After Song Nianchu finished washing up, the preserved egg and salted pork congee was ready.
She served a bowl for herself and one for Mu Shi'an.
"Eat up," Song Nianchu said, picking up her spoon and eagerly taking a bite.
Mmm...
The congee with salted pork was just as delicious.
Though eggs were considered a luxury nowadays, and it wasn’t easy to get even a small amount.
Mu Shi'an waited until Song Nianchu had started eating before beginning his meal.
Noticing his cautious demeanor, Song Nianchu sighed inwardly. It seemed her earlier words had left a mark on him.
She’d have to be more careful with her words from now on.
Both of them were preoccupied, so the meal passed in silence.
However, halfway through, Song Nianchu suddenly heard faint rustling outside the courtyard.
Setting down her spoon, she quietly walked to the door and spotted a slender figure peering furtively into her house.
Song Nianchu recognized the intruder—Mu Jingmei, Mu Shi'an’s younger sister.
"What are you looking at?" Since it wasn’t a thief, Song Nianchu relaxed, leaning casually against the doorframe.
Startled by the voice, Mu Jingmei jumped in fright.
When she turned and saw Song Nianchu, her delicate face flushed with embarrassment.
Sneaking into someone’s home without permission was undeniably rude.
But then again, this woman had taken advantage of the situation and forced her brother into a marriage. With someone so unreasonable, why bother with manners?
Bolstered by that thought, Mu Jingmei straightened up defiantly.
"Where’s my brother? What have you done to him?"
"He’s inside, crying," Song Nianchu replied airily.
"Crying? You cruel woman! Did you really force yourself on him?!" Mu Jingmei’s eyes welled up instantly, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Hey, little girl, why the tears so suddenly?" Song Nianchu was taken aback.
Given how fierce she’d seemed moments ago, Song Nianchu had assumed she was proud and unyielding. Who knew she’d cry so easily?
"You vile woman! How dare you defile my brother like this? I’ll never forgive you!" Mu Jingmei seethed through gritted teeth.
Song Nianchu: "..."
She might have believed the threat if Mu Jingmei hadn’t been trembling while saying it.
"Jingmei, that’s no way to speak," Mu Shi'an finally emerged from the kitchen.
"Brother? You’re okay?" Mu Jingmei rushed to him, scrutinizing him from head to toe.
Thank goodness, he looked unharmed.
"Why wouldn’t I be?" Mu Shi'an’s expression softened when facing his sister.
"But that woman said you were—" Mu Jingmei turned to glare at Song Nianchu, ready to expose her misdeeds.
Mu Shi'an cut her off. "She’s your sister-in-law now. Show some respect."
"Sister-in-law? What kind of sister-in-law is she? She’s nothing but a bandit, a thief!" Mu Jingmei fumed.
"I can’t let that slide. Have you ever heard of a bandit who pays before taking someone?" Song Nianchu countered smoothly.
"You—!" Mu Jingmei was left speechless.
"Jingmei, apologize," Mu Shi'an said sternly.
"Why should I? She’s no different from that Yang Dafu!" Mu Jingmei stared at her brother in disbelief.
"Jingmei, is this how I raised you?" His tone grew firmer.
"Brother, I’m standing up for you, and you’re scolding me? Fine! I’m never speaking to you again!" With reddened eyes, Mu Jingmei spun around and ran off.
As she passed Song Nianchu, she shot her a venomous glare.
Mu Shi'an watched his sister leave with concern but still apologized to Song Nianchu.
"I’m sorry. My family spoiled her. I’ll make sure she learns better."
"It’s fine. She was just worried about you," Song Nianchu said, unbothered. After all, she had provoked the girl first.
"Go finish your congee. It’s gone cold," Mu Shi'an said.
Song Nianchu nodded.
At the table, Mu Shi'an’s bowl was already empty, spotlessly clean.
She quickly finished hers and was about to wash the dishes when Mu Shi'an returned from outside.
"Let me," he said, taking the bowl from her.
Just then, a sharp whistle pierced the air. Song Nianchu immediately turned toward the sound.
"Is it time for work?" Mu Shi'an followed her gaze, but the whistle sounded different from the usual signal.
Three more blasts followed in quick succession.
Song Nianchu sprang to her feet. "No, something’s happened!"
Without another word, she dashed outside.
Worried, Mu Shi'an set the bowl down and hurried after her.
Outside, villagers were rushing toward the shore.
"What’s going on?" Song Nianchu grabbed someone to ask.
"A boat capsized! Someone drowned—might even be dead!" the person gasped in panic.
Dead?
Song Nianchu quickened her pace.
By the time she reached the beach, a crowd had already gathered.
She saw a familiar villager, Wu Zhenggui, running frantically with a child slung over his back, upside down. A woman nearby wailed in despair.
"Put the child down!" Song Nianchu rushed forward.
"Song Nianchu, don’t interfere! This is how we save drowning victims," Wu Zhenggui snapped.
It was the method passed down for generations in the fishing village—jostling the person upside down to expel the water they’d swallowed.
But it wasn’t the right way to perform CPR.
"This won’t save the child. Put them down now!" Song Nianchu insisted.
"We’ve always done it this way," Wu Zhenggui argued.
Done wasting time, Song Nianchu snatched the child from him.
"What are you doing?!" the man roared, though he didn’t dare lay a hand on her.
"Saving a life!" she shot back.
She laid the child flat on the sand. No breath, no pulse.
After checking for obstructions, she immediately began chest compressions.
"Song Nianchu, stop! You’ll crush the child!" someone cried, trying to pull her away.
Ignoring them, Song Nianchu transitioned to rescue breaths.
"Good heavens! She’s just a child!" The onlookers erupted in outrage.
Several elderly women moved to drag her away.
"She’s saving her," Mu Shi'an said firmly, stepping between them and the women.
