Dr. Qian didn’t linger much at Shirley’s window as there were others queuing up for food behind him, and after all, the cafeteria was not the place for conversations. Upon Dr. Qian’s turning around, Shen ng caught a glimpse of his face: wearing glasses on his high nose bridge, gentle smile curving at the corners of his mouth, thick brows and phoenix eyes, sharp nose bridge, a lean figure—overall not strikingly outstanding, but still pleasing to look at.
Just as they were almost done with their als, Shirley, having finished her tasks, also brought over her portion and approached Shen ng and Cheng Yufen. Before Shirley could speak, Cheng Yufen started making faces and teasing her, causing her cheeks to flush red.
"Cheng, Dr. Cheng, please don’t do that, it’s quite frightening."
"Hey, co on, tell us what just happened, we all saw it, what were you thinking about Dr. Qian..."
"Cough, cough, cough, Dr. Cheng, what are you talking about, I, I, I, I don’t understand!"
Cheng Yufen, seeing Shirley almost bury her head in her rice bowl, couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Then, noticing soone glancing over, she quickly composed herself.
"Dr. Cheng, it’s ti to do rounds."
"Coming."
Having agreed, Cheng Yufen quickly stood up, tidied up her lunchbox, and patted Shirley.
"Dr. Qian is a good man, you should seize the opportunity. These past years, girls throwing themselves at him hasn’t been a pretty sight. Think about it carefully. But it’s all up to you. Choosing a husband should be to your own liking, others’ opinions don’t count."
She rushed off imdiately after speaking, leaving Shirley’s face flushed and embarrassedly glancing at Shen ng before she lowered her head.
"Why be shy, you’re single now, being pursued ans you are charming. Besides, you’re brave, smart, audacious, and most importantly, pretty. If no one fancied you, that would be the real surprise!"
"I, I’m not as good as you say." Shirley murmured and then fell silent for a while before adding, "I, I’m not thinking about that now, I just want to properly raise Daya and Xiaoya. As long as the kids are fine, so am I."
Shen ng sighed; most won with children thought this way, but what about herself? Wasn’t she a person too? Didn’t her happiness and life matter?
"Shirley, it’s not right to think like this. Just because we have children, should we tirelessly work just to raise them? And then when they grow up and need us to care for their children, do we selflessly help without a second thought? What about our lives? Are we born to be candles, just to burn ourselves out?"
"Isn’t it rare, isn’t it?"
"Of course not. Before becoming a mother, we are individuals first. We should have our own lives. If you spend your whole life worrying about your children, wouldn’t you feel regrets and remorse when you reflect on your life in your old age?"
After hearing Shen ng’s words, Shirley again fell silent for a long while.
"Okay, don’t overthink it. Just think through your own matters. Wanting to raise your children well is good, but always rember that original intention. When you find happiness later, don’t forget the initial determination to keep the children by your side despite the hardships. eting a good man is still worth considering; think about also having a happy life for yourself."
Shirley: "...."
After all you’ve said, how can I not overthink it!!!
"Did you co to the hospital today because of that issue?"
"Um, here is the order and the total price. In the afternoon, the goods will be placed at the trading spot. When you get off work, leave a bit late and wait there. I’ll go inform Uncle Guai and wait for you."
Shirley nodded, took the list from Shen ng, glanced at it, and gasped slightly, surprised by the amount of grain required.
Shen ng patted her and then walked out of the cafeteria.
In the evening, while sitting on the ox cart, Shen ng chatted with so village sisters, grabbing handfuls of lon seeds and candies from her hand and stuffing them into others’ hands, eventually giving them all to Wu Xianglan.
"Where did Mrs. Daya go? Why isn’t she here yet?"
"Hey, when I got off work, I went to find her. There was an old lady who is quite old and has no one to take care of her. The dical staff are overwheld, and sotis their logistics people also go to the hospital ward to help out; carrying piss and shit is a common occurrence."
Hearing Shen ng say this, a few elder sisters showed a bit of sympathy on their faces. Wu Xianglan quietly touched her chest, but what could she say? She had previously thought about trading jobs with Shirley, now seeing that not only does it often involve working late but also tending to people, where is that as easy as her job at the textile factory just cleaning up?
Shen ng looked at her wristwatch. After about another ten minutes, Shirley arrived with a carrying basket on her back, nodding slightly to Shen ng when she greeted everyone, which finally made Shen ng feel relieved.
When getting off, Shen ng directly took back Shirley’s carrying basket and hoisted it onto her own shoulder. Onlookers just saw it as the good relationship between sisters, but Wu Xianglan felt sowhat jealous; that was her elder sister-in-law, why should she help soone else carry a basket?
Upon returning ho, Yong Qiang and Yong Li had already had their als at Xie Jinghao’s place. Seeing their mother coming back, holding a bag of oranges, orange canned sugar cakes, biscuits, a new towel, and an enal basin, they joyously jumped in circles.
These items had previously been hidden by her in the kang cabinet during the trip.
"Mom, I want to eat, I want to eat."
"Mom, where did all these goodies co from?"
Seeing her children’s greedy looks, she felt sowhat uneasy, carefully glanced outside, then gestured to her children with a finger.
"Shush, don’t say anything, speak quietly, these are from the factory where mom works. There’s also a box of shortbread, mom kept it well hidden in the bag; in a mont I’ll give each of you a piece. There are two cans, one for your elder aunt, and one to keep at ho, depending on whether your dad cos back tonight or not—if he doesn’t co back your mom will open it for you to eat. This enal basin, I will send to your uncle’s house next ti, both new towels are for you to use, but none of this can be said. If your dad found out, he’ll definitely give it to that vixen outside."
"Mom, when I grow up, I’ll chase that vixen away for you. I’ll make sure she can’t ever bully you, or dad anymore. I’ll protect you when I’m older."
"Mom, don’t be afraid, my brother and I saw Mingyang and the others boxing with our elder uncle, and we want to learn too. When we grow up, we’ll stand up for you."
Wu Xianglan’s nose tingled, hugging her children, planting ’mwah, mwah’ kisses on their faces.
"With you saying this, mom is already satisfied. Eat so oranges now. Mom will make so dinner soon. Later, give half of these oranges to your elder aunt. There were many people on the bus when I got back, I didn’t dare to take them out. Yong Qiang, Yong Li, rember your elder aunt’s kindness. When at ho, keep an eye on your Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt, don’t let them go out and cause trouble, creating problems for your elder aunt."
"Ah, mom, we rembered."
"I’ll definitely keep a good watch."
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