Chapter 21

"Shen Yue, you say you have such an adorable face, yet you don't know how to use it. Pretending to be strong all day won't get you anywhere - you'd be better off crying a little," said Zou Xuezheng.

"Can crying solve any problems?" asked Shen Yue.

"Listen to yourself, talking nonsense. Of course crying can solve problems. Come and cry a little in front of big sister, and I'll help you deal with those ill-intentioned men going after you. How about it?"

"I don't like that. I can solve it myself," said Shen Yue.

"Tsk, it's because you're not cute enough, so no one believes the truth when you speak it," said Zou Xuezheng.

"So...crying is all it takes?" asked Shen Yue.

"Of course not. You have to cry prettily and appropriately. Timing is also very important. For a fierce woman like you, if you can produce tears at the right moment, that would be incredible - it would definitely be fun to see! Hahahaha!" said Zou Xuezheng.

Later, Shen Yue learned how to cry beautifully.

...

Shen Yue had a good sleep.

But on second thought, it wasn't a good sleep at all.

Because she dreamed of a part of her memories.

Usually when she recalled these memories that appeared out of nowhere, she could view them objectively in the third person, analyzing and distinguishing them like studying knowledge.

But when she dreamed them, the sense of immersion was too strong, to the point where Shen Yue still hadn't recovered her wits.

It was a prison! Crying a little in prison led the three major forces to fight over her - how does that make any sense? This isn't some brainless doting fanfic.

These extra memories she had were definitely problematic. She would need to examine them again.

"Sis Yue! Are you awake? Lunch is ready!" called out the assistant director from outside the door.

Hearing that food was ready, Shen Yue immediately forgot about her dream and rushed straight to the dining room. On the way there, she encountered people who were all busy - some cutting vegetables, some cooking, all working together to make lunch. Even Zou Xuezheng was shakily carrying water.

Shen Yue glanced at the ingredients in the kitchen - noodles.

She liked eating noodles, but didn't know how to make them.

She then saw Shen Shuangyi, standing with his sleeves rolled up, back straight, looking at a cookbook. Shen Yue went right over and grabbed Shen Shuangyi's clothes, dragging him along.

Seeing Shen Yue's actions, Shen Shuangyi already understood. His mouth curled up in a smile, but he deliberately said, "I was planning to learn how to cook today, but it seems there's no chance now."

After saying this, he closed the cookbook with a snap, and followed Shen Yue.

Jiang Shiwen had been cutting cabbage, but when he saw Shen Yue coming to grab people, he immediately shouted loudly, "Sis Yue! When are you going to teach me how to defuse bombs?"

Shen Yue pretended not to hear and went straight to the dining room.

It was the familiar two tables. Shen Yue sat at this end, Shen Shuangyi sat at that end. The tables were laden with a sumptuous lunch, in stark contrast to the others still struggling in the kitchen.

The two did not say anything, but picked up their chopsticks and started eating at the same time.

Not long after, Jiang Shiwen also came over with his bowl of clear noodle soup and sat down next to Shen Yue.

Shen Yue had assumed Jiang Shiwen came over to freeload food, but surprisingly he didn't show any interest in the dishes on the table. "Sis Yue!" he called.

Shen Yue did not respond, only picked up another piece of braised potato and beef.

Jiang Shiwen persisted, "Sis Yue! Pay attention to me!"

Still Shen Yue ignored him.

Shen Shuangyi lightly said, "No talk while eating."

So Jiang Shiwen quieted down.

He sat there, and after closing his mouth, looked very well-behaved. Although the dishes before him were much better than his clear noodle soup, Jiang Shiwen did not touch them or ask Shen Yue for any. He only ate from his own bowl.

It was clear that Jiang Shiwen was a principled person who would never touch what did not belong to him.

This changed Shen Yue's impression of Jiang Shiwen a bit.

While Shen Yue was eating and letting her mind wander, the others came in carrying bowls of noodles.

Their noodles were no different from Jiang Shiwen's, all losing their appeal when compared to the spread on Shen Yue's table.

Seeing Jiang Shiwen sitting next to Shen Yue, Li Xing paused in his steps and patted Dong Nuo next to him. Smiling at Shen Shuangyi, he said, "Brother Shen, we adults eating a little less is fine, but the child can't go hungry. Can you let little Nuo set up a table over there?"

Li Xing's words were reasonable. Ordinary people would not reject them. Shen Shuangyi also did not have the habit of making things difficult for children.

But that was premised on Dong Nuo not being hostile towards Shen Yue. "Don't ask me, I'm just a freeloader here. I can't make that decision," said Shen Shuangyi, kicking the ball away after swallowing his food.

Only then did Li Xing look towards Shen Yue. Just as he was about to speak, Zou Xuezheng already took over, "Sister Shen Yue, can you let little Nuo sit over there? He carried back a lot of firewood this morning. I'm afraid he won't have the strength to make it through the afternoon if he doesn't eat well. We adults will be fine, but Nuo is still small..."

"Pfft, Auntie, Dong Nuo is the same age as my Sis Yue. Don't use age as an argument," interjected Jiang Shiwen.

"Shiwen, I know there are some misunderstandings between us, but living in an environment like this now, we still need to help each other to progress. We are a team, not opponents, let alone enemies. I hope we can resolve our misunderstandings now! Sister Shen Yue as well! If you have any opinions about me or anyone else, you can voice them out now. Only then can we cooperate better in the future, right?!" said Zou Xuezheng.

Listening to her, even Shen Yue felt like she was a heinous villain who abused children, denying them food and making them do hard labor, dissatisfied with everyone around.

Oh, so she planned it this way, deliberately putting Shen Yue on the spot so she couldn't defend herself.

But all Shen Yue had done was eat her own food.

Zou Xuezheng's words matched with her expression were very persuasive. Many viewers were swayed to her side.

[I feel Shen Yue is going too far, very selfish.]

[That table of food is clearly enough for several people, but Shen Yue has no intention of helping others.]

[Having ability is one thing, but without empathy and being selfish is another.]

[Why doesn't Shen Shuangyi as the older brother properly educate Shen Yue?! What's the point of having family members team up on this show? I don't see it!]

[In short, I can only say the siblings are equally arrogant and look down on others.]

As Zou Xuezheng was talking under the guise of promoting mutual understanding but actually criticizing her, Shen Yue silently dragged two stools out from under the table.

She also took two sets of bowls and chopsticks from the butler and set them on the table, gesturing an invitation towards Zou Xuezheng.

The implication was clear - there were only two seats, you choose who gets them.

After a long silence, Zou Xuezheng's voice rang out, "Teacher Li, thanks to you this morning for helping the three of us complete the task. You should eat something nourishing at noon to replenish your energy. We still don't know what needs to be done this afternoon!"

Hearing Zou Xuezheng's willingness, Li Xing was very moved. "I...I'm just doing what I should. You're a lady, and the two children are small. Of course I should do what I can within my power."

It was obvious who he was implying this at. Everyone knew clearly that Shen Shuangyi had been missing all morning.

Just as Li Xing was reluctantly about to sit down, Shen Yue suddenly put down her chopsticks. She went down from the table, came to Dong Nuo and Zou Xuezheng, grabbed one in each hand, and dragged them to the dining table.

She took two sets of bowls and chopsticks from the table and handed them over, before going back to her seat.

After sitting down, Shen Yue put another chicken leg into Jiang Shiwen's bowl.

At this moment, it was clear who was put in an awkward spot, even if no one said it out loud.

[Family, this is the fantasy Barbie castle I clawed out with my toes for you all. Please appreciate it.]