"Daddy, I want the big bear, I want to sleep hugging the big bear, you always get to sleep hugging mommy!" Little Niangao knew that her mother seemed to have a good temper but was very hard to sway, while her father was more easily persuaded, so she complained to Shen Chi.
The department store was crowded with people. There were more than a dozen sales clerks alone, let alone customers.
The child’s voice was crisp, and Little Niangao’s words were heard by many people, which immediately drew curious glances towards Shen Chi and Lin Xiaoguai.
Even someone with thick skin like Shen Chi felt somewhat uncomfortable, let alone Lin Xiaoguai, who was more thin-skinned. She was so embarrassed she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Seeing his wife so embarrassed, Shen Chi reached out and comfortingly took her hand.
Onlookers witnessed the interaction between the young couple and smiled understandingly before kindly looking away.
"Daddy?" Not getting a reply, Little Niangao looked up in confusion.
Shen Chi sighed, "Okay, buy it, but you have to carry it back yourself." He was aware of Wanwan’s concerns, but he saw it as a good opportunity for his son to learn to gauge his own strength and to teach him a small lesson.
Little Niangao, oblivious to the trap, nodded excitedly, "Okay, I’ll carry it back myself."
After paying for the teddy bear, Lin Xiaoguai also got the cotton and fabric she needed. With everyone’s hands full and the day’s planned tasks completed, they left together.
"Daddy, mommy, wait for me..."
Who knew how many times it had been, but Little Niangao struggled to lift the teddy bear high, stumbling as he followed a few paces behind Shen Chi and Lin Xiaoguai. No matter how hard he tried, the tail of the toy bear got dragged on the ground and became dirty from his weakened grip.
Standing still, Lin Xiaoguai looked at her son, whose face was red with effort, and felt a pang of heartache, but she did not offer to help him.
Little Niangao felt so heavy as if he couldn’t take another step. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he held back from crying.
Lu Rong looked out of the window for what must have been the umpteenth time, only to see Lin Xiaoguai’s family just returning. She immediately abandoned her sunflower seeds and rushed out.
"Shen Chi, where have you been? I’ve come to look for you several times and you were never at home," she said, her voice tinged with a note of grievance.
She had recently learned Shen Chi’s name, and although she felt that the name was somewhat unfair to him, she still suppressed the urge to bring it up until the two of them were formally involved.
Lin Xiaoguai frowned, looking at her with annoyance, "Lu Rong, can’t you show some self-respect?" For someone like her who usually did not engage in arguments, these words were quite harsh.
With her son barely holding back tears and in discomfort beside her, she had no patience for this nonsensical woman.
Lu Rong only then seemed to notice Lin Xiaoguai’s presence, her eyes widening as she said angrily, "Lin Xiaoguai, why are you here too?"
"This is my home. If not here, where else would I be?" Lin Xiaoguai glanced at her son and said indifferently to Lu Rong, "If there’s nothing else, please leave."
"Wait a minute, Lin Xiaoguai, aren’t you going to invite me in?" Lu Rong suddenly changed her demeanor and spoke warmly.
Lin Xiaoguai was nearly driven to laughter; she actually did laugh, her eyes reflecting a clarity and beauty like a stream flowing gently.
Shen Chi’s gaze lingered on her and could not look away, while Lu Rong’s face twisted with jealousy—if only she could possess Lin Xiaoguai’s beauty...
Lin Xiaoguai was unaware of the turbulence her smile had caused. Her lips curled with mockery as she said, "Do you think I would invite a thief into my house as a guest?"
Lu Rong’s face turned white, and immediately, regardless of Shen Chi’s presence, retorted angrily, "Lin Xiaoguai, don’t be so smug. Shen Chi is the son of Mr. Han, what right does a country girl like you have to be the Young Madam of the Han Family? You’re nothing more than a villager; what help could you possibly be to Shen Chi? Only a lady from a great family like myself is worthy of him. Just you wait, sooner or later Mr. Han will have Shen Chi divorce you!"
Lin Xiaoguai looked at Lu Rong as if she were watching a fool—could this woman get any dumber?
Shen Chi’s expression darkened. These thoughts would have been fine in Lu Rong’s head, but she should not have spoken them in front of Wanwan! His Wanwan was the best; how could she be commented upon by someone as lowly as Lu Rong?
"A lady from a great family?" He laughed bitterly in anger, "If even a bastard can be called a lady from a great family, then tell me, where in the whole country could we find someone who isn’t?"
Lu Rong was stunned, "You, how do you know... No, that’s not right, what are you talking about? What bastard? I don’t understand what you’re saying." For once, her mind was quick, but unfortunately, her first few words had already betrayed her.