Chapter 1369: Side Story: Mu Bowen (7)
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Atlas Studios
Mu Yangling looked at her brother in surprise. "Since youâre moving back, then, then Sister-in-law and the children..."
Smiling, Mu Bowen said, "Of course theyâll come back with me. They can make their own decisions after they have their own careers."
Mu Yangling was silent for a moment before asking, "What about your ambition?"
"To me, itâs the same no matter where I am located." Mu Bowen patted his sisterâs hand comfortingly and said, "Back then, the reason why I was in a hurry to resign and go south was because the Ministry of Works had a lot of information for me to study. Besides, I had to inspect the sites all over the country. However, during these past ten years, Iâve seen all the documents and information that the Ministry of Works has available. As such, it no longer matters if I stay in the capital or move back to the north."
In the past, Mu Bowen did not have any achievements in water conservancy. If he resigned from his post, he would be nothing. However, he was now the famous Teacher Mu of the Ministry of Works. Even if he was in the north, the Ministry of Works would still invite him over to take a look if there was an important water conservancy project.
Since that was the case, he might as well move back to the north. Here, he could serve his parents while continuing to work on his ambitions.
Mu Bowen did not have much ambition. After this snowstorm passed, he would start writing books and organize all the gains from the water conservancy projects over the years into books. Occasionally, he would help the provinces repair their water conservancy facilities.
Regardless of whether it was writing books or building water conservancy facilities, he still had the rest of his life to complete it. On the other hand, his parents were already old. He did not want to have the regret of not being able to take care of his parents one day. When he returned this time, Mu Bowen realized that his parents had grown old, even older than he had imagined.
"Sister, the capital is too far away from the north, and Mother has always only reported good news but not bad news. Iâm afraid that if something happens one day, I wonât be able to do anything. They have two sons. If... neither of their sons are by their side, how sad will they be? As the eldest son, I should be the one carrying the weight of this family."
Seeing his serious expression, Mu Yangling immediately smiled and patted his shoulder in relief. "You have my support. If Father and Mother really fall sick, do tell me. Your brother-in-law and I will also come to serve Father and Mother."
Mu Bowen smiled. "Sure."
After a while, he said to her seriously, "Thank you, Sister."
Ever since he was young, she seemed to support him no matter what he said he wanted to do.
Mu Yangling pursed her lips and smiled, stroking his head.
Mu Bowen did not shy away. The siblings chatted for a while before leaving. Suddenly, Qi Haoran appeared out of nowhere and said to her, "You canât blame Little Bear for being jealous of Bowen. Youâre too good to him. Those who donât know better would think that heâs my son, too."
Mu Yangling couldnât help but choke. She put down the teacup and kicked him. "What nonsense are you talking about? Do you have the ability to give birth to such a son of his age?"
Qi Haoran snorted and sat down beside his wife. "Itâs good that heâs back. Werenât you worried about your parents previously? With him by their side, you can rest assured now."
He added, "Fortunately, I have many sons. In the future, the four of them can take turns, each serving us for three months at a time."
Mu Yangling was exasperated. "Didnât you say that you wonât cling to the children when youâre old?"
Qi Haoran said smugly, "I wonât live with them. Weâll build a warm house in the western suburbs, where itâs warm in winter and cold in summer. Let the four of them take turns serving us so that outsiders wonât say that theyâre unfilial."
The corners of Mu Yanglingâs lips twitched.
Mu Bowen did not tell his parents that he was moving back. At this moment, the snowstorm had yet to pass, and Madam Fang and the others could only head north after spring arrived when the snow melted. As such, it was useless to tell them now.
Mu Yangling thought that Mu Bowen wanted to give their parents a surprise, so she did not expose him. Hence, Mu Shi and Shu Wanniang did not know about their childrenâs plans. After the birthday celebration, Mu Bosi had to return to the border, Mu Bowen had to continue working on his relief shelters, and Mu Kejia also had a household to manage. None of them could stay for long.
Instead, Mu Yangling and Qi Haoran stayed behind.
The couple decided to leave after the weather turned warm so that they could spend more time with her parents.
Seeing her sister coming and going freely with a relaxed expression, Mu Kejia couldnât help but say enviously, "Even the gods are envious of Sisterâs life."
Perhaps it was because she was living a good life and was constantly in a cheerful and happy mood, Mu Yangling looked almost the same age as Mu Kejia even though she was ten years older. In fact, her face was even more tender than hers. When the two of them were outside, outsiders would definitely not be able to tell who was the older sister and who was the younger sister.
Seeing this, Shu Wanniang said with a smile, "Thatâs because you havenât seen your older sisterâs life in the past. Even I, a bystander, was startled." She reached out to touch her eldest daughterâs hair and smiled. "I donât care if youâre free or not. My only wish is for you to be safe and sound."
Mu Yangling grinned. "Donât worry, Mother. Iâll definitely live a long and safe life."
Mu Kejia had mixed feelings for a moment. Seeing this, the sensitive Mu Bowen stood up to send her out. He changed the topic. "Does Brother-in-law treat you well?"
Mu Kejia nodded. "Yes."
Regardless, it could not compare to a third of how Qi Haoran treated Mu Yangling. When the family ate, Qi Haoran would pay attention to Mu Yangling from time to time. As long as she ate too much meat, he would pick up vegetables for her. Before dinner, heâd even make her drink a bowl of soup first...
That night, she wanted to look for her sister to have a private conversation, but she saw her brother-in-law personally bring hot water to soak her feet. The most respected man in Great Qi other than the Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor was squatting on the ground and rubbing her feet. As he washed her feet, he quibbled from time to time. In response, Mu Yangling giggled and coaxed him gently.
Of course, Mu Kejiaâs husband treated her well. After all, he was the husband she had chosen. However, he had never paid attention to such things. At this moment, she wondered just how important she was in her husbandâs heart.
She knew that she shouldnât compare these things with her sister. But sometimes, she couldnât help but think that if Brother-in-law, who was above everyone else, could do that for her sister, why couldnât her husband?
Mu Bowen had raised Bosi and Kejia single-handedly. Although they had not interacted much over the years, he knew what Kejia was thinking at a glance.
He held it in for a long time until his sister got into the carriage. Only then did he persuade her with a slight blush. "Kejia, there are a thousand different people. I-I also love your sister-in-law, but I canât abandon my career and everything else to bring my wife around to play like our brother-in-law. However, this doesnât mean that I treat your sister-in-law badly, but..."
Seeing her brotherâs embarrassed expression, Mu Kejia burst out laughing, and her brows relaxed a little. She said, "I understand, Big Brother. Iâm not splitting hairs over this."
After saying that, she winked at her big brother and said, "I know you love Sister-in-law. You donât have to specially emphasize it to me."
Mu Bowenâs face turned even redder. At this moment, he finally realized how difficult it was to be the eldest son and brother. Not only did he have to take good care of his parents, but he also had to deal with the relationship between his siblings. He felt so tired.
Mu Kejia waved at her brother and left.
Mu Bowen was also in a hurry to leave the next day. Due to the plan to move back home, he worked on the project even more diligently. In two months, he had basically finished traveling all over the north. By the time he rushed back to Xingzhou Prefecture to celebrate the new year with his parents, half of the first month had already passed.
Seeing his unshaven and skinny son, Mu Shi couldnât say anything to reprimand him. Shu Wanniangâs eyes turned red as she held her sonâs hand. As she pulled him into the house, she reprimanded, "You really donât cherish yourself enough. How did you lose so much weight? How can we be at peace letting you go away like this?"
Mu Bowen said in a low voice, "Iâm not going away anymore. Iâll stay at home to accompany you and Father in the future. Unless the Ministry of Works hires me on a project again, I wonât travel far."
Stunned, Shu Wanniang looked at her son in a daze and asked, "What did you say?"
Mu Shi also looked at his son in shock.
Smiling, Mu Bowen said, "I just said that Iâm back for good this time. Iâve already written a letter to Madam Fang and asked her to bring the children back after spring. Weâll come back to stay with you and Father. I hope Mother wonât find my company annoying."
Shu Wanniang looked at her husband, who had a straight face but whose eyes were moving left and right. Tears streamed down her face as she said happily, "Youâre my son. How can I possibly find your company annoying?"
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