Chapter 85 Two-in-One: I Want a Hug
What if he gets recognized after his mask is removed and becomes enraged, retaliating against the Jiang family?
More importantly, the Jiang family will never let this go, and then the situation will spiral out of control!
Don't underestimate my little sister. Her chubby little hands can grab things quickly and tightly, as if she's determined to tear off the mask of a beast in human form.
Jiang Shuifu immediately tried to grab back her little hand that was about to make a big mistake, but she had already grabbed his "pig nose," which then flipped upwards even more, revealing the high, straight nose that was hidden under the mask.
Just as the mask was about to be removed, his face was about to be exposed unexpectedly.
Seeing that there was no hope of salvaging the situation, she looked away, refusing to see the shocked reactions of everyone after the exposure.
In the blink of an eye, Shen Jizhao took a step back, and Meibao's hand couldn't reach him. She continued to reach forward, but he stood up just in time. Meibao was suddenly at a loss, jumping up and down to reach him, looking up at him.
Shen Jizhao easily resolved this sudden crisis, calming the situation before it could even escalate.
At this moment, a middle-aged man with slow steps and an air of dejection walked into the main hall.
Jiang Shuifu's eyes lit up. It was her second uncle!
Has he been released?
She immediately went to greet him, her eyes filled with excitement.
Jiang Junyu looked much older, with a gray brow and an unyielding sorrow in her eyes. But when she saw Jiang Shuifu, her lips curved into a smile of surprise, and she perked up.
"Fu'er, you've arrived ahead of schedule? Last time, when Bei Qing sent a message saying he was going to take you back to your family home, we didn't believe it!"
He Beiqing was sent away to another place on the second day after his wedding, leaving Su Yang. His wife naturally had to go with him, so it was not easy for her to return home. It is likely that her return today was done secretly, in violation of the imperial decree.
Therefore, it's not surprising that he wears a mask.
Jiang Shuifu had no idea that Shen Jizhao had already sent a message, which meant that bringing her back was something that had been planned in advance.
Shen Jizhao nodded to Jiang Junyu, who felt even more ashamed. He was a grown man, yet he had been imprisoned; it was a junior who had rescued him. He could only offer his thanks.
"Thank you so much, Beiqing. If it weren't for you, my old bones would have broken inside!"
A low-ranking official like him, who has no say in anything, is locked up in jail and has no chance of ever getting out!
Jiang Junyan nodded in agreement. Yes, it's all his fault for not making a name for himself. When he went to plead for help, no one would even see him.
As they were speaking, the two brothers were about to bow in gratitude to Shen Jizhao, but Shen Jizhao stopped them:
"We're all family, there's no need for this. Grandparents, uncles and aunts, didn't you prepare lunch?"
Jiang Shuifu raised her eyebrows in disbelief as the high and mighty man called out to her family members one by one.
He was flexible and adaptable. Even though his father was in front of him every day, he always kept his distance and didn't recognize him.
Seeing that he wasn't putting on airs but was actually very approachable, the old man's already kind expression softened even more. This grandson-in-law is good.
"Alright, grandson-in-law, please take a seat! It's a pity you didn't come back for the Dragon Boat Festival, but we have a whole lot of homemade realgar wine."
Grandson-in-law Shen Jizhao was still stunned with jealousy, and clenched his fist.
He was originally going to sit next to Jiang Shuifu, but he was forced to sit with someone in between.
Meibao blinked her big eyes with a grin and asked, "Brother-in-law, you like me, don't you?"
She was asking him if he minded.
Jiang Shuifu pinched her nose, intending to "throw" her aside: "Little sister, you're naughty, so you won't get any candied hawthorns!"
Unexpectedly, Shen Jizhao, that old-fashioned blockhead, pressed Meibao down: "Sit here."
Jiang Shuifu looked him up and down with a playful gaze. Could he handle sitting next to a child?
The family banquet began, and Shen Jizhao was undoubtedly the most popular person. The old man and his wife smiled kindly and served him a lot of food. His uncles fed him wine, and even his younger sister grabbed his chubby hand and threw a lot of fatty meat into his bowl.
After dealing with the adults, Shen Jizhao looked down and saw the greasy, fatty meat, and his stomach began to churn.
But then, with her muddy little hands, Meibao grabbed a piece of fatty Dongpo pork and held it to his mouth:
"My brother-in-law is so strong, he must like to eat fatty meat, right?"
Jiang Shuifu chuckled to herself. How could someone as principled as him stand eating meat with his hands? Especially since it was greasy and fatty. Serves him right, he'll suffer!
She ate happily, devouring lots of fish and meat, finally able to satisfy her appetite. She ate to her heart's content.
The bowl was full in no time, and she let out a satisfied sigh.
Shen Jizhao had lived for over twenty years and had been a clean freak for over twenty years. When he saw the greasy little hand in front of him grabbing a piece of fatty meat, he hesitated, wanting to refuse.
Mei Bao's arms got tired from holding up, so she shrank back, and her lips pouted sadly.
Jiang Shuifu didn't want to see Meibao sad, and was about to comfort her when the man bit down.
He took one bite, just one bite, that should be enough, right?
However, the little boy's eyes widened, as if he was really looking forward to him finishing the food. After hesitating for a while, he finally ate it anyway.
Not a single bite was left!
I thought the little girl would laugh happily, but she just lowered her head.
He curiously looked down to observe her, and she actually looked a little aggrieved! Her eyes were red! Her eyes clearly said, "Don't cry, it's okay if your brother-in-law ate it, he's your brother-in-law anyway."
But that was her favorite piece of meat! She didn't get to eat any of it!
Seeing the man's completely bewildered expression, Jiang Shuifu picked up another piece of Dongpo pork, separated the fat from the lean meat, and then handed the leaner piece to Meibao's bowl:
"That's what she means, do you understand?"
The veins on Shen Jizhao's forehead throbbed. Is raising a child really that difficult? Does it have to be so indulgent towards her? Does it have to be like feeding her?
But that was nothing. To keep her from crying, he took care of her by removing the fat, bones, and shells from the fish.
My little sister was so happy, all her disappointment vanished, and she sweetly called out to her brother-in-law.
Shen Jizhao had filled half a plate and was about to hand it to Jiang Shuifu when he said, "I've picked too much."
I looked up and saw the woman slumped over the table! She was asleep!
He glanced at the empty wine cup beside her and realized she had started drinking again!
Now, the Jiang family was completely relieved. Jiang Shuifu had drunk herself into a stupor and passed out without any manners, yet her husband hadn't uttered a single word of blame. He was also very patient with the child, which showed that he truly loved her.
.
Because she had been drinking again and again, Jiang Shuifu slept until the next day. When she woke up, Meibao was already knocking on her door.
She sprang to her feet with a quick somersault, slapping her head as she did so.
"How could I sleep so much? I slept for a whole day, what a waste!"
It was already extremely difficult for her to come back, and she had to beg and coax him until he had a change of heart. After this, who knows when he would be able to come back again? How could she have fallen asleep like that? She really shouldn't have been drinking.
Jiang Shuifu put on her shoes and was about to run out to see her family when she didn't notice that someone was missing from the house.
Meibao rushed to her from outside the door, and she caught her steadily, then hugged her and headed to see her grandparents.
Mei Bao smiled broadly, still holding the most popular pea flour cake from Su Yang's breakfast stall, a treat that might take half a day to get. Jiang Shui Fu teased her:
"Who did Mei Bao manage to make happy this time?"
They coaxed her into getting up early and scrambling to buy her pea flour cakes. Her uncle and aunt, who were the least accommodating to them, would never waste time sending someone to squat down and buy them.
Mei Bao just smiled foolishly and didn't say anything.
Jiang Shuifu seized every moment, her nose growing redder and redder until she reached the main hall, at which point she almost couldn't hold back her emotions.
That person will definitely take her away immediately, not letting her stay a moment longer. To him, her stay last night was already a great act of mercy, and he will not allow her to act recklessly.
She tried hard to control her emotions and not cry. Her grandmother smiled and waved to her as soon as she saw her.
"Fu'er, come quick! My grandson-in-law and the others are wrapping the corner beams!"
Jiang Shuifu couldn't control herself and rushed into her grandmother's arms, nuzzling her affectionately.
Her grandmother lovingly stroked the back of her head, comforting her, saying that this is how it is for girls after they get married, and they have to grow up and get used to it.
Jiang Shuifu was holding her younger sister, who, finding it too cramped, nimbly jumped out and ran towards a group of people washing their hands and rolling up their sleeves. As she ran, she didn't forget to turn back and call out to her:
"Little sister wants to do it too! Big sister, come on over!"
After being comforted for a while, Jiang Shuifu finally calmed down and looked up to notice Shen Jizhao. What was he doing? He was actually wrapping a corner yoke!
Shen Jizhao is busy dealing with Mei Bao, this little devil.
She was very mischievous, grabbing and grabbing, wanting to wrap the biggest one, but she didn't know how to wrap it with bamboo leaves, so she had to ask him for help. He looked at the scattered glutinous rice and the bamboo leaves that she had picked at and torn, and his head couldn't help but ache.
Not only Mei Bao, but all the children in Jiangfu surrounded Shen Jizhao, asking him to teach them. They all chimed in and argued with each other, driving him crazy with noise!
The yokes in his hands became increasingly varied, taking on all sorts of shapes, eliciting gasps of amazement from the children. He cleared his throat:
"Stop making a fuss. I'll teach whoever is the best behaved first."
Perhaps it was his imposing presence that made the children behave much better. They lined up and waited for him to wrap one of their hands so they could show it off to their friends!
Shen Jizhao curled his lips and, taking advantage of their inattention, secretly wrapped up one round dumpling after another.
Not only was he wrapping, but his uncles and aunts were also wrapping. His eldest aunt called out to her affectionately:
"Fu'er, you didn't come back for the Dragon Boat Festival. You must miss the taste of home!"
My second aunt chimed in, "That's right, if Wan'er can get food at school, you can't be left out either!"
It turns out they wanted to let her experience the Dragon Boat Festival again!
Jiang Shuifu was deeply moved; although they couldn't be together for the Dragon Boat Festival, this was a small way of making up for it.
"I'm happy as long as my family is together."
Shen Jizhao's hands continued wrapping the corner yoke, but her heart skipped a beat. Of everyone present, she had precisely excluded him.
Jiang Shuifu joined in, wanting everyone to eat the dumplings she made, as it was her most sincere blessing to them.
But, "Hahaha!"
Mei Bao laughed loudly. Her older sister was even more useless than her, unable to wrap it up at all. Her brother-in-law could no longer call her stupid.
Just as Jiang Shuifu, her pomegranate-red fingernails trembling, was holding a clump of bamboo leaves at a loss, a large hand covered hers and began to knead and shape them. His movements were very nimble, and in no time they were formed. He then taught her:
"Tie it up with a rope, wrap it around and around, and don't let it loose."
Jiang Shuifu hadn't expected him to offer his help in wrapping the corner piece of the apron. Looking at the finished piece, his hot, clear voice filled her ears—it was incredibly alluring—and before she knew it, she was already wrapping it.
She did exactly what he said.
Everyone present witnessed this scene and couldn't help but chuckle. The aunt then nudged her husband and gave her uncle a disapproving look, the meaning of which was self-evident.
Only Mei Bao was stunned:
"That's not fair! Why doesn't my brother-in-law say my sister is stupid!"
Jiang Shuifu immediately pinched her little cheek: "If I'm stupid, you won't get any candied hawthorns!"
Meibao glanced at Shen Jizhao, then pouted and murmured:
"It's okay, my brother-in-law will secretly buy me pea flour cakes!"
Jiang Shuifu's eyes narrowed. So it was him who had nothing better to do.
After the dumplings were wrapped, they were to be cooked. The stove was set up to the side, and the aunts watched over them as they cooked. Shen Jizhao sent the wrapped dumplings over as well, and the aunts couldn't help but chuckle when they saw them.
Jiang Shuifu was very happy and started massaging her grandparents' shoulders, talking about the scenery she had seen and the morning market she had eaten at these days.
The grandparents couldn't stop smiling; no matter what their granddaughter said, they would laugh.
The children laughed heartily, chasing each other until their faces were flushed. Auntie's son, Jige, had already joined them and was very well integrated. It was a truly peaceful and harmonious scene.
This is the epitome of happiness in the world.
As Shen Jizhao watched the scenes of children playing and couples cuddling together, he subconsciously reached out to look at Jiang Shuifu, only to be caught off guard by the smile on her face.
When she was truly happy, her laughter was like a clear mountain stream, like the melting of the first snow, and like the intense heat of fireworks.
Pure, clean, and genuine.
The setting sun crept in quietly, and dusk was approaching.
The food in the boiler had been cooked and steamed, and a strong aroma wafted out, filling everyone's noses.
Before the horn-shaped cakes, plates of rice dumplings were presented. Some of these dumplings were spherical, symbolizing reunion, while others were shaped like hibiscus flowers. Each one was exquisitely made, showing great care.
Jiang Shuifu looked at the high mound of rice dumplings with a puzzled expression. Her aunt leaned closer to her, a teasing smile on her face:
"You kept talking about rice dumplings and jiaozi (a type of steamed bun) after you got drunk yesterday. You've forgotten all about them! You've forgotten, but someone else hasn't. That's why he asked us to prepare the ingredients yesterday afternoon. Otherwise, we would have thought you were leaving today! You should cherish this opportunity! But you can't spoil men too much..."
Jiang Shuifu listened to her aunt's long lecture on how to manage a husband, but the words went in one ear and out the other.
She also thought that she would be forced to be taken away by him today.
But not only did he not have them, he also prepared them.
At this moment, the man who "needed to be cherished" walked towards her. The aunt, being perceptive, immediately walked away, leaving the two of them alone.
Without saying a word, Shen Jizhao handed her a bow and arrows:
"I was injured when I fell into the water last time, and the doctor said I couldn't eat greasy or meaty food. I think I'm better now, but I still can't eat too much glutinous rice."
He was explaining to her why he was "abusing" her.
It was for her health.
But she didn't care about his reasons and questioned him:
How could you?
How do you know how to make corner pieces? How do you know how to make rice dumplings?
Shen Jizhao was displeased upon hearing this, and leaned close to her ear, raising an eyebrow and curling his lips:
"I know a lot more, you just don't know it."
.
Jiang Shuifu had a great time shooting, hitting three pink balls with one arrow. She got excited and shot one arrow after another, sharing all the pink balls with Meibao and the others. She was covered in a good sweat.
Several children clapped their hands until they were red, and when she was chosen, they shouted.
Meibao was extremely excited; she wanted to ejaculate too.
"hug!"
Shen Jizhao's eyes widened beneath the mask. What did she say?
"My little sister wants a hug!"
He heard clearly, but he didn't do anything. He had never held a child before! No one had ever dared to ask him to hold them!
His body was stiff and he did not move at all.
Mei Bao's big eyes darted around in disbelief. Why wasn't he holding her? Did he not like her?
A child's tears come so easily; large tears stream down their face as they wail and cry.
"But my little sister likes her brother-in-law! Ah! Ah! Ah!"
Shen Jizhao was utterly shocked by her reaction; she cried if he didn't hug her.
Why does she cry just like Jiang Shuifu? Birds of a feather flock together!
He sighed silently, bent down and picked her up, holding her to his chest. He picked up the bow and arrow beside him, grabbed her hand, and shot the arrow.
With a whoosh, it hit a pink ball. Mei Bao watched this scene in amazement, her red and swollen eyes instantly lighting up. She clapped her hands happily and begged him to shoot again.
The golden afterglow of the setting sun shone down, falling on the courtyard and on a man, a woman, and a child.
The woman held an arrow in front, while the man held and soothed the child behind. The arrow he shot hit the same pink ball of flesh as she walked side by side. They were truly in perfect harmony, a picture of perfect harmony.
It makes one wonder if this will be the same scenario if they have children in the future.
The man's gaze fell on the woman: "Are you happy? Is this compensation?"
This is Shen Jizhao's way of making up for his promise not to spend the Dragon Boat Festival with her. He keeps his promises.
This compensation made her feel very fulfilled and happy. She ate a lot of zongzi (a type of rice dumpling), ate five kinds of yellow foods, and even raised a glass to celebrate and drank wine.
As a result, Jiang Shuifu fell into a deep sleep again. She lay on her side on the bed, with Shen Jizhao watching from the side.
He watched for a long time, but ultimately did not expose her.
As dawn broke, it was already the third day, and Jiang Shuifu had to leave. However, she remained in bed. The man tidied up the small couch, making sure there were no signs of her sleeping there, and then headed to the desk to pick up his brush and begin to paint.
Seeing that he didn't say anything, Jiang Shuifu continued to pretend to be asleep.
She got away with it yesterday by being drunk, but what about today? Will he still fall for that trick?
As she slept, she couldn't keep up the act any longer, so she pretended to still be drunk and woke up holding her head.
However, the man painting with his back to her seemed to be able to see her movements and see through her disguise:
"I personally fed you the hangover soup, not a drop was left."
It's over, that's what he means!
Jiang Shuifu then stopped pretending, got out of bed, and, feeling resentful, started fidgeting and making noises to express her unwillingness.
Shen Jizhao ignored her, letting it go in one ear and out the other.
Seeing his indifference, Jiang Shuifu knew she had wasted her time. She approached and saw that he was actually drawing eyebrows on paper. Suddenly remembering his preferences, she reluctantly and reluctantly agreed:
"I don't want to leave. I've only been back a few days. Besides, I've been drunk most of the time. You have to make it up to me. Didn't you want to draw my eyebrows? I can..."
The man, who was drawing intently, paused upon hearing this, as if judging the truthfulness of her words. He raised his gaze and walked towards her step by step, brush in hand.
She saw what he was holding in his hand, and instinctively closed her eyes, waiting for the worm to crawl on her eyebrow.
Shen Jizhao stopped a foot away from her, and unexpectedly, he refused:
"I don't want it."
These three words clearly rejected Jiang Shuifu.
She said it very reluctantly, not sincerely, but that was exactly what he wanted from her.
Jiang Shuifu was somewhat surprised by his rejection. He would actually abandon his interests and personal desires to refuse her.
He... seems to have changed somewhere.
.
Jiang Shuifu remained happy throughout the journey. She had figured it out: if she didn't force things this time, there would be a next time.
She brought back lots of food; the peaches will surely love it.
Shen Jizhao kept his eyes closed and focused, completely ignoring her presence.
The night passed peacefully. She lay in bed reading a storybook and playing with Weiwei, but it was still depressed and listless.
Given its current state, I wonder when it can be released back into nature.
In the few days since he came back, everything has returned to normal. He continues to do her laundry and give her everything she wants. The difference is that he no longer knocks on her door at night, trying to come in and sleep with her.
He would occasionally take a nap on the small tatami mat during the day.
Then one day, the old lady came to our door.
Jiang Shuifu didn't know how she got in, so she got up to greet her.
The old woman glanced at the yard full of fruits, vegetables, and chicks, then smiled so broadly that the wrinkles around her eyes crinkled together.
"Your husband is too kind. We're all neighbors, no need to be so formal. These are all homegrown, I guarantee you'll enjoy their freshness!"
Jiang Shuifu didn't know what had happened, but she accepted the things as she pleased. The old woman then chattered on and on, holding her hand and talking for a long time, inevitably venturing into the mundane affairs of other people's families.
The story goes that a woman ran away with another man, but when she was caught, her legs were broken.
"Oh my goodness, they beat him horribly! You don't know, do you? It was the night before you went out. They caught him and threatened to break his legs the next day. A lot of people tried to stop them, and there were so many onlookers!"
Jiang Shuifu was utterly shocked. How could such a thing happen in the world! It was utterly heinous!
"Outrageous! She wasn't sold to him, why should he hit her! If she wanted to run away, he might have stolen her. In my opinion, he should be thrown in jail and his legs broken so he can only crawl for the rest of his life!"
Before she could finish speaking, a figure walked in through the courtyard gate. The man happened to hear everything she said: "If you steal it, break your legs and make you crawl for the rest of your life!"
Jiang Shuifu happened to meet his gaze again. She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt that his eyes were gradually becoming deep and dark, like a wild wolf that had been deeply offended, with an unyielding rage hidden in his heart.
After he left, the woman unconsciously touched her legs.
After that day, the fruits and vegetables planted by Shen Jizhao came back to life, no longer listless, and regained their vitality.
I reckon we'll be able to eat it soon.
Shen Jizhao fed the chickens every day as usual, and the chicks grew up slowly. Gradually, whenever they encountered Jiang Shuifu, they would hide behind the man.
And the man would inevitably get several more wounds every day, because whenever Weiwei saw him, she would scratch him without hesitation, not stopping until she drew blood.
However, Weiwei's actions were understandable, since he was the one who injured it and caused it to bleed so much.
Shen Jizhao is thick-skinned and tough; even if he gets scratched a few times, it won't bother him.
On her last trip, she bought some little toys for Weiwei. She took out the toys to amuse it, and it wagged its tail to show that it accepted them, which was better than a few days ago.
She thought with a wicked twist that he must have vented his anger and released some of his pent-up frustration.
For several days in a row, the fruits and vegetables grew better and better, and became more and more mature. She picked a cucumber, took a bite, and found it very fragrant. She ate it with the peaches. Sometimes the old lady would come to give her things, and she would pick a few for the old lady to take back.
Shen Jizhao happened to witness this scene, and his gaze kept lingering on her—an ominous sign.
She could sense that he was about to cause trouble.
Sure enough, at lunch one day, instead of the usual lavish meat dishes, Shen Jizhao pointed to a table full of vegetarian dishes, all of which had been picked from the yard. He snorted and said arrogantly, "Try it."
Jiang Shuifu shrank back in fear; this was another round of torment!
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Author's Note: Two-in-One
Double update tomorrow
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