Chapter 22: Eyes Glazed Over

The little girl suddenly felt a pang of sadness. Her large eyes, despite herself, grew red.

She had been alone and helpless since childhood, and her aunt’s family had treated her like a beast of burden, barely providing enough food to eat.

It was precisely because of these experiences that Su Yan’er carried a deep sense of insecurity within her heart.

Her husband treated her so well; she could not blame him.

If he truly liked someone else, she... she was willing to be the other woman!

As Xu An stepped through the courtyard gate, he immediately spotted the little girl by the well, along with a pair of shoes she hadn’t finished washing.

“Yan’er, didn’t I tell you to rest? Why are you still washing clothes?” Xu An frowned.

This little girl was never one to sit still—so stubborn. The well water was freezing cold, yet she insisted on washing those shoes, even though they made her shiver to tears.

“Husband... I’m not in your way. I’m almost done,” the little girl said, lowering her head.

“Stop washing. Let me take care of it.” Xu An’s heart ached as he looked at her small hands, reddened and tinged purple from the cold.

The little girl stole a glance at the woman beside Xu An, subdued her emotions, and limped over to him. “Husband, you’ve worked hard. Let me help carry your things!”

“No need, no need. Your leg is still injured. Go back inside first,” Xu An said, heading toward the house.

He needed to put the woman down first; carrying over a hundred pounds along the way had exhausted him.

The little girl hesitated, then followed Xu An timidly, asking, “Husband... who is this lady you’re carrying?”

“She’s Mu Qingqing. For quite some time, she’ll be living with us!” Xu An answered.

“Oh... oh, then... I’ll tidy up the next room and move over there so I won’t bother you and this lady,” the little girl whispered, with a pitiful expression as if she were about to be abandoned.

Xu An laid the woman on the bed and immediately felt much lighter.

But when he heard the little girl’s words, the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

Where had this little girl’s imagination gone?

He’d only rescued a woman; how did it feel like he had brought a mistress home to pressure his legitimate wife?

He was speechless.

“This young lady is someone I saved on the road. She’s seriously injured and still unconscious. What on earth is going on in that little head of yours?” Xu An gently tapped her head.

Is this lady just someone husband saved?

The little girl’s heart brightened.

Yes!

This lady had been leaning against her husband the whole time, without saying a word.

Thinking of this, guilt spread across the little girl’s face.

She shouldn’t think like that; she had misunderstood her husband.

“Sorry, husband!” she said, blushing.

“It’s alright. I came back carrying a stranger, and you didn’t know the situation,” Xu An comforted her.

“Thank you, husband...” the little girl mumbled.

She silently vowed never to overthink things again, to trust her husband and be his magnanimous wife.

“All right, enough thinking. Come, see what I brought you,” Xu An said, taking a basket down from his shoulder and pulling out a candied hawthorn skewer.

“Is... is that a candied hawthorn?” the little girl exclaimed.

Her eyes sparkled as she swallowed hard.

The vivid color gleamed like precious jewels.

It looked absolutely delicious!

“Try it, is it good? I bought it specially for you,” Xu An said, full of affection.

Husband bought it especially for me?

The little girl was momentarily stunned, warmth flooding her heart.

“Mm, yes~ Thank you, husband.”

She took the candied hawthorn but didn’t eat it herself. Instead, she offered it back to Xu An.

Xu An looked at her.

The little girl smiled sweetly, “You’ve worked hard, husband. You should be the first to taste it.”

Xu An smiled and took a gentle bite.

He wasn’t fond of overly sweet things, but knowing the little girl, if he didn’t eat it, she wouldn’t be able to feel at ease enjoying it.

Once Xu An bit into it, the little girl was about to eat, but just as the skewer neared her mouth, she suddenly glanced at Mu Qingqing lying on the bed. “Husband, is this lady all right?”

“She’s badly injured and running a high fever. I’ll try to cool her down physically. As for her wounds, I can’t treat them; I’ll have to go to the city tomorrow to find a doctor,” Xu An explained.

“Don’t worry about her. Come on, eat up. There’s more here, all for you.”

He then pulled out another candied hawthorn skewer.

Wow!

Another one!

So many!

The little girl felt like the happiest person in the world.

She had never tasted candied hawthorn before, and now she could have so much at once.

She bit into it contentedly; the refreshing sweetness blossomed in her mouth, delighting her taste buds.

Yet soon she looked up again.

“Husband, these candied hawthorns are expensive, right? You don’t have to buy me any next time. This time alone is enough.”

“It’s just a few skewers. It won’t break the bank. You can eat as many as you want from now on,” Xu An smiled.

Then he began drawing water to physically cool Mu Qingqing.

The little girl, meanwhile, licked her candied hawthorn and watched nearby.

When everything was done, Xu An took the little girl out of the room.

They needed to tidy up the other rooms; otherwise, neither of them would have a place to sleep.

Xu An sighed inwardly.

I even gave up my own sleeping space for you. If you truly get better, you owe me a big favor!

Given what Xu An had in his head, he could have risen quickly without all this fuss.

But this was a shortcut.

Why not take the shortcut if it’s there?

Even if he couldn’t proceed later, it was still a valuable connection.

“Xiao An, I heard you brought a woman home. Where is she? Where is she from? Let me see!” Suddenly, a shout came from outside the courtyard.

Hearing the voice, Xu An didn’t even have to guess—it was his elder sister, Xu Panpan.

Xu An smiled wryly.

Good news never travels far.

He hadn’t expected that in just a short while, the news of him bringing a woman home would reach Xu Panpan’s ears.

In fact, Xu An had been cautious.

The news of him carrying a woman home had already spread throughout the village.

“Sis, brother-in-law, why are you here?” Xu An greeted, noticing Zhao Hong trailing behind.

“Xiao An, it’s not that I want to criticize, but you just got married. You should be living properly. Why bring a woman home again?” Xu Panpan scolded as soon as she entered.

“You’re a scholar; you need to be mindful of your reputation. If you become the top scholar but tarnish your name, it will seriously affect your future.”

“Besides, if you casually bring someone home like this, how is Su Yan’er supposed to feel?”

“Sis, did you come just to tell me this?” Xu An asked, somewhat exasperated.

“Not entirely.”

“Then what else?”

“Last time I said I’d come to help clean and repair the house. But the past few days have been busy at home, and my husband didn’t have time, so I came by on the way.”

“Sis, brother-in-law, you came at just the right time. I really need some help.”

“We’ll talk about that later. First, take me to see the woman you brought back,” Xu Panpan interrupted, walking inside.

Xu An had no choice but to lead them to the room.

Upon seeing Mu Qingqing, Xu Panpan remarked, “Which wealthy family’s young lady is this? She’s quite beautiful.”

“Don’t you agree, husband?” She glanced back at Zhao Hong, but happened to catch her own husband’s gaze fixed on Mu Qingqing.

“Look, look, Zhao’s eyes are wide open—he’s really taken by her!” Xu Panpan’s anger flared, and she slapped Zhao Hong harshly on the head.