When Mu Shi'an heard this, he knew his mother hadn’t absorbed a single word of what he’d just said.
"Forget it. Do whatever you want." Mu Shi'an had no energy left to argue. He turned and went inside to check on Mu's Father.
Mu's mother watched Mu Shi'an, sensing his irritation, and instinctively wanted to call him back. But before she could speak, Mu Jingmei burst into tears again.
"Alright, alright, don’t cry. It’s my fault for waking up too late today and not tidying the house properly." Mu's mother could only focus on comforting Mu Jingmei.
"..."
Mu Shi'an stepped into the house. Mu's Father was already lying in bed, eyes closed, breathing steadily—he had fallen asleep.
His health hadn’t fully recovered yet, but he’d insisted on leaving the hospital early to save money. After the long, bumpy journey home, exhaustion was inevitable.
Once Mu Shi'an confirmed Mu's Father was fine, he turned to leave.
In the courtyard, Mu's mother was still softly soothing Mu Jingmei.
Mu Shi'an frowned but said nothing, striding straight toward the gate.
"Shi'an." Just then, Mu's mother suddenly called out to him.
"Is there something else?" Mu Shi'an turned back.
Mu's mother hesitated, struggling to speak. But seeing Mu Jingmei’s tear-swollen eyes beside her, she clenched her teeth and forced the words out.
"Shi'an, could you… talk to Song Nianchu? Ask her to arrange a job for your sister in her kitchen studio."
"What did you say?" For a moment, Mu Shi'an thought he’d misheard.
"Song Nianchu started some kitchen workshop, supplying dishes to the county’s state-run restaurant. People working there get full work points every day. Your sister’s hands are covered in calluses from weaving fishing nets. Just ask Song Nianchu to give Jingmei something easier." Now that she’d started, the rest poured out smoothly.
But Mu Shi'an laughed in disbelief.
"Mom, do you even hear yourself?"
"I’m asking you to get Song Nianchu to assign Jingmei a lighter job," Mu's mother repeated, still oblivious to his anger.
"On what grounds?!" Mu Shi'an bit out the words.
"On what grounds? She’s your sister!" Mu's mother’s voice rose.
"What does that matter? Can she cook? Can she chop vegetables? Why should Song Nianchu take her in? And give her an easy job? Mom, if Jingmei’s delusional, fine, but why are you encouraging her nonsense?" Mu Shi'an’s tone sharpened with frustration.
Mu's mother tried to interject, but Mu Shi'an cut her off.
"Have you forgotten we’re still labeled as ‘reform targets’? With our status, we should be doing the dirtiest, hardest labor in the village. The people of Qinghe Fishing Village have been kind enough to treat us like ordinary villagers. Instead of being grateful, you’re demanding cushy jobs? Do you want to ruin the little stability we have left?"
Every word dripped with cold fury, his expression darkening.
Mu's mother froze, stunned into silence.
"Mom, this is the last time I’ll say it—stop indulging Jingmei’s tantrums!" Without another word, Mu Shi'an turned and left.
It was the first time he’d ever spoken to her so harshly. Mu's mother stood rooted, dazed for minutes.
Only Mu Jingmei’s sobbing snapped her out of it.
"Mom, what’s wrong with Brother? He feels like a stranger now," Mu Jingmei whimpered.
Mu's mother opened her mouth but found no words, Mu Shi'an’s accusations echoing in her mind.
Seeing her silent, Mu Jingmei grew even more aggrieved.
Her brother used to dote on her—why had he changed so much?
No wonder they said men forget their mothers once they marry. He’d forgotten his sister too, all because of that woman!
Mu Jingmei stormed off to her room, leaving Mu's mother alone, Mu Shi'an’s words ringing in her ears.
Nonsense?
Was Jingmei really being unreasonable?
Perhaps…
A realization flickered in Mu's mother’s heart, but she couldn’t bring herself to face it.
"..."
After leaving the Mu household, Mu Shi'an returned to Song Nianchu’s home.
Pushing the gate open, he saw Mu Yongnian and Mu Haoxuan sweeping the courtyard.
"Big Brother, you’re back!" Mu Yongnian dropped the broom and sprinted toward him.
"Mn." Mu Shi'an softened his expression, forcing a faint smile.
"Is Dad back too?" Mu Yongnian’s eyes sparkled.
"Yes, he’s home now," Mu Shi'an confirmed.
Mu Yongnian whooped with joy, ready to bolt home, then suddenly remembered something. Digging into his pocket, he pulled out a White Rabbit candy and pressed it into Mu Shi'an’s hand.
"Big Brother, you worked hard taking care of Dad. This is for you."
"Where’d you get this?" Mu Shi'an stared at the candy, surprised.
"Sister-in-law gave it to me," Mu Yongnian admitted sheepishly.
"Then why didn’t you eat it?" Mu Shi'an frowned.
"You deserve it more." Mu Yongnian grinned, then called to Mu Haoxuan, "Haoxuan, come on! Let’s go see Dad!"
"Okay!" Mu Haoxuan beamed, racing after Mu Yongnian out of the courtyard.
Mu Shi'an wanted to tell them to slow down, but they were already gone.
Sighing, he looked down at the candy in his palm. The wrapper had fused to the sugar, as if someone had clutched it tightly for a long time.
A quiet smile touched Mu Shi'an’s lips as he carefully unwrapped it and popped it into his mouth.
It was unbearably sweet.
...
After work, Song Nianchu returned home to find Mu Shi'an tinkering with the pile of lumber again.
"Oh, you’re back?" She blinked at him in surprise.
"This is my home. Can’t I come back?" Mu Shi'an glanced up.
Song Nianchu flushed. "That’s not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?" he pressed.
"Well… your dad didn’t agree to you marrying into my family…" she mumbled.
Realization dawned on Mu Shi'an.
"So you thought I wouldn’t return?"
Song Nianchu rubbed her nose, avoiding a direct answer—but her expression said everything.
"If I gave you my word, I won’t go back on it," Mu Shi'an stated firmly.
"You mean… you’ll still stay here? You’ll still be my husband?!" Her eyes lit up with joy.
She really couldn’t bear to let go of that face.
