Chapter 38: Can’t Expose the Spirit Spring, So Have to Take the Blame Myself!

The kitchen had a dedicated water vat for storing water. Shen Yi’an directly poured a enamel mug of Spirit Spring Water into it.

Although the diluted Spirit Spring Water would greatly reduce its effects, at least it wouldn’t raise suspicions among the family.

After all, she had personally verified that the effects of directly drinking the Spirit Spring Water were truly remarkable.

Plus, with Li Beichen currently staying at home.

As a soldier, his keen and alert perception would definitely make him suspect something.

For the sake of her secret and safety, sometimes it’s better not to push your luck.

Only after personally watching the Spirit Spring Water blend with the water in the vat did Shen Yi’an put the lid back on and prepare to return to her room.

Turning around, she was startled by the person standing behind her, “Ah! Third Sister-in-law! What are you doing?”

“Why don’t you make any sound when walking?”

“You scared me to death! Scared me to death!”

Seeing her patting her chest in fright, Shen Shasha quickly stepped forward and gently patted her back.

“You’re blaming me!”

“I originally came out to get a cup of water to drink when I heard rustling noises from the kitchen.”

“I thought a mouse had come upstairs, but it turned out to be you, little mouse!”

After explaining her reason for appearing, she then added.

“I have to say, little sister, you weren’t drinking water directly from the vat just now, were you?”

“The tap water in the Family Compound can’t be drunk directly; it needs to be boiled first.”

“If you get diarrhea, don’t come crying and complaining!”

“Even more troublesome than Xiaoyi!”

Hearing the concern in her tone, the now-calm Shen Yi’an smiled sheepishly, “It’s just that my room was too hot, and I sweated after sleeping.”

“So I came to the kitchen wanting to drink some cool water to cool down, and you caught me red-handed.”

After saying this, she immediately begged for mercy, “Third Sister-in-law, could you not tell Mom?”

“If Mom finds out, she’ll definitely nag me for days.”

Can’t expose the Spirit Spring, so have to take the blame myself.

Makes perfect sense!

Feeling the light shaking on her arm, Shen Shasha poked her forehead helplessly and amusedly.

“You! Spoiled rotten by the family!”

“Don’t drink cool water anymore from now on.”

“What if your health, which we’ve worked so hard to restore, gets worse from drinking cool water?”

“Do you want the family to live or not?”

Even before marrying into the Shen family, she knew there was a sickly younger sister-in-law in the household.

After entering the family, she learned that the “sickly” part was just rumors spread by outsiders.

In reality, the younger sister-in-law’s health had long been well restored.

But good as it is, some things still need attention.

Especially regarding diet.

If anything were to happen, not to mention her, every single family member would worry.

Hearing the concern in her words, Shen Yi’an smiled and wrapped her arm around Shen Shasha’s shoulder, “Third Sister-in-law, don’t worry, I promise there won’t be a next time!”

“If you see me drinking cool water again, go tell Dad, Mom, and my third brother.”

“Let them discipline me severely, alright?”

Hearing this, Shen Shasha immediately took it seriously.

“You said it yourself!”

“If I see it one more time, I’ll definitely tell your third brother right away.”

Having reached this verbal agreement, the sisters-in-law left the kitchen together and returned to the living room.

Still feeling that drinking cool water directly wasn’t good, Shen Shasha poured half a cup of hot water into the enamel mug in Shen Yi’an’s hand.

“Drink some hot water to balance it out.”

“Though it’s a hot day, your health can’t withstand any strain.”

Looking at the steaming hot water in the enamel mug, then glancing at the glaringly hot weather outside the window.

Shen Yi’an ultimately said nothing, picking up the enamel mug to blow on it gently before taking small sips.

Only after finishing the hot water did she mention the arrangements for later. “Third Sister-in-law, I’ll have to trouble you again tonight.”

“I want to invite Big Sister and Second Sister over for dinner. The little ones will surely insist on coming along too.”

“There might be quite a few people for dinner.”

Hearing the implication in her words, Shen Shasha waved her hand dismissively.

“What’s the big deal!”

“I’ve figured out the pattern – the day after you return, our house is always bustling for the evening.”

“But it’s fine. You go invite Big Sister and Second Sister, I’ll head to the market later to buy groceries.”

“With many people for dinner, we’ll need plenty of meat dishes and cold dishes, especially appetizers to go with drinks.”

Seeing her accustomed demeanor.

Though Shen Yi’an felt somewhat embarrassed, she still leaned in with a smile. “I didn’t expect you to have figured out my little habits, Third Sister-in-law, hehe!”

After joking for a moment, she got straight back to the point. “But Third Sister-in-law, you don’t need to worry about buying groceries.”

“After notifying Big Sister and Second Sister, I’ll stop by the Steel Mill to find Li Beichen.”

“Then the two of us will go grocery shopping together. Just tell me what we need to buy.”

Thinking of the two children in the room, Shen Shasha hesitated briefly before agreeing.

“That works! I’ll leave the grocery shopping to you two!”

“With two children at home, it’s not convenient for me to go out.”

“Come on, I’ll write you a list of what to buy.”

The sisters-in-law went to the living room, where Shen Shasha took some draft paper from under the table and started writing the list.

She didn’t stop until she had filled half a page.

While Shen Yi’an was looking over the list, she went back to her room and returned to the living room with money and various coupons in hand.

“This is for the household’s regular shopping expenses.”

“The market has been quite crowded lately, with more petty thieves around.”

“Make sure you keep these safe, otherwise you’ll have nowhere to cry if they get lost.”

Seeing the offered money and coupons, Shen Yi’an only took the coupons. “Third Sister-in-law, I have money with me, just no coupons.”

“I’ll take the coupons, but I don’t need the money.”

“With just our family members, one meal won’t cost much.”

Hearing this, Shen Shasha poked her forehead affectionately.

“That’s your personal savings, keep it for your usual expenses.”

“When you start working and earning money later, I’ll definitely be eyeing your pockets.”

“But for now, forget it. Besides, the household’s regular shopping expenses are covered by Mom and Dad’s subsidies.”

Shen Yi’an wasn’t foolish – she knew perfectly well her sister-in-law was saying this deliberately.

What “eyeing her pockets” – it was probably just an excuse to let her keep more money for herself.

Though grateful for the sentiment, she still politely declined. “Third Sister-in-law, don’t argue with me over such a small thing like buying groceries.”

“Besides, I’m going to the market with Li Beichen – why would it be my turn to pay?”

“If he doesn’t show some generosity, what father-in-law would like a stingy son-in-law?”

“Don’t you think so?”

Finding this reasoning sound, Shen Shasha nodded in tacit agreement.

Before going out.

Shen Yi’an returned to her room to freshen up, most importantly making sure she had enough money for grocery shopping.

She had said that earlier just to avoid taking money from home.

But if she was really going out, she had to have some financial security in her pocket.

The thought of spending Li Beichen’s money had never crossed her mind.

Not to mention that their relationship hadn’t been formally acknowledged by their families yet.

Besides, she had not only the pocket money her family gave her for various reasons, but also the wages she earned from tutoring during her school years.

She could afford not just groceries for the family, but even rice, flour, oil, and grains.

She had taken everything she needed, applied the sunscreen infused with Spirit Spring Water, and put on her sun hat.

Making sure she hadn’t forgotten anything, she said goodbye to Shen Shasha before leaving, then took the keys hanging by the door and stepped out.

As she walked out of the building entrance—wow—a wave of heat hit her.

If it weren’t for the sun hat, her vision might have started swimming with spots.

She stood in the shade by the building entrance for a moment to adjust, making sure her vision was clear, then tugged at the brim of her sun hat and headed toward the Family Compound gate.

As soon as she got close, some aunties chatting under the shade of a tree struck up a conversation with her like old friends.

“Oh, isn’t this Director Shen’s youngest daughter? What are you doing out in this scorching heat?”

“Yeah, this sun is enough to kill a person. It’s not a good time to go out now.”

“Young people sure are energetic. Wearing a dress and not afraid of getting tanned.”

“Didn’t you see she’s wearing a sun hat? That thing does help a bit.”

“Look at that blinding heat—no matter how nice the outfit, it won’t last half an hour…”

The barrage of questions forced Shen Yi’an to stop in her tracks.