Chapter 55: The Problem of Sleep

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Haitang stared blankly at Xu An for a moment. Before this, she had imagined that Xu An’s wife would be a charming and voluptuous beauty. Unexpectedly, she turned out to be such a petite, delicate girl.

“Hu… husband, this elder sister is…” The little girl tilted her head, eyeing Haitang. She found this elder sister exceptionally stunning, with a great figure and particularly ample bosom. Though not quite as ethereal and transcendent as Sister Mu, she was still a rare beauty. Also, did her husband have some unbreakable bond with every woman? Why did he come home every day with such a beautiful woman?

“This is Miss Haitang,” Xu An smiled warmly as he introduced her. Then, turning to Haitang, he continued, “And this is my wife, Su Yan’er.”

“Wife… oh no, Sister Yan’er, hello,” Haitang greeted somewhat shyly but with a smile. This adorable and pretty little girl gave her a sense of closeness. Yet, Yan’er looked so young, almost like a child. She couldn’t help but glance secretly at Xu An, wondering if Brother Xu had some unusual preference.

“Hello, Sister Haitang,” the little girl had grown accustomed and returned the greeting with a smile before saying, “Husband, you and Sister Haitang can sit for a while; dinner will be ready soon.” With that, she hurried into the kitchen.

“Xiao Tang, make yourself comfortable. I’ll go help,” Xu An said, following her into the kitchen.

Watching Xu An and Su Yan’er interact cordially and respectfully, Haitang felt a pang of envy. This kind of lifelong companionship, simple and plain, was exactly the life she had always dreamed of. Unfortunately, she feared it was beyond her reach in this lifetime. No man would treat a woman with her past as a priceless treasure.

Perhaps Brother Xu could, but he already had a family.

In the kitchen, Xu An looked at Su Yan’er and said, “Yan’er, Miss Haitang is a new friend I met. Since I’m starting the sugar business, I signed a contract with them today. We’re short-handed, and she can help us a lot. She doesn’t have anywhere to stay at the moment, so she might live with us for a while. Are you okay with that?”

Xu An added, “If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll find her another place tomorrow.”

Hearing this, Su Yan’er lowered her head and said timidly, “Husband, the sisters you’ve brought back in recent days are all very beautiful and outstanding. If you spend more time with them, will you stop wanting me?”

Though she constantly told herself to trust and understand her husband, she still felt insecure. After all, the women her husband brought home were all beautiful and capable.

“Silly Yan’er, what are you worrying about?” Xu An squatted down, gently pinching her fair, flawless cheeks, speaking warmly, “You’re my wife; how could I ever not want you?”

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“But…”

“No buts!” Xu An said firmly. “Like you said, they’re stunning and beautiful, but such people would surely have encountered even more outstanding ones. How could they be interested in your husband?”

“Besides, Yan’er, you’re hardly any less than they are. In my heart, you’re special and beautiful!”

“I’m not fickle or unfaithful. Having you is enough; you will always be my wife. Don’t worry!”

Hearing this, the little girl’s heart felt warm and happy. So in her husband’s heart, she was special and beautiful! However, the women around him were all excellent, so she had to work even harder and not hold him back.

“I trust my husband. He’s a very, very good person and wouldn’t lie to me.”

“Mmm, husband is number one in my heart!” The little girl looked at Xu An with affection and dependence.

Xu An’s heart stirred; he leaned in and lightly kissed her. Her cheeks immediately flushed, her eyes full of shyness, then she said, “About Sister Haitang staying here, husband, you can decide. You don’t need to ask me.”

“You are the lady of this house. How could I not ask you? You have the right to decide, of course I must have your consent,” Xu An said indulgently.

The little girl felt a surge of warmth and emotion. Her husband really respected her, unlike before when no one cared about her opinions.

She softly said, “Sister Haitang looks like a kind person. I have no objection. It’s just that the bed in the house was burned by husband; I’m afraid there’s no bed to sleep on.”

“No problem! I’ll figure something out,” Xu An smiled.

“You have a solution? You’re not thinking of making a bed yourself, are you? Even if you could, it might be too late,” the little girl said in surprise.

“Don’t worry, you’ll see soon enough.” Xu An twitched her pretty little nose.

…

At dinner, Su Yan’er as usual served the master bedroom to Mu Qingqing. Haitang, the little girl, and Xu An ate outside.

Haitang was obviously a bit reserved eating with Xu An and the little girl for the first time. She didn’t understand why. In the past, at the Drunken Moon Pavilion, she could smile and mingle easily with high-status, wealthy guests, but here she just couldn’t.

Meanwhile, Su Yan’er was very polite, constantly offering Haitang dishes. Her sweet and gentle nature made Haitang feel protective.

After dinner, Xu An busied himself in another empty room, quickly fashioning a hammock resembling a modern seaside sunbed. Given the limited conditions, this would have to do for now.

“Xiao Tang, you might have to squeeze in with Yan’er tonight. I’ll go to town tomorrow and buy another bed,” Xu An said, looking at her.

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“Brother Xu, I’m not feeling wronged at all. It’s more of a trouble for you,” Haitang said apologetically.

“No big deal,” Xu An shook his head. “It’s tough now, but it will get better.”

The little girl shook the hammock Xu An made, worriedly asking, “Husband, are you sleeping here tonight? Is this okay?”

“Or… maybe you should all squeeze in together with me and Sister Haitang? The bed inside is big enough for husband to sleep on; it’s just... I wonder if Sister Haitang minds...” The little girl whispered, glancing at Haitang.

Haitang blushed slightly, unable to hide her shyness.

“If Sister Yan’er doesn’t mind, then... I naturally have no objection. It’s just whether Brother Xu minds...” Compared to Xu An and Su Yan’er, Haitang was definitely more experienced and open-minded about matters between men and women. But ever since coming into this courtyard, she felt out of sorts, as if she had reverted to her innocent self.

“No problem. Just for one night, no big deal. Don’t worry,” Xu An said helplessly, glancing at the little girl. Sometimes he thought she lacked security, but often he felt her heart was extraordinarily big—she even suggested sleeping three together.

“Oh, alright then…” The little girl pouted, expressionless but inwardly disappointed. She couldn’t sleep next to her husband tonight.

…

“Miss Mu, I went to town and bought two washbasins. You can use this one for now; it’ll be convenient for bathing,” Xu An said, moving a basin to the master bedroom door while Haitang bathed inside.

“I don’t need it; you can use it yourselves,” came Mu Qingqing’s voice from the room.

“Don’t you bathe? Aren’t you afraid of smelling?” Xu An, with a modern man’s quirks, joked instinctively.

“You’re the one who smells. I’m very fragrant!” Mu Qingqing’s words irritated her deeply.

“I don’t believe it. How many days has it been since you last bathed? How could you not stink? That’s against science!” Xu An blurted out.

“You don’t believe me? Want to come in and smell for yourself?” Mu Qingqing growled fiercely, refusing to back down.

“Th-That’s not appropriate. Men and women are different; better not,” Xu An stammered.

“I don’t mind. You must smell it today. How could I possibly stink?” Mu Qingqing insisted, locking horns with Xu An.