Chapter 29: The Reason for Being Frail and Sickly

Upon hearing this, a look of heartache flashed in Deng Yaxin’s eyes.

“She’s not tired—her physical foundation is just too weak.”

“If she had a healthy constitution, like most young people her age, she’d probably still be out wandering around at this hour.”

“It’s my fault too. If I hadn’t been so competitive when I was young, this girl wouldn’t have been born prematurely.”

Recalling those old memories, Deng Yaxin felt a sour taste in her heart. “Back then, it was the critical period for the Woolen Mill’s Outstanding Cadre selection, and your father was preparing for the Steel Mill’s Intermediate Worker exam.”

“Neither of us wanted to miss this opportunity, so after discussing it, we decided to go all out.”

“Later, your father successfully got promoted to Intermediate Worker, and I was selected as Outstanding Cadre as I wished.”

“It should have been a joyous celebration, but who would have thought someone would trip me from behind? That’s how this girl came tumbling out of me prematurely.”

As she spoke, tears welled up in her smiling eyes.

“The doctor said it was fate that we mother and daughter survived. He told us to rest well at home and everything would be fine.”

“But after all, she was a premature baby—so tiny from the start, her cries were as pitiful as a kitten’s mew.”

“Later, she kept getting sick and fainting every now and then. Your father and I had no choice but to take her to the Taoist Temple to pray.”

“Who would have thought that prayer actually worked?”

Seeing her mother-in-law’s sorrowful expression, Shen Shasha gently patted her back to comfort her.

“I’ve heard Junyue mention it.”

“Little sister has had a weak constitution since childhood. It’s only through your and Dad’s careful nurturing that she grew up safely.”

“Fortunately, good fortune follows the virtuous. You and Dad don’t need to worry too much from now on.”

“Looking at little sister now, she clearly has the blessed appearance of someone who’ll live to a hundred.”

Hearing this, Deng Yaxin chuckled.

“Then I’ll take your auspicious words to heart.”

“If your little sister really lives to a hundred, we might have to go back to the Taoist Temple to fulfill our vow.”

While the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were whispering at the doorway, Shen Guozhong, who had been standing not far behind them, turned and returned to sit on the sofa.

Waving his hand to signal Shen Junyue and Li Beichen to sit as well, he sighed repeatedly about how life always involves fortune and misfortune going hand in hand.

Afterward, he indirectly warned Li Beichen.

“You heard what your aunt just said.”

“That girl has been weak since childhood. It’s only through years of careful nurturing that she’s slowly gotten better.”

“If you’re serious about spending your life with her, you need to be prepared to constantly worry.”

Being prepared is better than knowing nothing at all.

This was the first time Li Beichen had learned the origin of his fiancée’s weak health.

But whether it was his future mother-in-law’s account or his future father-in-law’s, neither seemed to match his fiancée’s actual condition.

First, he hadn’t detected any frailty in her—what he sensed was only ‘unabashed boldness.’

Second, since he’d met her, he’d never seen her looking sickly or lethargic.

Of course, excluding that time on the train—even healthy people can get dizzy and nauseous from heatstroke during extreme summer heat.

Most importantly, his sharp perception as a soldier hadn’t detected any abnormalities in his fiancée.

But these were just Li Beichen’s personal thoughts. He hadn’t shared them with anyone, nor did he intend to voice them now.

Upon hearing his future father-in-law’s words, he immediately responded with great seriousness, “Uncle, rest assured, I will take good care of An’an.”

“If possible, my grandfather’s personal physician could also help regulate her health.”

Hearing this last sentence, Shen Guozhong’s eyes lit up.

“Really? Would that work?”

“Would the Old Master mind?”

“Using his personal doctor before she’s even married into the family, wouldn’t that be…”

As he spoke these words, he clearly forgot his earlier statement about his daughter not marrying for the time being.

Though Li Beichen detected the slip of the tongue made in haste, he didn’t take advantage of it. Instead, he shook his head naturally and said, “Not at all!”

“My grandfather is straightforward—he likes what he likes and dislikes what he doesn’t.”

“If he knew An’an was unwell, he’d be more than eager to have his personal physician provide full treatment.”

Hearing this, Shen Guozhong nodded in relief.

“That’s good! That’s good!”

“As long as An’an’s health can be improved, I’m willing to pay any price.”

Shen Junyue remained silent during their conversation.

When it concerned his younger sister, he knew to maintain proper boundaries.

“Dad, Third Brother, why are you still awake?”

Just as the atmosphere in the living room grew quiet, a slightly hoarse voice suddenly spoke up.

Seeing that it was Shen Yi’an, drowsy-eyed and emerging from her room, Shen Junyue stood up and walked toward her with a smile. “I went to put my nephew and niece to sleep but ended up falling asleep myself.”

“What, were you really that tired?”

Hearing this, Shen Yi’an grinned sheepishly. “It’s all because your and Third Sister-in-law’s room is so cozy. I sat on the edge of the bed and before I knew it, I got sleepy.”

As she spoke, she couldn’t help covering her mouth to let out a big yawn. “If Mom hadn’t come in to wake me, I might have slept right there.”

Shen Junyue chuckled and ruffled her hair affectionately.

“You’d better sleep in your own room.”

“Mom knew you were coming back a few days early, so she cleaned your room inside and out.”

“Not to mention, the bedding set is brand new.”

When she had gone in earlier to fetch a change of clothes, Shen Yi’an had already noticed this detail.

Hearing her third brother mention it again, her happiness was evident down to the tips of her hair. “Well, of course!”

“I’m her own daughter—it’s only natural for Mom to treat me well.”

She quickly added, “But I’m a filial daughter too!”

“Once my luggage arrives in a couple of days, I have gifts for Mom and Dad.”

Since the matter of mailing the luggage was already out in the open, bringing it up now wouldn’t raise any suspicions.

Besides, mailed packages were naturally slow, so no one would question a delay of a few days.

After the siblings exchanged a few more words, Deng Yaxin stepped in.

“Junyue, take Xiao Li to get familiar with the guest room.”

“I’ve changed the sheets and blankets inside.”

“Though they’re not new, they’ve been washed and are clean.”

The first two sentences were directed at Shen Junyue, while the last was meant for Li Beichen.

Both understood her meaning perfectly.

After bidding farewell to the others in the living room, they headed to the guest room just a few steps away.

With no one else around, Deng Yaxin turned her attention to Shen Yi’an.

“Hurry up and wash up, then get some sleep.”

“You’ve been on the train for days, and since coming home, you haven’t had a moment to rest.”

“You’ll be lacking energy tomorrow if you stay up any later.”

Knowing her mother was concerned about her health, Shen Yi’an leaned in and nuzzled against her shoulder. “Alright, I understand. You and Dad should finish up and get to bed too.”

“Since you didn’t go to work today, tomorrow will surely keep you running off your feet.”

After exchanging a few more words with her parents, Shen Yi’an finally returned to her room.

She had already taken a shower upon arriving home, so all that remained before bed was brushing her teeth and skincare.

By the time she settled comfortably under the covers, it was almost eleven o’clock.

After securing the doors and windows, Shen Yi’an slipped into her Space once more.

Her purpose this time was clear: to check the growth of the crops planted in the Black Soil Land.

With the time flow ratio of 1:10…

The various seeds planted in late August had undergone over a hundred days of growth in the Space, equivalent to just over ten days in the real world.

The assorted vegetables had fully matured and were ready for harvest.

Cereal crops like corn and rice had entered their Jointing Stage and Booting Stage.

Legume crops such as soybeans and mung beans had reached the Flowering and Pod-setting Stage.

As for tuber crops like potatoes, their underground tubers were rapidly expanding while the above-ground stems and leaves had grown lush and vigorous.

The only plants showing less noticeable progress were the various fruit tree seedlings, which merely appeared slightly taller and more robust than before.

After confirming the growth status, Shen Yi’an walked toward the room where the Luopan (Compass) was kept.