Chapter 27: Accompanying and helping is enough

  Shen Huanming was clearly stunned by his own words, and Zhao Xiuxiu immediately became flustered, thinking that she really thought so. He felt that his previous outburst of anger seemed to have been misdirected, just like when you clench your fist ready for a big fight, only to find yourself hitting cotton balls with no force at all. He moved his lips but still didn't say anything, and instead walked straight into the kitchen, using his actions to show his determination to help.

  Shen Han looked at Xiao Shu's proud and arrogant face, speechless. At this moment, if there were anime special effects, she would definitely have at least five thick black lines on her forehead! But with Xiao Shu acting like this, she was indeed in a difficult position. Looking at his attitude, if you didn't let him do something, he probably wouldn't give up!

  But if he really lets him help in the kitchen, his mother-in-law, who has always wanted to pamper him, will come back and see that he is even more opinionated about himself. Originally, he didn't think deeply about Hu Youxuan's affairs and did things that weren't quite right. If he does something again that makes his mother-in-law unhappy, won't the easy days he has been having be ruined by himself?

  "Little uncle..."

  "What?"

  Shen Han still discovered for the first time, perhaps in Zhao Xi's inner heart lived a him who was like a child, because at this moment he was rolling up his sleeves, just as if he was always ready to arrange tasks for Shen Han, and the eager expectation in his eyes made Shen Han even more helpless. He thought that since his mother-in-law had just gone out, he might as well send him to do some simple chores, and then it would be over. If he really got stubborn with himself and refused to go out for a while, his mother-in-law would still scold him when she came back.

  "Would you mind helping me wash these dishes and also bringing over some firewood from the back room?"

  Shen Han also realized at this time that Zhao Xi Qiao was always very calm, no matter what doubts and dissatisfaction he had in his heart, he would hide it like when he first entered the door. Now, not hiding at all, but being proud... Is he taking to heart what Lao Da said earlier?

  Watching him carry the basin to the well, Shen Huan couldn't help but curve up the corners of her lips. Suddenly, she felt that this home wasn't so bad after all. Her younger uncle-in-law occasionally being a bit arrogant was actually quite cute. More importantly, did his behavior mean that he considered himself part of the family and was protecting them? Although her mother-in-law had a cold face but a warm heart, Shen Huan believed that as time passed, she would naturally understand that Shen Huan didn't have any other intentions, treating her family with sincerity, and she could always feel it.

  When Zhao Xiuzhu returned with the clean vegetable basin, she saw Shen Hanyin's profile with a subtle smile on her lips as she put sliced carrots into a plate. This scene fell into Zhao Xiuzhu's eyes, and he looked very puzzled. Although he didn't understand women, anyone knew that after marrying, this woman did household chores every day and often heard the gossip between wives when passing by neighbors, all complaining about the annoying trivial matters at home. But his sister-in-law... was smiling with satisfaction in the kitchen?

  Shen Huan turned around and saw her little uncle standing at the door. She walked a few steps forward, took the basin from his hand and said, "Thank you, Little Uncle."

  "Uh... thank you, sister-in-law."

  His awkwardness was broken when Shen Huan opened his mouth to thank him, and Zhao Xiuzhuo felt a little embarrassed. After responding, he immediately turned around hastily and walked to the place where firewood was piled up behind the house. He took a few deep breaths before finally calming down. Zhao Xiuzhuo bent down to hug the firewood, but froze when he was about to touch the bundles of wood!

  Why does my heart beat faster? Why do I freeze when I see her faint smile? And why do I feel dissatisfied and extremely angry when I hear that she was teased by her own brother? Even... just now, I would still feel flustered and hastily escape because I'm afraid of being discovered staring at her in secret.

  The more I think about it, the more it doesn't feel right, and the more it doesn't feel right, the more I'll keep thinking about it...

  Zhao Xiuzhu slowly straightened his body, but his gaze was directed towards the kitchen. Although he could only see the entrance of the kitchen and not the busy figures inside, at this moment, Zhao Xiuzhu's mind was churning with thoughts.

  When did I start paying attention to this strange sister-in-law?

  Was it when she found out that her husband had passed away soon after marrying into the family and cried loudly? No! Zhao Xiuzhu shook her head, continuing to think deeply...

  Was it when she finally shouted herself hoarse and fainted from exhaustion? At this moment, Zhao Xiāo had already been puzzled by this question, still feeling that something was off, shaking his head as he continued to think deeply...

  Hmmm... Could it be that after she woke up from her coma, her personality changed completely? She no longer cried or made a fuss, and instead got up early every day to help with household chores. The house was spotless, but she never complained or said anything about being tired. It wasn't until then that Zhao Xiuzhu's furrowed brow slowly relaxed, and the problem that had been plaguing him finally found an answer. His heart also felt lighter at the same time. Wasn't it around that time that he started getting up earlier than her every day? He would help fill the bucket with water while she washed up, then go back to his room to read. He had even forgotten when he started doing these insignificant things - all he wanted was for her to be a little more at ease.

  Zhao Xi thought of this, and the corners of his mouth gradually hooked up a curved degree. He clearly remembered why he would secretly help her fetch water...

  That day, Zhao Xiuzhen didn't understand some of the problems in her book and couldn't sleep all night. As the sky gradually brightened, she heard a noise from the west wing and didn't know what drove her to quietly open the window a crack and watch the slender figure struggling to fetch water from the well. From then on, the light in his room would always be lit a moment earlier than Shen Huan's. Later, when asked by his mother, he just said that the imperial examination was approaching and he wanted to get up early to review his books.

  He gathered his thoughts, Zhao Xiuzhuo didn't think much more, bent down to pick up the firewood and headed towards the kitchen. At this time, he himself also clearly understood that those unconscious attention and concern were due to what, but some things... are destined to have no result, so can't be expected to be presumptuous, as long as he can watch over her and help her with all his might, it's fine.

  "Thank you, young uncle."

  "Don't be so polite, sister-in-law!"

  The same conversation, but because some people's thoughts are no longer vague and ambiguous, it has become simpler. Zhao Xi Qiao wanted to ask if there was anything else to do, but the next moment he thought that his mother should also be back, so he didn't ask much, because from Shen Han's eyes, he could see that she would definitely speak up and hurry him out of the kitchen.

  "Thanks for your hard work, little uncle. Why don't you go to the main room and have a drink of water first? There's nothing much left to do, just wait for mom to come back and stir-fry some dishes. I'll start the fire."

  Being stared at by her younger uncle, Shen Han shuddered all over, feeling a sense of unease that she couldn't quite put into words. Before she could even process what was happening, Zhao Xi Qiao nodded at her and seemed to be smiling faintly, leaving Shen Han momentarily stunned. It wasn't until he turned and walked out of the kitchen that she finally let out a long sigh of relief.

  Zhao Xi'ao had just left when Li returned, and Shen Han heard the commotion in the main room. She wiped her hands and went out to take over the dishes from Li's hands to return to the kitchen, but was immediately stopped by Li who snatched back the things and said: "You go keep your big brother company and chat with them, let this old wife do these chores."

  Mrs. Li turned her back to everyone and made a gesture to Shen Huan, who immediately understood what her mother-in-law meant. The young uncle was not familiar with the eldest son and Hu Youxuan at all, and it would be somewhat awkward to put the three of them in the main room like this. She didn't decline, nodded and accepted the task of being the 'host'.

  "Big brother, when you have time, go to the store more often!"

  "I know, you also need to take care of your body and look after Auntie and Zhao's younger brother."

  Shen Han nodded slightly, suddenly discovering that he had nothing to say to this honest and simple big brother. He said that the conversation was always centered around these things, making it a bit awkward. So Shen Han simply shifted the topic to Hu Youxuan who was sitting opposite him.

  "If there's anything that doesn't meet your expectations with regards to Young Xuan's hospitality, feel free to speak up."

  "My second sister is being polite."

  The scene fell silent again, Shen Han looked a bit awkward, the crows flying overhead in droves, and a black feather floated down, twirling and spinning...

  "I don't know if Mr. Hu is planning to take part in this year's imperial examination or next year?"

  When Shen Huan was being teased to the point of no return, Zhao Xiuzhuo's calm and collected words immediately saved the situation. She couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief as she glanced at her younger uncle, seeing a hint of slyness on his face. She blinked her eyes, but saw nothing again. Was she having another hallucination?

  It seems... that Xiao Shu's abnormal behavior today has left me unable to adjust for a while, but... was what I saw just now really an illusion? It seems... possible... it looks like... he really did reveal that kind of expression! Yeah, he really did!

  And... is he smiling now? Is he? The curved corners of his eyebrows and the upturned curve of his mouth are showing Zhao Xiuzhu's joy at this moment. In fact, one person laughing is not something worth being shocked about, but what's important is that Shen Han has lived in this house for over a month, and this is the first time she's seen her cold and quiet uncle smile, and even smile with a radiant expression, how can she not be excited? How can she not be like being struck by lightning?

  Um, thank you for the pink ticket from dy's children shoes. I'll put aside the words of gratitude for now and talk about something else first, sorry about that.

  Is there any girl who likes listening to songs? Hehe, Dodo is a big fan of music and recently loves A-mei's "My Dearest" The simple melody and lyrics have touched my heart.

  If there are any girls who haven't heard of it, go take a listen. Are there any fujoshi girls reading my book? Doudou isn't a hardcore fujoshi, but... she really loves reciting Bai Ge, both male-male and male-female, hehehe... while reading the book, also relax a bit, don't hit me! I'm wearing a helmet!

  Chapter 27: Accompanying and helping is fine