"Alright," Gu Qingheng nodded, straightening up to look very serious, "go ahead."
"Rule number one, the wife is always right," said Yang Ruxin with a cough.
"Hmm," Gu Qingheng nodded, "and the second rule?"
"The second rule is critical, listen carefully, it’s that if the wife is wrong, please refer to the first rule..."
"Hehe..." Gu Qingheng couldn’t help but laugh, and just when Yang Ruxin was about to frown, he suddenly nodded, "That makes perfect sense, I’ll definitely follow it. If I fail to do so, you can punish me as you see fit."
"Good boy, hurry inside, get on the bed and take off your clothes..." Yang Ruxin was amused, pushing him into the room.
"Done," Gu Qingheng pressed the wheels and got onto the bed, "take off however you want to..."
Yang Ruxin’s face couldn’t help but blush.
As soon as the room door closed, the Feng Family’s Mrs. Feng peeked out from the kitchen with a conflicted expression. She was happy to see the young master cheerful every day, sweet and loving with Xinxin, but also worried that the young master was completely under Xinxin’s thumb. Would he end up listening to his wife in everything from now on? This wouldn’t do; the authority of a husband is vital. She quickly went to find Gu Yao and shared her worries.
"Mother," Gu Yao couldn’t help laughing, "you’re worrying too much. How smart is my big brother? If my sister-in-law were really unreasonable or cruel-hearted, do you think big brother would listen to her?"
"That’s true," Mrs. Feng pondered for a moment and finally nodded.
"Alright, don’t bother about it anymore," Gu Yao patted Mrs. Feng’s shoulder, "Only Xinxin can manage big brother, and that’s a good thing."
"Alright, I won’t interfere," Mrs. Feng waved her hand and then laughed herself; indeed, she was worrying too much.
Time entered October, and the weather turned even colder, with overcast skies for two consecutive days, making it feel as if it might snow.
Everyone started to switch to padded jackets and trousers.
Yang Ruxin had prepared early this year, ensuring two sets of padded jackets and trousers for everyone, along with two sets of lighter cotton clothes and then two sets of thicker cotton clothes. Of course, all this thanks to Erni, who did most of it, though Xun Hui also helped after she woke up. As for Yang Ruxin and Sanni, they didn’t move a needle.
For the children of the main Yang Family household, this was the first time wearing new cotton clothes, and they were all incredibly excited.
Xun Hui used to dread winter the most because she never knew if she’d live to see the spring. Especially at night, she would frequently check on the children, scared they might freeze to death in their sleep. But now... feeling the soft cotton fabric on her body made her tears fall.
"Alright, now that everyone has changed, let’s go," Yang Ruxin waved his hand, "Today is the grand opening day of our furniture workshop, we need to celebrate. Everyone must be happy today, we all need to smile..."
"Is that how it goes?" Little Zhou Ying grinned broadly, showing off her tiny, pearly teeth still growing in.
Yang Ruxin reached out and pinched Zhou Ying’s small face: "That’s a fake smile."
"Haha..." Sini shouted twice, "This is a real smile..."
"Haha..." Everyone was amused, even the reflective Xun Hui laughed along, forgetting her earlier sentiments.
The whole family proceeded merrily towards the workshop.
As it happened, today was also the day the civil service examination results were released.