Chapter 26: Mu Qingqing Awakens

"This... this is so much money, I... I can't do it."

The little girl shook her head hurriedly. What if she lost all this money? She had never been responsible for such a large sum before! This was all hard-earned money from her husband, and it was best left in his care.

"You can do it. Believe in yourself. This is our family's money, and as the lady of this house, it is only natural that you manage it," Xu An said with a smile.

The little girl tilted her head and thought about it. Finding logic in her husband's words, she nodded as if she had just accepted a monumental task. "Alright, I understand, Husband. I will take good care of it."

Xu An added, "If you need to spend money, feel free to take it whenever you like. You have the right to spend the family's money as you see fit."

"I have the right to spend it too?" The little girl whispered, "But this is all money you worked so hard to earn. I haven't been able to help with anything."

"What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is yours. You are my wife; what I earn is what you earn. We are a family," Xu An said, patting her head.

A family! Hearing those words, the little girl felt a sense of belonging. She nodded firmly. "Yes, I know, Husband. I will definitely take good care of it."

She found a piece of scrap cloth, carefully wrapped the money pouch, and tucked it under her pillow. At that moment, her heart felt heavy with responsibility. Her husband had entrusted the family's savings to her, and she could not let him down.

"There is hot water in the kitchen. Wash up and go to sleep early. I have some business to attend to and will be back later," Xu An said suddenly. He needed to talk to Li Erhuang tonight because he planned to go into town to purchase raw sugar tomorrow.

"Okay~ hurry back, Husband," Su Yan'er said softly, holding his hand.

"I will," Xu An replied with a smile, turning to head out toward Li Erhuang’s house.

"My husband is truly amazing! To have earned so much money so quickly."

After watching him leave, the little girl lifted her pillow and peeked at the silver again. She counted it carefully one more time before heading to the kitchen. Seeing the unwashed dishes, she didn't hesitate to start cleaning. Her husband had been working hard all day; she couldn't let him deal with these trivial household chores. If she finished them, he could rest more when he returned.

It took her about half an hour to tidy the kitchen. Afterward, she began to bathe.

***

Once she was bathed and dressed, she remembered the woman her husband had brought home and wondered how she was doing in the bedroom. She went in to check on her. Her husband had so much on his plate; as his wife, she naturally wanted to share the burden.

"This sister is so beautiful," the little girl remarked with genuine admiration, looking at Mu Qingqing’s delicate features and dignified, heroic aura.

Her gaze then drifted downward. Looking at the woman's proud, full, and rounded chest, the little girl instinctively looked down at her own, feeling a twinge of inferiority.

"This sister’s figure is so lovely. I’ve heard that men like them big and round like that. I suppose my husband must like that too. I need to eat more and put on some weight!" the little girl whispered to herself, as if making a firm resolution. She wanted her husband to like her more.

"Water... water..."

Just then, Mu Qingqing let out a faint, murmuring sound.

"Sister, wait, I’ll get you some water right now!" Hearing her speak, the little girl was delighted and hurried to fetch the water. Her husband had said this sister was badly hurt, and she had been worried the woman might not wake up. She hadn't expected her to come to so soon.

At that moment, Mu Qingqing was delirious from