Chapter 85 (1/2)

Translated by Karcessel of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Behind the good news of Aunt Shen’s return, there was even better news.

As everyone had guessed already: Aunt Shen was pregnant. In fact, the main reason she returned home was to have her child, and then have a place to settle down and raise them in peace.

The first thing Aunt Shen did when she arrived was tell Grandfather Shen and the rest of the Shen family the good news, and now she was telling Shen Fu and Lin ShuYi as well. Shen Fu had already guessed that the reason Aunt Shen came back early would be because of this, so with his guess turning out correct, he wasn’t too surprised by the news. Looking at her belly, Shen Fu couldn’t imagine what this woman, who didn’t even seem like much of an aunt, would look as a mother when her belly grew bigger.

Aunt Shen’s personality was usually so carefree that it was only in rare moments like this—leaning back against Alan’s chest and asking Grandfather Shen what her child should be named—that she seemed to reveal a bit of a motherly temperament.

Alan looked at her, his face tender with affection. It seemed that both of them eagerly awaited this child.

Grandfather Shen was also very happy with this turn of events, and his face, too, was full of smiles. In front of everyone gathered there, he made a promise that he would definitely come up with a beautiful and meaningful name.

As soon as Lin ShuYi heard that Aunt Shen was pregnant, he went into the kitchen to add a special dish to the menu. A young pigeon, goji berries, danshen, and more, stewed into a small pot of pigeon soup. With the oil and scum skimmed off the surface, the resulting soup was clear and light. In DaYan, this nourishing delicacy was specifically reserved for pregnant women because it wasn’t excessively greasy, and also high in nutrition.

Aunt Shen had long since heard that this XiQin restaurant was opened and owned by Lin ShuYi, but she didn’t realise that the head chef was also Lin ShuYi himself, who was still a child in her eyes. Knowing this, she was now all the more eager to taste his food.

“Trying to find Chinese food like this in other countries is so hard.” Aunt Shen herself was culinarily inept, and though Alan had his handful of signature dishes, they were all limited to western foods. Thus, Aunt Shen hadn’t had good Chinese food for a long while now.

“Well, aren’t you going to be staying a long while this time? You can eat until you’re satisfied while you’re here.” Shen Mom answered with a smile.

Aunt Shen laughed. “How can I possibly eat until I’m satisfied? With all the wide and varied Chinese cuisines, I can never have enough.”

Grandfather Shen glanced at his son-in-law, and said to Aunt Shen, “You might be staying home this time, but what about Alan?”

Alan had his own business in America, so even if he wanted to, he couldn’t stay here long.

“I can stay until after the Lunar New Year, but then I’ll have to return to Los Angeles. Please look after ShiMan in my stead.” Even while speaking, Alan hugged Aunt Shen closer to him. He was reluctant to part with her, but he knew America’s culture of raising a newborn child alone didn’t suit a Chinese woman like Aunt Shen at all. Even if he could find a good nanny that Aunt Shen liked, in a time like this, she would still need her family most. So, suppressing his own reluctance to part with his wife, Alan brought her back home to her family.

Grandfather Shen nodded, and nothing more needed to be said. To Grandfather Shen, Aunt Shen had always been a priceless jewel in his heart, how could he treat her with anything less than the utmost care?

Aunt Shen and Alan cuddled sweetly for a moment, enjoying each other’s company, but then Aunt Shen suddenly turned to look at Shen Fu. “Wait, what about you? Are you planning on having kids?”

Although everyone had open-mindedly accepted the two Shen Fu and Lin ShuYi, they still felt that kids were so much more than just a way to carry on the family line. When the two of them grew old, having their descendants by their side to keep them company would keep the loneliness at bay.

Shen Fu massaged his ring finger, and said, “Of course we want kids, but first we plan on registering for marriage abroad.”

“You’ve already thought about getting married?” Aunt Shen was a bit stunned, and her jaw dropped. “Wow, it seems like you’re far more prepared than I had imagined.”

Grandfather Shen, Shen Mom, and Shen Dad all looked at her.

“What?”

In fact, this was something that the rest of the Shen family had long thought of already.

“Well, although I think marriage is pretty important, since the two of you already have your sights set on each other, then it’s really just a formality now. In a few days, I’ll be heading to H City to go take a look at the child welfare agency there. Do you want to come with me?”

Shen Fu thought about it, and felt that he needed to know how Lin ShuYi felt before he answered. “I’m fine with it, but I need to know Lin ShuYi’s opinion.”

“What needs my opinion?” Coincidentally, Lin ShuYi was just in the middle of walking up the stairs.

Speak of Lin ShuYi and here he came. Aunt Shen laughed. “Want to go take a look at the kids you might adopt?”

Lin ShuYi froze, surprised. Although this matter was on their itinerary, he didn’t expect it to happen this fast. But, thinking of a child by his side, calling him ‘papa,’ he suddenly felt his heart move, so he nodded his head without much more thought.

Aunt Shen grinned. “But really, you’re still a child yourself, so there’s no need to rush into things.”