Chapter 103: Rival in Love

Chapter 103

Rival in Love

Meeting Chunmei today brought great joy to Wang Dongpo. When he heard her mention that Young Miss Mu would be moving in with the Lady Boss to learn and assist her in managing the business, he was even happier. This meant that he would get to see Chunmei more often.

Chunmei, a cheerful and adorable girl, was only a year younger than Young Miss Mu, just turning fifteen. Though she was a first-tier maid, her manners and grace were no less refined than those of noble young misses, having been by Mu Rongying’s side since childhood. Wang Dongpo longed for Chunmei to be A’You, because that would mean she had lived a good life, received proper education, and enjoyed the kindness of a caring mistress like Mu Rongying. She would have escaped the pressures faced by the young misses in general.

He didn’t want to imagine A’You suffering a tragic fate, dying miserably in a brothel...

"Maybe the young miss will come help you at the tea house someday, Third Brother. Did you see earlier? Her mastery of the zither was truly exceptional,"

Chunmei said, praising her young miss. However, Wang Dongpo didn’t quite share the same view. While it was true that Young Miss Mu was skilled with the zither, it seemed like overkill to use such talent for something as simple as the tea house. Lady Boss likely had other plans for Young Miss Mu. Even so, he didn’t argue with the girl.

"And what about you? Can you play the zither?"

Wang Dongpo asked with a playful smile. Chunmei blushed and shyly responded,

"I...can manage a little, but compared to the young miss, I’m quite useless."

"Next time, don’t forget to play for me,"

Wang Dongpo said, thinking that these little moments would help him get to know her better. Chunmei shrunk back a little, wondering if he was teasing her on purpose. There were so many other things she excelled at, but he didn’t ask about those. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and her cheeks flushed with enthusiasm. "But I’m good at embroidery. From now on, I’ll make all your belongings myself."

With that, Chunmei eagerly stood up and started measuring his shoulders and torso with her hands.

"It’s too late to make you winter clothes, but I’ll make you something for summer. Before that, I’ll hurry back to sew you a money pouch. Then you’ll always carry something I made with you, Third Brother."

Wang Dongpo smiled fondly at her, feeling warmth in his heart as if his long-lost sister had finally returned to his side.

"That sounds perfect! If there’s anything you want, just tell your Third Brother. Right now, I’m doing quite well, so you can take whatever you need without hesitation."

Chunmei giggled and teasingly held out her hand.

"Well then, Third Brother, you’ll have to show me some sincerity."

Wang Dongpo playfully flicked her forehead with his knuckles and, noticing she was still wearing the hairpin he had given her, smiled warmly. He then handed her a money pouch from his own pocket, but Chunmei stuck out her tongue and refused it.

"I was only joking. You’re taking it too seriously, Third Brother. If you keep this up, I’ll really end up taking all your money."

Chunmei felt a pang of regret. Wang Dongpo was such a good person; he deserved to marry a good wife and have a warm family. At the same time, she couldn’t help but feel guilty.

Was it wrong of her to hide the truth from him? To falsely claim to be his sister and take advantage of the kindness he had shown her...?

But then again, she was alone too—no home, no parents, just a maid following her young miss. Besides the young miss, she had no one else in her life. She understood Wang Dongpo’s loneliness all too well. Even if she was merely a shadow of someone else, if it made him happy, it was worth it. How fortunate it would be to have a kind and handsome brother like him.

When Kang Wang returned upstairs, the room was lively. The triplets had just woken up and were full of energy. Bei Bei and Xiao Hua Hua were riding on their father’s back, who was crawling around the room on all fours like a horse. The Hou, who seemed to have forgotten about his sore legs, was kneeling nearby, making sure the children didn’t fall. Xiao Hua Hua clutched her father’s hair and kicked his sides, as if she were riding a real horse, while Bei Bei, sitting behind her, held tightly to his sister’s clothes, shouting loudly. The two siblings laughed heartily, looking absolutely adorable. Song Qilin’s hair was disheveled, completely shedding the image of a fearsome General.

Bao Bao had just finished his turn on his father’s back and was sulking because he had been told to get off to let his younger siblings play. He sat there with a furrowed brow, hoping someone would comfort him. However, both his grandmothers were focused on the younger siblings cuddling together cutely, forgetting that Da Ge was sitting nearby. Suddenly, someone sat down beside him. When Bao Bao looked up, he saw the handsome Kang Wang, arms crossed and wearing a similarly grim expression. The sight of the serious young boy and stern-looking adult sitting together, arms crossed, was rather amusing. But to them, it was no laughing matter! They deserved some attention too. Without a word, the two turned to look at each other, seemingly understanding one another perfectly. Kang Wang gave a knowing nod and patted Bao Bao on the shoulder in solidarity. It wasn’t easy being them.

Once Xiao Hua Hua had her fill of fun, she squirmed down from her father’s back. Perhaps her mother had taught her well, for as soon as she got off, she crawled over to Kang Wang and spread her arms, wanting to be picked up. Kang Wang, seeing his little goddaughter, melted at her gesture and immediately scooped her up onto his lap.

"Is Xiao Hua Hua done playing?"

Song Qilin called out as he watched his daughter. Meanwhile, Er Ge[1] had taken over the reins from his sister on their father’s back. The General wasn’t too pleased that his daughter seemed to prefer Kang Wang over him, but Xiao Hua Hua paid her father no mind, instead pointing toward the door.

"Do you want me to take you to your mother?"

Kang Wang asked in a gentle tone. Although Xiao Hua Hua couldn’t speak yet, she had seen her mother leave the room with Kang Wang earlier and assumed he could take her to her.

Bao Bao, who had just found a kindred spirit in Kang Wang, turned to look at him, only to be ignored as Kang Wang stood up, carrying Xiao Hua Hua in his arms.

"There, there, Xiao Hua Hua, your godfather will take you to your mother,"

Bao Bao’s eyes showed an expression of betrayal. He pouted and turned his head away, refusing to look at Kang Wang. Just then, the door to the room opened, and Nie Shuang entered with Mu Rongying. Upon seeing her mother, Xiao Hua Hua immediately stretched out her arms, eager to be held. Nie Shuang scooped her daughter into her arms and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Did you miss your mother, Xiao Hua Hua? Were you being a good girl with your His Highness?"

Xiao Hua Hua responded by nodding and shaking her head simultaneously, unsure which question she was answering. Mu Rongying, seeing the adorable interaction, couldn’t help but laugh, a smile that caught someone’s attention so sharply that he momentarily froze, his face flushing.

Mu Rongying suddenly felt something hugging her leg. Looking down, she saw Bao Bao crawling over and wrapping his arms around her leg, smiling broadly, showing his pink gums. She bent down and picked him up. Da Ge spread his arms around her neck, nestling his head against her shoulder in a display of affection. Just then, Bao Bao sensed a fiery gaze upon him.

Rolling his eyes toward the source, he saw that Kang Wang was standing with a dark expression, his eyes glaring at him as if condemning Bao Bao for betraying their shared cause without shame. Weren’t they both being ignored? So why had Bao Bao suddenly left him and aligned himself with the opposition?

Bao Bao gave a small shake of his head, as if to say, it couldn’t be helped. You abandoned our cause first. Now, with Xiao Hua Hua cuddling with her mother and Mu Rongying being clung to by Da Ge like sticky rice, Kang Wang found himself left completely on his own.

This brat...

Oddly enough, Kang Wang seemed to understand the look in Da Ge’s eyes. That smug little smirk—that wasn’t a declaration of victory, was it? His Yingying had been snatched right from under his nose by this child! If he lost to a baby not even a year old, how could he ever face anyone again?!

Straightening his back, Kang Wang composed himself.

"Bao Bao, be a good boy. Come to Uncle."

Bao Bao twisted his body away from Kang Wang, burrowing deeper into Mu Rongying’s neck in complete refusal...

W...What a little rascal! This child was far too cunning!

"Bao Bao! Don’t be rude,"

Nie Shuang’s voice called out, causing the boy to reluctantly turn back. The two males, one young and one grown, locked eyes, and it was almost as if sparks flew between them. With an air of defiance, Bao Bao extended his arms toward Kang Wang, his little pouty lips showing his reluctance. Mu Rongying, meanwhile, shifted closer, gently offering the child to Kang Wang, though she avoided meeting his eyes, glancing away.

Kang Wang reached out as if to take the child, but his hand brushed against Mu Rongying’s slender waist, lingering there under the cover of his long sleeve, hidden from view. No one noticed the intimate gesture, save for the two of them. Leaning down, Kang Wang whispered softly into her ear,"Yingying, come back with me..."

[1] Er Ge (二哥) means second brother.