Page 10

The plot was small, but it held their hopes.

They often came to stroll around and watch the vegetables grow bit by bit. It gave them a real sense of accomplishment.

A month passed. A few tiny tomatoes had appeared, and the cabbage seedlings had grown quite a bit too.

"In a few weeks, the little tomatoes will turn red," Shen Baili said delightedly.

"The tomatoes we grew ourselves are sure to be sweet." Shen Wan smiled. "And in a few days, we can stir-fry the cabbage seedlings for you. They'll help you build your strength."

"They'll definitely be delicious." Shen Baili grinned, giving her mother all the encouragement she could want.

Vitamins counted as nourishment too.

A balance of meat and vegetables was just what a healthy body needed.

"Mom, let's take a photo with the vegetable patch to remember our hard work." Shen Baili was full of enthusiasm.

"Sure." Shen Wan pulled out her phone and switched to selfie mode with practiced ease.

They took several photos and were happy with every one.

We're both beautiful, after all. There's no way we could take a bad picture, Shen Baili thought smugly.

Shen Wan's attention drifted to a field of yellow flowers blooming nearby. "Let's pick some flowers to decorate our rooms."

"Yes! We can arrange them together when we get back." Following her gaze, Shen Baili saw the field of sunflowers.

"Sunflowers are so beautiful. They're bright and full of life, and their seeds are delicious too."

Shen Wan wholeheartedly agreed and picked one. "They have such a lovely, faint fragrance."

The two of them bustled through the flowers like busy little bees. The difference was that bees gathered nectar, while they gathered flowers.

As the sun began to set, it washed the earth in warm, comforting hues.

Shen Wan and Shen Baili returned to the villa, each carrying a bouquet and chatting happily.

"We picked quite a lot. We'll need to find several vases." Shen Wan carried blue and white hydrangeas that kept blocking her view.

Shen Baili held several sunflowers in each hand, their broad faces repeatedly bumping her head.

They were so busy discussing how to arrange the flowers that they failed to notice the strange atmosphere in the living room.

Out of the corner of her eye, Shen Baili spotted a man walking toward them. "Uncle Xie, you're back from your business trip?"

Xie Chengyue took the hydrangeas from Shen Wan. "Mm. I just got back."

"I thought you weren't coming back for another couple of days. Was the journey tiring?" Shen Wan handed him the flowers as naturally as could be.

"The partnership went smoothly, so I finished work early and came home," Xie Chengyue said.

He plucked a petal from Shen Wan's hair and joked, "Am I not welcome?"

Shen Wan linked her arm through his. "Of course you are. Suìsuì and I need help arranging flowers, and here you are!"

Xie Chengyue's eyes crinkled slightly. "Then my timing was perfect."

Shen Wan nodded.

"By the way, how is Suìsuì's wound healing?" Xie Chengyue asked with concern.

"It's healing well," Shen Baili said with a sweet smile.

Seeing the color in her cheeks and how easily she moved, Xie Chengyue nodded. "Surgery takes a lot out of you. Keep resting up."

"I will," Shen Baili said.

"The kitchen makes her nourishing meals every day," Shen Wan said with a gentle smile.

Xie Chengyue noticed the watch on Shen Baili's wrist. He suddenly remembered that it must be the gift celebrating her excellent high school entrance exam results. He also knew she had chosen Haicheng No. 1 High School.

The girl was resilient, just like her mother.

Neither Shen Wan nor Shen Baili noticed him looking at the watch. He glanced away quickly, and they had finally spotted the people standing in the corner.

"Xiao Liu, is there anything else we need to go over?" Shen Wan asked.

Despite the heat, Manager Liu felt a chill. Being in the same room as someone so powerful required nerves of steel. He had finally waited for them to return, but he hadn't dared interrupt their conversation.

Now the blade hanging over his head had finally fallen.

"Mrs. Xie, I'm sorry. I failed to keep my staff in line..."

He got straight to the point, explaining exactly what had happened and owning up to the mistake.

There were no tricks in his account, only sincerity. Trying to play games in front of someone like Xie Chengyue would be asking for trouble.

When Manager Liu finished, he brought the person responsible forward to apologize.

He wasn't trying to protect her. He knew the fool would only make things worse the moment she opened her mouth.

The older employee trembled, all her earlier arrogance gone. "Mrs. Xie, I'm sorry I offended you... I let my jealousy get the better of me. Please don't hold it against me. I really won't do it again."

"I'm sorry." The younger employee lowered her head, frightened as well.

This was her first job after graduation. She didn't want to lose it.

After a moment's silence, Shen Wan said calmly, "Xiao Liu, Xiao Wu, I accept your apologies. Neither of you is responsible. I trust your store respects every customer, correct?"

Manager Liu and the younger employee nodded repeatedly.

In their line of work, the customer was king.

Shen Wan turned her gaze to the older employee. Her shortsightedness, stupidity, and jealousy were still plain to see. Her apology wasn't sincere.

"I don't accept your apology."

The older employee had taken her for a pushover. "Why not? I apologized! What more do you want?"

How petty. She doesn't have any of the grace a wealthy wife should have. Some women really do get all the luck.

Seeing Xie Chengyue stand up for Shen Wan only made the older employee more jealous.

"Just because you apologized doesn't mean we have to forgive you," Shen Baili said bluntly.

"This isn't a children's game."

What is wrong with her?

Shen Wan remained composed. "I have the right not to forgive you."

Manager Liu yanked the older employee back. Was that fool trying to drag them all down with her?

"I'm sorry. Of course you have every right not to forgive us. We were in the wrong... We'll give you a satisfactory response."

"It's getting late. You should go," Shen Wan said, politely showing them out. "Don't forget your things."