"I just wanted you to meet him," Mu Shi'an sighed softly.
"This meeting probably made your father very unhappy," Song Nianchu said, glancing worriedly toward the hospital room.
She was afraid Mu's Father, who had just woken up, might faint again.
"Don’t worry, my father’s resilience isn’t that weak," Mu Shi'an replied, as if reading her thoughts.
"Really? But wasn’t his severe illness caused by the shock he couldn’t handle?" Song Nianchu asked.
"It wasn’t just the sudden family misfortune. His health was already poor—this incident just brought everything to the surface," Mu Shi'an explained.
"I see. Then make sure he gets plenty of nourishment." Though Mu's Father disapproved of Mu Shi'an marrying into her family, she was still magnanimous.
After all, his attitude toward her showed he was a decent man.
"I will," Mu Shi'an nodded.
"Then I’ll head back first. Yongnian and Haoxuan are still at home," Song Nianchu said.
"I’m sorry to trouble you with them." At the mention of his two younger brothers, Mu Shi'an’s gaze softened with apology.
His family’s troubles were now her burden too.
"It’s no trouble. Those two are quite well-behaved. Yongnian even helped me cook this morning—without him, I might not have made it in time," Song Nianchu said with a smile.
"They’re good kids. Just let them know if you need anything," Mu Shi'an said, confident in his brothers’ obedience.
"Alright. You should go back and take care of your father now." Song Nianchu gestured before turning to leave.
Mu Shi'an didn’t return to the room immediately. Instead, he waited until her figure disappeared from sight before stepping back inside.
On the bed, Mu's Father was rubbing his chest, but his spirits seemed better than before Song Nianchu’s visit.
Perhaps he’d been provoked.
"What’s the deal with that girl? Is she really just a fisherwoman from the countryside?" Mu's Father frowned at Mu Shi'an.
"Born and raised in Qinghe Fishing Village," Mu Shi'an confirmed.
"Then she’s something else. A village girl who’s never seen the world, yet she managed to leave me speechless with anger." It had been years since Mu's Father had experienced anything like this.
In business, he’d dealt with all kinds of people. At his age, he could navigate any social situation—yet today, a young girl had nearly made him pass out in frustration.
A faint smile touched Mu Shi'an’s lips.
"She meant no harm."
"You brat. How long have you been married into her family, and you’re already defending her like this?" Mu's Father glared at him.
"Didn’t you teach me since childhood that a man must take responsibility, and his first duty is to protect his family?" Mu Shi'an countered.
Mu's Father was left speechless again.
"You’ve really been influenced. Before, you wouldn’t say a word, and now you’re sharp-tongued." Mu's Father studied him, unsure whether to be pleased or annoyed.
"Isn’t this what you always wanted?"
"I didn’t want you to become eloquent just to argue with me." Mu's Father lay back on the bed. "No more talking. I need to rest."
"Alright. Get some sleep. I’ll stay here with you." Mu Shi'an’s voice was gentle.
Exhausted, Mu's Father drifted off quickly.
Mu Shi'an carefully tucked the blanket around him. His father had been a shrewd and composed businessman for decades. If not for the turbulent times, he would never have lost the family fortune.
The news of Mu Shi'an’s marriage arrangement had been a shock, but once he recovered, he’d realize it was their only way forward.
---
Song Nianchu walked home on foot again. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she headed straight for the kitchen, setting down the groceries she’d bought at the market. She lifted the lid of the water jar, scooped out a ladleful, and gulped it down, finally feeling refreshed.
Walking everywhere was exhausting. She missed the cars of the future, but that dream was far off. For now, she’d have to save up for a bicycle.
"Sister? Are you back?" Before she could catch her breath, Mu Haoxuan’s excited voice rang out from the yard.
Song Nianchu pushed aside her thoughts and stepped outside.
Mu Yongnian and Mu Haoxuan were wobbling in with a bucket of water between them.
"Why did you two fetch water again?" Song Nianchu hurried over to take the bucket.
"Big Brother said you’d need lots of water for cooking and bathing when you got back," Mu Haoxuan answered obediently.
Mu Yongnian frantically signaled him to stop, but the younger boy didn’t notice.
"Yongnian is so thoughtful." Song Nianchu gave Mu Yongnian a thumbs-up.
The boy’s nervous expression melted into shyness.
"I… I’m not that great…"
"What about me? What about me?" Mu Haoxuan pressed eagerly.
"Of course, our Haoxuan is wonderful too." Song Nianchu ruffled his hair and poured the remaining water into the courtyard’s storage jar.
"Sister, did you see our dad in town today?" Mu Haoxuan looked up at her.
"I did. He’s awake now," Song Nianchu confirmed.
"Really?" Mu Haoxuan’s eyes sparkled.
Beside him, Mu Yongnian exhaled in relief.
"Can I go see him?" Mu Haoxuan asked.
Song Nianchu hesitated.
Even though Mu Haoxuan was just a child, he was still part of the Mu family.
"Haoxuan, don’t make things hard for Sister. Dad has Big Brother looking after him—he’ll be fine," Mu Yongnian said, more aware of their family’s delicate situation.
"Okay. Then I’ll wait here for Dad to come home." Mu Haoxuan wasn’t the type to throw tantrums. A word from his brother was enough.
"Good boy. If all goes well, your father should be back soon," Song Nianchu reassured them.
She wondered, though—once Mu's Father returned, would Mu Shi'an move out?
And if Mu Shi'an left, the boys would have no reason to stay either.
Her husband might leave before she even had a child. Would her late father haunt her dreams again to scold her?
She’d only just started sleeping well. Song Nianchu sighed deeply.
"What’s wrong?" Mu Haoxuan asked, concerned.
"Nothing. I’ll make dinner for you." Song Nianchu shook off her mood.
If the heavens willed rain, and a husband wanted to leave, there was no stopping it.
Maybe she should’ve sealed the deal on their wedding night. Such good genes wouldn’t come around again easily.
"Sister, what are we having tonight?" At the mention of food, Mu Haoxuan forgot everything else.
"What would you like?" Song Nianchu asked.
"Whatever you make, I’ll eat it!"
"Such a sweet talker." Song Nianchu laughed.
"Of course! Dad always told me to treat my future wife well!" Mu Haoxuan puffed out his chest, beaming with pride.
