Chapter 58: Because Reading Makes You Beautiful

Chapter 58: Because Reading Makes You Beautiful

"The children won't be coming either. Tomorrow morning, take me to my parents' place."

"Also, bring along some warm clothes, knee warmers, and bedding I prepared for grandma, dad, and mom."

"It's freezing cold, and grandma's knees hurt so much she can't sleep all night."

Lu Mingchao's voice was soft as she sat on the cushy chair, calmly laying out the plans. She then turned her head and blinked, "Xie Yan, should we also switch out the bedding at home? It would be soft, thick, and cozy to sleep on."

"Do we have extras?" Xie Yan asked gently.

Lu Mingchao nodded.

Her Chaochao Fu had the magical ability to replenish supplies automatically.

"Then let's switch it out too."

"Mingchao, you rest first. I'll heat up some water for you to soak your feet in later."

Xie Yan closed the slightly ajar window tightly and walked out.

"Mommy." Xie Jingyi held a piece of candy in her tiny hand, her soft, pink face lit up with the joy of solving a puzzle. "Mommy, I know how to share the candy with Daddy, Second Uncle, and Jia Ru."

Lu Mingchao was stunned.

Was Xie Jingyi still thinking about this?

"Mommy, look, the candy has magically stretched into a thin, large sheet, enough to share." Xie Jingyi opened her palm, where a piece of candy had successfully transformed.

"Everyone can have a piece."

Lu Mingchao smiled, "Jingyi is so smart."

"Mommy, have a piece first." As she spoke, Xie Jingyi unwrapped the candy, using all her strength to break off a corner and held it to Lu Mingchao's lips.

Lu Mingchao: ...

Looking at Xie Jingyi's fair little hand, Lu Mingchao finally opened her mouth.

"One piece for Mommy, one piece for Sanbao." Xie Jingyi broke off another corner and popped it into her own mouth, her smiling eyes like little crescents in the sky.

"Mommy, can Sanbao go give Second Uncle some candy tomorrow?"

Lu Mingchao wiped the drool from Xie Jingyi's mouth with a handkerchief, "Mommy was just talking with Daddy about sending you, Er Bao, and Huaiqian off early tomorrow morning."

"What about Daddy and Mommy?"

"We're going to the city."

Instantly, Xie Jingyi's chubby face scrunched up, torn and hesitant. Her long lashes fluttered like little wings, and her fingers twisted together.

The city.

What does the city look like?

Daddy hasn't taken her there yet.

I really want to go there.

But, I also want to see Second Uncle and give him some candy.

Lu Mingchao chuckled, as all the little one's thoughts were clearly written on her face.

"Sanbao, tomorrow when we go to the city, Mom and Dad can't take you with us."

"Once Mom's grain shop is up and running, Sanbao can go to the city anytime she wants, okay?"

Xie Jingyi's face lit up, no longer frowning, and she nodded happily and obediently.

The city can wait, but Second Uncle's candy must be eaten tomorrow.

"Your dad has heated some water, remember to go wash your sticky hands later," Lu Mingchao instructed.

Xie Jingyi nodded, then looked hopeful, "Mom, can Sanbao not study in the future?"

"No!"

Lu Mingchao said firmly.

Xie Jingyi looked dejected, "But Sanbao doesn't like studying."

"Big brother is teaching Er Bao to read, and Sanbao gets sleepy just from listening."

Lu Mingchao gently tugged at the little bun on Xie Jingyi's head, softening her tone, "If you don't study and learn to read, you can easily be fooled by bad people."

"If Sanbao gets fooled, Mom and Dad will be sad."

"After studying and learning to read, Sanbao will become smarter and cuter."

"Also, your Second Uncle has read a lot of books."

Xie Jingyi seemed to suddenly understand the taste of sorrow at a young age, sighing deeply, "So Second Uncle is good-looking because he reads books."

As if making some kind of resolution, Xie Jingyi waved her little fist, "Mom, I'm going to study now!"

"Big brother, Er Bao, wait for me!" Xie Jingyi trotted off on her short legs, but her speed was not slow at all.

Lu Mingchao was amazed, never realizing that beauty could be a motivation for learning.

Xie Jingyi is truly unique.

"Wash your hands, remember to wash your hands!" Lu Mingchao reminded.

As soon as Xie Jingyi left, the room instantly quieted down.

After a while, the night fell like a heavy curtain. The moonlight was faint, barely illuminating the edges of the night sky, casting a particularly dim and unclear light.

Lu Mingchao stood up and lit a candle.

The moment the candlelight lit up, a warmth suddenly filled her heart. The swaying yellowish glow made one instinctively feel tender and nostalgic.

Not long after, Xie Yan entered with a wooden basin.

Under the candlelight, Lu Mingchao looked like a flawless piece of jade, with the glow like a thin mist surrounding her, adding a touch of mystery and depth.

Very beautiful.

"Mingchao," Lu Mingchao called out softly.

Fresh from a yawn, Lu Mingchao had watery eyes that looked dazed and soft under the dim yellow light, hinting at unspoken emotions that were just out of reach.

"A Yan, have Jingyi and the others washed up?"

Lu Mingchao's voice was heavy with sleep, her long lashes brimming with unshed tears, giving her an unexpectedly pitiful air.

Pity? The thought struck Xie Yan, making his heart skip a beat before he quickly brushed it aside as absurd.

"Hmm," Xie Yan responded noncommittally.

"A Yan, I'm so sleepy," Lu Mingchao murmured, her voice thick with drowsiness.

Xie Yan instinctively softened his tone, "Soak your feet before bed; it won't take long."

In Mingchao's voice, Xie Yan detected a deep trust and a clinging attachment.

His good mood felt like a crack in his heart, from which sweet emotions bubbled up endlessly.

Lu Mingchao leaned lazily against the wooden chair, the warm water making her even sleepier.

Half-asleep, Lu Mingchao mused that her body lacked stamina and resolved to exercise more once the weather improved.

While one tale gently unfolds, another begins under the cloak of night.

As this side settled into warmth and affection, preparing for sleep, the Qi family grandmother and granddaughter were making their way through the night.

Perhaps the winter night's road was too desolate, for Granny Qi felt a deep unease. Clutching Qi Rui's hand, she pleaded, "Rui'er, perhaps we should just lead a quiet, steady life."

"Or... maybe I could beg the village head again," she added hesitantly.

Granny Qi, having lived for decades, had rarely ventured beyond Changxi Village.

"Grandma, I already belong to the second young master," Qi Rui said gloomily.

Her words, carried by the howling wind, sounded eerie and chilling.

Granny Qi's hand froze, her face pale, as she struggled to find words, "I... I can find you a good, honest family."

Qi Rui pulled her hand away, her voice firm, "Grandma, don't interfere in my affairs anymore."

Having given herself to the second young master of the Sun family, she had burned all bridges and was determined to see this dark path through.

If she could help the second young master vent his anger, her status in the mansion would rise.

Being a chambermaid for a day didn't mean she would remain one forever.

Granny Qi hesitated, her cloudy eyes brimming with tears.

"Grandma, it's too late for regrets now."

"If only you had been willing to truly sprain your foot yesterday and delay Xie Yan, the second young master would have succeeded by nightfall."

Qi Rui couldn't contain her resentment.

They had agreed not to reveal any flaws.

Granny Qi's lips trembled, "Grandma didn't expect a mad cow to rush out halfway."

"Genius is right beside her."