Before she could turn around, Teacher Jiang had already run towards the stairs and disappeared into the corridor.
"What... what is this?" Mu Xing was dumbfounded.
Bai Yan, as if it were commonplace, pulled her home and, while tying her apron, said, "That's Teacher Jiang from across the street. Mrs. Ma said he's a follower of some religion and hates women. Help me tie my apron."
Mu Xing still found it a bit unbelievable: "Hating women to the point of avoiding them like the plague? I have classmates in America who are religious, but I've never seen anything this extreme."
After tying on her apron, Bai Yan walked into the kitchen: "I don't understand either. I heard that he claimed he would not get married, and when he was a guest at Mrs. Ma's house, he scolded Mr. Ma for choosing to marry a woman. He almost got beaten up by Mr. Ma. I've run into him in the hallway several times these past few days, and he looks like he's seen a ghost. He's practically ready to splash dog blood on me and stick talismans on me."
"That's really something. It just goes to show how amazing the world is." Mu Xing followed him in. "What would you like to eat?"
With the help of Mrs. Ma next door, Bai Yan is now able to cook some simple home-style dishes. With Mu Xing helping out, she quickly made two dishes and a soup.
While eating, Mu Xing finally asked, "I was just about to ask, what happened to Fei Hua's face?"
Bai Yan sighed: "Principal Zhang said he would redeem Fei Hua from her servitude, but somehow his wife in Shanghai found out. While Principal Zhang was away on a business trip, that woman brought a few people to Fei Hua's place and caused a scene at the hotel."
Mu Xing frowned, momentarily unsure whether to sympathize with Fei Hua, who had been beaten, or with Madam Zhang, who had been "divorced and remarried." After a moment's thought, she could only say, "It seems this Madam is truly formidable." Judging from Fei Hua's injuries, they certainly weren't inflicted by someone as delicate as Qianqian.
Bai Yan shook her head: "At least Fei Hua can still come to see me, but Madam is still lying in the hospital."
Mu Xing was shocked: "She even ended up in the hospital? Didn't you say Madam brought people with her? How come she couldn't beat Fei Hua?"
Suppressing a laugh, Bai Yan said, "No, that lady had long, delicate fingernails, about two inches long. When she hit Fei Hua, she got so excited that her fingernails got caught on Fei Hua's clothes and were snapped off. Not only were they snapped off, but she was also frightened by the spurting blood and fainted. She fell onto the coffee table in the hotel lobby and ended up in the hospital."
Mu Xing: "...Ah."
She exclaimed from the bottom of her heart, "What an extraordinary woman!"
After thinking for a moment, Mu Xing added, "This lady is so fierce, if Fei Hua marries into her family, will she be able to live a good life?"
Bai Yan said, "Marrying into the family doesn't guarantee a good life, but not marrying into the family definitely means a bad life."
Mu Xing frowned: "Does Fei Hua not have any other clients to choose from?"
Bai Yan listed them off for her: "Do you know what Principal Zhang's family background is? He's a university president and chairman of the board, his family owns real estate, and he also has shares in China Construction Bank. Younger, unmarried men aren't as rich as him; older men whose wives don't manage their households already have multiple wives and concubines. Even if they're comparable to Principal Zhang in every way, there are still those who smoke opium, gamble, and are violent. Compared to these, what does it matter if their wives are a bit more formidable?"
Mu Xing nodded in agreement, then boasted, "It seems that someone like me, who is rich, doesn't smoke opium, doesn't gamble, is unlikely to hit people, and doesn't have a bunch of wives and concubines at home, is truly a rare commodity."
Bai Yan laughed and said, "You're right, I really struck gold." She picked up a piece of pork rib and put it in Mu Xing's bowl. "Here, let our precious baby eat some meat."
Mu Xing smiled and ate it in one bite.
Lowering her head, Bai Yan continued, "There's no need to compare her to me. Just compared to the others in the brothel, Fei Hua is already incredibly lucky. Once Madam Zhang leaves, she can still sit in the restaurant without lifting a finger, without having to think about or know anything. When she's free, she can go shopping, play cards with the other bosses' wives. All she needs to know is what clothes are fashionable, what diamonds are good, and how to please Principal Zhang."
"It's already so difficult to go from being a plaything of others to being someone's pet."
Chapter Seventy-Eight
Looking at Bai Yan's lowered eyes and hearing her somewhat dejected tone, Mu Xing felt inexplicably that something was wrong.
She suddenly remembered the expression on Bai Yan's face when she said she wanted to work at the bookstore that day.
Anticipation, joy, and a hint of... the cautiousness I felt while discussing things with her. It was as if she wasn't discussing something with her, but rather... seeking her consent.
After thinking for a moment, Mu Xing said, "Oh right, didn't I just say I had something to tell you? I went to see You Cheng at noon, and he was very happy that you could help him. He said he was hoping to make a comeback using your pen name."
"Really?" Bai Yan immediately raised her head, her previous somber expression vanishing. "How did you discuss it with him?"
Mu Xing explained the salary terms she had agreed upon with Song Youcheng, and said that she would take Bai Yan to the bookstore tomorrow to familiarize herself with the business so that she could start working immediately.
Bai Yan immediately laughed and said, "That's wonderful! Since Young Master Song thinks my pen name has some value, I can also contribute articles to him. Speaking of which, I happen to have a few ideas, and if I could get some guidance from professional editors, they might become even more perfect..."
Seeing how happy she was to be able to go to work, Mu Xing was filled with emotion.
To be honest, until just now, Mu Xing had only thought that once he saved enough money, he could redeem Shu Wan and raise her at home. But now it seems that's not the case.
She could certainly support Shu Wan, but if she only supported her, what difference would that make from keeping a pet?
While listening to Bai Yan speak, Mu Xing pondered to himself, and then surprisingly discovered a key point that he had never noticed before.
When Bai Yan told her about wanting to work that day, she casually assumed that Bai Yan was just bored and wanted to find something to do.
At this moment, she suddenly realized what going out to work really meant for Bai Yan.
Is Shu Wan worried that one day she too will become, as she just said, a mindless plaything of one person?
Thinking of this, Mu Xing's back was soaked with sweat.
She could swear that she never intended to treat Shu Wan as a "plaything." But subconsciously, could she really guarantee that?
Does she guarantee that Shu Wan doesn't feel she doesn't need to go out to work or learn new knowledge?
This is by no means a simple matter of nitpicking. Mu Xing thought she should have reflected on herself long ago. When she treated Shu Wan, had she inadvertently revealed those seemingly self-righteous thoughts, those disrespectful yet subtly influential ideas?
She always believed that she should go to work, socialize, and support the family, but she never considered whether Shu Wan wanted to stay at home and "enjoy life".
She could also sense that Shu Wan had once wanted to follow Fei Hua's path, but now she suddenly had the desire to work. Wasn't it because she herself realized that she shouldn't be "kept" by someone?
If, as they had previously anticipated, they redeemed Shu Wan and then hid her away in a "home," would that truly be considered love?
Look at Fei Hua, who was just beaten down. Does she also want her lover to be like those women who go from one shackle to another, merely adorned with beauty, and then day after day, waiting to consume his color and gradually wither away?
Shu Wan was not her pet; she should be free. Even if she redeemed her, she shouldn't make all the decisions for her, taking care of everything for her, or even override her wishes. Otherwise, what difference would it make from buying her as a commodity again?
Bai Yan was talking about buying groceries this morning when Mu Xing across from her suddenly slammed down his chopsticks.
Bai Yan was startled: "What..." Before she could finish speaking, Mu Xing suddenly stood up and reached out his hands to her.
Although she didn't understand what she meant, Bai Yan still got up and obediently hugged her.
Feeling each other's heartbeats against their overlapping chests, Bai Yan smiled and said, "What's wrong with you? Why do you suddenly want a hug?"
Stroking her hair, Mu Xing said sullenly, "I just acted out a scene in my head."
Bai Yan said, "Really? What good news has our Boss Mu gotten out of this? Tell me about it."
Holding her tightly, Mu Xing slowly said, "This play is so new and amazing that I never expected it. It really touched my heart, and I can't even express it right now. I just think that we should learn from the lessons in the play. I never thought about it before, but from now on, whether you want to be an editor or something else, you can try your best, and I will always support you."
Bai Yan was stunned for a moment, and then asked carefully, "Why are you saying this out of the blue?"
Calming down, Mu Xing asked her seriously, "You suddenly want to go to work, is it to save some money to buy your freedom?"
Caught off guard by her sudden revelation, Bai Yan pursed her lips, but ultimately nodded. After a moment's thought, she quickly added, "Of course, I know you're capable of saving enough; I just wanted to scrape together a little..."
Pulling her down to sit, Mu Xing said, "This is a good thing, and it should be this way. This is our home, and although there's the saying 'one person manages the household, the other manages the external affairs,' it's all the same here. No matter how much, we should both contribute to the family. I didn't think of that before, but now that you're working, our home will be even better."
Silently pondering her words, Bai Yan gradually revealed a genuine smile.
She said, "Okay! From now on, I should also do my part."
…
The next day, Mu Xing came to pick up Bai Yan early, and the two went to the bookstore together.
On the way, Bai Yan said, "I forgot to tell you yesterday that I went to Jinbao's house a couple of days ago to pick up the letter urging me to finish my manuscript and to see them while I was there."
Speaking of Jinbao, Mu Xing also remembered something and asked, "It's been a long time since I've seen the two sisters. How is Xiao Azhen's illness?"
Bai Yan shook her head: "It's not good. I see that she's become so thin that she looks unrecognizable."
Mu Xing frowned: "She still has stomach pains?"
Bai Yan then explained Xiao Azhen's illness in detail, and Mu Xing shook his head.
Little A-Zhen's illness was something that even Dr. Ding, a renowned pediatrician, couldn't diagnose, let alone her. She had asked her own father, but he couldn't find a solution either.
Bai Yan sighed, "They said before that we could only take it slow and heal, but now it's getting worse every day. Alas."
Jinbao had served her for several years, and she had watched Xiao Azhen grow up. Now that she saw her suffering, she naturally couldn't bear it.
Before they could exchange more than a few words, they had arrived at the bookstore entrance. Composing themselves, the two went inside together.
Since it had been agreed upon yesterday, Song Youcheng was waiting in the bookstore today. When the two came in, he hurriedly came over to greet them.
Everyone was already a familiar face. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Song Youcheng led Bai Yan to the editorial department, wanting to tour and familiarize herself with it first.
The three of them walked into the editorial department. As soon as they pushed open the door, Mu Xing saw Li Yining tidying up the documents inside.
"Ah Xuan? What brings you here..." Li Yining's smile instantly turned cold when she saw Bai Yan walking in behind Mu Xing.
Seeing this, Song Youcheng quickly said, "Yi Ning, this is Miss Bai. I forgot to tell you earlier that Miss Bai will also be helping out in the editorial department in the future."
Ignoring Song Youcheng's gesture, Li Yining straightened up, crossed her arms, and snorted coldly: "Oh, Youcheng, now that your bookstore is up to just anyone, anyone can come and help?"
She then looked at Mu Xing: "Ah Xuan, I can't control who you hang out with on a normal day, but now is a difficult time for You Cheng, and you're bringing all sorts of people here. Don't you think that's inappropriate?"
Mu Xing frowned, about to speak, when Bai Yan suddenly stepped forward and smiled, "Ah Xuan cares about Young Master Song's matter. I am Ah Xuan's good friend, and my desire to help is naturally the same as Miss Li's."
Song Youcheng quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Yining, you don't know, Miss Bai also has a wealth of writing experience."
Li Yining wanted to say something, but after glancing at Mu Xing, she didn't continue. She snorted coldly and turned to enter the library.
In front of Song Youcheng, Mu Xing didn't say much, so she could only pat Bai Yan's hand to comfort her. Bai Yan smiled at her: "It's alright."
After visiting the editorial department, while Song Youcheng and Bai Yan were introducing things, Mu Xing went to the library and found Li Yining tidying things up behind the bookshelves.
Before she could even speak, Li Yining looked at her and sneered, "What, I only said one sentence, and you're already so quick to criticize me?"
Mu Xing didn't want to argue with her, and simply said, "How could that be? I just noticed you've been in a bad mood these past few days and wanted to check on you."
Li Yining clapped her hands and stood up, her tone sarcastic: "Oh, you still have time to care about me? I just assumed you were completely bewitched by your Miss Bai!"
Her words were truly unpleasant to hear, and Mu Xing, fearing Bai Yan might overhear from the other room, had no choice but to cut to the chase: "Yi Ning, Shu Wan is my... friend. She's a very good person. I know you have reservations about her background, but if you're willing to put aside your prejudices and try to understand her..."
Li Yining interrupted her: "She's your friend? Just a friend?"
These words carried a deeper meaning, and Mu Xing's heart skipped a beat. Before she could speak, Li Yining continued aggressively, "She's just your friend, right? Then I don't want you to be friends with her! Didn't you say before that you wouldn't play with people you didn't like? Fine, then go tell her right now that you don't consider her a friend!"
Unexpectedly, she became so agitated, and Mu Xing was momentarily annoyed by the sudden outburst. However, upon seeing Li Yining's red eyes, the fire that had just ignited within him was quickly extinguished, leaving him feeling wronged.
It has always been like this over the years.
With a sigh, Mu Xing leaned against the table, rubbed his temples, and said, "Yi Ning..."
Li Yining, still staring with teary eyes, said, "Go! Why don't you go?"
Mu Xing patiently said to her, "Can we stop arguing like this?"
"Then what do you want me to say? What else do you want to say?!" As if she had been holding it in for too long and was suddenly bursting out, Li Yining didn't care about anything else anymore. She said directly, "Do you want me to talk about your dirty deeds?!"
Mu Xing froze.
Looking at her expression, Li Yining sneered, "What, you think you've kept it a secret? Yes, besides me, Mengwei and Youcheng both know about your affair. You told them yourselves, except for me! How good you are at keeping secrets!"