The owner checked the time, knowing it wasn’t peak hours, and thought for a moment, “Sure, but this crash course might not be enough.”
“Let’s give it a try,” Shen Qian smiled.
“It’s strange, your husband also learned from me how to make yellow croaker noodles. Why do you need to learn too? Isn’t one enough?” The owner taught Shen Qian while looking at her with surprise, seeing her smile with white teeth, “I wasn’t a good wife.”
“…” The owner paused, then laughed, “I think, in his heart, as long as you’re by his side, you are a good wife.”
“The boss seems very sure.”
“He kept eating my yellow croaker noodles, even after you went abroad to study. He came every day, crying while eating, not looking very manly. He even humorously told me that without his wife by his side, what kind of man was he?”
“Haha,” Shen Qian gave a dry laugh, his words sounded so suggestive.
“He sent me a text a few months ago, saying you were coming back and wanted to eat here, but then I got injured.”
“Yes, he’s quite busy today; I’m buying groceries to cook for him.”
“And make him a bowl of love-filled yellow croaker noodles?” The boss grinned mischievously.
Shen Qian gave a shy smile, acknowledging it.
Nan Nan watched Shen Qian making noodles from a distance, feeling puzzled. She couldn’t tell if this woman had gone mad from a heavy blow or was making her last supper. She parked her car to the side and stared blankly. Cars behind her kept honking, signaling she was blocking the way. Nan Nan snapped out of it, realizing her car was still on the road… She quickly hit the gas, shifted gears, and tried to turn onto the main road at the intersection. Perhaps distracted, she didn’t notice the yellow light flashing several times before it turned red. She ran the red light, and at the moment she turned, a car from another direction sped towards her, crashing heavily into the side of her vehicle…
Shen Qian heard a screeching of brakes followed by the commotion of people. She was cutting fish at the time, looked up, and asked the boss, “What’s that noise?” “Must be a car accident. Let’s not get involved. You can take the alley later; it’ll be chaotic over there.” Shen Qian nodded; there was no need to join the crowd. She made a bowl of rather unappetizing yellow croaker noodles. The boss frowned but, not wanting to discourage Shen Qian, simply said, “It’s okay.” Shen Qian thought, ‘Okay is good enough; let’s make do.’ Just as she was about to leave with her noodles, her phone rang. She smiled; she had turned it off earlier, and now, as soon as she turned it back on, You Ran called, probably out of his mind. She picked up. “Where are you?” came a displeased voice from the other end, trying to hide his impatience and anxiety. Shen Qian chuckled and for the first time called him, “Honey, come home for dinner.” You Ran’s voice softened noticeably. “I’m at home.” “What about my mom?” “She’s at the hospital; I came out to find you and checked at home.” Shen Qian fell silent for a moment. “Wait for me to come back; stay put.” She hung up before You Ran could reply, turned to the boss, and said, “Boss, I’ll come back to learn from you next time; I’ll make it as good as my husband’s.” “Alright,” the boss smiled. Shen Qian took a tricycle to Jiangxia Community. She worried the noodles would get soggy and that You Ran would wait too long. However, before she reached Jiangxia, she saw You Ran already waiting at the entrance. Getting off the tricycle, she paid, walked up to You Ran, took his hand, and said, “Honey, come home; your wife will cook for you.”
You Ran let Shen Qian lead him, remaining silent, seemingly pondering her intentions or perhaps already understanding everything. In the kitchen, Shen Qian was busy, while You Ran sat at the dining table, staring at the yellow croaker noodles for a long time before finally picking up his chopsticks to eat a few bites. It wasn’t very tasty, far from the shop’s flavor. Shen Qian, serving more dishes, awkwardly said, “I’m just learning; it doesn’t taste the same yet, but I’ll get better.” She served him a full bowl of rice, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, “These are all your favorites. I also bought vegetables your mom likes; I’ll cook them next time she visits.” “Qianqian…” You Ran gently held her hand, and Shen Qian tightly gripped his, letting out a resigned laugh, “I’ll follow your advice, terminate the pregnancy, and get proper treatment. I can’t keep worrying my husband; he loves me so much.” You Ran quietly looked at her and smiled… “But when I go to the U.S., you must come with me; I need you by my side all the time.” You Ran stroked Shen Qian’s hair, “Qianqian, I will always be by your side, never leaving.” “Then hurry and eat. This is our family’s last supper.” Shen Qian thought, with a husband who never leaves her side, how could she take the risk of leaving him to do something reckless? Children are important, but if she had a child and then left him, she would truly be letting this man down.
In the ICU, Mrs. Hu pressed her hands against the glass window, looking inside with a heart-wrenching pain. Yu Tianyang was trying to comfort her, but she kept crying. Inside the glass room, her daughter, tubes all over her body, was in critical condition, a piece of her flesh… For several sleepless days, Mrs. Hu had been staring into the glass room, fearing Nan Nan might pass at any moment. Finally, one day, Nan Nan weakly and laboriously raised her hand. Mrs. Hu called for the doctors and nurses, who entered to check on her, then came out to tell Mrs. Hu, “Your daughter wants you to come in.” Mrs. Hu entered wearing sterile clothing. She looked worriedly at Nan Nan, who was slightly opening her eyes, holding back tears, and took Nan Nan’s hand, “Nan Nan, be good, you’ll get better, mom will be with you.” Under the oxygen mask, Nan Nan’s weak voice said, “Mom, this is retribution.” Mrs. Hu was momentarily choked, holding her breath to stop Nan Nan from speaking further, but Nan Nan stubbornly continued, “You finally understand how Shen Qian’s mother felt, and I now feel how Shen Qian felt when she had her accident. It really hurts, mom…” Mrs. Hu burst into loud sobs, while tears also streamed down Nan Nan’s cheeks, soaking her pillow. She stared blankly at the ceiling, unwilling to look at Mrs. Hu.
Author’s Note: I am the real mother… I truly am… I believe bad people always get what’s coming to them, though they’re not exactly bad, just a bit of torment, no harm done = = PS: I’m not sure why, but I can’t give out points anymore. There’s no option to gift points, only options to report or reply, which is strange. I’m asking if other authors can still give points when their followers chase their stories. This has been happening today or yesterday… It’s really strange… Confused.
