Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 73: Warmth

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Warmth

Children have short memories, especially when they’re in the arms of their blood-related fathers.

In less than half an hour, Shen Zhiyu had already been tickled into continuous laughter by Shen Wenchen. The noise was faintly heard by Nanzhi in the kitchen.

After several days of relentless traveling, the 11 of them could finally sleep undisturbed, unmoved even by the sound of thunder.

In the end, it was Shen Wenchen who, fearing the little one might break into sweat from laughter, took him to the backyard for washing up.

"Dad, are you really my dad?" Shen Zhiyu obediently stood on the side, waiting for Shen Wenchen to wash his face.

Looking at his son’s hopeful eyes, Shen Wenchen hesitated for a moment before laughing and saying, "Would your dad be fake?"

"So, will dad leave?"

Upon hearing the little one’s words, Shen Wenchen hesitated before nodding, "Yes, I have to go, but Zhiyu can go with your mom and dad."

Shen Zhiyu frowned, somewhat unhappy: "Why?"

"Because dad still has things to keep busy with." Shen Wenchen looked at Zhiyu, his eyes gentle. How could he compare to the god of war in the battlefield?

"Alright." The little one snorted, not at all pleased.

Father and son then brushed their teeth before returning to the kitchen.

"Mom, dad’s leaving." The little guy mumbled, seeing his mom cutting noodles in the kitchen.

Nanzhi paused, turning around to look at Shen Wenchen in confusion. Didn’t he say yesterday that he had a month’s vacation? Why was he leaving today?

It took Shen Wenchen a while to react. He only mentioned that he was busy, when did he say he was leaving?

Seeing Shen Wenchen’s expression, Nanzhi knew that Shen Zhiyu must have only relayed half the message. She made to gesture to smack his bottom.

The little one burrowed himself into Shen Wenchen’s chest at the sight of his mother’s hand nearing his bottom.

"Mom, I’m sorry~"

Hearing his whiny apologies, both Nanzhi and Shen Wenchen had a smile on their faces. Once she regained her composure, Nanzhi quickly controlled her facial expression, urging the father and son out of the kitchen.

Nanzhi was worried that she would be exposed, while Shen Wenchen thought she hadn’t forgiven him yet. Scratching his nose, he took Shen Zhiyu to the courtyard.

Well then, he was bound to earn her forgiveness in due time.

Thinking this, Shen Wenchen felt himself brimming with determination.

Seeing his suddenly spirited father, Shen Zhiyu chuckled, then pointed to a few horses, "Dad, I want to touch them!"

There was no reason for Shen Wenchen to refuse. Nodding, he led his own horse out, "Zhiyu, this one’s named Zhui Yue, do you want to ride it?"

Staring at the dark reddish horse, the little one didn’t close his mouth, his hands wandering all over the horse’s body. Shen Wenchen found it amusing.

"How about I take you riding later, okay?"

Just as Shen Zhiyu was about to nod, he saw Nanzhi standing at the door watching them and he suddenly shook his head.

Shen Wenchen was taken aback. What did this nodding and shaking of the head mean?

Following the little one’s gaze, he saw Nanzhi with an incredulous expression on her face.

"I’ll wake them up!"

Before Nanzhi could ask him to let them rest a bit longer, Shen Wenchen had already gone inside.

Only Shen Zhiyu, who was covering his mouth and laughing mischievously, was left standing by her side.

"What are you laughing at?" Nanzhi pinched the little one’s cheek.

"Dad fears mom, just like Grandpa Shen does Grandma Liu." The little one said laughing.

Nanzhi paused, merely patting his little face before going back to work in the kitchen. She just wanted to ask Shen Wenchen if they should wait for his brothers to wake up before serving the noodles, so she could take a break. The kitchen was so stuffy.

Since he had gone to call everyone, it was a good time for her to cook noodles.

When they all came out of their rooms in their fresh clothes, they saw Shen Wenchen smiling and teaching Shen Zhiyu how to play with the toys they had bought.

Seeing his smile, they thought they were seeing things.

Why was Big Brother Shen smiling like a blooming flower?

Eleven touched his cheek that had taken a slap from Shen Wenchen, awkwardly avoiding his gaze.

Haven’t he just been a bit too restless while sleeping last night?

Why did it warrant a slap?

What if his face got ruined and he couldn’t find a wife?

The more he thought about it, the more worried he became, eventually even Nanzhi noticed something was off when she carried in the noodles.

Why was Eleven looking at Shen Wenchen with such resentment?

Luckily, when they saw her come out, the men very consciously took their bowls and chopsticks and said.

"Sister-in-Law, please take a seat. We’ll go get our food."

After watching them squeeze into the kitchen, Nanzhi sat down to rest. Kneading today’s batch of dough almost ruined her hands.

After breakfast was finished, before Nanzhi could get up, Ada and the others eagerly collected the dishes, and Ada couldn’t help but add, "Sister-in-law, just rest. We can handle the dishes!"

Being called sister-in-law by Ada gave Nanzhi goosebumps. Ada looked around 26 or 27 years old. Wasn’t it a bit exaggerated to call her sister-in-law?

It seemed that Shen Wenchen could read her thoughts; he coughed lightly and lowered his voice: "Ada may look old, but he just turned 19. They all grew up quickly. The oldest, Ah Er, is just under 20."

Nanzhi had an epiphany. No wonder they all called Shen Wenchen Brother Shen because of their age difference, not just some villainous aura causing everyone to call him big brother.

Shen Wenchen suddenly became serious and said to Nanzhi, "Nannan, thank you for your hard work these three years. I don’t know where our parents were buried; let me pay my respects to them later."

"They are buried in the graveyard at the village entrance. I can take you there later."

After getting Nanzhi’s answer, Shen Wenchen nodded, then went to get the incense and paper money he had bought the day before.

This was all for their parents’ graves.

In his previous life, he wasn’t able to take care of their parents, this life was no different.

All he could do was kneel before their graves, telling them that their unfilial son had returned.

After saying goodbye to Eleven and the others, Shen Wenchen, Nanzhi, and Shen Zhiyu left the house.

Originally he wanted to bring them there on horseback, but Nanzhi refused.

Riding a horse would be too flashy, not to mention she didn’t want to ride with Shen Wenchen on the same horse.

As they left early, before the heat of the day, many villagers were already out and working. When Nanzhi and Shen Wenchen appeared at the entrance of the village, the working villagers were stunned.

Wasn’t this Shen Xiaolang?

He was said to have died three years ago, no one saw him alive or his dead body, how come he came back after three years?

Could it be that they had seen a ghost?

The most excited one was Shen Dashan. When he saw the person next to Nanzhi, he felt familiar.

That was until Shen Wenchen called out, "Uncle Li Zheng."

Only then did he approach and pat him on the shoulder incredulously.

"What, what happened? If you didn’t die initially, why did you return only after three years!"

As he spoke, Shen Dashan’s eyes reddened. He tightened his grip on Shen Wenchen’s hand, "Your dad and mom thought you died before them! Do you know how difficult it was for Nanzhi and Zhiyu all these years!"