Chapter 107: No More Secrets

September 20, 2023

Author: Zi Tao

She seemed to have discovered some secret and hurried home to tell her mother-in-law.

When she reached the entrance of the Li family’s house, Fu Qing didn’t even bother to check how much Chu Xuan’s catch sold for. She made up an excuse and left in a hurry.

Chu Xuan didn’t think much of it.

The quality of the seafood was good, and she sold it all for a total of 226 yuan.

The transaction was settled on the spot.

Chu Xuan headed home...

At that moment, Fu Qing had just entered her own house.

“Mom! I’m back!”

Qin Mahua, holding a spatula, walked to the kitchen door. “Was there a lot of seafood on the beach?”

“A lot! But most of it was snatched up quickly. Liu Dapeng was almost swept away by the waves. The rest was just cheap stuff, and no one wanted to risk going after it.”

“Is Liu Dapeng alright?”

“He’s fine. Luckily, Xiao Xuan brought a rescue rope. A few others helped pull Liu Dapeng back up…”

Fu Qing recounted everything that had happened that day in detail, including how Mu Chenze stepped in to prove Qi Hong had stolen seafood, and how he provided clues about the stolen electric wires.

After listening, Qin Mahua felt something was off.

“Why do I feel like Xiao Ze deliberately didn’t stop Qi Hong from stealing the seafood? And as for the stolen wires—knowing Xiao Ze, he wouldn’t have brought it up, since we’re all from the same village.”

Fu Qing smiled mysteriously. “That’s exactly what I wanted to tell you. I think Chenze gave those clues to help Xiao Xuan vent her anger. Also, last night, I’m pretty sure he secretly walked Xiao Xuan home, but didn’t let her know. Mom, do you think Chenze really likes Xiao Xuan?”

Qin Mahua’s face was calm. “He absolutely does! I’ve known for a while. But what can we do if he truly likes her? Xiao Xuan refuses to marry him.”

Since her daughter-in-law had already guessed, there was no need to hide it anymore.

Fu Qing was stunned. “Mom, you knew all along? When did you find out?”

Qin Mahua sighed. “I knew before I went to visit Xiao Xuan’s house.”

“Did Chenze tell you?”

“Yes and no.”

Fu Qing was confused. “So what happened exactly?”

Qin Mahua told the truth. “Chenze was napping at home during the day. He was talking in his sleep. He said things like, ‘Chu Xuan, why do you dislike me? I never minded that you’re chubby. There goes my first kiss, now you have to take responsibility. In this life, your first man can only be me! And my first woman can only be you! Otherwise, I just can’t get over it…’”

Fu Qing covered her mouth, laughing. “I never thought Chenze would be so innocent.”

Qin Mahua pretended to be angry. “No laughing! Hurry up and help Chenze figure out how to marry Xiao Xuan.”

No matter what kind of girl her son liked—fat or thin, rich or poor—Qin Mahua would support him.

Fu Qing tried hard to hold back her laughter. “Mom, you went to help out at Xiao Xuan’s house just to help Chenze win her over, didn’t you?”

Qin Mahua looked a bit embarrassed. “At first, I wanted to show off my fish-cleaning skills, so Xiao Xuan would know Chenze has a capable mother. Also, having Chenze take Xiao Xuan to the city was to give them more time alone together. Later, I genuinely wanted to help her. After all, she’s helped our family out of several big jams—she’s our benefactor.”

“So, should we let Chenze know we’re onto his secret?”

“Absolutely not. He’s thin-skinned. If we bring it up, he’ll definitely deny it and even exaggerate how much he doesn’t like Xiao Xuan. He always says the opposite of what he means. Let’s just help him quietly.”

She didn’t realize her son was still clueless about love when awake.

Fu Qing pondered. “How should we help?”

“That’s what I just asked you to think about! All I can think of is to treat Xiao Xuan well. You think of something else.”

“Okay. I’ll give it some thought.”

Just then, Mu Qinlao walked over, asking boisterously, “What are you two talking about?”

Qin Mahua didn’t even need to ask if he’d overheard. “We’re talking about making lunch a bit earlier today.”

Mu Qinlao smiled contentedly. “We should eat early. Breakfast was early today, so I’m hungry.”

Fu Qing immediately understood her mother-in-law’s meaning—there was no need to tell her father-in-law what they’d just discussed.

Around 3 p.m., when the wind and rain had eased a bit, someone knocked on Chu Xuan’s courtyard gate.

Chu Xuan grabbed an umbrella and went to open the door.

It was Mu Chenze, dressed in brand-new rain gear—jacket, pants, and boots—all army green.

“I just bought this from town. What do you think? Looks good, right?” He pointed at himself.

Chu Xuan replied straightforwardly, “Looks good. You’re handsome, so you look good in anything.”

Mu Chenze grinned. “Once you lose weight, I’ll buy you a set as a reward.”

Chu Xuan put a hand to her forehead—here he goes again.

“You care more about my weight loss than I do.”

Mu Chenze spoke from the heart. “Because I want you to live a long, healthy life.”

“I will! I’ll lose the weight and live to be eighty or ninety!”

Having been reborn, Chu Xuan was determined to live well and make up for all the years she’d missed in her previous life.

Mu Chenze’s face lit up with a sunny smile. “That’s great! Aren’t you going to invite me in? I came to bring you money, you know.”

He made as if to come in, but Chu Xuan blocked him. “Answer a question for me first.”

“What is it? Ask away.”

“Last night, did you secretly follow me all the way home until I was inside the gate?”

She stared straight into Mu Chenze’s eyes as she asked.

Mu Chenze felt a little uneasy under her gaze, but his mouth was as sharp as ever. “I only followed you because you looked so scared. I had no choice but to quietly walk you home. And you always say no one would dare mess with you because of your size, but you were so timid last night. I can’t even imagine how you made it to the village entrance.”

Chu Xuan was embarrassed—he’d seen her at her most awkward. She hung her head. “Mu Chenze, you’re not allowed to bring this up again!”

Mu Chenze agreed readily. “Alright, I won’t mention it. Now, are you going to let me in or do you really want to count money at the door?”

Chu Xuan quickly composed herself, turning her embarrassment into a smile. She stepped aside to let him in.

She deliberately teased, “Honorable Boss Mu… please come in!”

She let him make fun of her, drawing out the words “Boss Mu” in a playful, exaggerated tone.

Mu Chenze got goosebumps and stumbled. “Can you talk normally?”

Chu Xuan refused, still using that tone. “Boss Mu, please have a seat in the kitchen!”

Mu Chenze realized this was payback for his earlier teasing. He quickly pulled out the money and stuffed it into Chu Xuan’s hand. “Here’s your share from yesterday’s seafood—six hundred yuan!”

Then he turned and ran.

He couldn’t stay any longer, or he’d die from embarrassment at that tone.

Chu Xuan quickly called out in her normal voice, “I have something to ask you. I’ll speak seriously.”

Chu Feng, hiding in the bedroom, covered his mouth and snickered, not coming out to interrupt.

Mu Chenze stopped, looked at Chu Xuan, pointed at her, and gave a helpless look—there was nothing he could do with her.

“Ask away!”

He’d rather stand in the rain than go into the kitchen.

“Haha…” Chu Xuan couldn’t help but laugh. Now she knew what he was most afraid of! If he ever tried to short her on dividends again, she’d use this trick on him.

Mu Chenze was baffled by her laughter and urged, “Chu Xuan, hurry up and ask!”

After she finished laughing, Chu Xuan’s expression turned serious. She asked softly, “Was it really worth it to offend Qi Hong and the Qiu family just to help me? The Qiu family always seeks revenge. Even after years, they’ll still come after you…”"