Huo’s project ran into trouble, Old Master Huo fell ill, and Huo Yanlin is about to get married.

When these three things happened together, it kept the entire Huo family extremely busy.

Even Song Tan was called back to her natal house to help.

On the contrary, Shen Yin became the most relaxed person.

His school project was nearing completion, and he could delegate the remaining work to others.

His teaching duties were also coming to an end, with just some exam papers to prepare.

In one day, he finished the tasks that Song Tan asked for his help with.

Having completed all these tasks, Shen Yin looked around his room and felt that it was somewhat empty.

Especially at night, he stared at the ceiling, beginning to suffer from insomnia all night long.

Before, when Song Tan was lying beside him, he rarely had trouble sleeping.

Could it be that Song Tan was actually the remedy for his insomnia?

Shen Yin didn’t believe in such superstitious claims.

However, after experiencing another sleepless night, he headed straight for Song family’s old mansion.

---

Song Tan had been resting at the Song family’s old mansion for the past two days.

The main reason was to ensure that Song Jiaojiao could obtain half of the property rights of the estate and complete the transfer.

Once that half of the estate was officially transferred to Song Tan’s name, she would have no more worries.

The progress of this matter had been quite smooth, but perhaps due to the tension over the past few days, her insomnia had become somewhat severe.

And she lay in bed all night, and the beddings were all very cold.

Without Shen Yin, the temperature of the beddings had dropped.

Song Tan felt like her illness was about to relapse.

Song Tan took out her medicine and placed it in a row on the stone table.

But she didn’t want to take the medicine.

She had gotten used to having a piece of candy from Shen Yin’s hand after taking her medicine.

Now that Shen Yin was not there, there was naturally no candy.

Without candy, taking medicine became a painful ordeal.

Although it was already a painful task to begin with, without candy, it became even more unbearable.

Song Tan hesitated, staring at the medicine.

At this moment, she felt someone behind her.

Song Tan had just turned around, and a fluffy blanket was draped over her.

She looked up.

It was Shen Yin.

Song Tan’s eyes instinctively softened. “How did you come here?”

Just a moment ago, she was still thinking about him, and now he appeared in front of her. Could this be called… telepathy?

“I’ve completed the tasks you assigned to me, so I came to update you on the progress.”

However, he glanced at her and disapproved. “You shouldn’t be sitting on the stone bench.”

Even though there was a cushion on the stone bench, it would still feel cold.

“Let’s go inside the room?”

After saying that, he noticed the medicine on the stone table.

He checked his watch and said, “It’s been more than two hours past lunchtime now, and you haven’t taken your medicine yet?”

Song Tan : “…”

Although Shen Yin’s tone was gentle and soft, Song Tan always felt like she was facing a strict teacher and inexplicably nervous.

“I… It’s too bitter.”

Song Tan wore a pained expression, looking at Shen Yin.

Shen Yin had intended to say something more, but upon seeing her expression, he sighed helplessly and took out a piece of candy from his pocket.

“It’s orange-flavored.” Song Tan glanced at the packaging, then back at Shen Yin.

“Do you like it?”

Song Tan : “I do.”

However, she felt that things might not be so coincidental.

Every time Shen Yin took out candy, it seemed to surprisingly match her taste.

Could it be that coincidental?

Impossible.

Either he had deliberately observed what she liked to eat, or he had investigated it.

Song Tan’s eyes curved.

When Shen Yin brought the medicine to her lips, her smile disappeared in an instant.

Shen Yin’s voice remained gentle, but to Song Tan’s ears, it sounded like a devil’s voice.

“Take your medicine.”

Song Tan : “…”

After hesitating for a while, Song Tan finally took the medicine, used warm water to deliver it into her mouth, and instinctively opened her mouth to receive candy from Shen Yin’s hand.

When Shen Yin’s candy was placed in her mouth, his finger touched her lips.

Although it was only a brief two-second touch, it caused a slight change in the complexion of both of them.

However, both of them were skilled actors and played it off without anyone noticing the momentary anomaly in each other.

After taking the medicine and eating the candy, Song Tan picked up the document bag that Shen Yin had given her and examined the contents.

Shen Yin was quite efficient in handling things. There were a lot of procedures to complete, but Shen Yin had managed to finish them all in such a short time.

Moreover, he had done it very thoroughly.

Song Tan looked at the materials and didn’t notice that Shen Yin had come to sit by her wheelchair.

When she finished reading the materials, she discovered that Shen Yin had already leaned on her wheelchair and fallen asleep.

Shen Yin’s body was much taller than hers, so he sat on her wheelchair, extending quite a bit beyond it.

But he seemed not to feel uncomfortable; instead, he slept soundly.

Song Tan glanced at him a few times and, after confirming that he was truly asleep, covered him with the plush blanket he had just given her and then took off his glasses.

Song Tan had only seen him without his glasses once.

It was on the first day after their wedding, right after they had woken up in bed.

At that time, she saw him without his glasses.

When he didn’t wear glasses, he seemed to lose some of his scholarly air and gain a touch of coldness.

Song Tan looked at the sleeping Shen Yin and then raised his glasses to take a closer look.

Hmm… these glasses were surprisingly not for nearsightedness.

Song Tan didn’t have nearsightedness, so if she wore nearsighted glasses, she would feel dizzy.

But when she put on Shen Yin’s glasses, she didn’t experience any dizziness.

So, Shen Yin’s glasses should not have any prescription.

No wonder she thought Shen Yin’s eyes looked quite normal, without any signs of nearsightedness.

So, he’s not nearsighted… but he wears glasses for what reason?

To look good?

Indeed, Shen Yin looked good in glasses, but he probably didn’t wear them just for fashion.

It might be to make himself look more like a teacher, perhaps?

After all, he wasn’t much older than his students, and if he didn’t have any semblance of a teacher’s authority, it would be difficult to establish his credibility as an educator.

Song Tan took off the glasses and then went to push Shen Yin.

As soon as she pushed, Shen Yin woke up.

As he opened his eyes, Song Tan handed the glasses to him.

Shen Yin hesitated for a moment, then took the glasses and put them on.

“You don’t have nearsightedness, why do you still wear glasses?” Song Tan’s question made Shen Yin pause.

Then he explained, “Because my father wore glasses.”

Song Tan was also surprised by the explanation.

He continued, “My parents died in a car accident when I was ten years old, and I can’t remember what they looked like, but I remember that my father wore glasses.”

To remember his father, even though he didn’t have vision problems, he wore glasses like him.

Song Tan didn’t expect this reason.

After listening, she said, “My parents also passed away when I was very young, and I never got to see them. I’ve only seen them in a few old photos.”

Her mother was a gentle person, and her father, inheriting her Grandpa’s legacy, was a young and very handsome traditional Chinese medicine doctor.

It’s just a pity that she could only learn about them from photos and bits of information from her Grandpa.

When it came to this topic, the two of them indeed had a common subject to discuss.

However, both of them tacitly avoided delving deeper into this topic.

Everyone has a scar in their heart, a scar that can be touched occasionally but shouldn’t be opened all at once.

Fortunately, they both understood each other’s boundaries and only briefly mentioned it before moving on to a new topic.

“Did you not sleep well?”

Shen Yin’s complexion didn’t look too good, it was clear that he hadn’t rested well that night, otherwise, he wouldn’t have fallen asleep in her wheelchair.

“Hmm.” Shen Yin didn’t say that because she wasn’t there, he stayed awake until morning.

If he were to say this, she might not remain so composed.

He just said, “I’ve been quite busy these past couple of days.”

After speaking, he lowered his head, his hand covering his forehead, and he pressed his temples with his thumb and middle finger. “Maybe I didn’t sleep well. I’ll drive back and take a rest in a while.”

Song Yan : Hmm?

He said so.

If she couldn’t understand what he meant, that would be quite outrageous.

“Fatigue while driving is dangerous. Why don’t you rest here at my place before heading back?”

“Here?”

The Song family’s mansion was quite large, but only half of it belonged to Song Tan, and the only place to sleep was Song Tan’s bedroom.

Song Tan also realized this.

As she felt her face getting redder, she turned around, lifted her dress, and walked towards the bedroom. As she walked, she said to him, “Hmm, but my place here is not like the Huo family’s old mansion.”

Shen Yin watched Song Tan’s retreating figure, listened to her gradually fading voice, and curved his lips slightly.

“Your place… is quite nice.”

It wasn’t an intentional compliment; it was genuinely nice.

The Huo family’s old mansion, despite its prime location and dedicated maintenance, always gave people a suffocating feeling.

But the Song family mansion was different.

He took a deep breath and said, “I smell the scent of medicinal herbs.”

Upon hearing his words, Song Yan explained to him, “There’s a medicinal herb garden behind my room.”

They can see it by opening the window.

However, this medicinal herb garden had been abandoned since her Grandpa passed away. Song Tan wanted to replant it, but her health wouldn’t allow it. Moreover, Song Zhiwen and his wife didn’t allow her to cultivate the herb garden, so she could only postpone it and not hire anyone to do it.

Wait for her to get back the half property rights, and it will be fine.

At that time, she can do whatever she wants.

Song Tan withdrew his gaze from the window and looked at her bed.

“My bed might be a bit small, would you… like to lie down?”

Everything in Song Tan’s room was custom-made from solid wood, reminiscent of the boudoir of ancient wealthy young ladies.

Especially after he came in, he could still smell a faint scent of incense in the room.

He looked even more like a man who had suddenly intruded into the boudoir of a wealthy young lady.

If Shen Yin were a gentleman, he should leave at this moment.

But he wasn’t.

Moreover, he was the legitimate husband of the owner of this boudoir.

So, he could rightfully sit on Young Lady Song’s bed.

Then he stretched out… and curled up his legs to take a nap.

His eyelids had never been so heavy.

As if he wanted to sleep back all the sleep he had missed before.

In less than a minute, Shen Yin fell asleep.

Song Tan : ???

He fell asleep so quickly?

Song Tan was a bit stunned.

To be honest, just now, she was testing him.

She wanted to see if Shen Yin had any ulterior motives for staying overnight, so she could plan accordingly.

But it seemed like he really just wanted to take a nap.

And because the bed was shorter than his body, he ended up curling his legs while sleeping.

It was just… actually, kind of funny.

---

The conditions set by Song Tan are as follows : Su Ran must work part-time for Song Tan during her graduate studies, and she must work for Song Tan after she graduates. Song Tan will pay her the corresponding fees as usual.

When Su Ran heard this condition, she looked at Song Tan somewhat unexpectedly.

“You will work just for me. You will not work for the Huo family, and not for Huo Yanlin.”

When Su Ran heard the name Huo Yanlin again, she bit her lip and fell into a dilemma.

Song Tan didn’t rush her and let her think it over.

Song Tan then weakly lifted her head and looked at Shen Yin.

Shen Yin had just supported Song Tan and had not spoken. When he saw her looking over, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I have something to talk to you about.”

Song Tan has to ask Shen Yin for help with this matter.

She had the ability to do this, but her body couldn’t handle the stress.

So, she needed Shen Yin’s help with this matter.

And by the way, she could also test Shen Yin’s attitude.

“This is my Grandpa’s lifelong dream, but my health is really too poor.”

After Song Tan finished speaking, she coughed a couple of times. She looked delicate and frail, eliciting sympathy.

“So, can you help me?” After saying this, Song Tan added, “Please, I’m begging you.”

Shen Yin’s back tensed, and in his eyes as he looked at Song Tan, there was a mixture of feelings that even he couldn’t distinguish.

“We’re married, what’s the need to beg?” Shen Yin’s throat rolled, and he said, “I will help you with this matter.”

Upon hearing this, Song Tan raised her eyebrows slightly and whispered, “Thank you.”

The husband and wife had already discussed Song Tan’s plan to open a pharmacy.

As for Su Ran…

Song Tán gazed in the direction of Su Ran and asked Shen Yin, “Will Old Master Huo and the others have any objections to me hiring her?”

Song Tan had already spoken her words, and now she was asking again…

“It’s fine, as long as she doesn’t appear at the Huo’s mansion or the Huo’s company.”

Although he didn’t know why Song Tan wanted to hire Su Ran to work for her, it unexpectedly aligned with his plans. So, even if the Huo family objected, he would find a way to support Song Tan.

“Don’t worry, I’m not having her take care of me; I want her to work at the pharmacy.”

As a medical college top student, working part-time at Song Tan’s pharmacy was completely in line with her professional aspirations.

Of course, if Song Tan wanted to find other medical students to work for her, she could easily do so. But why did she choose Su Ran?

Shen Yin looked into Song Tan’s eyes but couldn’t discern her purpose.

“Alright then.”

Shen Yin didn’t continue to inquire, and Song Tan didn’t need to make up any more excuses. They both minded their own business.

As for why Song Tan wanted Su Ran?

Was it because Song Tan was more compassionate, willing to put aside past grievances, and simply ignored the fact that Su Ran destroyed her marriage and career in the original plot?

Of course not.

In the original plot, Su Ran entered Huo Yanlin’s research lab and helped him solve several technical problems.

With such a promising talent, Song Tan naturally wanted to… seize the opportunity first.

Regardless of whether Su Ran could achieve the same results, Song Tan would never allow Su Ran to become an asset to Huo Yanlin.

“Miss Su, have you made up your mind?”

Song Tan walked up to Su Ran and asked.

The tears on Su Ran’s face had already been wiped away, and at this moment, her gaze towards Song Tan seemed much more resolute.

“I’ve made up my mind, but, Miss Song, will you really keep your promise?”

The conditions that Song Tan had offered were truly enticing. Not only during graduate school but even after graduation, continuing to work devotedly for Song Tan wouldn’t be unreasonable.

But why?

Song Tan was the granddaughter-in-law of Old Master Huo, and Su Ran’s presence was a disgrace to the Huo family.

But why would Song Tan do something that Old Master Huo disapproved of?

Because…

There was a voice deep inside Su Ran tempting her: it was ‘his’ arrangement, it must be ‘his’ arrangement.

Did she need to be entangled with him anymore?

He had hurt her like that; se should break away.

But… the conditions Song Tan offered were like a pie in the sky for her.

If she misses this opportunity, she may never have such a chance again.

Does she really want to miss it?

Su Ran couldn’t resist this temptation.

So, she made her decision.

But she wanted a guarantee from Song Tan.

Song Tan… was more than willing.

She had just been worried that her bait might not be big enough, and the fish wouldn’t bite.

Now, not only had the fish bitten, but it had also firmly latched onto the hook.

She certainly wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

She wanted to make a contract with Su Ran.

Set the penalty clause at the level of tens of millions.

Song Tan saw fear in Su Ran’s face as Song Tan made this request.

After all, this pie is really too big…

In case of any breach by either party, compensation can go up to ten million.

Does Su Ran really want to sign?

Song Tan remained silent, just watching Su Ran struggle there.

Shen Yin handed Song Tan the medicine and warm water and said, “Take the medicine first.”

Song Tan saw the medicine and her face turned bitter.

The system said that after this journey to the post-apocalyptic world, she would become very strong.

But she felt like she had turned into someone who couldn’t endure hardship.

“After taking the medicine, you can have some candy.”

Shen Yin took out a piece of candy from his pocket, and it lay in Shen Yin’s large palm, looking very tempting.

Song Tan wrinkled her nose, and her expression became resigned, “Alright.”

Song Tan swallowed the medicine with warm water, and it was so bitter that tears almost came to her eyes.

But in less than three seconds, a piece of candy was placed in her mouth, a candy with a peach flavor, bursting with a sweet taste that quickly drove away the medicinal taste in her mouth.

Song Tan looked at Shen Yin with some surprise.

“Is it delicious?”

Song Tan blinked and nodded.

“It’s delicious.”

“As long as it’s delicious.”

Both of them seemed gentle and didn’t look like bad people at all.

Su Ran bit her lip and said, “I’ll sign.”

In this contract, Su Ran was the one benefiting.

If she wanted to take advantage of the situation but still considered breaching the contract, then she wouldn’t be a decent person.

Su Ran made up her mind; she was going to sign this contract with Song Tan.

Upon hearing this, Song Tan and Shen Yin exchanged smiles.

The fish was completely hooked, and it couldn’t escape.

---

After meeting the old man, Huo Yanlin and Song Jiaojiao went to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get their marriage certificate.

Furthermore, as compensation for Song Jiaojiao, a month later, they would hold a wedding even grander than Song Tan and Shen Yin’s wedding.

Huo Yanlin’s heart was as cold as ashes.

He has already obtained the marriage certificate with Song Jiaojiao, so whether or not to hold a wedding ceremony doesn’t seem to be that important.

So, if Song Jiaojiao wants to have one, then let’s have it.

However, Huo Yanlin is busy on his end, and he has entrusted all the arrangements to Uncle Liu.

But on Song Jiaojiao’s side, there are quite a few things that need to be taken care of.

This is her wedding with Huo Yanlin, undoubtedly the most important day of her life, and she wants it to be lively and splendid.

She wants to invite everyone to their wedding.

In these past two days, Song Jiaojiao’s social media feed has been flooded.

She has been posting pictures of their marriage certificate, wedding gown photos, and complaining words, but it’s all a hidden drama in her friend circle.

Song Tan doesn’t really check her social media often, but for Song Jiaojiao’s posts, she always gives her a thumbs up.

Song Jiaojiao didn’t have a good relationship with Song Tan before.

But recently, Song Tan has been liking her posts so frequently, mainly because she’s going to marry Huo Yanlin. When Huo Yanlin takes over the Huo family and becomes the head, she will be the madam of the Huo family.

So it’s only natural for Song Tan to try to please her.

In that case, she reluctantly asked Song Tan to help with her wedding.

She called Song Tan back to Song’s house for help.

She said it was for help, but with Song Tan’s physical condition, unable to lift anything heavy, Song Tan couldn’t really be of much help.

She called Song Tan back mainly to show off.

“I’ve told my parents not to prepare so much, but they always think it’s not enough. They say a daughter’s wedding can’t be too simple and prepared so much for me.”

Song Jiaojiao complained in her mouth, but in reality, she had a proud look on her face.

When Song Tan got married before, Song Zhiwen and his wife also prepared dowry for Song Tan.

Although Song Tan had swindled quite a few things due to her ‘tricks,’ she wasn’t actually the daughter of Song Zhiwen and his wife. Therefore, when it came to preparing her dowry, it was more about face-saving efforts.

But Song Jiaojiao was different.

Without Song Jiaojiao having to say anything, Song Zhiwen and his wife had already prepared everything for her, to the point where they were worried that what they had prepared wasn’t good enough or sufficient.

On this point… Song Tan had to admit, she was indeed somewhat envious.

She didn’t envy the dowry spread all over the floor; she envied Shong Jiaojiao who had people preparing for her.

Seeing the envy in Song Tan’s eyes, Song Jiaojiao’s vanity was greatly satisfied.

“Song Tan, even though you haven’t done much in the past, we’re still family. In the future, as long as I have a piece of meat, you’ll have a bowl of soup.”

“You’re quite righteous.”

“Naturally, my Mom said that in the future, I’ll be in charge of the entire Huo family, so I can’t be petty.”

Song Tan looked deeply at Song Jiaojiao without ruining Song Jiaojiao’s fantasy.

She hadn’t come here today just to watch Song Jiaojiao show off. She had come to discuss some serious matters.

“The thing I mentioned to you before, have you thought about it?”

Song Jiaojiao was about to get married, and this Song family’s old mansion…

Song Zhiwen and his wife didn’t like living in this old mansion. They had bought a villa and usually stayed there.

This old mansion, Song Tan only owned half of it.

The other half was in the hands of Song Zhiwen.

What Song Tan had told Song Jiaojiao was that if Song Jiaojiao obtained half of the ownership of this old mansion from her parents, Song Tan would be willing to exchange it for three prescription formulas.

Three prescription formulas were quite valuable.

More importantly, Song Jiaojiao had hinted to Huo Yanlin before that she also had Grandfather’s prescription formula.

However, given her financial situation, she could only buy one from Song Tan. After experiencing the benefits of this prescription, she no longer saw it as an ordinary document.

Now, three prescriptions in exchange for half the ownership of the old mansion, for Song Jiaojiao, she felt a bit disadvantaged in her heart, but undeniably, this was a great temptation for her.

She could use these three prescriptions to gain favor with Huo Yanlin, and by then, Huo Yanlin would definitely be devoted to her.

This was not hinted in by Song Tan.

Song Tan only hinted that these prescriptions were extremely tempting to Huo Yanlin.

As for how Song Jiaojiao used them, that was her own problem.

But Song Tan hardly needed to think too much; she knew which direction Song Jiaojiao was likely to go.

After all, the thoughts of a person in love didn’t require her to think too much.

Song Tan looked at Song Jiaojiao, who thought for a moment, and then made up her mind: “I’ve thought it over, I can agree to your terms.”

Three prescriptions for half the ownership of the old mansion.

Song Tan curved his lips into a smile.

Indeed, when it came to negotiating with someone in love, it was the easiest to deal with.

Once she regained full ownership of the old mansion, Song Zhiwen and his wife would have no leverage over her.

---

Author’s note:

Song Tan : Someone in love can really be easily fooled.

Shen Yin : ?

---

While Shen Yin and Song Tan were lost in their own world, Huo Yanlin was truly getting a headache.

Due to the old man’s fainting, Song Jiaojiao and Su Ran temporarily stopped arguing and were told to wait in a small living room.

When love rivals met, jealousy flared up.

As Huo Yanlin followed to check on Old Master Huo, the two women had already clashed once.

Now that Huo Yanlin was here, it seemed like they were standing on the same side of the battlefield.

They, don’t let Huo Yanlin make a choice, but ask him for an explanation.

Song Jiaojiao said, “Although I like you, I’m not at your beck and call. Today’s incident has humiliated me a lot, you must explain.”

What Song Jiaojiao said was taught to her by Song Tan.

Initially, she didn’t trust Song Tan; she always felt that Song Tan’s help had ulterior motives.

However, after Song Tan asked her to register with Huo Yanlin, she felt that Song Tan’s words were sometimes reliable.

Although she didn’t know Song Yan’s true intentions, this time she believed what he said. She followed his advice and asked Huo Yanlin for an explanation instead of letting him choose between her and Su Ran.

While Song Jiaojiao asked Huo Yanlin for an explanation, Su Ran looked at him with eyes of despair and said, “If you want to explain, I’m listening.”

But what she meant was that she didn’t believe his words for a long time now.

“Jiaojiao, can you step out for a moment?”

Clearly, Huo Yanlin cared more about Su Ran than Song Jiaojiao.

He asked Song Jiaojiao to leave.

However, Song Jiaojiao had her pride.

“You want me to leave? Huo Yanlin, have you thought this through? If I leave now, the agreement between the Song family and the Huo family will be void.”

Huo Yanlin frowned, “That’s not what I meant.”

Su Ran understood and said, “Then I understand what you mean.”

In this love triangle, she was an outsider.

The one who shouldn’t be here was her.

She shouldn’t have come to work at the Huo’s house just because she wanted to be closer to him.

Su Ran straightened her back and was about to leave.

“Ranran!”

Huo Yanlin felt like his head was about to explode.

At this moment, two women were looking at him simultaneously.

He felt that this was even more difficult than giving up a billion-dollar project.

Giving up Ranran, he couldn’t do it.

She was the only woman who had ever touched his heart in this lifetime.

Giving up Song Jiaojiao would mean that the Huo family would enter a huge crisis. Not to mention his position within the Huo family, even the safety of the Huo family itself would be in question.

He couldn’t do that either.

As he struggled to make a decision, Uncle Liu came over.

“How is Grandpa?”

Uncle Liu had a stern expression at first, but when he heard that the first thing Huo Yanlin asked about was Old Master’s health, his expression softened slightly.

“Old Master has woken up.”

Upon hearing this, Huo Yanlin wanted to go see the old man, but Uncle Liu stopped him.

“Old Master said that he is very disappointed with your performance today, but because of your young age, he’s willing to give you another chance.”

Uncle Liu’s gaze swept over Song Jiaojiao and Su Ran, then turned to Huo Yanlin. “You should understand what Old Master means without me explaining.”

The Song family’s patent must be obtained.

Otherwise, it would be a huge loss for the Huo family.

Between his grandson and the Huo family, Old Master Huo valued the Huo family the most.

After all, Huo Yanlin is not his only grandson.

If Huo Yanlin can weigh the situation clearly, he will know what kind of choice he should make.

This is the final ultimatum given by the old man, but he can’t help but feel reluctant to let go of either side.

Huo Yanlin’s eyes darkened.

Finally, he looked at Su Ran with a hint of apology in his gaze.

Su Ran’s body trembled, unable to stand still, and took a step back.

This time, Huo Yanlin did not step forward to support her.

She held back the tears in her eyes, not allowing them to fall.

“You don’t need to say anything. I wish you happiness.”

Su Ran turned resolutely and walked away.

After Su Ran’s figure disappeared from everyone’s sight, Uncle Liu finally had a somewhat satisfied expression.

Although Huo Yanlin’s recent actions were absurd, he still considered the bigger picture.

Now, all that was left was to comfort Song Jiaojiao.

---

Old Master Huo woke up, but he didn’t let any of them in.

However, when Huo Yanlin brought Song Jiaojiao over, he allowed the two of them to enter.

This scene alone made the already divided Huo family members even more suspicious.

Huo Yanlin, indeed, has a fortunate life.

Even after infuriating the old man to such an extent, he still enjoys the old man’s favor.

This Huo Yanlin is truly hypocritical.

For the sake of the Huo family, he can even abandon the woman he loves.

The thoughts of the Huo family were in turmoil.

As for Shen Yin, he remained completely calm, with no ripples in his eyes.

What they were discussing had nothing to do with him.

He was just an unsignificant university teacher, and these matters were not his concern.

What he should be concerned about was his fragile wife.

“Are you feeling better?”

Song Tan had been feeling dizzy, and he had been holding her, letting her lean against his chest.

She seemed to have become addicted to this, as she continued to lean on him without letting go.

“I’m feeling better,” Song Tan said as she held her forehead and sat up.

She had been leaning against Shen Yin, and his body had been warm, so she was reluctant to let go.

But staying in someone’s embrace and writing lines in her mind was not appropriate.

So, she could only reluctantly leave Shen Yin’s embrace.

The two of them stood up.

“Song Tan, why didn’t you go in today?”

Song Tan had been lying in Shen Yin’s arms the whole time, looking weak, so no one had come to disturb them.

But now that they were standing up, someone approached to find help to divert the old man’s attention away from Huo Yanlin.

However, this person was likely to be a pawn.

None of the players in the Huo family dared to take the lead.

But when they saw Song Tan, they remembered her confident appearance that day.

So, they decided to let her handle it.

Song Tan didn’t respond immediately to the person speaking to her but instead cleared her throat.

She stared at the person who was talking to her.

Huo Zhaoyuan felt a bit uncomfortable under her intense gaze.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You’re Biao Di Zhaoyuan? What you just said was somewhat irresponsible.”

When Song Tan spoke these words, Shen Yin glanced at Song Tan.

She actually remembered Huo Zhaoyuan’s name.

The Huo family was divided into several branches, and Huo Zhaoyuan was the grandson of the old man’s brother. On the day of their wedding, Huo Zhaoyuan had not attended, but on this particular day, he was present.

However, Song Tan had accurately called out his name.

Either she had conducted some prior investigation or her memory was exceptionally good, allowing her to remember his name.

Both possibilities were quite likely.

However, his attention was focused solely on this, and Huo Zhaoyuan did not realize this.

She referred to him as Biao Di and accused him of being irresponsible with his words. He felt somewhat aggrieved and said, “How am I being irresponsible with my words? Weren’t you the one who, when Old Master was in a critical condition, insisted on going in without regard?”

Song Tan’s expression remained unchanged as she replied, “Back then, it was because Old Master’s life hung by a thread, and I had to deliver the prescription to save him. Now that Old Master has awakened, I have no reason to go in and deliver a prescription. Furthermore, I’ve caught a cold. Are you trying to harm Old Master by asking me to go in?”

After saying this, Song Tan couldn’t suppress a cough.

Her face turned pale, and while covering her mouth as she coughed, her body swayed unsteadily, resembling a lone boat on the sea, appearing frail and pitiable.

Her current appearance was completely different from the way she had confronted them that day.

Huo Zhaoyuan was left stunned.

Shen Yin gently patted her back, cooperating with Song Tan’s cough to help her breathe easier.

“Zhaoyuan, don’t make it difficult for her,”

Huo Zhaoyuan : ???

Is he making it difficult for her?

Clearly, it’s Song Tan who is pretending.

Right, she should be pretending.

But he has no proof.

So frustrating!

He can only watch the couple’s performance here.

The couple, Shen Yin and Song Tan, don’t care about Huo Zhaoyuan’s current mood. The reason they stayed here was to see how things would develop next.

Old Master Huo has already woken up, and Huo Yanlin has brought Song Jiaojiao over. There’s basically no need to wait for further developments.

The outcome is already clear, and they have no interest in staying here any longer.

“Husband, I need to go take my medicine.”

Earlier, she asked Su Ran to go get the medicine, but Su Ran became distracted. She now has the perfect excuse to go back and take her medicine.

“Yes, it’s indeed time for you to take your medicine. I’ll help you back.”

“Okay.”

With this exchange, Shen Yin directly helped Song Tan away, leaving the Huo family members in the room puzzled.

The couple didn’t care about what they were thinking; the two of them were just doing something they wanted to do but hadn’t done yet.

As Shen Yin helped Song Tan back to where they were staying, as soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw Su Ran.

Su Ran had been abandoned by her loved one and had returned, crying for a long time. Her once bright eyes were now swollen from crying.

When she saw Song Tan and Shen Yin approaching, she quickly wiped away the tears on her face, sniffled, and bowed to Song Tan, “I’m sorry.”

Song Tan looked at Su Ran and raised an eyebrow slightly.

Su Ran used Song Tan to enter the Huo family, and Song Tan also used Su Ran to make a move on Huo Yanlin.

They were just using each other.

Song Tan cleared her throat twice and asked, “What are your plans next?”

Certainly, Su Ran couldn’t stay in the Huo family any longer.

Huo Yanlin had already chosen Song Jiaojiao, and Old Master Huo would never let Su Ran stay in the Huo family.

Su Ran’s eyes were swollen and lifeless.

Song Tan said, “Take it one step at a time.”

Song Tan raised an eyebrow slightly and continued, “Studying medicine is not easy. Don’t give up easily.”

Su Ran looked at Song Tan.

Song Tan continued saying, “I heard you were admitted to the graduate program.”

But Su Ran didn’t want to continue her education due to family reasons. In the original plot, she would join Huo Yanlin’s company.

But now…

“I can invest money in you so that you won’t have any worries during your graduate studies, but you have to promise me one condition.”

---

Author’s note:

Song Tan : Be a good person, do good deeds.

---

Song Tan doesn’t yet know that her ‘good deeds’ have been seen through by Shen Yin.

Watching the drama up close, she has come to a conclusion : it is indeed human nature to enjoy watching good drama.

No wonder when she wrote about killing zombies, the reader response was very dull, but when she wrote about gossip, the comment section had many more readers.

“Nonsense!”

The commotion in the garden alarmed Old Master Huo.

The old man came over on a wheelchair and saw Huo Yanlin in the middle of a scuffle with two crying women, surrounded by a group of young people from the Huo family.

Seeing this scene, the old man nearly passed out.

However, with the old man’s arrival, the three people who were still causing a commotion finally stopped their actions.

Huo Yanlin stood in the middle, with Song Jiaojiao and Su Ran on either side of him.

The hair of the two women was messy, their makeup was smeared, and their clothes were stained with mud.

In this state, where is there any decency left?

“Grandpa…”

“Don’t call me Grandpa.”

Old Master Huo indeed had the idea of considering Huo Yanlin as the next successor.

He was more capable and charismatic than his predecessors.

However, he was a bit younger and not quite mature in handling matters.

Old Master Huo planned to wait for him to mature a bit more and then hand over the heavy responsibilities of the Huo family to him.

But, he didn’t expect that Huo Yanlin would stumble over a woman.

And, it was the same woman twice.

He was truly disappointed in Huo Yanlin.

“Give me a clear answer today, what do you really want to do?”

If Huo Yanlin marries Song Jiaojiao, then he could still pass the Huo family to Huo Yanlin.

But if Huo Yanlin didn’t marry her, then the Huo family’s successor would be someone else.

Huo Yanlin understood the meaning behind Old Master Huo’s words.

He clenched his fist and looked at Su Ran.

Su Ran felt… her face burning.

Everyone was watching her, their eyes filled with accusation.

“I’ll leave…”

Su Ran lowered her head, bit her lip, held back tears, and had barely taken a couple of steps when Huo Yanlin grabbed her arm.

“Ranran.”

Upon seeing this, tears streamed down Song Jiaojiao’s face, and she said, “I should be the one to leave.”

Song Jiaojiao straightened her back and said to Huo Yanlin, “Huo Yanlin, I hope you won’t regret this.”

Song Jiaojiao turned to leave.

Huo Yanlin also reached out and grabbed Song Jiaojiao’s arm.

Grabbing one woman on one hand… this made Song Tan amused.

“Is your Biao Di aiming to be a two-timer, enjoying the flowers on both hands?” Song Tan praised, “This idea is quite avant-garde.”

Song Tan’s words carried a hint of sarcasm.

In the original plot, Huo Yanlin was enjoying the benefits Song Tan brought while also seeking pure love.

In the end, he had to say that he was coerced by her, and he felt no affection for her; everything she did was an obstacle in the romantic journey of the main leads.

But why?

If the system had not entered self-maintenance mode, it would have noticed that even though Song Tan had completed her mission of supporting female character transformation, her mindset had not changed.

However, Song Tan was not afraid of anything now.

After all, the mission was completed, and they wouldn’t capture her for a second time for transformation.

Song Tan watched the chaos with a smile on her face.

Shen Yin was basically certain that Song Tan was not on Huo Yanlin’s side.

Regardless of which side she was on, for now, they could temporarily be comrades on the same front.

---

The farce continued.

Huo Yanlin wanted both Song Jiaojiao and Su Ran, which directly broke both of their mentality

Now, with one wanting to go left and the other wanting to go right, Huo Yanlin held onto both of them. That scene was truly spectacular.

Old Master Huo, seeing this, truly fainted this time.

“Old Master? Old Master!”

The old man passed out, and now everyone couldn’t care less about making fun of Huo Yanlin. They hurriedly called the family doctor to check on the old man.

The old man was not in good health to begin with; he had fainted a couple of days ago, and now he had fainted again. This was indeed very dangerous.

“Old Master fainted because of you, and you still want to fool around?”

Huo Chaoying was Huo Yanlin’s father. Because the old man saw Huo Yanlin as his successor, and Huo Yanlin had grown up by his side, and Huo Chaoying rarely disciplined Huo Yanlin as a father.

However, what Huo Yanlin did today was really foolish!

If Huo Yanlin really liked that woman, after today, he could like and support her however he wanted; that was his business.

But he had to argue with that woman in front of the old man and so many people at this critical moment.

Now, he had even made the old man faint.

This was simply outrageous.

If he really made the old man seriously ill, how could the Huo family let him off?

Huo Chaoying was truly infuriated.

Huo Yanlin, who was scolded by his own father, pursed his lips, and remained silent.

Now he’s a little calmer, and his mind is a bit clearer.

He cast his gaze towards Song Tan.

At that moment, Song Tan covered her red lips and coughed several times.

Although the sun was out today, there was still a breeze.

Song Tan was wrapped in the scarf given by Shen Yin, but she still felt a chill.

Then, Song Tan began to cough.

Shen Yin supported her shoulder and led her into the house with the others.

The old man was sent into the inner room, and everyone waited outside. To show their concern, no one sat down.

But Song Tan and her husband were different.

Song Tan’s face turned pale, and she looked like she could faint from a gust of wind. It would be somewhat inhumane to make her stand and wait at this moment.

However, Huo Yanlin sneered.

She’s faking it.

Definitely faking it.

Just now, she was clearly enjoying the show, and now she’s suddenly this frail?

Who would believe it!

On the way back, Huo Yanlin finally caught a clue.

Su Ran was brought in by Song Tan. If it weren’t for Song Tan, none of this would have happened today.

So, all of this was planned by Song Tan.

Huo Yanlin clenched his fist and walked up to Song Tan.

Coincidentally, due to dizziness, Song Tan fell into Shen Yin’s arms.

Seeing Huo Yanlin, she weakly raised her eyelids and looked at him.

“Song Tan, stop pretending.”

Upon hearing Huo Yanlin’s words, Shen Yin furrowed his brow first. “Yanlin, you’ve already made Grandfather faint. Do you want to cause more trouble?”

“Shen Yin!”

Song Tan, feeling weak, said, “Call him Biao Ge.”

Huo Yanlin : “…” What the f*ck, she still wants him to call Shen Yin Biao Ge at this time?

Huo Yanlin’s mouth twisted in frustration, but Shen Yin couldn’t help but let a small smile curve at the corner of his lips.

This Song Tan was really something else.

He could see through her true intentions, but he wouldn’t expose it.

“Yanlin, right now, Grandfather’s safety is more important. I hope you can prioritize the bigger picture.”

After Shen Yin said so, and the members of the Huo family immediately chimed in.

“Yes, Yanlin, you’ve already made Grandpa faint, do you really need to argue with Shen Yin now? You’re being quite unreasonable.”

“Huo Yanlin, Grandpa usually spoils you, and no one says anything. But look at what you’ve done now. You’re bringing shame to our Huo family.”

“You’re being very thoughtless.”

Huo Yanlin had grown up in an environment full of praise and had never heard so many accusations before. He pursed his lips and said, “Please stop. It’s my own business, and I’ll handle it. You don’t need to worry.”

After saying this, Huo Yanlin turned and walked out.

The members of the Huo family were even more displeased with Huo Yanlin.

Song Tan clicked her tongue in her mind.

This Huo Yanlin was even more foolish than she had thought.

Originally, the role she had arranged for him was supposed to end after Song Jiaojiao saw Su Ran.

The result was unexpected, and the subsequent drama became even more exciting.

Huo Yanlin directly infuriated Old Master Huo.

After Old Master Huo was infuriated, the other members of the Huo family would definitely not miss this opportunity to deal with Huo Yanlin. After all, the Huo family is a big piece of cake, and everyone wants a slice.

Normally, Huo Yanlin received the most attention from Old Master Huo and was entrusted with important tasks. However, now that the ace project in his hands has been ruined, his cooperation with the Song family has also been messed up, and he has even infuriated Old Master Huo…

All of these consecutive problems originated from Huo Yanlin. Not only did he fail to win the hearts of the other Huo family members, but he also displayed the behavior of a spoiled young master…

Does he truly believe he’s the male lead and can do whatever he wants?

She really wants to see how he plans to turn the situation around.

Song Tan leaned against Shen Yin’s embrace, and after thinking about Huo Yanlin’s situation for a while, her thoughts began to drift.

Shen Yin’s arms were so warm and comforting.

Today, he wore a white shirt, and the top button of the shirt was left unbuttoned, revealing the protrusion at his neck.

Song Tan leaned against him, lowered her eyes slightly, and could see his Adam’s apple.

As it moved, Song Tan felt a rush of heat surging to her head. Ah… that Adam’s apple was somewhat sexy.

Song Tan felt that her breath was mixed with the male hormones from Shen Yin’s body, causing her originally pale face to flush.

---

After Huo Yanlin left, Shen Yin was waiting for Song Tan’s next move.

He now, was somewhat looking forward to seeing Song Tan make a move.

In this way, this messy Huo family finally has something to watch.

However, as he waited, he didn’t see any action from Song Tan.

He held her in his arms, so he lowered his gaze and could only see the tip of her nose and slightly pale lips.

He saw her lips purse slightly.

As if she was thinking about something.

While Shen Yin furrowed his brows, contemplating whether or not to make a move, Song Tan couldn’t hold back any longer.

Her slightly cold fingertips touched Shen Yin’s Adam’s apple, which was radiating warmth.

Shen Yin’s body froze in an instant.

The Huo family was ‘concerned’ about the old man’s safety, and no one noticed the strangeness on the faces of the newlyweds.

“Song Tan.”

After Shen Yin froze, he reached up and captured her hand that was touching his Adam’s apple.

Although Song Tan’s hand was cold, it was very delicate. When he held her hand, it felt like holding a piece of high-quality white jade.

Shen Yin’s voice became hoarse in that moment, “What are you doing?”

Song Tan : “…”

She just wanted to feel it.

She didn’t expect to be caught so quickly.

“Um, my eyes are a little blurry.”

Shen Yin: “…” So, your eyes were so blurry that they went toward his Adam’s apple?

“Did I just touch you?”

Song Tan asked knowingly.

Shen Yin looked down at her. She still looked sickly, as if she had truly touched him unconsciously.

“No.”

“Then what about my hand…”

Now Song Tan’s hand was still held by Shen Yin.

Shen Yin let go of her hand without changing his expression.

As if nothing had just happened.

Meanwhile, in Song Tan’s heart… she was turning what she felt into words.

Experiencing such a vivid, genuine feeling is not something that comes often.

She had to savor it while the sensation was still fresh and write down her thoughts, so she could use them in her future novels.

Ever since she realized what readers liked to see, she had been learning how to write scenes of emotions.

However, despite being married, she was still a blank slate when it came to understanding men.

So, for many things, she needed to try them out herself to know how they felt

Just like how she touched his Adam’s apple just now…

Ah… it felt so awkward.

Song Tan felt her face getting hot.

Fortunately, she looked ‘weak’ and was still leaning against Shen Yin’s chest, while the others were busy pretending to be concerned about the old man’s well-being and didn’t notice the unusual blush on her face.

---

Song Tan’s health is not good, and she needs someone to take care of her.

Originally, the Huo family could have arranged someone for her directly, but Song Tan’s requirements are too high.

She wants someone who has a bit of medical knowledge.

Just this requirement eliminated most of the candidates.

Finally, Shen Yin suggested bringing someone in from outside for her.

Song Tan agreed.

Then, ‘coincidentally,’ she happened to meet Su Ran looking for part-time work.

After that, both parties signed an employment contract, and Su Ran came to the Huo family.

On her first day here, she discovered that Huo Yanlin had lied to her.

He was married… he really was married…

It’s not a rumor, it’s true.

Su Ran bit her lip, not looking at that liar, and forcefully held back her tears.

Song Tan saw Su Ran’s reaction.

Song Tan clicked her tongue inwardly.

Although Song Tan had only seen this female lead in the original plot, Song Tan had to admit that her resilience was truly impressive.

In the original plot, when Huo Yanlin was ‘forced into a marriage,’ her love-hate relationship with him never stopped.

Now, she had only just discovered Huo Yanlin’s lie; there were still many interesting scenes to come.

A smile played on Song Tan’s lips as she watched the drama between the male and female leads.

Sitting beside Song Tan, Shen Yin watched Song Tan.

He naturally recognized this Su Ran. She was the waitress who had caused a scandal with Song Jiaojiao and Huo Yanlin that day.

Because of her humble status, the focus of the scandal became Song Jiaojiao and Huo Yanlin.

As for this waitress, she lost her name.

But who could have thought that this waitress was the one who had been haunting the great Young Master Huo’s dreams?

However… how did Song Tan know?

Although he had gone to interview this Su Ran, Song Tan’s reaction seemed as if he had known Su Ran’s identity for a long time.

Huo Yanlin had hidden Su Ran quite well. If Huo Yanlin hadn’t been caught by Huo Zhaoran on the day Shen Yin married Song Tan, Shen Yin wouldn’t have noticed this person named Su Ran.

He had only guessed at the relationship between Su Ran and Huo Yanlin, but Song Tan seemed to have confirmed it.

Could it be…

Was it because she found out about the special relationship between Huo Yanlin and Su Ran that she abandoned Huo Yanlin and chose Shen Yin instead?

Shen Yin’s eyes deepened.

Naturally, he didn’t know that he had already guessed most of it.

---

At this time, Su Ran’s appearance had directly unsettled Huo Yanlin.

Originally, he was supposed to serve tea to the elders with Song Jiaojiao, but now he couldn’t bring himself to pick up the teacup.

“Brother Yanlin, what’s wrong with you?” Song Jiaojiao felt that Huo Yanlin’s reaction was a bit strange.

But she didn’t think much of it.

After all, she was also nervous. She thought that Huo Yanlin might be nervous too, so nervous that he forgot about the teacups.

“Here, you. take this.”

In a considerate manner, Song Jiaojiao handed the tea cup in her hand to Huo Yanlin and prepared to get another one.

Just at that moment, the tea cup in Huo Yanlin’s hand flipped over.

It happened to land right in Song Jiaojiao’s hand.

Song Jiaojiao’s hand was already somewhat numb due to nervousness, and now, it was scalded by the hot tea, causing her to exclaim, “It’s so hot.”

Old Master Huo sitting at the top could clearly see that Huo Yanlin was absent-minded. His face darkened, but he didn’t say anything. He gestured for Uncle Liu beside him to take Song Jiaojiao downstairs to treat the burn.

After Song Jiaojiao left the hall, he began to reprimand Huo Yanlin aloud, “Yanlin, you told me yourself that you wanted to marry Jiaojiao. Now, you look like this, what exactly do you want to do?”

After Old Master Huo finished this sentence, Song Tan saw Su Ran’s body seemed like a piece of paper, swaying in the air.

Looking at this Su Ran… tsk tsk, it’s really a bit pitiful.

In the original plot, Huo Yanlin married her, Song Tan, but he swore to Su Ran that he was forced into it. Even if he married Song Tan, they would only be a superficial couple and wouldn’t do anything together.

But now, he couldn’t swear to Su Ran that he was forced to marry someone, right?

Moreover, he had just been holding Song Jiaojiao’s hand.

Song Tan was worried for Huo Yanlin.

How should he explain this to Su Ran?

Huo Yanlin’s gaze occasionally swept towards Su Ran.

Then, his eyes fell on Song Tan.

Song Tan seemed like she was waiting to see him embarrassed.

He clenched his teeth to prevent himself from losing control in front of so many people.

“Grandpa, I…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Su Ran, who was beside Song Tan, made a move.

He had no idea what Song Tan had just said, but Su Ran looked at him with tears in her eyes, and she quietly left.

Huo Yanlin felt a sense of panic.

“Grandpa, I’ll step out for a moment.”

With that, he turned and walked away.

No matter how loudly Old Master Huo called for him, he didn’t stop.

Song Tan, observing the situation, raised an eyebrow slightly.

This Huo Yanlin… a warrior of love, indeed.

“What did you just ask Su Ran to do?”

When Huo Yanlin was about to speak to Old Master Huo, Song Tan and Su Ran had a conversation, but Shen Yin couldn’t hear it, and Su Ran just left with tears in her eyes.

“I forgot to take a medicine this morning, so I asked her to fetch it for me.”

Fetching medicine was nothing out of the ordinary, and it wasn’t something that would make Su Ran cry.

Song Tan felt that she was being considerate by giving Su Ran a reason to leave since she could see that Su Ran was suffering here.

As for Huo Yanlin chasing after Su Ran…

Well, that had nothing to do with Song Tan.

It wasn’t her who asked Huo Yanlin to leave.

The expression on Song Tan’s face was innocent.

Shen Yin stared at her face for a few seconds, then smiled at her and said, “Taking medicine is something you shouldn’t forget.”

Since two of three days after Shen Yin married Song Tan, he had noticed that Song Tan wasn’t very proactive when it came to taking medicine.

Several times before, he had to watch Song Tan take her medicine.

Now, she had missed her medicine again and didn’t want to take it.

“I haven’t forgotten, I just…” don’t want to take it.

It was really too bitter.

She felt that since returning from the apocalypse, her sensitivity to taste had increased.

Her medicines were all made from Chinese herbal medicine, and they tasted extremely bitter. She really needed a lot of courage to swallow them.

“In that case, I’ll have to supervise you.”

Song Tan : “…”

While they were having this private conversation, a love-hate drama was unfolding outside.

“Ranran, things aren’t what you think.”

Huo Yanlin chased after Su Ran for quite a distance before catching up to her.

Su Ran was crying hard, and he had to explain aloud.

But no matter how he explained it, it sounded feeble and weak.

“It’s not what I think, it’s what I saw and heard.”

Tears welled up in Su Ran’s eyes.

“Huo Yanlin, we were never meant to be from the same world, let go.”

Su Ran’s words made Huo Yanlin furrow his brow.

“Ranran, I, Huo Yanlin, don’t care about those things.”

“But I do.”

---

Song Jiaojiao’s hand was red from the scald. After the family doctor applied ointment to her hand, she didn’t want to delay and quickly returned to the front hall.

However, when she returned, she did not see Huo Yanlin.

Although she knew everything about the Huo family’s gossip, she didn’t actually know many people from the Huo family.

Now, the front hall was filled with unfamiliar faces, and Song Jiaojiao didn’t have the courage to approach them, so she had no choice but to run to the only person she knew.

“Song Tan.”

Song Tan raised his gaze to look at her.

“Do you know where Brother Yanlin went?”

Song Tan kindly pointed in a direction, “He seemed to have gone towards the garden.”

Towards the garden…

Song Jiaojiao had only been to the Huo family once when Song Tan and Shen Yin got married, so she wasn’t very familiar with the layout of the house.

She didn’t dare to go look for him alone.

“Will you accompany me?”

Song Jiaojiao asked boldly.

“No,” Shen Yin spoke up, directly preventing Song Jiaojiao, “Your cousin isn’t feeling well, and it’s windy outside. She shouldn’t be exposed to the cold.”

“I…”

Even though she looked down on Shen Yin, when she actually faced him, it felt like seeing a teacher at school, and she inexplicably lost her confidence.

“Cousin, please take me there.”

Song Jiaojiao had to lower her posture and plead with Song Tan.

Song Tan glanced at Shen Yin and said, “It’s fine, it looks like the sun is out.”

Shen Yin glanced outside.

The autumn sunlight wasn’t scorching, but when it fell on the ground, it was golden.

“Alright, but you should wear this.”

Shen Yin carried a scarf with him, which could be unfolded into a shawl, making it very convenient.

Song Tan took the scarf, wrapped it around her neck, and immediately broke into a smile.

“It’s very beautiful.”

“As long as you like it.”

Song Jiaojiao on the side was speechless.

Why are these two still showing affection in front of her?

Though Song Jiaojiao was unhappy, there was actually a hint of envy in her heart.

Shen Yin, despite his unimpressive background, turned out to be so considerate.

Song Tan had indeed stumbled upon a treasure.

However, thinking of Huo Yanlin immediately brightened Song Jiaojiao’s mood.

Today, she was going to marry Huo Yanlin!

After paying respects with tea, she and Huo Yanlin would go to obtain the marriage certificate.

By then, she and Huo Yanlin would be legally wedded.

From then on, the Huo family would belong to Huo Yanlin, and Shen Yin and Song Tan would have to listen to her.

Song Jiaojiao found some confidence again, proudly lifting her chin and walking ahead of Song Tan.

Song Tan didn’t mind Song Jiaojiao’s need for showing off.

Song Tan held the cashmere scarf draped over her shoulder and thought, what comes next will be interesting.

Song Tan’s expectations were fulfilled. At this very moment, a love drama was indeed unfolding : Huo Yanlin was hugging Su Ran, who was crying uncontrollably.

If there were cameras capturing this scene, it would be a hugging scene from an idol drama with twelve cameras shooting from different angles.

However, unfortunately, they weren’t part of an idol drama.

Except for the victim beside Song Tan, everyone else was just watching the show.

A few members of the Huo family followed behind them.

Seeing that there was a good show to watch, those Huo family members were more proactive than Song Tan, immediately contacted the people still waiting in the front hall to come and watch the show.

Song Jiaojiao, who no one paid attention to, was first shocked in place, then yelled and ran toward the two of them crying, separating them.

“What are you two doing?”

When Huo Yanlin saw Song Jiaojiao, he frowned and wanted to scold her, but he unexpectedly found that Song Tan was here, Shen Yin was here, Huo Zhaoran was here, and Huo…

The people who were originally in the front hall had all come to this garden.

At this moment, they were all looking at him and the person in his arms, Su Ran.

Su Ran was originally crying, but now she noticed so many people looking at her, and her body immediately stiffened.

Huo Yanlin instinctively let her go.

The two of them now looked like a pair of couple caught in an affair.

Oh no, it’s not like, it is.

Although Huo Yanlin hadn’t registered with Song Jiaojiao yet, though he had already brought her to the Huo family, but now he was here, entangled with another woman.

Song Tan clicked her tongue twice and shook her head.

Morally corrupt, vulgar, this is immoral!

But the show is good.

Song Tan watched with relish, and actually forgot that there was someone beside her.

Shen Yin was very good at fading into the background in a crowd, making people forget his presence.

But now he realized that he had been completely ignored by Song Tan…

She was watching the show and completely forgot about him.

He raised his eyebrows slightly.

After scanning between Song Tan and Huo Yanlin for a few moments, he understood one thing : Song Tan wasn’t simply an audience in today’s show.

It is most likely that… she was the director.

Today is the day when Huo Yanlin and Song Jiaojiao serve tea, but Song Tan brought Su Ran with her, directly affecting Huo Yanlin’s emotions.

Later, when Song Jiaojiao was sent out to deal with a scald, she asked Su Ran to go out and help her get something.

Then, as if as expected, Huo Yanlin came out directly.

But that’s not all.

She came out with Song Jiaojiao, and when they came out, they also attracted several curious members of the Huo family…

If there are too many coincidences, then it’s not a coincidence.

It was Song Tan who arranged this drama.

---

rokumi’s note : the translation of this novel restarts today! I will post three chapters today (or three parts, actually, since the amount of words in this chapter is three times of the other chapters so I split it into three parts), then it will be updated one chapter every Friday just like before.

---

For two consecutive days, it rained. Song Tan didn’t even step out of the house and stayed inside every day.

Fortunately, on the third day, the rain stopped and it was slightly warmer outside. Song Tan wrapped herself in a cashmere blanket and went to the small courtyard to bask in the sun.

The place they currently live in was a villa assigned to Shen Yin next to the Huo family’s old mansion.

According to Shen Yin, he used to only have a guest room in the Huo’s house, but considering his marriage, they allocated a two-story small villa next to the old mansion for him. This small villa also came with a small garden.

However, this place is a bit far from Shen Yin’s school, so usually he stays in the small villa assigned to him by the school.

But now, the two of them are newlyweds, and Old Master Huo wants them to spend more time at home, so they are temporarily living here.

Shen Yin didn’t say it, but Song Tan has seen the original plot and knows why Old Master Huo wants her to stay in the old mansion.

In the original plot, the old master asked her to stay in the old mansion not because she is Huo Yanlin’s wife, but because she has prescriptions in her hands.

One prescription cured the old master’s chronic illness for many years, and as for the other prescriptions… their value is immeasurable.

Therefore, many people in the Huo family have their eyes on the prescriptions in her hands.

However, the Huo family members are quite clever.

They won’t force her to give it; instead, they will try every means to make her willingly hand it over.

In the original plot, Huo Yanlin becomes cold and violent after marriage, and the old master plays the role of the mediator.

That old master really resembles her Grandpa.

She didn’t pay attention and fell into a gentle trap designed by the other party.

Song Tan reviewed it and felt that her performance in the original plot was indeed bad.

If she were both shrewd and ruthless, how could she lose so thoroughly?

With her eyes closed, Song Tan lay on the recliner, feeling the warmth of the sun, while thinking about things.

At this moment, she felt someone blocking the sun.

She gently opened her eyes and saw Huo Yanlin’s angry face.

She raised her eyebrows and said, “Yanlin, is there something you need from your Biao Sao?”

Upon hearing her calling herself Biao Sao, Huo Yanlin’s mouth twitched.

“You’re quite skilled at playing the role of Biao Sao.”

“That’s a strange thing for you to say.” Faced with Huo Yanlin’s strange tone, Song Tan remained calm and said, “Shen Yin is your Biao Ge, I married your Biao Ge, objectively speaking, I am your Biao Sao.”

After speaking, she seemed to remember something and said, “By the way, are you going to marry Jiaojiao? Or if you follow Jiaojiao, you can call me ‘Sister,’ and I can agree to it.”

“Song Tan,” Huo Yanlin clenched his teeth to keep himself from losing his composure due to anger. He looked at Song Tan’s delicate appearance and coldly sneered, saying, “Do you think you’ve married some pure and innocent thing?”

Seeing Song Tan lost in thought for a moment, Huo Yanlin felt he had struck a chord with her. He continued, “Shen Yin is not as simple as you think. Miss Song, don’t be too picky and choose a wolf that you can’t tame.”

Seeing Huo Yanlin’s suggestive expression, she looked at him and pointed behind him, saying, “Why don’t you explain it to him in person?”

Huo Yanlin frowned and turned around upon hearing her words.

Shen Yin stood there behind him, holding a plate of fruit.

Huo Yanlin didn’t know how long Shen Yin had been listening.

---

These days, Song Tan had read quite a few novels on LuJiang.

Among them, there was a genre that Song Tan quite liked, which was the Shura Field¹.

It was thrilling.

Just like the current situation between Huo Yanlin and Shen Yin.

Although neither of them made any moves or said anything, she could see sparks flying between them.

This… is the Shura Field, right?

Song Tan walked up to Shen Yin’s side, took the fruit platter from his hand, and said to him, “You, jiayou².”

Song Tan was a bit curious to see what Shen Yin would look like in a fight.

It was hard to imagine how someone like Shen Yin, who appeared weak, would fight.

Could he really beat Huo Yanlin?

Song Tan sincerely anticipated it for a moment, but both of them were adults now, and they were both in the Huo family.

Fighting… It was unlikely that they would actually fight.

Shen Yin looked at Huo Yanlin, but his attention was focused on Song Tan.

Did she have no thoughts or feelings when she heard Huo Yanlin’s assessment of him?

Or was she just pretending?

If she was acting, her acting skills were pretty good.

As she sat on the cushioned stone bench, holding the fruit platter and looking at him with encouraging eyes…

“Shen Yin, stop pretending. Project An No. 1… is it related to you?”

The Project An No. 1 had completely failed, and even if Huo Yanlin wanted to keep the information hidden, he couldn’t anymore.

So now everyone knows that Huo’s flagship project has encountered problems.

But when Shen Yin listened to his accusation, he pushed his glasses and said, “You’re blaming me too much.”

Huo Yanlin has no evidence.

If he had evidence, he wouldn’t be asking like this; he would directly come to settle the score with Shen Yin.

Huo Yanlin had an intuition that Shen Yin was up to something, not as simple as he appeared on the surface, so Huo Yanlin spoke up to test him.

However, Shen Yin remained unfazed.

He frowned and looked at him, saying, “Did you come all the way here just to say these things to me?”

Shen Yin’s attitude was as if he had witnessed a younger brother who wasn’t very obedient doing something stupid. He completely disregarded Huo Yanlin’s words, making Huo Yanlin seem extremely foolish.

Originally, Huo Yanlin didn’t feel embarrassed.

To him, Shen Yin was just a cousin with some blood relation, posing no threat. Even if he spoke ill of Shen Yin, so what?

But being treated so lightly by Shen Yin made him appear insignificant.

Huo Yanlin, who was accustomed to being proud, couldn’t bear this feeling.

“Do you think I’m secretly trying to tarnish your reputation behind your back?” Huo Yanlin’s lips curled as he took out his phone. “Do you really think I have no evidence at all?”

Shen Yin looked at him in silence.

On the side, Song Tan put a grape in his mouth and also looked at Huo Yanlin.

Both Shen Yin and Song Tan seemed like spectators enjoying the spectacle.

Huo Yanlin : “…”

Suddenly, Huo Yanlin felt like a clown jumping around.

“Song Tan, I won’t present it now, but you better open your eyes and see clearly for yourself.”

After saying that, Huo Yanlin glanced deeply at Shen Yin and turned to leave.

Once he left, Shen Yin looked at Song Tan.

Song Tan handed him a grape and said, “It’s pretty sweet, want one?”

Shen Yin glanced at the grape in her hand, then looked at her.

From beginning to end, it seemed like she hadn’t paid any attention to what Huo Yanlin said.

Did she truly trust him so much, or… did she have other thoughts but didn’t express them?

Shen Yin took the grapes she handed over and asked aloud, “What do you think about what Huo Yanlin just said?”

“My thoughts?” Song Tan pondered for a moment and said, “He was talking bad about you. In theory, even if you don’t hit him, you should criticize him properly.”

However, Shen Yin’s personality was too gentle, and she completely regarded those words spoken by Huo Yanlin as a child’s nonsense.

As a result, that idiot Huo Yanlin actually thought Shen Yin didn’t care about him and wanted to produce something to prove that he didn’t talk behind people’s backs.

Truly… it’s somewhat amusing.

Song Tan’s reaction and response made Shen Yin smile.

Within that smile, various emotions were hidden.

This Song Tan is indeed interesting.

He enjoys the feeling of encountering an equal opponent.

---

Regarding what Huo Yanlin said, Song Tan didn’t completely disregard it.

Although she tested Shen Yin several times and his reactions were in line with her expectations, she couldn’t be sure if he was pretending.

Song Tan wasn’t naïve enough to trust someone completely after only a few interactions.

However, even if Song Tan knew that Shen Yin is pretending, she had no intention of exposing it.

The way they were now…

She felt it was wonderful.

Song Tan stuffed a grape into her mouth again.

But then, the fruit platter was turned in a different direction by Shen Yin…

Song Tan : ?

“Grapes have a high fructose content. Have something else.”

Song Tan glanced down at the fruit platter.

She had been too engrossed in watching the show earlier and hadn’t noticed the arrangement of the fruit platter.

The fruit platter was also accompanied by fruits such as cherry tomatoes, kiwis, and snow lotus, which have different nutritional values.

At a glance, it was clearly carefully arranged.

“Did you carefully arrange this fruit platter?”

“It can’t be considered carefully, I just didn’t know your taste, so I added a few more varieties for you.”

“Thank you.”

Whether it was done intentionally or not, it was easy to see at a glance.

This Shen Yin gives people a feeling of gentle influence, quietly showing his goodness to others.

Compared to Huo Yanlin, who is foolishly infatuated, Shen Yin is obviously of a higher caliber.

However, Song Tan is not in a hurry.

For now, Shen Yin still meets her requirements.

---

Song Jiaojiao and Huo Yanlin have obtained their marriage certificates.

They didn’t have a wedding ceremony, but the tea-serving ritual was still preserved.

In the Huo family, Huo Yanlin’s marriage is a big deal.

Although they didn’t have a wedding ceremony, bringing the bride home for the tea-serving ritual was also a significant event.

All the people who could come back to Huo’s old mansion have returned.

They gathered in the front hall of Huo’s old mansion, with a defiant and unruly expression on their faces, characteristic of the Huo family members.

At this moment, Song Tan and Shen Yin appeared.

As soon as the two of them arrived, all the members of the Huo family turned their gaze towards the two.

It was as if… the two of them were the protagonists of the day.

Song Tan remained unchanged, coldly sweeping her eyes over them.

Huo family members : “…”

This Song Tan, her attitude was still so arrogant, still not placing them all in her eyes.

Since the last time Song Tan launched an indiscriminate attack on them, they had become somewhat apprehensive of her.

It wasn’t that they were truly afraid of her, but rather, they suddenly realized that this sick child who married into the Huo family wasn’t a pushover.

If they wanted to provoke her, they had to consider their own strength.

The old master clearly held gratitude towards Song Tan, so they couldn’t afford to offend her at this time.

Therefore, they could only show their respectful gaze towards Song Tan.

However, when Song Jiaojiao accompanied Huo Yanlin and entered, the gazes of the Huo family members were no longer as polite.

They looked at Song Jiaojiao with a slightly aggressive gaze, examining her.

Song Jiaojiao didn’t have the same psychological resilience as Song Tan. When she saw so many people looking at her, she nervously grabbed onto Huo Yanlin’s arm.

Huo Yanlin winced in pain.

Furrowing his brow, he looked at Song Jiaojiao and opened his mouth as if he wanted to reprimand her. However, considering that it was a critical moment for further cooperation between the Song and Huo families, he couldn’t afford any mistakes.

He forcefully suppressed his discontent.

He held onto Song Jiaojiao’s hand that was gripping his arm and was about to shake it off when he saw a familiar figure.

It was Su Ran.

Su Ran glanced at him and then at Song Jiaojiao next to him. She realized something, and tears welled up in her eyes all of a sudden.

As the tears threatened to fall, Su Ran bit her lip tightly, refusing to let the tears flow.

She turned around, pretending not to recognize Huo Yanlin, and walked straight towards Song Tan’s direction.

Huo Yanlin was confused.

Song Tan had a playful smile at the corner of her mouth as she looked at Huo Yanlin.

—Hey, are you surprised? You are surprised, right?

---

rokumi’s note : sorry, but for those who hasn’t seen my Temporary Hiatus Notice, please check it out.

---

1. when two men fighting over one woman, or, two women fighting over one man ↩︎
2. come on/fighting/ganbatte ↩︎

---

Song Tan heard the news of Huo Yanlin going to marry Song Jiaojiao from Song Jiaojiao herself.

As soon as Huo Yanlin made the decision, Song Jiaojiao received confirmation and immediately came to boast to Song Tan.

“Brother Yanlin is going to marry me. From now on, I’ll be the Young Madam of the Huo family.”
“Brother Yanlin…”

Listening to Song Jiaojiao repeatedly calling Brother Yanlin, Song Tan felt like a chattering sparrow chirping in her ear.

However, she didn’t stop Song Jiaojiao. By listening to Song Jiaojiao’s boasting, she could filter out some of the news that interested her.

For example… Song Zhiwen not only handed over the core team but also sold the patent to Huo Yanlin.

This Song Zhiwen is really doting on his daughter.

In the original plot, she made a deal with Song Zhiwen, and only then did he agree to lend the core team to the Huo family in case of emergencies.

However, in order for his daughter to marry Huo Yanlin, Song Zhiwen directly used the core team and the patent as Song Jiaojiao’s dowry.

To be honest, she was somewhat envious of Song Jiaojiao.

Although she disliked Song Zhiwen and his wife, they really loved Song Jiaojiao.

However, she was only absent-minded for a moment. After she regained her composure, she interrupted Song Jiaojiao’s chattering and asked, “When are you getting married to Huo Yanlin?”

Song Jiaojiao: ???

Song Tan continued, “If he’s too busy and can’t arrange the wedding, remember to get registered with him first.”

Song Jiaojiao felt strange when she heard Song Tan’s reminder.

In the past, Song Tan would have been delighted if something bad happened to her. Why is Song Tan being considerate to her now?

Could Song Tan have some ulterior motive?

But Song Jiaojiao also felt that what Song Tan said was right.

Song Jiaojiao didn’t understand much about the company’s affairs, but her father told her that if they lent people to the Huo family, it would be equivalent to lending away their ability to make a living.

Although their family’s business was not large, they relied on exclusive patents and a professional team to establish themselves in City A.

Lending these things to the Huo family would pose a great risk to their company.

But if Song Jiaojiao married Huo Yanlin, then they would be one family and no longer need to worry about such matters.

Song Jiaojiao couldn’t fully understand the twists and turns in this matter, but she felt that what Song Tan said made sense.

Huo Yanlin said he’s been busy lately and can’t arrange the wedding, but it should be possible for him to spare some time to get registered.

As for Song Tan, she believed that Song Tan must know that she’s going to marry Huo Yanlin. She would become the Madam of the Huo family in the future, and Song Tan would have to rely on her goodwill to have a good life. That’s why Song Tan reminded her at this time and tried to establish a good relationship with her.

“Song Tan, you’re being wide. When I marry Huo Yanlin, I will definitely not treat you unfairly.”

Hearing Song Jiaojiao’s words, Song Tan’s face lit up with a smile.

Song Tan had a gentle appearance, and when she smiled, she became even more gentle.

Shen Yin stood at the doorway, stopped in his tracks, and watched her from afar.

He had already received the news that Huo Yanlin had received help from Song Zhiwen, saving Project An No. 2 and No. 3.

According to Song Zhiwen’s personality, he must have thought that he had found a good husband for his daughter.

This was within Shen Yin’s expectations.

However…

He wondered how Song Tan would react upon hearing this news.

Shen Yin pressed down the curve of his lips and walked up behind Song Tan.

Even before he got close, Song Tan noticed his presence.

She spoke to Song Jiaojiao on the phone, “I won’t talk to you anymore. My husband is back.”

After saying that, without waiting for any response from Song Jiaojiao on the other end of the line, she hung up directly.

Song Jiaojiao : ???

Her voice when calling “husband” was quite smooth.

Song Tan not only could call “husband” smoothly, but she had also quickly adapted to the role of a wife.

She stood up and looked at Shen Yin, smiling slightly at him, “You’re back.”

Shen Yin was rarely taken aback for a moment.

For a brief moment, he felt like an ordinary husband, having a normal family. He worked outside while his wife waited for him at home.

However, he was only dazed for a second.

“Yeah.”

The corners of Shen Yin’s lips curled up slightly, and the corners of his eyes lifted as well.

His whole person is expressing one word: gentle.

If their world were truly a book, then this passerby, Shen Yin, seemed a bit too handsome.

“I have something to tell you.”

Song Tan motioned for Shen Yin to sit, and he sat down according to her words.

He looked into Song Tan’s sparkling eyes, as if she had something interesting to share with him.

Shen Yin remained calm and watched Song Tan’s performance.

Song Tan said, “You know what? Yanlin might marry my younger sister, Jiaojiao.”

Shen Yin : ?

She knew?

Shouldn’t she…

Looking at her, not only is there no trace of disappointment, but instead… she seems a bit gossipy.

“Is that so?” Shen Yin expressed doubt.

“Song Jiaojiao told me that she is quite willing, but she doesn’t know if Yanlin is willing or not.”

As she said this, Song Tan smiled and exchanged glances with Shen Yin.

Now she can almost confirm that Shen Yin and Huo Yanlin would not be on the same side.

However, she doesn’t know if Shen Yin will be the same as her, not wanting Huo Yanlin to have a good life.

Song Tan looked at Shen Yin quite “kindly.”

Shen Yin returned her with a smile, saying, “Yanlin is someone with his own ideas. Others can’t influence his mind.”

If Huo Yanlin really married Song Jiaojiao, it would be his willingness, so Song Tan shouldn’t cry at that time, is what Shen Yin meant.

As Song Tan listened to Shen Yin’s words, she raised her eyebrows slightly.

Is that so?

She didn’t believe it.

Although Huo Yanlin is the male lead, according to the original plot, he would marry her because of the prescription.

But now, he will also marry Song Jiaojiao for other reasons.

“Let’s wait and see if we can attend Yanlin and Jiaojiao’s wedding banquet.”

The anticipation on Song Tan’s face didn’t seem fake.

Under Shen Yin’s glasses, a rare hint of confusion appeared in his eyes.

Song Tan had no idea what Shen Yin was thinking at this moment. She specifically told Shen Yin because she wanted to see his attitude towards Huo Yanlin.

From his expression, he didn’t seem like Huo Yanlin’s relative, nor did he seem like Huo Yanlin’s enemy.

It was as if Huo Yanlin was insignificant to him.

It was unclear whether Shen Yin was just very discreet in his actions or if his relationship with Huo Yanlin was truly indifferent.

But it didn’t matter.

Other people’s affairs were always just a bit of amusement during leisure time. What mattered the most was one’s own life.

“Has Grandfather transferred his shares to you?”

Shen Yin listened to this question and hesitated, “…”

She was still concerned about whether Grandfather had actually transferred the shares to him?

“The procedures are already in progress,” he said and then looked at Song Tan, speaking up, “How about I transfer these shares to you instead?”

Yesterday, after the two of them returned, Shen Yin tried to ask her this question.

After all, considering the current value of the Huo’s company, even one percent of the shares, when converted into money, is a considerable sum.

He thought the reason Song Tan wanted to transfer it to him was that she felt embarrassed to ask for it, and then she would ask him transfer it back to her later. But the result was not so.

At that time, she said, “It doesn’t matter, whether you hold it or I hold it.”

Now, does she still think so?

“No need.”

Without thinking, Song Tan directly refused.

Shen Yin: “…” He couldn’t really figure out what Song Tan wanted to do.

However…

Shen Yin went to his bag and took out a card.

“Since you don’t want the shares, you should take this.”

Song Tan looked down and saw that it was a card.

“Your salary card?”

Shen Yin nodded.

Song Tan raised an eyebrow, “Are you submitting your salary card?”

This is something ordinary couples do after getting married.

But they are just a commercial marriage.

Shen Yin doesn’t really have to go to such extremes.

“My salary is not much, compared to what you give me.”

Compared to the shares of Huo’s company, his salary is really just a drop in the bucket.

But for Song Tan, she still prefers Shen Yin’s salary card.

“Okay, I’ll accept it then.”

The current relationship between the two is indeed somewhat mysterious.

They are a married couple through commercial alliance, but they live a married life like ordinary couples.

Song Tan thinks that this mysterious feeling is quite nice.

Continuing to maintain it may not be a bad idea.

However, some testing is inevitable.

Of course, Shen Yin at this moment thinks the same way.

No matter what they are thinking in their minds, when they lock eyes, they will exchange smiles.

To anyone who sees the two of them, they would think that the two are a loving couple.

---

As Song Tan expected, there was trouble with Huo’s company’s project, and the situation was urgent. Naturally, Huo Yanlin couldn’t hold the wedding with Song JiaoJiao at this time.

Although Song JiaoJiao was not very happy, Huo Yanlin assured her that he would make it up to her with a perfect wedding later, which instantly cheered her up.

However, she still remembered what Song Tan had said, that she and Huo Yanlin should go and register their marriage first.

Although she couldn’t get along with Song Tan, she thought that what Song Tan said was quite right.

The wedding is troublesome, but getting the marriage certificate is not.

If she and Huo Yanlin became husband and wife in legal sense, then this marriage would become certainty.

Huo Yanlin looked deeply at Song JiaoJiao.

It wasn’t a gaze of deep affection, but rather concealed anger.

“Isn’t it possible to spare some time for this?”

Song JiaoJiao didn’t notice Huo YanLin’s anger, nor did she realize that her words had disrupted his plans.

She looked at Huo Yanlin with great anticipation.

Huo Yanlin had originally planned to compensate the Song family fivefold after this crisis was over.

As for Song Jiaojiao, he would send her back untouched.

But now, Song Jiaojiao insisted on getting married to him first.

After obtaining the marriage certificate… things wouldn’t be so simple.

“Brother Yanlin?” Song Jiaojiao grew suspicious as Huo Yanlin remained silent. “You don’t want to marry me, do you?”

Huo Yanlin tugged at the corner of his mouth, forming a faint smile. “How could that be?”

“I knew Song Tan was jealous of me. How could Brother Yanlin not want to marry me?”

Huo Yanlin picked up the key information from her words. “Are you saying that Song Tan suggested you and I to get registered first?”

---

Author’s Note:

Song Tan & Shen Yin : Peace and love.

---

One percent of Huo’s company’s shares. That is not an ordinary one percent of shares.

Immediately, someone stepped forward in opposition, saying, “Grandpa, how can we give Huo’s company’s shares to an outsider?”

As soon as these words came out, others chimed in in agreement.

The old man’s face immediately darkened.

“This Song Tan is my granddaughter-in-law. How can she be considered an outsider?”

“But… the one percent shares in Huo’s, it’s…”

Song Tan listened to their arguments back and forth.

Of course, she wasn’t naïve to think that the old man gave her the stake as a gesture of gratitude for providing her with a prescription. He had his eyes on the other prescriptions she had.

In the original plot, he and Huo Yanlin played different roles, one playing the villain and the other the hero, manipulating her into revealing her Grandpa’s treatment records and prescriptions. In the end, all she received was an empty shell company.

If she allowed herself to be played around by the Huo family again, then she would truly be a foolish supporting character.

“Grandfather, I’m already married to Shen Yin. If you want to give a share, give it to him instead.”

Although Shen Yin is only half a member of the Huo family, he is still part of the Huo family after all.

This old man is playing along with the Huo family members, because he also doesn’t want to give his things to an outsider.

Then let it be given to Shen Yin.

Now she and Shen Yin are on the same boat, so if he wants to give, he can give it to Shen Yin.

Anyway, Old Master Huo has to give this one percent of shares.

Old Master Huo probably didn’t expect her to say that, and his expression froze for a moment.

“Last night, Shen Yin waited the whole night for you to wake up. He is very filial. If you want to reward someone, you can reward him.”

Song Tan looked at the old man who had a slightly shocked expression, and she showed no signs of being intimidated. On the other hand, Shen Yin next to her fell into contemplation.

Yesterday, she suddenly appeared, and today, she is willing to take on the Huo family shares promised by this old man.

Whose side she is actually on?

Shen Yin’s gaze inadvertently swept across the Huo family members present and finally met eyes with Huo Yanlin.

Huo Yanlin.

Can Huo Yanlin perceive his actions?

Impossible.

If Huo Yanlin had realized it earlier, the Project An No. 1 wouldn’t have been a failure in Huo Yanlin’s hands.

Then, whose side does Song Tan… belong to?

Shen Yin looked elsewhere without saying a word, even if Old Master Huo was glancing at him.

Old Master Huo had already spoken those words, and now Song Tan was saying this. If he didn’t give this one percent share, he would lose his face.

Looking at Song Tan’s smiling face, he truly felt a pang of pain.

This young girl’s thoughts are quite deep; he had misunderstood her before.

Song Tan looked at Old Master Huo’s face and knew exactly what he was thinking.

In the original plot, after she provided the prescription, Old Master Huo thanked her by offering her that share.

But she, having her own pride, naturally refused.

However, her refusal didn’t mean that the Huo family would think highly of her.

Since refusing wouldn’t bring her any benefit, it would be better to accept directly.

However, if she were to accept, it would be somewhat improper and against the principles.

However, if it were Shen Yin, it would be different.

Shen Yin is half a member of the Huo family, so what’s wrong with holding this small amount of shares?

As for whether Shen Yin will attract resentment…

Song Tan would actually be delighted.

“Do you really want to give these shares to Shen Yin?” Old Master Huo reminded, “One percent of Huo’s company’s shares is quite substantial.”

Song Tan smiled and said, “Shen Yin is my husband, so it doesn’t matter whether it’s his and mine.”

Song Tan timely acted coy, hinting at the old man, and continued, “In theory, the shares you’re giving as a gift are indeed too precious. I shouldn’t accept them.”

Upon hearing this, the members of the Huo family had different expressions.

—You also know that you shouldn’t accept it?

Song Tan pretended not to understand their expressions and continued, “However, after all, this is Grandfather’s goodwill. Since I have married into the Huo family, I cannot let down Grandfather’s intentions.”

Old Master Hu : “…”

Other members of the Huo family : “…”

Is Song Tan really a fool, or does she think they are fools?

On the other hand, Shen Yin glanced at Song Tan’s profile and raised his eyebrow slightly.

Although he hasn’t figured out what Song Tan wants to do, one thing is certain: Song Tan is definitely not a fool.

“Husband.”

Song Tan spoke, meeting Shen Yin’s eyes directly.

Throughout, Song Tan’s eyes were sparkling.

She said, “This is Grandfather’s goodwill. Let’s accept it.”

Shen Yin looked into her eyes, smiled, and responded, “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

Others : “…”

This one percent share from Old Master Huo was delivered into Shen Yin’s hands just like that.

The Huo family felt unwilling and kept looking towards the couple.

But it’s unclear whether they genuinely didn’t feel the scrutiny or pretended not to notice…

Huo Yanlin believed it was the latter.

He had noticed it last night. His cousin may seem unassuming on the surface, but in reality… he was quite cunning.

He married Song Tan, and last night Song Tan’s prescription brought the old man back from the brink of death. And today, he received a one percent share.

What comes next?

Huo Yanlin had to be on guard.

Huo Yanlin walked up to the old man’s side and whispered a couple of words in his ear.

The expression on the old man’s face immediately stiffened, and then he asked Huo Yanlin to go to the study alone.

The crowd speculated about what Huo Yanlin asked the old man to do.

Those who worked for the Huo family probably knew what had happened.

Huo Yanlin asked the old man to enter the study, probably to discuss the matter of Project An No.1.

It’s just uncertain whether Huo Yanlin has the ability to turn the tide.

---

Song Tan didn’t really care about this.

She just didn’t know if Shen Yin cared or not.

Last night, after she came back, he stayed in the old man’s room and kept the old man company until the late hours of the night.

Today, he followed her words and acquired one percent share.

Song Tan wondered : Is he pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger¹?

Song Tan looked at Shen Yin, and she noticed his gaze and looked back at him.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing, just… I’m hungry.”

Shen Yin : “…”

Song Tan is really hungry.

She overslept and skipped breakfast. Now it’s lunchtime, and Huo Yanlin has called Old Master Huo to the study.

So when are they going to have lunch?

Song Tan’s words were confident, making Shen Yin unable to determine whether she was changing the topic or really hungry.

But she likes to act, so he can play along with her: “When Grandfather comes out, we can have lunch.”

Song Tan nodded and said, “Okay,” though it was a redundant statement.

The people in this room are all here for the old man.

They might not necessarily be concerned about the old man’s health; what they are more concerned about is how the inheritance will be distributed if the old man passes away.

Since the old man is still alive and well, even if they are disappointed in their hearts, they have to keep up appearances.

“The relationship between Biao Sao and Biao Ge is really good.”

Huo Zhaoxu said this with a touch of sarcasm.

Just now, he witnessed a show of affection.

Those who didn’t know would think Song Tan and Shen Yin had known each other for many years and their relationship was as strong as gold, deep as the sea.

When Song Tan was choosing her marriage partner, Huo Zhaoxu was present at the scene.

At that time, they weren’t as affectionate as they are now.

Song Tan wasn’t intimidated at all when she heard his sarcastic words.

“We just got married and have a good relationship. Isn’t that normal?”

Huo Zhaoxu sneered.

It’s just a commercial marriage, who is she pretending for?

“Biao Ge is also keeping his true self hidden.”

He had always felt that Shen Yin was not an ordinary person.

Shen Yin is a monster who could score full marks in everything except Chinese Language. If he really wanted to fight for the family fortune, that fool Huo Yanlin might not necessarily win.

Over the years, he had been at school, and was honestly being a teacher.

But now…

Huo Zhaoxu couldn’t be sure what was going on in Shen Yin’s mind.

Shen Yin listened to Huo Zhaoxu’s words and smiled very gently.

He spoke, “Since we have chosen to get married, naturally we should get along well.”

After saying that, he exchanged a glance with Song Tan.

Song Tan responded with a slight smile.

To anyone who saw it, it was a picture of a loving and harmonious couple.

Huo Zhaoxu : “…”

Huo Zhaoxu had a hunch that Huo Yanlin was about to fall into the trap of this couple.

---

At this moment, in the study.

After preparing for a long time, Huo Yanlin confessed to the old man about Project An No. 1.

Project An No. 1 was a trump card project that the old man had controlled during his reign and was also the foundation for several projects of the Huo’s company.

Upon hearing this, the old mannaturally became furious.

However, Huo Yanlin had already figured out a way to resolve it.

“Project An No. 1 cannot be salvaged anymore, but there is now an opportunity to retain No. 2 and No. 3.”

Projects An No. 2 and No. 3 require the introduction of patents and technical personnel from Song Zhiwen’s company.

“The Song family definitely have requirements, right?”

The old man recovered his breath.

Project An No. 1 is beyond saving now, but No. 2 and No. 3 cannot be lost again.

However, he is not naïve enough to think that the Song family would help them for nothing.

“Well,” Huo Yanlin lowered his gaze, “Song Zhiwen wants me to marry Song Jiaojiao.”

The old man looked at him upon hearing this.

“Since you’ve brought it up to me, have you already made up your mind?”

Huo Yanlin’s fingers twitched.

Once, he swore in front of the old man that he would never trade his marriage for benefits.

But now…

“Well, I’ve made up my mind.”
“As long as Song Zhiwen agrees, I will marry Song Jiaojiao.”

---

Author’s Note:

Shen Yin & Song Tan : When it comes to acting, our skills are top-notch.

---

1. hiding one’s real strength ↩︎

---

Shen Yin is a very careful person. Not only did he cut the pills into smaller pieces, but he also found some dried fruits from somewhere.

“After taking the medicine, have some of this.”
“It’s sweet.”

Song Tan: “…” Why does she feel like she’s being treated like a child by Shen Yin?

“Be a good girl.”

Song Tan: “…” She can’t continue this act anymore. She can only furrow her brows and reluctantly swallow the divided pills he handed her.

Although it’s an act, taking medicine is truly a painful thing.

However, she’s already accustomed to it since she has taken so much medicine since childhood.

Now, after taking the medicine, Shen Yin has already brought the dried fruits to her mouth.

Song Tan instinctively opens her mouth and bites into the dried fruit.

After it enters her mouth, Song Tan realizes… Shen Yin personally fed her the dried fruit!

Her ears instantly turn red.

Fortunately, after Shen Yin finished feeding her the medicine, he turned around to tidy up, so he didn’t notice Song Tan’s slightly embarrassed expression.

---

It started pouring rain outside.

Shen Yin glanced outside the window for a moment.

Then he raised his hand and pulled the curtains closed.

Turning around, he saw Song Tan already lying on the bed.

When she noticed him looking over, she weakly smiled at him.

He said, “It’s getting late, and your health is not good. Don’t stay up late.”

Song Tan nodded, then after a light cough, she slowly slid down and laid herself down.

She lay flat on her back, with her hands folded on her abdomen, sleeping straight and stiff.

Shen Yin raised an eyebrow slightly.

This Song Tan… seems nervous.

Is she worried about what he might do?

Shen Yin’s lips curled upward as he lifted the blanket.

He saw Song Tan’s body tense for a moment, then relax again.

“Song Tan.”

Shen Yin spoke up, and after a while, Song Tan responded.

He asked, “Are you cold?”

Song Tan: “…” Why does this sentence sound so ambiguous to her?

She answered, “I… I’m not cold.”

“The weather forecast says it will rain for the next few days, and the temperature will drop. If you feel cold, remember to tell me.”

Song Tan’s anxious heart relaxed. “Okay.”

Shen Yin asked again, “If I sleep next to you, would you feel uncomfortable?”

Song Tan : “…”

How should she answer this question?

They were newlyweds, and even though it was their first day of marriage, she couldn’t possibly ask to sleep in separate beds, right?

After pondering for a moment, she spoke up, “I used to sleep alone, so it might feel a bit strange at first, but I think I’ll get used to it soon and it will be fine then.”

Shen Yin raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing her response.

He was somewhat surprised.

He thought Song Tan’s attitude meant she didn’t want to share a bed with him.

After all…

“So, how long will it take to get used to it?”

Song Tan : “…”

Shen Yin had dropped quite a few hints tonight, and even if she wanted to pretend not to understand, she couldn’t.

She said, “Should we take it slowly?”

Anyway, it’s not possible today.

It’s raining outside today.

Whenever it rains, her body is prone to problems.

This time she didn’t have a relapse, mainly because she took good care of herself. But if she overexerts herself, who knows what might happen.

So, tonight is absolutely not possible.

“Okay, take your time.”

After Shen Yin finished speaking, his gaze shifted to the ceiling, thinking to himself: I’ve waited for ten years, a few more days won’t make a difference.

Let him play with them a little more.

---

After Shen Yin finished speaking, he remained silent.

Song Tan originally wanted to see if he would make any further moves, but she waited and waited, and there was no continuation.

Could it be… he fell asleep?

Song Tan didn’t dare to make a sound either. She was afraid that if she made a sound, it would be seen as some kind of signal.

However, judging from Shen Yin’s appearance, he is probably not the kind of person she imagined.

She relaxed a little.

Song Tan was also tired.

Her body was already weak, and with the medicine she took, she quickly felt drowsy.

Her thoughts became increasingly empty until she entered dreamland.

---

Shen Yin thought he would have insomnia.

Every time he returned to the Huo family, he would have insomnia.

Now there was a Song Tan lying next to him, listening to her long breaths, and his eyelids began to feel heavy.

Afterwards, they both had a good night’s sleep.

They slept directly until noon the next day.

Song Tan woke up first.

After sleeping for eight hours, it was like there was an alarm clock inside her body, waking her up.

However, she slept late last night, so she woke up relatively late today.

But what she didn’t expect was that Shen Yin was still in bed…

She just saw a person lying next to her and almost instinctively attacked him without realizing it.

After recognizing who it was, she realized that she was not in the apocalypse world anymore.

She has returned now, and the man lying next to her is her husband Shen Yin, whom she married just yesterday.

Song Tan lay on her side, motionless, observing the sleeping Shen Yin.

Shen Yin, while asleep, had a very peaceful posture, lying straight as if he hadn’t moved all night.

Song Tan’s gaze fell upon Shen Yin’s face.

Although she had been in close contact with Shen Yin several times, she had never observed his face so closely and attentively.

His face was exquisite.

Not the kind of exquisiteness that comes from cosmetics, but a naturally superior bone structure.

Even with his eyes tightly closed, she could still see his thick eyelashes.

Usually, during the day, he wore glasses, so she hadn’t noticed how long his eyelashes were.

At that moment, Shen Yin’s eyelashes trembled lightly.

Song Tan was slightly stunned for a moment and quickly closed her eyes.

Shen Yin woke up.

After he woke up, he glanced at Song Tan, who was sleeping next to him.

Song Tan had closed eyes and naturally didn’t see the smile at the corner of Shen Yin’s mouth.

He had actually woken up much earlier.

After waking up, he felt a bit incredulous.

Every time he returned to the Huo family, he would have insomnia until dawn.

Last night, he had prepared himself to stay awake until morning, but unexpectedly, he fell asleep.

Moreover, the quality of sleep was quite good, and he slept straight through to noon.

This had never happened before.

He immediately looked at Song Tan, who was sleeping beside him.

Song Tan’s face was rosy, and she looked just like a beautiful doll.

He had to admit that she had some charm.

To the point that he was fascinated and completely forgot that he was still in bed.

Seeing that Song Tan seemed to be waking up, he immediately laid back down.

Then, to his surprise, after Song Tan woke up, she was also observing him.

After he pretended to be just waking up, Song Tan pretended to be asleep again.

Shen Yin got up, glanced at the pretending Song Tan beside him, and chuckled softly.

Interesting.

This Song Tan is quite interesting.

---

Song Tan waited for Shen Yin to get up before she “slowly woke up.”

She said, “Oh, it’s already twelve o’clock.”

On their first day of marriage, they slept until twelve o’clock…

Is it a bit excessive?

“It’s fine, they can understand.”

Song Tan : ???

Understand what?

Is the meaning what she thinks of?

“Grandfather just got up too. You tidy up first, we’ll have a meal in the main hall later.”

Although the old man just went through a life-and-death situation last night and was now out of danger, the people from the Huo family didn’t leave. Instead, they stayed in the ancestral home.

The ancestral house, which used to be a bit desolate in the past, is unusually lively today.

When Shen Yin appeared with Song Tan, they immediately attracted a lot of attention.

Song Tan glanced at Shen Yin.

Seeing that he was completely at ease, she didn’t care too much either.

After all, Shen Yin was a teacher.

As a teacher, he could stand on the podium and face the gaze of hundreds of people without being affected. So what if there were only a few people here?

As for Song Tan herself…

She wasn’t particularly nervous either.

After all, she had been stared at by hundreds of zombies before and had long cultivated a mind as steady as a mountain.

She held Shen Yin’s arm and walked up to the old man.

The old man had suffered a lot last night, and his face looked pretty bad today.

But his spirits were still good.

Seeing Song Tan and Shen Yin, both of them had smiles on their faces, the old man asked, “Did you sleep well last night?”

Upon hearing this question, Song Tan’s back tensed slightly, but then she smiled and responded, “I slept quite well.”

Indeed, she had truly slept well.

However, in the eyes of everyone else, her response of having slept well carried a slightly different meaning.

All along, the news that had been circulating was that Song Tan’s health wasn’t great.

She always appeared sickly, and when she was brought into the family, she could only be treated as if she were a revered Buddha.

But unexpectedly…

Their attention shifted to Shen Yin.

Could it be that Shen Yin was the one who couldn’t perform?

If that were the case, it would be understandable why he readily agreed to marry Song Tan.

The two of them continued conversing with the old man, unaware of what was going through the others’ mind.

Thanks to the prescription in Song Tan’s hands last night, she managed to pull the old man back from the gates of death. The old man greatly appreciated Song Tan for this.

Mere appreciation wouldn’t be enough.

He had to give her a reward.

The old man was very generous and directly asked Song Tan what she wanted.

Upon hearing the old man’s words, Song Tan couldn’t help but roll her eyes inwardly.

—If you want to show gratitude, then just give it directly.

Why make someone ask for it?

If she dare to ask something, would he really give it?

“Although Shen Yin and I just got married yesterday, we have become a family. How can a family talk about rewards like this?”

Song Tan still had a smiling face, and her words were very smooth.

“Shen Yin marrying you is truly his good fortune.” The old man still liked to hear pretty words.

Song Tan made him happy with her flattery, and coupled with the prescription she provided, which had a great effect, he waved his hand and said directly, “Since your health is not good and Shen Yin isn’t working in the company, I’ll give you one percent of Huo’s company shares. How about that?”

One percent of the shares.

Upon hearing this, Song Tan hadn’t reacted yet, but the others’ reactions were big.

One percent of the shares.

Has the old man gone crazy?

---

Author’s note:

Shen Yin : I’m pretending to sleep.

Song Tan : I’m also pretending to sleep.

Shen Yin & Song Tan : The two of us are a match made in heaven.

---

When Shen Yin returned, Song Tan was already asleep.

The bedside lamp was on, casting a dim light, and Song Tan was sleeping soundly.

… However, when Shen Yin approached the side of the bed, Song Tan woke up.

It was a conditioned reflex she developed in the apocalypse. Even if she was asleep, she would immediately wake up when someone approached.

But she didn’t open her eyes.

Although she had talked to Shen Yin about it, his attitude left her puzzled.

So, as a newlywed couple sharing the same bed, she knew exactly what would happen.

Although she knew it might be unavoidable, Song Tan didn’t want it to happen tonight.

Today, because of the old man’s matter, and also because she was thinking about the novel at night, she was a bit lacking sleep.

Her health wasn’t good to begin with, and such things were better done when she was in a better state of mind.

For now, it was better for her to pretend to be asleep.

Pretending to be asleep was truly a test of acting skills.

Song Tan initially felt… as if she was sleeping too close to the center of the bed.

Before this, she used to sleep alone, and she was accustomed to sleeping in the center of the bed.

If she sleeps in the center now, then Shen Yin can only sleep at the edge.

Should she turn over and make room for Shen Yin?

But if she turns over, will he realize that she’s pretending to be asleep?

Song Tan was deeply conflicted in her heart.

While she was agonizing over it, she felt Shen Yin move.

Song Tan’s heartbeat suddenly quickened.

She felt Shen Yin’s hand coming towards her face.

Song Tan originally wanted to turn over directly and avoid Shen Yin’s approach, but she wanted to see what Shen Yin would do.

During the time she had spent with Shen Yin, he had been a very gentle person in character. In the Huo family, he was like a little lamb among the wolves.

Is he truly a little lamb or a wolf in sheep’s clothing?

Although Song Tan has a good impression of him, she is not naïve enough to believe in Shen Yin just yet.

It depends on what he is like behind her back.

So Song Tan maintained her original posture without moving, waiting for Shen Yin to approach her.

Shen Yin’s hand touched her face.

Because Song Tan had just fallen asleep, her face was slightly warm.

And Shen Yin have just come back from outside, so his hand was slightly cold.

Song Tan really controlled herself to the limit and didn’t move involuntarily.

Instead, it was Shen Yin who, after feeling the temperature difference, moved his hand slightly away from Song Tan’s face.

But he didn’t completely withdraw it; he seemed to hesitate for a moment and then used his hand to brush away her hair that had fallen in front of her.

Song Tan : “…”

Due to her sideways position, her hair on the side blocked half of her face.

Now, Shen Yin had completely uncovered it.

Could it be that he had discovered that she was pretending to be asleep?

Song Tan remained motionless, waiting to see what Shen Yin would do next.

At that moment, Shen Yin lifted the hair from her face and paused for a moment.

There was a significant difference between the sleeping Song Tan and the awake Song Tan.

When she slept, she was like a flower blooming alone in the night, quietly exuding charm.

But when she was awake…

When she was awake, she was also like a flower.

Just too weak.

After a moment of contemplation, Shen Yin stood up and left the bedside.

Song Tan : ?

Why did he leave again?

Song Tan pondered for a moment : Could it be that he was just admiring her sleeping face?

When it came to appearance, Song Tan was confident.

The book described her as a beautiful and sickly Xi Shi¹.

Although she didn’t like this description, the fact that she was good-looking was definitely not her being conceited.

So it seemed understandable that Shen Yin would be captivated by her face for a while.

However, soon Song Tan realized that this… might not be a good thing.

Just given their current situation, what should she do if he really likes her face and forces himself onto her?

Three years in the apocalypse world, Song Tan had witnessed a lot of human nature.

No matter if a man was gentle or rough, when faced with the temptation of desire, they would all stumble.

If it were Shen Yin…

Song Tan turned around and started coughing.

Shen Yin came out after washing his hands and saw Song Tan coughing.

He stood not far away, observing for a while.

At this moment, Song Tan was still not awake, but she would occasionally cough a few times.

He furrowed his eyebrows slightly.

Song Tan couldn’t die just yet.

Shen Yin walked to the edge of the bed with a frown and helped Song Tan up.

Song Tan gradually woke up.

Due to just waking up, her eyes were still hazy, and combined with her coughing, she looked pitifully helpless.

“You’re back?”

Song Tan’s voice was weak, as soft as the sound of a mosquito.

Shen Yin nodded, “I helped you up because I was afraid you might choke due to your severe cough.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Song Tan coughed a few more times.

She sighed and said, “It must be the cold weather today, causing a slight illness.”

“Where are your medications? I’ll fetch them for you.”

Song Tan waved her hand and said, “It’s alright, I can endure.”

Although she claimed to endure, she couldn’t help but cough twice again.

“This won’t do, you need to take your medication.”

Shen Yin released her and used a pillow to prop her up slightly, allowing her to lean on it.

Meanwhile, he went to fetch Song Tan’s medication.

“Where are your medications? Are they here?”

Song Tan didn’t have many things with her, and one suitcase was opened.

Song Tan initially wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but Shen Yin had already gone to find it, so she could only nod reluctantly.

Shen Yin was quite fast in searching and found Song Tan’s medicine box inside the suitcase.

Her medicine box was quite large and contained many medicines.

“Are all these medicines yours?”

Song Tan nodded.

“Which one do you need to take now?”

Song Tan didn’t like taking medicine.

But seeing Shen Yin asking her so seriously at this moment, she was afraid it would be bad if she just casually point out one.

“For coughing, I need to take this one.”

Song Tan pointed to it, and Shen Yin picked up the medicine and read the dosage instructions on the bottle.

After reading it, he poured out two pills from the bottle.

“This medicine, is it so big?”

This medicine was prepared by Song Tan’s grandfather using traditional Chinese medicine, so indeed the pills were somewhat large.

“I can’t take this medicine on an empty stomach. Let’s wait until tomorrow, I can endure it.”

After saying that, Song Tan didn’t know if it was because she had just faked a cough, but now she was actually coughing.

This bout of coughing was even more intense than the few coughs before.

Originally, Shen Yin was about to give her the medicine, but now he couldn’t let her have her way even more.

“If you can’t take it on an empty stomach, then I’ll find something for you to eat. What do you want to eat?”

After coughing, Song Tan’s fair little face turned red.

“Something sweet, please. This medicine is a bit bitter.”

Shen Yin glanced at the two large black pills in his hand and could already taste the bitterness in his mouth.

“I remember someone gave me a box of wild honey, I’ll make you a cup of that.”

Shen Yin rummaged through a pile of gift boxes and found the box of wild honey, then brewed a cup for Song Tan.

Song Tan held the cup weakly and thanked him in a very weak voice, “Thank you.”

“No need to be so polite. I said I would take care of you.” After saying that, he pointed at her medicine box and said, “I see you have quite a lot of medicine. After you feel better, tell me about these medicines, and I can help you find them directly.”

Song Tan listened to these words and felt a warm feeling in her heart.

There aren’t many people willing to remember her medicine.

When her Grandpa was still alive, he had a custom medicine box made for her to make it easier for her to find her prescriptions. He would stick the efficacy and usage on the medicine bottles.

He said, “In the future, Tantan, you’ll find someone to fetch your medicine for you.”

After all this time, she had only encountered Shen Yin.

“Okay, thank you.”

“We are husband and wife, no need to be so polite.”

As soon as she heard him say the words “husband and wife,” Song Tan couldn’t help but stiffen her spine.

She shifted her gaze and took a sip of honey water.

As she took a sip…

“It’s hot.”

Shen Yin saw that she got burned and quickly took the cup from her.

“How are you? Are you okay?”

Song Tan felt her mouth had been scalded.

“I’m fine, I just drank too quickly.”

Song Tan just spaced out and forgot that the honey water was still hot.

“It’s my fault. I should have let it cool down a bit for you.”

Shen Yin blamed himself, but Song Tan quickly reassured him, “No, it’s my fault.”

“I still have a lot to learn when it comes to taking care of people.”

Song Tan thought, “Does this person have to be so gentle?“

His gentleness made her feel a bit burdened when she acted.

However, she quickly shook off that burden and continued probing.

“Mmm…”

She looked at the pill in Shen Yin’s hand, just as her brow furrowed, he spoke up, “Are you afraid of taking pills?”

Song Tan : ?

Even without Song Tan saying anything, he had doubts just by looking at the pill.

This pill was about the size of a jujube, wouldn’t it choke her if she swallowed it?

This Song Tan… she looked truly… fragile.

If he had any ill intentions towards her, with just one hand, he could take away this fragile life.

But now, his intentions were… not to let her die.

So, he glanced at the pill in his hand, pondered for a moment, and said, “I’ll split it for you.”

To prevent her from choking on the pill.

Shen Yin really went to split the pill for her.

Song Tan: “…”

He was so caring, and she still pretended so much in front of him. Wasn’t that a bit too much?

---

Author’s note:

Song Tan : Ah, my conscience hurts a bit.

Shen Yin : You have a conscience?

Song Tan : You have a conscience?

---

1. Xi Shi was, according to legends, one of the renowned Four Beauties of ancient China, and also known as the most beautiful among the four. ↩︎

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