Chapter 231: The Phoenix Man Who Soared Before the Apocalypse (36)

A Cai had already sat up by now, tearing off the layers of gauze wrapped around his skin.

Sure enough, everything underneath had completely healed.

He didn’t even know whether to be shocked first or to express his gratitude.

In the end, his lips trembled slightly, but the words of thanks still flowed out fluently. “Thank you, Young Master Shen. Are you alright? If healing me cost you so much energy, you shouldn’t have done it. I could’ve recovered after a few days of rest.”

Shen Xiuyan patted his shoulder. “I’m fine. I just ran out of supernatural energy. A bit of rest and I’ll be good as new. But your wound wouldn’t have healed in ten days or even half a month. We’ll still be relying on you later.”

And now he knew—this Healing Ability couldn’t be used unless absolutely necessary.

The drain was just too great.

At least it served as a warning in advance.

A Cai patted his chest excitedly to show his loyalty. “From now on, you can count on me. I’ll do everything I can to protect everyone’s safety.”

“Good man. That’s all I needed to hear.”

At least for now, Shen Xiuyan could tell he meant every word. It wasn’t just empty talk.

Knock knock~

The sound of knocking came again.

A Cai called out, “Come in~”

The door opened to reveal a middle-aged woman.

She opened the door with one hand while balancing a tray with the other. On the tray was a steaming bowl of meat soup.

Her attention was entirely on the soup as she entered, worried it might spill, so she didn’t notice there was more than one person in the room.

She started chatting casually like usual, “There was only this one piece of rib left. The master told me to make some soup for you. You must repay him properly in the future, alright…?”

Before she could finish her sentence, she saw the two people standing inside the room.

She froze mid-step, a little embarrassed, and gave them an awkward smile.

There’s nothing more mortifying than gossiping about someone right in front of them.

It almost felt like she’d said it on purpose for him to hear.

She wished she could dig a hole and crawl into it. How did she always manage to run into such awkward situations?

Father Su noticed her discomfort and greeted her with a smile. “Aunt Niu, here to see your son? Come in, I’ve got good news for you.”

Blushing, Aunt Niu stepped inside and softly called out, “Master.”

“Aiyo, how many times have I told you not to call me that? I’m not even paying your salary anymore. What master? Just call me Old Su. If you don’t change how you address me, your silly son won’t either. I’ve told him a hundred times—call me Uncle Su! He just won’t listen.”

Aunt Niu shook her head in alarm. “That won’t do. You lent us so much money, and we haven’t even paid it all back yet. We have to follow proper manners.”

“Aiyo, don’t say that. That money’s just a pile of worthless paper now. If you keep remembering it for the rest of your life, I’ll be the one feeling ashamed.”

Aunt Niu nodded firmly. “It’s only right!”

Watching this exchange, Shen Xiuyan couldn’t help but reflect—this was the importance of upbringing.

No wonder she was Brother Bing’s mother. She was just as honest and sincere.

Seeing the two of them about to go on and on over this small matter, Shen Xiuyan quickly interrupted, “Aunt Niu, just listen to my dad. A Cai already saved their lives once. That debt is paid. From now on, just call him what he said.”

Aunt Niu turned, looking confused. “Young Master Shen?”

Oh my, when did the son-in-law get here???

She hadn’t noticed at all.

“Yes, the son-in-law is right. Just listen to us,” Father Su said with a smile. “You probably didn’t hear from the kitchen on the second floor, but my daughter, son-in-law, and Old Huo’s son, Huo Hua, all came from B City.”

Aunt Niu asked anxiously, “Oh no, I didn’t pass through the living room. Is Miss alright? Is she hurt?”

She had watched that child grow up. She didn’t want anything to happen to her.

“No, no, she’s perfectly fine.” Father Su smiled and waved her over. “Now go take a look at your son.”

Aunt Niu walked over, puzzled. “Look at him? Why? Is he bleeding again?”

But as she got closer, she saw her son’s upper body, smooth and unblemished.

She murmured, “Where’s your wound?”

“All healed! Young Master Shen healed me!” A Cai said excitedly. “He has a Healing Ability!”

Aunt Niu looked over gratefully. Oh my, how had she not noticed earlier— Young Master Shen’s face was so pale. Could it be he exhausted himself healing her son?

She quickly called out, “Quick, help Mom with the tray.”

A Cai did as told.

Then Aunt Niu picked up the bowl of soup and walked over to Shen Xiuyan.

As she walked, she said, “Quick, drink this to replenish yourself. Look how tired you are.”

Shen Xiuyan declined, “No need, let A Cai drink it.”

Aunt Niu waved him off. “He doesn’t need it. He’s bouncing around like nothing happened. You drink it. Don’t mind the ingredients—we’re short on supplies these days—but Aunt Niu’s cooking is still top-notch. It’ll taste great.”

“I’m not picky. What’s there to mind? I haven’t had hot soup in ages.” The warm hospitality was overwhelming, and Shen Xiuyan couldn’t refuse. He obediently accepted the bowl.

“Alright then, you all chat. I’ll go share some of this soup with Mingming.”

“Alright, go ahead.”

As the three of them watched her leave, Aunt Niu couldn’t help but sigh to Father Su.

“Your son-in-law is such a good man. You and Miss are truly blessed. He didn’t even forget her when it came to a bowl of soup.”

“Hahaha, well said, Aunt Niu.”

Father Su laughed heartily. That was his own unspoken approval of Shen Xiuyan too.

Adversity truly reveals character. This son-in-law used to be a bit proud and aloof, but now you couldn’t see a trace of that. He was completely satisfied with him in every way.

“I’ll head downstairs now. A Cai, explain our plans to your mother.”

“Alright, President Su.”

“Sigh, I told you to call me Uncle Su.”

A Cai scratched his head, struggling to say it. He looked to his mom for help.

She patted his shoulder reassuringly. “Say it. Listen to Old Su.”

“There we go, that’s more like it.” Father Su nodded with a smile.

From now on, they were all in the same boat. There was no need for so many formalities. Living in harmony and sticking together was what really mattered.

Seeing that even his mother had changed how she addressed him, A Cai had no choice but to call out, “Uncle Su.”

“Good, good.” Father Su finally left, satisfied.

Downstairs.

As soon as Father Su came down, he saw the young couple sitting on the sofa, sharing a bowl of hot soup.

He didn’t know what they were saying, but in the end, they looked at each other and smiled.

Then came the scene of “you take a bite, I take a bite,” all lovey-dovey and sticky sweet—practically unbearable to watch.

They didn’t even consider the people around them. Didn’t they see Old Huo’s son turning his head away in embarrassment?

But Father Su was delighted. Completely satisfied.

Good, they’re both good kids.

Even if something happened to him in this Apocalypse, with a son-in-law like that, he was sure his daughter would be well protected.

He could finally be at ease.

— Translator’s Notes —

• you take a bite, I take a bite: Describes an intimate sharing of food between couples, reflecting Chinese cultural expressions of affection through food sharing and mutual care.

• dig a hole and crawl into it: A common Chinese idiom expressing extreme embarrassment or shame, similar to the English expression ‘wanting to sink into the ground’.