Love is as vast as the Milky Way, impossible to cross.

Although Huo Muchen had specifically instructed Aunt Wang to reduce the workload assigned to Liu Shiyin, Qin Xiang was unaware that she was busy arranging various tasks for Liu Shiyin all day long, leaving Liu Shiyin with almost no rest.

As night fell and the stars twinkled, a dim yellow light flickered in Huo Muchen's backyard in the quiet night.

The light illuminated a thin figure; it was Liu Shiyin.

Like a tireless bird, she toiled alone in the night, running around doing endless housework.

Aunt Wang stood by the window, gazing at the faint light in the backyard, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

She tried to persuade Qin Xiang to reduce the workload on Liu Shiyin, but Qin Xiang ignored her, as if Liu Shiyin was just a pawn in her hands that she could manipulate at will.

Aunt Wang felt sorry for Liu Shiyin, but she was helpless and could only watch as Liu Shiyin struggled in exhaustion.

Just then, Huo Muchen returned. When Aunt Wang saw him, she breathed a sigh of relief, but she didn't know how to bring up Liu Shiyin's matter.

She looked at Huo Muchen, her face showing hesitation and worry.

Huo Muchen noticed Aunt Wang's unusual behavior and couldn't help but ask:

"What's wrong, Aunt Wang? Is there something you need?"

Aunt Wang hesitated for a moment, then finally mustered up the courage to say:

"Young master, it's that girl Shiyin... She's been working non-stop since this morning. Right now, she's washing clothes in the backyard."

At this point, Aunt Wang's voice choked with emotion.

"backyard?"

Huo Muchen repeated, somewhat incredulously.

The backyard is the family's storage room, and few people usually go there, let alone wash clothes there.

"Yes, there is a well in the backyard. We said we were going to seal it up, but we haven't had time yet. Miss Qin Xiang said she wanted to wash her clothes by hand, so she asked Shiyin to fetch well water from the backyard to wash them."

Aunt Wang spoke truthfully, her tone filled with helplessness and heartache.

Upon hearing this, Huo Muchen frowned, a flash of anger crossing his eyes. He turned and walked towards the backyard.

Liu Shiyin stood alone by the ancient well in the backyard, her thin figure appearing particularly frail in the dim light.

Her hands gripped the rope by the well tightly, and each time she pulled up the bucket, it seemed as if she had used all her strength.

Her forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, which slid down her cheeks and dripped onto the ground.

Her breathing became rapid, each breath accompanied by a slight panting sound.

She gritted her teeth and pulled the bucket up again and again, then poured the well water into the large basin next to her.

As time went on, her strength began to wane. Her hands began to tremble, the rope slipping through her fingers, making each pull of the bucket incredibly difficult. Her steps became unsteady, as if she might collapse at any moment.

After several attempts to pull the water, Liu Shiyin finally couldn't hold on any longer.

Her body swayed suddenly, and the rope in her hand loosened, the bucket about to fall back into the well.

At that critical moment, a strong and powerful arm suddenly reached out from the side, catching the bucket that was about to fall with one hand and lifting it out.

Liu Shiyin looked up and saw Huo Muchen standing beside her, his eyes filled with concern and anger.

He didn't say anything, but silently took the rope from Liu Shiyin's hand and casually tossed it aside.

Liu Shiyin felt a surge of fear as she watched Huo Muchen's actions. She knew Huo Muchen was angry.

But she didn't dare ask why, and just stood quietly next to Huo Muchen, head down and silent.

Looking at Liu Shiyin's pale and tired face, Huo Muchen's anger gradually subsided, replaced by more helplessness. He sighed and said softly:

"No need to wash anymore. I'll tell Qin Xiang later that she shouldn't assign you any more work."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shiyin raised her head, her eyes filled with a hint of determination and pleading:

"No, I'm getting paid. This is my job, and it's also my way of atoning for my sins."