Chapter 28: Inner Turmoil

  The sauce was fragrant and overflowing, with a bright red color and a glossy sheen. At first glance, it was clear that the stew had reached perfection, with a savory aroma that made their mouths water uncontrollably. Their eyes were fixed on the meat, and the more they looked, the more restless they became. The sauce was homemade, brewed in-house, and when paired with the meat, it was truly delicious.

  There was still some oil left in the pot where the meat had been cooked, and Shen Sisi naturally didn't want to waste it. She instructed Da Bao to flatten out the black dough that had been kneaded earlier and put it in the pot, making several large pancakes. Then she cut them open and distributed them to each person's bowl, adding some congee and serving it with a rich meat broth made from simmered bones, on top of which could be seen green scallions...

  A family just stood there drooling.

  Shen Sisi also sat down and said: "Let's have dinner..."

  "Ah, Tuni..." Zhong Gensheng was restless, the dining table at home was a low and makeshift table, and the stools were also very short, only reaching his ankles. He looked quite unimposing now, with a tense expression on his dark face.

  Shen Sisi knew that if she didn't clarify things before dinner, they wouldn't be able to eat, so she explained the chestnut incident again.

  He Yaxiu was stunned, saying: "You kids are too bold, how can you just run into the city like this? Aren't you afraid of being kidnapped?! Especially you, Tuniu, kidnappers love to kidnap girls, you...you...Daba..."

  He Qiu's face turned red with anger and she shouted: "Tuni doesn't understand things, don't you either?!"

  The great treasure is uneasy and hangs down its hand, unable to sit or stand.

  "Mother, don't worry, I'm very careful about safety. These meats were bought with the money from selling chestnuts. We didn't steal or rob, and we're also very clever, nothing will happen..."

  He Qiu looked at her and knew that she had to make money at a young age, just buying meat to eat made her feel a little guilty, "...it's our fault, we've put you through hardship."

  Zhong Gensheng sulked and didn't say a word.

  "Mother, things will get better later on. Later, I can sell a lot of chestnuts and we'll have meat to eat at home every day..."

  He Qiu looked at her small and thin little face, her heart ached, nodded and said: "Yes," turned to Da Bao and said: "Take good care of your sister from now on."

  Dabao nodded silently.

  A meal began in a dull atmosphere of the family, without the imagined joyful atmosphere. Shen Sisi didn't expect it to be like this, actually it's normal, for this couple, selling chestnuts to buy meat was a big blow, hurting their self-esteem...

  Sighing with emotion, from now on... it's better to also involve parents and let them have the joy of making money, otherwise they will become more and more guilty.

  The couple naturally felt guilty about working hard but being unable to feed their children properly.

  Two people eating meat and drinking meat soup didn't taste good, subconsciously they put down their chopsticks less often, frequently letting the children eat more.

  The second and third treasures felt that the atmosphere was not right, and they didn't dare to speak, only burying their heads and eating silently. The eldest treasure has always been honest and doesn't like to talk, also burying his head and eating silently. Shen Sisi ate meat and drank soup, looking at the couple's red eyes, she felt guilty too.

  After dinner, He Axiu pulled Shen Sisi into their room.

  "Mother..." Shen Sisi almost knew what she was going to say.

  "Ah, Tuni..." He Qiu stroked her head sympathetically, "You've had a hard time these years..." Actually, if she were the child of a wealthy family, she would have been able to live very well, only... Alas. They didn't have the ability.