My Wife, So Fierce! - Chapter 11

The small flowers blooming vibrantly in the corner of the yard had been completely picked clean, tied into a bunch with a rubber band by a child. When she looked over, the child was presenting the bouquet to Zheng Yao.

Shen Baiyi’s gaze shifted away, then fixed on the vegetable patch covered with footprints. The recently planted seedlings had all been trampled limp by these brats.

Feeling Shen Baiyi’s stare, Zheng Yao felt slightly guilty.

She had originally intended to go out for a stroll but happened to run into Xiao Hui and some other children playing outside the gate, so she called them in for a chat.

She didn’t know if Xiao Hui had said something to them, but these kids were cunning as foxes, bustling around her like eager little lackeys.

In the blink of an eye, they’d trampled that patch of whatever seedlings those were.

Since Shen Baiyi was just a high school student, those vegetables must have been planted by either Shen Sanguang or Bai Yuanzhu, so Zheng Yao hadn’t felt the slightest bit sorry at the time.

But now, watching Shen Baiyi return with vegetables while the Shen household was not only more crowded but also in complete disarray as if ransacked by thieves, she inexplicably felt a twinge of guilt.

Especially since Shen Baiyi’s gaze was piercing, different from usual.

She’s angry.

This thought flashed through Zheng Yao’s mind instantly. She sat up from the recliner, about to take a closer look, when Shen Baiyi entered from outside, her face already wearing the same smile as always: “Xiao Hui, what brings you all here?”

As she spoke, she reached into her pocket and pulled out some candies to hand them, saying, “Stay for lunch. I’ll make braised pork for you.”

“Hooray!”

The children cheered.

Shen Baiyi smiled at Zheng Yao again: “I’ll go prepare lunch.”

With that, she entered the kitchen.

The very picture of a dutiful little cook.

Xiao Hui flushed with excitement. Noticing Zheng Yao didn’t seem particularly pleased, he quickly added, “Sister Baiyi’s braised pork is really delicious!”

“You’ve had it before?” Zheng Yao was surprised.

“Aunt Bai gave us some!” Xiao Hui’s voice gradually softened.

Children from poor families mature early. Though young, he was already quite grown-up, with some understanding of life’s partings and losses.

“She gave that to you?” Zheng Yao scoffed. “She’s quite generous with you.”

Missing the sarcasm in Zheng Yao’s tone, Xiao Hui nodded emphatically: “Yes, she’s very kind to us, often giving us food. Knowing I love braised pork, she’d bring me a big bowl whenever Sister Baiyi made it.”

“Hmph.”

Zheng Yao sneered inwardly that was only because Bai Yuanzhu disliked eating leftovers.

This was Bai Yuanzhu’s frequent habit, always using others’ belongings to gain favor. In the past, it was her father’s things she’d give away everywhere. And now…

She glanced at the kitchen, pressing her lips together to stop herself from dwelling further.

–

At noon, Shen Baiyi didn’t prepare many dishes, but each one looked exceptionally appetizing.

The yard had emptied out. Scanning the area and finding no one, Shen Baiyi suppressed her thoughts as she placed the last bowl of soup on the table, asking softly, “Why did Xiao Hui and the others leave?”

“I’m not running a charity,” Zheng Yao replied flatly.

Hearing this, a flicker passed through Shen Baiyi’s eyes as she looked up at Zheng Yao. The words seemed to carry a double meaning was she referring to Xiao Hui and the others, or to herself?

“What are you looking at?” Zheng Yao raised an eyebrow, noticing Shen Baiyi’s gaze. “Don’t overthink it. I’m talking about you.”

Shen Baiyi fell silent for a moment before quickly putting on a shy smile again. “I understand. I won’t take advantage of you for nothing.”

Seeing her so compliant, Zheng Yao gave a light hum. “So, for this meal today, I won’t pay you a single cent.”

Shen Baiyi replied softly, “I never intended to charge you in the first place.”

Zheng Yao didn’t respond, perhaps because Xiao Hui and the others had mentioned Bai Yuanzhu. Staring at the dishes on the table, she suddenly lost her appetite. Moreover, after calming down, she belatedly realized she shouldn’t be so self-destructive. Since she was about to leave, she ought to show some dignity.

Still, a person needs food to survive at the very least, she should eat some rice.

So, in the end, she only scooped a bowl of plain white rice and ate it quietly, not touching a single dish.

Shen Baiyi watched, a cold glint flashing between her brows.

The meat was something Zheng Yao had asked her to buy. Now, after all her effort, Zheng Yao wouldn’t even eat a single bite, wasting her time for nothing.

That time could’ve been spent on two exam papers.

Thinking of the trampled vegetable seedlings and the flowers picked bare, Shen Baiyi felt a surge of frustration. She ignored Zheng Yao and went to the kitchen to clean up.

The living room was left to Zheng Yao alone.

The aroma of the dishes teased her senses, and Zheng Yao couldn’t help but stare at the bowl of braised pork closest to her. She didn’t know how Shen Baiyi had done it, but the meat glistened with a rich, reddish hue, looking irresistibly sweet and savory.

It only made her bowl of plain rice seem even more bland.

Just as she was locked in an internal debate over whether to take a bite, a panting sound suddenly reached her ears.

She turned her head and locked eyes with a large yellow dog.

“……”

Zheng Yao instantly stiffened, as if facing a mortal enemy.

The dog sat not far from her, likely having just run in from outside. It panted heavily, its gaze fixed intently on her.

Struggling to stay calm, Zheng Yao called out, “Shen Baiyi!”

Though she didn’t dare raise her voice too much, it was enough to startle the dog. Seeing it stand and approach her, Zheng Yao paled and bolted for the door.

Unexpectedly, Shen Baiyi had heard her and was just heading to the living room. The two collided abruptly at the doorway.

Shen Baiyi was as thin as a bamboo pole, and Zheng Yao had rushed forward with force. The impact sent Shen Baiyi stumbling backward.

Behind her was a step, and seeing her about to fall, Zheng Yao reacted swiftly. She stepped forward, grabbed Shen Baiyi’s flailing hand, and yanked her back with all her strength.

The momentum sent Shen Baiyi crashing into her.

A sharp pain shot through Zheng Yao’s chest.

Gritting her teeth, Zheng Yao wondered was Shen Baiyi’s head made of stone?

Just as she was about to push her away, she caught sight of the yellow dog charging toward them again from the corner of her eye. Panicking, she quickly shoved Shen Baiyi in front of her.

Zheng Yao had been bitten by a dog as a child and had been terrified of them ever since. These past few days, she hadn’t seen the dog around and had nearly forgotten the Shen family kept one.

Before she knew it, Shen Baiyi found herself gripped by the shoulders and thrust forward as a shield.

Dahuang rubbed against her legs, and Shen Baiyi snapped out of her daze, bending down to pat the dog’s head before she couldn’t help but glance back at Zheng Yao.

Zheng Yao’s expression was grim, his voice icy. “Keep your dog under control!”

With that, he turned and strode back inside, his face still cold.

Dahuang whined and nuzzled against her affectionately.

Shen Baiyi withdrew her gaze, paying little mind to Zheng Yao. She crouched down and stroked Dahuang’s head tenderly.

These past few days, the house had been bustling with people coming and going, and Zheng Yao seemed to really dislike Dahuang. Afraid the dog might be mistreated or targeted, she had temporarily chained Dahuang at Aunt Liu’s place.

At the thought, Shen Baiyi sighed quietly.

What would become of Dahuang in the future?

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