As the two of them painted, some people passing by noticed and gradually gathered around.
"What are they painting? A landscape?"
"Looks like it, but I don't know what landscape it is."
"The rising sun? I've seen it before, but it doesn't quite look like that."
"What a talented couple. Look at them-good-looking, and they paint so well, too."
"Exactly. Look, whatever they paint comes to life with a stroke of the brush."
"It's beautiful. Should I ask them to come paint something on my wall one of these days? Mine's still bare."
"What are you thinking, buddy? You think they'll come just because you ask? How much would you have to pay?"
Hearing the discussion around them, Shen Moxi was utterly speechless. The two people you're talking about are right here. Is it really okay to comment so loudly?
She looked up at Song Qi. The man was absorbed in painting, not so much as twitching an eyebrow.
Neither of them paid any attention to the bustle around them, focusing on their painting instead. Song Qi worked much faster than she did; he had already finished a third of his in this short time.
Over an hour later, dusk gradually fell, and the onlookers slowly dispersed.
Shen Tao, Shen Yuan, and the others returned as well. Their eyes widened in surprise when they saw the painting the two had made.
"Little sister, I had no idea you were such a skilled painter! It's gorgeous," Shen Yuan said, his eyes shining as he watched them paint.
Wang Xiaoxia nodded in amazement as well. "I never knew you were so multitalented, little sister. Your husband, too. Their painting really is beautiful."
Holding Shen Zhixuan, Shen Tao was also so stunned by the two of them that he was speechless. He nodded proudly. "That's my little sister for you."
"Pfft." Wang Xiaoxia laughed at his shamelessness.
"Look... look... Auntie," Xiao Zhixuan said, clapping his hands and smiling.
"Hahaha! Son, learn more from your aunt when you grow up. Let's make you a painter," Shen Tao said, laughing heartily at him.
They still hadn't finished after dark. Shen Tao handed Xiao Zhixuan to Wang Xiaoxia and went to turn on the lights.
Finally, after half a day's work, Wealth Comes from All Directions was complete. Shen Moxi asked Song Qi to write those words at the top center.
"Wow, it's absolutely gorgeous! Brother-in-law, little sister, you two really are a perfect couple. You're amazing!" Shen Yuan clapped excitedly at the finished work.
Shen Moxi was putting away the painting tools and paints. Hearing Shen Yuan's words, her little face flushed bright red with embarrassment.
Song Qi turned to look at Shen Moxi and caught that charming expression. His heart stirred, and the thought in his mind grew increasingly exciting.
"Ahem, now that everything's done, let's get some rest. We have to get up early to open tomorrow," Shen Moxi said, turning her head aside and changing the subject.
"Okay. I haven't even looked inside the shop yet. I've been watching you paint this whole time." Shen Yuan nodded.
Carrying the ladder, Shen Tao opened the door, put it in the little storeroom, and shut the door again. He looked at the painting on the wall. "Little sister, you know, looking at it like this, you really can't tell there's a door beneath the painting."
"Of course. My little sister combines that... what was it again?" Shen Yuan scratched his head, unable to remember.
"Beauty and brains, you idiot," Shen Tao said, looking at him scornfully.
"Yes, yes, that's it! That's my little sister for you." Shen Yuan patted his chest.
"Oh, get lost. Stealing my line." Shen Tao kicked him.
Shen Moxi was speechless by now. She took out her key and opened the door. "Come on in. Keep praising me like that, and you'll turn your little sister into a god."
Everyone followed her inside cheerfully. Shen Yuan laughed. "Little sister, even if you told me you were a god right now, I'd believe you! Hahaha!"
Shen Moxi glanced at Song Qi and smiled. I'm not a god, but your brother-in-law used to be one.
"Little sister, this shop looks incredible. My goodness, even the department store isn't this beautiful!" Wang Xiaoxia was captivated by the sparkling lights inside.
"Exactly. Even a grown man like me thinks it's unbelievably beautiful in here, let alone a woman. Once she comes in, she'd be embarrassed to leave without spending money." Shen Tao nodded.
"Oh, right, did you buy the firecrackers for tomorrow morning? I completely forgot about that," Shen Yuan said, suddenly remembering after looking around.
Shen Moxi froze. She had forgotten too, but she didn't let it show. "Yes, I put them upstairs. We just need to bring them down tomorrow morning."
She checked the time. It was late, already ten o'clock. "Eldest brother, second brother, sister-in-law, we'll get up a little after six tomorrow morning, and I'll tell you how we'll divide up the work. For now, let's go upstairs and look at your rooms so we can get to bed early."
"Okay. Good thing you got everything ready beforehand, little sister. Otherwise, having to bring quilts and bedding when we came would've been a real hassle." Shen Tao nodded.
"I arranged every bedroom the same way. Brother Song and I picked the room at the far end, near the storeroom. You can choose among the other three," Shen Moxi said as they walked.
"Anywhere's fine with us. As long as we have somewhere to sleep," Shen Yuan said casually, waving a hand.
Shen Moxi brought them upstairs and pointed at the three remaining rooms. "Eldest brother, your family can take one room, and second brother can have one to himself. Or you two brothers can share, and sister-in-law can take a room with Xiao Xuan. Divide them up however you like."
"All right, little sister. Go get some rest. You and your husband have been working hard for half the day. We can manage on our own." Shen Tao nodded.
"Okay. There's water in the thermoses in the bedrooms. I boiled it for you. There are washbasins, washbasins, toothbrushes, and cups. You can pour some water and wash up yourselves. The kitchen's over there, so you can get water there." Shen Moxi pointed out the kitchen.
Their eyes reddened with emotion at her words. Their little sister was so damn thoughtful. How many lifetimes of good deeds had earned them this blessing?
After Shen Moxi and Song Qi went inside, Shen Tao looked around the bedroom. It was quite spacious, even a little bigger than the one at home.
"Honey, once Xiao Xuan falls asleep, I'll go sleep with my younger brother. You and Xiao Xuan will have more room. I'll move back over in summer," Shen Tao said, looking at Wang Xiaoxia.
"Mm, either way is fine. Let's wash Xiao Xuan's face and feet first. He's all sweaty." Wang Xiaoxia nodded.
"Go wash up first. I'll come over once Xiao Xuan's asleep," Shen Tao said, waving to Shen Yuan.
"Okay, eldest brother." Shen Yuan chose the middle room, opened the door, and went inside.
Back in the bedroom, Shen Moxi first selected firecrackers in the system and placed an order. She took them out and left them by the door to bring downstairs tomorrow.
"Let's wash up and get some rest. Let's turn in early tonight," Shen Moxi said once she was done, looking at Song Qi, who was watching a show again.
"Okay." Song Qi turned off the tablet and put it away. They took their toothbrushes and cups to the kitchen to wash up.
After returning, they soaked their feet briefly, then lay down to rest.
Shen Moxi took out the alarm clock and set it for five thirty. She had to get up early to make breakfast.
"Go to sleep." Song Qi held her and kissed her forehead.
"Mm." Shen Moxi nodded and wrapped her arms around him. Breathing in his scent, she fell asleep at ease.
Their feelings had been developing rapidly lately, in a way they both understood without saying it aloud. Their wedding was just over a month away, and she was beginning to look forward to it.
In a few days, when they had time, they would go take their marriage registration photos, then their wedding portraits. She would buy some beautiful wedding gowns and clothes from the system. This was her first marriage across two lifetimes; she couldn't leave any regrets.
They slept soundly through the night, and both rested very well.