Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 172 The Thorn in the Heart_1

Chapter 172: Chapter 172 The Thorn in the Heart_1

Lin’s mother also jumped when she saw the dark circles under Shen Miaomiao’s eyes.

How could it be that after just one night, the Shen girl’s black eye circles have become so pronounced?

"Miaomiao, did you not sleep at all last night?"

Lin’s mother asked with a worried tone and some confusion, but then she instantly understood after recalling last night’s events.

"I just didn’t sleep well." Shen Miaomiao scratched her head, too embarrassed to admit that she had been scared awake all night.

Although her own mother, out of fear of frightening her, only stayed a while before hurrying her onto the cart, she vividly remembered her brother’s appearance at that moment.

She only regretted that her curiosity had gotten the best of her—peeping out just in time to see her brother clutching his sister-in-law’s hair with one hand and wielding a long knife with the other.

He looked no different from the evil spirits the village old ladies talked about!

Even knowing it was her brother, the stench of blood kept Shen Miaomiao from sleeping all night, waking her from any drowsy moment just as she was about to drift off.

"Did you have insomnia?"

Wang Jingzhi was physically weak and always went to bed early. He slept through last night’s events, occasionally hearing some pleas for mercy but dismissing them as part of a nightmare.

He was somewhat surprised to hear that Shen Miaomiao had not slept well.

"Mhm, it’s nothing." Shen Miaomiao let out a laugh, not intending to say more.

After all, family scandals should not be aired in public; it’s better if one less person knows.

"Alright."

Seeing that she did not want to talk more about it, Wang Jingzhi also simply said ’alright’ and continued walking.

After all, he was a man; he couldn’t always be lounging in the cart.

Moreover, since they had rescued him and he had been eating and sleeping at their mercy these past days, he couldn’t keep holding them back.

Shen Wenchen found it odd not seeing Nanzhi get off the cart after half a day.

Chen Qiulan laughed at his distracted looks: "Brother-in-law, you stood watch all night. Take the chance to rest in the cart for a while."

"Alright."

Shen Wenchen smiled at her and quickly went over to the mule cart, lifting the curtain to find Nanzhi and Zhiyu, mother and son, hugging each other, sound asleep.

Seeing that they were both fine, he breathed a sigh of relief.

These days, Nannan had been waking up very early, and he had not expected that today she would sleep more soundly.

Zhiyu, small and thin, was completely snuggled in Nanzhi’s embrace, whose palm-sized face had grown even thinner, making the mother and son appear even more pitiable.

Shen Wenchen felt his heart ache as he watched them, taking the eggs from the basket to give to Lin’s mother before carefully lying down next to Nanzhi, having removed his shoes, socks, and coat.

Lin’s mother deftly used the six eggs, boiling two in clear water, and made a pot of egg drop soup with the other four. Together with the pancakes made by the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, a sumptuous breakfast was ready.

As the Lin family was about to eat, Shen Miaomiao hurriedly made to leave for her own home but was stopped by Lin’s mother grabbing her hand.

"Miaomiao, have breakfast here with your aunt this morning."

"No, auntie, I’ll go back to eat."

After saying that, fearing Lin’s mother might continue to hold onto her, she quickly ran back to her own side of the area.

It was fine to stay here for a while, but she couldn’t keep imposing on their provisions.

When Nanzhi opened her eyes, she felt a stinging pain on her forehead and saw that it was indeed Shen Wenchen’s chin stubble pressing against her.

Having had the experience before, Nanzhi easily wriggled out.

After dressing and tidying her disheveled hair, she descended from the mule cart.

"Lazy girl, you’re only getting up now." Lin’s mother scolded playfully as she looked at her sleepy appearance.

"My bad, my bad." Nanzhi rubbed her eyes and giggled next to Lin’s mother, then quickly crouched down to help add some firewood.

After filling up, the two families packed up and continued on their way. Shen Wenchen was still leading Zhui Yue, following closely by Nanzhi’s side, ready to reach out and steady her whenever she looked like she might fall.

"I can walk by myself." Being pulled up once was okay, but after several times, Nanzhi started feeling like she was losing face.

Snow had fallen all night, leaving the road covered in ice and frost, which made it quite slippery underfoot.

"I know you can walk by yourself, it’s just that I’m overly worried,"

Shen Wenchen explained with a smile, causing both Chen Qiulan and Sun Cui to suppress their giggles.

"Why has it slowed down up front? You, go take a look. Make sure nothing’s happened," Nanzhi stuttered, then pointed ahead.

"Then you hold on tight, don’t fall."

"I know, I know. Just go check up ahead."

Nanzhi waved her hand, urging him to hurry to the front.

"Fat girl, have you decided what you’re going to do about this whole situation?"

It was only after her son-in-law left that Lin’s mother approached and asked.

Although these past few days he had been exceedingly good to her daughter and grandson, it still depended on her daughter whether they could move past their previous troubles.

"I also don’t know..." Nanzhi sighed quietly. She could tell how well Shen Wenchen treated her these days, but she always felt there was a burr in her heart.

"We’re about to reach Yan City, and you need to figure it out soon," Lin’s mother said, shaking her head at her daughter.

"Okay."

After watching her mother walk away, Nanzhi gathered her spirits and continued to travel. She managed not to fall all morning.

However, Sun Cui seemed to have something on her mind as she watched Nanzhi.

"Sister-in-law, do you have something you want to say?" Seeing the conflicted look on her face, Nanzhi still asked.

"It’s nothing much, just that it’s not easy to find someone you like. Don’t miss out because of past issues. I see that your husband cares deeply for you."

Sun Cui carefully uttered her words, hoping to encourage her sister-in-law. She could see that Nanzhi liked her husband.

The journey had been filled with many events, and how hadn’t Nanzhi been self-reliant in every situation?

Just the fact that someone had stealthily approached their mule cart at night and had been chased away by her wielding an axe had happened five or six times.

Only after her husband’s arrival had she started to allow herself some tenderness. If Sun Cui were to say, if the past could be forgotten, then let it go. If not, the couple should speak openly and clear the air.

Hearing this, Nanzhi was slightly taken aback.

She liked Shen Wenchen, that much was certain.

Shen Wenchen also liked her, and she was sure of it too.

But did he like the original "Lin Nanzhi," or the person she was now?

Even though she knew that the original body and her own were one and the same, the person who lived with Shen Wenchen for two years wasn’t her.

And the Nanzhi who had suffered for three years wasn’t her either.

Having realized the source of the burr in her heart, Nanzhi exhaled a heavy breath.

She would go and ask Shen Wenchen about it a little later.

Since he had been to ’that side,’ he should be able to accept these things, she reasoned.

"Fat girl, don’t worry too much. It’s normal for a married couple to have conflicts and problems. Your second brother and I often bicker,"

Sun Cui spoke with a smile, not wanting to pressure Nanzhi.

Lin Ercheng, who was leading the way in front, sneezed, and his eldest brother disdainfully reprimanded him.

"You better not have caught a cold. If you’re going to sneeze, move aside, don’t get it on my clothes."