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墨書 Inktalez
“Shen Muhan, you bastard, I know you're here. Come out quickly! Sister Xiuning has been crying for you every day. Are you even a man?”
Uncle Bingzi swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on the table like death itself, but inside he was boiling. Who could possibly have such a bold voice? It was well-known that this Shen Heir was not interested in women, and he knew a bit about the situation with Miss Xiu Ning. That delicate and weak Stunning Beauty had publicly vowed to marry no one but Shen Heir. Listening to this sharp and fierce voice felt like someone was standing up for Miss Xiu Ning.
But who in this world would be so reckless as to provoke Shen Heir?
Thinking about it sent a chill down his spine. Despite the blazing sun outside, he felt an icy coldness deep within.
Shen Muhan endured his temper, closed his eyes, and rubbed his tired brow. Suddenly, he waved his hand, opening a window on the outer side, and with a turn, he vanished from the study.
A gust of wind swept through, and Uncle Bingzi could only catch a glimpse of that beautiful departing figure. Taking a deep breath, his legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the ground. He quickly wiped the cold sweat from his face, rushed to close the window, and checked the desk to see if there were any traces left by Shen Heir.
Seeing a small pool of blood on the floor, he hurriedly found a cloth to clean it up thoroughly.
Just as he sighed in relief, the door swung open with a bang, revealing a girl around fourteen or fifteen years old. Her fiery red summer outfit accentuated her well-developed figure perfectly. The Whip in her right hand had not yet been retracted, and her clear eyes were wide open with anger, her slightly pouted red lips expressing her fury.
Her beautiful face showed moments of ferocity and unwillingness, but upon closer inspection, there was an alluring charm that made it unforgettable with just one glance.
She scanned the room and saw the tightly shut window. With a fierce swing of her whip, she almost shouted in frustration, “Where is Shen Muhan, and where is that coward Su Yan-Chu?”
Upon hearing this, Uncle Bingzi nearly fell to the ground. Had he forgotten to burn incense before leaving today? Why was everything happening to him? Moreover, this girl seemed difficult to deal with; judging by her tone, she was clearly a Deity not to be offended.
This commotion attracted quite a few dining guests, but the third floor had always been off-limits to outsiders. Therefore, those guests crowded at the staircase on the second floor, all stretching their necks to peek at what was happening above without daring to blink. After all these years, this was the first time anyone had dared to cause trouble in Fushou Tower.
“Miss Gu, have you... perhaps come to the wrong place?”
Due to the intense hostility emanating from the woman, Uncle Bingzi took a deep breath to steady himself, pretending to wipe the desk with a cloth, and cautiously asked, though he was panicking inside.
It was like being with a tiger when accompanying a ruler, and the one in charge was his military. However, those Esteemed Guests of his were as fierce as wolves and tigers.
The woman merely tilted her head back and snorted disdainfully, looking at Uncle Bingzi as if he were an ant.
Fortunately, Uncle Bingzi was a worldly man who had encountered such glares before. He didn’t press further but glanced anxiously outside while continuing to feign wiping the desk.
“Everyone, make way!”
At that moment, Su Yan-Chu was furious for reasons unknown. It was the first time someone dared to cause trouble in his territory. He pushed through the crowd slowly.
However, when he saw the figure standing at the door, his eyes widened. He bit down on his right fist, his expression exaggerated and strange, his gaze flickering. After a long pause, he finally uttered a word: “Gong...” As he spoke, his head tilted upward, eyes wide open. Finally, he lowered his head and whispered as quietly as possible, “Gong Er, what are you doing here?”
Upon hearing her nickname called out, Tian Yuxin placed her hands on her hips, turned around, and glared at Su Yan-Chu. Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as a peculiar smile spread across her lips. She then raised an eyebrow at him and beckoned him with her finger in a condescending manner.
The crowd was first stunned by the girl’s cold demeanor and striking appearance. Then they erupted in whispers at her bold actions, eagerly anticipating what would happen next.
If the dignified master of Fushou Tower were to be publicly humiliated or beaten by a woman, it would be big news...
Su Yan-Chu felt both embarrassed and furious today; he glared fiercely at everyone around him. The onlookers awkwardly touched their noses before quickly dispersing to their respective tables to eat their meals.
"Boss Su, the mission is complete. Should we settle the bill first? My family is waiting for us to return home."
With that, Su Yan-Chu clenched his fists and took a deep breath, just about to step forward when a bell-like voice rang out from behind him.
Her voice was always soft yet carried an icy detachment that was impossible to ignore, drawing one in despite the chill it exuded.
Today, Xia Muxin wore a new outfit, adorned with unique sleeves and exquisite embroidery at the hem of her skirt. She stood there quietly, elegant and refreshing, as delicate as a daisy, making one dare only to admire her from afar.
This wasn't the first time he had seen her, but at this moment, she captivated Su Yan-Chu's gaze deeply with her unparalleled aura.
She was like the first rainbow after a rainstorm, forever bringing endless luck and hope to those who beheld her.
"Hey, are you blind? Can't you see this lady waving at him?"
Suddenly, a sharp voice echoed from upstairs, nearly shattering Su Yan-Chu's eardrums. He saw the apologetic nod of Zhaoxia Muxin as she started to head upstairs.
"Are you blind or not? Besides, I'm saying my piece while you're chattering away. What does it have to do with you?"
Meeting the woman's gaze, Xia Muxin felt a moment of disgust. She sensed that she and this Fushou Tower were not meant to be. The first encounter had been with Zhao Qiushui, who had injured her father and insulted her; now it was this woman again. Moreover, she was so arrogant—just moments ago, when she had helped her father down the stairs, if she hadn't caught him in time, he would have stumbled down because of this woman.
Today, for some reason, Xia Muxin felt particularly irritable. She had an unsettling feeling that something was about to happen. Earlier, out of respect for Su Yan-Chu's esteemed guest presence, she refrained from causing a scene. But collecting money was merely a blink away; that woman’s aggressive and unreasonable nature was evident even in her earlier actions. Just that whip she had flung earlier was enough to reveal her volatile temperament and penchant for bossing others around.
Moreover, this transaction was an oral agreement made by Su Yan-Chu; aside from Uncle Bingzi, no one else likely knew about it. It would be inappropriate for her to recklessly approach the counter to collect money at this moment; thus, she wouldn't speak up for it now unless absolutely necessary.
Of course, it was evident that Su Yan-Chu was reluctant yet fearful of her, indicating that her status was quite extraordinary. However, what did any of this have to do with her?
Her father had already been sent outside to wait, and at this moment, she was eager to return home, truly at odds with this woman.
Seeing Xia Muxin's cold expression, Su Yan-Chu found herself inexplicably descending the stairs toward her.
At this sight, the guests below were utterly confused. Which of these two young women had Boss Su more invested in? Instantly, countless questions sprang to mind.
At that moment, someone recognized Xia Muxin and began whispering to others.
Their voices were low, but it still caused a stir. Piecing together a few words, Xia Muxin grasped the general situation. However, since the mouth belonged to someone else, she only needed to concern herself with her own affairs.
"Su Yan-Chu, believe it or not, I can have your restaurant shut down by tomorrow."
The person upstairs was furious at the sight and whipped the whip again, raising their voice to threaten.
"You look quite presentable, yet you rely on your power to bully others. Such tactics are truly disgraceful."
As Su Yan-Chu came down, Xia Muxin glanced at her apologetically and offered a slight smile. However, as she turned away, she spoke in a tone that was neither warm nor cold.
Facing the meaningful gazes of the crowd, she appeared calm as water and walked directly to the counter to wait for Su Yan-Chu.
Yet, that smile of hers felt like clear stream water flowing into Su Yan-Chu's agitated heart—refreshing and soothing—instantly easing the tension within her.
In no time, he settled the bill for Xia Muxin at the front desk, ten silver notes of ten taels each, as requested by her.
"Alright, I'm off. I know today has been difficult for you, but I have my reasons too. However, that girl of yours is a bit too impatient. You should train her well; she will make a good daughter-in-law in the future."
Before leaving, Xia Muxin playfully patted Su Yan-Chu on the shoulder like a buddy and glanced at the furious figure upstairs, teasingly saying.
"I and her—"
Su Yan-Chu opened his mouth to explain his relationship with Tian Yuxin, but just as the words were about to come out, he saw Xia Muxin hurriedly leaving with her basket.
Shen Muhan hid in a secluded spot, observing everything from a distance. When he saw Xia Muxin smile at Su Yan-Chu, his first reaction was anger, followed by frustration.
Perhaps there really is such a thing as love at first sight...
*
"Dad, let's go!"
Summer Forest stood in a corner not far from Fushou Tower, waiting for Xia Muxin. He held several newly bought sickles in his hands and kept his head down, seemingly lost in thought. It wasn't until Xia Muxin called out that he looked up and responded.
"Muxin, I feel so uneasy today; I'm quite anxious. Do you think something has happened at home?"
The saying that a father and daughter share a bond of hearts was indeed true. Everything had been fine until now, but after finishing the Pumpkin Cake, Xia Muxin felt a heaviness in her heart; her mind buzzed with confusion, making it hard to think clearly. She immediately thought of her family members. Seeing her father so worried only added to her own anxiety, yet she still tried to comfort him with a light-hearted remark:
“Father, it’s only been half a day. What? Are you already missing Mother?”
But as soon as the words left her mouth, she felt her mood grow heavier, as if something was gripping her heart, making it hard to breathe.
At that moment, Summer Forest had no mind to joke with Xia Muxin; she merely forced a smile and quickened her pace toward home.
“Hey, you Stinky Girl! Stop right there! Tell me, what is your relationship with Su Yan-Chu? Why does he defy my orders for you?”
Suddenly, a fiery red figure appeared in front of Xia Muxin with a whoosh, cracking a whip on the ground that sent up clouds of dust, nearly choking those nearby.
Onlookers quickly distanced themselves from the scene, while several guests who had just exited Fushou Tower turned back, perhaps wanting to see more of the spectacle. They were curious about which side the Boss Su would take if these two ladies came to blows.
Xia Muxin gently pushed her father away from the dust and cast a calm glance at the woman before her. “You’re so young yet already learning to compete for affection. If you truly like someone, you must first learn to respect them. Do you understand?”
With that, she pulled her still-dazed father along and left without looking back.
“Respect... Hey, you Stinky Girl! What are you talking about? Who likes him?”
Tian Yuxin was somewhat stunned. What was this insufferable woman saying? Did she like Su Yan-Chu? But by the time she realized it, Xia Muxin and her father had already walked far away.
In the center of the street, three outstanding young men strolled leisurely, chatting casually among themselves. Surrounding them were various young women, shy yet blushing as they gazed at them, some even cheering loudly.
The scene was nothing short of spectacular and sensational, akin to modern-day celebrities making an entrance.
Suddenly, Ye Feng raised his gaze and saw Xia Muxin's retreating figure. He couldn't help but recall the silhouette he had seen at Fushou Tower. At first, he thought he was imagining things, but now he was certain. A smile lingered in his eyes as he meaningfully said, "It's her!"
The other two exchanged knowing smiles at his reaction, mistakenly believing that he had taken a liking to Su Yan-Chu's companion.
After the earlier commotion, they were convinced that this girl in red was indeed Su Yan-Chu's partner. This kid seemed to have quite the fortune with women, keeping such a fiery beauty hidden away. But with her temper, he would surely have his hands full...
*
Xia Muxin and her father hurried home. Wearing straw sandals and walking briskly on the uneven path, she stumbled over stones several times. Her big toe was already swollen and bleeding, throbbing like a needle prick, yet Xia Muxin gritted her teeth and remained silent.
As both of them felt anxious, they entered Daimiao Mountain. Towering ancient trees twisted together, birds sang high above, and cicadas chirped in the gentle breeze. However, they had no mood to appreciate the picturesque scenery.
Today, Daimiao Mountain felt eerily quiet. From a distance, it seemed as if there wasn't a single soul around. Many villagers had started harvesting a couple of days ago; this should have been their busiest time.
Even when not busy with farming, villagers would usually be working in the fields.
"Dad, was it like this in previous years?" Xia Muxin pointed to a distant stretch of golden crops devoid of any people and asked hesitantly. The unease in her heart grew stronger as memories flashed through her mind: her mother's loving smile, her brother's awkward expression when he lowered his head, and Songzi's adorable bright eyes that always followed her around calling her sister.
She knew that what she was doing was merely using the topic to ease her own nervous heart. She should have asked something cheerful or talked about other things, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she spoke the words she least wanted to say.
After all, they were father and daughter. Summer Forest was usually quiet, but he was perceptive enough to understand his daughter's thoughts. Yet at this moment, he didn’t know how to respond; he wished he could sprout wings and fly back home.
“Muxin, our crops...”
As they stepped out of the mountain, they saw their home fields empty from a distance. The once golden and plump rice was nowhere to be seen, leaving behind only a few large piles of stalks.
“Father, let’s hurry home.”
Xia Muxin clenched her fists tightly, praying in her heart that nothing had happened to her mother. Otherwise... she truly didn’t know what she would do.
Summer Forest had already started running toward home, his weathered face filled with worry and fear.
In the distance, they saw villagers gathered at their doorstep, blocking the entrance completely. Each one stretched their necks and murmured something; from their expressions, it seemed most were filled with pity and sympathy.
“Uncle, Muxin, you’re back! Quickly go see Aunt Xia! She... she...”
Er Dan spotted Summer Forest and his daughter. He took several strides out of the crowd, his voice choked with emotion, but the words that followed turned into sobs.
“Your mother...”
Upon hearing this, Summer Forest's eyes reddened. He was the first to rush into the crowd. After a long while, trembling cries echoed from the Thatched Cottage.
Xia Muxin followed closely behind, only to find her mother lying on the bed, lifeless, her face as pale as paper. Her eyes were tightly shut, and there were still traces of blood at the corners of her mouth. The exposed black cotton had been stained red with blood, while the village doctor was clumsily trying to stop the bleeding.
His methods were somewhat awkward, perhaps due to his nervousness, as he occasionally wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead.
Xia Muxin clenched her fists tightly, struggling to suppress the urge to kill. She bit down hard on her lip until a metallic taste filled her mouth, steadying her trembling hands. After a moment, she managed to ask without her voice shaking, "Uncle Wu, how is my mother?"
At the same time, her gaze fell upon her brother Xia Tieshu, who lay on the ground with his shirt pulled down to his waist. His back was covered in bruises, and several large footprints were clearly visible. Aunt Liu and Uncle Da Dong were applying medicine to him. The ointment seemed irritating; as soon as it was applied, his skin turned bright red, looking as if it might peel off. Yet throughout it all, he kept his fists clenched and did not utter a word.
Songzi sat dazed on the ground, his eyes unfocused as if he had suffered a great shock. Elder Xu sat beside him, gripping one of Songzi's hands tightly with his dry fingers while gently patting the back of his hand with the other. He kept whispering something in Songzi's ear.
Wu Liang was washing a blood-soaked towel in water when he heard Xia Muxin's question. After a long pause, he sighed deeply.
"Aunt Xia was kicked in the stomach and has lost too much blood, but... she hasn't miscarried. Whether she can wake up depends on fate. Right now, she can't move. If we could get a specialist here, there might be a chance."
Wu Liang was the only doctor in the village, but he mainly dealt with injuries from falls and accidents. The villagers often worked in the fields and ventured into the mountains to gather firewood or hunt game meat, so injuries were common. Moreover, there were experienced midwives in the village; even if Aunt Xia had some minor issues during her pregnancy, those women would be more capable than him. Given Aunt Xia's situation, he truly felt helpless.
If the child could be saved that would be one thing; however, with so much blood loss and no signs of miscarriage, he found himself at a loss.
What kind of misfortune had the Summer Forest family brought upon themselves? They had finally seen hope only for it to turn into this tragedy.
Xia Muxin turned away to wipe her tears; her lips trembled slightly. If it were any other injury, she could have helped; but this was about a pregnant woman—she had never experienced such a thing in either of her lives and didn’t know where to begin.
At that moment, after hearing Wu Liang's words, her mind was filled with thoughts of bringing in a specialist. Suddenly, she pushed through the crowd and ran off in haste...
The Wang family was currently filled with joy. Wang Shoucai was digging through a basket of golden rice with one hand while shaking a folding fan in the other, speaking harshly, "I wonder if that old woman is dead yet. It would be best if a few more died, so I won't have to see her and get annoyed."
The Meng family had gone out for business, and the rest of the household had been sent away by him. At this moment, the vast Wang residence only had him, Wang Dafu, and Azure Lotus.
Zhou Qinglian, who was already quite delicate-looking, had become even more voluptuous after giving birth to Jin'er. She had curves in all the right places, yet her waist was still slender enough to be grasped with one hand.
At this moment, she gracefully approached him with freshly brewed tea, covering her mouth with a handkerchief as she lightly laughed. With a teasing tone, she said, "Father, does it even need to be said? Even if she isn't dead, she's half-dead already. And that child in her belly must have been lost long ago. Tell me, why did Xia Muxin have to offend us? Isn't that just asking for death?"
"Exactly, exactly! Father, Lian'er is absolutely right," Wang Dafu chimed in as he approached with his hefty frame. He playfully pinched Zhou Qinglian from behind, causing her to gasp softly. She playfully punched his chest and looked at him with flirtatious eyes, pouting her lips in a charming manner.
At that moment, Wang Dafu and Wang Shoucai exchanged glances and raised their eyebrows slightly before leading Zhou Qinglian into the inner chamber. Moments later, sounds that would make anyone blush could be heard.
Xia Muxin had nearly run all the way to the Wang residence. Her mother couldn't move around easily; the only solution was to ask Sister Tang to come over. In this village, only the Wang family had horses. She was anxious to either catch a bullock cart or walk to Town; the consequences for her mother would be unimaginable.
To her surprise, there was no one guarding the entrance of the Wang residence. A few horses were resting nearby, having just returned from hauling grain. The servants had fed them but hadn't yet taken them into the stable.
Faintly, sounds that would make anyone blush could be heard coming from within. Xia Muxin didn't have time to think much; she stepped forward and untied one of the horses' reins before leading it away.
As those embarrassing sounds grew clearer, Xia Muxin felt nauseous at just a few words exchanged. She never expected that these father and son duo would share such a preference for one woman; no wonder there was no one guarding this place at the moment.
She quickly turned and mounted the horse, but due to her small stature and the horse's resistance, she fell off several times.
Each fall left her aching all over, her head spinning, and she even heard the creaking of her bones. Her palms were bloodied from the rough handling, yet she refused to give up. After all, that was her mother inside, and she had a future brother or sister in her womb. Even if she was battered today, she had to fight for it.
Perhaps her movements were too vigorous, or maybe the horse was growing impatient with her. After more than ten attempts, it kicked its hind legs and neighed loudly.
This neigh immediately attracted attention from inside.
Wang Shoucai and Wang Dafu rushed out, almost pulling up their pants as they came. Upon seeing Xia Muxin, their eyes gleamed with a bloodthirsty delight, as if they were eager to chop up this flesh-and-blood relative on the chopping block.
Xia Muxin cursed inwardly; if this pair of scoundrels caught her, she would have no chance to reach Town. Her mother...
Thinking of this made her anxious. She stepped on the saddle and used all her strength to flip herself over. After falling more than ten times, she finally managed to sit on the horse's back.
"Hey, you little thief! Stealing a horse right under my nose! Someone come here! Beat her up; if she dies, I'll take full responsibility!" Wang Shoucai shouted as he rushed toward Xia Muxin, grabbing the reins of the horse tightly.
However, after shouting, he realized that no one else had come out except for Wang Dafu.
"I don't want to meddle in your filthy business, but if anything happens to my mother, Wang Shoucai, I will make sure your entire family pays for it."
Xia Muxin caught a glimpse of a figure in the inner room. A cold smile curled at the corners of her mouth as she shot him a glare filled with fierce killing intent. With that, she squeezed her legs against the horse's belly and forcefully drove a sharpened bamboo stake into its back. The horse was startled and neighed again before kicking Wang Shoucai far away and galloping off.
Wang Shoucai was caught off guard and kicked in the stomach, letting out a scream as he fell to the ground, clutching his aching body. Wang Dafu was frantic, rushing around helplessly trying to support the pale and trembling Wang Shoucai, while shouting inside, "Lian'er, hurry, go call someone over! Dad... Dad is hurt!"
After a moment, Zhou Qinglian rushed out, crying and covering her face. Her cheeks were flushed from being pampered by two people, looking as if they were on fire. Seeing Wang Shoucai unconscious, a cold killing intent flickered in her eyes but vanished just as quickly. She lifted her skirt and, with a handkerchief covering her face, cried out, "Help! My father-in-law has been hurt by Xia Muxin! Quickly find a doctor!"
Her voice was delicate and sorrowful, her eyes glistening with tears. Every movement and word seemed fragile. Liu Mazi rushed over at that moment; seeing her weak and lovely appearance made him swallow hard. He felt a pang of sympathy as he instructed someone to drive a cart to Town for a doctor while he ran towards Wu Liang's house.
However, upon arriving at Wu Liang's home, he was told that Wu Liang was out. After some thought, he gathered a group of brothers and charged towards Muxin's house. They intended to confront her directly, but this time the villagers seemed emboldened, surrounding Xia Muxin's home with over two hundred people wielding hoes and brooms. Whenever Liu Mazi's group approached, the villagers swung their tools at them without hesitation.
After several attempts, they suffered injuries; some even had blood streaming from wounds on their heads.
"Hmph, a bunch of blind country bumpkins! Just wait and see how the Wang family deals with you!" Liu Mazi grunted through his pain, having received several blows himself.
Suddenly, a sharp bamboo pole thrust out from the crowd, its pointed end piercing the belly of a burly man. Though it wasn't deep, blood gushed out like a fountain.
"It’s you! You kicked my mother! I’ll make you pay!" Songzi cried, his eyes red from tears as he trembled while gripping the bamboo pole tightly. He glared fiercely at the unsteady man clutching his stomach, his gaze filled with murderous intent. But before anyone could react further, he fainted.
Everyone hurriedly caught the falling Songzi, the women wiping their tears as they held the unconscious Songzi in their arms. Xu Lao was anxious as he stepped out, nearly fainting at the sight before him. He had just gone to the restroom, and this had happened. Muxin was nowhere to be found, Summer Forest was completely dazed, and Iron Tree was severely injured. What was he supposed to do now?
Meanwhile, the horse ran swiftly, and with the rough terrain of Daimiao Mountain, the jolting made Xia Muxin's stomach churn. In the end, she couldn't hold it back and vomited. Yet she dared not delay for a moment, gripping the reins tightly. Even though she felt weak, she still squeezed her legs against the horse's belly, thinking only: Mother, wait for me. Muxin will find a way to heal you, I promise.
The world around her grew darker and more blurred. She didn't know when it started to rain; it came down fiercely like a torrential downpour, hitting her face and body painfully. She bit her lip until it bled, and the mingling of rainwater and blood made her want to laugh maniacally.
At that moment, she hated herself for being useless.
Suddenly, the horse seemed to crash into something, and just before she sank into infinite darkness, a hard yet ethereal face appeared before her...
*
"Muxin, don't blame yourself. This is all fate. Take good care of yourself; you are your mother's most beloved child and the strongest in the family. You must manage everything well so that your mother and sister can rest easy in heaven."
In a daze, Xia Muxin gripped the bed board tightly with both hands clenched into fists, repeatedly murmuring, "Mother, don't go. Muxin doesn't want you to leave. Please don't go."
Tears flowed unknowingly from her eyes; it must be a dream—surely it was a dream—but why did it feel so real?
Xia Muxin trembled as she began to cry softly. At that moment, she didn't want to open her eyes; she feared that if she did, everything would turn into reality.
"Big Brother, go check on my sister; she seems to be waking up."
Suddenly, a familiar voice reached her ears. Xia Muxin hazily opened her eyes only to see four faces staring back at her: her father, brother, Songzi, and an unfamiliar face.
Xia Muxin suddenly sat up, and upon seeing the familiar surroundings, she couldn't help but cry out, "Mother..."
"Big Sister, Mother is fine, and the baby in her belly is also fine. It was the Big Brothers who saved her," Songzi said, her face bruised but showing signs of having been treated. She looked at Xia Muxin with joy before glancing at the Big Brothers she mentioned, finally whispering, "And you too."
Ming Yi felt that no matter how hard he tried to wash away his guilt, it would be impossible. He hoped his master would not punish him too severely.
After steadying himself, he said, "Everything was instructed by my young master." With that, he rubbed his nose and walked out.
Xia Muxin didn't bother to sort out her thoughts; she rushed barefoot to her mother's room. Upon hearing the steady breathing, her heart finally settled.
"Big Sister, you’ve been asleep for a whole day and night! You hurt someone badly!"
Songzi admired the injured brother immensely. Uncle Wu had said their mother was beyond saving, but when the Two Big Brothers arrived—one spoke while the other acted—after a few stitches and some pills, their mother was fine and just needed to recuperate. However, the man on the bed still had not woken up.
At Songzi's mention, Xia Muxin seemed to recall something. Before she fainted, she had indeed bumped into something and had seen an exceptionally handsome face. It dawned on her that she had been unconscious for so long.
Seeing her sister in a daze, Songzi pulled her into the front room where a new bed had been set up on the eastern side. A man lay flat on the bed, and from a distance, they could hear his steady and powerful breathing.
As they approached, Xia Muxin couldn't help but be stunned. The man’s features were chiseled as if carved from stone; every aspect was perfect yet not overly beautiful—instead, it exuded a rugged charm that was captivating and hard to look away from.
However, the stubble on his chin was glaringly obvious, and his skin had a dull yellowish hue...
"Big Sister, do you think he was sent by heaven to save us?"
With one hand propping up her chin, Songzi gazed at the peaceful face of the girl sleeping soundly, a hint of longing in her voice as she spoke.
"Will heaven send a big uncle to rescue you? Besides, when you wake up, who knows how many silver coins your sister will have to spend?"
Upon hearing this, Xia Muxin shot Songzi a glare, then glanced at the person on the bed before stepping out of the room.
So much had happened that day. In her previous life, she had no close relatives and could not experience the feeling of being cherished and cared for. But in this life, she had her own parents, a brother who loved her, and a sensible younger brother. All she wanted was to work hard to provide them with a comfortable life and to have a warm and happy home.
However, she had almost lost all this hard-won happiness.
Thinking about it made her feel a chill of fear, and she wrapped her arms tightly around herself.
On the new bed, Shen Muhan furrowed his brows. Uncle? How could he possibly be an uncle? He was only twenty years old!
After receiving a report from his hidden guard, he disregarded his fatigue and immediately called Ming Yi to fetch the precious medicinal herbs from Sister Tang's place. He hurried toward the girl's home but unexpectedly encountered her in such a pitiful state along the way.
Seeing her lip torn by his own bite, the pain and fear in her eyes made his heart ache.
At that moment, he realized he was deeply poisoned, and the only antidote was this girl.
He remembered Qing Ran once saying that in love, there is no right or wrong; when you fall in love, you should pursue it with all your might. Yet he had fallen for a girl who was not even thirteen years old—a fact he could hardly believe himself.
As for when he fell in love with her, perhaps it was when he tasted the first dish she cooked or when he heard her speak her first words to Zhao Qiushui. It could have been that fearless gaze she had or her straightforward personality. In any case, she was simply extraordinary.
It had rained again today, leaving the evening refreshingly cool. Xia Muxin squatted at the door for a long time, lost in thought, until she finally remembered that there were guests at home. With a lackluster spirit, she got up to prepare dinner.
However, just as she stood up, her vision blurred and dizziness washed over her. Before she could fall, strong arms reached out to catch her, but she still ended up hitting the ground.
Fortunately, someone had cushioned her fall.
Shen Muhan winced as a branch jabbed into his wound from the impact, drawing a sharp breath in pain.
Ming Yi rushed over upon hearing the commotion. Seeing the situation unfold before him, he was momentarily at a loss but still managed to ask with concern, "My lord!"
After a while, the dizziness subsided. Xia Muxin shook her head and found herself staring at the man's blood-stained white robe.
Meeting his star-like gaze, she stammered awkwardly, "Uncle, your injury..."
Shen Muhan frowned but helped her to her feet. Turning his back to her, he said stiffly, "I am Shen Muhan; you can call me something else."
Uh... Xia Muxin felt a swarm of crows flying around in her head. Did she just call him old?
And what else was she supposed to call him? They weren't close enough for that kind of familiarity yet.
- End of Chapter -
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