Don't mess with that Miao boy, he's sickly and perverted.

Chai Xiaomi tucked in the second corner of the quilt and was reaching for the third when she looked up and saw Hong Jiao with its mouth wide open, two sharp fangs peeking out from under the quilt. The way it was biting the quilt made it look rather silly and cute.

Unfortunately, it only has one mouth and can't handle everything.

So she turned to look at the table, where the boy was sitting with his legs crossed, casually swinging his toes.

He was clearly a free man.

She beckoned with her finger: "You, come here too."

"What are you doing?" Wu Li glanced at the corner of the blanket, her tone lazy, feigning ignorance.

"Do you still want to be covered with a blanket tonight? I'm running around like crazy here, you should at least lend a hand." Chai Xiaomi wiped the fine sweat from her forehead and scolded her irritably, full of complaints.

She sized Wu Li up and down, raised an eyebrow, and said critically, "Let me tell you, someone like you is not popular in the marriage market at all."

"A meat market? A place that sells pork? It's not really appropriate to send me in there," Wu Li paused thoughtfully, a slight smirk playing on his lips, "but sending you inside is just right."

A row of black lines appeared on Chai Xiaomi's forehead as she stared wide-eyed: "It's—the 'marriage' as in 'marriage' and the 'love' as in 'love'!"

"Things are different now. Where I'm from, a man who can't do housework can't find a wife. You'll be a bachelor for life!"

"Where are you from?" Wu Li savored the words, his tone flat and emotionless. "Lingyu Prefecture? I've heard that Lingyu Prefecture has always been a place where men are respected, and women are expected to follow the Three Obediences and Four Virtues after marriage, serving their husbands and parents-in-law as their duty?"

Chai Xiaomi paused for a moment, realizing she had misspoke, and said vaguely, "Um... that... is a family rule set by our ancestors."

Following up on her question, Wu Li asked, "Where in Lingyu Prefecture is your home located? Where are your parents and relatives?"

"They're all gone." Chai Xiaomi's voice lowered, and her expression darkened. The arrogant aura she had just exuded suddenly dissipated.

It was as if a dark cloud had quietly arrived, obscuring the bright moon.

When the girl spoke with a mixture of anger and irritation, her silver tassels on the hair ornament swayed and shimmered with light, making her look lively and beautiful.

But at this moment, the tassel also stopped moving, remaining perfectly still without the slightest tremor.

Wu Li suddenly stood up, walked to Chai Xiaomi's side, squatted down, and reached out to fiddle with the tassel.

The silver threads began to sway again, leaving a faint arc of light.

"Chopping wood, starting a fire, washing clothes, sweeping, mending, repairing—I can do any housework you can think of." He loosened the tassel, letting it sway gently, a faint smile hidden in his casual tone. "I'm very easy to talk to. As long as you ask me, I'll do it."

Wu Li's posture was casual, his gaze slightly sideways, and his eyes lingered on her.

He silently curved his lips into a smile, waiting to see her reaction.

Hearing that you have to "ask someone for help" will probably make you angry again, right?

When she gets angry, the hairpin sways incessantly, and small flames burst forth in her almond-shaped eyes, shining brightly and making her look lively, playful, and even a little... touching.

Chai Xiaomi wasn't in the mood to argue with him at the moment.

Before, at home, she was only responsible for holding the corner of the quilt. Now, she is so tired from making a mattress and putting on a quilt that she is out of breath. Only now does she realize that her parents have silently shouldered the heavier part in countless ordinary days.

She only had to lend a hand, contribute some coquettishness and laughter, and she could lie comfortably in a honey pot, pampered and oblivious to the hardships of life.

She remembered asking her father when she was little why he gave her such a rustic name.

Dad replied with a smile, "Dad will earn the firewood; Mom will cook the rice; and you, you're the little darling in the middle."

Chai Xiaomi pouted at the time: "...After explaining it, it seems even more outdated."

Memories drifted by, and she looked up to meet the boy's heterochromatic eyes. Her lips moved slightly, and a soft voice flowed out:

"Please, dear Wu Li, help me, you're the best."

Her slender, white fingers gently pinched his cuff, the pressure from her fingertips was very soft, and her voice was gentle and sweet, sincere and expectant.

She leaned closer, her warm breath brushing against me, sticky and sweet, like a cat nuzzling against me affectionately.

Wu Li's mind wandered for a moment.

He seemed to smell that faint, sweet fragrance in the air again. It drifted into his nose in wisps, hot as if touched by a spark, suddenly igniting something.

A fire seemed to ignite within him, burning fiercely, and he abruptly turned his face away.

Chai Xiaomi frowned in confusion.

Doesn't it work? This trick used to work every time with my parents.

"Please, please, the very, very best Wu Li in the whole world..."

She was facing a tense back of his head, unable to see his expression, so she quietly leaned over and peeked to the side.

The silver earring from the boy's left ear had just been given to her, leaving only the one on his right ear, hanging forlornly beside his face. With his head down, the earring drooped to his side, trembling violently.

When she got closer, Chai Xiaomi noticed that his breathing was heavy and disordered, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

"Oh, Wu Li, what's wrong?" Her voice was soft and full of concern.

"Alright, shut up." The boy suddenly grabbed the corner of the blanket from her hand, his voice cold and harsh.

It's inexplicable, how could they change their tune so suddenly?

Suddenly he turned fierce. He shouldn't be called Wu Li, he should be called Rude! Chai Xiaomi secretly snorted to herself.

However, considering that he took the initiative to put on the quilt, Chai Xiaomi was too lazy to argue with him and quietly squatted to the side watching.

Wu Li was much more efficient and faster than her. Her movements were methodical, and in no time, she had neatly and smoothly tucked the quilt into the cover, without Wu Li even needing to help her.

He pulled back the blanket and gave it a quick shake. Crimson Dragon, caught off guard, flew out and rolled three times like a rolling pin.

The snake's eerie green eyes glanced at its master with a mournful look, daring not to speak out in anger.

Chai Xiaomi secretly chuckled, suppressing her laughter as she poured a cup of rice wine and eagerly presented it to Wu Li, her words as sweet as honey: "So this young man is quite the expert at housework! I was blind to his greatness. I take back what I said earlier. You will surely find the most perfect wife in the future!"

"Come on, are you tired? Have some rice wine to soothe your throat."

Wu Li lowered his eyes, the milky white liquid in the wine cup shimmering slightly, reflecting the girl's smiling face.

The smile rippled outwards with each wave, seemingly reaching into his heart and stirring up subtle, unfamiliar ripples.

"Could you..." He took the wine cup, his gaze seemingly fixed on the water's surface. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his voice carried a hint of stiffness and awkwardness, "Don't change how you address me every now and then."

Brother, younger brother, husband, Ali, good Wuli... with all sorts of variations, and now he's become "little brother".

It was so annoying, it was like they were teasing him.

Recalling how she had called Jiang Zhiyu "Brother Yu" so sweetly and affectionately, Wu Li's expression darkened further: "Can't you just stick to one way of calling him?"

"Sure." Chai Xiaomi nodded, blinking at him. "So, what do you want me to call you?"