Chapter 16 — Even a tough guy like Song Qinian got completely flustered by one cheesy pick-up line

Looking at Su Mujin’s radiant smile, Song Qinian couldn’t help but smile along with her.

She was like brilliant sunlight, piercing through the cracks, lighting up the darkness inside him completely.

As long as she stayed, he would give his all to treat her well.

…

That evening, they didn’t go next door to eat. Instead, the whole family gathered around the dining table.

They didn’t have a housekeeper, so dinner was made by Chen Yuehua with help from Song Muxue.

Su Mujin had wanted to help too, but the two women gently pushed her out of the kitchen.

There were four dishes and a soup on the table—with meat and eggs.

It wasn’t a lavish spread, but for this era, it was already quite a feast.

Su Mujin had absorbed the original host’s memories, and she remembered clearly: back in the Su household, meals were plain and meager.

On rare occasions, there might be eggs or a bit of meat, but those always ended up in Su Tiansi’s stomach.

Su Moli might get a bite or two, but the original host was usually left to watch.

Just as Su Mujin was lost in thought, a piece of braised pork, glistening with rich sauce, appeared on her plate.

Song Qinian had placed it there.

She looked up at him, meeting the sparkle in his eyes, shining like stars.

“Try it. Mom’s braised pork is really delicious.”

“Okay!”

Su Mujin smiled, picked up the piece, and popped it directly into her mouth.

It was three layers of pork, perfectly balanced between fat and lean.

The lean meat was tender but not dry. The fat melted the moment it touched her tongue, without being greasy at all.

The sauce was savory with a hint of sweetness, rich in flavor.

Before she knew it, the whole piece had disappeared.

That was amazing!

“Mom, your cooking is incredible!” Su Mujin praised sincerely.

Chen Yuehua beamed with joy.

“As long as you like it! Eat more, then!”

Now that Mujin had married into the family—and with her son injured and unable to do much—the least they could do was make sure Mujin never felt wronged when it came to food or comfort.

The meal was just too good, and Su Mujin accidentally ate a little too much.

After helping Chen Yuehua clean up the dishes and tidy the kitchen, she felt so full she couldn’t sit still.

She was just thinking about taking a walk when Chen Yuehua smiled and said:

“Mujin, this is your first full day in the compound. How about we all go for a walk together? Don’t let the dark fool you—outside’s actually quite lively. There’s always a crowd on the square every evening!”

Su Mujin had thought this era didn’t really have much nightlife. The novel hadn’t mentioned anything about it either.

Hearing this now, she was intrigued.

“Sure! Let’s go take a look together!”

They locked up the house and headed out as a family.

It was a summer evening. With the sun down, the heat had finally lifted. A cool breeze blew in waves.

Chen Yuehua and Song Huaimin walked in front with Song Muxue, while Su Mujin slowly followed behind, pushing Song Qinian in his wheelchair.

Song Qinian looked up at her repeatedly.

“Mujin, are you tired? I can push myself.”

The wheelchair was fully functional—he could handle it on his own.

“Just sit still,” Su Mujin said with a mock glare.
“We’ve barely gone any distance. I’m not tired at all!”

Though the path in the compound wasn’t paved with concrete, it had been rolled smooth with stone presses. Pushing the wheelchair was no trouble at all.

Despite being lightly scolded, Song Qinian only smiled more.

“What are you smiling at?” Su Mujin asked.

“I’m just happy,” Song Qinian answered honestly.

Aside from his family, he had never spent time alone with a young woman before.

Now that he was suddenly married—and to someone he had only known for two days—Song Qinian still found himself feeling genuinely happy.

Whenever she spoke to him, he felt happy.

Even when she glared at him or teased him, he was happy.

As long as he saw her, he felt happy.

Su Mujin stopped walking and leaned in close to get a better look at Song Qinian.

The streetlamp overhead cast a dim yellow glow—better than nothing, but not by much.

In such faint light, she had to get very close to see his expression clearly.

And indeed, he was smiling.

She stared at him for a while, then suddenly came to a realization.

“I finally figured out why there are no stars in the sky tonight!” she said.

Song Qinian didn’t quite follow the sudden change in topic, but still asked,

“Why?”

“Because all the stars have run into your eyes!”

As soon as Su Mujin said this, she watched as Song Qinian’s face turned a deep shade of red—like a perfectly ripe apple.

Su Mujin hadn’t expected it. A tough guy like Song Qinian had actually been flustered by such a cheesy pickup line.

Still, he looked incredibly handsome when he blushed.

She decided—she’d have to use more lines like this in the future!

Suppressing her laughter, she didn’t tease him further and simply continued pushing him forward.

Not long after, they arrived at the open square in the compound.

A group of people was reciting quotations in booming, impassioned voices.

Their arrival drew curious glances from many of the onlookers.

After all, they all lived in the same compound, and Song Qinian’s leg injury had already been a hot topic.

Now that he had suddenly gotten married—especially to such a young and pretty woman—it naturally drew even more attention.

From a distance, Song Liancheng was also staring at Su Mujin.

She pushed the wheelchair with a straight posture, poised but not rigid.

Her face was adorned with a warm smile, her whole presence radiant and gentle. Every time she looked down at Song Qinian, her gaze softened like spring water.

The longer Song Liancheng watched, the more frustrated he felt.

Her smile stung his eyes.

After chatting for a bit, Su Mujin leaned down and quietly whispered to Song Qinian,

“Qinian, I’m going back for a bit. I need to use the bathroom.”

“Then go quickly. Don’t worry about me,” Song Qinian replied immediately.

Still, Su Mujin called over Song Muxue.

“Muxue, I’m heading back for a moment and will be right back. Could you watch over your brother?”

“Sure thing!” Song Muxue chirped as she sat down.
“Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. I’ll take good care of my brother!”

Su Mujin walked back alone, moving quickly, and soon left the crowd behind.

Seeing this, Song Liancheng’s eyes darkened. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was watching him, he quietly followed from another direction.

Back home, Su Mujin felt much better after taking care of her business.

Before heading back out, she stopped by the bedroom and took a military-style canteen from the hanger, filling it with cooled boiled water.

She wanted to bring some for Song Muxue and the others too, but since she didn’t see their canteens—and didn’t want to rummage through their rooms—she let it go, locked the door, and prepared to return.

But she had barely stepped outside when someone suddenly appeared in front of her and reached out to grab her arm.

Startled, Su Mujin instinctively swung the canteen in her hand straight at the intruding arm.

The next moment, she heard a low grunt of pain.

The voice sounded familiar!

Before she could even think, another voice barked angrily:

“Su Mujin, what the hell are you doing?!”

Looking closely, she saw Song Liancheng’s face twisted in pain—it really was him.