Married but Untouched! Her Soldier Husband Came Home Dumbfounded! - Chapter 48

Shen Zhanqiang had finished weeding the fields and carrying a few buckets of water to irrigate the vegetables. When he went to pick the produce, he noticed a lot of eggplants and cucumbers were missing—and even the two large pumpkins had been stolen.

He let out a few wails at the edge of the field before muttering curses and trudging back to the Shen family’s old house.

On the way, he ran into some villagers who asked about business in the city. Following his parents’ instructions, he vaguely brushed them off, saying it was his sister-in-law’s family business and leaving it at that.

Shen Zhangshi had already prepared lunch. Seeing her grandson return drenched in sweat, she gave him a rare smile.

“Zhanqiang, wash your face quickly. Lunch is almost ready—today I made some hand-pulled dumpling soup.”

Hearing that lunch was being made for him, Shen Zhanqiang finally took the egg cakes out of his basket.

“Grandma, these egg cakes are gifts from my sister-in-law to you and grandpa. She used the best ingredients—definitely better than those cheap ones from the supply store.”

The remark was loaded—an indirect jab at Liu Wenjing, whose gifts came from the supply store, while his sister-in-law’s treats were of high quality.

Shen Zhanping and Liu Wenjing, resting in their room, heard this and shook their heads in disdain. They thought the second branch of the family was overconfident, flaunting some simple snacks as if it were impressive.

Shen Zhangshi took the snacks, unusually praising Ye Fangfei for being thoughtful.

During lunch, Shen Chunsheng asked about Shen Zhanxun. “Zhanqiang, has your brother written to you recently?”

“No. He’s busy with the army. It’s been two months since he last sent a letter.”

Shen Zhanqiang told the truth. Since the last time his elder brother sent money and a letter, there had been no word. The shop had kept them busy, and his parents hadn’t asked him to write. He wondered if his sister-in-law had contacted his brother. She probably has—she seems fond of him.

Shen Chunsheng asked again, “If he hasn’t written, has he sent money?”

Even a naive Shen Zhanqiang knew what his grandfather meant. He rolled his eyes and replied irritably, “Grandpa, how would I know? Even if he sent money, it’d be to my sister-in-law. It’s none of my business, and I don’t want to interfere.”

Shen Chunsheng, oblivious to the undertone, pressed further. “Your sister-in-law never mentioned it? Your parents didn’t ask?”

Zhanqiang put down his chopsticks, speaking bluntly, “Grandpa, are you losing your mind? Why would I pry into my brother and sister-in-law’s money? People might think I want to steal my brother’s wages. If it caused a rift, how could I face anyone? I’m not even married yet.”

Shen Chunsheng was speechless—nearly exasperated by his unfilial grandson.

Feeling annoyed, Shen Zhanqiang went home after lunch, napped, then set up stakes for the autumn beans in his private plot. Once finished, he brought the vegetables back to the city.

Shen Zhanping and Liu Wenjing returned half an hour earlier, wandering nearby.

They had found Ye Fangfei’s snack shop. To Liu Wenjing’s surprise, Ye Fangfei didn’t just sell egg cakes, she also sold braised meat. Business was surprisingly good, with customers occasionally lining up for the cakes.

Liu Wenjing stood at a distance, frowning. Why hadn’t she thought of selling braised meat? It had higher profit, was convenient to cook in one pot, and easier than stir-frying. She decided to try it back home, pairing it with stir-fried dishes. Though she hadn’t cooked braised dishes much in her previous life, she believed she could master it after some practice.

Shen Zhanping said, “Wenjing, I just counted—over twenty people went inside for snacks in a short while. One even bought a large pack of egg cakes—at least several pounds. If each spent around 0.8 yuan, that’s nearly twenty yuan. Imagine the daily revenue!”

Liu Wenjing didn’t reply. Her expression remained calm, but a faint glint of jealousy could be seen as she stared at the two shops. “Let’s go back,” she said after a while.

“Should we at least ask whose shop it is?” Shen Zhanping hesitated.

“No,” Liu Wenjing shook her head. “Ye Fangfei is cunning—she won’t tell.”

Before leaving, the couple turned to glance back, each feeling a mix of emotions.

After the family split up, they thought they’d be the first to enjoy good fortunes. Yet, returning home, they realized someone was doing even better, someone they both hated: Ye Fangfei.

Ye Fangfei, of course, was oblivious and too busy to care.

Today, Ye Xihu and his wife had gone home to celebrate her father’s birthday, and Shen Zhanqiang had returned, leaving the shop a little hectic.

Fangfei and Shen Cuijuan managed the snack stall, while Sun Xiujü took care of the braised meat side. Shen Jianhua and Ye Laifu moved baked egg cakes forward and helped stir the egg mixture.

With Shen Zhanqiang back, things eased.

Fangfei smiled, “Having one more person really makes a difference.”

“Of course. Don’t underestimate Zhanqiang—he’s quick and efficient, even better than an adult,” Ye Laifu chuckled.

Fangfei agreed. The Shen family’s west branch and her own brothers and sisters-in-law were all capable workers.

Two months into the shop’s opening, everyone worked energetically, without ever quarreling over workload. High wages, fair distribution, and bonuses had ensured no one had slacked off.

Even the Ye family sisters-in-law treated Fangfei with more respect, calling her “little sister” warmly.

In the evening, after closing, Sun Xiujü pulled her son aside. “When you went today, what was your sister doing? Did anything seem off?”

“She was fine,” Shen Zhanqiang said. “When I arrived, she was getting ready to pick vegetables. Tingting was also adorable—she even calls me uncle.”

Sun Xiujü exhaled, finally relaxing. “Good, that’s a relief. Last time she came over, she seemed gloomy. I thought she’d quarreled with her husband.”

“Did you see your brother-in-law today?”

Zhanqiang nodded. “I met him on the road and exchanged a few words.”

Suddenly, his brow furrowed. “Mom, when I first got to my sister’s, her eyes were red. I asked if she’d been crying, or if Zhou Hongqi had bullied her. She said no—just stayed up late yesterday—but now that you mention it, something feels off.”

Sun Xiujü frowned, her previously eased heart suddenly tense again. “I’ll go over tomorrow.”

“Mom, maybe wait one more day. The day after tomorrow is Dad’s birthday, and she said she’d come over.”

“Right… your father’s birthday is coming up. I almost forgot. Let’s wait for her then.”

But before Shen Cuilan could arrive, Ye Erhu rushed in with shocking news: Shen Cuilan and Tingting had been beaten—by Zhou Hongqi and his wife, who was also his mistress.

Sun Xiujü felt her vision go dark, nearly fainting from rage.