After they left, Yan Mei came back outside with the kids, her face full of worry.
"Lin Xu, who were those men and what did they want from us?"
"They came in search of someone not that important." I lied. I didn’t want her to worry. I wonder how she would feel if she found out that Mo Ying and Fuhan happened to be bad people at any chance.
"Well, that’s good... I was scared for a minute."
"Where is Mo Ying, isn’t he here?" I asked since I didn’t see him at all.
"Well, after you went inside he stepped out for a sec... I’m not sure he saw those men, we have to inform him when he comes."
"No need!" I immediately disagreed.
"Huh? Why not?" Yan Mei was confused.
"Well, because I don’t want him worried. You know how he is, it’s not something to worry about so let’s just forget about it. I made you something fast."
"Well okay then... I’ll have to go now... my mom said I should be home to see some matchmakers."
"Matchmakers? Why? Are you planning on getting married, Yan Mei?" I asked, surprised.
Blushing shyly, Yan Mei revealed, "Well, I don’t want to get married but my mother says I should get married early so I can get better men... she has been hiring matchmakers all week for me... Sigh!"
Looking at her, I didn’t even know what to say. She was just 17, yet they were already planning her wedding.
If it was in modern times, girls her age would be in high school still daydreaming about k-pop stars, not getting married.
"I’ll get going now, Lin Xu... take care of yourself!"
"Alright, be careful on your way out!"
Later that night, Mo Ying, like he had promised, made dinner and it was very delicious, yet my mind wasn’t even involved with whatever was going on.
I still kept thinking about what that man had said and I couldn’t help but sneak some glances at Mo Ying as he talked and ate with the kids.
"Lin Xu!" He called out my name, bringing me back to reality.
I looked down at my bowl. The food smelled amazing, but my appetite was gone. I forced a small smile. "I am... just not too hungry tonight."
Mo Ying’s eyes lingered on me, sharp and unreadable, before he finally said, "Eat a little. You’ll need your strength."
I nodded and picked at the food, putting some in my mouth even though it tasted like nothing. The kids were laughing, chatting with Yiling, but my mind was far away—still stuck on the Song family’s warning.
When dinner was over and the kids had gone to bed, I began clearing the table. Mo Ying moved to help me, his tall frame brushing close as he took the plates from my hands.
"You’re distracted," he said quietly, his tone not accusing but certain.
I froze, then laughed nervously. "Am I? Maybe I’m just tired."
His eyes narrowed slightly, as though he could see through me. "Tired?" He placed the plates down slowly. "Or worried about something?"
I turned away quickly, busying myself with the bowls. "It’s nothing."
But even as I said it, my heart raced. Because if Mo Ying really was the man on that poster... then how much longer could I keep pretending not to know?
After we were done, I immediately went back to the room not to sleep but to take my pillow.
Raising his brow, Mo Ying asked, "Why? Aren’t you staying here?"
"No! I want to stay with my kids tonight. They said they have been missing me so I’ll sleep with them tonight... Y-you take care!" Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦•𝘯𝘦𝘵
I said as I almost ran to my kids’ room as Mo Ying just stood there, his face stoic and unreadable.
Popping out of nowhere, Fuhan said to Mo Ying, "Young master, it seems Miss Lin still suspects you and now she’s even scared."
But Mo Ying didn’t say anything and just went inside.
The next day was just normal. Mo Ying, together with Fuhan and the boys, helped out on the farm as I made my braised meat.
I woke up quite early to start cooking and my little assistant, Yiling, was assisting me.
Before breakfast we had made two huge pots of braised meat and Mo Ying helped me load them all in our wagon as we carried it straight to the Yun Pavilion.
Meanwhile, in his study was Chief Bai as he had his eyes glued to some ledgers while some ladies massaged his shoulders.
Just then, a male servant rushed in, panic all over his face.
"Master, Master... bad news!" He announced as Chief Bai frowned, "What bad news are you talking about... out with it."
The servant was panting, his chest rising and falling as if he had run all the way there.
Chief Bai slammed the ledger shut and glared. "Speak! What happened?"
The servant bowed low. "Master... the Yun family has signed an agreement with Lin Xu. She will now supply them with her braised meat."
The room went silent for a moment. Even the two women massaging his shoulders froze.
Chief Bai’s face darkened, his jaw tightening as he shot to his feet. "What did you just say?"
The servant flinched. "It’s true, Master! People saw her wagon going into Yun Pavilion this morning. She carried two full pots of braised meat. The news is already spreading in the market."
Chief Bai’s eyes narrowed dangerously. His hands clenched into fists, veins popping on his arms. "That wretched girl... she dared to go against me?"
He paced back and forth, anger rolling off him in waves. "First she refuses me, then she runs to Yun Pavilion for protection. Hmph! Does she think the Yun family can shield her forever?"
The servant kept his head down, trembling. "Master... what should we do?"
Chief Bai stopped, his gaze cold and sharp. "What else? If the Yun family wants her, then we’ll make her regret ever standing in my way. Send word to our men, we’ll cut off her supplies, everything she needs. Let’s see how long she lasts."
"Yes, Master!" the servant bowed and quickly left.
Chief Bai sat back down slowly, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips. "Lin Xu... you’ve chosen the hard way. Don’t blame me when you suffer."