Divorced woman with child travels through time

Uncle Liu Hai patted Xiao Hao with some lingering fear, then led the children to the main hall. Just then, Da Zhuang returned, and he asked him to inform everyone that the child had been found.

Soon everyone returned. Chen Wenfang rushed in and burst into tears, hugging Chen Xuanyu. "You scared me to death!" Wang Erniu also picked up Xiao Ahao and looked him over. Seeing that nothing was wrong, he took him aside and asked him carefully. Xiao Ahao was clever and explained everything clearly without missing a single detail.

Chen Xuanyu was still a little dazed. He turned around and looked around, then reached out to wipe away Chen Wenfang's tears. He patted her hand and said, "Mom, it's all your fault. You didn't keep a close eye on your child. Make sure no one takes him away again. I'll spank you. Remember that next time."

Chen Wenfang was amused by him, wiped away her tears and said, "It's my fault, I won't let you lose it again next time."

Chen Xuanyu said in a spoiled tone, "Mom, I'm so hungry, I want to eat meat."

"Alright, Mother will go make it. Come on, let's go to the kitchen together." Chen Wenfang took Chen Xuanyu's hand and went to the kitchen. She glanced back at Wang Erniu, indicating that he would handle the rest. Wang Erniu nodded knowingly.

Wang Erniu bowed and turned to everyone, saying, "Thank you all for your hard work. I've been busy all day looking for the children. And thank you to all the distinguished guests. Please ask the chef to send an extra dish to the guests staying at the hotel tonight."

"You're too kind, it's my pleasure." "It's my pleasure! Mr. Wang is very generous, thank you, Mr. Wang."

Everyone returned the greeting with clasped hands and went to rest.

Ma Liu and Ali also arrived. Wang Erniu recounted the events to them and reported the clues he had gathered about Liu Sanlang. Just then, Wang Hanyang and Wang Xiaoguang returned. After Wang Erniu finished speaking, he pulled Wang Xiaoguang aside and went into the room. A moment later, he came out, clasped his hands, and said, "My lords, we have found out that Liu Sanlang is hiding at Tie Tou's house in the east of the city. We need you two to arrest him."

Ma Liu and Ah Li exchanged a glance, then clasped their hands in a fist salute and replied, "Thank you, Brother Wang. We'll be going now."

"Take care, don't bother seeing us off." Wang Erniu returned the greeting. After everyone left, Wang Erniu pulled Wang Hanyang and the others into the room. Not long after, Wang Hanyang and Wang Xiaoguang also came out one after another.

In the kitchen, Chen Wenfang kept an eye on Chen Xuanyu while cooking, glancing at him every now and then, as if afraid he would disappear. She didn't need Chef Wang to help; she took matters into her own hands. She stir-fried the blanched chicken pieces until fragrant, then added soybean paste and simmered them. On the other side, she heated oil in a wok and stir-fried chili peppers and meat over high heat. She also turned on the small stove to cook a pot of rice. After cooking the meat, she noticed fresh sea bass in a bucket next to her, so she steamed the sea bass as well. By the time the braised chicken was ready, the rice was also cooked.

Chen Wenfang didn't take Chen Xuanyu to the main hall. Instead, she set up a small folding table in a side room next to the kitchen, served three steaming hot meat dishes, and topped them with freshly cooked, glistening rice. Chen Xuanyu picked up his bowl and ate with satisfaction. After only one bite, he ran out again with his bowl. Soon after, the other children came in, and Chen Wenfang made way for them to eat.

Seeing that she had finished her work, Chef Wang started cooking. He usually cooked whatever dishes were available. Since there was extra chicken and fish today, he made a big pot of chicken and stir-fried meat, boiled two pots of fish fillets, and stir-fried a few side dishes. After a busy afternoon, everyone finally sat down to have a hearty dinner. Wang Erniu also invited the merchants staying upstairs to eat with them, and some guests came downstairs to join them.

Chen Wenfang served a bowl of food in front of the children and then came to the small side room to join them, constantly serving them food with a sense of relief, as if she had found something she had lost.

After dinner, Dazhuang took Uncle Liu Hai and the others back in a horse-drawn carriage. Chen Wenfang left the children at the shop and talked to them about how to be careful of bad people in the future. She also praised Xiao Ahao and paid the other two for their hard work in tending the fire. The children were tired after a long day and soon became drowsy. Chen Wenfang washed them up and then they went to sleep in the main room.

Seeing that the children were asleep and everyone else was resting, Wang Erniu went to Chen Wenfang's room.

"Fang'er? Are you asleep?" Wang Erniu knocked on the door.

"No." Chen Wenfang tucked the blankets around the children and went out the door.

"Come on, let's go downstairs and sit down. I'll tell you about this matter."

Wang Erniu took her hand and led her downstairs. "Okay."

The two went to the courtyard together. The teahouse door was already closed, the moon had risen, and Wang Erniu had prepared some fruits and snacks and placed a jar of wine on the stone table in the courtyard.

Wang Erniu poured Chen Wenfang a glass and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I frightened you today!"

Chen Wenfang had already come to her senses and smiled gently and calmly, "This is not your fault. It's probably the Li family who are behind it."

Wang Erniu picked up his wine and drank it all in one gulp, saying fiercely, "It's the Li family. I'm afraid this feud can't be resolved. They've really gone too far."

Chen Wenfang said, "What will we do in the future? This shop will definitely have to stay open. I wonder if the county government can help us?"

"I'm afraid not. The children escaped on their own, and once they erased the traces, there's no evidence left."

"We can't let this go!" Chen Wenfang said. "No one can hurt our child."

"Of course, I had Hanyang handle it. Those two won't escape, don't worry." Wang Erniu put his arm around her shoulder. "As for the Li family, we're no match for them right now. We'll deal with them slowly in the future."

Wang Erniu looked at Chen Wenfang and said, "Believe me, Fang'er, I will never let you get hurt again."

"Yes, I believe you." Chen Wenfang squeezed his hand back, leaned against him, and felt at ease smelling his faint fragrance.

The two nestled together. It was very quiet outside, with only the distant sound of the night watchman's gong and the pounding of their hearts. Chen Wenfang felt a little dazed, recalling the days when they first met. She cooked, he started the fire, the firelight reflecting on his face, and the whole house filled with the aroma of wheat.

After a long while, Wang Erniu was reluctant to break the warm atmosphere. "You must be tired today. Let's get some rest."

"Okay!" Chen Wenfang got up to tidy the table, but Wang Erniu stopped her, "Go and rest, I'll tidy up." He couldn't help but ask her again, "How's the shopping going?"

"What is it?" Chen Wenfang asked with a smile.

"You're asking a question you already know the answer to?" Wang Erniu said somewhat shyly.

"Hahaha! It's all done. With Aunt Liu here, nothing will be missing. Everything's ready," Chen Wenfang laughed. "Brother Erniu, were you in a hurry?"

"You little rascal!" Wang Erniu's eyes darkened, staring at her with a hint of aggression. He calmed himself down and said slowly, "You'll find out later."

Chen Wenfang was a little startled by his gaze, her face flushed, and she said, "Then I'll trouble you to clean up. I'm going to sleep."