"Alright, since dinner's over, you should all head back to your rooms and rest early. There's work to be done tomorrow morning." Wu Zhenggui didn’t explain much about the matter.
Wu Daniu stared at his father for a while but ultimately said nothing before turning and leaving.
"Old man, what did A-Chu come to see you about?" Aunt Wu had married Wu Zhenggui at sixteen, and after decades of weathering life’s storms together, she knew him better than anyone.
Her husband’s attitude just now had clearly been off.
"It’s nothing. Let’s eat first." Wu Zhenggui didn’t reveal a single word to his wife, picking up his bowl of thin porridge and starting to drink.
Aunt Wu didn’t press him further when she saw his demeanor.
Whatever Song Nianchu had discussed with him must be important—otherwise, he wouldn’t have kept it from her.
"..."
When Song Nianchu returned home, Mu Shi'an was already hammering away again.
The frame for the second loom was already taking shape.
"You’re working fast," Song Nianchu remarked with a smile.
"Having made one already, the second comes much easier," Mu Shi'an explained.
"Alright, keep at it then. I’ll go to the kitchen to prepare the things we’ll deliver to Manager Li tomorrow."
"Got it." Mu Shi'an nodded.
Once in the kitchen, Song Nianchu brought out all the fish she had bought at the market earlier.
She didn’t start with the sea fish, instead picking up the squid first.
Eating the same dish too often grew tiresome, so she planned to prepare a variety—keeping things fresh while also earning a bit more.
In later years, grilled squid would become wildly popular, but now, with seasonings scarce and expensive, most families couldn’t afford them. Squid’s strong oceanic odor was hard to mask without enough spices, making it unpopular in this era.
But this wasn’t a problem for Song Nianchu. She deftly cleaned the squid, slicing it into bite-sized pieces.
Out in the yard, Mu Shi'an was working when a rich, savory aroma suddenly wafted over. He glanced toward the kitchen, and though he’d eaten his fill at dinner, his stomach growled as if on cue.
Trying to ignore the smell, he focused intently on the wood in his hands.
But the fragrance only grew stronger, as if it were right under his nose.
And when he looked down, there it was—a piece of squid held right to his lips.
Turning his head, he saw Song Nianchu standing beside him.
When had she come out?
How had he not heard a sound?
"It’s a new dish I just came up with. Try it for me," she said, nudging the squid closer.
Mu Shi'an opened his mouth reflexively.
"Well?" Song Nianchu watched him expectantly.
He chewed slowly—the squid had a satisfying bite, and the usual fishy taste was barely noticeable.
"It’s delicious," he said earnestly.
Song Nianchu suddenly laughed. "I forgot you’re the silent type when it comes to food."
"It really is good," Mu Shi'an insisted.
He’d never had much interest in seafood before, but anything Song Nianchu made left him craving more.
"Glad you like it. This plate is yours," she said, handing it over—but before Mu Shi'an could take it, a loud banging erupted at the gate.
"Sister! Sister, are you home? Open the door!" A familiar voice called from outside.
"It’s Haoxuan!" Song Nianchu recognized Mu Haoxuan immediately. She shoved the plate into Mu Shi'an’s hands and rushed to open the gate.
When she pulled the door open, she found Mu Haoxuan standing there, tears streaming down his face.
"What’s wrong? Who upset you?" she asked, quickly crouching to pull him inside.
"Sister!" Mu Haoxuan threw himself into her arms, sobbing.
"Shh, it’s alright. Tell me what happened," she soothed, gently patting his back.
It took a while for Mu Haoxuan to calm down enough to explain.
He’d gotten into a fight with Mu Jingmei at home and, in a fit of anger, ran away.
"There’s only one bed in the room, and I was already sleeping on the very edge, but Second Sister said I was taking up too much space and kicked me right off! When Mom came, she lied and said I fell on my own—and Mom made me apologize to her! But she’s the one who kicked me!" His words came between hiccuping cries.
Due to their family’s status, the village had assigned them the worst house—just two rooms. Mu Haoxuan’s parents took one, while Mu Jingmei shared the other with her two younger brothers. Mu Shi'an had always slept in the main room, using two benches pushed together as a makeshift bed.
"Alright, alright. If she won’t let you sleep there, you can stay with me from now on," Song Nianchu said, her heart aching for the little boy.
How could anyone kick such an adorable child out of bed?
"Really?" Mu Haoxuan’s tears stopped instantly.
"Really. Tonight, you’ll sleep with me," she promised, nodding firmly.
"Sister, from now on, you’re my real sister!" He clung to her tightly.
"Deal. Then you’re my real little brother," she replied, smiling.
"Haoxuan!" Mu Yongnian’s voice rang out as he rushed into the yard, panting.
At the sight of him, Mu Haoxuan ducked behind Song Nianchu, turning his back defiantly.
"Haoxuan, Mom only yelled because she was worried. Don’t be mad—come home with me," Mu Yongnian pleaded, reaching for his brother.
Mu Haoxuan smacked his hand away, glaring.
"You didn’t stand up for me when Second Sister lied!"
"I really didn’t see what happened," Mu Yongnian said, rubbing his reddened arm with a hurt expression.
Mu Jingmei and Mu Haoxuan had been sleeping at one end of the bed, while he was at the other. He’d only heard a thud before Mu Haoxuan hit the floor. With both siblings telling different stories, he hadn’t known what to say.
"You didn’t believe me!" Mu Haoxuan’s cheeks puffed out in anger.
"I—" Mu Yongnian faltered.
"If you don’t trust me, I won’t be friends with you anymore!" Mu Haoxuan turned away again.
Mu Yongnian panicked. After their eldest brother left, Mu Haoxuan had been his closest companion. If he refused to talk to him, he’d be all alone.
"You’re young, but your temper’s sure big," Song Nianchu chided lightly, tapping Mu Haoxuan’s head. "Your third brother probably didn’t see what happened. How could he defend you if he didn’t? You’re his brother, but she’s his sister too."
Mu Haoxuan blinked, confusion flickering across his face as he slowly grasped the logic. His puffed-up cheeks deflated.
Mu Yongnian shot Song Nianchu a grateful look before offering his hand again.
"Come home with me. This time, you can sleep on my side."
