Chapter 115: Can You Really Withstand It?

Chapter 115: Chapter 115: Can You Really Withstand It?

Shen Jiajia chimed in then, too.

"Listen to Grandma. Coming to Beijing is the best thing to do."

"If Li Hanchen can’t bear to leave his mom, then just bring her over, too. He’s busy with work, and you’re short-handed at home. Bringing his mother to live with you all would mean you could look after each other."

"In a few years, your uncle will be fully retired. Your aunt and I will be free, so helping you look after the baby will be no problem at all."

Shen Jiayue nodded in agreement.

"That’s right, your younger aunt isn’t wrong. I’m home every day with nothing to do. I can handle everything—grocery shopping, cooking, mopping, cleaning windows, mending clothes."

As Song Yao listened, her heart began to soften.

Yang Wanqing, worried Shen Songyao might feel awkward, decided to be blunt.

"Don’t you worry about this. I’ll talk to your father."

"He needs to know this was my idea. Not something you begged for, and not some reluctant compromise."

Shen Songyao’s eyes stung with tears.

"Grandma..."

She said, throwing her arms around Yang Wanqing’s.

Yang Wanqing leaned her head against Shen Songyao’s shoulder, the two of them huddled close.

Shen Jiayue, who had followed them into the courtyard, quietly poked her younger sister’s arm.

"See? It’s different when it’s your own flesh and blood. When has Mom ever been this affectionate with Shuangshuang?"

At the mention of Shen Shuangshuang, Shen Jiajia rolled her eyes.

"Who’d want to get close to someone like that? She starts shouting before you can get three words in, throws her stuff all over the place, leaves her dirty dishes piled up after meals, and then complains the food is too bland. We’re too busy being annoyed by her to get close!"

Li Hanchen had already left with Shen Rongdan, and it was time for Shen Jiajia and Shen Jiayue to head back to the military base.

But just as they turned to leave, they couldn’t help but glance back.

’Someone’s taking care of her meals, but who’s going to help with the washing up, the errands, carrying things up and down the stairs?’

Shen Jiajia voiced her concerns directly.

"Song Yao, can you really handle all this?"

Shen Songyao patted her belly and grinned.

"Auntie, don’t you think I’ve put on some weight? My appetite is great, and I’ve got a spring in my step!"

But Shen Jiajia shook her head.

"It’s easy now because your belly hasn’t started showing yet. But in two or three months, you won’t even be able to bend over. You’ll be out of breath after just a few steps, and you’ll still have to take the bus to work every day."

Shen Jiayue chimed in.

"Exactly! The thought of you, pregnant, squeezing onto a bus in the dead of winter... it makes our hearts ache just thinking about it."

Shen Lixin and Yang Wanqing exchanged worried glances, but felt helpless.

’We’re too old now. We want to help, but we just don’t have the strength.’

After thinking for a few seconds, Shen Jiajia slapped her thigh.

"How about you move in with my older brother?"

"In the morning, the security detail can give you a ride. If you finish work late, Rong Jing can drive over to pick you up. It’s much better than you toughing it out alone. Plus, at my brother’s house, there’s a reception office downstairs and streetlights at the entrance. You won’t have to feel your way upstairs in the dark if you come home late."

Yang Wanqing nodded at once.

"Yes! That house has great heating; it’s always running strong. The rooms are as warm as if you were wrapped in a quilt. I don’t mind the cold, but my granddaughter is carrying precious cargo!"

She raised a hand and pointed at the telephone.

"Quick, call your brother!"

Shen Jiajia turned and dashed into the house.

Shen Songyao tugged on her grandmother’s sleeve and asked quietly.

"Grandma, if we all move over... won’t Mom be angry?"

Yang Wanqing’s chin shot up, her eyes wide.

"Let her be angry! Whose names are on the deed to that house? Your father’s, your uncle’s, your aunt’s, and yours! You’re one of the owners, too!"

She squeezed Shen Songyao’s hand.

"You just move in and don’t you worry! Grandma will move in with you. I’d like to see if she dares to try and stop us at the door!"

When Shen Zhenwu got the call, he agreed at once.

"I’ll have an orderly prepare the rooms right away! You all hurry and pack Mom, Dad, and Song Yao’s things. I’ll arrange for a car to come get you."

Shen Jiajia hung up, rolled up her sleeves, and immediately started packing, pulling out chests and opening cabinets.

’She had to leave this afternoon anyway. Might as well help them get packed and save everyone some trouble.’

Yao Yuzhen was, as usual, sitting primly at the table, eating her meal.

RING-RING-RING.

The telephone rang.

Zhang Dongxue quickly shook the water from her hands and hurried over to answer it.

"Sir!"

"Dongxue, get two rooms ready right away. My parents and Song Yao will be here soon. They’re going to be living here from now on."

Zhang Dongxue agreed profusely.

"Yes, of course, Sir! I’ll get right on it!"

She had just hung up when Yao Yuzhen shot a sidelong glance at her.

"Was that Shen Zhenwu?"

Zhang Dongxue nodded.

"What is it now?"

Yao Yuzhen’s brow furrowed.

Zhang Dongxue answered honestly.

"Sir said that his mother and father, along with Miss Song Yao, are moving in long-term. He told me to get two rooms ready."

CLANG.

With a sharp clatter, the small porcelain spoon in Yao Yuzhen’s hand slipped into her porridge bowl.

"They’re moving in?"

Zhang Dongxue clutched the edge of her apron and gave a small nod.

"Yes... Sir said so himself."

Yao Yuzhen clenched her jaw, silent for a long moment.

Zhang Dongxue waited for a moment. Seeing that Yao Yuzhen wasn’t saying anything, she spoke up tentatively.

"Ma’am, should I go prepare the rooms now?"

Before she could even take a step, Yao Yuzhen’s voice sliced through the air.

"What’s the rush? Go wake up Shuangshuang!"

"But..."

Yao Yuzhen glared, her sharp gaze stabbing right at her.

Zhang Dongxue immediately flinched, her shoulders slumping.

"Y-yes, Ma’am!"

She steeled herself and went upstairs, only to be promptly yelled at by Shen Shuangshuang, just as she’d expected.

"Are you crazy?!"

"Haven’t I told you a thousand times? Don’t knock, don’t call for me, and don’t disturb my sleep! Are your ears just for show?"

So, Zhang Dongxue had no choice but to go back downstairs. Head bowed, she stood in the living room and reported quietly.

"Ma’am, Miss Shuangshuang is still in bed and refuses to get up."

Yao Yuzhen’s expression soured instantly.

"She refuses? Can’t you pound on the door and shout? Can’t you bang a pot? Can’t you rip her blankets off?!"

Zhang Dongxue pressed her lips together, not daring to respond.

But then Yao Yuzhen turned and snapped at her again.

"Well, what are you waiting for?! Go!"

She had no choice but to head back up.

She went up and got yelled at, came down and got scrutinized. Went up to get yelled at again, came down and got glared at.

Finally, Zhang Dongxue gave up pretending. She stood right outside Shen Shuangshuang’s door and stated stiffly:

"Ma’am told me to wake you."

Furious, Shen Shuangshuang shot up in bed, grabbed a pillow, and hurled it at the door.

"Fine! Just you wait!"

She stomped downstairs in her slippers, shouting as she went.

"Mom! Mom! You have to do something about her!"

"Mom! Zhang Dongxue thinks she can just shit all over me!"

She stormed into the living room, stomping her feet. But after her tirade, she looked up and saw the livid expression on Yao Yuzhen’s face, and the words died in her throat.

"Mom, who made you so angry? Tell me, and I’ll deal with them for you! If it’s something serious, I can help you figure out what to do!"

Hearing Shen Shuangshuang’s cloying, comforting words, Yao Yuzhen slowly exhaled the frustration pent up in her chest and finally spoke in a low voice.

"That old woman is bringing her ’newly found’ granddaughter to live here. For good."

"What?!"

Shen Shuangshuang cried out.

She immediately let go of her mother, walked around to face her, and stared intently at her expression.

But one look at Yao Yuzhen’s placid expression told her this was no joke.

"She... they’re all moving in?"

Shen Shuangshuang paused for a beat before forcing out the rest of her question.

"Here? In our house? To live with us?"

Yao Yuzhen nodded.

Just then, Zhang Dongxue chimed in.

"Ma’am, I’ll go clear out two rooms right now."

"Hey, stop right there!"

She had just started to move when Shen Shuangshuang barked at her to stop.

"Who’s all coming? How many of them?"

Zhang Dongxue answered dutifully.

"The old madam, the old master, and Miss Song Yao."