When Shen Qinglan was eating her fourth piece of tofu, her father, Shen Shan, and mother, Dong Yao, finally came back.
Shen Qingju scooped water with a ladle for them to wash their hands, and only then did they take their seats.
Seeing Shen Qinglan there, both of them were somewhat surprised.
Dong Yao looked at Shen Qingju and asked, "Why is Qinglan up?"
Shen Qingju said, "After you went to the fields, she got up by herself, even changed her clothes, fetched water to rinse her mouth and wash her face by herself, but she just didn't speak."
"Changed clothes and fetched water for washing all by herself?"
The two of them were even more amazed.
Ever since Shen Qinglan woke up, she no longer ran around like before. She wasn't silly or foolish, didn't cry or make a fuss, but just didn't speak. If you asked her anything, she would just stare at you vacantly.
"Oh right, Aunt Liu sent a hen over again this morning, saying it's to nourish Qinglan's body. I didn't accept it, but she went ahead and put it in the chicken coop by herself."
As soon as Shen Qingju finished speaking, Shen Qinglan, who was silently drinking tofu soup, instantly lifted her eyelids, her gaze directed towards the chicken coop.
"Pfft—"
Shen Qingju was amused by her reaction, chuckling helplessly, "You don't react to anything, but mention chickens and you respond quickly."
Shen Qingping also spoke out excitedly, "We're having chicken tonight? That's great!"
Dong Yao glared at Shen Qingping and said, "Great for what? Aunt Liu already sent one before, we can't keep this one. Let your father return it later."
Hearing this, Shen Qinglan's eyes instantly lowered in disappointment.
These past days have been all clear soup and watery gruel, her mouth was so bland she felt like a bird. Finally, someone sent some meat, and this frugal mother wants to return it again. Life is hard!
Her disappointment was so obvious that Dong Yao felt a pang of guilt and quickly comforted her, "Qinglan, even if we don't have chicken, we'll have your father go to the shop at the village head to buy some meat later, and have your sister cook it for you, okay?"
Shen Qinglan nodded silently.
At this point, she didn't care if it was pig or chicken, as long as there was meat to eat.
Dong Yao looked at Shen Shan in surprise and said, "Our Qinglan can understand people now!"
In the past, no matter what you said, Shen Qinglan would just give you a silly smile, neither nodding nor shaking her head. Nobody knew if she understood or not, but now she actually could!
Shen Shan also said in wonder, "Since she woke up from the injury, she seems much smarter than before."
Shen Qinglan continued to stay silent, lowering her head to drink the soup. People live for food; being full is what matters.
Shen Shan tentatively asked, "Qinglan, is the tofu soup good?"
Shen Qinglan paused in her drinking motion, and after a moment, she said, "It's better than wild vegetable soup."
Everyone: ...
"Third Sister, you're okay!"
Shen Qingzhu was the first to react. He still had soup in his mouth, and in his excitement, some was sprayed on Shen Qinglan's cheek.
Shen Qinglan: ...
She quietly raised her sleeve to wipe the side of her face, and then uttered a curse at Shen Qingzhu.
This not only excited Shen Qingzhu but made everyone else restless.
"Is she really okay? Has our Qinglan really recovered from her silly illness?"
Dong Yao's eyes were red with excitement.
Shen Qingju also shouted excitedly, "That's just wonderful!"
After Shen Shan's excitement waned, there was a look of relief on his face.
Shen Qingping also clapped his hands and said, "Third Sister is well, can I play with her from now on?"
Shen Qinglan: ...Excitement is fine, but could we wait until after eating to be excited?
Shen Qingzhu chuckled and said, "Third Sister, I'll cook you some bird eggs later."
"Oh!"
After Shen Qinglan responded, she picked up the bowl and finished the soup in one go.