Assiduous Mu Clan
Mu Tianhe and the family would feel awkward sharing a house with Mr. Yan, so it was relieving to have the property to themselves.
It came as a surprise to everyone when they learnt Mu Clan had moved back into their estate. Within two days of them moving back in, nonetheless, the plaque at the entrance read, “Yan Estate”. Soon enough, they learnt Mu Tianhe had chosen to serve as a steward for Yan Estate.
Because of Mr. Yan’s surprising string of moves, people suspected he was a member of Celestial Star Sect, justifying their conjecture with the notion that Tian Budai was starting his preparations for his match with Sikong Qiwen. Furthermore, it would make sense for Mu Clan to join Celestial Star Sect since Celestial Star Sect was Sikong Clan’s enemy; the enemy of my enemy is my ally.
Mu Yu decided to check in on Mu Clan as Feng Mu. He was pleased to learn that Mu Clan didn’t hire workers to do the dirty work for them. As a bonus, they were cleaning the place without a complaint or frown.
“Jitong, don’t you slack off, or you’ll be in for it,” warned Mu Tianhe. “Keep the place sparkling clean at all times.”
“Understood, Dad,” replied Jitong, wiping the windows.
“Grandpa, why must we clean every day when Mr. Yan still hasn’t returned?” Mu Xin questioned.
Mu Tianhe didn’t force the children to work.
Mu Tianhe responded jovially, “Xin, he gave us a job. It is our duty to complete our task in earnest, which is to keep his house clean for him. See, he helped us clear our debts so that we can walk the streets without stressing and provided us with shelter. We must repay his kindness.”
Mu Xin nodded and then tilted her head. “But he can’t see us working even if we work all day.”
“That makes no difference. Our attitude is what’s most important. We are not cleaning to impressive him; we clean for ourselves. Everyone has a duty to fulfil. We should always fulfil our duty regardless of whether anyone sees us or not. Otherwise, we will have betrayed Mr. Yan’s faith in us.”
From the roof, Mu Yu thought to himself, I’m glad to see Grandpa is a man of his word. I hope they’ll all have learnt something from this. Where’s Mu Zhexing, though?
“Master, I have finished cleaning Mr. Yan’s room,” reported Uncle Bo.
“What did you just call me?”
“St-Steward Mu,” stuttered Uncle Bo, still not used to the new term of address. He addressed Mu Tianhe as “Steward Mu” for the sake of distinction.
“Did you change his bedsheets and whatnot, too?”
“Yes, Steward Mu.”
“Mr. Yan has a bedroom?”
Mu Clan looked up to the roof. Mu Xin jumped up and down as she hollered, “Brother Feng Mu.”
Mu Yu came down to meet Mu Tianhe and saluted his grandpa. “It has been a while, Elder Mu.”
Mu Tianhe passive-aggressively warned, “This is no longer our estate. Please do not trespass without permission.”
Imagine being kicked out of your own house… Mu Yu inwardly said. “Elder, this one was merely curious. Please forgive the intrusion.”
“If you do not have any business here, please leave. As the steward of Yan Estate, I am beholden to ensure security on the estate grounds.”
“Feng Mu, you better run along, or I’ll put out an order to have you removed by force,” Mu Hao came over, carrying a bucket of water and jabbed.
“Hao, don’t tell me Mr. Yan is your new idol,” Mu Yu remarked.
“And if he is?”
“What happened to your Brother Mu Yu?”
“He’s not one of us. You’re the one who told me to stop fantasising.”
“What about me, your favourite Feng Mu?”
“What are you, some new young master trying to recruit his gofers? The two of them are leagues ahead of you.”
That actually hurts, Mu Yu remarked in his head. “Your allegiance switches at the drop of a hat, huh?”
“No it doesn’t. Technically speaking, I don’t idolise Mr. Yan; I am merely grateful for what he has done for us. I still admire True God’s disciple. It’s just that I no longer consider him my cousin. I’m going to learn to be unyielding to challenges or pressure just as True God’s disciple has exhibited. As for you…”
“I also saved you!”
“Yes, but you’re now a criminal for trespassing on private property.” Mu Hao lifted the water bucket and threatened, “This bucket of water or the door? You choose.”
Maybe I should reveal myself right before I leave the city just to get even with this kid, Mu Yu mused. “Xin, you want to go out to play?”
“Grandpa, can I go with Brother Feng Mu?” Mu Xin inquired.
“I will not harm Mu Xin, Elder Mu. I promise to keep her safe,” assured Mu Yu.
“Mm… all right.”
“I’m going with you. I can’t let Xin be alone with another man,” declared Mu Hao.
“You,” – Mu Yu pointed – “stay here and do your job. I’m not babysitting you.”
Mu Yu took off with Mu Xin without giving Mu Hao time to react. Mu Xin had one candy haw stick, while Xiaoshuai had two. As the two strolled down the street hand in hand, Mu Yu asked, “Xin, I heard your grandpa mention you prepared a room for Mr. Yan. What is that all about?”
“Oh, that is the best room we have. It used to be Grandpa’s room, but we have decided it would be best for Mr. Yan to have the room. Grandpa has Uncle Bo clean the room daily in case Mr. Yan comes back.”
Mu Yu was glad to hear his grandpa hand changed so much.
“Where do you all stay, then?”
“We live in the workers’ courtyard. Did you know it’s really spacious there? We used to have hundreds of people living in the estate, so we have so much room to ourselves there, hehehe.”
Mu Yu inwardly decided, Why is he so straight laced? That’s not what I invited them back for. Looks like I need to drop in as Mr. Yan.
Previous Chapter l Next Chapter
