"This is so much easier!" Song Nianchu exclaimed in delight, turning to Mu Shi'an.
"Try pushing it around for a lap," Mu Shi'an suggested.
"Okay!" Song Nianchu immediately wheeled the cart around the courtyard, growing more and more amazed with each step.
"Mu Shi'an, how on earth did you come up with this? This cart is better than any I've ever used!"
What's more, the height of the cart seemed tailor-made for her—no need to hunch over, just push it as naturally as walking.
Most carts she'd used before required her to stoop, leaving her tired after just a short while.
But the one Mu Shi'an had crafted moved with unbelievable smoothness.
"Be careful—this cart isn’t perfectly balanced. Don’t spill your ingredients," Mu Shi'an warned.
"Got it!" Song Nianchu carefully set the cart down, and just as Mu Shi'an had said, it wobbled slightly when stationary.
Luckily, she was prepared and strong enough to steady it before it toppled.
Aside from that minor flaw, the experience was otherwise flawless.
"Mu Shi'an, you never fail to surprise me," Song Nianchu said, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at him.
"It still requires manual pushing," Mu Shi'an replied, eyeing the cart with slight dissatisfaction.
If he had access to motors and parts, he could’ve built her an automated one.
"Oh, come on. If not manual, what else? You couldn’t possibly make one that moves on its own," Song Nianchu teased without thinking.
But when Mu Shi'an didn’t refute her, her eyes widened in shock.
"Wait… you actually could?"
"It’d need a lot of components," Mu Shi'an admitted.
"So you really can make one?!" she pressed.
"Mn." He nodded.
The principles were simple—just a motor and some additional parts. Hardly any brainpower required.
"Mu Shi'an, just how many hidden talents do you have?" Song Nianchu threw herself into his arms.
Her sudden movement made Mu Shi'an quickly steady her waist, afraid she might stumble.
He wanted to scold her for being so reckless, but the moment he looked down and met her starry eyes, the words died in his throat.
Fine. He’d just have to keep a closer eye on her from now on.
"Mu Shi'an, what made you think of building a cart in the first place?" Song Nianchu asked, oblivious to his thoughts, her bright eyes fixed on him.
"You’ve been carrying heavy loads back and forth to the county town alone. It’s exhausting. I thought a cart would help, so you could have others deliver for you," he explained.
"So… you were worried about me?" She leaned in closer, her lovely face still flawless even up close.
Mu Shi'an couldn’t handle it and averted his gaze.
"Mu Shi'an, you didn’t answer me." But Song Nianchu promptly cupped his face and turned it back toward her.
Mu Shi'an froze.
"Say it. Were you worried about me?" she insisted, hands still framing his face.
"...Yes." His voice came out muffled under her hold.
But she heard it clearly, her eyes lighting up with radiant joy.
Satisfied, Song Nianchu finally released him—though not before giving his cheeks one last playful squeeze.
The texture is perfect!
Her gaze then drifted from his face down to his waist.
Wonder how his abs feel. Are they as nice to touch as his face?
"What are you thinking about?" Mu Shi'an noticed her stare and instinctively shifted sideways.
"N-Nothing! Just that your waist seems… useful?" The words tumbled out before she could stop them.
Mu Shi'an stiffened.
"No! That’s not what I meant! I just—I wanted to compliment you!" she flailed, waving her hands in denial.
"Is this… how you usually compliment people?" Mu Shi'an asked hesitantly.
"Of course not! Only you!" Desperate to salvage her dignity, Song Nianchu clarified.
His expression softened slightly at her words.
"Anyway, you keep working. I’ll go make dinner." Eager to escape the awkwardness, she grabbed her basket and hurried toward the kitchen.
In her haste, the already-unstable cart tipped over.
But she didn’t look back, disappearing into the kitchen without a second glance.
Left alone, Mu Shi'an chuckled quietly, his eyes lingering in her direction.
Not so bold after all.
All talk, no action.
He righted the fallen cart and knelt to adjust its balance.
Meanwhile, two small heads peeked out from behind the main hall’s door, eavesdropping.
"Stop crowding me, or big brother and sister-in-law will notice," Mu Yongnian whispered, nudging Mu Haoxuan back inside.
Mu Haoxuan plopped onto a stool, pouting.
"What’s wrong?" Mu Yongnian asked.
"Sister hugged big brother first!" the younger boy grumbled.
"They’re married. Isn’t that normal?" Mu Yongnian replied, cheeks tinged pink.
"I always thought big brother didn’t want to marry into her family. But just now, he even smiled! I knew no one could dislike someone as wonderful as her!" Mu Haoxuan huffed.
"If you already knew, why are you mad?"
"I’m mad because big brother couldn’t even stick to his principles! If they’re this happy, how am I supposed to become her live-in husband when I grow up?!"
Mu Yongnian didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh. He wanted to point out that even if his brother and sister-in-law weren’t close, she still wouldn’t wait for a child to grow up.
But as an older brother, he opted for comfort instead.
"Even if you can’t marry her, being her little brother is pretty great too."
"Fine. As long as big brother treats her well, I’ll reluctantly let him have her," Mu Haoxuan declared, as if making a grand sacrifice.
"It’s not like you ‘let’ him have her. Sister liked him from the start," Mu Yongnian muttered.
He was secretly grateful their brother had such a handsome face. If not for sister-in-law taking a liking to him, who knew what state their family would be in now?
Gratitude indeed.
