Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

  In the original novel, after dealing with the annoying Mu Jingzhe and Li Zhaodi, Tang Moling had quickly come to propose marriage. Their relationship had progressed quickly and steadily.

  Why hadn’t he proposed marriage yet?

  Mu Jingzhe glanced at the male and female protagonists.

  She didn’t notice anything amiss, but Tang Moling caught her gaze.

  Tang Moling looked at her with a strange expression that seemed to be filled with rage. Mu Jingzhe quickly looked away.

  Forget it. The relationship between the male and female lead was none of her business.

  Right now, she was focused on earning money to take care of the children, so she wasn’t creating any trouble for Mu Xue. Even Li Zhaodi and Mu Teng were busy selling buns and didn’t have time to become a nuisance. Without their hindrance, their relationship would only be smoother.

  Mu Jingzhe immediately turned her attention back and went to help where needed.

  The children had been warned by her not to run around.

  Mu Jingzhe was soon surrounded by several people. Now that her reputation had been restored, everyone was willing to interact with her.

  Xiao Wu had been following her obediently, but when Mu Jingzhe finished washing the potatoes, Xiao Wu disappeared.

  In the end, she saw Xiao Wu with the old trumpeter.

  The trumpet was an instrument that was played at every wedding ceremony and funeral in the village. The villagers had invited the trumpeter, and Xiao Wu was immediately attracted by the melody the trumpet produced.

  Not minding the noise, he squatted in front of the old man, watching him with sparkling eyes.

  “Xiao Wu loves to hear the trumpet. Whenever we have an event in the village and the trumpet is played, Xiao Wu will definitely be there.”

  Seeing Mu Jingzhe’s nervousness, Shao Qiyang rubbed his nose and explained.

  Xiao Wu looked at Mu Jingzhe and smiled, but he remained squatted, not moving an inch.

  Mu Jingzhe remembered that in the novel, Xiao Wu was a world-renowned top-notch musician. She nodded and said, “Remember to tell me where you are going next time. I got a shock when I did not know where you were.”

  When Xiao Wu heard that Mu Jingzhe was frightened, he stood up and patted her to comfort her.

  If Xiao Wu wanted to listen to the trumpet, Mu Jingzhe would let him and only glance at him from time to time.

  She was paying attention to Xiao Wu and did not realize that she was being watched.

  When Shao Qiyang met Mu Xue again, he felt a tad awful. However, later, his attention was attracted by Xiao Wu and Mu Jingzhe, and he would only pay attention to her from time to time.

  Tang Moling had been watching Mu Xue register the gifts and speak now and then, but Mu Xue realized that Tang Moling’s attention had been drawn to Mu Jingzhe some time ago.

  He kept glancing at her.

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  The smile on Mu Xue’s face became fainter and fainter. After she finished eating and greeted the villagers, she turned around and left.

  It finally occurred to Tang Moling that she was unhappy. “What’s wrong? Who made you unhappy again?”

  “Why are you following me? If you want to find Mu Jingzhe, then go.”

  “Mu Jingzhe? Why would you mention her?”

  “Haven’t you been looking at her the entire time?” Shao Qiyang was also paying attention to Mu Jingzhe.

  Tang Moling felt wronged. “Didn’t you see that I was glaring at her? The last time she hit me, I glared at her after I was done scolding her.”

  These words failed to appease Mu Xue. After a moment of silence, she suddenly said, “It’s been so long. Why are you paying so much attention to her?”

  This was what made her feel uneasy and unhappy.

  Tang Moling was stunned for a moment. “I wasn’t paying attention to her. I was just glaring at her.”

  “That’s a form of attention too. Tang Moling, if you care so much about her, don’t come looking for me again.”

  Mu Xue bit her lip. “Second Aunt asked me about you before. I think she’s very satisfied with you. They didn’t even agree when the county driver came to propose marriage. They must be waiting for you…”

  “What kind of nonsense are you spouting, Mu Xue? What is this gibberish?”

  Mu Xue stared at him stubbornly. “I don’t want to have anything snatched away from me again. I might as well not have it in the first place instead. You can leave.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  Tang Moling reflected on himself. It seemed like he had indeed been paying too much attention to Mu Jingzhe.

  In combination with Mu Xue’s words, he suddenly realized that Mu Jingzhe had purposely said those words to attract his attention!

  He had experienced these tricks before.

  ‘Ha! I almost fell for it.’

  “Don’t worry, Xiao Xue. I won’t pay attention to her ever again. Even if she dies in front of me, I won’t look at her twice.”

  Tang Moling assured both Mu Xue and himself.

  Elsewhere, Mu Jingzhe was making promises to Xiao Wu, alternating between intimidation and bribery.

  “Xiao Wu, try saying it. I’ll only know if you speak up. As long as you say it, I’ll promise, alright?”

  Seeing that the trumpeter was about to leave, Xiao Wu had followed him in confusion. When he’d seen Mu Jingzhe, he had taken her hand and pointed at the trumpeter anxiously.

  Mu Jingzhe had guessed that Xiao Wu wanted to listen more and even learn, but she pretended not to know and coaxed him into speaking.

  Xiao Wu started gesturing frantically but didn’t say anything.

  Mu Jingzhe said regretfully, “If you don’t tell me, I won’t know what you mean.”

  Xiao Wu watched as the trumpeter walked further and further away. His eyes were red, and he looked like he was about to cry.

  He was usually obedient, quiet, and adorable, and he wouldn’t cry easily. Such an obedient child had to be very upset to be on the verge of tears.

  However, Mu Jingzhe bit her lip and resisted the urge to soften her heart.

  Previously, she had teased Xiao Wu a lot to make him speak, but in the end, her heart would always soften against her will. Therefore, she ultimately couldn’t force him to speak.

  She knew very well that Xiao Wu really liked this, so she had to harden her heart and force him to speak.

  Maybe he felt terrible right now, but this would benefit him.

  “We’re going back if you don’t speak up.”

  When Mu Jingzhe saw that Xiao Wu still wouldn’t speak, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed and upset. She even suspected that she hadn’t done the right thing.

  It had been more than two months, and she had taught him so much, yet he still refused to speak.

  It wouldn’t be good if this continued. The later he spoke, the worse it would be. In the end, he might end up like he had in his previous life and never have the chance to speak.

  Xiao Wu was initially depressed, but he then realized that Mu Jingzhe was in low spirits and looked as if she was feeling awful.

  He knew how hard Mu Jingzhe had worked during this period. Seeing her like this made Xiao Wu even more upset.

  He wanted to comfort Mu Jingzhe, that it was his fault, not hers.

  In his panic, he opened his mouth and silently moved it a few times before finally making a soft sound.

  “Don’t.”

  It was just two words, but it seemed to have taken him a lot of effort. Beads of perspiration had formed on his forehead.

  Mu Jingzhe thought that she had heard wrong and quickly squatted down to look at him.

  “Don’t be sad.”

  Under Mu Jingzhe’s delighted gaze, Xiao Wu finally said a complete sentence to express what he wanted to say.

  He even imitated how Mu Jingzhe used to comfort him and patted her shoulder. “I said, don’t be sad.”

  Because he had never spoken before, his voice was actually unpleasant.

  But Xiao Wu had spoken.

  He had spoken.

  Mu Jingzhe, who was overjoyed, picked Xiao Wu up.

  “Xiao Wu, you’ve spoken. That’s awesome.”

  Seeing that Mu Jingzhe was happy, Xiao Wu finally relaxed. “Speak.”

  “I keep my promises. Xiao Wu, tell me what you want. I’ll agree to anything you say.”

  Xiao Wu’s eyes lit up. “Learn.”

  He made a gesture of blowing a trumpet and emphasized learning again.

  “So Xiao Wu likes the trumpet and wants to learn how to play it.”

  Xiao Wu nodded vigorously. “Mm.”

  “Alright, go learn then.” Mu Jingzhe had to keep her word.