"It's alright, I can keep watch alone. You should head back now," Mu Shi'an immediately said.
Song Nianchu nodded and pulled ten yuan from her pocket, handing it to Mu Shi'an.
Just as Mu Shi'an was about to speak, Song Nianchu interrupted him.
"Your father’s hospital expenses will add up. Take this for now—consider it a loan from me."
"...Alright." Mu Shi'an wanted to say thank you, but then he remembered Song Nianchu’s words from yesterday—that as husband and wife, they were one, and formalities weren’t necessary. So, he swallowed his thanks and simply said, "Okay."
"Don’t overexert yourself. While taking care of your father, make sure to take care of yourself too. The hospital has a cafeteria—go eat when it’s time, understand?" Song Nianchu reminded him.
Mu Shi'an nodded.
Seeing his expression, Song Nianchu stepped forward and gently embraced him.
"Mu Shi'an, I'm still here."
Mu Shi'an stiffened for a moment before slowly raising his arms, but Song Nianchu had already pulled away from his embrace.
"I’m leaving," Song Nianchu said with a smile.
"Mm," Mu Shi'an acknowledged with a nod.
After Song Nianchu left, Mu Shi'an kept replaying her words in his mind.
I’m still here.
Yes, she was still here.
Mu Shi'an stood up and stretched his shoulders slightly, a tingling numbness instantly spreading through his body.
Last night, he hadn’t dared move an inch, wanting Song Nianchu to sleep comfortably. Now, his shoulder felt like it didn’t even belong to him anymore.
But her embrace just now had been so warm.
"......"
Song Nianchu walked briskly, arriving back at Qinghe Fishing Village just as dawn broke, with most villagers still asleep.
She headed straight home, only to find the courtyard gate locked from the inside.
"Yongnian, Haoxuan, it’s me," Song Nianchu called softly, knocking on the door.
She wondered if the two boys were still asleep—if they didn’t wake up, she’d have to climb the wall.
But the next moment, rustling sounds came from inside, and soon the gate swung open.
Mu Yongnian and Mu Haoxuan stood just beyond the threshold.
"Huh? How’d you get here so fast?" Song Nianchu was surprised.
Her voice hadn’t been loud at all.
"I was worried you might come back at night, so I stayed in the courtyard to keep watch," Mu Yongnian admitted.
Song Nianchu then noticed they were still wearing yesterday’s clothes.
Her heart softened instantly, and she ruffled their hair affectionately.
"Why would you stay up all night in the courtyard? You’re still kids—if you don’t sleep, you won’t grow tall!"
"Sister, where’s my dad?" Mu Haoxuan tugged at Song Nianchu’s sleeve.
"Don’t worry, your dad’s stable for now. Your eldest brother is watching over him at the hospital," Song Nianchu reassured him.
"Really? Dad’s not dead?" Mu Haoxuan asked again, disbelief in his voice.
"Of course not. Your dad won’t die." Though Song Nianchu wasn’t entirely certain, she couldn’t let the child worry too.
Hearing that his father was alive, Mu Haoxuan finally broke down, bursting into loud sobs.
"Hey, didn’t I just say he’s fine? Why are you crying now?" Song Nianchu fumbled to wipe his tears.
"I’m... just happy..." Mu Haoxuan sniffled between words.
"Happy tears don’t need to be this loud—you’ll wake the neighbors," Song Nianchu said, amused.
Mu Haoxuan gradually quieted down.
"Alright, no more crying. I’ll make breakfast for you." After calming Mu Haoxuan, Song Nianchu turned toward the kitchen.
Mu Haoxuan trailed closely behind her, while Mu Yongnian closed the gate before following.
Though still sniffling, Mu Haoxuan efficiently lit the stove fire without delay.
Song Nianchu’s gaze softened further.
Since she still had to prepare dishes for Manager Li, breakfast was simple—just a boiled egg and a sweet potato for each of them.
It required no effort, leaving her free to start cooking for Manager Li.
"Sister-in-law, let me help," Mu Yongnian offered tentatively.
"Sure, you can wash these fish for me," Song Nianchu said, grateful for the extra hands.
"Okay!" Mu Yongnian’s eyes brightened at her approval.
For the next few hours, Song Nianchu and Mu Yongnian worked tirelessly.
Though inexperienced with ingredients, Mu Yongnian was quick to learn—after a few demonstrations, he mastered the techniques.
Thanks to his help, Song Nianchu finished all the dishes just in time.
"Yongnian, you were a huge help this morning. I need to deliver these now, but I’ve left a portion of cumin squid for you and Haoxuan to eat at noon. I’ll be back by evening."
She packed the rest into baskets.
"Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. I’ll take care of Haoxuan," Mu Yongnian assured her, then added, "And I’ll keep the house safe too."
"Good!" Song Nianchu patted his head lightly before hurrying off.
"......"
By the time Song Nianchu left, the villagers were already at work, so she quickened her pace.
Luckily, she had the stamina to run all the way to town without tiring.
She arrived just in time to deliver the order to Manager Li.
Manager Li beamed at the sight of her.
"Nianchu, you’re finally here! I was just about to wait for you at the back door."
"Sorry, Manager Li. Something came up this morning, so I’m a little late."
"Not late at all—it’s not even lunchtime yet." Manager Li’s attitude was even friendlier than yesterday.
The twenty portions of crispy fish from yesterday had sold out instantly.
Customers who arrived too late clamored for more, some even prepaying to reserve today’s batch.
That single dish alone had earned twenty yuan yesterday.
After deducting Song Nianchu’s costs, it was a clean six-yuan profit.
Six yuan might not sound like much, but it was effortless money—practically free.
At this rate, it’d be a hundred and eighty yuan a month, while his official salary was only thirty.
Half a year’s wages in a single month!
And the customers’ enthusiasm was unprecedented—no other new dish had ever sparked such demand.
The "limited quantity" factor only made them more eager, some even offering extra money to secure a portion.
Song Nianchu was his lucky charm!
"Manager Li, here’s twenty portions of crispy fish and five of cumin squid. Please check the count."
Song Nianchu was anxious to return to the hospital to check on Mu Shi'an.
