Chapter 55: Empty Words (Burst Update 1)

Before Chu Xuan, the person involved, could say anything, Mu Chenze had already spoken up.

“Sorry, ma’am, but I’m not selling these last two shirts anymore!”

This woman had been both disdainful and pushy toward Chu Xuan. He’d rather give the shirts away than sell them to her.

The woman pointed at her own face in disbelief. “Do I really look that old? You’re calling me ‘auntie’? I’m only twenty-six, just got married a couple of years ago, and you’re calling me ‘auntie’?”

Mu Chenze continued packing up the last two shirts as he replied, “That’s right! I’m calling you auntie. If you hadn’t said you were twenty-six, I would’ve thought you were fifty-six.”

“You…”

The woman was so angry she nearly choked.

By the time Mu Chenze and Chu Xuan each picked up their sacks and left, she finally came to her senses and started cursing after them. “You little shirt-selling brat! How dare you call me old! Just you wait—don’t let me catch you again…”

By now, Chu Xuan and Mu Chenze had already left the market.

Chu Xuan naturally knew that Mu Chenze had called the woman “auntie” on purpose to stand up for her.

“Hey, thanks for having my back.”

Mu Chenze looked Chu Xuan up and down. “No problem. If you really want to thank me, lose five pounds every month. That’ll do.”

Chu Xuan smiled, lips pressed together. “I just weighed myself in town today—one hundred ninety-five pounds. I used to be two hundred, so I’ve already lost five pounds.”

Mu Chenze pretended to regret it. “Should’ve asked for ten pounds a month!”

“No way. A gentleman’s word is his bond. You’re a grown man—you can’t go back on your word.”

“Fine, fine. Consider your thanks delivered. To give you extra motivation, I’ll set a prize: if you lose ten pounds this month, I’ll give you a little gift—not worth much, but still a gift.”

Chu Xuan had already planned to lose ten pounds a month anyway. Since it was just a small gift, she didn’t mind. At worst, she’d just treat Mu Chenze to a few more meals in the future. “You promise?”

“Of course.” Mu Chenze’s gaze fell on the sack in Chu Xuan’s hand. “About those shirts you took…”

“They’re basically sold, but I haven’t gotten the money yet. Should be in the next day or two. Sold them at ten yuan each, so that’s two hundred yuan total.”

“I sold mine at twenty-five for two, and managed to sell eighteen shirts for two hundred twenty-five yuan. There are two left—why don’t we each take one and give them away?”

“Great idea. I want to give one to Grandma Gao. What about you, for your mom?”

“Yeah. My mom’s been wanting a Dacron shirt for ages.”

Mu Chenze pulled a shirt from his sack and handed it to Chu Xuan.

Chu Xuan took it, not wanting to take advantage, and pulled ten yuan from her pocket. “Let me buy this one. Selling eighteen shirts for two hundred twenty-five yuan—that’s your skill…”

Before she could finish, Mu Chenze slapped her hand away. “We agreed to split the business fifty-fifty, no matter how much we make. I still owe you twelve fifty. Put your money away, or I’ll get mad!”

Not only did she fail to pay, Mu Chenze insisted on giving her twelve fifty instead. “I always feel like I’m taking advantage of you.”

“You’re not taking advantage of me—you’re making a smart investment. Stick with me in business, and who knows, maybe you’ll really take off.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

In her previous life, Mu Chenze really was a money-making genius.

Otherwise, Chu Xuan wouldn’t have been able to help out her family so much.

Chu Xuan put the money away, feeling a mix of emotions and a flash of guilt in her eyes.

Mu Chenze didn’t notice her expression—he was looking off into the distance.

“Looks like that’s our village’s tractor. You should catch a ride back. I’ve got something to do. When you get home, don’t mention selling shirts—just say we each bought one for our elders.”

Before Chu Xuan could respond, Mu Chenze quickly ducked into an alley.

Chu Xuan didn’t think much of it. If he didn’t want her to say anything, she wouldn’t.

She flagged down the tractor. The driver was Liu Dapeng.

When he saw her, Liu Dapeng automatically braked, moved to the back, and gestured for her to get on.

Chu Xuan thanked him and sat in the driver’s seat.

It was after nine by the time they reached the village entrance.

She handed Liu Dapeng a dime as fare.

Liu Dapeng scratched his head, a little embarrassed, said nothing, and only drove off after watching Chu Xuan leave.

When Chu Xuan got home, everyone was busy with their chores.

Chu Xuan took a shirt from her sack and said softly to Gao Meijuan, “Grandma Gao, I told you I’d show my respect! Here’s a shirt for you. Try it on in my room.”

Gao Meijuan stopped gutting fish and looked over in delight. “Is this Dacron? Oh, you child, this must have cost a lot.”

She’d wanted one for ages, but never managed to buy one.

Chu Xuan just smiled, not mentioning the price.

Gao Meijuan quickly washed and dried her hands, took the shirt, and went to Chu Xuan’s room to try it on.

Qin Mahua looked at the new shirt with envy.

Chu Xuan quickly said, “Aunt Qin, Mu Chenze bought one for you too. He had something to do and didn’t come back with me, but you’ll see it when you go home at noon.”

Qin Mahua beamed. “My son is so thoughtful!”

She started gutting fish even faster, her hands a blur.

Soon, Gao Meijuan came out in her new shirt, looking much younger. Everyone praised how nice she looked.

Miao Dacui was happy for her. “Mom, even though Xiao Xuan calls you ‘grandma’ out of respect, she’s really like another daughter to you!”

“That’s right.”

Gao Meijuan’s eyes grew red. Xiao Xuan had helped her family so much lately.

She wanted to say more, but there was a knock at the door.

Outside, Hua Daling called, “Chu Xuan, are you home?”

Chu Xuan had been waiting for her.

“I’m here. Come in!”

Gao Meijuan, eager to get back to gutting fish, quickly changed back into her old clothes and returned to work in the yard.

Hua Daling glanced around the yard—there were wooden basins and buckets everywhere, all filled with skinned fish. Fish heads were piled in a corner, and countless fish skins hung on the wall…

Qin Mahua guessed Hua Daling was here to ask for work. Remembering her daughter-in-law’s request, she spoke up first, “Xiao Xuan, if you need help, my daughter-in-law can pitch in.”

Chu Xuan replied cheerfully, “Great. If I need help, I’ll call Sister Fuqing first.”

Hearing this, Hua Daling felt awkward about asking for a job. “I’m not here for anything special, just wanted to apologize in person. I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have hidden the fact that your dad isn’t Feng Chunhua’s biological son. But it’s not all my fault—Feng Chunhua threatened me. She said if I told, she’d take back the grain she gave my family. I couldn’t pay her back, so I kept quiet.”

Chu Xuan smiled calmly. “Aunt Hua, I forgive you. After all, you told the truth to the authorities. I should be thanking you.”

Hua Daling hadn’t expected Chu Xuan to forgive her so easily. “No need to thank me! You saying that makes me want to crawl into a hole. Xiao Xuan, you’re so capable—you’re bound to have a bright future. Cutting ties with Feng Chunhua is for the best, so you won’t be dragged down by her family later.”

Chu Xuan suddenly picked up on something—Hua Daling really seemed to know more.

She wanted to ask, but couldn’t seem too eager.

“Aunt Hua, if I ever need more help, would you mind coming over? I pay one cent per pound of skinned fish, according to my standards.”

Dangle the carrot in front of the donkey, and it’ll move.

Hua Daling nodded eagerly. “I don’t mind! I’d be happy to! If you need help, just call me. I’ll get going now.”

“I’ll walk you out.”

Chu Xuan not only walked Hua Daling to the door, but even a few steps further before speaking again. “Aunt Hua, I heard Feng Chunhua’s family has been having all sorts of trouble since the split, huh?”"