Xu Huaiyi had no mind for naming things right now. His head was filled with thoughts of how to explain things to his wife, how to coax her to lessen the scolding, and if all else failed, whether he'd have to kneel on the washboard again.
When the mule cart entered the village, it shocked countless people, leaving them stunned. By the time they snapped out of it, Xu Huaiyi had already gone far, missing the perfect opportunity to ask questions.
But that didn't stop them from gossiping.
Someone tentatively asked, "Was that Huaiyi just now?"
Another pondered thoughtfully, "It should be, but what's with the mule cart?"
Someone speculated, "Could he have borrowed it from someone?"
Immediately, another chimed in, looking rather excited, "The mule cart might be borrowed, but what about the stuff on it? Didn't you all see? Several sacks! Who knows what's inside, but they sure look like grain…"
"Has Huaiyi… struck it rich?"
"He's so honest he wouldn't say a word even if you beat him three times with a stick. How could he get rich?"
"Am I the only one who saw there was a child on the cart?"
"Right, who's that child?"
Questions came one after another, making everyone itch with curiosity. Someone winked and asked, "Do you think the Xu family knows about this?"
"Why not just go ask them?"
Someone found it troublesome, "Forget it, beating around the bush like that, why bother? Just follow him and ask the man himself, isn't that easier? Instead of asking the honest one, you'd rather go to those cunning Xus. Think you're clever, huh?"
"…"
By now, Xu Huaiyi had already entered the courtyard. After settling the mule cart, he frowned as he unloaded the grain. Before he could even give the boy a few instructions, he saw his wife walking out of the house.
He immediately tensed up, smiling as he strode forward to meet her, eagerly supporting her arm as if serving the Empress Dowager. "Wife, why did you come out? Shouldn't you be resting? Where's our daughter? Did she give you any trouble today?"
When he got nervous, he became talkative—a flaw Gu Huanxi knew better than anyone. Seeing his fawning expression, she asked without hesitation, "Did you cause trouble outside?"
Xu Huaiyi instinctively shook his head. "No."
"Really?" Gu Huanxi asked lightly again, her gaze shifting slowly from his face to the child not far away. She pinched a piece of flesh on his waist and twisted it hard. "Aren't you going to explain clearly?"
Xu Huaiyi hissed through gritted teeth, "Wife, don't be angry. I'll tell you, I'll tell you. Be gentle, ouch, I was wrong, wife. I shouldn't have acted first and explained later…"
Gu Huanxi glared at him. "What exactly happened?"
"Well, it's like this…" Xu Huaiyi wasn't unwilling to explain; he just didn't know where to start. Worried, he scratched his head and ears, wishing he could slap himself twice. See what happens when you're too kind-hearted, stirring up trouble for no reason.
Look, how am I going to pass my wife's test?
Just as he was growing frantic, a clear, crisp voice rang out—"Mom!"—so sharp and distinct. Compared to his hesitant, muddled manner, this was straightforward and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
It was a moment of resolute action.
Now, there was no need for him to struggle anymore. The matter was laid bare all at once.
Strangely, Xu Huaiyi felt a wave of relief.
However, the result of this was quite astonishing. Gu Huanxi was so shocked by the word "mother" that her scalp tingled, and for a moment, her mind went completely blank. It took her a while to find her voice. Looking at the child with a face as delicate as carved jade before her, she forced a kind smile and asked, "Little… child, what did you just call me?"
Could it be that she was hallucinating?
Yet, as soon as she spoke, the child suddenly knelt before her, his expression solemn. "Mother, your son kowtows to you."
Gu Huanxi, "…"
Well, that escalated quickly—straight to kowtowing.
Xu Huaiyi was completely dumbfounded by this move. At that moment, he couldn't help but think, This kid is really sharp. He just walked in, hasn’t even spent any time with my wife, and already knows she’s the one who calls the shots in this family?
Otherwise, why hadn’t he called him "father" or kowtowed to acknowledge him as family earlier? After all, it was Xu Huaiyi who had brought him home. Hah, is my status really that fragile?
A moment later, Gu Huanxi stiffly turned her head to look at Xu Huaiyi, gritting her teeth as she questioned him, "I asked you to buy grain, and you brought me back a grown son instead?"
"No, wife, you’ve misunderstood. He wasn’t bought…"
"Then what is he…"
"He was picked up."
"…"
Seeing him avert his eyes guiltily, Gu Huanxi suddenly realized—this was his old habit acting up again. Despite being a man, he had the heart of a saint…
Furious, she pinched his waist hard, only letting go when he grimaced in pain.
Xu Huaiyi’s eyes welled up with tears from the pain, and he quickly made an excuse to escape. "Uh, wife, I’ll take the grain inside and tidy up first. Someone might come by later…"
With that, he grabbed the sack and slipped away.
Gu Huanxi let out a sigh. This man was my choice. I can’t divorce him, and I can’t kill him. Besides cleaning up his messes, what else can I do?
Seeing the child still kneeling on the ground, his back straight and his expression devoid of joy or sorrow, her heart softened. Since becoming a mother, she couldn’t bear to see scenes like this, even if the child wasn’t her own.
"Child, get up first."
Hearing this, he didn’t insist on staying down. Obediently, he stood up and looked up at her. His voice still carried a childlike softness, but his expression was that of a little adult. "Since you’ve taken me in, I will remember this kindness and won’t let you regret it."
Gu Huanxi’s heart stirred, but she didn’t respond directly. Instead, she asked, "What’s your name? Do you remember where you’re from? What about your birth parents?"
He lowered his eyes slightly. "My birth parents have both passed away. My hometown is Jiyang Prefecture, but there are no relatives left there. That’s why my parents entrusted me to someone else, offering our family property in return. Who would have thought that person was kind on the surface but cruel at heart, only after our family’s silver? Once my parents were gone, their true nature was revealed. They beat and scolded me, and when this year’s drought hit, they tried to sell me to a filthy place. I didn’t want to die, so I ran away to find a way to survive…"
At this point, he looked up at her again. "As for my name, since I’ve acknowledged you as my mother, you may give me a new one."
After listening, Gu Huanxi felt a mix of emotions. After a moment of silence, she sighed helplessly. "Keep your old name. There’s no need to change it, just adjust the surname."
Hearing this, he seemed somewhat surprised but quickly replied, "In the past, my mother called me Xiao Yu."
"Xiao Yu?"
He responded naturally.
Gu Huanxi, "…"
This must be a nickname. She didn't know why he was unwilling to give his real name, but she didn't press the matter. Everyone has their secrets, and she was no exception.
"Come in."
"Mm…"
The two entered the house. Xu Huaiyi had already organized the things he bought. The food was piled in the other bedroom, while the pots, bowls, ladles, and cloth were placed on the Eight Immortals table in the main room, along with that conspicuous machete.
As soon as he saw her, Xu Huaiyi immediately stepped forward with an ingratiating smile. "Are you hot? Thirsty? Did you eat lunch? I bought a lot of buns from the county town—carrot and lamb filling. Would you like to try one? Or would you prefer to drink water first…"
Gu Huanxi shot him a "shut up" look, and only then did the noise around her ears quiet down.
Trying to butter her up now was useless.
She would settle this score with him sooner or later.