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墨書 Inktalez
“Muxin, what’s wrong? Why is the child crying so sadly?”
However, Shen Muhan had already taken action, and just as he moved a few steps, a worried voice from outside interrupted him. It was Aunt Xia, causing him to pause awkwardly, unsure whether to go in or out. Meanwhile, Xia Muxin was blushing so fiercely it seemed she could bleed; after all, it was still broad daylight, and there were three Little Carrot Heads on the bed who, at that moment, were no longer crying or making a fuss. Instead, they stared with wide eyes at the two of them in their exposed state. Out of instinct, Xia Muxin buried her entire body into Shen Muhan's embrace.
“Mother, it’s nothing. The little ones are just fighting over milk.”
Yet, Shen Muhan said this without a hint of embarrassment, which only made Xia Muxin want to find a place to hide even more.
“Alright then, don’t let the children go hungry. I’ll go prepare some goat milk.”
Aunt Xia’s voice came through again, followed by the sound of her footsteps going downstairs. She seemed to believe Shen Muhan’s words; after all, feeding the children was the most important thing.
“Don’t look! Go to sleep, or you won’t get any milk,” Shen Muhan threatened as he glared at the three Little Carrot Heads, his tone slightly stern.
“Giggling…”
“Hahaha…”
“Quacking…”
However, as soon as he finished speaking, the three of them burst into different fits of laughter. The sound sent chills down Xia Muxin’s spine while smoke seemed to rise from Shen Muhan’s head.
“Husband, maybe we should just forget it…”
Feeling utterly embarrassed for being laughed at by infants barely a month old, Xia Muxin lost all her earlier enthusiasm. She began to negotiate with Shen Muhan, but then felt it would be unfair to him. Thus, her tone gradually softened.
However, Shen Muhan raised his hand, causing the mosquito net that was still hanging by the bed to fall down, effectively blocking the children's view. He leaned down and kissed Xia Muxin's cheek, his voice filled with deep restraint as he said,
"My dear wife, I will be useless."
Xia Muxin had no choice but to let him take what he wanted.
Afterward, the three children had fallen asleep. Surprisingly, they did not cry or make a fuss during this time; it seemed Shen Muhan's threats had worked. Xia Muxin was already exhausted, slumped in Shen Muhan's arms as he wiped her down and helped her dress and groom herself.
Once he finished all of this, footsteps echoed from downstairs. This time, Shen Muhan sensibly opened the door first and adjusted the mosquito net. Aunt Xia came over, carrying warm goat's milk.
"Are they really not hungry anymore? How did they fall asleep?"
After placing the goat's milk down and seeing that all three children were asleep, Aunt Xia looked puzzled. Meanwhile, Xia Muxin lay on the bed with a fatigued expression, seemingly asleep as well.
"Yes, they ate well and fell asleep. They're very good," Shen Muhan continued to calmly weave his lie. Xia Muxin, who was resting with her eyes closed, nearly burst into laughter. What did it mean to eat well and sleep? It was he who had eaten well!
Moreover, at his age, he was still competing for attention with the children. Especially every time she nursed them, he would look at the kids as if they were enemies. The children seemed to be in direct competition with him too; they would always make loud slurping sounds while feeding. Several times when he changed their diapers, they would spray him with urine—sometimes even on his face or head. Each time he would glare at them for a while but could do nothing about it.
But their daughter was different; she seemed to really like Shen Muhan. Every time he held her, she would be quiet and calm. Was this what they called a little cotton-padded jacket?
As for the two sons, they must be what people referred to as little lovers.
"Well, if they wake up early, give them the milk while it's still warm. If it gets cold, just pour it out," Aunt Xia said as she approached each child's face to give them a kiss before heading downstairs after giving her instructions.
Shen Muhan nodded obediently to whatever she instructed. Once she went downstairs, he locked the door.
"Husband," she said teasingly, "when you're lying, don't look so tense; it's easy to get caught."
Hearing the sound of the door being bolted, Xia Muxin stopped pretending to be asleep and began teasing Shen Muhan directly.
At that moment, Shen Muhan was well-fed and in high spirits, so he let her tease him as much as she wanted. Aside from a bit of flirting, he didn’t mind. After a few remarks from Xia Muxin, she hesitated to continue, fearing he might take it too far again—something she couldn't handle.
With the first batch of Sweet Potato Starch out, it sold out quickly within half a day. Xia Muxin sold it at a fair price; although she loved money, she wasn’t greedy and wouldn’t exploit the common people at such a critical time. While it was slightly more expensive than regular noodles and flour, it was a novelty that everyone was eager to buy. Besides, other shops were selling rice for double the price.
Having established the Sweet Potato Starch, she also started producing various foods made from Wheat. Additionally, she opened a breakfast shop at the entrance of the supermarket, specializing in buns and steamed bread, along with Corn on the Cob. The business was thriving.
The reason was simple: her buns were delicious, generously filled, and priced fairly.
Ultimately, Xia Muxin was making a profit because all these products came from her own planting efforts. It was mutually beneficial; she hired people and paid them wages while also reaping significant rewards herself. This arrangement helped solve some employment issues, making everyone willing to work for her.
Finally, as they prepared for the opening of their third supermarket, it coincided with the hundred-day celebration of her children.
Everything was managed by Shen Muhan, who fulfilled Xia Muxin's dream of opening the third supermarket in Kyoto without requiring their direct involvement. The Shen Family heard about Xia Muxin giving birth to triplets and couldn’t sit still any longer; they rushed to Daimiao Village. Upon seeing their adorable grandchildren, their attitude towards Xia Muxin improved significantly.
Aunt Xia and her husband treated them with utmost hospitality.
No matter how they viewed things, all they wanted was the happiness of the two children.
With water now available, Xia Muxin began stocking fish in her pond again. Although she had previously caught lobsters, she hadn’t sold or consumed them all; instead, she kept some in her well. Now she retrieved them to return to the pond. The Donghe River had dried up, leading to a near extinction of fish species there and throughout Zhushan County. Fortunately, a branch canal dug from Kyoto had been completed, allowing fish to flow in from that water source.
During this time, more boats appeared—specifically fishermen—because Zhushan County desperately needed them.
Xia Muxin sent someone early in the morning to buy some fish fry from local fishermen to stock her pond.
The hundred-day celebration for her children was grandly organized with over two hundred tables set up at home. The main meal lasted more than two hours on the first day, with hundreds of people helping out. Of course, the gifts received were overwhelming; many were anonymous presents—not silver coins but rather clothes, hats, toys for the children...
Xia Muxin didn’t voice her thoughts but understood clearly that these gifts came from those refugees who had witnessed the birth of her children.
No matter the value of the gifts, they were all precious to her. At least they remembered her, remembered the Xia Family.
Su Yan-Chu also arrived, of course, accompanied by Wei Jianshuang. Their relationship seemed to have progressed, but it was mostly Wei Jianshuang taking the initiative. This was fine with Xia Muxin; she had very few friends, so few that she could count them on one hand, but they were all good people. Therefore, she hoped even more for their happiness.
To her surprise, Ye Feng also came, along with Grandma Jiang. His gaze always carried a strange familiarity and melancholy. The gifts they brought were substantial, yet Shen Muhan accepted them without hesitation and always regarded Ye Feng with a hint of hostility.
Xia Muxin knew that Shen Muhan and Ye Feng must have matters between them that she was unaware of. However, she didn't want to get involved; it was better to avoid trouble for herself and her family.
The last to arrive was Rong Li, along with Jade Princess. This surprised Xia Muxin; even Shen Muhan shrugged, indicating he knew nothing about it.
Rong Li seemed to have changed a lot—more mature and composed, and he was more talkative now. Perhaps he had experienced too much. He said he was content with his current situation because Jade Princess was by his side. His childhood wish had been to be with his mother because life in Qi Nation's palace was dull, and his father's consorts were numerous; even if he spent an hour with each one, he wouldn't finish in a year.
At that moment, Xia Muxin finally forgave him for everything he had done to her. Perhaps it was due to his upbringing that led him to this point. Fortunately, he had achieved everything he wanted; no wonder he was content with the status quo.
With two large tables set up, Xia Muxin didn't even know where some of these people came from; there were unfamiliar faces everywhere, making her dizzy. Shen Muhan had prepared for this and called back a dozen of his subordinates to watch over the three children—allowing everyone to see them while ensuring their safety.
During the day, they drank heartily and enjoyed their meals. In the evening, Xia Muxin prepared a barbecue feast. Most of the distant guests had returned home—like the villagers from Dayao Village and the families of Tea County employees. Xia Muxin prepared a small return gift for each present—a practical piece of cloth. Some gifts were even less valuable than the fabric itself, but what mattered to her was the thought behind it, not their money.
Moreover, the fact that they traveled such a long way just to share a meal with her and bring gifts was already a great comfort. At least her efforts were not in vain; at least there were still many good people in this world.
- End of Chapter -
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