RIRW – Chapter 175

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Although the courtyard house that Shen Yiming and the others bought wasn’t one of those large multi-section compounds, it was still very spacious for a family. Apart from the two rooms near the entrance that weren’t suitable for living, there were still six rooms that could be fully lived in. It was quite roomy.

Previously, Grandma lived in the main house. In order to have their own space, Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming didn’t stay there with her, but instead chose the east-side rooms, with the bedroom right next to the study. Since Zuo Cong only stayed occasionally for a few days, his room was on the west side.

Now that Chen Zhisen was going to live here permanently, and considering his poor health and elder status, it wasn’t appropriate to have him stay in the guest room. Fortunately, there was still one room available in the main house, so Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming tidied it up for him to move in.

While helping clean, Zuo Dan started feeling uneasy. “Shen Yiming, does this mean… we won’t have any more couple time in the future?”

Shen Yiming looked at her and said plainly, “Obviously not.”

Zuo Dan sighed softly. Clearly, her dad was going to be living with them long-term now. Suddenly having another person in the house felt strange, especially since they hadn’t spent much time together before.

Well, she thought, it’s time to start building the relationship. After all, once Chen Zhisen gets older, he won’t be much different from a lonely, elderly man. And he’ll be an empty-nest elderly man too. The thought was quite sad.

Thinking of that, and then thinking about her and Shen Yiming’s future, she said, “Shen Yiming, I think we should have another child. Look, if Shen Youyou ends up marrying a girl who’s also an only child, the two of them will have to take care of four elderly parents. That’s too hard.”

Shen Yiming rubbed her head and said, “Don’t worry. Even when I’m old, I’ll be a self-sufficient old man.”

Zuo Dan smiled. “My dad is also a self-sufficient old man, but he still needs care and love.”

Shen Yiming said, “Dandan, that’s different. I have you, so I don’t need anyone else’s love.”

“…” Zuo Dan touched her own arm. “Comrade Yiming, don’t be so emotional.” But inside, she felt a mix of sourness and warmth.

The rooms were regularly cleaned, so there wasn’t much work—just a bit of light wiping.

The only problem was the lack of a bed. But that was easily solved—when Xiao Qiu came, he even brought over the bed Chen Zhisen slept in. It was a whole truckload of things, but thanks to his efficiency, everything was set up properly.

Chen Zhisen was very satisfied. Since he was going to be living here long-term, it was important to have everything complete.

Once everything was settled, Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming got ready to head to the university to register.

As they were leaving, Chen Zhisen came out of his room and said, “This place is great. Since you’ve shown such filial piety, I agree to stay here and enjoy my retirement. I can also help take care of the child. For convenience, I need to make some changes inside the house. I hope that’s okay.”

“Dad, what do you want to change?” Zuo Dan asked curiously. The house still retained much of its original charm and wasn’t worn out.

“I plan to add a bathroom.”

Zuo Dan’s eyes lit up. “Dad, do whatever you want! Build anything you like—I support you!” She had long wanted a proper bathroom—it would make bathing and using the toilet much more convenient.

Chen Zhisen looked at Shen Yiming and gently asked, “I wonder if Yiming has any thoughts? I promise not to alter the external structure.”

Shen Yiming smiled warmly. “Dad, you’re the elder—whatever you want to do, don’t bother asking us.” After all, asking or not asking would result in the same outcome.

Chen Zhisen said, “That won’t do. I still have to respect your opinions. Since you’ve both agreed, I’ll find someone to start the work. You two must be busy—go ahead. I’ll watch the house.”

Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming quickly headed out, with Zuo Cong trailing behind. Zuo Dan turned back and waved, “Bye, Dad.”

Chen Zhisen smiled and waved back. By his side, Shen Youyou also waved, “Bye, Mama!”

The three of them took the bus to school—they didn’t let Chen Zhisen drive them. Even though he was living with them now, Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming had no intention of changing their lifestyle. It’s easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to go back. Their careers hadn’t even started yet; there would be a lot of hardships ahead, so they shouldn’t live too comfortably now.

At the school gate, Zuo Cong separated from them. He said he’d still live on campus and only come home on weekends, especially since he was studying physics and often needed to interact with professors.

Zuo Dan said, “Pingping’s transferring to your physics department. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask her—she went to MIT!”

Zuo Cong replied shyly, “I’d love to study with her… I’m just afraid I’ll bother her.”

Zuo Dan patted her brother’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Pingping is very nice. She’s happy to share and study together.”

Zuo Cong, still worried, said, “What if she finds me annoying after just a week?”

“…Brother, just read more books,” Zuo Dan sighed. Then she pulled Shen Yiming toward campus, not wanting to continue talking to her silly brother.

Watching them leave, Zuo Cong also headed off to his department, still confused.

The couple registered at school and then attended class meetings in their respective departments.

They stayed busy until nearly evening before heading home.

When they arrived, dinner was already prepared. Grandma and Chen Pingping were waiting for them.

Chen Pingping still lived in the western-style house. After all, she felt it was inappropriate to live at the Shen residence with her uncle. But she could come over for meals.

Seeing them return, she smiled. “Finally, we can eat!”

“Where’s my dad and Shen Youyou?” Zuo Dan asked while putting down her backpack and washing up.

“Your fifth uncle went to talk business,” Chen Pingping answered from the kitchen. Behind her was a maid—the same one from the western-style house.

Zuo Dan froze.

Chen Pingping added, “Fifth Uncle said you two are busy with school and shouldn’t be cooking for him, so he brought someone over. But he also said she’ll only handle meals and such. Everything else, you two still do yourselves.”

Zuo Dan breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn’t used to being waited on.

During dinner, Zuo Dan asked, “My dad took Shen Youyou with him? Isn’t that a distraction?”

Grandma chuckled. “I told him that too. He said a child should be exposed to the world from a young age. That way, he’ll be used to it when he grows up. He also said Youyou is very well-behaved and won’t make a fuss.”

“…”

After dinner, it was already dark. Zuo Dan worried that Shen Youyou might be sleepy. But when Chen Zhisen returned with him, the boy was still full of energy and ran to his mom.

Chen Zhisen, leaning on his cane, said, “He already ate with me outside—egg custard and meat porridge. He even had milk this afternoon.”

Zuo Dan took Shen Youyou’s hand. “Dad, you don’t have to bring him along when you’re busy.”

Chen Zhisen smiled. “It’s fine. Since I promised to help raise him, I’ll take it seriously. When I’m discussing serious matters, he plays with Xiao Qiu. He only joins me when I’m having afternoon tea. He’s very well-behaved—no fuss at all.”

Zuo Dan looked at her son’s smiling face. This kid just loved going out—as long as there was fun, he’d never fuss.

After changing clothes, Chen Zhisen called Shen Yiming and Zuo Dan into the study.

He took out a newspaper and showed it to them. It was from the sixth day of the new year, and featured a public statement officially terminating an adoption.

Looking at Zuo Dan, he said, “I’m very sorry. I didn’t wait for your mother and thought I’d never have my own child, so the word ‘father’ lost meaning to me. I never knew what kind of responsibility being a father entailed. Their parents once saved my life. To repay them and to protect Old Zhang, I agreed to take their children abroad. After arriving overseas, the Chen family’s younger generation didn’t accept them, so I adopted them… If I had known you existed, I wouldn’t have adopted them. Because the only person I ever wanted to hear call me ‘Dad’ was you.”

Zuo Dan sniffled. “Dad, it’s okay. I never minded. You never married, never had your own child… you’ve had a hard life.” She added with a slight pout, “But I really don’t like them, so please don’t make me be family with them.”

Chen Zhisen nodded with a smile. “I already told them I’d only support them until adulthood and then send them back to their ancestral home to reclaim their original surname. The debt has been repaid. Before I even reconnected with you, I’d already restored their surnames. This public notice is just to let everyone know—I have no other children. I hope you won’t dwell on the past. I truly cherish our father-daughter bond.”

Zuo Dan shook her head and smiled. “I’m not that petty, Dad. Don’t overthink it. Just be a happy old dad from now on.”

Chen Zhisen smiled and gently patted her head. “No wonder they say daughters are like warm jackets for their fathers. Mine is especially warm.”

“…” Shen Yiming stared at the ceiling, trying to ignore that hand on his wife’s head. Otherwise, he might not be able to resist swatting it away.

Meanwhile, at the western-style house, Wang Sinan—now using his original surname—was pacing outside with Wang Nianjiang. When they saw lights on, Sinan rushed to knock on the door.

Chen Pingping was sleeping and frowned when she heard the noise, telling the housemaid and butler to answer it.

When she saw Wang Sinan, she frowned. “What are you doing here?”

“Where’s my dad?” Wang Sinan asked anxiously, trying to rush upstairs.

Chen Pingping blocked him. “What do you mean your dad? My fifth uncle already made things clear—you spent your last New Year with him. It’s over. Why are you still coming here? It was even in the newspaper.”