"Stay for dinner, it's settled then," Li Qiuju said firmly.

"Alright then, I'll stay." Zhang Tao's heart softened when he saw Li Qiuju's earnest pleas for him to stay, so he agreed.

Part of the reason is that Mo Qian has gone crazy for some reason; she hasn't been like before these past two days, and going back might mean facing a cold and deserted situation.

Afterwards, Li Qiuju was busy with the stove while Zhang Tao tended the fire below. The two chatted and laughed, making the kitchen feel warm and cozy.

Zhang Tao left after finishing his meal at Li Qiuju's place.

When he got home, he was met with the same closed door as the day before.

Zhang Tao was furious when he saw this.

"Mo Qian, open the door quickly!"

"What's wrong with you these past two days? Come out here right now!"

"I know it was my oversight to deliver the coal to Li Meizi's house. You can be angry for a couple of days and then it'll be over. Don't be so stubborn."

“Li Meizi lost her husband and is raising two children alone. It’s not easy for her. Don’t argue with her anymore.”

"Besides, my life was saved by someone else's husband, so let's not fuss over such trivial matters."

"Tomorrow, go wash and clean for Sister Li," Zhang Tao called out to Mo Qian, who was inside the house.

"I'm not going!"

"I'll take it to heart!"

"Go if you want, I'm not going anymore!"

After comforting the frightened Ya Ya and Hu Zi, Mo Qian called out to Zhang Tao outside the door.

"How could a man like me do these women's chores!" Zhang Tao was even more furious upon hearing this.

"Li Qiuju is already in her fifties or sixties, surely she knows how to do it? Doesn't she have hands? Let her do it herself!"

"Don't even think about messing with me, I'm not going to work for her anymore!" Mo Qian shouted at Zhang Tao with a look of impatience.

"Mo Qian, what happened to you?!"

"You weren't this unruly before!"

"I was too honest before, which is why you could manipulate me and make me a maid for Li Qiuju!"

"I'll say it again, I'm not going, leave me alone!"

"You! Mo Qian, open the door for me!"

"Let me in first!"

...