Chapter 75: Only Snacks Bought by the Wife Can Be Eaten Casually

Lu Yixue rinsed her mouth five or six times, but she still felt a bitterness lingering on the tip of her tongue. She had no idea how Pei Shijin managed to drink it down.

No, the medicine was prescribed by Pei Shijin herself, so she definitely knew how bitter it was. Why?

Lu Yixue couldn’t figure it out. Could it be that the medicine was more effective this way?

She felt quite unsettled inside, always sensing that Pei Shijin kept a fickle distance from her. Every time it seemed like she could reach out and touch her, she’d snap back to reality and find that she’d slipped far away again.

She really wanted to tie a chain around her and keep her close.

Lu Yixue clumsily opened the food delivery app and wanted to buy some sweet treats. She spent some time finding a supermarket with a full stock: dried figs, honey dates, chewing gum… She bought a bit of anything that looked sweet.

But as she shopped, she realized that just sweet things wouldn’t do. Spicy and sour ones could also chase away the bitterness—purely sweet would be too monotonous.

She had no idea what Pei Shijin might like, so she simply bought everything except the things she needed to avoid.

Snacks weren’t great in large quantities, but Lu Yixue trusted Pei Shijin’s self-control. Little Mingzhu needed a bit more watching—kids always had trouble holding back.

After paying, Lu Yixue realized the delivery would take two hours. By then, even the bitterest taste should have faded, right?

What a miscalculation. She thought her inexperience was to blame and decided she’d have to pull out the sweet gestures next time Pei Shijin took her medicine.

The family of three sat in the living room watching cartoons together. Time quietly slipped to nine o’clock, and Little Mingzhu started yawning.

Pei Shijin glanced at the clock more and more frequently.

After another ten minutes or so, Pei Shijin pretended to yawn. “It’s getting late—time for bed. Little Mingzhu, do you want to sleep here or go back with Mommy?”

Little Mingzhu looked left and right, grabbing one hand from each of them. “Mommy, can’t you just sleep here?”

“Right,” Lu Yixue chimed in casually. “It’s so convenient to stay here. The second bedroom is set up nicely.”

“The master bedroom works too—I’ll take the second one.”

“No need. I don’t have my usual pajamas here. It’s easier to go back.” Pei Shijin refused politely, her wording clever. Even if Lu Yixue had prepared new pajamas, they wouldn’t be her usual ones.

Once back, Pei Shijin still planned to have a video call with Dr. Feng—staying here would be inconvenient.

Using “convenience” as an excuse to keep her had backfired, leaving Lu Yixue without a retort.

There would be other days—no need to rush. Lu Yixue nodded. “Alright then.”

“What about you, Little Mingzhu?”

Little Mingzhu glanced at Lu Yixue. “Mommy, I slept with Mommy last night, so tonight I’ll stay with you.”

One night each—Little Mingzhu had played referee perfectly.

Lu Yixue ruffled the little one’s hair. “Okay, then you can keep Mommy company tomorrow night. Our Mingzhu works so hard.”

The kid usually slept independently in her own room early on. Sharing with the two adults was the rare treat.

“It’s what Mingzhu should do~” She didn’t know how long this happy routine would last, but before school started, she was determined to sleep sandwiched between Mommy and Mommy one night.

They’d just settled it when Lu Yixue’s phone rang. She answered to hear the delivery rider asking if they needed it brought upstairs or if she’d come down.

“Food delivery,” Lu Yixue said. “I’ll walk you down and grab it on the way.”

“Food delivery?” Pei Shijin was a bit curious. “What did you order?”

Dinner had been takeout from a restaurant, personally picked up by someone Lu Yixue sent. She rarely ordered delivery herself—probably didn’t even know how many apps there were, let alone use coupons.

“Some snacks. Lots of varieties—you’ll see soon enough.” Lu Yixue replied.

“What, what is it?” Little Mingzhu patted her little belly. “Mingzhu can eat just a tiny bit more.”

She knew it wasn’t snack time, but cravings weren’t something she could control~

The hunger bugs had chased away the sleepies. The little one’s eyes sparkled now, not tired at all.

Lu Yixue tapped the kid’s forehead. “We’ll let your mommy see what’s okay for you right now.”

Little Mingzhu turned and hugged Pei Shijin’s leg, acting cute. “Mommy, Mommy, Mingzhu can have just a little. Feel my tummy—it’s all flat~”

Pei Shijin scooped the kid up with one arm and felt her stomach with the other. “Still so full. You ate a lot tonight.”

“It was fruit—it digests fast!” Little Mingzhu argued boldly, logic be damned.

“Haha, if your Mommy bought hawthorn berries, you can have some. If not, you’ll have to wait till tomorrow.” Pei Shijin laughed. Lu Yixue had put her in charge, so she looped Lu Yixue right back in.

Little Mingzhu pitifully turned to Lu Yixue.

Lu Yixue laughed. “But Mommy forgot if she bought any.”

The answer awaited downstairs.

Little Mingzhu hopped down from Pei Shijin’s arms and stood by the elevator doors.

As soon as it dinged and the doors cracked open, she bolted out, muttering, “Hawthorn, hawthorn… I want hawthorn…”

She just wanted snacks—didn’t matter what. And hawthorn was sour-sweet and yummy~

Pei Shijin and Lu Yixue, with their longer legs, followed at a leisurely pace.

Little Mingzhu struggled to open the building door and dashed out joyfully toward the delivery rider in the XX Supermarket uniform. “Big sis, we’re here for the delivery!”

The rider, glued to her phone, jumped. “Okay, Miss Lu, right? Ending in 2888.”

Lu Yixue nodded. “Yes.”

“Please sign here.” The rider handed over a thick stack of receipts, all folded together.

Once Lu Yixue signed, the rider unloaded three massive boxes from the cart—50x40x60cm each—piling them up before the family.

Pei Shijin and Lu Yixue exchanged glances.

“How’d you buy so much?” Pei Shijin took the receipt from Lu Yixue and scanned it under the streetlight.

“Didn’t pay attention—just grabbed what looked good.” Lu Yixue took a breath inwardly. She’d only bought one portion or pack of each, but hadn’t tallied the varieties.

“Any hawthorn? Is there?” Little Mingzhu peered at the receipt too, though she couldn’t read much, inspecting it earnestly.

Mother and daughter scanned from opposite ends—quite the sight.

Lu Yixue meanwhile summoned the bodyguards to help carry it up. Delivery wasn’t as convenient as sending someone after all, though it let her pick exactly. Sometimes describing wants without specifics led to mismatches from the shoppers.

She could have them handle handoffs from riders—maybe add a delivery receiver role under the housekeeper.

“Found it yet? Otherwise, let’s haul it up and unpack to check.” Lu Yixue smirked at the statue-like mother-daughter duo.

This could draw Pei Shijin back inside, kill some time, and maybe change her mind about staying.

“Sure, put it at my place.” Pei Shijin said. They were heading back to Yancheng soon anyway—these snacks would likely end up with Song Zonghui.

Bringing to Lu Yixue’s then moving again? Too much hassle.

“Hm?” Lu Yixue sounded puzzled. Had Pei Shijin realized they were for her? Or seen through her little scheme? She couldn’t be that perceptive, could she?

But Pei Shijin had offered, so Lu Yixue agreed. No chance to stock extras at home now. If Pei Shijin kept taking medicine here, she could break them out.

If not, they’d go to waste.

“They’re for you anyway—all sweet stuff to offset the bitter medicine.” Lu Yixue stated her intent plainly. Actions weren’t enough; she had to say it too, or risk misunderstanding.

Pei Shijin froze, her heart warming like it was wrapped in honey. Never mind how Lu Yixue knew the medicine was bitter—she bundled up her plan to leave the snacks for Song Zonghui and hurled it to the heavens.

No way she’d share with Song Zonghui. She’d pack them all and take them everywhere.

“Thanks.” Pei Shijin said softly.

“You’re welcome. See anything you like?” Lu Yixue asked.

“I like them all.” Pei Shijin had always thought she wasn’t into food much, no cravings for snacks. But now she realized she did like them.

Back when home conditions were decent, she’d schemed with her mom over an extra lollipop.

She’d grown used to restraining food desires, fooling herself into thinking she had none.

When drowning in debt, even eating her fill was a luxury. Cheap, filling stuff like steamed buns tasted like rice and just as good.

Then at the Lu Family, meals were custom nutrition plans with restrictions—Pei Shijin didn’t dare indulge.

“These are all additive-free, so they should be fine for you.” Lu Yixue fussed over Pei Shijin’s health, checking with Dr. Mo and Dr. Feng every few days.

“Mm, don’t worry. I know what to avoid.” Pei Shijin licked her lips, unused to such tenderness.

“Mommy, Mommy, if Mingzhu drinks bitter medicine too, can she eat these freely?” Little Mingzhu dropped a bombshell, making both adults chuckle.

“No.” Lu Yixue said. “You’re too little.”

“That’s why! Little ones need sweets after bitter medicine.” Little Mingzhu argued her case. She didn’t want bitter meds, but snack freedom? Worth it!

Lu Yixue pinched Little Mingzhu’s cheek with a smile. “Because you don’t have a wife to buy them for you. Only snacks bought by your wife can be eaten freely.”

Little Mingzhu and Pei Shijin both widened their eyes, stunned by Lu Yixue’s line.

Pei Shijin wanted to say they were divorced, but with the kid there, she didn’t know how.

Little Mingzhu blurted, “Mommy’s Mommy’s wife, so—so Little Mingzhu wants a wife too!”

“You have to be twenty-two to marry and have a wife.” Lu Yixue’s voice was ruthlessly cold, wounding the four-year-old deeply.

“Wahhh, Mingzhu wants to grow up, Mingzhu wants a wife!” Little Mingzhu pouted aggrievedly.

“Your Mommy bought hawthorn—we’ll eat when we get back.” Pei Shijin skipped the topic, redirecting Little Mingzhu.

“Yay!” Little Mingzhu perked up.

The bodyguards arrived, each grabbing a box, and the group headed to Pei Shijin’s place.

Song Zonghui had just gotten off work and home. Dinner had digested long ago; she sat at the table waiting for her instant noodles.

“Yo, back already?” She didn’t look up at the noise, planning to scold Pei Shijin for ditching her over food.

And chew her out for stinginess—the dinner sent over was delicious but way too little!

“Mm, just put it in the living room.” Pei Shijin directed the bodyguards.

Hearing multiple footsteps, Song Zonghui looked up and saw three black-clad bodyguards—finally feeling the weight of their wealth.

“What’s this?” Song Zonghui scurried over. Had to be good stuff to need carriers.

“Some snacks.” Lu Yixue said. “Help yourselves to whatever. Rest up—I’m heading back.”

“Mm.” Pei Shijin walked her to the door. Returning, she saw Song Zonghui and Little Mingzhu by an open box, tape peeled, picking through.

Song Zonghui grabbed bites that looked good with her noodles—four or five kinds.

She turned to add them, but her side was empty. She glared at Pei Shijin. “What’d you do?”

Pei Shijin had repacked them all, saying flatly, “Lu Yixue gave these to me. Buy your own if you want some.”

Song Zonghui: ???