Chapter 170: Officially in a Relationship

October 27, 2023

Author: Zi Tao

""The condition is... from now on, you must always put your parents first. You can't make them upset because of me.""

In this life, Chu Xuan was marrying into the Mu family to repay a debt. She had to be filial to her parents-in-law and get along with her sisters-in-law, or else her conscience wouldn't be at ease.

Mu Chenze was always full of ideas, and he cared for her so much—even coming up with the idea of being a live-in son-in-law.

She felt it was necessary to set this rule with him in advance.

Mu Chenze was stunned when he heard her condition. ""Xiao Xuan, if someone didn't know better, they'd think my parents were your real parents and I was adopted. Isn't this something my mom should be telling me? Like, 'Don't forget your parents now that you have a girlfriend,' and so on. It's like you're speaking for her. Why does it feel like you're closer to my mom than I am?""

""Because Aunt Qin is so good to me! So, do you agree or not?""

""I agree! You're my girlfriend now! Let me put a ring on you.""

As he spoke, Mu Chenze pulled a gold ring from his pocket and slipped it onto Chu Xuan's left middle finger.

Chu Xuan's eyes grew moist. In her past life, Mu Chenze had also bought her a gold ring, but only because she shamelessly pestered him for it. Later, Feng Chunhua took a liking to it, and she gave it away without hesitation, which made Mu Chenze really upset.

This time, he bought her a gold ring on his own initiative.

She would cherish it and wear it for a lifetime.

Unable to hold back, she hugged Mu Chenze.

Mu Chenze was overjoyed and hugged her back. Holding her felt so real, so solid!

But his embrace left Chu Xuan unable to move, worried she might hurt his injuries.

She gently reminded him, ""Aunt Qin and the others are still waiting in the main room. Should we go? Be careful of your injury.""

Mu Chenze could feel a dull pain in his ribs, but compared to the happiness of holding her, this pain was nothing. ""Let them wait a bit, it's fine.""

Chu Xuan blushed. ""I'm wearing a cut-resistant vest. If you don't let go soon, I won't be able to breathe.""

The homemade vest was really tight.

Mu Chenze quickly let her go.

""Then today's hug doesn't count. When you change out of the vest and into something else, you have to hug me again.""

""Why?""

""Because the vest pressed against my ribs and it really hurt. You have to make it up to me. Don't forget, you were the one who hugged me first!""

Chu Xuan glanced at his injury, feeling guilty. ""Alright! I'll definitely make it up to you. Let's check if your injury got worse and take your medicine first.""

On the way back, they'd stopped by Doctor Zhang's to pick up a bottle of herbal pills, which were now in the pocket of Mu Chenze's old shirt.

Before Mu Chenze could reply, Chu Xuan had already found the bottle, poured out three pills, and handed them to him.

The enamel mug still held warm water, probably prepared by Qin Mahua before he got home.

She handed him the mug.

Mu Chenze took it and happily swallowed the medicine.

The pills were bitter, but his heart was sweet.

From this experience, Mu Chenze learned something important:

Chu Xuan couldn't bear to see him hurt, and she couldn't stand hearing him complain about pain.

As long as he said he was in pain, she would drop everything and put him first.

Where else could he find such a wonderful wife?

He had to cherish her.

Two minutes later, Mu Chenze walked into the main room holding Chu Xuan's hand.

The whole Mu family was there.

There was no need for an announcement—everyone could tell that Chu Xuan had agreed to date Xiao Ze.

They all started clapping in approval.

Still, Mu Chenze made it official: ""Dad, Mom, Big Brother, Sister-in-law, today Xiao Xuan agreed to be my girlfriend. Mom, please pick an engagement date soon.""

Qin Mahua beamed with joy. ""Alright! I'll find someone to check the calendar first thing tomorrow. You two should have gotten engaged ages ago!""

Applause broke out again in the main room.

Mu Qinlao and Mu Chenfu grinned from ear to ear.

Fu Qing covered her mouth, giggling.

Chu Xuan and Mu Chenze looked at each other, both blushing and smiling shyly.

Now that Chu Xuan had agreed to date Mu Chenze, getting engaged was just a matter of time. She was happy to listen to Aunt Qin and politely greeted everyone, ""Uncle, Aunt, Big Brother, Sister-in-law...""

They all responded warmly, followed by another round of laughter.

Qin Mahua went to her bedroom, brought out a gift she had prepared in advance, and returned to the main room.

""Today is the first time Xiao Xuan is here as Xiao Ze's girlfriend. I don't have much to give, but here's a silver bracelet for you.""

The bracelet was engraved with a beautiful pattern and the character ""Ze.""

Fu Qing genuinely liked her mother-in-law. She treated everyone equally. When Fu Qing first came to the house, she also received a silver bracelet, but with the character ""Fu"" on it.

Chu Xuan happily accepted the bracelet and put it on her right wrist.

She wore a watch on her left, and wearing both would scratch them.

She knew Fu Qing had one too.

In her past life, Qin Mahua had also given her a silver bracelet, but she sold it. When Qin Mahua found out, she was furious.

This time, Chu Xuan would treasure it.

She thanked Aunt Qin with a bright smile, feeling a bit embarrassed for not bringing gifts for everyone. She quickly added, ""I'll bring gifts for the family another day.""

Fu Qing smiled and said, ""No rush, just bring them on the engagement day. That's what I did. Today, Chenfu, Dad, and I didn't have time to prepare a welcome gift for you either. We'll make it up then.""

Chu Xuan knew her sister-in-law was helping her save money.

Here, it was customary to give gifts to the in-laws at the engagement.

If you gave them early, you had to give another set at the engagement.

She was happy to spend money on Mu Chenze's family, but since her sister-in-law waited until the engagement, she would do the same. In the future, she would follow her sister-in-law's lead in family matters.

In her past life, she had often embarrassed her sister-in-law. This time, she would respect her.

""Thank you for the reminder, Sister-in-law!""

Fu Qing waved her hand, saying there was no need to thank her.

Qin Mahua slapped her thighs. ""I was so happy, I forgot to ask if Xiao Xuan and Xiao Ze have had dinner.""

Mu Chenze put on a pitiful face. ""Mom, how could you forget? We haven't eaten yet.""

Qin Mahua grinned and pointed to the kitchen. ""I'll cook right away! Tonight, everyone will eat with Xiao Ze and Xiao Xuan!""

Fu Qing was happy to help—after all, it meant a good meal. ""I'll go wash the vegetables and clean the fish.""

Qin Mahua reminded her, ""Xiao Xuan is taking herbal medicine, so she can't have seafood. Let's make some meat dishes instead?""

Mu Chenze chimed in, ""She can eat today. She doesn't need to take the medicine for the next few days.""

Qin Mahua smiled knowingly. ""Great! Then we'll have both meat and seafood.""

Chu Xuan quickly said, ""Aunt Qin, just a bowl of handmade noodles is fine. Don't go to too much trouble.""

Qin Mahua replied warmly, ""No way. It's your first time here as Xiao Ze's girlfriend—I have to serve good food and wine. That's what I did for your sister-in-law, too. I treat everyone equally, that's what makes me feel good.""

There was a fridge at home, stocked with pork belly and seafood—plenty for a feast.

Chu Xuan knew ""treating everyone equally"" was just an excuse; it was really because she valued her.

""I'll go help in the kitchen,"" Chu Xuan said, getting up.

But Qin Mahua and Fu Qing stopped her, telling her to stay and talk with Mu Chenze.

Qin Mahua assigned Mu Qinlao and Mu Chenfu their tasks—one to kill and pluck the chicken, the other to light the fire.

Unable to argue, Chu Xuan had to return to Mu Chenze's side.

The job Qin Mahua gave them was to chat.

Mu Chenze offered to peel her an apple, but she thought of his injury and quickly took the apple and knife from him. ""I'll do it! By the way, how did you know I haven't taken herbal medicine these past few days?"""