Returning to Parents' Seventeen
Chapter 28: Wishful Thinking

Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Wishful Thinking

At the same time, Xu Chuning and Shen Sinian returned to the small restaurant and happened to come across a group of customers.

Shen Sinian volunteered to wash dishes, while Xu Chuning helped You Shuzhen out.

The three of them worked together seamlessly and got through the rush hour.

After the peak time, Xu Chuning prepared dinner for the three of them.

When dinner was served and they were about to eat, You Shuzhen could no longer hold back and started to inquire about Shen Sinian’s situation.

Originally, Xu Chuning had planned to take Shen Sinian back to the restaurant for lunch and then talk to You Shuzhen about it. But their teacher detained them after class, so Xu Chuning made a phone call to You Shuzhen, saying that they would discuss Shen Sinian’s matter in the evening.

You Shuzhen was anxious but also understood that such matters couldn’t be rushed; Shen Sinian wasn’t going anywhere, and it was better for the two to rest properly at school at noon so they would have energy for their afternoon classes.

"Sinian..." You Shuzhen looked at him somewhat restrained and awkwardly, "Did the Shen Family just find you?"

Shen Sinian and Xu Chuning exchanged a glance, then he gently said, "Aunt You, I wasn’t kidnapped. It was my dad who got lost when he was young."

He and Xu Chuning had gone over what to say in advance, and they briefed You Shuzhen succinctly about their situation.

After hearing it, disappointment was clear in You Shuzhen’s eyes, "So you weren’t kidnapped, and you weren’t found by Xiao Shen and the others?"

Shen Sinian nodded.

He and Xu Chuning thought the same, feeling that they should not give You Shuzhen too much hope for now, in case the outcome was not good, she wouldn’t be able to handle it. At present, she is clinging to a moderate hope, living every day quite well.

But if suddenly she was given great hope that turned out to be in vain, she might not even be able to maintain her current steady life.

Xu Chuning understood You Shuzhen very well. She was tied up by her daughter’s affair, living every day with all her might. If she lost this expectation, or if the hope increased or decreased, she might not be able to maintain her current vitality.

Originally, Xu Chuning was unsure how to reveal Shen Sinian’s true identity to You Shuzhen, worried that she wouldn’t be able to accept it.

But now, she absolutely couldn’t bring it up.

Shen Sinian came from the future, and if You Shuzhen knew this, she would surely ask him about "Li Xiaonan." If she knew they only found her so much later, how heartbroken and upset she would be.

"I see," You Shuzhen sighed softly, putting on a brave smile, "It’s good that you weren’t kidnapped."

Looking at her like that, Shen Sinian felt an unbearable twinge in his heart, "Aunt You."

You Shuzhen: "Hmm?"

She smiled slightly, looking at Shen Sinian, "What does Sinian want to say?"

Shen Sinian’s lips parted, and he placed his hand over hers, comforting her, "I’ve seen the missing persons notice posted at the doorway. Don’t worry, your daughter will definitely be found."

Hearing this, You Shuzhen was touched and hummed in response, "I believe so, too."

She raised her hand to dab at the corner of her eyes and looked at the two, "Let’s not talk about this any further, let’s eat first."

Xu Chuning: "Mom, don’t worry, we will find her."

You Shuzhen agreed.

After dinner, Xu Chuning urged Shen Sinian to go home to do his homework, as she and You Shuzhen would have to close the shop and rest in less than half an hour.

Reluctantly, Shen Sinian complied, but before leaving, he didn’t forget to remind her, "Reflection paper."

Xu Chuning: "...I know, I’ll give it to you in the morning."

Shen Sinian: "Thank you, Mom."

He whispered in Xu Chuning’s ear.

Xu Chuning was amused by his address and gave him a sidelong glance, "If you don’t behave, I won’t want you as my son."

Shen Sinian: "..."

After sending Shen Sinian away, Xu Chuning and You Shuzhen got busy again, cleaning the shop and doing some prep for the next day’s breakfast before closing for the night.

When they got home, Xu Chuning asked You Shuzhen for her phone and logged into QQ.

On QQ, she sought Shen Sinian for Shen Yubai’s QQ number.

Shen Sinian didn’t send Shen Yubai’s QQ to her right away; instead, he mysteriously replied to her: [I ran into him just when I came back.]

Xu Chuning: [And then?]

Of course, she could immediately guess who he was referring to.

Shen Sinian: [He gave me something.]

Xu Chuning: [What?]

Shen Sinian: [I didn’t take it.]

Xu Chuning: [?]

Shen Sinian: [You’ll know tomorrow morning.]

Xu Chuning: [...]

She looked at the conversation on her phone and really wanted to know who Shen Sinian had learned his habit of half-saying things from.

Lucky for him he wasn’t in front of her, or she would have hit him.

After their brief conversation, Xu Chuning didn’t ask for his QQ anymore. She decided to let Shen Yubai write down his QQ number for her tomorrow. She would add him when she got home.

Thinking about it, Xu Chuning took out a blank sheet of drafting paper and began to write a self-criticism at her desk.

It was the first time Xu Chuning had ever written a self-criticism, and clearly, she had no idea how to do it.

Half an hour went by, and You Shuzhen was getting ready for bed. On Xu Chuning’s draft book, there were still only three words—[Letter of Self-Criticism].

On the other hand, Shen Sinian, who just finished washing up and was ready to play games for a while, sneezed. Shen Yubai came over to open the door for him, and upon hearing the sneeze, he asked with a lifted eyelid, "Caught a cold?"

Shen Sinian felt his heart skip a beat at his indifferent tone, and he carelessly rubbed his nose, "No, maybe my mom’s thinking of me."

Shen Yubai: "..."

After saying that, Shen Sinian inadvertently looked up and saw that his dad’s complexion was even worse than before.

He blinked in confusion and clumsily changed the subject, "I’m going to play some games."

The houses they lived in were the same, but the difference was that Shen Yubai’s side had a computer, whereas Shen Sinian’s did not.

Shen Yubai tugged at his lip, asking lazily, "Did you finish your homework?"

Shen Sinian: "?"

He was bewildered for a few seconds, then looked at him, "You finished yours?"

Father and son looked at each other wordlessly for a moment, and Shen Yubai gave him a sidelong glance, "Were you like this when you were in school?"

Shen Sinian: "Of course not."

The reason he didn’t do his homework now was that he already knew everything that was being taught. Although Shen Sinian was the pampered young master of the Shen Family, Xu Chuning had always been quite strict with him since he was little, especially when it came to his studies.

Shen Yubai’s approach to education was more laissez-faire. He could give him many things, but there was an important prerequisite: everything he did had to please Xu Chuning. Only then would Shen Yubai satisfy his wants for toys and new technological gadgets.

Of course, that included living expenses, too.

Thinking of his past extravagant lifestyle, Shen Sinian felt a bit sad, "I had three computers in my room."

Shen Yubai paid him no mind.

Shen Sinian then said, "Now, I don’t have even one."

Not to mention, his phone was a slider, incapable of playing games like Honor of Kings.

Shen Sinian said this while observing Shen Yubai’s expression. Noting that his demeanor was unchanged, he poked Shen Yubai’s arm in confusion, "Are you even listening to me?"

Shen Yubai lifted his eyelids and glanced at him, "You want a computer?"

Shen Sinian nodded.

Shen Yubai looked at him, his clear and bright peach blossom eyes like those of a naive child, and slightly chuckled, "You wish."

Shen Sinian: "..."

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