Chapter 25: Writing a Letter to Divorce

“Thanks for making the trip, Jiao Jiao. Um, the kids' clothes from last night are in the basin by the water vat. Take them to wash, please. Thanks for your hard work!”

Zhou Jiaojiao gave a slight smile and placed the breakfast on the table in the main hall. Without saying much, she let Lu Jiaxuan pick up the sand basin by the water vat and hurried away, fearing they might assign her more chores.

Once they had left, Shen Meng snapped to attention. She walked to the table and lifted the cover of the breakfast Zhou Jiaojiao had brought. As expected, there were only a few black bean cakes and a bowl of thin porridge so watery it could reflect one's image.

She knew that with a stingy old woman like Liu Sanjin, it was impossible for them to always eat well. She certainly wouldn't eat this, and she wouldn't let the children eat it either.

Taking advantage of the fact that the children hadn't woken up yet, Shen Meng hurried to the kitchen. After scrubbing the pot clean, she took a bucket of millet porridge from her space and poured half of it into the pot. She placed five eggs and two cabbage and vermicelli rolls in the steamer, covered it with a lid, and lit the stove.

When Lu Mingyang and Lu Mingliang woke up, they rushed toward the eastern room. Seeing that their younger siblings were still sleeping, they finally felt at ease.

"Brother, why did you run over so early to check on Mingfang and Xiaokai? Huh, where did Mother go? She hasn't fully recovered yet, why is she running around aimlessly!"

Lu Mingyang: "..."

*You idiot. If you don't look after your siblings, what if they get sold? Mother, mother—all you know is 'mother.' You're so brainless!*

"Food! Brother, there's food on the table in the main hall. It must have been sent by Fourth Aunt. Hehe, there must be chicken too... Ah! Why is it only black flour buns and thin porridge!"

"It's good enough to have something to eat. Don't touch it; wait until Mother comes back. Go wash your face first. I'll stay here and watch Mingfang and Mingliang."

In the past, any food would have made him incredibly happy, but since they had eaten well all day yesterday, he had thought there would be more today.

Lu Mingliang walked outside dejectedly, but suddenly paused. There was movement in the kitchen!!!

He crept over and took a deep sniff. *Good heavens, something delicious.*

Shen Meng had lit the fire and added two handfuls of firewood. The millet porridge was already warm, so once it heated up in the pot, steam immediately began to rise. Seeing it was almost ready, she stood up.

Just as she was about to step out, she locked eyes with a pair of bright, sparkling eyes.

"Mother, are you cooking?" The expression was one of eager anticipation, desperate for an answer.

Shen Meng did not disappoint him.

"Yes. Your Fourth Aunt came by this morning to deliver food. I could tell immediately that you wouldn't like it. It just so happened we had some millet left, so I made some porridge. And Auntie Tian sent over some cabbage, so I made two vegetable rolls. Hurry up and wash your face; we're eating soon."

Lu Jialiang jumped for joy. "Mother, I'm going right now! Hehe, Mother, you're the best! I saw the food Fourth Aunt brought. You guessed right—I don't like those black flour buns at all!"

He walked a few steps barefoot before decisively running back to the main hall.

"Brother, hurry up and wash your face! Mother wasn't running around aimlessly; she made something delicious! Let's eat quickly so we can go to work. Don't worry about Mingfang and Xiaokai; they'll wake up in a bit."

After speaking, seeing that Lu Mingyang hadn't moved, he turned around and saw Shen Meng smiling at him. His heart skipped a beat, and he called out, "Mother!"

Shen Meng waved them off and entered the eastern room. Mingfang and Mingliang had already sat up; Lu Mingliang's voice had been too loud, waking them both instantly.

"You're awake. Get up and eat. Mingfang, your Third Aunt is coming over today to make clothes for you. You and Xiaokai stay home and don't go anywhere, alright?"

This was the first time Lu Mingfang had gotten up from Shen Meng's heated kang bed, and she was very shy.

Looking at the gaunt child, Shen Meng only wanted to raise her better and make her healthy.

"Come here, let Mommy tie your hair!"

Lu Mingfang froze for a moment, and then her hair was gathered up by Shen Meng's large hands. In the past, it had always been tied up haphazardly.

Wearing only a top and with bare legs, Mingkai watched his mother tie his sister's hair, not daring to speak.

Shen Meng set the breakfast sent by Zhou Jiaojiao aside. What she and the children were eating was what she had made. She sliced the two vegetable rolls into six pieces; she ate one herself, and let the children devour the rest.

Thick millet porridge, savory vegetable rolls, and boiled eggs—the children ate the breakfast with great satisfaction. Lu Mingliang alone ate two and a half rolls, his little belly becoming round.

"Mother, how much grain do we have left? Are we going to go hungry later?" Although he was eating happily, he couldn't be so wasteful. Black flour buns weren't tasty, but many families ate them to fill their stomachs; no family could sustain such extravagance.

"Just eat your food. Don't worry about the food situation at home."

Just as she finished speaking, a knock sounded at the door.

"Is anyone from Lu Zhenping's family home? You have mail!"

"Someone's here! Wait a moment, coming right up!"

It was already past eight in the morning. The sun was out, making people sweat profusely. Shen Meng picked up the thin porridge Zhou Jiaojiao had sent and sprinkled a pinch of brown sugar into it.

"Hello, Comrade. Thank you for making the trip. The family is just having some thin porridge; there's extra, please have some to quench your thirst!"

The mailman had come many times, but this was the first time he had seen Shen Meng's smiling face. Seeing the brown sugar in the porridge, his heart stirred slightly.

"Oh, I couldn't possibly, Comrade. This is your letter and the remittance slip. Please sign here."

Shen Meng handed out the porridge and reached out to take the items from the mailman. While signing, she said, "This little bit of porridge is nothing. You still have to ride your bike in this heat; it's truly hard work. Sign here, right? There you go!"

The mailman wiped the sweat from his forehead and finished the porridge in a few gulps. He took the items from Shen Meng, and just as he put them away, he heard the door creak nearby. Seeing it was the old lady of the house, he quickly packed his things, hopped on his bicycle, and sped off without a moment's hesitation.

Liu Sanjin, who had just pushed open the door with a smile, watched the mailman's retreating figure with gritted teeth. *Wasn't it just because I stopped to ask a few questions? Is it worth avoiding me like that?*

Liu Sanjin stomped her feet and walked quickly toward Shen Meng.

"Mingyang's mother, bring the letter the eldest son wrote so Jiaxuan can look at it. He'll read it to you in a bit. Give him the remittance slip so he can go get the money for you. Does this letter have the voucher for picking up the parcel? Let's do it all together..."

Shen Meng rolled her eyes and covered her head. "What? Mother, what did you say? I can't hear you. My head hurts terribly; I'm going back to bed."

"You..."

*Slam!*

Liu Sanjin was pushed back a few steps by the slamming door. She had almost been hit in the face by that little wench Shen Meng. *Black-hearted woman, trying to swindle the money my son sent her! Hmph, I'll write a letter. This time, I must write to the eldest son and tell him to come back immediately and divorce his wife!*