Chapter 425: The Three Are Shocked

Chapter 425: Three People Stunned

When they got back home, it was already past noon. After eating, they could nap.

Seeing them return, Su Shiming finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ah, you're finally back! I was starving all morning," Su Shiming said with concern.

Nowadays, going hungry was no small matter—nothing mattered more than a full stomach.

Su He gave Su Shiming a playful look and said with a smile, "Dad, don’t worry, we ate. Tinghua bought me breakfast on the way."

"That’s good then," Su Shiming replied cheerfully.

"Come in and eat. Your mom saved food for you," he urged when he saw them still standing there blankly.

"Mm, after we eat, I’ll go take over for my sister so she can rest," Su He said happily.

"Oh, why go out in this cold? Your dad and I already agreed—we’ll mind the shop," Wen Qing chimed in.

"It’s freezing outside. You two should stay home and rest. Su He and I will go to the shop," Fu Tinghua cut in.

Hearing their son-in-law being so thoughtful, the elderly couple was overjoyed, and that settled it.

Before leaving, Fu Tinghua instructed Su Shiming to keep the doors locked and have the kids stay in the yard, not to wander off.

Su Shiming had heard what the neighbors were saying earlier that morning, so he nodded in agreement.

Fu Tinghua walked over to Zai Zai and said, "You’re in charge of protecting your sisters at home, understand? Wait for Mom and Dad to come back after closing the shop tonight."

Zai Zai found it odd that his father suddenly said such a thing, but he had heard Grandma Qin next door mention that someone had died near the hospital earlier. Thinking his father was worried they might be scared, he nodded obediently.

That very day, Wen City grew uneasy, its people growing restless.

Not long after Fu Tinghua and Su He arrived at the shop to relieve Fu Yanju, the police came by for a house-to-house search.

Su Shiming wondered—what case needed this? And if they were asking whether anyone was missing, it likely meant the victim’s identity hadn’t been confirmed yet.

After checking their household, the police quickly moved on to the neighbors.

In such bitter cold, Su Shiming felt bad for them.

How awful—who could be so cruel as to commit murder in such harsh winter weather?

When Su He and Fu Tinghua arrived at the shop, they found Yu Xu there as well, helping Fu Yanju at the counter.

At the sight of them, Yu Xu got shy and hid behind Fu Yanju.

"What’s with you? Why so shy—don’t you recognize Su He and the others?" Fu Yanju teased.

Hearing her words, Yu Xu gave them an embarrassed smile and stepped forward. "I... I just thought, since it’s so cold, maybe there was something I could help with."

As he spoke, he scratched his head nervously.

Fu Tinghua hadn’t done the surgery on Yu Xu’s leg yet.

He had advised Yu Xu to wait until summer. The leg had already been neglected for so long—there was no benefit to operating in winter.

In fact, the cold weather would make healing slower, requiring a longer hospital stay.

Yu Xu was too busy right now and didn't want to stay hospitalized longer, so he had Fu Tinghua schedule the surgery for him in spring when it was warmer.

"Brother Xu, have you been busy lately?" Su He asked with a smile.

Compared to Fu Ting, Yu Xu was more familiar with Su He.

Not that he'd say it out loud, but Yan Ju's younger brother—despite being so handsome—somehow looked kinda scary.

In front of Fu Tinghua, Yu Xu even held his breath.

"Not too busy. The weather's too cold, so it's better to wait till it warms up to work. That's why I have time now to visit Yan Ju."

After saying this, Yu Xu cautiously glanced at Fu Tinghua.

After all, the two of them weren't married yet. In Yu Xu's conservative mindset, he and Fu Yanju weren't properly together yet.

But he wanted to give Fu Yanju a proper status—it's just that Fu Yanju and her family hadn't agreed yet.

Getting caught by his girlfriend's kid brother while visiting her was still awkward for Yu Xu.

Seeing his cautious demeanor, Su He couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Then, glancing at Dr. Fu's expressionless face, Su He realized—he was afraid of Fu Tinghua.

Just as she was about to say something, Fu Tinghua spoke up.

"Yeah, during this time, if you're free, come keep my sister company more often. I'd owe you one."

Fu Tinghua's words made all three people present turn to look at him.

Su He was surprised, Fu Yanju was shocked, and Yu Xu couldn't believe his ears.

Once he processed what Fu Tinghua had said, Yu Xu quickly nodded, over the moon. "Yes, yes, I understand. Thank you, thank you. I—I’ll protect Yan Ju well."

For a man his age, he was getting all flustered in front of Fu Tinghua, a younger man.

But for someone like Yu Xu, who had always been from the wrong side of the tracks, figures like Fu Tinghua—valued by the nation and even featured in newspapers—just naturally made him feel awe.

So he didn’t find it shameful at all to be afraid of Fu Tinghua. On the contrary, Yu Xu felt that being with Fu Yanju, and having Fu Tinghua as his brother-in-law, might be the luckiest break of his life.

Seeing his excitement, Fu Tinghua suddenly understood why his sister Fu Yanju had chosen Yu Xu.

Coming out in this freezing weather just to help Fu Yanju and spend time with her—this kind of wholehearted love and respect was probably something Fu Yanju had never experienced before.

"Alright, you two can head back first. Su He and I will mind the store today," Fu Tinghua added.

"No, no need. I’m not busy lately—I can stay and keep Yan Ju company here," Yu Xu hurriedly said.

The main thing was, Fu Yanju was all about that supermarket. Other than the store, she wasn’t willing to go anywhere else with him.

But after closing the shop, Fu Yanju still had to go home to cook, help their daughter with homework, and so on—basically, no time left for him.

So getting alone time with Fu Yanju was truly difficult.

Fu Tinghua read him like a book and, after a moment’s consideration, replied, "How about tomorrow? Let my sister rest this afternoon. You two can go wherever you want. But since Wen City's a bit dicey these days, make sure to bring her home before dark. Just don’t linger outside."

"Huh?" Fu Yanju was still trying to process this.

She even wondered if her brother had hit his head or something today—first telling Yu Xu to protect her more, then giving her the afternoon off so Yu Xu could show her around.

"Okay, okay! I’ll take her out for a bit and bring her home soon. Tomorrow—tomorrow I’ll stay and mind the store with her," Yu Xu said, turning red.

Then, as if remembering something, he quickly added, "I don't need paying."