"The bedding is clean," Song Nianchu explained, thinking Mu's Father was concerned about its cleanliness.
Mu's Father frowned even deeper. Just as Mu Shi'an was about to say something, the older man had already started walking toward the cart.
Mu Shi'an let out a relieved sigh and quickly helped him climb onto it.
Song Nianchu instinctively moved to pull the cart, but Mu's Father suddenly spoke up from his seat.
"Shi'an, you pull it!"
"I—" Song Nianchu opened her mouth, intending to insist on doing it herself, but before she could say more, Mu Shi'an had already taken the handles from her.
"I'll do it."
"Alright, you pull for a while first, and let me know when you're tired," Song Nianchu agreed without protest.
"Okay." A faint smile touched Mu Shi'an's eyes.
From his seat on the cart, Mu's Father watched the exchange, his expression darkening further.
What was this girl thinking? Even if she wanted to earn his favor, did she really have to go this far?
With those slender arms and legs, how could she possibly pull this heavy cart?
And his son—why did he actually agree when she suggested it?
No wonder all those matchmaking attempts over the years had ended in failure.
Mu's Father sighed inwardly, frustration creeping into his gaze.
It was his fault. He’d been so focused on making sure Mu Shi'an studied well that he’d neglected to teach him how to interact with people properly.
While Mu's Father stewed in irritation behind them, Song Nianchu and Mu Shi'an chatted easily up ahead.
"Are you heading to the market later?" Mu Shi'an asked.
"How did you know?"
"Your basket is empty," he pointed out.
"What if my deal with Manager Li fell through?" Song Nianchu teased.
"That wouldn’t happen."
"Why not?"
"I’ve tasted your cooking. Unless Manager Li is a fool, he’d never cancel your partnership," Mu Shi'an said firmly.
"Spoken like a true scholar—quick on the uptake. I was worried you’d be waiting too long, so I thought I’d fetch you first before going to the market," Song Nianchu admitted.
"You didn’t have to." Guilt flickered in Mu Shi'an’s chest.
She was already so busy every day, yet she still made time to pick him up.
"Aren’t you my husband? It’s only natural I’d think of you," Song Nianchu replied breezily.
More importantly, she was counting on Mu Shi'an to build more weaving machines for her.
If you wanted someone to work for you, you had to offer a little sweetness first.
Unaware of her calculations, Mu Shi'an only felt warmth spread through him.
On the cart, Mu's Father leaned forward slightly, trying to catch their conversation.
But whether it was because he’d slept too long and his hearing had dulled, or because they were speaking too softly, he couldn’t make out a single word.
By the time they reached the market entrance, Mu Shi'an finally set the cart down.
"I’ll go buy the ingredients. You two can wait here," Song Nianchu said, hoisting her large basket.
"Alright." Mu Shi'an nodded.
Song Nianchu turned and disappeared into the market.
Once she was out of sight, Mu Shi'an glanced back and found his father staring at him with undisguised exasperation.
"Dad, why are you looking at me like that?" Mu Shi'an asked, puzzled.
"That girl went in to carry heavy groceries, and you didn’t even offer to help?" Mu's Father grumbled.
Mu Shi'an almost explained that Song Nianchu was stronger than she looked and that he’d only get in her way, but then he caught himself and smirked.
"Dad, didn’t you object to me marrying into her family? Why do you care if I help her now?"
Mu's Father’s expression shifted briefly before settling back into its usual sternness.
"That’s unrelated."
Mu Shi'an chuckled but didn’t press further.
Meanwhile, Mu's Father glared at his son, who was still standing there like a fool. He was tempted to smack some sense into him.
Hadn’t he just told him what to do? Why was he still rooted in place?
Even if he disapproved of the marriage, Song Nianchu had gone out of her way to bring him to the hospital and now to take him home.
Common decency demanded they show some gratitude.
Just as Mu's Father debated whether to remind him again, Song Nianchu returned, her basket now overflowing.
From a distance, Mu's Father couldn’t see clearly, but as she drew nearer, he realized the basket was packed to the brim.
Yet she walked effortlessly, her expression completely unstrained.
His brow furrowed slightly. Was the basket only filled at the top, with the bottom empty?
But no—through the gaps, he could see it was stuffed full all the way down.
"Dad, Nianchu is quite strong," Mu Shi'an finally explained.
Mu's Father: "..."
"Were you worried about me, Uncle?" Song Nianchu seemed to have guessed their exchange and smiled.
"No! Absolutely not!" Mu's Father denied immediately.
Song Nianchu laughed. "Uncle, do you know that multiple negatives make a positive?"
Mu's Father: "..."
This girl was sharp-tongued too!
"Let’s go," Song Nianchu said to Mu Shi'an.
"Alright." Mu Shi'an lifted the cart again, and the three of them set off.
The road back had uneven patches, making the cart harder to pull.
Mu Shi'an’s back was drenched in sweat. Mu's Father was about to suggest walking part of the way when, in the next moment, Song Nianchu grabbed the cart and effortlessly pulled both him and the vehicle out of the rut.
Mu's Father: "..."
"I’ll help you over the rough spots," Song Nianchu said to Mu Shi'an, unaware of Mu's Father’s astonishment.
"Okay." Mu Shi'an nodded.
Once they passed the bumpy stretch, Song Nianchu let go.
Mu's Father immediately felt the cart slow again.
He stared at Song Nianchu in disbelief.
When Mu Shi'an had mentioned her strength earlier, he’d been skeptical. But now, seeing it firsthand, he realized his son had understated it.
How was this girl so strong?
The question occupied Mu's Father the entire way back.
Even after they arrived at their home in Qinghe Fishing Village, he still hadn’t figured it out.
"Dad, we’re home," Mu Shi'an called.
Mu's Father snapped out of his thoughts and looked up at their dilapidated gate.
Mu Shi'an helped him down from the cart, but as they stepped toward the house, Mu's Father suddenly turned back.
No one was there.
His frown deepened.
"Nianchu had other business. She left us at the village entrance," Mu Shi'an explained.
"Who asked about her?" Mu's Father huffed, pulling his arm free and shuffling into the yard alone.
