“Brother Bruiser, you can use this handkerchief!” Lin Miaomiao handed Bruiser a handkerchief. She had always been the most attentive among the children.
Although she often played with them, she was always quiet. Perhaps it was because she had been weak since she was young.
Bruiser took the handkerchief and wiped his mouth. A clean white handkerchief was stained black, and his face instantly turned red.
On the other hand, Shen Yijia was in a good mood. She carried the fish in one hand and pushed Song Jingchen home with the other. She met Auntie Tian and An Xiu’er.
“Auntie Tian, Xiu’er,” Shen Yijia greeted.
“Were you catching fish by the river? These fish are really fat,” Auntie Tian said with a smile.
After the winter disaster passed, it meant that An Dong could soon marry a wife. This huge rock in her heart could be relieved, and she was in a good mood.
When ordinary people heard this, they would definitely say “Would you like a fish too? I’ll send one over to your family.” After all, the two families were quite close.
However, Shen Yijia raised her chin and said proudly, “That’s right. There were a lot of them by the river just now. Hurry up and you can catch some too.”
Auntie Tian choked. Even though they had known each other for a long time, she was still speechless at Shen Yijia’s straightforward words.
She laughed dryly. “We’re not as capable as you. Well, it’s cold outside. Go home quickly.”
Shen Yijia chuckled and pushed Song Jingchen away.
An Xiu’er lowered her head and didn’t speak until Auntie Tian pulled her back.
That night, the children started having diarrhea.
Shen Yijia felt extremely guilty. She did not expect the fish she roasted to be so lethal. They only took a few bites each.
At this moment, she couldn’t help but be glad that Song Jingchen didn’t get to eat it.
Fortunately, it was not very serious. They would all be fine after a few visits to the toilet.
In March, Bruiser’s new house next door to the Song family’s house was ready. He wanted to ask Third Uncle He to help with the construction.
Unfortunately, Third Uncle He’s daughter was getting married at the end of this month and they were too busy to visit.
In the end, Widow Wang told the village chief about this matter and asked the villagers of Xiagou Village to work on the building.
What every family lacked the most now was money, so they naturally agreed.
The bridal escort team entered Xiagou Village.
If it was in the past, the villagers would definitely have said something nasty. This time, it was different.
Early in the morning, a few women came to help. They did not come empty-handed. They all brought a few eggs, some wild vegetables, and so on.
It was not rare for wild vegetables to appear at this time. Eggs, on the other hand, were precious.
Without even mentioning the harsh winter that had just passed, even in the past, only families with good relationships with him would give this to him.
Auntie Tian was a little annoyed at these women, but it was a big day today, so Auntie Tian couldn’t chase him out. She could only invite them in with a smile.
When they were working together, these people stammered for a long time before speaking up. It turned out that they were here to apologize for what had happened in the past.
Many people in the village thought that if the old Song family, especially Song Maolin, had not gone overboard when they returned from the capital, the Song family would not have left them in the lurch.
Also, if not for the young lady from the Song family speaking up for them when the bandits came, who knew what would have happened?
Since the villagers apologized, Father An’s body had recovered, and her son was getting married, Auntie Tian didn’t harp on the past. After all, she still had to live in the village for the rest of her life.
When the villagers arrived with gifts, they politely invited them in. The An family was filled with joy.
An Dong was wearing wedding robes today. His usually expressionless face also had a rare smile on it.
Shen Yijia smacked her lips as she watched him lead the bride out of the bridal sedan while everyone teased him.
She thought about the day of her own wedding.
After searching through the original host’s memories, she could not remember anything. The only thing she remembered was fear. Moreover, at that time, the soldiers had barged in and interrupted the wedding banquet.
In fact, she and Song Jingchen weren’t legitimately married.
She stole a glance at Song Jingchen and realized that he was also looking at her.
Song Jingchen clearly remembered what happened that day and reached out to squeeze Shen Yijia’s hand.
Her lips moved a few times, but she didn’t say anything.
“Brother Song, Sister Shen, you must be thirsty. I’ve poured you a cup of tea.” An Xiu’er walked over with a teapot in her hand.
Shen Yijia was about to say no when a child suddenly rushed out of the crowd and bumped into An Xiu’er.
In order to stabilize herself, the teapot in An Xiu’er’s hand flew out in the direction of Song Jingchen’s legs.
Song Jingchen narrowed his eyes and restrained himself from dodging. Unexpectedly, Shen Yijia blocked his path.
Song Jingchen wanted to pull her away, but it was too late. He watched helplessly as she was drenched with hot tea.
“Ah!” An Xiu’er screamed in fear. Her eyes instantly turned red. She took a few steps forward to support Shen Yijia. Seeing that her clothes were wet, she helplessly took out a handkerchief to wipe her clothes. “Sister Shen, are you alright? I’m sorry, I…”
Her scream attracted everyone’s attention. There was a moment of silence.
Song Jingchen quickly took off his outer robe and put it on her. He glanced at An Xiu’er coldly.
Shen Yijia felt a little awkward under everyone’s gazes. She dodged An Xiu’er’s hand and frowned. “It’s fine. I’ll be fine after I go home and change.”
She was wearing thick clothes and wouldn’t be scalded, but the situation might have been different if the hot tea landed on Song Jingchen’s legs.
“Then come to my house to change. We’re about the same size…” An Xiu’er said guiltily.
“No need. It’s not far.”
She didn’t like to wear other people’s clothes either. After saying that, Shen Yijia called Lin Shao to accompany Song Jingchen and went home.
Auntie Tian glared at An Xiu’er and quickly called everyone to their seats.
An Xiu’er clutched her handkerchief and looked at Song Jingchen with a red face. “I really didn’t do it on purpose. I’ll go with Sister Shen.”
Lin Shao frowned as he watched the two of them leave. “Brother Song…”
He felt that An Xiu’er was strange.
“It’s fine,” Song Jingchen interrupted him. His tone was as cold as ice, which showed how bad his mood was.
Shen Yijia looked carefree, but she was more guarded than anyone else. Besides, she had to grow up eventually.
“Sister Shen, I’ll go with you.”
Shen Yijia paused and glanced at An Xiu’er. She hesitated for a moment before refusing.
An Xiu’er didn’t follow her into the house and waited in the courtyard. Ever since she fainted from seeing Furball, she rarely came to the Song family’s residence. The only time she came was when she came to thank the Song family for saving her from the bandits.
When Shen Yijia came out after changing, she stood there quietly, as if she had not moved since Shen Yijia entered.
“Sister Shen, are you alright?” An Xiu’er asked when she saw her.
Shen Yijia stared at her for a while and shook her head. “I’m fine.”
“Speaking of which, Sister Shen, you’ve already saved our family several times.” An Xiu’er took out a pouch and handed it over. “You saved me from the bandits last time. Even my father’s body was cured by your medicine. I don’t know how to thank you. I’m only good at needlework. Please accept this pouch.”