Chapter 28 – Treat Her the Way You Treat Me

“Muzi?” Xia Tian turned her head in surprise, her gaze shifting between Mu Feng and Shen Nian.

No wonder!

“Mhm, both he and Mu Yang are my personal guards,” Shen Nian replied calmly, looking into her eyes.

“Oh.” Xia Tian nodded to show she understood.

As soon as she heard Mu Feng call Shen Nian “Muzi,” she’d already guessed it—Shen Nian’s identity wasn’t ordinary.

But what surprised her was that Mu Yang wasn’t his younger brother, but a bodyguard.

Someone with bodyguards at their side must be from a wealthy or noble family.

Shen Nian noticed that when Xia Tian heard Mu Feng and Mu Yang were guards, her only reaction was a slight lift of the eyes, not much surprise—this eased his heart a little.

She’s smart.

Then he turned to introduce, “This is Xia Tian. Just call her saozi (sister-in-law).”

“Saozi?” Mu Feng was even more shocked.

“Mhm.” Shen Nian nodded.

Seeing Mu Feng clearly wanting to say something but holding back, Xia Tian figured the two probably had a lot to talk about. As an outsider, it wasn’t convenient for her to stay.

So she got up considerately and prepared to make lunch.

“Brother Shen, you two sit and chat. I’ll go cook.”

“Mhm.”

Once Xia Tian entered the kitchen, Mu Feng was just about to speak when Shen Nian lifted his chin slightly. “Sit down first.”

Mu Feng quickly sat, and Shen Nian poured him a glass of water. “Have some water first.”

“Thanks, Muzi.” Mu Feng took the cup and drank it all in one go, then looked at Shen Nian with burning eyes.

Without wasting time, Shen Nian gave him a brief rundown of everything that had happened recently.

Mu Feng had arrived just after Xia Tian, so he hadn’t had the chance to ask anything yet.

Now, hearing that Mu Yang had died two months ago and that Muzi had married a village girl, his heart filled with sorrow. He stood up and knelt on one knee, his voice pained. “Muzi, it’s all my fault. If I hadn’t arrived late, Mu Yang wouldn’t have died… and you wouldn’t have had to marry Miss Xia.”

“Speak while standing,” Shen Nian said indifferently.

Mu Feng sat back down, more composed. “Then… Miss Xia…”

“She’s very good. From now on, you must treat her with the same respect you give me.”

Mu Feng’s heart clenched, and his tone grew anxious. “Muzi, you really plan to be with Miss Xia…”

Shen Nian raised a hand to interrupt him. “Let me finish.”

Then, he explained how Xia Tian had taken care of him after he was brought back, and how he gradually recovered under her care.

Only now did Mu Feng understand—if it weren’t for her, he might not have even had the chance to see Muzi again.

He didn’t ask how Xia Tian came by the medicine to cure the poison. All he knew was – Miss Xia had saved Muzi’s life.

Which meant she had saved his life too.

“Understood. I’ll remember it,” Mu Feng nodded solemnly.

Knowing that Muzi was now safe and well, he finally relaxed—and grew even more grateful to Xia Tian.

“Muzi, how’s your recovery going? Let me check your pulse.”

Shen Nian didn’t speak. He simply extended his arm.

For those trained in martial arts, a simple pulse check was no problem.

Mu Feng placed two fingers on his wrist, focusing for a moment. His eyes lit up—Muzi’s internal energy had recovered by about thirty percent, and it even felt more refined than before.

“Muzi…” Mu Feng looked at him with sparkling eyes, full of joy.

“Mhm!” Shen Nian nodded with a faint smile, as if to say, Exactly what you’re thinking.

Mu Feng restrained his excitement and asked, “Then when are we returning to the capital?”

“No rush. We’ll wait until I’m fully recovered.”

“Alright.” Mu Feng nodded. “Then I’ll stay and protect you.”

“Mhm.”

Just then, lunch was almost ready.

Xia Tian peeked through the kitchen window and saw the two of them looking relaxed—so their conversation must be about done. She poked her head out and called brightly, “Brother Shen, lunch is ready. Shall we eat?”

“Okay.” Shen Nian nodded, and Xia Tian started plating the food.

Since Mu Feng was here, she cooked more rice and made a few dishes – stir-fried chili pork, scrambled eggs with chives, stir-fried dried tofu with meat, and a cold bamboo shoot salad. She also stewed some bone broth. Though it was just a basic four-dish-one-soup meal, the portions were generous.

Just as she was placing the dishes on a tray, Mu Feng entered.

He smiled and greeted her. “Saozi, let me carry that.”

“Sure!” she didn’t insist—it was nice to have help.

Mu Feng carried the dishes while Xia Tian brought out the rice. The three of them ate under the apricot tree in the courtyard.

Only when Shen Nian picked up his chopsticks did Mu Feng start eating.

After one bite, Mu Feng’s eyes lit up. “Saozi, your cooking is amazing!” He hadn’t expected a village girl to cook this well—these flavors were incredible.

“Then eat more!” Xia Tian smiled, pleased to be complimented.

After all, when it comes to cooking, who doesn’t like a little recognition?

She picked up a clean pair of chopsticks and gave Shen Nian a bite. “You too, Brother Shen. Eat more.”

“Mhm.” Shen Nian’s expression softened.

Noticing Mu Feng quickly scarfed down half a bowl of rice, she added more food to his bowl. “Don’t hold back—eat as much as you want.”

Mu Feng didn’t even lift his head. “Thanks, saozi.”

Xia Tian and Shen Nian only had one bowl each, and the rest all went into Mu Feng’s belly.

He ate with great satisfaction. Since being separated from his master, he had been on the run, constantly dodging pursuers—who knew how long it had been since he had a proper meal like this?

After lunch, Xia Tian cleaned up the kitchen and got ready to deal with the pig intestines.

She noticed the water tank was running low, so she grabbed the buckets and went to fetch water.

Seeing this, Mu Feng hurried over and took the carrying pole from her. “Saozi, just tell me where the well is. I’ll go.”

“You just got here. You should rest.”

“It’s fine, really. Let me do it.”

Xia Tian couldn’t persuade him and looked to Shen Nian.

Shen Nian nodded. “Let him go.”

“Alright then.” Seeing his agreement, Xia Tian gave Mu Feng a quick rundown of the well’s location, and Mu Feng went out to fetch water.

While they’d been eating, Shen Nian had told her Mu Feng would be staying with them. Now that they were all one family, there was no harm in him helping out.

Once Mu Feng had gone, Shen Nian called out to Xia Tian, “Come sit. I want to tell you something.”

He figured it was better to be upfront. She was smart—she had likely already guessed his identity wasn’t as simple as a refugee. There was no point in hiding it any longer.

And after spending so much time together, he trusted her character. He was sure she wouldn’t betray him.

Even if she knew his real identity, she wouldn’t go around talking about it.

He didn’t even notice that, unknowingly, he’d already placed her among the people he trusted most.

“What is it, Brother Shen?” Xia Tian walked over and sat across from him, looking at him seriously.

“I’m sure you’ve already guessed… I didn’t end up here because I was fleeing from famine,” Shen Nian said seriously, meeting her eyes.

“Mhm. From the moment I first saw you, I knew. The aura around you is nothing like that of someone simply running for their life.”

Xia Tian didn’t pretend otherwise—she openly shared what was on her mind.

“And you never thought… what if I’m not a good person?”

“Why would I? I may not know exactly who you are, but I’m certain you’re not a bad person.”

“Why are you so sure?” Shen Nian was curious. How could she be so confident?

“You can see it in a person’s eyes. No matter how well someone hides it, their eyes give them away. You may be quiet and hard to read sometimes, but you’re definitely not someone cold or heartless,” Xia Tian said sincerely.

Shen Nian was secretly astonished. Who would’ve thought that a village girl who couldn’t even read would have such keen insight?

She really didn’t act like someone raised in the countryside—more like someone brought up in a noble household.

But no matter who she really was, as long as she stood by his side, that was enough.

Shen Nian had thought it through, and a faint smile spread across his face. “Then… do you believe in me?”