This morning, she was puzzled about not seeing the soup, thinking that Zhou Yueshen might have seen her sleeping and put it back. So Si Nian didn't think much of it.

Now, hearing the man say he didn't want the soup, she suddenly realized—could it be that he drank both bowls?

Zhou Yueshen noticed her shocked expression and paused while holding her. After a while, he gazed deeply at Si Nian and asked, "Wasn't that soup for me?"

Si Nian blinked and asked in return, "Do you think you still need to be nourished?"

Zhou Yueshen: "....."

He thought he didn't need it. But judging from Si Nian's initial reaction, he thought she wasn't very satisfied with their wedding night.

So...

The man stayed silent for a long time, then in a hoarse voice asked, "What's for breakfast?"

Si Nian almost couldn't hold back her laughter. He was still so composed. But it's fine; these things were meant to nourish the body anyway. Zhou Yueshen's overreaction was probably just because he was already quite vigorous.

It should do no harm. Si Nian stifled her laughter and pointed to the box on the table, her voice soft, "I'll make you a bowl of noodles. You go wait over there. There are also some soup dumplings; I packed two servings for you. Could you take one to my elder brother when you go over?"

Zhou Yueshen looked at her.

"Alright."

He let go of her, reached for the soup dumplings on the table, and took a bite. When he saw Si Nian turn to get an apron, he walked over, took it from her hands, and tied it on.

Si Nian turned to look at him.

Zhou Yueshen grabbed a bowl and chopsticks from the side and gently held her by the waist with one hand. "Go rest. I'll cook."

Si Nian thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I'll make the soup for you and also cook a bit for Yao Yao."

Zhou Yueshen nodded, acknowledging that his cooking skills couldn't compare to the woman in front of him.

The simple soups Si Nian made were so delicious that the kids could each eat two bowls.

Si Nian led a groggy Yao Yao downstairs to find two bowls of steaming hot noodle soup on the table. One of the bowls had a casually fried egg by Zhou Yueshen. The aroma of the egg mingled with the noodle soup's green onion and lard, making it both refreshing and flavorful.

The two of them sat across from each other, eating in silence. Si Nian made herself a cup of powdered milk, which Zhou Yueshen declined.

He never drank such things, and it proved that a man with good genes didn't need milk to grow to a perfect height of 190 cm. They both ate quietly; Zhou Yueshen was not much of a talker, and Si Nian didn't like to chat while eating either. She fed Yao Yao and ate a bit herself.

After breakfast, Zhou Yueshen took two boxes of soup dumplings to the farm. He had been spending more time at home with Si Nian recently, and on bad weather days, he would drive the kids to school, which meant he arrived at the farm later than usual.

Si Nian's brother, Lin Xiao, arrived early every day because after slaughtering pigs, he needed to deliver the meat promptly.

Early in the morning, several pigs were already butchered and sorted into different parts, ready to be loaded onto the truck. Lin Xiao was different from the previous worker, Li Mingjun. Li Mingjun, knowing he was the only one besides Zhou Yueshen who could drive, would find various excuses to rest once the truck arrived, never helping with loading. No one ever complained about it.

But Lin Xiao was different. Although he was very quiet and had hardly spoken since he arrived, his work ethic was solid. Every day, he helped with loading the truck. His previous job in town involved loading and unloading goods, so this task was simple for him.

Life often seems to pick on honest people. Lin Xiao had a natural talent for driving; after just a couple of days of practice, he was almost ready to handle deliveries on his own. However, for safety's sake, Zhou Yueshen insisted he get a driver's license. Even though checks were rare, having a license would be much more convenient. The test wasn't easy, but Zhou Yueshen had connections to help Lin Xiao through the process.

For now, Lin Xiao handled deliveries in the morning and had plenty of free time afterward.

When Zhou Yueshen arrived, Lin Xiao was busy loading meat. The situation was indeed ironic: Li Mingjun, who had been brought in by his own sister, was lazy and always borrowing money. In contrast, Lin Xiao, Si Nian's older brother, refused higher wages from his brother-in-law and worked diligently. The differences between people could be vast.

Lin Xiao, who was younger than Zhou Yueshen, found it awkward when Zhou Yueshen called him "big brother-in-law" and suggested being called "Xiao Lin" instead. But Zhou Yueshen felt that was disrespectful, so he continued to address him as "big brother."

Zhou Yueshen approached and handed the sweating Lin Xiao a box of soup dumplings, his voice low, "This is from Nian Nian. She asked me to bring these for you. Big brother, have something to eat first."

Lin Xiao paused his hand from wiping sweat, "From Nian Nian?"

Zhou Yueshen nodded slightly.

A flicker of guilt crossed Lin Xiao's face. His sister had already sent him various treats before, like mung bean cakes and mung bean soup—luxurious items.

Although Lin Xiao hadn't had much interaction with this sister, the subtle connection of blood ties made him genuinely fond of her. But he also felt a deep sense of guilt. Now that his sister had just returned, she not only helped him find a job close to home but also repaid grievances with kindness, always sending him good things.

This made Lin Xiao very embarrassed. No matter how hard he worked for his brother-in-law, he couldn't shake off this feeling of guilt. Hearing that his sister had sent him more food filled him with mixed emotions—gratitude and bitterness. He had taken care of Lin Sisi for over ten years, never letting her suffer, but she had never cooked him a meal. Yet this sister, whom he had never cared for, was so thoughtful towards them.

Seeing Lin Xiao's eyes redden and his expression mixed with shame, Zhou Yueshen understood what his brother-in-law was thinking. He was well aware of the situation between the Lin family and Si Nian.

However, Zhou Yueshen also noticed Si Nian's attitude towards the Lin family. Si Nian wasn't someone who easily became close to others. From their interactions, it was clear that anyone who had ever displeased her was kept at a distance. For her to treat the Lin family this way, there must be something about them that she found worthy.

Zhou Yueshen also knew that this family was honest and kind-hearted, truly a rare good family. He glanced at Lin Xiao and said, "Take it. She got up early to make it. It's her way of showing she cares."

Lin Xiao pressed his lips tightly together and nodded with a strained expression, "Please help me thank Nian Nian."

Zhou Yueshen nodded slightly and watched him walk away before stepping forward to pick up the butcher knife. His muscles tensed, and with swift, precise movements, he quickly divided the pork on the ground.

His involvement immediately spurred everyone into action, and they quickly processed the day's workload.

As Zhou Yueshen moved to the side to wash his hands, Yu Dong, covered in sweat, handed him a cigarette.





I'm so sorry, dear friends. I've been feeling a bit unwell lately and have just been discharged from the hospital. I will get back to normal as soon as possible.(⊙︿⊙)