Zhao Nuanyang was quiet today, but he had observed the Hua family’s every word and action. They treated his sister wonderfully, so he knew he no longer needed to worry about her.

His sister was married now, and her in-laws treated her well. Her career was also gradually taking off. She no longer needed him, her younger brother, to worry about her. Now, he had to raise Little Red Carp to adulthood and find a good family for her to marry into in the future. Only then could he truly be at ease.

Zhao Nuanyang held some very traditional beliefs.

Like a clumsy snail, he slowly protected those he cared for. Perhaps one day he would unexpectedly meet someone and ignite beautiful, dazzling sparks!

By Qingya Lake, a biting wind was blowing, but none of Zhao Nuanyue’s group felt it, for their hearts were warm.

“Oh, it’s getting colder and colder. It might even snow,” Zhao Nuanyue said softly. “Yusen, bring the things inside. I’ll boil some water so we can wash up. Let’s get to bed early.”

“Alright!” Hua Yusen beamed, his white teeth glimmering in the dim light. His spirits were soaring; if he had wings, he would have taken flight right then and there.

While Zhao Nuanyue was boiling water, Little Red Carp sat beside her sister.

“Sister, does this mean I have to sleep by myself from now on?” Little Red Carp asked mournfully. “I’ll be so lonely! When can I grow up? I want to get married too.”

Hearing Little Red Carp’s words, Zhao Nuanyue didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She picked the little girl up, sat her on her lap, and kissed her forehead. “You’re still little, Little Red Carp,” she said with a chuckle. “You’ll grow up eventually. A girl as pretty as you will have plenty of admirers when she’s older. But that’s a long way off. For now, you’re a brave girl, and you’re not afraid to sleep by yourself, right?”

“Wrong!” Little Red Carp wrinkled her nose. “I’m scared.”

Zhao Nuanyue was in a bind. ‘Maybe I should sleep with Little Red Carp tonight and let Hua Yusen sleep alone?’

Just as Zhao Nuanyue was struggling with her dilemma, Hua Yusen happened to overhear their conversation. His mood instantly soured. ‘I only just got to sleep holding my wife last night; there’s no way I’m letting Little Red Carp come between us tonight.’

“Little Red Carp, how would you like some cake?” Hua Yusen stopped what he was doing and walked straight into the kitchen, ready to have a little “chat” with her.

The word “cake” immediately caught Little Red Carp’s attention. She beamed and asked, “Is Brother-in-law going to take us to eat at the Friendship Restaurant?”

“That’s right. I know you like cake, so I’ll take you,” Hua Yusen said with a laugh. “It’s just that, as you know, when I’m well-rested, I’m in a good mood. When I’m in a good mood, I work more efficiently. And when I work more efficiently, I have time to take you to the Friendship Restaurant.”

Hua Yusen was being rather subtle.

“What are you talking about!” Zhao Nuanyue glared at Hua Yusen. She knew exactly what he was getting at. ‘This man is an absolute fox.’

Little Red Carp’s big eyes darted around as she pieced it together. ‘Brother-in-law doesn’t want me to get in the way of their alone time!’

“I’m a big girl, I know, but I’m still a kid. One trip for cake, and I can go a whole week without missing Sister. For that whole week, I won’t be afraid of the dark, and I’ll be able to sleep all by myself,” Little Red Carp said with a grin. Since her brother-in-law wanted to make a deal, she would play along.

“Haha, deal. Then I’ll take you to the Friendship Restaurant every week,” Hua Yusen agreed instantly after a moment’s thought. He was a newlywed, and he didn’t want this little third wheel getting in his way. “If I’m busy, I’ll even have someone buy it and deliver it to you. How about that? Still afraid of the dark?”

“Heehee, not anymore!” Little Red Carp nodded. “Oh, the water’s hot! Sister, hurry and get me ready for bed. I’m sleepy, I want to go to sleep.”

Now that she had what she wanted, it was time to stop being a pest.

Listening to Little Red Carp and Hua Yusen haggle, Zhao Nuanyue was utterly speechless.

‘One’s a scoundrel, the other’s a little rascal. Her brother, Nuanyang, was still the best!’

Zhao Nuanyue washed Little Red Carp up, placed a hot water bottle in her bed, and tucked her under the covers. Finally, she kissed Little Red Carp’s cheek and said, “Little Red Carp, good night!”

“Mwah!” Little Red Carp kissed Zhao Nuanyue’s cheek in return and said sweetly, “Good night, Sister. Good night, Brother-in-law.”

Before she left, Zhao Nuanyue whispered to Little Red Carp, “Sleep tight tonight, and no peeking. If you do, I’ll get angry and give you a spanking.”

“I won’t, I won’t!” Little Red Carp said, grinning. “I absolutely won’t peek!”

After closing the door to Little Red Carp’s room, Zhao Nuanyue went to the washroom. It was the perfect chance to use the ointment her master’s wife had given her that morning.

In her past life, Zhao Nuanyue had suffered from gynecological issues, which would sometimes flare up and become inflamed, causing a great deal of discomfort. In this life, she had her master’s wife to guide and teach her, and she had even studied medicine herself, so of course, she had to take proper care of her body.

‘It wasn’t just about her face; she had to take good care of herself from the inside out! She was going to be a true beauty!’

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