Chapter 172: I Call the Shots

October 28, 2023

Author: Zi Tao

Mu Chenze hesitated, wanting to say something, but in the end, he just made a hugging gesture from a distance.

Only then did Chu Xuan remember that she’d promised him last night to take the initiative and give him a hug.

She glanced around. There was no one else nearby.

But in broad daylight, she felt a bit shy.

“I promise I’ll make it up to you once you’ve recovered.”

She thought Mu Chenze would object, and quickly started thinking of ways to persuade him.

Unexpectedly, Mu Chenze agreed right away. “Okay. I’ll wait.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Xuan found herself pulled into an embrace.

“You…”

She was just about to push him away.

He whispered in her ear, “Don’t move. Think about my injury.”

Today’s hug felt different from yesterday’s.

Yesterday, Chu Xuan had been wearing a cut-resistant jacket, which gave him a sense of security.

Today, she felt soft and delicate in his arms.

He even caught a whiff of the milky scent on her.

Chu Xuan didn’t dare struggle, her heart racing, cheeks flushed. “Xiao Feng is at home. Let go of me, quick.”

A few seconds later, Mu Chenze finally released her, looking blissfully happy. “Let’s go! Walk me home.”

Chu Xuan pressed a hand to her chest and glanced into her own yard—thankfully, Xiao Feng hadn’t seen anything.

She quickly closed the gate.

In a low voice, she said, “Mu Chenze, that hug just now counts as me making it up to you.”

Mu Chenze grinned. “That one was me taking the initiative, not you, so it doesn’t count.”

Chu Xuan hadn’t expected him to be so shameless.

In her last life, except for when they slept at night, he’d never taken the initiative to hug her.

But this time around, he was so forward.

She teased, “Am I your girlfriend or not?”

Mu Chenze replied seriously, “Of course you are.”

Chu Xuan strode ahead, saying boldly, “Then you listen to me. What I say goes.”

Mu Chenze put on a pitiful face. “I should listen to you, but I’m an injured patient right now. My wound is starting to hurt again.”

He was using this trick again—it never failed.

Chu Xuan was a bit flustered, concern in her voice. “Did you take your medicine?”

“I did, but it doesn’t help much. Whenever I get upset, it hurts. If you make me happy, my energy will flow and the pain will go away.”

He’d put it that way—Chu Xuan didn’t dare refuse. “Alright. I’ll listen to you. Whatever I owe you, I’ll make it up.”

A few minutes later, as they were walking, they ran into Aunt Hua Daling.

For once, Mu Chenze took the initiative to speak to her. “Aunt Hua, I’m dating Xiao Xuan now. Please help spread the word, so certain people stop eyeing her.”

Chu Xuan facepalmed. Mu Chenze sure knew who to ask—Aunt Hua would definitely get the news out.

Aunt Hua’s face lit up. “Really? That’s wonderful! I always thought you two were a perfect match! I’m just heading to the food factory for my shift—certain people need to know that Xiao Xuan is taken, so they can give up.”

She knew there were several young men at the factory who secretly liked Chu Xuan. They thought she looked great after slimming down, had a good temperament, and—most importantly—could earn money. They’d even discussed the best way to pursue her.

And then there was Liu Dapeng, who’d never given up on Xiao Xuan.

Seeing that Chu Xuan didn’t object, Aunt Hua left with a smile and a wave.

When they arrived at Mu Chenze’s house, Chu Xuan learned that Aunt Qin and Fu Qing weren’t home, and Mu Qinlao and Mu Chenfu had already gone out to sea.

Only she and Mu Chenze were there.

She was about to leave when Mu Chenze grabbed her hand.

“I haven’t had breakfast yet. Will you eat with me? Food doesn’t taste good when I’m alone.”

Lately, Chu Xuan had gotten used to eating after her morning workout.

But for Mu Chenze’s sake, she could make an exception.

“Alright.”

They walked into the kitchen and saw there was millet porridge in the pot and ten big steamed buns still warm on the rack.

After washing her hands, she served two bowls of porridge and a plate of buns.

The two of them sat face-to-face at the small kitchen table.

Mu Chenze took a bite of a bun and glanced at Chu Xuan.

She felt a bit self-conscious. “Is there something on my face? Why do you keep looking at me?”

Mu Chenze chuckled. “You’re pretty. That’s why I’m looking.”

“You never used to say I was pretty. You always said I was ugly, like a man.”

“I only just realized how beautiful you are. Besides, whether you’re pretty or not, I like you. I used to say you looked like a man just to provoke you, hoping you’d grow your hair out. Now it’s finally a bit longer, but not quite to your shoulders. Give it a bit more time—it’ll look even better.”

“I’ll definitely grow it out. Now stop staring and eat, or it’ll get cold and your stomach will hurt.”

“Okay, I’ll listen to you. You eat too. The rest, let’s pack up for Xiao Feng later—they’re lotus root and pork buns, he’ll love them.”

With that, Mu Chenze started eating faster.

Chu Xuan didn’t want to take any with her.

“No, leave them for Aunt Qin and the others.”

Mu Chenze took a sip of porridge and swallowed. “My mom said to give you and Xiao Feng eight buns, and only let me have two. I just wanted to spend some time alone with you, so I insisted you walk me home. You can take the buns with you later.”

Chu Xuan smiled, lips pressed together. “Will two buns be enough for you? You can have mine.”

“It’s enough. My mom’s worried I’ll eat too much and hurt my ribs again.”

“True.”

They each ate two big buns and a bowl of millet porridge.

After eating, Chu Xuan took the initiative to clear the table and quickly washed the dishes.

When she was done, she got ready to leave.

But Mu Chenze stopped her with a smile. “Xiao Xuan, help me back to my room, okay?”

Chu Xuan looked worried. “Is your injury hurting again?”

She hurried to help him into the bedroom.

Mu Chenze took the opportunity to nudge the door shut with his foot.

He hugged Chu Xuan again.

He whispered, “Hugging you feels so good! I’m so happy! My ribs don’t hurt as much now. I think being in love helps with the pain.”

Chu Xuan, mindful of his injury, didn’t dare move.

She let him hold her.

After about a minute, she said softly, “Lie down and rest, okay? If you’re good, I’ll bring you wontons for breakfast tomorrow.”

Thirty seconds later, Mu Chenze finally spoke. “Okay. I’ll be good.”

Reluctantly, he let her go.

Chu Xuan finally saw how clingy Mu Chenze could be. Even after lying down, he found excuses to keep her there for another ten minutes. Only when she promised to come back for dinner did he let her leave.

Before she left, she took two big buns, insisting the remaining four stay on the rack in the kitchen.

Mu Chenze had no choice but to agree.

Ten minutes later, Chu Xuan delivered the buns to her little brother, then went out again for a walk and some exercise.

As she passed by Chu Dashan’s house, she heard a woman’s voice inside.

“Dashan, your wife really got arrested? Aren’t you going to pull some strings to get her out?”

Chu Dashan’s voice came, full of disdain. “Why would I save her? No way! She’s always trying to catch me cheating. If she found out about you, do you think she’d let it go?”

“We’ll just be more careful when we meet from now on. She’s our cash cow—if she’s locked up, who’s going to give you money? If you don’t have money, how will you buy me gifts? For our future, you have to get her out!”

“Want to know why I’m not getting her out?”

“Of course! Tell me!”

“Guess.”

“Do you have a lot of money stashed away?”

“Wrong. I only have a little. Guess again?”"