Chapter 25: A Gentle Pat on the Head

For the first time in her life, Mother Zhang sat in the seat of honor at the Chi family’s dining table.

Looking at the members of the Chi family gathered around, she hesitantly dialed Chi Mu’s number.

"Miss, Mr. Chi would like to have a word with you..."

[Give the phone to him.]

Chi Lifeng scrambled to take the phone, his tone fawning in a way that was unprecedented. "Mu-mu, it’s Dad. Dad knows he was wrong. Won’t you please come home?"

[I said, I am not coming back.]

"Yes, yes, of course, stay where you are. It’s just this: Dad knows I’ve failed you all these years. I’ve been reflecting on my mistakes and turning over a new leaf. I’ve decided to hand the company over to you to manage. When will you come to take over?"

Chi Mu fell silent.

She seemed to be thinking.

Terrified that she might hang up, Chi Lifeng hurriedly added, "Actually, it’s like this—the company’s business partners have specifically requested to sign the contract with you. Mu-mu, even if I haven't done much else, I at least raised you. You wouldn't want to watch the family business go under, would you?"

[I’m going on a long trip for the next two days. Next Friday, I’ll come to the company to see you.]

"Yes, yes, that’s fine. Be careful on the road, don’t tire yourself out. Dad’s hanging up now."

[Mm.]

Chi Lifeng remained obsequiously cautious.

Once the call ended, he reverted to his stern demeanor and addressed Chi Zhen'er and the others. "From now on, I don't care what you're thinking inside, but on the surface, you will all behave and keep her happy!"

Chi Yi was the first to object. "Why should we!"

"Because your eighty million depends on her to pay it back! If you don't want your hands chopped off, shut your mouth!"

Chi Zhen'er snorted and turned her head away.

This earned her a harsh scolding from Chi Lifeng. "You pathetic, worthless thing, you aren't worth a single finger of Chi Mu's!"

Yun Sufan couldn't listen anymore. "They are all your own children; there’s no need to speak so cruelly."

At this, Chi Lifeng slammed the table and stood up, pointing at her nose. "An indulgent mother ruins her children. Look at other people’s wives, then look at yourself. You’re useless—a bad omen!"

Mother Zhang, who desperately wanted to stay out of it but remained stuck in the seat of honor, was left speechless.

***

In Hai City, there is a remote county called Xiang County. In Xiang County, there is a remote town called Rong Town. In Rong Town, there is a remote village called Xing Village.

Xing Village is located at the furthest southeastern tip. Beyond it lies nothing but the vast, boundless sea.

It took Chi Mu six hours of driving to reach the village.

After getting out of the car, Fu Ningli stretched. "It’s getting late. Let’s head into the mountains tomorrow."

Chi Mu looked around; there was nothing but villagers and their private homes.

She felt annoyed. "I should have stayed in town for the night. Now it’ll take another hour to drive back."

"Don’t go back. Stay at my grandmother’s place."

As Chi Mu looked over, Fu Ningli added, "My grandmother’s house is very clean. There are two empty rooms and hot water for a bath."

Fu Ningli’s grandmother used to be a teacher in the village. His grandfather was a woodcarver who would carve ornaments to sell in town to help make ends meet.

When the two of them stepped into the small courtyard, the grandfather was sitting in front of the door carving wood, and the grandmother was sweeping fallen leaves under a tree. It was a scene of peaceful, timeless serenity.

Fu Ningli knocked on the wooden gate. "Grandpa, Grandma, I’m home."

Hearing his voice, the two elderly people looked up abruptly.

Si Zhenghong set down his wood carving and walked quickly toward Fu Ningli. "Why didn’t you tell us you were coming so I could go to town and kill a chicken for you? Wait, you can walk?"

"Yes, I can walk."

Si Zhenghong looked Fu Ningli up and down, tears glistening in the corners of his eyes. "Good, it’s good that you can walk."

Only then did he notice Chi Mu. His eyes lit up. "You didn't tell me you were bringing your girlfriend, or I would have gone to town to kill a chicken for you both. We have nothing in the house."

Chi Mu smiled. "Grandpa, I’m Ningli’s classmate, just here for a visit. You can just call me Little Chi."

"Ningli, it’s cold outside. Take your classmate into the house. Old Si, hurry up and turn on the air conditioner; don’t let them get cold."

Lu Baihui leaned on her broom and shuffled slowly toward the sound of their voices. She was blind.

Fu Ningli walked over and supported her. "Grandma, Little Chi is staying with us tonight. Which cupboard are the sheets and quilts in? I’ll go make the bed for her."

Lu Baihui put down the broom, her right hand touching Fu Ningli’s straight, steady legs. Her voice trembled. "Are your legs really better?"

"Yes, they're better. Little Chi cured them."

"So Little Chi is a doctor. Saving lives and healing the wounded—that’s wonderful."

Si Zhenghong went to the kitchen to get busy, and Fu Ningli went to the room to make the bed. Lu Baihui brought out some snacks and dried fruits to treat Chi Mu.

"Little Chi, I was always worried that our Ningli would give up on himself because of his legs. Now that you’ve healed him, my heart can finally rest. Tomorrow, I’ll have his grandfather go to town so I can properly stew a chicken for you."

The kitchen filled with steam, and the sound of a bubbling pot drifted out.

Chi Mu felt warmed by their care and laughed. "Alright, Grandma, I look forward to tasting your cooking tomorrow."

At eight o'clock in the evening, the countryside was very quiet. Occasionally, there was the sound of a dog barking.

Chi Mu took a hot bath, wrapped herself in a fluffy bathrobe, and went to the room next door to find Fu Ningli.

Fu Ningli was dressed lightly, wearing only a white bathrobe.

He turned sideways to let Chi Mu in, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly as he closed the door behind her.

Chi Mu handed him a whistle. "It’ll be cloudy tomorrow. The mountains are complicated; if we get separated, we can blow the whistle to locate each other."

Fu Ningli took the whistle.

Chi Mu then went over the precautions for entering the mountains.

Fu Ningli listened intently. Finally, he asked, "Do you go into the mountains often?"

Chi Mu thought for a moment. "I suppose so."

In those small "quick-transmigration" worlds, she didn't just go into the mountains; she lived in them like a savage.

Fu Ningli sat at the foot of the bed, his bathrobe collar half-open, revealing his sturdy chest.

As if unaware, he took the initiative to bring up the past. "My mother was an only child. After she died in a car accident, my grandmother cried day and night until she cried her eyes blind. She used to love teaching children how to read."

"I observed your grandmother’s eyes during dinner. They cannot be cured."

Unless—

Forget it.

That wouldn't exist in this era.

Chi Mu sighed.

Seeing Fu Ningli dressed so casually with his chest half-exposed, she frowned. "Even though I’ve seen your body, I am a woman after all. You should button your clothes."

Fu Ningli looked at himself, seeing nothing wrong with it. "Isn't this how a bathrobe is supposed to be worn?"

Chi Mu stepped forward, pulled his collar tight, and instinctively patted his head. "This is better."

She stood before him, her eyes lowered. Her gaze was affectionate, as if looking at a pet. Especially the gesture of patting his head—it was clearly like stroking fur.

Fu Ningli felt a flicker of annoyance, yet in a sickly way, he craved the warmth of her palm.

After patting Fu Ningli’s head, Chi Mu realized it was inappropriate and immediately pulled her hand back, stepping a full pace away.

Seeing that he didn't seem shocked or angry, she acted as if nothing had happened and said calmly, "Get some rest early. I’m going back."

Chi Mu left in such a hurry that she tripped over the corner of a raised rug halfway and nearly fell.

Fu Ningli raised an eyebrow, the annoyance in his heart completely wiped away.

She had panicked.

Therefore, she didn't completely view him as just a pet.