Chapter 23: A Pitiful Sight

Noticing that Shen Yi’an’s loose hair was still slightly damp, Deng Yaxin leaned in and reached out to touch it.

“At least you listened and didn’t go out with wet hair hanging loose.”

“If you triggered your eczema because of this, your father and I won’t fuss over you.”

“You can suffer in secret by yourself!”

Hearing this, Shen Guozhong, who was standing nearby, immediately chimed in.

“That’s right, you should listen to your mother on this matter.”

“Do whatever she says—it’s all learned from experience, understand?”

“If you end up with a permanent root of illness, you’ll be the one crying like a little girl later.”

Instead of feeling annoyed by her parents’ back-and-forth lecturing, Shen Yi’an listened attentively with a satisfied expression and nodded seriously. “I know, Mom and Dad, don’t worry.”

“When it comes to health, I don’t want you losing sleep over me night after night again.”

This response came from the hardships she had endured in her past life—a hard-won realization.

If it were her former self, she would probably have brushed it off dismissively by now.

Once the three of them finished talking, Shen Junkai, who had once again wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, spoke up.

“Mom, Dad, little sister, are you coming inside or not?”

“If not, I’m going in first.”

“The hallway is stuffy and hot—my clothes are sticking to me, and I can’t even stretch my arms properly.”

At his words, Shen Yi’an and her parents turned their attention toward him.

They realized it wasn’t just Shen Junkai who looked miserable—even Li Beichen, who had been standing quietly nearby, was in a pitiful state.

The former was slightly better off.

He was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, so at least his arms could breathe and stay somewhat cool.

But the latter was different.

His “short sleeves” were actually long sleeves rolled up, and now, soaked with sweat, the rolled-up sections clung tightly to his arms.

Since he was holding something in his arms, droplets of sweat trickled down from the compressed cuffs with every flex of his arm muscles.

If his clothes were in such a state, his disheveled hair and sweaty face were even more telling.

Taking in this sorry sight, Shen Yi’an quickly pulled her mother aside. “Fourth Brother, you two go in first.”

“Sorry, I was so caught up talking with Mom and Dad that I forgot about you.”

“My apologies—once my hair dries, I’ll go buy ice pops for you.”

If he’d been in better spirits, Shen Junkai might have teased her in response, but not now.

He was already hot, and carrying heavy gifts made the mental and physical toll even worse.

Seeing that no one was blocking the way anymore, he hurried inside with both hands full.

After setting the gifts down, he headed straight to the bathroom to cool off with a quick rinse.

The sound of running water from the bathroom was unmistakably loud.

Li Beichen, however, didn’t follow his example.

Although his clothes sticking to him was truly uncomfortable, he didn’t forget to usher his future parents-in-law inside first. “Uncle, Aunt, please go in ahead.”

“An An is right—it’s hot out here. Staying longer could easily lead to heatstroke.”

Hearing this, Shen Guozhong didn’t stand on ceremony and stepped inside first, but his voice carried clear dissatisfaction from beyond the doorway.

“Don’t think acting considerate will soften me up.”

“Let me tell you, An An is the apple of our eye, a priceless treasure.”

“Hmph, we’ll talk properly once you’ve caught your breath.”

Hearing this, Deng Yaxin, who was watching him enter, rolled her eyes in a mix of amusement and exasperation.

What a character he is

It’s understandable to feel dissatisfied—no one would be happy about their daughter being taken by a wolf.

But who would openly say such a thing right in front of the person?

Suppressing her inner complaints, she turned and beckoned to Li Beichen.

“Come on, let’s go inside first.”

“Your uncle may be sharp-tongued, but he has a soft heart. You’ll understand once you spend more time with him.”

“Don’t let this upset you.”

Hearing her future mother-in-law’s gentle tone, Li Beichen nodded in agreement. “Don’t worry, Auntie.”

“Uncle clearly has a kind face. I won’t let this bother me.”

After saying this, he glanced at Shen Yi’an with a smile. “In this regard, An An takes after her father.”

“Her emotions are written all over her face—it’s much more relaxing than those fake smiles.”

Seeing the conversation suddenly shift back to her, Shen Yi’an pouted discontentedly with her rosy lips. “Why does everything always come back to me?”

She then rolled her eyes in annoyance. “I’m my dad’s biological daughter—it’s only natural that I take after him.”

“Don’t think flattering me like that will make Mom favor you.”

“In my mom’s heart, I’m the most important one—no exceptions.”

Faced with her retort, Li Beichen simply looked at her with adoration and smiled. “You’re right, An An. No one could ever replace you in Auntie’s heart.”

Watching the two bicker like children, Deng Yaxin found it utterly amusing.

She couldn’t help but think that if these two really ended up together, their household would be filled with endless joy.

Seeing the three of them still lingering outside, Shen Guozhong, who had already settled on the sofa, grew impatient.

He craned his neck to check on the situation before adjusting his posture and raising his voice.

“What’s going on with you three? Isn’t it hot out in the hallway?”

“If you don’t come in soon, I’m closing the door.”

Hearing this, Deng Yaxin, who had been planning to enter anyway, stepped inside first, followed by Shen Yi’an, with Li Beichen bringing up the rear.

Just then, Shen Junkai, who had been showering in the bathroom, finished up and came out.

Seeing Li Beichen drenched in sweat, he casually tossed him a towel.

“Go wash up. You look grimy covered in sweat.”

“A good, refreshing shower is the best thing right now.”

Catching the towel, Li Beichen nodded slightly. “Thank you, Fourth Brother.”

Before heading to shower, he addressed Shen Guozhong and Deng Yaxin. “Uncle, Auntie, please excuse me for a moment.”

Shen Guozhong waved a hand dismissively.

“Hurry up and wash.”

“Any longer and you’ll start marinating in your own sweat.”

Just as Li Beichen was about to head to the bathroom, Shen Yi’an, standing nearby, stopped him. “Wait a moment.”

She then turned to Shen Junkai. “Fourth Brother, can you spare a set of clothes?”

“We came in a hurry, and he didn’t bring any spare clothes.”

She pointed to an inconspicuous cloth bag on the floor. “We bought a couple of outfits on the way back, but none of them fit properly.”

“The fabric is decent, but the sizing is too short.”

“After wearing them a few times, they’d be better suited for cutting into diaper cloths for a baby.”

“It’s not too much to ask for a set of your clothes in exchange, is it?”

Hearing this, Shen Junkai didn’t hesitate and readily agreed.

“No problem!”

“If my little sister says so, how could I, as her brother, refuse?”

He then glanced at Li Beichen. “You, kid, must have accumulated some incredible luck in a past life to meet a girl as kind and thoughtful as my little sister.”

“Come on, let’s go to my room and find a couple of outfits that’ll fit you.”

“Even though I don’t live at home anymore, I still keep some of my clothes here just for unexpected situations like today.”

Watching Shen Junkai enter one of the rooms, Li Beichen turned to Shen Yi’an with a smile in his eyes.

It seemed coming back with her had been the right decision!

Meeting his gaze, Shen Yi’an quickly looked away.

The inexplicable romantic tension floating between them made Shen Guozhong, who had been observing them closely, feel thoroughly uncomfortable.

Seeing how he couldn’t even sit properly on the sofa, Deng Yaxin rolled her eyes and directly assigned him a task.

“Old Shen, go to the market and buy a few more pounds of pork. Get some ribs too if they have any.”

“We have guests today, Fourth Brother is back, and that old hen your daughter brought won’t be enough to go around.”

After a moment’s thought, she added, “The third brother’s wife went back to her parents’ home but said she’d return today.”

“With so many people for dinner tonight, pick up any other fresh vegetables you see at the market.”

With Director Deng’s instructions given, Shen Guozhong couldn’t very well dawdle.

As he stood up to leave, he caught Li Beichen’s lingering gaze and immediately formed a new plan in his mind.

He promptly waved him over.