novelraw Chapter 154
Chapter 154
When Song Nianchu returned home, Mu Shi'an and the others had already cooked the rice, and even washed and chopped the vegetables for her.
Song Nianchu only needed to toss them in the pan to stir-fry, so dinner was ready in less than ten minutes.
"By the way, Shi'an, I might need you to carve another new label for me," Song Nianchu recalled while eating.
"No problem, just give me the original design when you're ready," Mu Shi'an nodded.
"Mm," Song Nianchu replied.
"Does that mean we have to print new labels again?" Mu Haoxuan asked, looking up while holding his bowl.
"Yes, there are new labels again," Song Nianchu answered with a smile.
"Then will we get a little more money next time we split the earnings?" Mu Haoxuan's eyes sparkled.
"Of course," Song Nianchu affirmed.
"That's great!" Mu Haoxuan cheered.
But Song Nianchu spoke up again.
"However, with more and more labels needed every day, the two of you probably won't be able to keep up with the printing."
"We can!" Mu Haoxuan said hastily.
"Sister-in-law, we can do it!" Mu Yongnian also stopped eating.
"I know you can, but to keep up with the village's production volume, you'd have to sit there working from dawn to dusk. Doesn't your eldest brother still assign you schoolwork? You also need some time to play. How can you just sit there printing labels all day long?" Song Nianchu said gently.
"It doesn't matter, we don't need time to play, and we don't need to study. It's useless anyway." Mu Yongnian didn't want the job they had finally found to be taken away by someone else.
Hearing this, Song Nianchu's brow immediately furrowed.
"How can that be? Studying is a must. You are both still children. If you don't study, do you want to grow up to be illiterate?"
"But studying is useless. We'll only be able to stay here in the future." Mu Haoxuan lowered his eyes.
"Who says you can only stay here forever? What if you have other opportunities? If the time comes when you can return to the city, but you've fallen too far behind in your studies, it will be too late for regrets," Song Nianchu said firmly.
"Will we really have a chance to return to the city?" Mu Yongnian felt the chances were slim to none.
"Whether there is or not, reading a little more is never wrong. Do you really want to print labels for the rest of your lives? You working hard here for a month doesn't even earn as much as your brother making one wheelbarrow. Knowledge is power, and power can be converted into money. Don't be penny-wise and pound-foolish." Song Nianchu flicked both Mu Haoxuan and Mu Yongnian on the forehead.
The two of them clutched their heads, looking at Song Nianchu in confusion.
"Sister, can studying really earn more money?" Mu Haoxuan had already become a little money-grubber.
"Of course. It's because your brother studied that he was able to make those net-weaving machines, wheelbarrows, and this printing board," Song Nianchu nodded emphatically.
"If studying can make money, then I want to study!" Mu Haoxuan was young and easily persuaded, agreeing immediately.
Mu Yongnian looked at Song Nianchu, then at his eldest brother, and finally nodded along with Mu Haoxuan.
"Then... I'll study too."
"Alright, later I'll make a detailed schedule for you, and you must strictly follow the arrangements on it." Song Nianchu felt she had indeed neglected the two little guys lately.
Starting tomorrow, she had to set them straight. How could children work from dawn to dusk like adults?
That was child abuse.
Sitting to the side without saying a word, Mu Shi'an watched Song Nianchu being so strict with his two younger brothers, his eyes shining brightly.
He knew very well that indulgence was not love; discipline was.
Of course, this discipline had to have limits, and Song Nianchu had always grasped this limit perfectly.
After the four finished eating, Song Nianchu went back to her room to make a schedule for Mu Haoxuan and Mu Yongnian.
From waking up to working, resting, and studying, almost everything was planned out for them.
So much so that when Mu Yongnian saw the schedule, his face wrinkled up like a little old man.
"Sister-in-law, if we follow this schedule, we'll have very little time to work every day, and we won't be able to complete the village's quota."
"Then distribute some to others. You are still children; it's not your turn to earn money to support the family yet." Song Nianchu's tone left no room for negotiation.
"Listen to your sister-in-law," Mu Shi'an also spoke up.
Once he spoke, the two little guys didn't dare say anything more and could only obediently agree.
Song Nianchu pasted the schedule by their beds and told them to memorize it well.
No matter how reluctant Mu Yongnian and Mu Haoxuan were, they could only nod.
After pacifying the two little guys, Song Nianchu and Mu Shi'an returned to their room.
Song Nianchu stretched her waist. She had been busy nonstop recently, and her lower back and shoulders were feeling a bit uncomfortable.
"Does your back hurt?" Mu Shi'an asked.
"A little." Song Nianchu massaged her waist.
"Go lie down on the bed," Mu Shi'an said.
"Hmm?" Hearing this, a few inappropriate images involuntarily popped into Song Nianchu's mind.
She was indeed a bit tired today, but she also kind of wanted it.
After all, the current Mu Shi'an had completely mastered the art, and he always took great care of her every time, making her feel very comfortable.
After hesitating for only a moment, Song Nianchu proactively lay down on the bed, staring at Mu Shi'an with her bright, dark eyes.
"Roll over," Mu Shi'an added.
Roll over?
Song Nianchu raised an eyebrow. Were they going to unlock a new position tonight?
Song Nianchu rolled over very nimbly, and the next moment, Mu Shi'an also got on the bed.
Song Nianchu could clearly feel Mu Shi'an's large hands pressing against her waist. His palms were always very hot, and even through her clothes, she could feel the heat transferring to her skin.
Song Nianchu's body stiffened slightly; after all, not being able to see made her feel a bit uneasy.
Just when Song Nianchu thought Mu Shi'an was going to continue, she suddenly felt a kneading sensation on her lower back.
Hmm?
Song Nianchu was slightly stunned. Why did this feel a bit off?
"Is this pressure okay? Do you want it a bit harder?" Mu Shi'an's voice floated over.
Song Nianchu immediately looked back at him, only to see him sitting cross-legged on the bed, massaging her with a completely serious expression.
"You told me to get on the bed just now... to give me a massage?" Song Nianchu murmured.
"Yes, I'll massage your waist first, and then I'll help massage your shoulders later. That way, you'll feel much better tomorrow morning," Mu Shi'an nodded.
Song Nianchu felt a rush of heat shoot straight to her head. She turned back around and buried her face in the pillow.
What on earth was she thinking!
"What's wrong? Is the pressure too heavy?" Mu Shi'an, however, thought he had massaged Song Nianchu too hard and hurt her.