Chapter 27: A Single Sentence Seals the Deal

His little sister, a fresh and tender cabbage, actually got herself tangled up with a pig?

That was Shen Junyue’s first thought after hearing the story.

Taking the initiative into her own hands was indeed easier to accept than being passive.

Hmm, truly worthy of being his, Shen Junyue’s, sister!

He was about to praise her a couple of words, but when he looked up and saw Shen Yi’an shrinking her neck like a quail, he couldn’t help but laugh. “Did you think I’d scold you?”

“You’re not going to?” Shen Yi’an raised her head in disbelief.

From childhood to adulthood, her third brother had never lost his temper with her, but her eldest sister, second sister, and fourth brother had received plenty of lessons.

Despite the constraints of seniority, they held no sway with her third brother.

After starting school, even her eldest and second sisters’ classmates would sigh, saying how nice it was to have an older brother.

Her eldest and second sisters couldn’t really explain—mostly because they were too embarrassed.

If their classmates found out that the one who kept them in line wasn’t an older brother but a younger brother… tsk, they’d probably lose all face, inside and out.

The reason for this misunderstanding was that her third brother had started shooting up in height after starting school, only slowing down in high school.

Following normal logic, people naturally assumed the taller one was the eldest.

Because of this, the misunderstanding persisted to this day.

However, precisely because she had watched her eldest sister, second sister, and fourth brother being disciplined since childhood—sometimes made to stand in punishment, other times forced to squat in a horse stance—she had formed the impression that her third brother was fierce, believing he was the most formidable in their family.

As a result, even as an adult, she felt a bit intimidated whenever she faced her third brother directly.

Like right now.

Seeing her look of astonishment, Shen Junyue stood up and ruffled her hair. “From childhood to now, has Third Brother ever scolded you once?”

Watching Shen Yi’an shake her head rapidly, he continued with a smile.

“Not only have I never scolded you, but all the pocket money I had went toward buying you candy.”

“That look of suspicion on your face right now is a bit hurtful.”

Hearing this last, somewhat familiar line, Shen Yi’an gave an awkward smile. “I misunderstood Third Brother.”

“I thought you’d scold me. I didn’t expect you to accept it so calmly.”

Hearing this, Shen Junyue adjusted the wriggling little Shen Hong in his arms to a more comfortable position before sharing his thoughts on the matter.

“You were drunk and out of sorts—it wasn’t intentional.”

“In situations like this, no matter how you look at it, the female comrade is the one at a disadvantage.”

“If that guy dares to be ungrateful, Third Brother wouldn’t mind having a word with him.”

Seeing the matter resolved so quickly, Shen Junkai, who never shied away from stirring up trouble, felt a bit disappointed.

“I’ve known since childhood that Third Brother was biased, but I never expected it to be this extreme when we grew up.”

“If the protagonist of this incident were me, or our eldest or second sister, you’d probably be clenching your fists right away.”

Hearing this, Shen Junyue didn’t even glance at him. “Can any of you compare to Little Sister?”

With that single sentence, he sealed the deal, leaving Shen Junkai speechless with anger for a long while.

Another half hour passed, and Shen Guozhong and Li Beichen returned from their trip to the market.

When they left, there had been a noticeable distance between the two, but upon entering, it was clear they had grown closer.

Seeing this, Shen Junkai was the first to walk over and take the bags.

“Dad, what did you buy?”

“There are a lot of people tonight. It’d be awkward if there isn’t enough to eat.”

Hearing this, Shen Guozhong, who had just finished changing his shoes and was empty-handed, shot him a glare.

“Then eat less tonight!”

“All this was prepared for my daughter, what business is it of yours?”

Shen Junkai wasn’t angry at being rebuked, smiling at his father before shifting his gaze to Li Beichen who was changing shoes nearby.

“How was your outing?”

“The customs and culture in Lancheng are quite different from Jingshi, right?”

“Not bad!” Li Beichen gave a fairly sincere answer.

“Both are northern cities, so the climate difference isn’t too significant.”

“Actually, if anything, Lancheng’s climate is a bit more humid, while Jingshi is purely dry.”

While talking, the two brought the purchased meat and vegetables into the kitchen.

With nothing else to do afterward, the large group gathered in the living room to chat.

By eight in the evening, dinner was finally served.

A large platter of braised chicken with green and red peppers, glossy sweet and sour pork ribs, soy-braised pork hock with rich sauce, plus cold tossed pig ears made up the meat dishes.

For vegetables, there were sour and spicy shredded potatoes, oil-braised eggplant, stir-fried lettuce, and sweetened shredded white radish.

Four meat and four vegetable dishes were accompanied by a bowl of egg drop soup.

The staple food was white rice.

Seeing everyone chatting animatedly in the living room, Deng Yaxin, who had set the table, called out, “Dinner’s ready!”

Hearing this, Shen Guozhong was the first to rise and approach the dining table.

Following the elder’s lead, the others gradually joined.

At the sight of the table laden with delicious food, everyone’s throats unconsciously moved.

So fragrant!

“Grandma, the food you made smells so good!”

Shen Yi, held in Shen Yi’an’s arms, exclaimed in her adorable voice, “I can eat a whole bowl of rice!”

Seeing her eager expression, Deng Yaxin smiled and glanced at Shen Shasha standing nearby.

“Tonight’s meal was made by me and your mother.”

“Only praising Grandma and not Mom, aren’t you afraid she won’t tuck you in tonight?”

Hearing this, the clever little Shen Yi twisted around to look at her mother.

“Mom, the food you and Grandma made smells so good!”

“Auntie said she’s hungry too!”

This remark made everyone standing near the table laugh simultaneously.

She even knows how to change the subject—not bad for a smart child.

After a few jokes, everyone finally took their seats at Deng Yaxin’s invitation.

However, there was a slight dispute over seating arrangements.

Shen Yi’an’s seat was next to her mother, a long-standing tradition in the Shen family.

With Li Beichen’s arrival and his exact role not yet formally introduced, where he should sit became an issue.

If he were to sit directly beside Shen Yi’an, that spot was already taken by Shen Yi, who insisted on sitting next to her aunt, claiming she ate better that way.

But if not beside Shen Yi’an, where should he sit? He was somewhat confused.

Everyone sat in family groups—he couldn’t just “intrude” into another family.

Ultimately, patriarch Shen Guozhong directed Li Beichen to sit beside him.

Halfway through the meal, with some food in his stomach, Shen Guozhong set down his chopsticks and addressed the matter directly.

“Xiao Li, we’ve spent a day together and are familiar now, so I won’t stand on ceremony.”

“I just want to ask—what brings you here this time?”

“As someone who’s been around, I prefer straightforwardness. Don’t beat around the bush with me.”

Before coming to Lancheng, Li Beichen had only intended to safely escort his fiancée to her destination.

But with the enthusiastic matchmaking aunties’ assistance, he gained the opportunity to properly enter the household.

During this time, he had met all members of the Shen family except for the two married daughters.

We’ve had brief exchanges, and I’ve pretty much figured out their personalities.

However, due to the subtle yet noticeable obstruction from the Shen family men, his identity had never been formally introduced.

Although he could tell that the Shen family already knew what was going on.

He also thought that since he was the one with intentions, he didn’t take these small tests to heart.

Now, finally hearing his future father-in-law ask this question, the words he had rehearsed over and over in his mind came out effortlessly.

“Uncle, Aunt.”

“The purpose of this visit is to inform you both about the relationship between Yi An and me.”

“We have feelings for each other, and my family also supports us being together.”

At this point, he instinctively glanced at Shen Yi’an diagonally across from him.

Noticing her blushing slightly and lowering her head, he smiled faintly and continued.

“But Yi An and I being together isn’t just about getting my family’s approval.”

“We also hope to earn your recognition, Uncle and Aunt.”

After a brief moment of tension at the dining table, Shen Guozhong slowly nodded.

“I could tell long ago!”

“Didn’t expect you to be so patient, only admitting it when I asked.”

He then teased him with a glance, “We know your intentions, but…”