Chapter 87: What Do You Think I Should Do?

Xu Mo hurriedly said, “Miaoyi, please don’t misunderstand. It’s not what you think. Yes, I went to the brothel, but I wasn’t there to…”

Before Xu Mo could finish, Chen Miaoyi lowered her head, her voice filled with desolation, “Now that you have money, it’s only natural for you to want to visit such places. You don’t need to explain to me.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Chen Miaoyi turned and fled from the bedroom, rushing out through the hall and into the yard.

Xu Mo immediately tried to chase after her, but was stopped by Xu Hui.

“Cousin, you’re not going anywhere! Today you must explain yourself clearly—why did you go to the brothel?”

Xu Hui stood with her hands on her hips, fierce as a little wife.

Xu Mo explained, “Huihui, yes, I went to the brothel yesterday, but I wasn’t there for… for that. I just met a few friends, nothing else!”

But Xu Hui refused to believe him, continuing to press for a reason.

Xu Mo, helpless, furrowed his brow and shouted, “Qin Blockhead, get over here! Quickly!”

Soon, Qin Blockhead came in from outside, his head bowed, too guilty to meet Xu Mo’s eyes.

Xu Mo demanded, “Qin Blockhead, what exactly did you tell Huihui just now? She’s misunderstood everything!”

Qin Blockhead replied, aggrieved, “Master, I didn’t say much. Huihui asked what we did yesterday, so I said apart from going to the market, we also went to the brothel… and before I could finish, she rushed off.”

Xu Hui immediately raised her voice, “What kind of place is a brothel? What else would men do there? Do you think I’m ignorant?”

Xu Mo felt speechless, rolling his eyes before turning to Xu Hui, “Huihui, can you give me some time to tell you exactly what happened yesterday?”

Xu Hui thought for a moment, then nodded, “Alright, go ahead! But don’t lie, or neither I nor Sister-in-law will let you off!”

Since they moved to Gushao Village, Xu Hui and Chen Miaoyi had become close—almost inseparable.

“Yesterday, Young Master Ning invited me to Lisui Pavilion…”

Xu Mo had just started when Xu Hui cut him off, “Wait, Cousin!”

She continued, “Blockhead, you go outside, as far as possible!”

Qin Blockhead looked confused, not understanding why Xu Hui wanted him gone.

Xu Hui frowned, “I’ll hear Cousin’s story first, then yours separately. If your stories don’t match… hmph! Then you’re lying to me!”

Xu Mo couldn’t help but shake his head, thinking how clever this girl was—she even knew to question them separately to prevent collusion.

Qin Blockhead nodded obediently, left the house, and stood beneath a distant tree outside the yard.

Still uneasy, Xu Hui went to the window, keeping an eye on Qin Blockhead to prevent him from eavesdropping, and said, “Cousin, you can start now.”

Xu Mo had nothing to hide, so he recounted every detail of what happened last night.

Xu Hui listened attentively, raising questions and probing for any flaws.

But everything Xu Mo described had truly happened, so his explanation was coherent and reasonable, gradually convincing Xu Hui.

When Xu Mo finished telling the whole story, he said, “Huihui, that’s how it was. If you don’t believe me, go ask Blockhead right now to see if I lied.”

Xu Hui immediately said, “Of course I will! I’m going to ask him right now!”

With that, Xu Hui ran out, found Qin Blockhead, and dragged him off into the distance, destination unknown.

Taking advantage of the time, Xu Mo searched the workshop area, but found no trace of Chen Miaoyi.

Helpless, he returned home.

After a while, Xu Hui came back with Qin Blockhead.

As soon as they entered the yard, Xu Hui approached Xu Mo, bowing her head in apology, “Sorry, Cousin, I misunderstood you just now…”

Xu Mo didn’t blame her. He shook his head, “Forget it. Help me find your sister-in-law. I don’t know where she’s gone, and it’s almost dark.”

Xu Hui quickly replied, “Don’t worry, Cousin. I know where she is. I’ll bring her back right away!”

With that, Xu Hui ran out of the yard.

Now only Xu Mo and Qin Blockhead remained.

Xu Mo said nothing, his brow furrowed, staring at Qin Blockhead.

Qin Blockhead felt uneasy under the gaze, not daring to meet his eyes.

“Master, if there’s nothing else, I… I’ll go now.”

Unable to bear it, Qin Blockhead tried to slip away.

Xu Mo finally spoke, “Blockhead, what did I tell you on the way back? Did you forget, or do my words mean nothing?”

On the way home, Xu Mo had told Qin Blockhead not to mention their visit to the brothel, lest Chen Miaoyi and Xu Hui misunderstand.

Yet Qin Blockhead had revealed it anyway.

Qin Blockhead pulled a pained face, “Master, I really didn’t want to say anything, but… but I can’t lie. I can’t fool Huihui, and as soon as I tried she knew I was lying…”

He quickly added, “Master, it’s my fault! Punish me however you wish, I’ll accept it!”

Seeing him like this, Xu Mo could only sigh and shake his head in resignation.

“Forget it—thinking it over, it’s not really a big deal. Once it’s explained, everything will be fine,” Xu Mo said.

Before nightfall, Xu Hui brought Chen Miaoyi back.

She had already explained everything about the brothel visit.

Chen Miaoyi took the initiative to admit, “Husband, it was my fault. I misunderstood you. Please don’t be angry with me.”

Xu Mo feigned anger, turning away and entering the bedroom.

Seeing this, Chen Miaoyi hurried after him.

Inside the bedroom, Xu Mo sat at the edge of the bed, still wearing an angry expression.

“Husband,” Chen Miaoyi called softly.

Xu Mo said, “Close the door.”

Chen Miaoyi quickly obeyed, shutting the bedroom door.

Xu Mo beckoned her over.

Eager to soothe him, Chen Miaoyi sat down beside him without hesitation.

No sooner had she sat than Xu Mo wrapped his arm around her, pressing her down onto the bed.

Startled, Chen Miaoyi’s face flushed red. She whispered, “Husband, what are you doing?”

“What do you think I’m doing?” Xu Mo asked.

At that moment, their faces were only two inches apart, their eyes locked, and the atmosphere in the room became instantly intimate.

Suddenly, Chen Miaoyi sensed Xu Mo’s hands growing restless. Alarmed, she shook her head, “Husband, don’t… Huihui’s still outside, and Uncle will be home soon…”

Xu Mo, already flushed and eager, replied, “It’s fine! We’ll keep our voices down—they won’t hear.”

Chen Miaoyi still refused, shaking her head firmly, “No, Husband. Huihui and I still need to cook dinner!”

But Xu Mo wouldn’t give up so easily. He tried twice more, but was rebuffed each time.

Feeling deflated, Xu Mo let go of her and lay on his side in frustration.

Chen Miaoyi sat up and looked at him, seeing his genuine annoyance. She gently nudged him and whispered, “Husband…”

Xu Mo said nothing, turning his head away.

Chen Miaoyi hesitated, then slowly leaned closer and whispered in his ear, “Husband, now really isn’t the time. But… maybe later, after Uncle and the others have gone to bed…”

Upon hearing this, Xu Mo’s head immediately turned, his gaze fixed intently on Chen Miaoyi.

Her face, neck, and ears were burning hot and red. She never imagined she would say something so forward herself.