Chapter 347
When he came upstairs, Si Nian saw that he was covered in mud and was a little surprised. "What happened here?"
How did a pig butcher get covered in mud?
Zhou Yueshen replied, "It's not very convenient to get water over at the breeding farm, so we made a reservoir. I spent all day digging it today."
Si Nian sighed, "You do everything yourself. Why don't you hire some people?"
Previously, back in their hometown when she went to deliver food, this older man would slaughter the pigs and keep watch at night all by himself.
Zhou Yueshen had a good income, but he wasn't the type to just enjoy himself as soon as he made money.
Zhou Yueshen tugged lightly at his collar, took off his clothes, and threw them into the bathroom. Then, he rummaged through the wardrobe for a change of clothes.
"I can do it myself, there's no need to hire anyone. It's far over there, and commuting every day is a hassle." Zhou Yueshen found his clothes, closed the wardrobe door, and with a stride of his long legs, walked into the bathroom.
Si Nian followed him. Zhou Yueshen looked travel-worn, with mud still in his hair. He draped his clean clothes over a rack to the side. Instead of using Si Nian's laundry soap, he poured out a little laundry detergent and squatted down to wash his clothes. "Are you going to No. 2 High School tomorrow? Should I drive you over?"
No. 2 High School was quite far from here; it took over half an hour by bicycle.
Si Nian had to go there once a week.
Zhou Yueshen still remembered her mentioning this.
Si Nian shook her head. Not minding that the man was dirty, she reached out to brush the mud out of his hair. "No need, I can just take the bus."
"But what about you? You could have just taken them off and washed them in the washing machine. Washing clothes this late, aren't you tired?"
Zhou Yueshen said, "I'm not tired. You guys use the washing machine. These are too dirty, they have mud on them."
Si Nian and the others changed and washed their clothes every day, keeping them perfectly clean. If Zhou Yueshen threw these clothes into the washing machine, the machine would get dirty.
It wouldn't be good if it ended up dirtying her clothes later.
After casually finishing the washing, he straightened up.
He was still using a clothes hanger on the side that had already been bent out of shape.
Si Nian looked at him in silence.
At this moment, she felt a little unhappy, though she didn't know why.
Just as Zhou Yueshen finished hanging his clothes, a hand reached up and grasped his wrist. Zhou Yueshen lowered his eyes and looked at her hand—white, slender, and beautiful.
Looking up at her, he saw she was frowning.
Si Nian looked back at him.
"If you do this next time, I won't use the washing machine either."
He didn't use the hangers she bought, and he didn't use the washing machine she bought.
He was terrified that if he used them, she would be disgusted.
Si Nian didn't like this.
It made her seem very harsh.
She tightened her grip on Zhou Yueshen's wrist and tugged it downward.
She said firmly, "Use mine."
Zhou Yueshen froze for a moment and didn't move.
Si Nian frowned, and just as she was about to withdraw her hand, Zhou Yueshen caught it backhand. Squeezing her hand, he leaned down, kissed her forehead, and said, "Okay, I'll use yours."
Looking at his features so close at hand, the gloom in Si Nian's heart dissipated instantly.
She didn't mind that the man hadn't showered yet and still had specks of mud on him; she hugged him. "Don't do this anymore. You look like you're working too hard."
It made her feel terribly uncomfortable to watch.
It was as if the whole family's standard of living was improving.
Yet he alone remained exactly the same.
Everything seemed to be just to accommodate her.
Afraid of dirtying her pajamas, Zhou Yueshen didn't press close. He put one arm around her waist and said in a low voice, "It's not hard work."
Si Nian buried her face in his chest.
She didn't respond. Zhou Yueshen was too tall; he had to bend down to make it easier for her to hug him.
She was rarely this clingy, making him completely reluctant to push her away. He casually grabbed a hanger, hung up his clothes, and walked out with one arm still around her.
Si Nian raised her hands and wrapped them around his neck.
A large hand rubbed her soft hair, and Zhou Yueshen said in a deep voice, "Nian Nian, I'm going to take a shower first."
Only then did Si Nian give a sound of agreement.
Zhou Yueshen touched her face, and she suddenly realized she seemed to have been acting spoiled just now.
Slightly disgusted by her own sentimentality, she quickly let go and said okay.
Zhou Yueshen found her little self-disgusted expression amusing.
He showered quickly. Si Nian was working on some test papers when Zhou Yueshen came out.
Zhou Yueshen didn't expect her to still be writing. His thick, handsome eyebrows raised slightly.
He wondered why she hadn't gone to bed yet; it turned out she was still rushing to finish her homework.
"Nian Nian, you're not done yet?"
If he remembered correctly, the test papers were due tomorrow.
Si Nian hummed twice with a guilty conscience, absolutely refusing to admit that her procrastination made her not want to do it, dragging it out until the very last day to rush her homework.
Actually, she had been writing for a whole evening. Although it wasn't difficult, there was a lot assigned, so it still took quite a bit of time.
Zhou Yueshen stepped forward to take a look; Si Nian was scribbling away at an essay.
When Zhou Yueshen came over, she awkwardly reached out to block it, not letting him see.
She felt embarrassed.
Even though she was only nineteen here and still a young girl.
In reality, she was an older leftover woman.
Writing this kind of sentimental essay right now, she was too embarrassed to even look at it herself.
Nor did she want this older man to see it.
She just felt quite ashamed.
Zhou Yueshen gave a low chuckle, straightened up, and didn't disturb her.
Si Nian finished the essay in about ten minutes, so tired that her back and waist ached.
Of course, this backache wasn't entirely from sitting too long, but because she had been tormented by the man for too long previously and hadn't recovered yet.
Coupled with having to work, do test papers, read, and study recently, her waist really couldn't take it.
Zhou Yueshen had dug up a book from somewhere and was half-leaning against the bed, casually flipping through it.
Seeing that she was done, he made some room. Si Nian walked over, leaned into the crook of his arm, and glanced at the book.
It was a book she had borrowed from the library and hadn't had time to read yet.
It covered high school physics concepts.
She raised an eyebrow. "You can understand this?"
Zhou Yueshen lowered his eyes to look at her and said in a deep voice, "Mm."
Si Nian started to get a little curious. Although the three siblings weren't Zhou Yueshen's biological children, they were his biological sister's. All three children were extremely gifted. Even if the father was incredible, it was impossible for the mother's genetics to not play a part.
By that logic, Zhou Yueshen should also be quite smart.
However, given his past circumstances, it didn't seem like he had been to school. How could he understand these things?
Zhou Yueshen seemed to guess her thoughts and said, "The military also has academies. Due to certain reasons, I studied there for a few years."
Si Nian understood. No wonder his handwriting was so strong, vigorous, and beautiful.
It didn't look like the handwriting of someone who had never been to school.
Thinking of this, Si Nian took the opportunity to tell him about Yaoyao's situation: "I'm a bit worried. Last time the two kids were on the news, reporters came knocking on our door."
After hearing this, Zhou Yueshen also frowned, not quite agreeing. "Yaoyao is only three years old. There's no rush."
Si Nian thought so too. Although the professors meant well and cherished talent.
But Yaoyao was indeed too young. Last time, Little Dong and Little Han being on the news attracted the attention of reporters. If Yaoyao also drew attention, it would be troublesome; after all, she was still so young.
Si Nian said, "That reporter from last time never came back, which I find strange. Since that man knows the children are here, why doesn't he come to the door himself?"