Seeing that she was still somewhat shy, Xie Yuduo did not lie down immediately. Instead, he leaned against the headboard for a while, watching Shen Qi hide under the covers.
“Does your leg still hurt?”
“No, it doesn’t.”
“Let me feel it?”
Shen Qi shrank back and quickly said, “No, no need, it really doesn’t hurt.”
He was very patient and didn’t want to frighten her, so he changed the subject.
“That’s good. How was your day at home? Did you get along well with the family?”
Xie Yuduo reclined against the pillow, looking down at her with deep, observant eyes, carefully watching his wife’s reactions.
“Mm, everything was fine. Eldest Sister is wonderful—she treats me extremely well, taking care of me like an elder.”
“Eldest Sister married far away and rarely comes back. I know she’s always worried about the family, and I can tell she likes you very much.”
“Yujing is good too, like my little brother at home, following me everywhere.”
“Mm. I was away most of the time before. When Mother passed, she was only two and doesn’t remember what Mother looked like. Fortunately, Grandmother took care of her, and she’s exceptionally sensible.”
“Mm, I like Grandmother too.”
“Is there no one you don’t like?” he asked pointedly.
“Mm… it’s fine. If I don’t like someone, I just say less and don’t provoke them, so naturally they won’t bother me either.”
“You have a very broad heart.”
“Of course. My mother often said that if you recite ‘Amitabha’ a couple of times in your heart, nothing can trouble you. I saw that Grandmother has a Buddhist prayer room in her quarters. I’ll go recite there someday, so I can be as carefree as she is.”
“Mm. Grandmother has truly weathered great storms. The family shop is said to have been left by Grandfather, but in truth, she and Grandfather built it together through hard work. Later, when the shop gained a reputation and the family had Father and Second Uncle as children, she stayed in the rear courtyard to manage household affairs. In reality, Grandmother’s vision is no less than Grandfather’s—she’s sharp-eyed and clear-minded. Father’s and my business acumen were also taught by her through constant guidance.”
“Did she only teach you and Father? What about Second Uncle and Eldest Brother?”
“According to Father, Second Uncle was sickly and prone to misfortune as a child, so Grandmother inevitably spoiled him. If he didn’t want to learn, she didn’t force him, to the point where he can’t even understand an account book now.”
“So, the family shop relies entirely on Father alone?”
“For a long time, yes. Later, as we grew up, Second Aunt is also someone who indulges children. Eldest Brother didn’t want to learn many things either and was careless in business, missing many opportunities for nothing. After looking into it carefully since I returned, the shop has significant deficits and is barely being held up by the head shop assistant.”
“Then, do you know how to do business?”
Xie Yuduo chuckled softly, his tone carrying steady confidence.
“Know the land to gain advantage, choose the place to generate wealth, buy when prices are low, sell when they are high—nothing in the world is easier than this. I think I know a thing or two.”
Shen Qi disagreed.
“That’s not true at all. Growing up by Father’s side, I’ve known since childhood that without enduring hardship, one cannot gain worldly wealth. Running a business involves all sorts of messy matters—there are countless things to attend to carefully.”
She spoke earnestly but didn’t notice that her shoulder had slipped out, revealing a patch of fair skin.
Xie Yuduo found this quite alluring, a subtle smile playing at the corners of his eyes and brows. Unable to resist, he leaned closer and replied softly with a laugh.
“Thank you for the lesson, Wife.”
Shen Qi quickly pushed him away and hastily changed the subject.
"Were you… busy at the shop today?"
"Not too bad. With the season changing and the weather turning cooler, more people are falling ill, so the medicine has been selling steadily."
"Then, make sure to wear more tomorrow."
"You too, keep the blankets tucked in."
Xie Yuduo thoughtfully pulled the blankets tighter.
The blankets were quickly adjusted, but his hand didn’t return to its place—instead, it began wandering toward the curve of her waist.
Shen Qi clutched the edge of the blanket tightly, hurriedly continuing the conversation to divert his attention.
"If there are honeysuckle and forsythia at the front shop, brew some in water to drink. They clear heat and detoxify, and are best for preventing colds."
Xie Yuduo was absent-minded, gently stroking her hair.
"Oh, does little Yue'er know about such things?"
The question was casual, but it struck a chord with the listener.
Hearing this, Shen Qi’s mind went blank with a sudden buzz.
Why… did she know these things?
Because she had once been engaged to the Xu family, who ran a medical clinic. The two families had interacted frequently, and she had picked up and remembered such knowledge over time.
"Well… Mother mentioned it, so I remembered…"
It was the first time Shen Qi had lied to him, and she felt a pang of guilt—
Did Xie Yuduo know about the broken engagement?
And did he know about the so-called "husband-cursing" rumor?
At that moment, Xie Yuduo wasn’t paying attention to such matters. He casually hummed in response and lowered his head.
His mind was completely occupied by something else.
Because of that slight guilt, Shen Qi didn’t clutch the blanket edge this time.
She let him, bit by bit, sip away her very soul…
Outside the window, the autumn rain began to patter softly.
The rain tapped at the heart of the flowers, the wind teased the willow branches, and it wasn’t until deep into the night that it gradually subsided.
After the wind died down, Shen Qi couldn’t sleep. In the dim moonlight, she gazed intently at her husband’s features beside her.
His face was elegant and handsome, his eyes and brows relaxed with contentment. His Adam’s apple rose and fell gently with his breath, his disheveled sleepwear loosely tied at the waist, and below that, his taut waistline half-hidden…
He truly was a very handsome man.
She was immensely satisfied.
All was silent, the night deep and still.
For the first time in her life, she began to fear the rumor she had never taken seriously.
In the darkness, she closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, and prayed with all her devotion to Guanyin Bodhisattva.
Oh, merciful deity, please protect him.
I truly love him.
By the time she woke up the next morning, Shen Qi had already cast aside the worries of the previous night.
After all, when Xie Yuduo came to her once more before dawn, she had taken a careful look before her mind drifted. Judging by his vigorous energy, he hardly seemed like someone she could curse to death.
After breakfast, Second Aunt seized the opportunity while everyone was present, cleared her throat, and brought up the plan she had long been contemplating to Old Lady Wu.
"Mother, ever since Sister-in-Law passed away, I’ve been the only one managing the meals for the front shop. I’ve been doing it for so many years now, and though I don’t complain, I’m truly exhausted. You know, Eldest Brother’s wife is frail and can’t handle the strain. Now that Second Brother’s wife has joined the family…"
The Old Madam slowly brushed away the tea leaves floating in her cup, not even looking up.
"It’s just arranging for someone to deliver lunch to the front shop. You don’t have to cook it yourself—how could that tire anyone?"
"Oh, my!"
Hearing this, Second Aunt immediately perked up.
"You have no idea, it may seem like just a simple lunch, but early in the morning, you have to oversee the shopping, and after breakfast, you have to watch them prepare the dishes and cook the meal. Once it's done, you have to arrange for it to be delivered properly, and after mealtime, you have to collect the bowls, plates, and chopsticks, then check and tally the numbers. It’s no small task!"
Second Uncle chimed in from the side.
"That's right, that's right. She often complains about back pain on ordinary days—probably from exhaustion."
Seeing that she had someone backing her up, Lady Feng grew even more spirited, deliberately glancing toward the dining table again.
"Not only is it exhausting, but it’s thankless too! If the meal is delivered a bit late, or if the food is a little too salty or too bland—oh my! You have no idea how much criticism I have to endure!"
Even though it was her own son who had complained about the bland food yesterday, she intentionally looked toward the direction where the father and son of the main branch were seated.
Seeing this, Shen Qi understood that Second Aunt was hinting at her. Before she could continue with her insinuations, Shen Qi proactively stood up.
"Since Second Aunt has been working so hard, as a junior, it’s only right that I share some of the burden."