Chapter 377: Chapter 377

Shen Chun was observing the girl in front of her, who looked about sixteen or seventeen years old, very slim yet fair-skinned. Although she didn’t have the round face and big eyes typical of a beauty, she had a delicate appearance that made one feel clean upon first glance. The sports outfit she wore added a touch of briskness. On the contrary, Shen Chun looked at herself; in the village, her attire was supposed to be good, if not for the marriage issue, she would have been in demand. But now, at twenty-four, she still didn’t have a family.

Ye Ling was also observing the girl in front of her. She saw that when she entered, the girl first stared at her, then nervously lowered her hands, grasped the corners of her clothing, and rubbed her thick cotton shoes against the floor—just a typical, honest rural girl. Ye Ling did not look down on her; she even somewhat understood the girl’s feelings. Didn’t she look too when she first entered the courtyard in her previous life? Always keeping her head down, getting laughed at wherever she went.

Shen Bin had already started introducing Ye Ling, "This is Shen Chun, my sister."

"Sis...sister-in-law," Shen Chun called out after a long time, her voice as tiny as a mosquito.

Ye Ling blushed, gave Shen Bin a glance, indicating that she was giving him face, and then walked over to hold Shen Chun’s hand, "Don’t listen to your brother’s nonsense. I’m called Ye Ling; just call me by my name. I’m nineteen, how old are you?"

"I’m... I’m twenty-four." When Shen Chun heard she was even older, her heart sank.

Ye Ling saw that she kept her head down and thought she was afraid, so she smiled and said, "Why don’t we forget about age and just call each other by name?"

Bringing Shen Chun to sit on the bed, Ye Ling saw she was still so nervous and advised, "Don’t be too tense; just treat this place like home. Here, your brother’s the boss; they all listen to your brother."

This remark was meant to tease Shen Chun. After Ye Ling finished speaking, Shen Chun still kept her head down, saying nothing. Ye Ling felt uncertain because she usually wasn’t proactive or very friendly with people. If it weren’t for Shen Bin always helping her and him pushing her out this time, she wouldn’t have been so active. Yet even with her attempts, the other party didn’t react at all, leaving Ye Ling genuinely unsure of what to do next.

Shen Bin also furrowed his brow, "Chun’er is not fond of speaking, and she’s timid. Don’t think too much; she doesn’t dislike you."

"Ye... yes, I... I don’t dislike you; I just don’t like to talk," Shen Chun immediately raised her head in fright and explained after hearing this.

Ye Ling saw Shen Chun scared by Shen Bin and glared at him. Shen Bin tactfully remained silent. Ye Ling comforted Shen Chun, "Don’t scare Shen Chun; your words might make her misunderstand, thinking I’m very petty."

Shen Chun didn’t dare to lower her head anymore and looked flustered. Shen Bin was unwilling to look, "You accompany Chun’er. If she’s tired, you can go back to your tent and let her rest alone; I’ll bring food over tonight."

Ye Ling could tell Shen Bin was suggesting if Shen Chun remained this way, she should use this as an excuse to go back and not care. Seeing Shen Bin’s impatience with his sister, Ye Ling somewhat understood. After all, the sister’s parents stole him, resulting in him being separated from his biological parents for so many years. Now facing this sister, his emotions are certainly conflicted, having a bond developed over many years, yet she’s also an enemy.

"I know, go ahead with your work." These days, as Ye Ling stayed with Shen Bin, she increasingly felt like they were an old couple of many years, very harmonious.

Once Shen Bin left, Shen Chun couldn’t hold back her tears and cried, "Sis... sister-in-law, I didn’t mean anything else, is brother angry with me again?"

"Don’t think too much; your brother is . As his sister, you should know better than me." Ye Ling found it odd as Shen Bin mentioned his sister always played with him, yet seeing this sister being so afraid of Shen Bin, she started doubting Shen Bin’s words.

Shen Chun seemed afraid of Ye Ling getting angry, hurriedly wiped her tears, and nodded forcefully, "I’m not overthinking; I just saw brother angry and wondered what I did to upset him."

"He’s busy. The matter between your brother and me is not settled, just call me Ye Ling." Seeing Shen Chun , Ye Ling changed the topic, "Did you find this place directly? That’s impressive. I also grew up in the countryside before moving to the city, and for a while couldn’t find my way around. Looking at you, it’s your first time out and you found it; truly amazing."

"I... I also asked around all the way here, actually quite scared," Shen Chun finally stopped crying, carefully observing Ye Ling, "Did you say you and my brother haven’t settled?"

Ye Ling saw she finally stopped crying and was speaking, so she nodded, "Yes, we haven’t settled, just a verbal agreement."

"Is it a blind date?" Shen Chun blushed like a startled little rabbit after speaking, "In the countryside, family arranges marriages; I heard in the city people date themselves and only stay together if it works out."

Ye Ling nodded, "That’s right. But I’m still studying, so I don’t know much about these things. However, with the times changing, I believe it won’t be long before rural areas also have dating before marriage. You’re not engaged yet, right?"

At twenty-four, she’s an old maid.

Yet the Shen Chun in front of her visibly looked like a little girl. She was puzzled why at twenty-four, she hadn’t settled down. Being their first meeting, Ye Ling knew it wasn’t suitable to ask this, but she couldn’t help her curiosity.

Shen Chun said nothing, but her face turned pale; she shivered as she looked at Ye Ling, whose eyes showed astonishment as if Ye Ling were a villain. Ye Ling was frightened by her look.

She hurriedly apologized, "Sorry, I just asked casually, didn’t mean anything else; don’t overthink it."

Recalling that a single word from Shen Bin made Shen Chun cry, seeing her , Ye Ling worried something bad might happen. Luckily, Shen Chun slowly calmed down after the initial shock and lowered her head, refusing to speak again. Ye Ling was filled with regret and concern; she didn’t dare use the excuse Shen Bin left, worried Shen Chun might cause trouble. As she couldn’t leave, she started chatting about the current training schedule and when Shen Bin would have time.

Eventually, Shen Bin came back looking exhausted, and Ye Ling felt relieved seeing him, knowing her worries were justified. It seemed Shen Chun hadn’t said anything in his absence, and Shen Bin unwittingly felt relieved. The rightful source is Nov3lFɪre.ɴet

"I asked the kitchen to add some dishes today, stay for dinner tonight." Shen Bin removed his hat and hung it up, took off his coat, and finally turned his focus to Shen Chun, "What did you say to Chun’er?" (To be continued. If you work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)