The city is neither too big nor too small.

After spending the entire morning exploring the area where the locals lived, there were no other places she could go.

When Shimo asked if she wanted to go to the border town, she refused.

Seeing that it was getting late, Shulan took the two of them to a restaurant.

I ordered a basket of steamed buns, a serving of braised mutton, and a serving of spicy soup.

The meat here is okay, but there are few side dishes, so it's relatively expensive.

According to Shimo, there are also mountains and lakes here, about 30 miles away, where the fish, meat, mushrooms and herbs in the city come from.

He immediately became interested and asked, "Then let's go take a look tomorrow."

Thirty li is not a short distance, and it's already afternoon; there's a risk of danger.

Shi Mo nodded: "Yes, young mistress, I will arrange the carriage tomorrow."

Shulan sincerely said, "Thank you, Shimo."

Despite his young age, he was very composed in his speech and actions, which made Shulan like him very much.

Shi Mo was pleased to be praised, but his attitude remained neither humble nor arrogant: "It's what I should do."

After the three finished eating, Shimo led them to find a shop.

Upon seeing the third shop, Shulan became interested: "I think this one is nice. One shop can be used as a food stall and the other as a clinic. I wonder what the prices are?"

This shop is a double-sided shop, separated in the middle.

It can be used as one room or divided into two rooms.

Shulan had wanted to open a restaurant, but found that there were no suitable shops here, and restaurants also needed to be relatively large.

In such an environment, opening a small food stall would actually be the best option.

Being near their own clinic meant they could take care of each other and wouldn't have to worry about being bullied.

Seeing that she had chosen this place, Shi Mo said, "Young Madam, these three shops all belong to the young master. He said that it doesn't matter which shop you choose, as they are all gifts from the young master to you."

Xiao Cui stared wide-eyed, looking incredulous.

Shulan was also very surprised and wanted to say that this was not good, but she didn't know if Shimo knew about her cooperative relationship with the bearded man.

He could only say, "Then may I discuss this with the General?"

She felt she could afford to pay the rent.

Shi Mo nodded, and Shu Lan said nothing more.

After choosing the shop, they planned to go home.

On the way, thinking of Chen Ma and He Xiaobao, Shulan bought some more snacks.

But before the oxcart even reached the gate of the mansion...

All they saw was the open gate, and a chubby little boy, who looked like a small gas cylinder, was being led by Uncle Rong, craning his neck to look outside.

With her little mouth pouting, her chubby face was full of grievance.

His height was only one-third higher than the threshold.

So when looking at things, you have to lean forward, looking out as if you're standing on tiptoe.

Uncle Rong, who was standing next to me, was shaking his fat head like a rattle drum, seemingly saying something.

Shulan called out, "Uncle Rong, Xiaobao."

When Uncle Rong heard the young mistress's voice, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

He Xiaobao was already crawling on the threshold of the gate, using both his hands and feet, as if he was about to crawl over.

She was calling out in a soft, sweet voice, "Mother~~~ Mother~~~"

Shulan, worried that he might fall, quickly said, "Xiaobao, don't climb. It's not good if you fall. Auntie will be right there."

After getting off the oxcart, he hurried towards the chubby boy.

She scooped up the chubby boy who wouldn't let Uncle Rong hold him and insisted on climbing the threshold himself, kissed his tender little face, and asked, "Little Bao, did you miss your auntie?"

He Xiaobao immediately looked as if he had been wronged, pressed his face against Shu Lan's, and whispered, "Yes."

Seeing Young Master Sun like this, Uncle Rong felt a pang of sympathy and said, "Ever since Young Master Sun learned that you and Madam had gone out, he has been looking forward to your return. He wouldn't let the gate be closed until the afternoon and waited for you here."

He Xiaobao wrapped his arms around Shulan's neck and mumbled, "Mommy~~ play~~~"

Although his speech was unclear, Shulan understood what he meant and asked him to play with her too.

This put her in a difficult position, since the child was still young and the He family might not trust her.

But she didn't brush off the child just because he was young. She said seriously, "Little Bao, Auntie has to go to a very far place tomorrow. I'm afraid you'll be very tired. How about next time Auntie goes to the city, I'll take you with me?"

Instead, Uncle Rong asked with a smile, "Is the young mistress going to the woods to the north tomorrow?"

Shulan nodded.

Uncle Rong said, "That's alright. Young Master Sun often went with the young master when he was little. If the young mistress needs to use the restroom tomorrow, I wonder if she could bring Young Master Sun along?"

Shulan looked at him, who seemed to completely trust her, and for a moment she didn't know how to react.

He said awkwardly, "Uncle Rong, isn't this inappropriate?"

It's one thing if Shimo doesn't know, but she doesn't believe Uncle Rong doesn't know the relationship between the Xie family and the He family.

Judging from how wary He Da Hu Zi was of him, the Xie family certainly didn't have a good reputation with the He family.

And so, with only one day having arrived, this uncle dared to entrust the young master of the He family to him?

Clearly, Uncle Rong dares.

He said nonchalantly, "There's nothing wrong with it. Young Master Sun likes Young Madam so much. If he can't see Young Madam all day, he'll definitely be very sad."

Looking at the chubby boy blinking his big eyes, Shulan became even more conflicted, but still said, "...How about we ask Big Brother and the General?"

Then.

She happily ate dinner while holding He Xiaobao in her arms.

They saw the two brothers sitting at the dining table, chatting, clearly waiting for them.

"???" Shulan looked puzzled.

He Fengling looked at her with a ghostly expression.

He greeted her with a smile, "Sister-in-law."

He Xiaobao probably didn't expect that he would see his father again in the evening, even though he only saw him once in a long while.

She didn't get down from Shulan's arms, but just called out in a childish voice, "Tietie, Susu."

Shulan also called out, "Big brother, General."

Didn't you say you rarely come back more than a few times a month?

Why is he coming back every morning and evening?

So free?

That can't be right.

If I had to come back every morning and evening, she'd start showing off and I wouldn't even enjoy my meals anymore.

Fortunately, while he was internally complaining, he maintained a calm and composed demeanor on his face.

Holding He Xiaobao, she began to skillfully feed him.

At the same time, I mentioned that we were going to the mountains and forests in the north tomorrow, thinking that Brother He would probably refuse.

After all, no matter how kind this man was to me, this was his precious son, and he probably wouldn't feel comfortable taking such a young child out alone.

Unexpectedly, He Fengling said happily, "That's perfect. Tomorrow, I'll lead a hunting team, and you can bring Xiaobao along with them."

Shulan: "..."

He Fengmian paused, his hand still, and glanced at his elder brother without making a sound, realizing that tomorrow was not the day he was going hunting.

He Fengling said with affection, "Little brother, Xiao Bao will be relying on you and your wife tomorrow."

He Fengmian: "..."

But he unconsciously frowned.

What is my brother trying to do?