“Well, there’s nothing much to do at home, just playing around with Chen'er,” Lin He murmured softly.

“The Cai Die Xuan will open for business on the eighth. I have to go to Qinghe County in a couple of days. I might have to stay there for a while this time; we need to speed up the construction of the factory there. Getting goods shipped over here is ultimately too far and inconvenient,” Wen Ningxuan nodded, then continued.

“Mhm, leaving so soon? Aren’t Ling Xiang and the others watching things over there? How long will you be gone this time?” Lin He inquired.

“At least a month or two. There are still some matters there that require my personal attention.”

“Okay, then be careful while you’re handling things over there, and come back as soon as it’s settled,” Lin He replied casually.

“Er’er misses me, why don’t you come with me?” Wen Ningxuan asked, a hint of teasing in his tone.

Lin He looked up at Wen Ningxuan. He was smiling, his ink-black eyes gazing at her tenderly. Her heart fluttered, as if she wanted to sink into that gentleness and never pull herself out. Did she miss him? Indeed, she did. In truth, even if Wen Ningxuan stayed put, she wouldn't see him every single day, so logically, there shouldn't be this feeling of longing. However, this time, Lin He genuinely felt a bit worried. She suspected that the matters Wen Ningxuan mentioned were related to the assassination attempt on him previously. Thinking of that incident still made her uneasy.

Lin He looked at Wen Ningxuan and said softly, “My mother said I shouldn’t go out much this year if I have nothing urgent. You must be careful about everything when you go there alone; you should keep Ling Xiao and the others by your side at all times.”

Wen Ningxuan had only been joking. He understood that after a woman was betrothed, it was generally unsuitable for her to be seen about town frequently. However, Lin He’s serious reply took him by surprise. Wen Ningxuan gave a faint smile and said, “Don't worry. Nothing will happen.”

Lin He nodded and offered Wen Ningxuan a smile. This smile was like the winter sun, warming Wen Ningxuan’s heart completely. He kept smiling faintly as he gazed at Lin He.

When Madam Huang emerged from the room, she saw the scene and an involuntary, happy smile spread across her face. She had intended to walk over, but instead turned and retreated back into her room.

The two Wen brothers didn't stay long this time. After lunch, they returned home. On the way back, they never found an opportunity to speak much. They just exchanged a deep glance with Lin He before boarding the carriage and leaving.

The first lunar month passed quickly. After the Lantern Festival, Da Bao announced he was heading back to the shop in town. However, Madam Huang forbade it, pointing out that Da Bao had only just gotten married. Madam Huang insisted that Da Bao should remain at home for at least a full month before returning to town; after all, they were newlyweds. But Da Bao was unwilling, saying that since the business was just starting, he needed to oversee it. In previous years, Lin He could have managed it for a while, but now that Lin He was betrothed, Madam Huang didn't want her running to town so often. She suggested that Xiao Jun and the others could manage the shop, but Da Bao remained silent, and since the family assumed he agreed, the matter was dropped.

Unexpectedly, on the fifteenth day, while Lin He and the others were still lazing in bed, Da Bao was up early packing his things to go to town. Yun Qi saw Da Bao’s insistence and didn’t press the issue. She just silently helped him pack in their room. Madam Huang saw Da Bao pacing around the courtyard collecting things early that morning and said with displeasure, “Da Bao, what are you doing? Why are you packing things so early in the morning?”

Da Bao replied, “Mother and Father, I’ll head to town to open the shop after I eat. I’ve already packed my things.”

Madam Huang, who had already forbidden him from going, said with clear annoyance, “Didn’t I tell you? Wait until the month is over before you go. You two just got married; are you planning to leave Yun Qi alone in an empty house? Why don’t you take Yun Qi with you to town? If you two are together, I won’t object to where you are.”

“Mother, we need to conduct business at the shop, and Yun Qi doesn’t understand commerce. If she went, I wouldn’t have time to spend with her; she’d just be all alone there. Here, at least Lin He and Chen’er keep her company,” Da Bao replied, also sounding displeased.

“Then don’t go. Stay here and keep Yun Qi company until the month passes. We can’t have people gossiping right now; what would people say about a man abandoning his wife alone right after the wedding? What will Yun Qi think? You’re usually such a good child; why don’t you know how to cherish your wife?” Madam Huang insisted.

“What does cherishing my wife have to do with this? I can’t just stay home every day to cherish my wife, or what about the shop? What about food for the family? Mother, you make things difficult. Have you ever seen anyone who gets married and then stops working entirely? Have you seen anyone who stays home guarding their wife every single day?” Da Bao complained loudly.

Madam Huang was about to retort when Er Niu tugged at her sleeve and spoke up, “Da Bao, we aren’t saying you shouldn't go out. You just got married, after all. Your mother spoke hastily, but what she said isn't entirely without reason. Besides, we aren’t forbidding you from opening the shop now. How about this: let Xiao Jun watch it, and you can take time to visit. It’s only a short period; in the past, when you went out, Xiao Jun and the others watched the shops, and nothing ever happened.”

“Father, why are you being unreasonable like Mother? I already said that since the New Year just ended, everything needs a fresh start, and there are so many people in the shop; as the boss, I definitely have to oversee things. If the shop doesn't need me, then what use am I?” Da Bao stubbornly clung to his viewpoint.

“We’re unreasonable? You unfilial son! You’ve only been married a few days, and you think your wings have hardened and that your parents can’t control you anymore? Today, I forbid you from going! If you insist on going, you can manage your own wife; we won’t manage you, and we won’t manage your wife either,” Madam Huang said angrily, provoked by Da Bao’s words.

Hearing Madam Huang’s words, Da Bao grew impatient. He said, “I said from the beginning I wasn’t in a hurry to get married; you were the ones rushing me day in and day out. Now you’re blaming me for the wife I have. Fine, you can manage her yourselves; I can’t manage you. If I knew this would happen, you shouldn't have rushed me into marriage. Now that I’m married, it’s become a disaster. Fine, I won’t go. I won’t manage that shop in town either; you all can look after it. I’ll just stay home every day and guard my wife.”

Saying that, Da Bao dropped the things in his hands and stood stiffly in the courtyard, his neck jutting out in anger. Madam Huang was so infuriated by Da Bao’s words that smoke felt like it was coming out of her head. She roared, “We went through so much trouble to find you a wife, and now it’s become our fault? No wonder your elder sister-in-law always says sons are useless. This son truly is useless! With a son like you, do you expect us to rely on you when we’re old? I see now that your father and I won’t be able to depend on you!”