Chapter 22: The Eldest Sister-in-law Returns

  Got out early today, (≧▽≦) / lah lah lah Shen Han is going back to her mother's house yo...

  Shen Han spoke her mind without reserve, which shocked Fang somewhat, but also touched on the place that had been entangled in her heart for a long time. She wasn't not fond of her younger son, it's just that the eldest son in this family has always been more valued, and Shen Zi An was also considering the feelings of his parents and the harmony between the elder couple, which led to the current situation.

  "This... all of this is your doing!"

  "Mom! I hope you can be more rational, think carefully about what kind of person I am, and how my relationship is with Zi'an and big brother. You know me best, if it was really me who played a prank that caused Zi'an to faint for several days and nights, would my first thought be to frame big sister? If I had such a heart, would I be stupid enough to leave the clothes in the room waiting for you to search?"

  Before Li made any statement, Shen Huan turned around and walked to the bedside, patting the bedboard, still unable to conceal the anger in her eyes, asking: "Is that thing hidden here?"

  He pointed again at the wardrobe and narrowed his eyes, asking once more: "Still there?"

  Li's eyes seemed to hold a hint of disbelief, and Shen Huan knew that her actions must have shaken her resolve. Regardless of how much Li believed her, Shen Huan was 100% certain that this body would never harm her little brother - there was no reason for it... It was just an instinctual physical reaction, but when she heard Fang's questioning words, every pore on her body screamed: the truth was not like that at all.

  Or perhaps... this is the body's response, because I have inherited all of Shen Huan's original sensations!

  "But...this doesn't necessarily mean you're my sister-in-law..."

  "Sister! Actually, I have no grudges against my sister-in-law. Why would I frame her? It's...I just can't stand her attitude on a daily basis, but I also know she's my brother's wife. Even if I don't think about myself, I know my brother is a stubborn person. Do I want to see him stuck in the middle of us sisters-in-law and be troubled?"

  Shen Han's words dragged out Hu Xiaoyan's usual shortcomings, and Fang Shi heard them and couldn't help but frown a few times. She wasn't just trying to clear herself of any involvement here, but in her heart, there was always a voice saying that even if Zi An's trouble wasn't directly caused by her, she must be somehow implicated.

  It's pointless to pursue who was right or wrong at this moment, it's been years since then. The real Shen Han is no longer here, replaced by a fake version of herself that she hasn't figured out yet. As for Shen Zi An, he didn't hear any voice and didn't see any special signs from the opponent back then, so how could he find the real culprit now?

  "What's most important now is... I hope you won't take this to heart, Mother. Since both you and Father think I'm the one who wronged Zi'an, please give me a chance to help him! You also heard what Zi'an said just now - he doesn't want to compete with Big Brother for anything; he simply likes practicing medicine and saving people!"

  Actually, Fang's heart was also contradictory. Seeing the old couple not getting along was a pain in her and her husband's hearts. Every time she saw her youngest son being carried back, her heart ached even more! As Shen Han said, both the palm and the back of the hand are flesh, whoever suffers grievances and hardships, it is most heart-wrenching for her as a mother.

  "You'd better be careful too, don't go overboard."

  Shen Huan heard that Fang Shi said so, and she also put down a big stone in her heart. This sentence undoubtedly means that she has agreed to help Shen Zi'an. With the support of her mother, she will not be too hesitant to do anything. Moreover, Hu Xiao Yan is still not at home...

  It was just that Shen Huan's abacus seemed to have been played too loudly, and when she thought she could still have a few more days of peace, Shen Yi Feng and his wife returned home that evening. Hu Xiao Yan had a very happy expression on her face, not for anything else but because she successfully brought her younger brother Hu You Xuan to the Shen family.

  As for the previous encounter with Hu Youxuan, Shen Han was seeing him for the first time. She let her intuition take over again and seriously doubted that agreeing to help her mother bring him and her younger uncle together to study was a huge mistake!

  Because Hu Youxuan had a bad impression on Shen Han from the moment he entered the house, although he was very polite and courteous in his speech and demeanor, even to the point of being perfect, but somehow felt insincere, and if he was any less polite, he would seem somewhat frivolous. It was precisely this flawless performance that made Shen Han feel increasingly uncomfortable.

  "Youxuan, this time you have the opportunity to follow Zhao Xiucan to learn, all thanks to your little sister, don't you thank her?"

  It's clear that Hu Xiaoyan is in a good mood, and when she talks to Hu Youxuan, the pride emanating from her eyes is not concealed at all. She says she wants to thank Shen Han, but from start to finish, not a single word of gratitude has been heard from her. At this moment, as she speaks, she only smiles at her own brother, without even giving Shen Han a proper glance.

  Shen Han just smiled, except for the moment they entered the house until now, she didn't even look at Hu Youxuan with her eyes. You guys who are asking for favors have made yourselves like grandfathers, and I, who am being asked to do things, have become a grandson? Alright, should I say thank you? I can really take it!

  Hu Youxuan wore a white long gown, holding a folding fan in his hand, occasionally shaking it twice as he slowly walked towards Shen Huan. The smile on his face turned cold for an instant when he turned and lowered his head, using the fan to cover himself, but Shen Huan didn't look at him and missed that moment of change.

  "Thank you for your concern, Second Sister. Yuxuan will definitely work hard and not bring any trouble or annoyance to you."

  Shen Han didn't want to deal with this hypocritical man from the bottom of her heart, but after all, he was Hu Xiaoyan's brother, and she had promised to help. If she showed an uncooperative attitude now, no matter what, she would be in the wrong.

  "There's no need for politeness in our family, and besides, Yóu Xūan, you'll have a bright future ahead of you, and we can all bask in your glory."

  As they spoke, Shen Huancai slowly shifted her gaze to Hu Youxuan, and she couldn't help but admit that this man looked quite good, with a hint of unruly elegance between his eyebrows, yet not too over-the-top. If he walked down the street, he would indeed be the kind of scoundrel who could captivate a group of girls with just a few glances!

  As Shen Han finished speaking, she even felt Hu Youxuan's frivolity, as he smiled and seemed to have flickered an eye at her. She couldn't tell if it was intentional or just his usual self, so she pretended not to see it and shook off the chill that ran down her spine, continuing to chat calmly with her family.

  After dinner, Shen Huan claimed to be a bit tired and returned to her room early, leaving the atmosphere that made her feel uncomfortable. At this moment, she was opening the window of her room and leaning on it to look at the moon hanging in the night sky. Her thoughts had already floated back to modern times, and thinking about some interesting things naturally hooked up her lips.

  "Second sister, what's making you so happy?"

  At the sound, Shen Zian is supporting his mother as they come over. Shen Huan immediately turns around and walks to the door, opens it, then returns to the table, pouring water while saying to his mother who just entered the house: "Mother, why have you come? Where's Eldest Brother and Young Xuan?"

  "Your sister-in-law took him to the room, Zi An said he wanted to talk to you so we came over."

  Shen Han handed the water to her mother and brother, this time she didn't go close the door because it was more convenient for her to see clearly what was going on outside. It wasn't that she had a petty heart, but rather the recent messages she received made her have to be on guard against Hu Xiaoyan. Plus, her brother who made her feel uncomfortable all over, didn't let her relax at all.

  "Now that Eldest Sister has brought her brother back home, I think I'll head back to my in-laws' place first!"

  Actually, Fang had come to discuss this matter with Shen Han. At first, after Shen Han made an excuse to leave, Hu Xiaoyan couldn't wait to say that she wanted her brother to meet Zhao Xiuzhu as soon as possible, and that delaying for a day would mean losing a day of learning opportunities. This forced Fang to come immediately to discuss the matter with Shen Han. After the little incident during the day, she suddenly felt a bit embarrassed about how to bring it up with her daughter, so she pulled along her younger son as accompaniment.

  At this moment, Shen Huan considerately spoke out the words of returning to her mother's home first. At the same time as Fang Shi let out a sigh of relief, Shen Zi An's eyes also added a few more points of fondness and dependence on his second sister. He always felt that in the several months after his second sister got married, when he saw her again, the feeling emanating from her was no longer the one she used to be.

  In contrast... Shen Zian couldn't help but admit that he liked Shen Han's current state better, because the feeling emanating from Shen Han made him feel very at ease. He always felt that things would change for the better soon, and this change was definitely a good thing.

  "Mother, I told you, Second Sister is such a clever person, she must understand the meaning behind Eldest Brother bringing Young Master Xuan back home."

  "Whether I understand her meaning or miss my mother-in-law, both should be there. Besides, I'm also worried that after taking the money back home, did she really put it away?"

  After saying this, Fang prepared so many words, only to find that they were of no use at all. The three of them chatted casually about family matters. Shen Huan also reminded him to persevere and make an effort to overcome the shadow during the day. He must not relax, she will check the effectiveness next time she comes back.

  Just as Shen Zian was about to say something, there was a slight commotion outside the door. Since the door wasn't closed, Shen Huan caught sight of Da Sao pushing open the door and entering the room, as well as Shen Yifeng turning around and walking towards his own room.

  "Daughter... is Zi An still here?"

  As he walked to the door, he greeted Mrs. Fang. She knew that the children must have some private matters to discuss, and besides, her eldest son was usually quite taciturn. In the past, he had been close to his daughter, but now that he had finally returned home, his wife had taken him away. At this moment, she guessed that he couldn't bear not to talk to them.

  "Hmm... I'm a bit tired, Huan'er... Tomorrow your mother will accompany you to buy some things, and you can bring them back for your relatives!"

  "Good!"

  After Fang left, when Shen Yifeng stuffed a silver ingot into her hand, Shen was surprised. However, Shen Yifeng himself explained first: "How can you not have some money at your maiden home? Big brother knows you're shy and don't like to ask dad and mom for things, this is big brother's little intention. As for Yu Xuan... it's also troubling you to say a few good words to Auntie and Xiao Zhuang, bear with them more!"

  As for Brother's kindness, Shen Huan didn't make excuses and didn't mention other things. After returning to her husband's house, she indeed needed money to get by, and all the family's money was used to shut up the mouths of the relatives. Life had to go on anyway. She also understood that her parents wouldn't let her return empty-handed, but she really didn't want to take their money either. This had another meaning for Shen Huan.

  "You guys have time to come visit me too, I'm still very bored by myself!"

  "Definitely coming!"

  "Of course I'll come, Second Sister, you said you'd cook for me too?"

  The three siblings chatted casually about family matters, which made Shen Huan feel very warm inside. Time passed quickly in their pleasant conversation, and finally, Shen Huan personally escorted the two brothers out of the room, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to rest that night. However, she silently cherished her family's concern in the warmest part of her heart.

  Chapter 22: The Eldest Sister Returns