After nine lifetimes of reincarnation, the yandere villainous heroine descends.

The next day!

early morning!

The sky was still shrouded in the inky blackness of night, with only a faint glimmer of deep dark blue. A few scattered stars trembled and flickered as if afraid of the cold.

The earth was covered as if by a carefully woven blanket of white frost and snow, glistening in the dim morning light.

The cold wind howled, like a sharp whistle tearing through the silent streets and alleys, making the bare tree branches tremble and creak mournfully.

A chilling aura permeated the air, and with every breath, a coldness seemed to pierce straight into one's lungs.

Shen Shuchou was dressed in a thick white cotton robe with the collar tightly bound, but he still couldn't completely ward off the chill.

A thin layer of mist shrouded the streets and alleys, as if veiling the world in mystery.

He strolled slowly along the cold stone path, the snow under his feet making a soft "crunch" sound.

The steamed bun shop not far away was filled with rising steam, like a warm harbor in the cold winter.

Shen Shuchou quickened his pace and, as he approached, saw the steamed bun shop owner exhaling white steam as he skillfully arranged the steamer.

"Young Master Shen, you've arrived so early today."

The boss greeted Shen Shuchou warmly.

"You'll wake up when you're hungry."

Shen Shuchou nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face.

He and the owner of this steamed bun shop were old acquaintances; almost every morning, Shen Shuchou would come to pack several baskets of steamed buns.

Although buying steamed buns could be left to the servants, he was used to getting up early and couldn't stay idle, so he came himself.

Moreover, this steamed bun shop is extremely popular; if you arrive late, you won't be able to buy any.

"Young Master Shen, you are a regular customer, so we have already prepared everything for you."

The boss laughed heartily and handed over the oil paper that had been prepared in advance.

Shen Shuchou took the steamed bun, casually tossed the silver to the shopkeeper, and turned to leave.

When he returned to the winter courtyard of the Shen family mansion, he found that Fifth Shushuang had woken up at some point and was standing quietly in front of his room.

The girl tucked her small hands tightly into her sleeves, her petite body trembling slightly in the cold wind.

"Why didn't you sleep a little longer?"

Shen Shuchou walked lightly behind the girl and spoke softly.

The sudden sound startled Fifth Shu Shuang, who hurriedly turned around and saw that it was Shen Shu Chou. Only then did her panicked heart slowly calm down.

"I..." Fifth Book bit her lower lip lightly, hesitating to speak.

Fifth Book Shuang had many questions she wanted to ask Shen Shuchou, among which she was particularly concerned about the marriage agreement.

The family tragedy further troubled her, keeping her awake all night.

When she woke up early in the morning, she was filled with worry and was eager to confide in Shen Shuchou, but she didn't know where to begin.

At this moment, facing Shen Shuchou, a thousand words were stuck in his throat.

"Come in and tell me what's wrong. Look how cold you are. Next time, just knock on the door."

Shen Shuchou smiled slightly, gently took the girl's small hand, and felt that it was icy cold to the touch.

Without saying a word, he pulled her into the house, completely unaware of the girl's blushing face.

"These are steamed buns I just bought. Eat them while they're hot."

Shen Shuchou gently placed the girl on the chair, thoughtfully took a blanket from the bed, and carefully draped it over Fifth Shushuang.

"Young Master Shen... I have no way to repay your kindness to me."

That's just a marriage contract; you don't need to take it too seriously, young master.

Fifth Book's eyes were filled with sorrow, and her cherry lips parted slightly.

"Now that Shushuang is all alone, she is no longer worthy of your kindness, so she wishes to leave. If possible, Shushuang begs you to take Qinghan in, even if it's just as a maid."

Fifth Shu Shuang remained motionless, her clear eyes fixed on Shen Shu Chou.

She tossed and turned on the bed all night.

Thinking of the uncertain future of the arranged marriage, and reflecting on the turbulent history of her family, her thoughts were a jumbled mess, impossible to unravel.

She was deeply worried about her own fate, yet also feared causing trouble for Shen Shuchou, leaving her in a state of inner turmoil and conflict.

After much deliberation, she ultimately decided that she shouldn't cause Shen Shuchou any trouble.

After all, those people already know that he is now with the Shen family, and they will definitely come looking for him again.

Fifth Shu Shuang did not want to involve Shen Shu Chou in this disaster.

Little did she know that trouble had already come knocking on her door the night before.

Shen Shuchou listened silently, but seeing that the girl was braving the cold early in the morning to talk to him, he had already guessed what was going on.

Shen Shuchou slowly unwrapped the oil paper, took out a steaming bun, and gently offered it to Wu Shushuang's lips. Wu Shushuang stared at him blankly.

"What! Do you expect me to feed you by mouth?"

Shen Shuchou smiled slightly and said.

Upon hearing these words, the blush that had just faded on Fifth Sister's face returned slightly.

She quickly lowered her head, swiftly took the bun with her small hand, gently placed it to her lips, and with a gentle bite, a surge of heat gushed out.

Fifth Shushuang had no appetite at all at this moment, thinking to herself, "Why is he like this! I'm talking to him about serious matters."

Seeing that she had eaten, Shen Shuchou also picked up a bun and ate it, then sat down next to the girl and said, "What I care about has never been that marriage contract."

Upon hearing this, Fifth Book trembled slightly. Although she had already decided to leave this place, after spending this short time together, the girl had already developed feelings for him.

Hearing these words now, a wave of sorrow welled up in her heart, and her clear eyes dimmed slightly.

Yes! What use is a marriage contract to someone like me who has lost everything?

The fifth book was silently recited in her heart.

Just as she was about to speak again, Shen Shuchou's voice came from the side again.

"Because the only person I care about is you. The marriage contract is a bridge that you and I built, and the person who led me across the bridge is you, not just a piece of paper."

Shen Shuchou swallowed the steamed bun and smiled slightly.

A sudden silence fell over the air; the morning dew is never simply formed by the condensation of cold air.

The dew might be the glistening tears that fall silently from a young girl's eyes at this clear dawn.

Fifth Shu Shuang's eyes, which had been filled with tears, stared intently at Shen Shu Chou.

She pressed her lips tightly together, as if all her emotions were gathered in that silence.

There wasn't a single word, only strings of glistening tears, like pearls from a broken string, silently sliding down her fair cheeks.

"Is it so delicious? It's so delicious that it brought tears to your eyes?"

Shen Shuchou leaned down slightly and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, a warm smile on his face, and said softly.

The girl was amused by the teasing remark and burst into laughter through her tears, gently scolding, "Young master, you really know how to make fun of me."

"From now on, don't call me 'Young Master' anymore. Just call me Shu Chou. From now on, consider this place your home. You and your sister can stay here in peace. With me here, no one can drive you away."

"Never mention this to me again. Eat it while it's hot, don't let it get cold, and don't forget to save some for your sister."

Shen Shuchou looked solemn.

Fifth Shushuang stared intently at Shen Shuchou's face, his eyes burning with unwavering focus.

After a long, long time, she finally parted her cherry lips slightly and whispered, "Shu Shuang and Qing Han thank Brother Shen for taking care of us. It is a blessing we have accumulated over many lifetimes. We are extremely fortunate."

She didn't call him Shuchou, but instead addressed him as Brother Shen. For a young girl, this form of address was neither too distant nor too presumptuous.