The Thief of Youth

Ever since they got married, it was impossible to stay in the small apartment they used to live in.

Shu Yunyi was also not suited to continue living at the school.

Shen Yi bought a house next to Jianyuan, which was closer to Jingyuan University.

Six or seven years passed, and Shu Yunyi had officially been promoted to professor, taking on a few new students, and was now busy until late every day.

Meanwhile, Shen Yi was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner, leaving Fu Nanzhi in the room to take care of the child.

Little Jinyao, having finished her homework, was hovering around Shen Yi.

“Dad, remember to take a picture of my homework and upload it to the group later, don't forget.”

“And read a fable story to Mom, we need to record a video of it.”

Shen Yi was seasoning the food in the pot when he turned his head and said:

“The teacher assigned video homework again, huh.”

He gently patted her little head and smiled:

“Alright, Dad knows.”

Little Jinyao hugged Shen Yi's leg, sniffed the air, and took a deep breath, saying:

“It smells so good, what dish are you making today?”

Shen Yi replied casually:

“Garlic scapes stir-fried with beef.”

As he spoke, he took a little broth with a spatula, tasted it for saltiness.

“Really?”

Jinyao's eyes sparkled as she bounced around, saying,

“Let me taste it, let me taste it.”

The seasoning was just right, no need for her to taste it, but Shen Yi still indulged her, pinching a small piece of beef and placing it in her mouth.

“Here you go, little glutton.”

The beef was tender, becoming more flavorful with each chew, and she ate it with great enjoyment.

Seeing her playful demeanor, Shen Yi patted the back of her head and said:

“Go wash your hands, it's time for dinner.”

“Call Mom and ask where she is.”

“Okay.”

Shen Jinyao agreed, hopping out of the room.

Only then did Shen Yi turn back to serve the dish, using kitchen paper to wipe the sauce off the edge of the plate before carrying it out.

He prepared three dishes and a soup for dinner, more than enough for three adults and one child.

Both Shu Yunyi and Fu Nanzhi had small appetites and couldn't eat much, so if he made too much, he would have to finish it himself.

After setting out the bowls and chopsticks, Shen Yi went to the door and gently pushed it open.

The room was dark, and the light streaming in made Fu Nanzhi look up. She was holding Little Lingdang.

Shen Yi walked to the bedside and whispered:

“Asleep?”

Fu Nanzhi nodded gently, looking affectionately at the little one in her arms, saying:

“Yes, just woke up for a feed, and now she's asleep again.”

“This is the time when she can eat and sleep well.”

Shen Yi bent down to brush away her falling hair, patting her shoulder and saying:

“Let her sleep on her own, dinner’s ready, come out and have something to eat.”

Fu Nanzhi was about to say she wasn't hungry, but then thought she might have to get up in the middle of the night, so skipping dinner wouldn't do.

She carefully put Little Lingdang down, and the two of them went out to the living room.

Just then, Shu Yunyi also returned, with Little Jinyao opening the door for her.

“Back already, just in time for dinner.”

Shen Yi called out, while Fu Nanzhi had already gone to the kitchen to serve the rice.

“Yeah, after a busy day, I’m definitely hungry.”

“Timing really is everything.”

Shu Yunyi cheerfully agreed, placed her bag on the shoe rack, and squatted down to change her shoes.

Now at forty-two, having had a child, fine lines had begun to appear at the corners of her eyes.

Yet, her beauty was radiant, her demeanor exceptional, and with years of teaching experience, she naturally exuded an aura of elegance and grace when serious.

Her smile was like the thawing of ice and snow. After changing her shoes, she bent down and gave Little Jinyao a peck on the cheek.

"I have some good news to share with you."

Shu Yunyi was standing by the sink washing her hands when Shen Yi spoke from the doorway.

"Good news? What is it?"

Shu Yunyi turned her head, wiped her hands, and raised an eyebrow.

"I brought Little Lingdang home."

"Little Lingdang?"

Shu Yunyi frowned, thought for a moment, then suddenly realized:

"Oh... the one you mentioned before..."

Having lived together for so long, Shen Yi had mentioned it before. She smiled and said:

"That's great! Where is she?"

"In the inner room, let me take a look."

Shen Yi quickly stopped her,

"No, no, no, she just fell asleep."

"Let's eat first, and then you can see her after dinner."

"Alright."

Shu Yunyi nodded and followed him to the dining room.

As soon as she sat down, she smiled and said:

"Congratulations, Nanzhi."

"Finally, a burden off your mind."

Fu Nanzhi picked up her chopsticks, her eyes curving like crescent moons as she replied,

"Yes, Shen Yi brought her back without a word."

"It really surprised me."

Shen Yi laughed heartily, looking pleased, and gestured with his chopsticks:

"Let's eat first, we'll chat while we eat."

Shu Yunyi picked up some food with her chopsticks and placed it in Little Jinyao's bowl, saying:

"Now the nursery can be used again."

"All the things Jinyao used back then are still there. We can use them for a few days before gradually replacing them with new ones."

These were all things Fu Nanzhi had helped organize back then, and now it was her turn to lend a hand.

Fu Nanzhi had already made up her mind and replied after swallowing her food:

"Lingdang is still too young, so I'll take care of her for now and wait until she's a bit older."

Little Jinyao, hearing some keyword, sat up straight in her chair and patted her chest, saying:

"Look at me, look at me."

"I'm already a big sister. Taking care of my little sister is my job."

Shen Yi turned his head and gently tapped her head with the end of his chopsticks, saying:

"Rely on you?"

"You can't even take care of yourself. If you don't make your sister cry, that'll be a blessing."

Everyone laughed, and the table was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

"Hmph!"

"Underestimating me."

Jinyao grumbled, holding her rice bowl, and quickly took a bite to comfort herself.

Shu Yunyi, sitting to her right, heard this and pointed to the fine lines at the corner of her eyes, teasing her:

"See this? These are the wrinkles your mom got from taking care of you."

"I've even got wrinkles now, and you don't even feel sorry for me. You just keep making me worry."

Shen Jinyao pressed her delicate fingers against the shallow lines, not yet understanding what they meant.

Sensing Shu Yunyi's emotional fluctuation, Shen Yi quickly interjected with a smile:

"Not at all! I think our Teacher Shu is still in her prime."

"Right, Fu Nanzhi?"

Fu Nanzhi covered her mouth and nodded with a laugh.

"Forget 'youth,' it was stolen long ago by who knows what."

Shu Yunyi rolled her eyes at Shen Yi in mock exasperation, but the playful banter at least lightened the mood.

Little Jinyao couldn't quite grasp the teasing between adults. Her innocent heart only wanted to comfort her mother, so she stood up on the chair and declared loudly:

"I'm not the thief who stole Mom's youth—I'm her second youth!"