SPMT : Chapter 38: Xu Mu’an’s Speculation

 

“Mu’an! Where have you been all this time?” Seeing Xu Mu’an, Aunt Li immediately approached and asked.

 

Xu Mu’an replied vaguely, “I went out to pick someone up.”

 

“You’re finally back! You don’t know, do you? When you were away, those little flirtatious girls kept hanging around your husband. That guy Qiu Bai, who used to be so indifferent to your husband, is now as passionate as fire,” Aunt Li said sarcastically.

 

Xu Mu’an lowered his head and smiled. Xiao Xiaodong had told him that during his absence, many matchmakers had come with suitors, but they were all chased away by him and Xiao Fan.

 

Xu Mu’an had encountered Qiu Bai when he returned, and his expression was full of resentment, as if he, Xu Mu’an, had stolen his husband from him.

 

“Mu’an! Your husband is quite popular now. You need to keep a close eye on him!” Aunt Li said with emphasis.

 

Xu Mu’an smiled and replied, “It’s okay.”

 

Qiu Bai wasn’t a concern. It was that Sun Miaomiao who was troublesome. However, even though Xiao Jingting’s attitude towards Sun Miaomiao had changed, as if he didn’t even want to acknowledge her existence, people’s personalities might change with their experiences, but such a sudden and drastic change was indeed suspicious…

 

Xu Mu’an had shared a bed with Xiao Jingting and knew his body well. If he wasn’t sure that his body was still the same, he would have suspected that this Xiao Jingting was an imposter.

 

Xu Mu’an vaguely guessed that Xiao Jingting had undergone possession, but regardless of who he was, he was much better than the original Xiao Jingting. Since his change, Xu Mu’an felt like he was living in paradise every day, so he had no intention of revealing the truth.

 

“Xu, you’re really broad-minded! Who exactly did you bring back?” Aunt Li asked.

 

Xu Mu’an smiled and replied vaguely, “A relative.”

 

“Those two seem quite talented. They must have considerable strength,” Aunt Li asked.

 

Xu Mu’an nodded and said, “Yes.” Despite Xiao Jinfeng being poisoned and his strength declining, he was still outstanding compared to others in the village.

 

“Have they gotten married yet?” Aunt Li asked.

 

Xu Mu’an hesitated.

 

…

 

“Where did you go?” Xiao Jingting asked Xu Mu’an.

 

“I ran into Aunt Li while fetching water. We chatted for a bit,” Xu Mu’an replied.

 

“Aunt Li? What did she say?”

 

“She asked about your brother’s background and whether he’s married.”

 

Xiao Jingting was momentarily stunned. “What does she want?”

 

Xu Mu’an smiled and said, “I guess she wants to matchmake for your brother.”

 

“What did you say?” Xiao Jingting asked.

 

Xu Mu’an smiled and said, “I told her that your brother isn’t married yet but has someone in mind, and they get along well.”

 

Xiao Jingting nodded and said, “That’s good. I think my second brother and Mu Shuyu are quite compatible, and Mu Shuyu’s character is decent.”

 

“Yes, but both of us are already married. Still, there are others continuously trying to poach,” Xu Mu’an thought to herself.

 

“I heard from Xiaofan that Qiu Bai keeps coming to pick grapes,” Xiao Jingting said with a sigh.

 

Xu Mu’an smiled helplessly. “Yes, he has thick skin. But fortunately, they haven’t gone too far.”

 

In rural areas, it was common for neighbors to visit each other for food, as long as they weren’t too pushy. Xiao Jingting couldn’t say much; he had to leave his two children at home when he went out during the day, so he started locking the gate when he left recently.

 

Xu Mu’an nodded and said, “When we have enough money, we can raise the walls higher and get two more dogs to guard the yard.”

 

Xiao Jingting nodded in agreement. “I was thinking the same.”

 

“Did my second brother leave?” Xu Mu’an asked.

 

Xiao Jingting nodded and said, “Yes. I was afraid we wouldn’t have enough money, so I gave him all the silver we had at home, and I sent the remaining wine with him. Luckily, the spiritual plants in our fields will be ready soon, and we can sell them for money.”

 

“That’s good,” Xu Mu’an said, nodding.

 

“We’ve caught a lot of prey in our traps lately, but unfortunately, we discovered them too late, and the prey had already been taken by others,” Xiao Jingting said, shaking his head.

 

Xu Mu’an comforted him, “Regardless, finding prey for free is still a good thing…”

 

“The prey that’s been coming lately has been getting stronger. The traps might not be able to hold them anymore,” Xiao Jingting said, somewhat worried.

 

Xu Mu’an pondered for a moment and said, “The spiritual plants in the top-grade fields will take a few more days to mature. By then, my second brother should be back.”

 

Xiao Jingting nodded and said, “Yes, things will be better when my second brother returns.”