Chapter 110: Is It Real Now?

After the blind swordsman left, Xu Mo couldn't wait to visit the blacksmith's shop.

He specifically sought out the most experienced master blacksmith, handed him the Zihong Sword, and solemnly requested that it be reforged into a dagger.

The master blacksmith, a man of great experience, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration the moment he saw the Zihong Sword, while simultaneously expressing deep regret that it had been broken.

As for the request to turn it into a dagger, the blacksmith agreed readily. Firstly, because Xu Mo was generous with his payment—as long as it could be perfectly crafted, he didn't care about the cost. Secondly, the material and craftsmanship of the Zihong Sword were of the highest caliber, a rarity seen only once in a century, and the blacksmith was eager to challenge himself to enrich his professional legacy.

In addition to the modification, Xu Mo also commissioned a custom-made leather sheath for the dagger. Xu Mo drew the design for the sheath on the spot; it was an adjustable, telescopic model that could be strapped to the thigh, calf, or waist, ensuring versatility for any situation or occasion. When the other apprentices and workers in the shop saw the design, they praised it as ingenious and remarkably clever.

Upon leaving the blacksmith and returning to the skincare shop, Xu Mo and Ning Yaxin headed to the Sihai Bank. Over the past month, the total sales of soap and facial cleansers from the shop had just exceeded five hundred thousand guan. According to the distribution agreement between Xu Mo and Ning Yaxin, the profits were split sixty-five to thirty-five. This meant that Xu Mo’s share of the five hundred thousand guan was sixty-five percent, approximately three hundred twenty-five thousand guan, while Ning Yaxin took the remaining one hundred seventy-five thousand.

However, the three hundred twenty-five thousand guan was not entirely for Xu Mo; he had to pass forty percent of it—roughly one hundred thirty thousand guan—to his uncle, Xu Tieshu. This left Xu Mo with a final total of about one hundred ninety-five thousand guan. Since he had already deposited one hundred thousand into the Rongsheng Bank, he only had ninety-five thousand guan in hand that day.

After completing the deposit at Sihai Bank, Xu Mo divided the banknotes into two boxes: one for his uncle’s family and one for his own. Soon after, the three of them—Xu Mo, Chen Miaoyi, and Qin Mutou—left Xinzhou City by mule cart. On the road back to Gushan Village, Chen Miaoyi stared at the boxes, lost in a daze.

At first, Xu Mo didn't pay it much mind, but seeing Chen Miaoyi remain silent and distracted, he finally couldn't help himself. He waved his hand in front of her eyes and asked, "What’s wrong, Miaoyi? You’ve been staring into space for so long; what are you thinking about?"

Chen Miaoyi snapped back to reality and, with complex emotions, said to him, "Husband, I still feel like I’m dreaming. We suddenly have so much money; it feels so unreal."

Xu Mo didn't say a word. He reached out and pinched Chen Miaoyi’s cheek, causing her to cry out in pain, "Ouch!"

"Why did you do that, Husband?" she asked, rubbing her cheek and shooting him a playful, reproachful look.

Xu Mo smiled and asked, "Well, does it feel real now?"

Chen Miaoyi understood why he had pinched her and couldn't help but laugh. Xu Mo then said earnestly, "Miaoyi, I promised you before that we would eat white rice every day, have meat every day, and live a good life. I didn't lie to you, did I? Did I keep my word?"

"Husband, you didn't lie. You really kept your word!" Chen Miaoyi beamed with joy.

Just then, the cart jerked to a sudden stop, causing them both to sway with the momentum. Looking ahead, it turned out the mule was being stubborn; no matter how much Qin Mutou urged it, the animal refused to budge. Qin Mutou was frustrated and lashed the mule twice with the reins, but it was useless, leaving him quite helpless. Neither Xu Mo nor Chen Miaoyi knew how to handle the mule, so they were left with no choice but to wait patiently for the animal to calm down.

Xu Mo helped Chen Miaoyi off the cart, and they stood by the roadside to admire the scenery. Suddenly, Xu Mo said, "Miaoyi, let’s buy a horse-drawn carriage. This mule is too slow, and its temperament is poor. If we were traveling far and it decided to act up, it would be a huge inconvenience."

Chen Miaoyi hesitated, saying, "Husband, carriages are too expensive. Is it really necessary? We only travel between Gushan Village and Xinzhou City; the mule cart is perfectly fine."

Xu Mo shook his head. "How could it not be necessary? If we decide to travel to the capital to visit your parents, how could we do that without a carriage?"

Chen Miaoyi looked at him in shock. "Husband... what did you just say?"

Xu Mo smiled. "I said we should go to the capital to visit your parents... what, don't you want to go?"

Previously, when Chen Miaoyi and Ning Yaxin were chatting in the accounting room, Xu Mo had only caught the word "capital," but he had immediately guessed they were talking about her parents. Now that he had earned money and their life was improving, he felt it was time to visit his parents-in-law.

How could Chen Miaoyi not want to go? She shook her head quickly. "No, no, it's not that I don't want to. I was just afraid that you... you wouldn't want to..."

There was a reason for her concern. In the past, her father had wanted her to divorce Xu Mo and move to the capital with them, but she had refused. Her father had been furious and had confronted the original Xu Mo, saying many harsh and hurtful things. Although the original Xu Mo had remained silent then, he had harbored deep resentment, taking it out on Chen Miaoyi and declaring that he would never have anything to do with her parents again.

Xu Mo possessed these memories and understood her hesitation. He took her hand and said softly, "Miaoyi, I did many wrong things in the past, and I owe you so much..."

"But things are different now. I have changed, our lives have improved, and it is time we visit your parents. Otherwise, how can they rest easy when they know nothing of your situation?"

Hearing this, Chen Miaoyi’s eyes welled up with tears. The next moment, ignoring the presence of Qin Mutou, she leaned into Xu Mo’s arms. "Husband, you are so good to me," she said, moved.

Xu Mo patted her shoulder with a smile. "Miaoyi, we must buy that carriage, and it must be the best one! Don't you agree?"

"Yes!" Chen Miaoyi nodded firmly, no longer objecting. She began to look forward to the day she would see her parents again.

Nearby, Qin Mutou noticed his master and mistress embracing. Feeling embarrassed to watch, he turned away, pretending not to notice. At the same time, he couldn't help but fantasize about a similar future for himself and Xu Hui.