The day before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Fei Ni and Fang Muyang bought mooncakes, canned goods, fruit, and milk powder to celebrate early with Fei Ni’s parents. Two bags of milk powder were for her sister-in-law, who, unlike others, hadn’t experienced morning sickness but instead had an increased appetite during pregnancy. Fei Xing had specially bought free-range chicken eggs from the countryside for her nutrition and had set aside a portion for Fei Ni and her husband as well.

During the meal, her sister-in-law said, “The tea eggs Little Fang made last time were excellent. What method did you use? Teach me too.”

Fei Ni thought to herself that even if taught, most people wouldn’t learn—who would be willing to use such good tea leaves to make tea eggs?

For two consecutive days, Fang Muyang had been organizing the studio while Fei Ni worked on Old Fang’s manuscripts in the bedroom. After finishing one page, she noticed Fang Muyang still hadn’t returned. She went to check on him in the studio and said, “Get some rest—you can continue tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I want to finish this today. But if you can’t sleep without me, I’ll come keep you company first. Once you’re asleep, I’ll come back here.”

Fei Ni had intended to say it wasn’t necessary—her eyelids were only staying open through sheer willpower. But seeing him still busy at this hour made her heartache, so she said, “Alright then, go wash up first.”

Fang Muyang hadn’t expected Fei Ni to agree and had no choice but to comply.

Fei Ni slipped under the covers, forcing her eyes to stay open while waiting for Fang Muyang. Once he lay beside her, she immediately relaxed and fell asleep within two minutes. Fang Muyang kissed her eyelids before returning to the studio.

On Mid-Autumn Festival day, Fang Muyang went to pick up Fei Ni at her factory as soon as he finished work. Before Fei Ni could get on his bicycle, someone greeted her—it was Old Hu, the pastry chef from the cafeteria.

Fei Ni naturally knew Old Hu—anyone who had eaten at the factory cafeteria generally knew him. Old Hu knew Fei Ni mainly because of her appearance. There were many rumors about Fei Ni in the factory, and though Old Hu knew her, their interaction was limited to the cafeteria. His knowledge of Fei Ni was pieced together entirely from various rumors. These rumors, combining different versions from different periods, were extremely confusing: Fei Ni’s husband was surnamed Ye, worked at the Radio Industrial Bureau, could get television purchase permits, drew comic books in his spare time, and had already published several volumes; Fei Ni’s mother-in-law was a university professor who lived in a large house and had access to cars.

As it happened, Old Hu was thinking of buying a television but was struggling to get a permit. Seeing Fei Ni’s husband, he thought there was no harm in asking for help, regardless of whether it would be given.

Old Hu inwardly sighed at Fei Ni’s good fortune in finding such a husband—tall, handsome, from a good family, with an enviable job as a section chief at the Radio Industrial Bureau, meaning he didn’t need permits to buy televisions, radios, or record players. He could even draw comics in his spare time—truly multi-talented.

Because he wanted to ask for help, Old Hu actively greeted Fang Muyang: “You must be Section Chief Ye. Really accomplished at such a young age, already a section chief at the Industrial Bureau…”

Fang Muyang smiled and said, “Haven’t you mistaken me for someone else?”

Old Hu knew this routine—presumably too many people asked him for television permits, and he was afraid of more requests for help, so he claimed to be someone else.

“Aren’t you Fei Ni’s husband? I know you must get a lot of requests for help…”

Old Hu was famous in the factory for being muddle-headed. Fei Ni knew he must have mixed things up and quickly corrected him: “My husband’s surname is Fang. He works at a restaurant.”

With that, Fei Ni jumped onto the back of Fang Muyang’s bicycle, leaving Old Hu standing there awkwardly.

Fang Muyang didn’t mention the incident, and Fei Ni let it pass. In her memory, although Fang Muyang had met Ye Feng twice, he didn’t know his surname or understand his work. Being mistaken for her former romantic interest wasn’t pleasant, but fortunately, Fang Muyang didn’t understand the situation.

Mu Jing and her elder sister-in-law would leave after celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival at home, so there was always more to say on the eve of departure. While moon-gazing, they ate mooncakes that Fang Muyang had brought from the restaurant—freshly baked by the head chef, much better than those from regular shops. Old Fang had received many festival gifts that he couldn’t finish himself, so he had to rely on his wayward son to help consume them.

That night, Fei Ni and Fang Muyang left the Fang family home very late. As soon as they exited the building, they looked up and saw the moon.

Fei Ni had drunk some wine at dinner, and the wind made her slightly tipsy. Sitting on the back of the bicycle, she looked at the moon in the sky, swinging her feet carelessly. She asked Fang Muyang, “For Second Sister’s wedding, what do you think would make a good gift?” Although they had given Mu Jing a gift, Fei Ni felt a wedding deserved its separate present.

“Let’s give her a painting.”

“What should we paint?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“But will you have time to paint it?” Fang Muyang hadn’t had proper sleep for two consecutive nights, and Fei Ni hoped he could rest earlier. “Why don’t we give something else instead?”

“If you help me, there will be time.”

“How can I help?”

“Keep me company for a drink.”

The studio was completely renovated now. Fei Ni stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, with the peach tree just outside, though the flowering season had long passed. Fang Muyang only poured a tiny amount for Fei Ni.

Fei Ni steadied Fang Muyang’s hand and poured a bit more for herself, “It’s fine to drink a little more when we’re in our own home.”