecility is cured, Yue Shu won't have to work so hard."
The others were also very happy. Wei Tong Hao couldn't help but pat Shen Wei on the shoulder with delight, "This is great news. You must treat Madam Shen well from now on; it's not easy for her as a woman."
Shen Wei did not answer, but an unnatural flicker crossed his eyes.
At this moment, Mother Mo suddenly remembered something and asked doubtfully, "How did you suddenly recover? Where is Madam? Why did you come back alone?"
Everyone else then remembered that Shen Wei had gone out with Li Yue Shu, but they hadn't even seen a carriage outside.
Shen Wei's expression was unchanged as he said, "I accidentally bumped my head in the carriage, and I suddenly recovered. Ah Shu still had to go to the pharmacy, so she sent me back first to share the good news with everyone."
Upon hearing this, everyone harbored no suspicion, sighing that heaven had opened its eyes and could not bear to see Li Yue Shu suffer.
Wei Zimiao stood silently to the side, his smile unwavering, even a hint of amusement in his eyes.
He was very curious to see how Li Yue Shu, given her proud nature, would react now that she knew Shen Wei had been deceiving her.
Everyone was congratulating Shen Wei on his recovery, but Ji Mo Bai stood not far away, sighing softly.
Man Xing looked up at him curiously, "Young Master, why do you sigh?"
Ji Mo Bai turned his head slightly, "It's nothing. Let's go, we still have some medicinal herbs to process, and we need to hurry."
Hearing his words, Man Xing's expression dimmed.
Young Master had told him that they would leave once they had saved enough money.
But he thought the days here were good; he didn't have to worry about what to eat next or where to sleep tonight, and he could play with other children.
He didn't want to leave, but he certainly couldn't abandon his Young Master.
So, their time here was numbered!
...
When everyone heard that Shen Wei had recovered, they were all very happy. Even Shen Tan and the other seven, upon their return and hearing the news, couldn't contain their joy.
However, Li Yue Shu showed little emotional fluctuation. She merely gave Shen Wei a deep look and went directly into the kitchen.
Sensing her gaze, Shen Wei pursed his lips. After a moment of hesitation, he still followed her.
But as soon as he reached the doorway, the kitchen door slammed shut in his face.
Aunt Liu, who was walking ahead, heard the commotion and turned back to look at Li Yue Shu in surprise.
The latter explained naturally, "It's better if the two of us are busy. Don't let others come and cause trouble."
Aunt Liu was happy, so she didn't suspect anything and rolled up her sleeves to start chopping vegetables.
At the doorway, Shen Wei stared at the wooden door that had almost hit his nose, feeling inexplicably guilty.
He raised his hand, but ultimately lacked the courage to push it open and could only turn to leave.
Not far away, Wei Zimiao watched this scene, a smile of expectation on his face.
During dinner, everyone congratulated Shen Wei on his recovery and marveled that Li Yue Shu had finally seen the end of her hardship and would no longer have to bear everything alone.
Li Yue Shu maintained a gentle smile throughout, but her eyes were cold.
Hong Dai and Wei Zimiao, being in the know, did not interject at all. They simply kept their eyes darting between the two protagonists, appearing to enjoy the show.
Ji Mo Bai was also aware of the situation, but he seemed completely detached, maintaining the demeanor of a noble young master.
After dinner, everyone was resting in the courtyard. Aunt Liu suddenly ran to Hong Dai and took her hand, "Hong Dai, my old man and I had a fight. Can I sleep with you tonight?"
Upon hearing this, Li Yue Shu immediately sensed that something was amiss.
Although Old Man Liu was illiterate, he was genuinely kind to Aunt Liu.
Having known them for so long, Li Yue Shu had only ever seen Aunt Liu scold Old Man Liu, and had never seen them argue.
Indeed, in the next moment, Aunt Liu said to her, "Yue Shu, it's good that Old Third has recovered. You two must have a lot to talk about tonight, so you can have a good chat. Ah Yi and Ah Yu will sleep in the pharmacy."
Li Yue Shu: "..."
She instinctively glanced to the side and met Shen Wei's gaze.
Li Yue Shu immediately looked away, "Aunt Liu, I..."
"I agree!" Hong Dai suddenly interrupted her, "Aunt Liu, I'll sleep with you tonight!"
Saying this, she turned and winked at Li Yue Shu, looking like she was stirring up trouble with great enthusiasm.
Li Yue Shu wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
Naturally, no one objected to this arrangement. However, Wei Zimiao glanced at Li Yue Shu and Shen Wei, a thoughtful expression in his eyes.
The matter was settled.
The sky gradually darkened.
Shen Wei washed up and was walking towards the room, wiping his wet hair with a handkerchief.
When he reached the doorway, the hand he had raised suddenly paused.
After a moment of hesitation, he still pushed the door open and went inside.
But to his surprise, Li Yue Shu was nowhere to be seen in the room. Only Shen Zhi Yu was sitting on the bed, waving a small wooden sword made by Wei Tong Hao.
Shen Wei hesitated for a moment, put down the handkerchief he was using to dry his hair, and walked to the bedside to pick up Shen Zhi Yu, "Ah Yu, where is your mother?"
Shen Zhi Yu held the small wooden sword and said with innocent innocence, "Mother said she's sleeping in the pharmacy with Third Sister tonight, so Father and Ah Yu will sleep here."
Shen Wei froze, unsure whether he felt more disappointed or more relieved.