Chapter 136: Safety Comes First

He leaned in and whispered into Qin Mahua’s ear, not wanting anyone else in the family to hear. “Mom, I actually know what’s troubling her. The reason she refuses to get married is because she’s afraid of dragging her husband’s family into trouble. There was a doctor who might have known something about her father’s background—he was almost killed and is still in a coma. And once, she was nearly robbed, which might also be related to her father’s past. Until she figures out the truth about her father, she absolutely won’t marry anyone.”

Qin Mahua’s heart skipped a beat. Someone almost died? Clearly, this isn’t a simple matter. “Could it be that her father’s real parents have some kind of background…?”

Before she could finish, Mu Chenze made a shushing gesture. “Mom, keep your voice down. You don’t need to worry about Chu Xuan’s family. I know what I’m doing. She’s done our family a great kindness—I can’t just stand by and do nothing. Trust me, I’ll handle it. Right now, whether I like her or whether we end up together isn’t important. What matters most is that we’re all safe.”

With things said so plainly, Qin Mahua didn’t press any further.

After this heart-to-heart, Qin Mahua became even more certain: when it came to Xiao Ze and Xiao Xuan, it was best to just let things happen naturally and hope for peace and safety.

About twenty minutes later, Mu Chenze pulled his cart into Chu Xuan’s courtyard.

As soon as he set the cart down, Chu Xuan walked over and asked softly, “Can you tell me about the dream you just had? I once had a dream where someone pushed me into the sea. I wonder if it was the same as yours.”

Mu Chenze thought she was joking. “Come on, who are you trying to fool? I’m not telling. Let’s finish packing up the grilled fish slices so you and Xiao Feng can get some rest. I still have to go check the prices at the dock.”

Chu Xuan was completely serious. “I’m not lying. In my dream, Chu Zhi and Feng Chunhua tricked me into taking a boat to the county to get money, then pushed me into the sea.”

“I didn’t dream about why you were on the boat. I just dreamed that the two of them pushed you into the sea. I searched for you on the water for a long time but couldn’t find you. Our dreams are a bit different, but one thing is the same: Chu Zhi and Feng Chunhua tried to hurt you, and you can’t swim. When you go to the shore tomorrow, bring a change of clothes. After I get back from the city, I’ll come teach you how to swim. The weather’s still warm enough for it.”

“Okay.” Chu Xuan was deeply moved.

She had resolved to learn to swim because, in her previous life, she’d actually been pushed into the sea.

Mu Chenze, on the other hand, was insisting she learn just because of a dream.

His concern for her went far beyond what she’d expected.

She felt more and more indebted to Mu Chenze.

She no longer knew how to thank him, or how to repay what she owed.

The best way to repay him, she thought, was not to marry him.

Chu Feng stayed in the bedroom and didn’t come out until he heard them start moving the grilled fish slices, then he ran out to help.

Soon, about 260 jin of grilled fish slices were loaded onto the cart.

There were another 50 jin set aside for Zhang Feifei. Grandpa Qi would come by early the next morning to pick them up and take them to the bus.

After seeing Mu Chenze off, Chu Xuan and her brother locked up and went to bed.

On his way home, Mu Chenze suddenly figured it out.

There could never be anything between Chu Xuan and Wei Qiang—Chu Xuan didn’t want to drag anyone else into her troubles…

The next morning, Chu Xuan greeted Gao Meijuan and the others, then headed out with her gear and a basket on her back.

Inside the basket was a change of clothes she’d packed ahead of time.

She took the mountain path again to her secret spot by the sea.

When she arrived, the tide was already out.

Following the receding water, Chu Xuan spotted a half-meter-long ribbonfish and a dozen or so thirty-centimeter-long mackerel. The fish were already dead, but their gills were still fresh.

She happily put them all in her basket.

She checked the tide pools, but there wasn’t much of value—just some small fish and shellfish.

She hesitated about whether to scoop up the little fish when Mu Chenze’s pleasant voice called out, “You’re really going to bother with those tiny fish? Let’s use our time better—I’ll teach you to swim.”

Chu Xuan looked out at the sea, and she couldn’t pretend she wasn’t scared.

“Mu Chenze, maybe we should start in a small river? I’m afraid if a wave comes and knocks me onto the beach, that’s fine, but if it sweeps me out to sea, I’m done for…”

“Hey, don’t jinx it! The tide will be coming in soon, perfect for swimming. Besides, with me here, you think I’d let a wave sweep you away? Take your things and shoes up to the shore first.”

“Alright!”

Chu Xuan did as she was told.

Twenty minutes later, she was standing in the sea, the water up to her waist.

To be safe, she tied a long rope around herself.

The other end was tied to a tree on the shore.

At Chu Xuan’s insistence, Mu Chenze tied a rope around himself too, with the other end tied to Chu Xuan.

He demonstrated beside her. “Chu Xuan, listen carefully. If you ever fall into the water, stay calm. Don’t stick your arms out of the water. Lie on your back, just keep your mouth, nose, and face above the surface, relax, and you won’t sink.”

Mu Chenze floated on the water, only his mouth, nose, and face exposed.

Even though he looked as steady as if he were lying in bed, Chu Xuan still didn’t dare try floating like that.

“Mu Chenze, I’m scared. Stand right next to me, then I’ll try. If I start to sink, you have to save me.”

Mu Chenze switched to a different stroke, treading water with his head above the surface. “I’m right here! And you’ve got the safety rope. Plus, the water’s not deep—just up to your waist.”

Chu Xuan looked uncharacteristically timid. “It doesn’t matter how deep it is. Just thinking about only my mouth and nose above the water scares me. You’re too far away—come closer.”

She could still vividly remember the suffocating feeling of water flooding her mouth and nose in her past life.

Mu Chenze was helpless. “Half a meter is too far?”

“Of course it is. I need to be able to reach you as soon as I stretch out my hand.”

“You’re such a scaredy-cat. Don’t say I’m taking advantage of you—here, you can hold my hand.”

In reality, it was Chu Xuan who was taking advantage of him.

Mu Chenze held out his hand, but kept it just below the surface.

Chu Xuan quickly grabbed it.

She squeezed so hard that Mu Chenze’s hand hurt. “Can you be a bit gentler? Don’t grip so tight. Actually, let me just hold your wrist.”

“Sorry! I’m just nervous.”

Chu Xuan quickly let go, letting Mu Chenze hold her wrist instead.

Mu Chenze said gently, “Trust me. You’ll definitely float. Give it a try.”

“Okay.”

Chu Xuan followed his instructions, relaxed, and kept only her mouth, nose, and face above the water.

She really did start to float.

Mu Chenze encouraged her, “Great! If you’re worried about waves hitting your face, you can cover your face with one hand to block them. Just don’t let your elbows stick out of the water…”

Chu Xuan tried it and kept floating.

She didn’t even realize that Mu Chenze had let go of her wrist.

After floating for a while, she realized it and scrambled to her feet, accidentally swallowing a mouthful of seawater.

“Ptooey, ptooey…”

So salty.

She didn’t blame Mu Chenze—after all, the water had only just covered her waist. If she’d stayed calm, she wouldn’t have choked.

It wasn’t his fault; she was just too timid.

Not wanting to give up, she grabbed his wrist again and practiced floating once more.

When she managed to float on her own, she let go of his wrist and kept practicing.

Before she knew it, the tide had come in. When Chu Xuan stood up again, the water was up to her shoulders.

Mu Chenze taught her how to tread water and swam with her toward the shore.

Suddenly, Chu Xuan’s leg cramped up. “Ow… my leg…”"