Chapter 90: Educated Youth Who Abandoned His Wife and Child -21

At this moment, Shen Xiuyan still had no idea about the grand ambitions in his wife’s heart—Su Mingyue actually wanted to support him in this lifetime.

If he knew, he’d definitely complain: why was his wife so determined to take care of him?

Could it be that she knew his stomach wasn’t good and insisted he live off her like a kept man?

Sigh!

Such strange and inexplicable preferences.

After paying the bill, Shen Xiuyan led Su Mingyue out.

Su Mingyue held the enamel mug in her hands, unable to put it down. Skipping along, she said, “Brother Shen, this mug is so pretty! I’ve wanted one for a long time, but I didn’t have the nerve to ask Dad for it.”

“As long as you like it,” Shen Xiuyan replied with a smile, locking eyes with her as he promised, “If there’s anything else you like, just tell me. No need to be shy with me. I’ll buy it for you.”

“You’re so sweet.” Su Mingyue beamed.

Under the blazing sun, Brigade Leader Su couldn’t stand the heat any longer and had already found a shady spot to rest.

He fanned himself as he watched the two youngsters bantering and laughing, walking toward him.

Brigade Leader Su couldn’t help but sigh. His daughter, whom he hadn’t raised for long, seemed to be on the verge of getting married in the blink of an eye.

But the joy on her face was unmistakably genuine, and that brought him a sense of relief.

At least she’d found someone she truly liked—he could rest easy now.

Thinking this, he got up and called out, “You’re back already? Why so quick? Not staying out a bit longer?”

“No need,” Su Mingyue shook her head, then showed off proudly. “Dad, look at my enamel mug!”

Leaving her father behind to go off and play had made Su Mingyue feel a little guilty.

From afar, she’d already spotted him—his face half in shadow under the eaves, looking particularly lonely and pitiful.

“It’s very nice,” Brigade Leader Su praised, then couldn’t help but chide Shen Xiuyan. “You shouldn’t spoil her like this—buying her everything she wants. There are bowls at home, what’s the point of wasting money?”

Shen Xiuyan smiled at him. “I wanted to buy it. And it wasn’t expensive.”

“Even if it’s not expensive, it’s still unnecessary—”

Su Mingyue pouted. Seriously, why was it always her who got scolded?

If she told Dad that Brother Shen had also bought her a can of malted milk, he’d probably faint on the spot.

“Alright, alright. If that’s what you two want, it’s not for me to meddle,” Brigade Leader Su gave up on nagging.

After all, it wasn’t his money, and he couldn’t help them live their future life anyway.

As long as they were happy, that was enough.

Brigade Leader Su glanced at his watch. “Still some time before we have to meet up. You two want to head back first? I’ll wait here a bit longer.”

Shen Xiuyan shook his head and wheeled his bicycle forward. “Dad, Mingyue—come with me.”

With puzzled expressions, the two followed him as he effortlessly made his way back to the state-owned restaurant they’d been to before.

Father and daughter stood outside the restaurant, staring blankly at each other, neither daring to speak.

No way. It couldn’t be what they were thinking… right?

Shen Xiuyan parked the bike and said, “There’s still time. Let’s eat before heading back.”

The two gasped and rushed forward, each grabbing one of his arms.

Brigade Leader Su spoke up first. “No need, I’m not hungry.”

Su Mingyue shook her head furiously. “Me neither!”

Shen Xiuyan looked at them, amused. They’d been out so long—how could they not be hungry?

He broke free and said firmly, “I’m hungry. Come in with me.”

Without waiting for their response, he grabbed one with each hand and dragged them inside.

He seated the stiff and awkward pair at an empty table, then headed for the counter.

“Don’t order for me!” / “I don’t want anything either!”

Truly a father-daughter duo—their voices overlapped again.

Shen Xiuyan could only smile helplessly and said nothing more.

He looked over the food options and selected braised pork, stewed chicken, and stir-fried shredded potatoes, with three bowls of rice.

After paying with money and food coupons, he carried the tray back.

The father and daughter looked as nervous as quail, fidgeting and glancing around.

This time of day, the state-owned restaurant wasn’t busy—or rather, it was never busy.

Eating at a state-owned restaurant in this era was considered a luxury.

Brigade Leader Su had only been here once on official business. As for Su Mingyue—she’d never even dared to walk by.

They stared as Shen Xiuyan carried back a tray of food, the smell making them involuntarily swallow.

Shen Xiuyan smiled. “Let’s eat.”

Both pairs of eyes were filled with weakness, confusion, and helplessness.

Being the father, Brigade Leader Su finally spoke. “We already said we didn’t want—”

Shen Xiuyan shoved chopsticks at them and declared, “Eat!”

The food was already bought, and as a son-in-law, he wasn’t about to waste time arguing.

Brigade Leader Su glanced at his daughter, who was swallowing her saliva, and relented. “Mingyue, just eat. Xiuyan already bought it—if we don’t eat it soon, it’ll go cold.”

With Dad’s permission, Su Mingyue looked at Shen Xiuyan. While she hesitated, he had already placed a piece of chicken in her bowl.

She picked up her chopsticks and happily dug in. After a few mouthfuls, she finally said, “It’s so delicious~”

Shen Xiuyan smiled. “Tastes good? I’ll buy it for you again.”

Su Mingyue quickly shook her head. “No, this is the last time. It’s too expensive.”

Shen Xiuyan said boldly, “It’s not expensive. This only cost less than three yuan.”

He just needed to hang in there until after the National College Entrance Examination. After that, the return-to-city policy would loosen up again, and he had plenty of ways to make money.

Su Mingyue tilted her head, chewing on her chopsticks. Right—Brother Shen had just come into a small fortune. For him, this probably really wasn’t expensive…

No! Wait!

She shook her head hard, determined to shake those unrealistic thoughts away.

She couldn’t let Brother Shen corrupt her—what did he mean by not expensive?

This was three yuan! That’s super expensive, okay?

Brigade Leader Su chewed mechanically, not wanting to say a word.

Just look at his son-in-law—so different. He even said three yuan wasn’t expensive. Now he was really curious—just how much savings did this guy have?

After a full meal, Brigade Leader Su patted his belly and sighed. “That hit the spot. It’s been ages since I ate so comfortably.”

Hearing that, Su Mingyue seemed to think of something. She glanced at Shen Xiuyan and hesitated, but in the end didn’t say anything.

Seeing they were all done eating, Shen Xiuyan reached out and asked Su Mingyue for her enamel mug.

Though confused, Su Mingyue handed it over.

Shen Xiuyan explained with a smile, “We can’t just eat without sharing. I’m going to pack some meat for Mom. We didn’t bring a lunch box today, so let me borrow your mug.”

When she heard it was for Liu Yanyun, Su Mingyue’s eyes lit up.

Brother Shen is amazing—just like the worm in her stomach, knowing exactly what she was thinking.

She had just been feeling guilty for eating behind her mom’s back. He already thought of it.

Brigade Leader Su’s lips trembled when he heard this. Buying again…

That’s another whole yuan.

But in the end, he didn’t say anything to stop it.

Forget it. If the child wants to be filial, he shouldn’t waste such a kind gesture.

Besides, his wife hadn’t had meat in a long time. Though he felt bad for Shen Xiuyan, he still hoped she could have a good meal…

Anyway, they were going to be family from now on. He could be shameless just this once.