[R18] Want a daughter-in-law – “Desire for a Wife” Chapter 25 – Undercurrent (2) [English]

Soon, the food was served.

There were several home-cooked dishes on the table, three warm dishes and one soup. Brother Sheng sat with his back to the kitchen, and Shu Qi and Shu Wei sat together.

“Dad, now that you have moved here, will the bar be too crowded for three people? How about I buy another dining table?” Shuwei said while serving rice.

“Oh no, this space is enough for four people, don’t waste any more money.” Brother Sheng just waved his hand and said with a smile.

“Eat quickly, do you still know your father’s craftsmanship?”

“…That’s true.” Shu Wei smiled gently, and his stern face finally had a touch of softness.

Brother Sheng and Shuwei were chatting while eating, and Brother Sheng dominated the conversation intentionally or unintentionally, surrounding trivial matters in life and social news, which was very natural.

Quietly avoid topics that may involve the family and ensure that Shu Qi will not be suddenly involved in the conversation.

Shu Qi didn’t say much, just lowered her head to eat, and occasionally drank soup. At first, she would listen to what the father and son were talking about, but then she just let it go.

Brother Sheng continued, “You won’t go on a business trip again immediately after you come back this time, right? When will you take a vacation?”

Shuwei took a sip of soup, nodded and said with a smile, “It’s hard to talk about the business trip, but this time it’s rare that I can take 5 days off.”

When Shu Qi’s thoughts gradually drifted away, she suddenly heard this sentence, and her heart tightened inexplicably. She couldn’t hold the chopsticks steadily for a moment, slipped, and hit the edge of the bowl with a bang.

Brother Sheng and Shuwei turned their heads to look at her at the same time.

“…What’s wrong?” Shuwei frowned slightly, looked at the chopsticks in her hand, and asked doubtfully: “Is it burnt?”

Shu Qi pursed her lips, lowered her head and whispered softly: “It’s okay, I accidentally slipped.”

Brother Sheng glanced at her and said in a relaxed tone: “It’s normal for your hands to slip when eating. Didn’t you often drop your chopsticks when you were a child?”

Shu Wei was speechless for a moment, smiled bitterly, turned his head and glanced at Shu Qi, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, but in the end he did not ask further questions, lowered his head and continued to eat.

Suddenly, Shuwei’s cell phone rang.

Shuwei looked down at the screen, raised his eyebrows, and then stood up: “…I’ll take a call.”

He walked to the entrance and closed the door. He squatted down against the door, took out the cigarette case from his pocket, and lit a cigarette.

The room suddenly became quiet.

Brother Sheng turned to look at Shu Qi and said softly, “Are you okay?”

Shu Qi nodded: “Well, I’m sorry, Dad, I’m just… I’m still a little panicked and don’t know how to face Shu Wei.”

Her face was a little pale and her voice was very soft. From the moment she walked in, her inexplicable nervousness never dissipated.

Brother Sheng stretched out his hand, gently held her hand, and said in a gentle tone: “I don’t know what to do either. So we don’t know together, you are not the only one, okay?”

The palm of his hand was generous and warm, like a silent comfort, stabilizing Shu Qi’s unstable mood.

“Yeah.” Shu Qi nodded slightly, her tone finally relaxing a little.

After a while, the sound of the door sounded, and Brother Sheng slowly retracted his hand.

Shuwei came back with no expression on his face. He just put the phone aside and sat back in the chair.He brought a wisp of smoke with him, which spread lightly in the air with his movements.

Brother Sheng frowned and asked in a calm tone, “Have you smoked less?”

Shuwei picked up a mouthful of vegetables and said vaguely while chewing, “There should be some, right?”

Brother Sheng rolled his eyes in his heart. He was so familiar with this textbook perfunctory answer.

“What? Is it about the company?”

“Well, it’s nothing serious.” Shu Wei nodded. After eating a few more things, he put down his chopsticks, took out a tissue and wiped the corners of his mouth, and said in a calm tone, “I’m full.”

Just as he was about to stand up, Brother Sheng suddenly said: “By the way, I heard that you bought tiramisu? Take this opportunity to eat it.”

Shuwei paused for a moment, frowned slightly and said, “…What tiramisu?”

Shu Qi’s body froze almost imperceptibly for a moment, and Brother Sheng’s expression also darkened slightly.

“Shu Qi said you would buy her favorite tiramisu, did you forget?” Brother Sheng’s tone was still calm, neither salty nor bland, but he was hiding something.

“…It seems that there is such a thing…Sorry, I was negligent. I was too busy with work and really forgot.”

It was unclear from Shu Wei’s expression whether he really remembered it or was just coping; he turned his head slightly and glanced at Shu Qi, a trace of reproach flashed in his eyes, but he still looked calm.

“Next time I have a chance, I’ll buy it for dad to eat.”

“You guys can continue eating, I’m busy with some business.” He said in a calm tone, then walked to the living room, picked up the cold coffee and took a sip, turned on the laptop, and focused his eyes on the screen again, as if nothing happened.

Shu Qi lowered her head until the intermittent tapping of the laptop keyboard came from the living room. She seemed to be called back by some invisible voice and slowly raised her head.

No emotion could be seen on her face, and her eyes were as calm as a pool of stagnant water. Only fatigue and emptiness were left in her eyes. Her eyes were out of focus somewhere in front, as if she was looking at the world through a layer of fog.

Brother Sheng felt his heart suddenly shrink, his chest seemed to be stabbed by something, and he felt slightly stuffy.

She lowered her head slightly and looked at the table, as if she were looking at someone who was not present. Her expression was indifferent, with almost no emotional fluctuations. Only that sentence slowly emerged from her throat, very lightly.

“I knew it earlier, he was just talking casually.”

“Shu Qi.” Brother Sheng slowly stretched out his hand, his fingertips touched the back of her cold hand, and held it gently.

She trembled slightly.

“I remember.” Brother Sheng’s palms transferred warmth little by little, and her fingertips moved slightly, as if she was being called back to the human world.

When those eyes met He again, they were no longer empty. They slowly focused and looked at He steadily.

“Obviously…I just mentioned it casually, why did you…”

“Hmph, that’s awesome!” Brother Sheng blinked, suddenly raised his chin, and scratched the tip of his nose with his index finger, looking proud.

The expression was both exaggerated and cute, like a little kid who was proud of his success in stealing candy.

“Pfft, haha…” Seeing this expression, Shu Qi couldn’t help laughing and chuckled, the voice was soft and true.

“Shu Qi.” Brother Sheng suddenly looked serious and pointed at the dishes on the table.

“Huh?” Shu Qi was startled for a moment, but still smiling.

Brother Sheng solemnly placed his palms on both sides of his mouth, used his hands to amplify his voice, and shouted the softest voice at a whisper-like volume.

“I~cooked~”

“Go and wash the dishes~”

Shu Qi was stunned for a moment, then the corners of her eyes curled up, and a smile spread gently on her face; she also imitated Brother Sheng’s actions, put her hands to her mouth, and whispered softly: “I follow my orders~”

Shu Qi stood up and put away the dishes, her pace a little slow, as if her thoughts were still lingering on the interaction just now.

The sound of water sounded.

Brother Sheng looked at her back quietly.

Suddenly it felt like this quiet kitchen had become very big, and her figure seemed particularly thin.

He stood up and walked over, standing next to Shu Qi. He didn’t say anything, but silently took the vegetable cloth from her hand.

“Huh…?” Shu Qi was slightly stunned.

“You are in a bad mood, a special case.” Brother Sheng’s tone was light, but too gentle to refuse.