"You!" Mu Deyi angrily grabbed another pillow, ready to throw it.
"Alright, I won’t say anymore." Mu Shi'an raised his hands in surrender.
Mu Deyi looked at his eldest son, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes.
This son of his had always been as cold and still as an ancient well—when had he become so lively?
Then again, he was only twenty-two this year, still in the prime of his youth.
A pang of sorrow struck Mu Deyi’s heart, and he lowered the pillow back onto the bed.
"Was it that girl’s idea to have me work as an accountant, or did you ask her for it?" Mu Deyi’s voice was low.
Hearing this, Mu Shi'an knew his father’s resistance was softening.
"Chu brought it up herself."
"And her word carries weight?" Mu Deyi’s eyes gleamed skeptically.
"Dad, you’ve been hospitalized for a while and don’t know the situation in the village. Right now, Chu is practically supporting the entire village." Mu Shi'an smiled, a hint of pride unconsciously coloring his tone.
"A young girl supporting the whole village?" Mu Deyi stared at him in disbelief.
"Yes." Mu Shi'an nodded and briefly explained everything Song Nianchu had accomplished during this time.
Mu Deyi fell silent for a long while after hearing it.
"Dad, Chu wants to help everyone in the village live without hunger or cold. She’s already convinced the village chief. And I know our family’s ancestral teachings include the principle: 'In poverty, cultivate virtue alone; in prosperity, benefit the world.'"
"Chu has the ability but chooses not to keep it to herself. She’s truly a remarkable girl. Spend more time with her, and you’ll grow to like her too." Mu Shi'an’s voice softened.
Mu Deyi gave him a sidelong glance.
"Even quoting our ancestors to persuade me."
"Dad, just tell me—will you agree or not?" Mu Shi'an chuckled.
"Hmph. Just some inexperienced little girl. Does she really think business is so easy these days? I’ll have to see for myself whether she’s as impressive as you claim!" Mu Deyi snorted.
"Fine. I’ll head back now—Chu is waiting for my reply." With that, Mu Shi'an turned to leave.
Mu Deyi didn’t stop him, still mulling over his son’s words.
A private kitchen business?
Canned fish?
Could that girl really have pulled off all this?
As Mu Shi'an stepped out of the room, Mu Haoxuan immediately rushed up to him.
"Big brother, are you leaving already?"
"Yes." Mu Shi'an nodded.
Mu Haoxuan grabbed his hand, looking up at him with wide, hopeful eyes.
"Big brother, can I go with you?"
Mu Shi'an paused.
"There are only two rooms at home, and second sister keeps complaining that I kick in my sleep. I want to go back and sleep with sister instead." Mu Haoxuan spoke pitifully, his eyes welling up with tears.
Mu Shi'an: "..."
"That’s up to your sister-in-law."
"Sister adores me! She’d love it if I stayed with her every night!" Mu Haoxuan declared.
Mu Shi'an couldn’t help but laugh—Song Nianchu did dote on him.
"Big brother, just take me back first. If sister doesn’t want me, you can send me home." Mu Haoxuan pressed.
"Alright, I’ll take you." At this point, Mu Shi'an had no reason to refuse.
Nearby, Mu Yongnian watched as Mu Shi'an agreed to take Mu Haoxuan, envy flashing in his eyes. But he didn’t ask to go along.
He didn’t want to burden his eldest brother.
"Yongnian, come with us too." Yet the next moment, Mu Shi'an suddenly reached out to him.
Mu Yongnian looked up in shock, disbelief written across his face.
"Would you like to?" Mu Shi'an asked.
"Yes!" Mu Yongnian choked out, nodding.
"Then let’s all go home together." Holding both their hands, Mu Shi'an started to leave.
"Shi'an!" Mu's mother called out, stopping them.
Mu Shi'an halted but didn’t turn around.
"Jingmei keeps complaining that they disturb her rest. From now on, they’ll stay with me. That way, she won’t have to fuss about it anymore." With those words, he led Mu Haoxuan and Mu Yongnian away.
Mu's mother took a few steps forward, watching her three sons leave without hesitation. A heavy weight settled in her chest, making it hard to breathe.
"Mom, was big brother blaming me just now?" Mu Jingmei asked, her voice trembling with hurt.
Mu's mother snapped out of her thoughts, glancing at her delicate daughter. She didn’t know what to say, only murmuring softly,
"Let’s eat. Rest early tonight—with your brothers gone, you can finally sleep well."
The words sounded ordinary, but Mu Jingmei could tell her mother’s mood was off.
It was all her eldest brother’s fault. He was already married into another family—why did he have to come back?
And even if he did, why bring nothing for them, only leaving behind those cryptic, hurtful words?
Mu Jingmei wanted to say something to soothe her mother, but Mu Deyi emerged from his room.
He glanced at the now-empty hall, where only Mu's mother and Mu Jingmei remained, and asked,
"Where are Haoxuan and Yongnian?"
Mu's mother quickly composed herself, helping him to a chair.
"Shi'an took them. Said it was so Jingmei could rest better."
Mu Deyi frowned but didn’t comment in front of them.
"Let’s eat." He picked up his chopsticks again.
Mu Jingmei sat down, but her mind was no longer on the meal. Stealing glances at her father, she finally couldn’t resist probing,
"Dad, what did big brother talk to you about?"
Was it money?
Or something else?
"Nothing important." Mu Deyi replied dismissively.
Mu Jingmei’s grip on her chopsticks tightened, but she dared not press further. Her father’s temper was fearsome when provoked.
Yet beneath her lowered lashes, resentment simmered.
It had always been like this—her father only confided in her eldest brother, as if she weren’t a Mu at all.
Why did the heir have to be him?
She was clever too, quick to learn. Yet her father forbade her from business, claiming it was "unsuitable for a girl."
Excuses. The truth was, as a daughter, she wasn’t worthy of inheriting his legacy.
"Mom, I’m done eating." Mu Jingmei couldn’t bear to stay any longer. Setting down her chopsticks, she retreated to her room.
"Jingmei—" Mu's mother started, but the door had already shut.
Mu Deyi stared at the closed door, his frown deepening.
"You’ve spoiled this daughter into something twisted!"
