Sharing Dreams with My Bestie’s Cousin Chapter 279 - Offending Wen Zhi is offending Shang Hexing_2

He pulled his phone from his pocket, dialed a number, and with tears welling up, pleaded, “Come pick me up, I want to go home.”

Not rushed at all, Shang Hexing responded, “Try it, see who dares take you from this grassland without my permission.”

Han Yu’s phone plummeted directly to the ground.

Wen Zhi graciously retrieved it for him, “It’s okay, you might be more formidable than a sheepdog.”

Han Yu shot a glare at Shang Hexing and complained, “Uncle, look, Aunt just insulted me by saying I’m more capable than a dog.”

Wen Zhi’s mouth twitched.

Aunt?

She failed to notice that Shang Hexing, after Han Yu’s repeated “Aunt” mentions, appeared to have a slightly brighter complexion.

“I’ll allow one sheepdog to help you,” Shang Hexing softened a touch.

Despair fled Han Yu’s face like spring reviving dead wood, and he pushed further, “Uncle, Grandma’s two thousand sheep are truly overwhelming. Even with one extra sheepdog, I might not handle it—normally five work together. Could we add another sheepd—”

Before he could finish “sheepdog,” Shang Hexing interrupted sharply, “No bargaining.”

Helpless, Han Yu turned to Wen Zhi, “Aunt, Uncle shows no mercy. Please put in a word for me.”

Wen Zhi felt torn between laughter and tears, “Don’t call me that, I’m not yet.”

Her final words came out in a whisper.

Han Yu proclaimed firmly, “You are, you must be. I, Han Yu, recognize only you as my Aunt for life—no substitutes.”

Wen Zhi: “…”

The constant “Aunt” calls left Wen Zhi utterly confused.

She chuckled, cheeks flushing with embarrassment, and reached to tug Shang Hexing’s sleeve. Noticing her filthy hands, she pulled back and murmured, “What if we add one more sheepdog?”

“Yeah yeah yeah!” Han Yu nodded frantically like a chicken pecking rice, “Grandma will murder me if she learns I lost her sheep!”

Shang Hexing stated coolly, “Then we’ll follow your Aunt’s wish.”

Rejuvenated, Han Yu pondered that more flattery might spare him sheep-herding altogether!

Resolved, Han Yu prepared to lavish more praise on Wen Zhi.

But Shang Hexing saw right through his scheme and swiftly grasped Wen Zhi’s hand to depart.

“Hey, your cellphone—catch!” As Shang Hexing led her off, Wen Zhi remembered to throw the phone back to Han Yu.

Han Yu snatched it mid-air, face falling, “Can’t we skip herding? I don’t wanna outdo a dog, let alone fall short…”

…

In Licheng, lunch typically happens around two in the afternoon.

Concerned Wen Zhi might not like local dishes, Chen Jinhai checked with her first and instructed the kitchen to skip the usual pilaf and flatbread.

The elder cousins dined separately in another room.

Here sat the younger crowd.

Yet Han Yu was the sole young family member there; other young cousins were en route. Wen Zhi, accompanying Shang Hexing, held higher standing—not lumped with the youths—and Shang Hexing joined her, fearing she’d feel uneasy in a big group.

Meng Fan skipped lunch.

Claiming a headache and no hunger.

Worried on hearing this, Wen Zhi put down her chopsticks to visit Meng Fan, but Shang Hexing held her back: “She’s resting. Eat first, then go.”

“Has a doctor checked her?” Wen Zhi inquired.

From across the table, Han Yu piped up, “Relax, Aunt. Meng Fan’s doctor is from Uncle’s special medical team for Grandma.”

Wen Zhi eased a bit at Han Yu’s words, though not fully.

Just then, a hand settled on hers. Glancing over, she admired the long fingers with defined knuckles, then met Shang Hexing’s gaze beside her.

He grasped her concerns. “Meng Fan’s fine health-wise; it’s probably just an environment-induced headache.”

Wen Zhi recalled, “On the trip here, Meng Fan mentioned that closing her eyes brings chaotic images flooding in, making her deeply uneasy.”

She’d even brought up Huaishen.

Wen Zhi recognized him from the Peace Hotel; he was Meng Fan’s spouse.

Still, their bond seemed to fluctuate between smooth and rocky.

Wen Zhi longed to remember all about Meng Fan, convinced her lost memories held key insights.

“Don’t worry too much,” Shang Hexing sensed her distress. “Ask her directly after lunch if you’re curious.”

“Okay.”

Boosted by Shang Hexing, Wen Zhi resolved to visit Meng Fan post-meal and uncover more.

The meal passed without talk of the old lady’s condition, and Wen Zhi wisely stayed silent on it.

Meal over, Chen Jinhai led Wen Zhi to the Red Mansion in another building to visit Meng Fan.