The Daughter-In-Law Is So Pitiful? Just Take Her Home and Pamper Her! - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: The Rumors Will Fade

The ribs were tender and soft, the sauce thick and flavorful—Xu Yao’s cooking was always top-notch.

Chen Mi kept his head down, picking at his rice distractedly. He poked at the bowl a few times with his chopsticks, then suddenly spoke:

“Ge, what Zhao Jinrong said…”

“Fake.” Xu Yao didn’t even look up, just tossed a piece of rib into his bowl. “Don’t talk while you’re eating.”

Chen Mi pouted and muttered, “Of course I know it’s fake, but other people don’t.”

Outside the shop, a few pedestrians hurried by, none even bothering to glance in through the glass door.

Xu Yao’s expression remained calm, but the veins on the back of the hand holding his chopsticks subtly bulged, his knuckles turning pale.

Chen Mi stared at his hand for a couple of seconds. Then, all of a sudden, he reached out and lightly tapped Xu Yao’s wrist with his fingertips.

Xu Yao paused and looked up at him.

“Ge,” Chen Mi said quietly but firmly, “I’m not scared.”

Xu Yao stared at him for a few seconds, then let out a short laugh and reached out to ruffle his hair. “Scared of what? It’s not like I’ve done anything truly despicable.”

Chen Mi nodded and lowered his head to eat again, but the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

…

At 3 p.m., the shop door finally opened.

Chen Mi looked up to see a young girl standing at the entrance, wearing a face mask and looking a bit hesitant.

“Um, are… are you still open?” she asked softly.

Xu Yao lifted his chin. “Haircut?”

The girl nodded quickly and added in a rush, “I—I just want to trim the ends…”

Her eyes darted around, occasionally peeking outside, like she was afraid someone might see her.

Chen Mi stood up and gave her a warm smile. “This way, please.”

The girl let out a quiet sigh of relief and followed him to the shampoo area. As the sound of running water began, she suddenly lowered her voice and asked, “Um… is it true about your boss? That he’s… you know, like that?”

Chen Mi’s hand paused for a moment.

“What do you mean, like that?” he replied calmly.

The girl looked a little embarrassed and stammered, “Like, uh… the rumors say…”

Chen Mi turned off the water and picked up a towel to dry her hair. His tone was mild. “Do you believe rumors, or do you believe what you see with your own eyes?”

The girl was taken aback.

“Xu-ge’s a good person,” Chen Mi smiled gently. “And very skilled. You’ll see for yourself in a bit.”

The girl blinked a few times and didn’t say anything more.

Xu Yao’s haircutting was quick, precise, and silent.

Through the mirror, the girl kept sneaking glances at him, then at Chen Mi who was quietly tidying up tools nearby. Finally, she whispered, “Actually… I don’t think you two seem like bad people.”

Xu Yao raised an eyebrow. “Do bad guys have it written on their faces?”

The girl giggled, the tension in her shoulders finally relaxing.

After the haircut, she hesitated before paying, then pulled out a small Kodak camera from her bag. “Um… can I take a picture? Just… as a keepsake…”

Xu Yao paused while wiping his scissors and looked up at her. The girl quickly explained, “I—I’m an art student at the nearby academy. I like documenting everyday life…”

Chen Mi noticed the worn-out “Fieldwork Permit” sticker on her camera, stamped with the academy’s official seal.

“Sure,” Xu Yao said, slinging a towel over his shoulder. “Just don’t photograph the price list.”

The girl nodded excitedly and carefully adjusted the focus. The old film camera gave a soft click, and the flash lit up the dim shop with a brief, white burst.

“Thank you!” she said cheerfully, putting the camera back in her canvas bag. “Once I get them developed, I’ll bring you guys a copy next time.”

Xu Yao simply responded with a noncommittal “Mm” and went back to his tools. But Chen Mi, curious, asked, “Isn’t that kind of camera… expensive?”

“Not really. It’s communal equipment from our department. I wouldn’t dare borrow the expensive digital ones,” the girl said in a hushed tone. “With this one, I can sneak out a few extra rolls of film…” She suddenly realized she’d said too much, blushed, and hurried out.

As the door closed, the wind chime behind it gave a crisp ding.

Xu Yao looked at the gently swaying chime and suddenly murmured, “Art student…”

Chen Mi followed his gaze and noticed a thin red string had been tied to the bottom of the chime at some point, glinting warmly in the sunset.

That evening, Sister Lin came in carrying two bags of groceries, calling out as she entered, “Aiyo, finally someone showed up! Those gossiping hens at the market were yapping their mouths off!”

Xu Yao leaned lazily against a chair. “What were they saying?”

“They said no one came to your shop today and you’re probably going out of business!” Sister Lin rolled her eyes and plopped the groceries onto the table.

“Whatever. We’re having hot pot tonight. I brought fresh lamb slices!”

Chen Mi blushed and lowered his head.

But Xu Yao cut in, “Let’s skip it today. Chen Mi’s stomach’s upset.”

Sister Lin looked at them both, her eyes rolling around in her head. Then she suddenly got it. “Ohhh, I see~, I see~,” she said with a teasing grin.

Chen Mi was so embarrassed he couldn’t lift his head. Xu Yao yanked him behind and shot Sister Lin a look. “See what? You don’t see anything. He ate something cold yesterday and it upset his stomach.”

Sister Lin tsk’d, then leaned in close to Chen Mi and whispered, “Xiao Mi, I’ve got some tonic at home that’ll help the body…”

“Lin. Shu. Fen.” Xu Yao snapped his scissors shut with a clack, the glint of stainless steel making Sister Lin flinch backward.

“Alright, alright, I’m leaving~ I’m leaving, okay?” she backed toward the door with her basket, still smirking at Chen Mi. “I put the lamb in the freezer. Once you’re all better…”

As the curtain swayed behind her exit, the tips of Chen Mi’s ears turned red as bl00d.

Late at night, the lights in the shop were still on.

Xu Yao stood by the doorway smoking, while Chen Mi sat on the step playing with the cats. Two were rolling around at his feet, bellies up, while another circled around Xu Yao’s leg, rubbing up against him.

“Ge,” Chen Mi suddenly said.

“Yo, calling me so naturally now?” Xu Yao shot back right away, always ready to tease.

“You—!” Chen Mi turned and glared at him.

Xu Yao chuckled softly. “What is it?”

“Tomorrow…” Chen Mi hesitated. “Will more customers come?”

Xu Yao exhaled a stream of smoke. The smoke drifted slowly into the night air.

“Tch. Let them come if they want.” he said.

Chen Mi smiled and reached down to scratch the cat’s chin. “Mm. Let them come if they want.”

Xiao Hei: “Meow~”

Xiao Bai: “Meow~”

Xiao Sanhua: “Meow~”

As if echoing in agreement.

The night breeze blew gently. The light from the rotating signboard swirled over the ground like a silent promise—

The rumors would fade, and this little shop would keep its light on.