Chapter 378: Chapter 378

Ye Ling noticed Shen Chun’s expression change, so she quickly shifted the topic, "What extra dish did you ask the kitchen to prepare today? Go check on it."

She also winked at Shen Bin, but Shen Chun, with her head down, naturally didn’t notice their exchange.

Once they were outside the tent, Ye Ling hesitated for a moment, "Actually, nothing was really said today. I only mentioned a sentence, and she got scared. I didn’t expect it. Has there been some problem with her marriage? When I asked, her face turned pale."

"It’s nothing." Shen Bin straightforwardly brushed the issue aside, "Go have a look in the kitchen, stay the night, and tomorrow I’ll arrange for someone to take her down the mountain, directly buy a ticket to send her home on the train. After all, this is a training place, not suitable for staying around."

Ye Ling saw that he wasn’t planning to explain any further. After all, it was Shen Family’s matter, so she didn’t push any more. Instead, she and Shen Bin made a round in the kitchen, and Ye Ling, using the excuse of being tired, returned to the tent. She directly said she wouldn’t join them for dinner, "Though you siblings aren’t blood-related, it’s rare to see each other once in years, having me, an outsider, would make it inconvenient for you to talk, so I won’t join you."

Shen Bin didn’t persuade her further, and once they reached the tent, they parted ways. After Ye Ling returned, the girls within the tent naturally started observing her curiously, knowing that Minister Shen’s sister had arrived, so Ye Ling, the future sister-in-law, would surely come and check. Yet, they were amused for quite a while at how rustic Minister Shen’s sister seemed.

During dinner, Ye Ling queued to get her meal, as she was not one of them, she waited until everyone had gotten their meal before she went over. Seeing the dishes specially left out for her, Ye Ling nervously expressed her thanks, knowing it was arranged by Shen Bin.

Inside the tent, there were four dishes on the table: braised pork, simmered chicken, stir-fried cabbage with mushrooms, large tofu, and white bread buns. Shen Bin handed her the chopsticks, "Let’s have dinner."

Shen Chun looked worried, "Brother, I didn’t say anything reckless to Sister-in-law."

"I know, let’s eat." Shen Bin assured her while putting a portion of the dish into her bowl with his chopsticks.

Only then did Shen Chun dare to pick up her chopsticks and start eating. She took a bite of the bun and smiled, "It’s so tasty. Now that the farmland is contracted to each household, but Mom is reluctant to spend money. She saves a little white flour each year, just saying it’s for dumplings when you return. I urged them to take better care of themselves, for your peace of mind. But they just wouldn’t listen." This update is available on novel★fire.net

"When you go back this time, I’ll give you some money. Buy more fine grains for the elderly, let them eat better. Our home has land and owes no money, no need to live so tightly." Shen Bin observed his sister eating the bun eagerly, as if savoring a delicacy, which made his heart ache. He didn’t touch his chopsticks, instead, he kept adding dishes into her bowl, "Have more veggies, there are enough buns."

Shen Chun blushed and nodded, only then did she start eating the dishes. Out of the four dishes, Shen Bin barely ate, while Shen Chun consumed most of them, along with four buns. Shen Bin worried she might overeat, so after the meal, he called a young officer to clean up things and took her out for a walk.

Shen Chun tugged at her clothes, "Brother, I won’t go out to embarrass you."

"No one will laugh at you, let’s go." Shen Bin draped his overcoat on his sister, his heart softened.

When young, she couldn’t play outside, only this sister accompanied him at home. He reminisced how this sister loved laughing and chatting, always cheering up the family. Until something happened, afterwards, she became afraid whenever she came to him, and Shen Bin didn’t know how to handle it. He couldn’t get over that hurdle in his heart.

With the overcoat on, Shen Chun finally dared to leave the tent. It was already evening. Apart from the row of green tents and the faint light emanating from within, there weren’t many people outside. If she indeed met someone on the road, Shen Chun would nervously hide behind Shen Bin until the person walked away, before emerging again. Such behavior made Shen Bin, who walked ahead, furrow his brows deeper.

As the siblings returned to the tent, Shen Bin looked at his sister, "Chun’er, are you this scared of seeing people at home too?"

Shen Chun panicked and became fearful again, "Brother, don’t be mad, I... I sometimes don’t hide from people."

This kind of answer confirmed Shen Bin’s suspicions. An overwhelming guilt surfaced in his heart, yet he felt powerless, "Chun’er, you’re twenty-four now, has anyone come to propose to you at home?"

Although Shen Chun had her head down, she still nodded slightly, and Shen Bin asked again, "Why didn’t it work out?"

"They thought I was timid and didn’t like me." Shen Chun’s voice revealed a hint of distress, "Brother, don’t worry, I’m not in a hurry. Besides, Mom and Dad need someone to take care of them, and the house can’t do without me. I’ll wait a few more years to find the right one."

After a pause, Shen Bin finally spoke, "Chun’er, I’ll take care of Mom and Dad, you don’t have to worry. They did raise me after all, you find a good family and get married early, don’t delay yourself anymore."

"Brother, Ye Ling seems nice, she’s even a college graduate, when are you two getting married?" Shen Chun’s voice was calm yet unwilling to talk about her own matters.

Shen Bin furrowed his brows, stood up, and looked out the small window of the tent. Even though it was pitch dark outside, and nothing could be seen, "Chun’er, rest assured, after the wedding, I’ll surely take your sister-in-law home for a visit."

Shen Chun slowly raised her head, "Brother, can you and sister-in-law come home and have another wedding feast? Let Mom and Dad see and be happy too. After all, the whole village is watching, and they just want to hold on to some pride. Brother, I’m not asking for a wedding, I know about your parents here, but just a few tables for a feast back home would suffice."

"Chun’er, brother promises you." Shen Bin couldn’t bear to refuse, nor could he, feeling pained for his sister, "What do you think about being a worker? If there’s no suitable match at home, I can arrange a worker for you here, is that okay?"

Shen Chun refused, "Brother, no need, I am not ready for marriage yet."

With that one sentence, both fell silent, each with their own thoughts, unsure of how to break the silence. Shen Chun stared blankly at the distant scene, with no focus, as if her soul was drained. When she noticed her brother looking over, she quickly pulled out a smile, concealing any disappointment on her face.

Seeing his sister , Shen Bin could only sigh deeply, "Chun’er, sleep early. Tomorrow I’ll arrange for someone to send you down the mountain, and I’ve got the train ticket booked, don’t worry. Just go home and tell Mom and Dad you’ve seen me. Think carefully about what I mentioned." (To be continued. If you work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)