Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

  Shao Qiyang was gripped by anxiety all of a sudden. Should he push forward his plans? Yes, he had to. Shao Qiyang made up his mind and quickly walked out.

  There was no time like the present. Why not just do it today and strike while the iron was hot?

  Since Ji Buwang was making a cake, he had to show his sincerity. Perhaps he could make her a meal. Shao Qiyang bought some food and rushed home. Before Mu Jingzhe returned, he made dinner.

  It was rare for Shao Qiyang to be so decisive, but he didn’t know that while he was cooking, Ji Buwang had already met Mu Jingzhe.

  The children and Shao Qiyang were busy buying gifts for Mu Jingzhe’s upcoming birthday, and Mu Jingzhe was also busy preparing herself.

  In the past, she hadn’t even known her actual birthday. Not long after her birth, she had been abandoned at the entrance of the orphanage. There had been no keepsake or anything like that, not even a note mentioning her birthdate. Her biological parents hadn’t left any traces, minimizing the possibility of her looking for them when she grew up.

  According to the director, she shouldn’t even have been a month old at the time, but he hadn’t been able to deduce her exact birthday either. In the end, he’d decided that the day she’d entered the orphanage would be her birthday.

  However, that was only the date on her identification card. It wasn’t really her birthday.

  After becoming Mu Jingzhe, she finally had a real birthday. It would be a lie to say that she wasn’t looking forward to it. However, Mu Jingzhe also thought of Li Zhaodi.

  It was said that a child’s birthday was also a mother’s day of suffering. Back then, Li Zhaodi had given birth to her after a day and night of pain.

  Mu Jingzhe had been born prematurely. It hadn’t been her due date yet. Back then, Li Zhaodi had secretly eaten a few walnuts in order to give the child in her stomach more nutrition. In the end, she had been chased by Old Lady Mu and had fallen down, which had resulted in her premature labor.

  At the time, the women who gave birth didn’t go to the hospital. They only gave birth at home. Whether they lived or died depended on their fate.

  Li Zhaodi had given birth prematurely due to an external force, and this had been her first pregnancy. It had been very difficult for her to give birth. The midwife that had been invited had even asked if they wanted to protect the mother or the child. In her daze, Li Zhaodi had said to protect the child.

  Fortunately, the heavens had eyes. Mu Jingzhe had been born successfully, and Li Zhaodi had managed to stay alive.

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  When she’d heard this, Mu Jingzhe’s heart had ached for Li Zhaodi. She felt that, instead of celebrating her birthday, it was Li Zhaodi who deserved blessings and gratitude on that day.

  Mu Jingzhe had already decided that she would buy Li Zhaodi a gift and make her the most delicious food. However, she also wanted to repay her before her birthday arrived.

  Therefore, before her birthday, she went out early to help Li Zhaodi and Mu Teng with their shop. After the peak morning period, she took Li Zhaodi out to shop.

  Li Zhaodi actually liked to look pretty too, but she kept feeling embarrassed because she felt old. However, she would take a few more glances at permed-haired women.

  Dyeing hair had yet to gain popularity at the time, but perming was a trend. It could be considered popular throughout the whole country. Many people in the county city had permed their hair. As long as their hair was permed, they were considered fashionable. Although there were some styles that Mu Jingzhe didn’t appreciate, some of those hairstyles were indeed beautiful and retro.

  She took Li Zhaodi to perm her hair. Afraid that Li Zhaodi would think it was a waste of money, Mu Jingzhe paid in advance. “I’ve already paid in advance, and there’s no way to get that money back. Mom, just get your hair permed.”

  Though Li Zhaodi muttered that she felt embarrassed, her body—which was evidently more honest than her mouth—moved and sat down. During the process of perming her hair, she flaunted to the barber how filial Mu Jingzhe was. Seeing the barber’s helpless gaze, Mu Jingzhe covered her face and apologized.

  When she came out of the hair salon, Li Zhaodi was a curly-haired, fashionable woman, and the first person in the village to have such a hairstyle.

  Li Zhaodi, who had her head raised, was unbelievably happy. When she passed by the display window, she admired her glamorous reflection. Later on, she even bought a matching scarf. Brimming with confidence, she was anxious to return to the village.

  Although she claimed that she was afraid that it would be dark by the time she got back, she was actually rushing back to show off.

  Amused, Mu Jingzhe said they should go back after getting a quick bite but ended up meeting Ji Buwang.

  When Ji Buwang saw that Li Zhaodi had permed her hair, he immediately praised her sweetly, saying that she was pretty, young, and fashionable. Li Zhaodi was over the moon.

  When she saw Ji Buwang praise Li Zhaodi sincerely even though he couldn’t see her face, Mu Jingzhe was dumbfounded.

  Li Zhaodi was praised so much that she wasn’t even in a hurry to go back. She even discussed permed hair with Ji Buwang. Ji Buwang said that he had been born with it, but this didn’t stop them from discussing the topic enthusiastically.

  Later on, for some reason, the two of them talked about whether people with curly hair were the fittest to wear sunglasses. Ji Buwang then offered to buy Li Zhaodi a pair of sunglasses.

  They found a shop that sold sunglasses, and Li Zhaodi tried on pair after pair before finally deciding on a pair.

  After Li Zhaodi put on her sunglasses, her disposition really changed—she now looked particularly like a female bandit who could abduct someone to make him her captive husband. Ji Buwang was like a good civilian she had snatched away.

  In particular, the more Li Zhaodi looked at Ji Buwang, the more she liked him and was satisfied with him. When she held his hand, they resembled a female bandit and her captive husband even more.

  When Li Zhaodi waved her hand for Mu Jingzhe to go over, Mu Jingzhe quickly pushed away this strange thought.

  Li Zhaodi was very happy after putting on her sunglasses. The only problem was that she wasn’t used to them. She couldn’t even walk properly with them on. In places with no sun, she kept saying that she couldn’t see, so Mu Jingzhe held her hand.

  “Mom, don’t wear the sunglasses if you can’t see.”

  “No, I can see.” Li Zhaodi couldn’t bear to remove them.

  Due to this delay, they didn’t have time to eat. Ji Buwang said that he would buy some food on the way back. There were quite a lot of people buying food. As they were waiting in line, Mu Jingzhe felt someone bump against her arm. Thinking that it was Li Zhaodi, she didn’t turn around and habitually held her hand.

  In the end, she felt that something was wrong as soon as she held her hand. Although Li Zhaodi was a woman, she worked all year round. Her hand was very rough and hard, so why was this hand so tender…

  Mu Jingzhe turned around and saw Ji Buwang looking at her innocently. “Where’s my mother?”

  Mu Jingzhe quickly let go of his hand, but Ji Buwang refused to let go and instead grabbed it and pointed to the side.

  There was a public bathroom not far away. Li Zhaodi had gone to the bathroom.

  Mu Jingzhe understood. She looked at their hands and, seeing that there were people beside them, quickly whispered, “Let go now.”

  She didn’t think much of kissing in the streets in the modern world, but perhaps because she was used to being conservative in this day and age, this act made her heart tremble.

  Mu Jingzhe exerted force, and this time, he quickly let go.

  A trace of regret flashed past Ji Buwang’s eyes, but he smiled and whispered, “Jingzhe, you held my hand just now.”

  “I thought it was my mother’s.”

  “Anyway, you held my hand. What’s more, you took the initiative. No girl has ever held my hand in my entire life, so you have to be held responsible.”

  Ji Buwang made it sound as if Mu Jingzhe had forced herself on him and stolen his innocence. Mu Jingzhe looked around and quickly tugged at him.

  “Don’t spout nonsense.” She had just let her thoughts run wild about Ji Buwang being Li Zhaodi’s captive husband. Now that he’d said this, it sounded like the mother-and-daughter bandits were bullying him.

  “I’m not spouting nonsense. Or are you trying to shirk responsibility after holding my hand?” Ji Buwang looked at Mu Jingzhe innocently.

  “I admit that I did hold your hand, but…” Who would take responsibility for just holding hands? This wasn’t ancient times, and he was a man!

  “It’s good that you admit it.” Ji Buwang’s eyes lit up, and he didn’t listen to what she said next.