C11 Chapter 11

“We’re not out of food. Don’t starve yourself to death!” Wan Qiqi filled a full bowl for Mrs. Wang and set it on the table. “Come sit over here—don’t hide in the corner!”

For a moment, everyone stared at Wan Qiqi in disbelief.

Chen Yongliang: She’s actually letting Mom sit at the head of the table!

Chen Yongxing: She actually gave Mom a full bowl of porridge!

Chen Yongnian: Has she really changed?

Lee Chongniang: What is she up to now?

Mrs. Wang paused, then timidly sat where Wan Qiqi told her to. Her hands trembled around the bowl, and she couldn’t even taste the rice porridge going down.

Wan Qiqi sighed, then ladled a small bowl for the two kids and poured what was left into Lee Chongniang’s bowl.

They finished the meal in stunned silence.

No one knew whether Wan Qiqi’s change was real or just a temporary thing—whether she’d wake up tomorrow and be right back to her old self.

Seeing that everyone had cleaned their bowls, Wan Qiqi felt a little satisfied and started gathering the dishes to wash.

But her movement scared them half to death. They rushed over, snatched the bowls and chopsticks from her hands, and carried everything outside.

“...” Wan Qiqi froze in place, still holding her hands as if she were carrying a bowl.

What was that about?

She just wanted to help out—wash a few dishes, that’s all!

“Second sister-in-law, good thing you stopped in time. We don’t have money to buy more bowls.”

“Keep an eye on her. I think something set her off—she’s acting weird.”

“Should we get Dr. Sunn to come by?”

“With what money? She’s fine!”

Lee Chongniang said those last words extra loud, like she wanted to make sure Wan Qiqi heard every bit of it.

Wan Qiqi sighed, gently patted Anan’s head twice, and couldn’t help thinking, Do I really look that bad?

Night fell. Wan Qiqi went back to her room and stared at the cramped bed, lost in thought.

This bed wasn’t just for her—it also had to fit Chen Yongnian and the two little ones.

She could handle sharing with the kids, but sharing a bed with a man she barely knew was another story. Even if, in her current role, he was supposed to be her husband.

Pingping and An’an climbed onto the bed, wiped their little feet clean, and sat there staring at Wan Qiqi.

Chen Yongnian came in from outside and latched the door.

Wan Qiqi watched him pull a bundle of straw from a corner of the room and spread it on the floor. Then he rummaged through the cabinet, found a worn-out piece of clothing, folded it, set it on top of the straw, and lay down.

The oil lamp on the table flickered in the draft, like it might go out any second.

In the dim light, Chen Yongnian’s face came into view—those deep-set brows and eyes.

Wan Qiqi realized he wasn’t ugly. His features were strong; if his skin were a little lighter and he had on clean clothes, he’d even be considered handsome.

What put her most at ease was how quiet he was. No shouting, no drama—just steady, willing to do whatever needed doing.

Still, seeing him sleep on a bed of straw made her feel a little guilty. But she didn’t want to share the same bed with him, either.

She coaxed the two little ones to sleep, silently promising herself she’d make more money—new clothes for them, a new bed for the house, a new pot, a rebuilt home... and enough food to finally feel full.

As the first light crept over the horizon, Lee Chongniang and Chen Yongxing slipped out early, sneaking around like they didn’t want anyone to notice.

In the kitchen, a pot of rice porridge bubbled away, its warm smell drifting out through a crack.

Mrs. Wang stood to the side washing wild greens. Pingping and An’an squatted in the yard, staring toward the kitchen from a distance.

“Smells so good!” Pingping drooled, wiped his mouth with his forearm, and immediately started drooling again.

An’an glanced at his brother, then at the kitchen, went into the main room to dig out a small bowl, and got ready to catch the porridge that was about to spill over.

Pingping remembered how Mom had scolded him yesterday. He rushed over to stop his little sister. “Don’t take it. It’s dangerous. Mom’s gonna be mad!”

An’an tilted her head, like she was trying to figure out what he meant.

Pingping seized the chance and took An’an’s bowl. “Sis, no. It’s dangerous.”

He waved his hands around for a long time, trying to make her understand.

An’an looked completely confused—wasn’t he the one who’d wanted to drink the rice water?

Wan Qiqi opened the door and happened to catch the scene, and she couldn’t help laughing.

These two little munchkins were just too adorable!

If they were a little fairer, a little cleaner, and a little chubbier, they’d be even cuter!