"Oh, dear, don't cry, don't cry. What's wrong?"
"Xiao Nian, were you treated poorly at the Lu Family's house? Did something happen? Whatever it is, you can tell Mom and Dad. We'll stand up for you! Don't be afraid!"
Miao Cuifen and Shen Jian Country stood around Shen Nian, comforting her. Their faces were filled with heartache as they watched her cry her eyes out.
Her older brother, Shen Xiangdong, and her younger brother, Shen Xiangnan, weren't home. Otherwise, there would have been four people gathered around her.
"I'm fine. I just... I just had a nightmare."
Shen Nian sniffled, wiped away her tears, and gave Miao Cuifen and Shen Jian Country a small smile.
'It really was a nightmare, wasn't it? But thankfully, I've woken up from it now.'
"Oh, so it was just a dream. Silly girl, you're still the same as when you were little. Don't be scared, don't be scared! They say dreams mean the opposite of what they show. You'll be fine!"
"Yes, Mom, I'm fine now."
"Are you hungry? I'll go heat up some breakfast for you."
"There's no need, Mom. I'm going to pack up in a little while and head back."
Shen Nian had just overheard what Miao Cuifen said. It was indeed improper for her to be staying at her parents' home like this. It would only cause gossip, for both the Shen family and the Lu Family.
In this day and age, being the subject of gossip was not a good thing.
Besides, after seeing how Lu Cheng acted after her death and learning the real reason they got married, Shen Nian knew she couldn't ruin their marriage like she did in her past life.
Whether for the sake of the Shen family or for Lu Cheng—even if only to repay his kindness from her past life—she would protect her marriage with him. In this life, she would use her entire existence to repay his devotion.
'And since she had decided to cherish Lu Cheng, then his family was her family too.'
Shen Nian remembered how in her past life, because she couldn't stand Lu Cheng and was so unwilling to be married to him, her relationship with the Lu Family had become incredibly strained.
'At the very least, she had to hurry and fix things before the relationship was completely destroyed.'
'It's not too late. There's definitely still time for everything.'
"You're going back?"
It was no wonder Miao Cuifen was surprised by Shen Nian's words. Shen Nian had always been so resistant to the marriage. She had just come home a few days ago, throwing a fit and insisting she would never go back to the Lu Family.
She had already braced herself for a long, difficult conversation to convince her. How could Shen Nian suddenly change her mind and say she was going back on her own?
"Mom, I've thought it through. Since I'm already married, I need to be a good wife and daughter-in-law. I can't bring shame to you and Dad, right?"
Of course, Shen Nian couldn't tell them she had been reborn. Even if she did, no one would likely believe her. But she had to change. Change couldn't happen overnight, but she could take it one step at a time.
"Xiao Nian, it's wonderful that you're thinking this way. After breakfast, I'll walk you over."
"There's no need, Mom. I can go back by myself. You should stay home and get some rest! I'll come back to see you all again soon."
"Okay, okay, okay. Our Xiao Nian really has grown up."
Miao Cuifen was genuinely happy and relieved now. They had doted on Shen Nian since she was a little girl, and she had certainly been a bit immature in the past. But now, it seemed she had truly grown up and become more sensible.
After finishing the breakfast Miao Cuifen had prepared, Shen Nian gathered her things, ready to leave the Shen family's house and return to the Lu Family. She had come home almost empty-handed, though, so all she had to pack now were a few food items her mother had prepared for her to take back. It wasn't much.
Still, Shen Nian felt a little uncertain about the situation at the Lu Family's home. After all, she could still clearly remember her icy relationship with them from her past life.
Back then, she had gone to great lengths to try and divorce Lu Cheng, offending every member of the Lu Family she possibly could. Even though those things hadn't happened yet in this life, she had still given them plenty of dirty looks on the second day of her marriage.
'The Lu Family's impression of me right now must be about as bad as it can get.'
'But no matter what, she had to go back to that home. She would spend this lifetime slowly atoning for the mess she made in the last one.'
Taking a deep breath, Shen Nian opened the door. However, just as she stepped outside, she saw the person standing in front of her and froze.
"Lu Cheng... you... what are you doing...?"