Never expecting Qi Yuze to react so strongly, Mu Simiao helped him up and patted his arm. “That’s not what I meant. I just wanted you to go back and spend some time with them.”
Qi Yuze gazed deeply into her eyes, only relaxing after confirming she wasn’t joking. Still, he maintained his refusal: “This humble one is married now. My future days must prioritize the household.”
It seemed to be local custom, so Mu Simiao didn’t press further. As long as he didn’t find it dull, that was fine.
“It’s getting late. We should rest early – mending the sleeve can wait until tomorrow.” Having busied herself all day, Mu Simiao was feeling rather weary. Covering a yawn, she looked at Qi Yuze with sleep-misted eyes.
Having never seen her so relaxed before, Qi Yuze shyly lowered his head and set the clothing aside. “As Mu Niang says.”
Swaying slightly, Mu Simiao made her way to the bed and settled in the innermost spot, leaving the outermost position for Qi Yuze with Yue’er sleeping between them.
Even with her eyes closed, she could feel his intense gaze following the flickering kerosene lamp. Slightly exasperated, she cracked open her eyes and calmly uttered two words: “Lights out.”
Qi Yuze suddenly met her gaze, startled for a moment before quickly rising to trim the lamp wick with scissors.
The room plunged into immediate darkness. Enjoying the familiar blackness, Mu Simiao instinctively turned toward the wall and soon began breathing deeply in sleep.
Early the next morning, when Mu Simiao emerged fully dressed, Qi Yuze was busy in the kitchen while Yue’er sat in her crib, waving a brush in her hand.
“Our Yue’er seems destined to be a talented lady,” Mu Simiao remarked, snatching the brush and twirling it between her fingers. Yue’er, as if discovering something marvelous, cooed and attempted to stand up from the crib to reclaim it.
Amused, Mu Simiao supported Yue’er with one hand while raising the brush high with the other. The baby wobbled unsteadily until her lips began to quiver downward. Relenting, Mu Simiao returned the brush, and Yue’er resumed her poking and prodding, bringing a smile to Mu Simiao’s face.
“Mu Niang, could you check if we need anything else?” Qi Yuze spoke up only after their interaction subsided.
Mu Simiao immediately turned to the stove. Seeing the prepared ingredients and seasonings, she praised Qi Yuze: “This will do. I’ll load the cart myself.”
The physical task of loading still fell to her. From their first meeting, Qi Yuze’s delicate beauty had left a deep impression, and Mu Simiao feared tiring him – especially after learning he’d borne the original host’s child, making her feel protective of him.
After the small family finished their late breakfast, Mu Simiao pulled the cart toward the market. When they reached yesterday’s spot, Liu Haoxuan had already arrived, sitting boredly on a platform behind the stall watching passing vendors.
As the cart stopped before the stall, Liu Haoxuan immediately approached Mu Simiao. “Sister Mu, you’re finally here! I’ve been waiting forever.”
Mu Simiao, who even during school days had barely arrived on time, felt unexpected respect for someone so early to work. Still, his striking appearance remained distracting, and she deliberately lowered her gaze. “No need to come so early going forward. Arriving around ten is perfectly fine.”
“That’s right, the private school lets out at noon, your brother is indeed too early.” The neighboring stall owner chimed in. Mu Simiao smiled at her before turning to Liu Haoxuan. “Remember that?”
“Got it, got it. Sister Mu treats me better than my own mother.” Liu Haoxuan stood beside Mu Simiao at eye level. “Sister, what should I do today?”
“Just help me pass the prepared noodles to customers and keep track of how many portions we’ve sold. I’ll handle the rest.” Though she considered him family in her eyes, in reality he was still an outsider. It never hurt to be cautious, so she preferred to handle the money herself.
When the school bell rang, female students instantly flooded the street. Perhaps because the noodles tasted good, besides regular customers, even those who missed out yesterday were queuing up today.
Compared to other stalls, Si Miao Cold Noodles was particularly eye-catching.
Mu Simiao couldn’t afford to think about that now. She busily scooped noodles and passed them to Qi Yuze while hastily receiving copper coins into the paper box. Though it was Liu Haoxuan’s first time working, he moved quite deftly – eventually Mu Simiao could barely keep up with his pace.
As the crowd gradually dispersed, Mu Simiao finally relaxed, pressing her shoulders. The workload had been truly overwhelming.
But she couldn’t reduce portions just because business was booming. People were fickle – the cold noodle business might decline in a few days. Better to earn more while it lasted, fatigue didn’t matter much.
“Sister, you rest first. I’ll handle sales for a while.” Liu Haoxuan’s eyes filled with concern. Mu Simiao glanced at him, considering there weren’t many noodles left, and handed him the chopsticks.
She stood aside focusing only on collecting money until all the cold noodles were sold out. Only then did Mu Simiao have time to sit down and rest properly.
A handkerchief embroidered with green bamboo appeared before her. Mu Simiao looked up to see Liu Haoxuan smiling at her: “Sister Mu, wipe your sweat. Be careful not to catch cold.”
Without overthinking it – it was just wiping sweat after all – she took the handkerchief from him and patted the step beside her: “Thank you. You should rest too, stop working.”
Hearing her caring words warmed Liu Haoxuan’s heart. He sat close to Mu Simiao’s leg, occasionally glancing at her: “Sister Mu, should we cook more noodles tomorrow? Today’s amount really wasn’t enough. If you need help at home, I can assist.”
With Qi Yuze helping at home, there was no need to trouble Liu Haoxuan. Mu Simiao instinctively refused, slightly pulling her leg back: “No need, someone at home helps me. I’ll remind him to cook more noodles tomorrow.”
The handkerchief was already stained with sweat. Mu Simiao tucked it into her waistband: “The handkerchief is dirty. I’ll bring it back tomorrow after washing it at home.”
Liu Haoxuan secretly hoped she would take the handkerchief home, wishing that person engaged to her would see it. Without showing his thoughts, he smiled: “No rush, sister.”
Mu Simiao nodded, smoothed the wrinkles from her clothes, stood up and packed the stall items. Then she took 10 coins from the money box and handed them to Liu Haoxuan: “10 coins daily. Handle your own lunch.”
Liu Haoxuan wasn’t doing this for money anyway. His mother said she could make blueprints – if he married her, he could obtain the drawings. He took the copper coins, squinting at Mu Simiao: “Thank you, Sister Mu.”
The vendors on both sides gradually packed up and left. Mu Simiao slung the cart straps over her shoulder and walked alongside Liu Haoxuan, accompanying him to the entrance of the alley near his home. “Oh, by the way, the private school is closed tomorrow, so we’ll also take a day off.”
Liu Haoxuan immediately pouted, lowering his head with little enthusiasm. “Understood, elder sister.”
Unable to resist, Mu Simiao reached out and ruffled his hair, then patted his shoulder. “Go on back now.”
The courtyard gate stood wide open. Qi Yuze was in the yard, amusing Yue’er. Mu Simiao pulled the cart into the courtyard and set it down, casually taking the handkerchief from her waist to wipe away the sweat.
“Mu Niang, you—” Qi Yuze turned at the sound, but the smile on his face abruptly froze. His heart swelled with a sour ache as he noticed the handkerchief in Mu Simiao’s hand.
“Ah, I’m exhausted today.” Mu Simiao sat on a stone stool, tossing the money pouch from her waist onto the table and gesturing for Qi Yuze to take it. “The private school is closed tomorrow, so I’ll have time to tidy up that plot of land.”
Qi Yuze lowered his gaze and responded softly.
Sensing his low spirits, Mu Simiao paused and set the handkerchief aside, pressing the back of her hand to his forehead. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
Qi Yuze leaned back, avoiding her touch. “This humble one is fine.”
Not being particularly observant, Mu Simiao took him at his word and didn’t press further. After washing her face, she headed to the kitchen and called out to Qi Yuze, “What did you two have for lunch?”
“Coarse grain pancakes and potatoes,” Qi Yuze answered absentmindedly, his gaze still fixed on the handkerchief.
As long as they hadn’t gone hungry, it was fine. Mu Simiao quickly boiled a bowl of noodles and carried it back to the courtyard. “I’m thinking of digging out the field to make a fishpond. Later, I’ll buy some fry, and by the end of the year, we can sell them at a good price in the market.”
Based on Mu Simiao’s recent actions, Qi Yuze trusted her judgment. “This humble one will also help tomorrow.”
“No need. Stay home and watch Yue’er.” The sun was scorching, and Mu Simiao didn’t want either of them exposed to it, but Qi Yuze seemed to have other thoughts.
He looked up, his lips trembling slightly before he finally spoke. “This humble one wishes to help.”
His tone was off, even choked with emotion. Mu Simiao paused mid-slurp of her noodles, her eyes scanning him. After a moment of silence, she relented. “If you insist on going, that’s fine, but make sure to cover up properly and avoid the sun.”
Hearing her acquiesce, Qi Yuze immediately nodded in agreement. His eyes drifted to Mu Simiao’s clothes, and he suggested, “Mu Niang, perhaps you should bathe and change first. I’ll wash these clothes for you. This handkerchief is stained with sweat—it should be washed too, right?”
Mu Simiao swallowed her last bite of noodles, oblivious to his mood. “Yes, it needs washing. It belongs to someone else—I have to return it in a couple of days.”
So it really did belong to someone else. Qi Yuze traced the embroidery on the handkerchief; the craftsmanship clearly indicated it was from a gentleman.
After her bath, Mu Simiao stepped out of the makeshift bathing area. Qi Yuze was hanging the freshly washed clothes on a bamboo pole, the handkerchief dangling separately as water dripped from it.
Mu Simiao gathered her hair and walked over to Yue’er, who lay asleep with her head tilted against the baby carriage. Bending down, she picked her up and carried her into the inner room.
She laid Yue’er on the bed, gently patting her back until she was sound asleep. Then, she covered her stomach with a light blanket before returning to the courtyard.
Qi Yuze had already finished hanging the clothes and was squatting on the ground, gazing at the plot of land in the courtyard.
“What are you looking at?” Mu Simiao walked up behind Qi Yuze, following his line of sight.
He looked up at the sound of her voice, pointing at the tender sprouts emerging from the soil, his eyes sparkling: “The vegetables have sprouted.”
Mu Simiao leaned closer and indeed saw a patch of young sprouts: “It seems the planting was successful. In a few days, we’ll need to transplant the sprouts to another spot. They need to be spaced out more to grow lush.”