Song Nianchu couldn't help but laugh at Mu Haoxuan's childish words, her smile so wide it nearly creased her eyes.
"I never knew your image in your little brother's mind was this bad," Song Nianchu teased, glancing at Mu Shi'an.
Mu Shi'an wore a complicated expression, never expecting the one to betray him would be his own younger brother.
"Mu Haoxuan, she's your sister-in-law. From now on, you can't call her 'sister' anymore," Mu Shi'an said firmly.
"No, I want to call her sister!" Mu Haoxuan refused outright.
"Fine, then I’ll send you home right now," Mu Shi'an said, stepping forward as if to grab him.
"Sister, save me!" Mu Haoxuan clung tightly to Song Nianchu's leg.
"Come on, why are you picking on a child?" Song Nianchu intervened.
Hearing this, Mu Shi'an lifted his gaze and stared at Song Nianchu without blinking.
His eyes seemed to silently accuse her.
Song Nianchu felt an inexplicable pang of guilt, but then she caught herself—why should she feel guilty? This was his own brother, after all.
"Alright, Haoxuan, go help your sister with the fire first," Song Nianchu said, deciding to placate Mu Shi'an.
After all, this was the man she’d spent 200 yuan to marry.
"Okay," Mu Haoxuan obediently ran off to sit by the stove.
Mu Yongnian stood at the doorway, watching the lively scene in the kitchen, a trace of disappointment flickering in his eyes.
It seemed his sister-in-law really liked his youngest brother. Maybe she’d even agree to let him stay, so he wouldn’t have to go hungry anymore.
This was already good enough.
Mu Yongnian comforted himself—people shouldn’t ask for too much. Greed would only leave them with nothing.
"Yongnian? You’re up too. Go wash your face, then come in for breakfast," Song Nianchu called out when she noticed him at the door.
Mu Yongnian snapped out of his thoughts. "...Okay."
Mu Haoxuan was also sent to wash up.
When the two returned, droplets of water still clung to their faces.
"You didn’t even dry yourselves?" Song Nianchu shook her head, wiped her hands on her apron, and took out two bowls of steamed egg custard from the stove.
"Eat up."
"Thank you, sister!" Mu Haoxuan chirped.
"...Thank you, sister-in-law," Mu Yongnian murmured, his voice much quieter.
While Mu Haoxuan devoured his custard in big bites, Mu Yongnian took small, careful sips.
Once finished, Mu Haoxuan immediately ran back to tend the fire.
Mu Yongnian, however, took both their bowls outside to rinse them clean before placing them back on the counter.
With Mu Haoxuan monopolizing the fire-tending, Mu Shi'an helped Song Nianchu wash vegetables and prepare ingredients.
Noticing no one was paying attention to him, Mu Yongnian slipped out quietly. Seeing the water vat in the yard was nearly empty, he grabbed a bucket and hurried out the gate.
The entire morning, Song Nianchu and Mu Shi'an were busy in the kitchen.
They barely managed to finish twenty portions of crispy fish before work hours began.
Since Song Nianchu had no glass jars left, she piled all the fish into a basin and covered it with a coarse cloth—enough to block prying eyes and keep out dust.
"Alright, I’m heading to town to deliver these. I might not make it back for lunch, so if I’m late, just make something for yourself," Song Nianchu instructed Mu Shi'an.
"Got it," Mu Shi'an nodded.
Only then did Song Nianchu pick up the basin and leave.
Passing the water vat, she noticed it was now full.
"Huh? I remember there wasn’t much water left last night," she muttered in confusion.
Mu Shi'an also recalled the vat being nearly empty when he bathed.
"It must’ve been Third Brother!" Mu Haoxuan piped up, running out from the kitchen.
"Yongnian?" Song Nianchu turned back, but Mu Yongnian was nowhere to be seen.
"I didn’t even notice when he left," she said to Mu Shi'an.
"Neither did I," Mu Shi'an admitted—he’d been too focused on helping with the prep.
"That kid…" Song Nianchu gazed at the filled vat, touched yet helpless.
"Tell Yongnian I said thanks when you see him. I’ve got to hurry now."
"Will do," Mu Shi'an agreed.
With that, Song Nianchu rushed off with the basin.
Mu Haoxuan tugged at Mu Shi'an’s sleeve, his expression downcast.
"Big Brother, can’t we let Third Brother live with us too?"
"Haoxuan, this is your sister-in-law’s home. She’s already kind enough to let you stay. Let’s wait a little longer for your Third Brother, alright?" Mu Shi'an softened his voice to console him.
Right now, the work points he earned were barely enough for himself and Mu Haoxuan. Adding another person would only burden Song Nianchu—something he couldn’t allow.
Once he finished a few more net-weaving machines, the work would go faster.
Mu Yongnian was a clever boy; operating the machines wouldn’t be hard for him. Maybe then, they could talk to Song Nianchu again.
"...Okay," Mu Haoxuan nodded reluctantly.
"Go play for now. I need to get back to work," Mu Shi'an said, eager to complete the second machine.
"Big Brother, let me help!" Mu Haoxuan didn’t know what his brother was making, but he wanted to pitch in.
"Alright, sweep up the wood shavings for me," Mu Shi'an said gently.
"Yes!" Mu Haoxuan nodded vigorously.
---
Song Nianchu arrived at the state-run restaurant in town.
Manager Li was already waiting at the back door and hurried over when he spotted her.
"Everything ready?" Manager Li asked.
"Yep," Song Nianchu lifted the cloth covering the basin slightly.
Manager Li’s eyes lit up at the sight of the crispy fish.
"Come, let’s talk inside," he said, leading her to his office.
"Manager Li, try it first to see if the taste is the same," Song Nianchu suggested, knowing inspections were standard before acceptance.
She didn’t wait for him to ask.
"Sure, let me have a taste." Manager Li picked up chopsticks and took a piece from the bottom.
"Mmm! Just like last time. I barely got to eat any of the jars you gave me before," he said, reaching for another piece.
"I’ll make a separate batch just for you next time," Song Nianchu offered.
"No need, I’ll buy it from the shop," Manager Li declined with a smile.
Once satisfied with the flavor, Manager Li set down his chopsticks and smiled warmly at Song Nianchu.
"Nianchu, bring another twenty portions at this time tomorrow."
