Chapter 7: The Day of Remembrance

At the break of dawn, Chen Xingmiao was rudely pulled from her sleep by a cacophony.

“Damn it, can’t a person get a decent rest?” She furrowed her brows tightly, clicking her tongue in irritation as she reluctantly opened her eyes.

Clearly, Xiao Ziyu had also been awakened by the noise; he was calmly tidying his clothes beside the bed.

Today, he wore the outfit Chen Xingmiao had bought for him.

Lying there, her anger instantly vanished without a trace, replaced by a bright smile and eyes full of admiration, clearly pleased with her choice of clothes.

“You’re awake,” Xiao Ziyu said softly, sensing her gaze upon him.

“Mm... it was too noisy outside; I couldn’t sleep.”

“That must be Father coming to fulfill his promise,” Xiao Ziyu replied evenly, his tone betraying no emotion.

At this, Chen Xingmiao quickly sat up straight, straining to listen to the sound of stone wall construction outside.

That old man is surprisingly trustworthy, but this hour is just too early—it’s practically disturbing the neighborhood.

Chen Xingmiao felt like crying but had no tears.

Since arriving in this world, she hadn’t had a single peaceful night’s sleep; each day was even more exhausting than when she’d been taking on acting gigs before.

Not only that, she had to be on constant alert, fearful of losing her life, which was even more draining mentally.

“You should sleep a bit more,” Xiao Ziyu said after finishing dressing, about to step outside.

“Husband, where are you going so early?” she asked hurriedly.

“Today is my mother’s memorial day,” Xiao Ziyu paused briefly, his voice low and somber.

His words felt like a gentle blade cutting through Chen Xingmiao’s heart.

Having lost her own parents young, if it weren’t for her agent discovering and taking her in, she might still be begging on the streets.

Thinking about Xiao Ziyu’s patched-up clothes before, she did feel some pity.

With that thought, she jumped out of bed and grabbed the man who had already one foot out the door.

“Husband, wait for me to change; I’ll accompany you.”

Xiao Ziyu’s body stiffened abruptly. He gently pulled his hand free, his tone indifferent: “No need.”

“I’m your wife now; I must meet your mother,” she said, standing on tiptoe to stroke his head, smiling brightly. “Wait for me outside.”

No sooner had she spoken than she gently pushed Xiao Ziyu out the door.

Staring at the shut door, cold light flashed in Xiao Ziyu’s eyes.

What trick is this? His mother’s gone, yet she still won’t let him be?

Not long after, the door opened again.

Chen Xingmiao looked up to see Xiao Ziyu standing straight outside like a wooden post.

The little antagonist was oddly still; there was a stone bench nearby, yet he stood obediently waiting outside.

“Let’s go, husband.”

Noticing the bulge at her waist, Xiao Ziyu immediately grew wary. “What have you brought?”

“A money pouch. Seeing you brought nothing, how could I not bring some silver to buy paper offerings for your mother?”

His face stiffened instantly. Only then did he realize he truly had nothing on him—not even the clothes he wore, which were bought by this woman.

He pressed his lips tightly, at a loss for words.

Chen Xingmiao caught every change in his expression.

“Husband, from now on, you can carry your own money. What’s mine is yours.”

Instinctively, she linked her arm with his, and together they went first to a paper-offering shop, then to the place where his mother once lived.

Chen Xingmiao looked around in disbelief.

The place was thick with spiderwebs; the roof had several holes, letting sunlight pour in unfiltered. The windows were broken and dilapidated. With every step, her clothes gathered thick dust.

Is this really a place where people live?

Xiao Ziyu silently moved aside, cleared a small patch, knelt, and lit the paper offerings.

His lips remained sealed; not a word was spoken. Only his deep eyes hinted at endless sorrow.

Seeing this, Chen Xingmiao also knelt beside him, taking a sheet of paper money to join in the memorial.

“Mother, this is our first meeting. My name is Chen Xingmiao; I am your daughter-in-law. Ziyu is exceptional—please rest assured.”

Xiao Ziyu slowly lifted his heavy eyes, clearly unprepared for her words.

Chen Xingmiao muttered on, burning the paper offerings without noticing his gaze.

His thin lips moved slightly as he stared at the blazing fire, his voice low and hoarse: “Thank you.”

“Thank what? I understand what it feels like to have no mother.”

Not only because the original owner had lost her birth mother but also because she herself had no mother.

“This is my first time coming to commemorate my mother. Before this, they wouldn’t allow me,” Xiao Ziyu said with unusual calmness, as if recounting something unrelated to himself.

How much must one endure to appear so unruffled?

Chen Xingmiao frowned, puzzled.

“The Xiao family really bullies you!”

“When I was eight, I sneaked here once; I was nearly caught. Thanks to him, I escaped punishment.”

Xiao Ziyu paused, his voice trembling slightly with anger.

“He taught me to read, gave me my first full meal in eight years. But…”

Her?

Chen Xingmiao was puzzled. The little antagonist had a white moonlight? System, you actually made me marry a man with someone in his heart!

But why did he stop? She hadn’t heard enough yet.

“And then? She wouldn’t already be… connected to the Xiao family as well?” Chen Xingmiao pressed.

Xiao Ziyu said nothing; his silence spoke volumes.

The flames died down, the paper offerings burned to ash, and the room fell into deathly silence.

Seeing that he had no intention of leaving, Chen Xingmiao slowly moved in front of him, opened her arms tentatively, and asked, “Do you need a hug?”

At that moment, all she felt was worry and fear.

Little antagonist, since I’m being so good to you, please prove there’s still good in you. Don’t let these buried pains turn you dark.

Xiao Ziyu looked at her, then suddenly pulled her into his arms. His embrace tightened instinctively, his face buried in her shoulder. His voice was muffled but came from deep within his chest, as if long suppressed.

“Then stay with me a little longer.”

[Congratulations, Host has gained a little favor from Rebellion. Keep up the good work!]

Xiao Liu’s voice suddenly rang out, breaking the heavy atmosphere.

A question mark slowly formed in Chen Xingmiao’s mind.

He still has favor points? After all my efforts, only a little?

Oh heavens, the life of a wage earner is so hard; effort and reward are so disproportionate!

Chen Xingmiao looked utterly disheartened.

Can someone please tell her when this ordeal will end!