Chapter 123: Love Me, Marry Me—Or Not

October 1, 2023

Author: Zi Tao

In the bedroom, Chu Feng was just about to go out to the yard and greet Mu Chenze when he heard his sister’s question. He quickly retreated.

Now was definitely not the time to go out and play third wheel.

He actually knew a bit about what happened that day.

He hadn’t told his sister because he didn’t want her to feel burdened.

At this moment, Mu Chenze was silent.

Chu Xuan stared into his eyes and continued, “Anyway, I have to know what happened that day. Otherwise, I’ll pester you every day and make it impossible for you to do business.”

Mu Chenze felt a headache coming on. “Why didn’t you ask when you just got out of the hospital? Why ask now?”

He’d finally managed to stop thinking about that day, but Chu Xuan just had to bring it up again.

Chu Xuan gave him a pleading smile. “I was busy back then, but now I finally have some free time. Just tell me! You wouldn’t want a chubby girl pestering you every day, would you?”

To his own surprise, Mu Chenze actually found himself looking forward to the idea of her pestering him every day. The thought startled him.

He shook his head hard to clear his mind, then said stubbornly, “Of course I wouldn’t want that. But I don’t want to talk about what happened that day. It’s not good for you.”

“How could it not be good for me? Not knowing what happened is what’s bad for me! Come on, just tell me! I’m begging you, okay?”

“If I tell you, don’t regret it.”

Chu Xuan raised her hand as if taking an oath. “I absolutely won’t regret it! Just tell me!”

Mu Chenze took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Alright, I’ll tell you. That day, you were burning up with fever and barely conscious. I coordinated with the village to get a tractor and parked it in the yard. My sister-in-law and the others wanted to carry you onto the tractor, but you wouldn’t let anyone touch you. You kept mumbling that no one could touch you, and you kept calling my name, asking me to carry you. I could only give it a try. To avoid embarrassing myself if I couldn’t carry you, I asked my sister-in-law and the others to wait outside…”

He trailed off, a little embarrassed to continue.

Chu Xuan’s face grew warm. She hadn’t expected herself to act like that. “Go on.”

Mu Chenze’s gaze fell on Chu Xuan’s hands. “Then there was a problem. I was carrying you outside, and you started saying all sorts of strange things. I lost my footing, and we both fell. You cushioned my fall.”

Because of that, every time he had a free moment these past few days, he couldn’t help but think about it.

Chu Xuan’s face went from warm to burning. “So, did everyone see?”

“That’s right. The door was wide open, and we fell right near the entrance. I was worried you’d be embarrassed, so I told everyone not to talk about it. Luckily, Liu Dapeng was out fetching water and didn’t see, or he’d definitely be making a fuss about it.”

“What did I say that made you lose your footing?”

Mu Chenze’s expression grew serious. “You really don’t remember what you said?”

“Really, I don’t.” Chu Xuan gently patted her forehead, annoyed that her brain had forgotten something so important.

Mu Chenze lowered his voice again. “That day, you said, ‘Mu Chenze, I’m sorry! I owe you! I’ll spend my whole life repaying you, okay? I’ll treat your parents like my own.’ Actually, I really want to know—what do you owe me that’s worth a lifetime of repayment?”

Chu Xuan didn’t want to mention her rebirth, so she made something up. “I stole your first kiss but didn’t marry you, so I owe you. I have to pay you back, or my conscience won’t be at ease.”

“But you also whispered something to me that no one else heard.”

“What else did I say?”

Mu Chenze leaned closer and whispered, “You said you like me, but you can’t marry me, or you’ll bring misfortune to me and my family.”

Chu Xuan looked annoyed with herself. How could she have said something like that to him?

“I was just talking nonsense. Don’t take it seriously.”

“But I already did. What should I do?”

“Do whatever you want! I’m not marrying you anyway. Besides, you don’t like chubby girls. I absolutely can’t make things hard for you.”

Instead of getting angry, Mu Chenze just smiled gently. “Love me, marry me—or not!”

He actually understood her concerns.

These past couple of days, he’d already asked a friend in the security team to investigate Chu Xuan’s biological father and Feng Chunhua. Once the truth came out, Chu Xuan would have nothing left to worry about.

Until then, he’d just be good buddies with Chu Xuan.

As for what would happen in the future, they’d cross that bridge when they came to it.

After all, he’d already let Chu Xuan take so many liberties with him—where could he go to complain?

He didn’t continue the topic, but hurried into the kitchen to load goods onto the cart.

Chu Xuan followed to help.

The two of them stayed silent until Mu Chenze pulled the cart away, neither saying another word.

After watching Mu Chenze leave, Chu Xuan closed the courtyard gate.

She walked into Xiao Feng’s bedroom.

“Xiao Feng, I know you heard everything. Did I really say all that that day?”

Chu Feng nodded vigorously. “Actually, you said even more than that. You wouldn’t let go of Brother Chenze at all. Sis, you take so many liberties with him but won’t marry him—who else would want to marry him?”

“I need some peace and quiet. Don’t ever bring this up again! Just pretend it never happened!”

Chu Xuan covered her ears and ran back to her own room.

Chu Feng didn’t bother her again.

The next morning, Chu Xuan accompanied Chu Feng to Principal Gao’s house to do some test papers.

He scored 95 in Chinese and 100 in math.

Principal Gao decided on the spot that Chu Feng would go straight into fourth grade when school started.

The siblings happily returned home.

Gao Meijuan and the others were working steadily.

They’d already made over 150 jin of dried fish fillets.

After lunch, Chu Xuan didn’t rest. She greeted everyone and went to the village entrance to catch a carriage to town.

She’d been too busy yesterday to go urge Uncle Long.

Today, she had to follow up.

The sooner she got the key to Feng Chunhua’s house, the sooner she could look for evidence.

Twenty minutes later, she arrived at Uncle Long’s shop.

Coincidentally, Liu Ning was there too.

She was wearing a purple qipao.

“Aunt Liu, long time no see. You’re looking even prettier!”

Liu Ning beamed at the compliment. “Your Uncle Long had someone bring this qipao back from the south for me. Clothes really do make the person! Oh, by the way, that young man you recommended already reported to the sales department today. He’ll be going on a business trip with their manager tonight.”

Chu Xuan smiled gratefully. “Aunt Liu, thank you! When he starts earning money, I’ll have him treat you to dinner to thank you properly.”

“I’ll look forward to it! I have to get to work now. If you get any men’s shirts, save some for me.”

“No problem.”

After seeing Liu Ning off, Chu Xuan quietly asked Uncle Long, “Uncle Long, about the key…”

Uncle Long smiled kindly. “I’ve got it. When do you want to check her house?”

“No time like the present—let’s do it today!”

Chu Xuan could hardly wait.

No time to lose.

Uncle Long immediately called Xiao Huan.

Soon, Xiao Huan arrived.

The three of them quickly came up with a plan.

Ten minutes later, Xiao Huan, in disguise, rode his bike around Feng Chunhua’s house. When Feng Chunhua came out, he charged straight at her and slammed on the brakes at the last second.

Feng Chunhua was knocked over.

Xiao Huan quickly dropped his bike and ran over to help, disguising his voice. “Auntie, I’m so sorry! Are you alright?”

Who was Feng Chunhua? She’d never miss such a golden opportunity to play the victim. “You’ve killed this old woman! I hurt all over! Xiao Zhi, come out quick! Someone’s trying to kill me!”

Chu Zhi rushed out, flustered. “Who dares hit my mother? What are you standing around for? Hurry up and take my mom to the hospital!”

He quickly locked the courtyard gate."