Chapter 104 – Educated Youth Who Abandoned His Wife and Child -36

He grabbed Su Mingyue’s hand. “Hello, hello, sister-in-law. You’ve worked hard taking care of Xiuyan all this time.”

Shen Xiuyan immediately smacked his hand away. “Quit touching my wife.”

Shen Yuanming looked a little aggrieved, blowing on his reddened hand. Wasn’t Xiuyan his favorite little brother? Did he really have to get jealous over a handshake?

Ignoring his brother’s silent complaints, Shen Xiuyan smiled as he introduced, “This is Dad, and this is my eldest brother.”

Su Mingyue smiled sweetly and endearingly. “Dad, big brother.”

“Ai ai, good child.”

Shen Jianguo’s eyes welled with tears. He was still just a child when he left, and now he’d come back with a wife?

Shen Yuanming wasn’t mad at Shen Xiuyan at all. He continued smiling and said, “Ai, even your wife is more likable than you. By the way, sis-in-law, let me tell you, you’ve really got to keep an eye on Xiuyan. Back in the day, all the girls in the neighborhood were crazy about him.”

“Bro!” Shen Xiuyan threatened sharply. That’s enough. He was warning him to quit while he was ahead.

After all, a whole lifetime as his older brother was enough to take advantage of him—don’t force him to beat up his own sibling.

Seeing his brother flustered and angry, Shen Yuanming smiled, feeling like he’d won this round.

He immediately changed the subject. “By the way, where’s Mom? Why haven’t we seen her?”

Shen Xiuyan sighed. “This afternoon, after she found out Mingyue also got into college, she went out and hasn’t come back yet…”

“That’s just ridiculous. Her daughter-in-law comes home, and she runs off?” Shen Jianguo couldn’t help but grumble. Then something struck him. “Wait, what did you just say?!”

Shen Xiuyan said, “Mingyue also got into college.”

Shen Yuanming: “……”

Shen Jianguo: “……”

Both men immediately turned to look at Su Mingyue, eyes wide with shock, and also tinged with admiration.

Shen Jianguo trembled as he asked, “Mingyue is also a university student now?”

“Yes.”

“Which university?”

“The same as me—Q University.”

“What?! Q University? You also got into Q University?!”

“Yes.” Shen Xiuyan nodded nonchalantly.

But the other two were stunned. After hearing that, they both looked at Su Mingyue with newfound respect.

They knew all too well what Xiuyan’s grades used to be like. If he managed to get into Q University, it had to be thanks to his wife’s good influence!

Wuwu… how had their family gotten so lucky? Two college students, just like that!

What an honor—this really made them proud!

After the excitement settled, Shen Jianguo cleared his throat. “You two sit for a while. I just remembered I have something to take care of—I’ll be back soon.”

Shen Yuanming was unwilling to fall behind. “Oh right, I should go see why Mom’s not back yet.”

The two scrambled for the door, even getting stuck trying to go through it at the same time.

Shen Xiuyan was like, wow, they really are in a hurry.

A confused Su Mingyue turned to him. “Xiuyan-ge… what’s going on now…”

Shen Xiuyan comforted her with a gentle rub on the head. “What else could it be? They’ve gone nuts like Mom. Come on, I’ll take you to my old room to rest a bit—though I’m not sure if it’s still livable.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t just stand there. They won’t be back anytime soon. And when they do, forget aunts and cousins—even the stray dogs in the neighborhood will know the two of us got into college.”

Su Mingyue couldn’t hold back a laugh. If everything Xiuyan-ge said was true, then this was such a lively family.

All of a sudden, the nervousness and fear in her heart disappeared.

Shen Xiuyan took her to the room on the east side. The moment he opened the door, a pleasant, fresh scent greeted them.

The room was unexpectedly clean and tidy, clearly well-maintained, as if its owner had never left.

Shen Xiuyan’s heart warmed inexplicably.

“Wow, Xiuyan-ge, your room is so clean!”

He nodded. “Mom probably cleans it regularly.”

“She must really miss you. Luckily, you’re home now.” Suddenly, Su Mingyue blushed a little, seeming to think of something. “But your bed is way too small. The two of us can’t possibly fit.”

Because Shen Xiuyan used to sleep alone, the room only had a very standard, no-frills single bed.

It wasn’t even that spacious for one person—let alone two.

Shen Xiuyan slipped his arm around her waist flirtatiously. “You’re worried about that, huh?”

Su Mingyue gave him a playful slap. “Stop teasing me! Get those weird thoughts out of your head. I was just thinking practically—whether we can fit long-term.”

“Okay, okay.” Shen Xiuyan appeased her. “Don’t worry, we’re not staying here.”

“Huh? If not here, then where…” Su Mingyue blinked, puzzled.

Shen Xiuyan explained, “This place is too far from College, and the house is too small. With so many people living here, don’t you think it’ll be crowded? I’m planning to rent a place near the university.”

“No way, that’s such a waste of money!” Frugal Su Mingyue mode: activated. “If you think it’s too far, why don’t we just stay in the dorms? Those are free.”

Shen Xiuyan looked pitiful. “Come on, have some mercy on me. What kind of husband moves out and lives apart from his wife the moment College starts? Four years!”

Su Mingyue pouted. “Fine…”

Now that she thought about it, it did seem kind of cruel.
Night fell quietly. The city lights twinkled, and the stars were scattered across the sky.

The two snuggled together on the narrow bed and slept soundly. When they woke up, they heard the sound of the front door opening.

Shen Xiuyan looked out the window and shook his head helplessly. “Good grief, how is it this late already? I knew they wouldn’t be back anytime soon, but this long?”

Su Mingyue murmured in surprise, “Ah… it’s really so late already…”

Shen Xiuyan spoke with restrained irritation. “They’re being so unreliable. Who leaves when the daughter-in-law visits for the first time? Aren’t they afraid you’d overthink things?”

Su Mingyue smiled. “It’s fine. I know why they left, so I won’t overthink.”

“That’s because you’re sensible. Anyway, are you still sleepy? Want to nap a bit longer? I’ll go check things out and call you when it’s time to eat.” Shen Xiuyan stood and gently rubbed her head again.

Su Mingyue shook her head and got up to straighten her clothes. “I’ll come with you.”

How could she rest in the room while her mother-in-law was cooking?

Shen Xiuyan didn’t think much of it. “Alright, let’s go.”

As soon as the two stepped out, they saw three people at the entrance, taking off their shoes.

Faced with Shen Xiuyan’s obviously unamused gaze, all three froze. Crap. In their excitement, they completely forgot that the new daughter-in-law was visiting today…

Would she think the family didn’t care about her? Would Xiuyan get mad on her behalf?

The three glanced at Shen Xiuyan’s expression—ugh, they couldn’t read it at all.

No one wanted to be the first to speak. They nudged each other, pushing one another forward, but no one dared to step up.

In the end, unlucky Shen Yuanming was shoved to the front.

Shen Yuanming took a few steps forward in disbelief—how did he end up being the one pushed out???

He mechanically turned his head to glance at the two unscrupulous elders behind him. Still strong despite their age—how did they still have that much strength…

At their urging, he cleared his throat and said, “Xiuyan, I finally found Mom and brought her back. Sorry to keep you two waiting.”

The two elders: shocked.jpg

They sent him out to explain, and he ended up completely distancing himself from it…

Ah, youth—sharp minds indeed.

To come up with an excuse like that.