Chapter 158 (3/3): Could This Be a Meet-the-Parents Situation?

“What, do I not look like her mom?” Zhao Rongrong asked.

Chen Xiaoyan shook her head quickly. “Auntie, you and Qingxue look so much alike—definitely mother and daughter.”

“Auntie?” Zhao Rongrong’s face turned cold.

Startled, Chen Xiaoyan changed her words, “No, no, elder sister!”

Good grief, this family is a bunch of eccentrics. If they want to act, they should just do Sichuan opera.

“Alright, Mom, if you scare Xiaoyan away, I’ll be mad,” Mu Qingxue said, clearly displeased.

Zhao Rongrong instantly broke into a smile.

“Mom’s just teasing your friend, no other reason.”

Mu Qingxue rolled her eyes and took Chen Xiaoyan’s hand.

“Xiaoyan, ignore my mom. Don’t mind her age—she’s really childish.”

“Is that so?” Chen Xiaoyan scratched her cheek awkwardly.

“Hey, Xiaoxue, do you always badmouth your mom in front of outsiders?”

“I’m just being honest. Ask Dad if you don’t believe me.”

Mu Rongchang immediately held up his laptop to shield his face.

“Ahem, so much to do today—still not finished, what a pain.”

Mu Qingxue led Chen Xiaoyan to him, closing his laptop.

“I heard from Sister Gu you’ve been overworking yourself lately?”

Both adults blushed at this.

“Ahem, well, I didn’t mean to,” Mu Rongchang glanced at Zhao Rongrong, only to get glared at.

Dog man, you enjoy it in bed but complain afterward?

“Anyway, Sister Gu said, if you don’t want to age fast, keep this up.”

“Got it.”

“Mm.”

“This is Xiaoyan, my friend from the game,” Mu Qingxue said, giving her father a signal.

He caught on at once.

But seeing the nervous girl before him, even the iron-willed Mu Rongchang was taken aback.

She gave off a peculiar aura, both familiar and comforting.

“Darling.”

“Yes?” Mu Rongchang replied automatically, snapping back to reality.

Catching his wife’s gentle smile, he shivered.

Uh-oh, I’m doomed tonight.

“Why are you staring at Xiaoxue’s friend for so long?”

“Was I? She just reminded me of someone, that’s all.”

“First love, perhaps?”

“Of course not.”

“I don’t believe you. Come to the room and explain.”

So, eyeing other girls, are we? I’ll drain you dry tonight and see if you still have the energy.

Mu Rongchang quickly faked a cough, solemnly asking, “Dear, our daughter’s friend is here—isn’t she more important than chasing some non-existent affair?”

Zhao Rongrong gave him a glare, letting him off the hook.

Relieved, Mu Rongchang smiled.

But just as he relaxed, a sweet voice cooed, “Alright then, Rongrong will wait for Chang-ge in the room~” Blowing him a kiss, Zhao Rongrong left.

Mu Rongchang slapped his forehead in regret.

Damn, got cocky too soon.

What’s meant to come will come—no escaping it.

Time to focus on the girl at hand.

He turned his gaze back to Chen Xiaoyan, surprised again.

No matter how many times he looked, there was something unique about her.

Reminded him of his mother back home.

What kind of family could raise a daughter like this?

“Take a seat.”

Mu Qingxue and Chen Xiaoyan sat opposite him.

“Your name is Xiaoyan?”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“No need to be nervous, treat me as family,” Mu Rongchang comforted.

Chen Xiaoyan didn’t respond much.

But Mu Qingxue was delighted—she was happy with her father’s approach.

“Let me introduce myself: I’m Xiaoxue’s father, Mu Rongchang, Chairman of Mu Corporation. That was my wife, Zhao Rongrong—Xiaoxue’s mother. You can call her Rongrong-jie, not Aunt or Ma’am—she hates that.”

“Okay,” Chen Xiaoyan nodded.

“Your turn. Aren’t you going to introduce yourself?”

“Uh… Chen Xiaoyan, just an ordinary person.”

“Haha, you’re funny. What do you mean, ‘ordinary’? Am I not ordinary too?” Mu Rongchang laughed.

“How could Uncle be ordinary? Ordinary people can’t build Mu Corporation!”

“So you know us?”

“I just looked you up on my phone.”

Mentioning her phone, Chen Xiaoyan instinctively checked her waist, then closed her eyes in despair.

Damn! I left my phone in the car again?

Should’ve given it to Qiu Xue for safekeeping.

“Looking for this?” Mu Qingxue’s voice brought her back. She looked up to see her own Mi-brand phone.

Taking it, she asked in surprise, “Qingxue, why do you have my phone?”

Mu Qingxue smiled, “You were so busy admiring the villas, you dropped it by the mat and didn’t notice.”

“Ah… that’s embarrassing.”

“Want a purse? I’ve got lots for just a hundred bucks each.”

“What do I need a purse for? No thanks.”

“If you keep losing your phone, how will I reach you?”

“Blame your pocketless design! I have to hold it in my hand, and I don’t even wear your clothes every day.”

“Fine, fine. I bought too many anyway—no one wants them, might as well throw them out.”

“Wait, a hundred? Are they any good at that price?”

Mu Qingxue giggled, “Are you dumb? I said special offer. Original price is much more.”

“How big a discount is that?”

“Bone-breaking discount.”

“Eh?”

Mu Rongchang watched the two chat quietly.

He felt gratified—his daughter finally had a friend to talk to.

And from their conversation, he could tell this Xiaoyan girl was different from all the others.

In the past, those girls would light up at the mention of bags or jewelry, desperate to take everything.

But this one? If he wasn’t mistaken, she seemed a bit annoyed.

“Xiaoxue, show Xiaoyan around. I’m tired and going to bed.”

Mu Qingxue was startled. She knew what this meant.

It meant Xiaoyan had passed the parental test—they were leaving everything up to her now.

“Dad, are you sure? No regrets later?”

Mu Rongchang chuckled.

“Do I need reminding? My word is my bond—I won’t change it.”

Mu Qingxue beamed. “Thank you, Dad!”

Mu Rongchang waved and left, looking forlorn, like a warrior off to certain doom.

Chen Xiaoyan watched the father-daughter exchange in confusion.

Why did she feel like she’d just been sold off?

“Dad,” Mu Qingxue called after him.

“What now? I said I won’t change my mind. Why don’t you trust me?” Mu Rongchang turned back, annoyed.

“No, Dad, I just wanted to ask if there’s enough goji berries at home. Should I have Lingling buy a dozen more bags?”

Mu Rongchang’s face went black as charcoal. He turned and left without hesitation.

They say daughters are a father’s soulmate from a past life, their caring little jackets in this one.

Bah, more like a black-hearted jacket.

Seeing this, Chen Xiaoyan wanted to give Mu Qingxue a thumbs up.

Mu Qingxue led Chen Xiaoyan to her bedroom.

The simple blue décor, potted plants and furniture—nothing like a rich girl’s boudoir.

“Xiaoyan, sit wherever you like. Make yourself at home.”

They put on cute Bubu Bear slippers. As soon as they entered, Chen Xiaoyan smelled a strong plum blossom fragrance, like bathing in a sea of flowers.

A closer look—several pots of plum blossoms on the balcony.

“The scent is too strong. One or two pots are enough. Plums smell nice, but too much isn’t good.”

“Alright, I’ll move some down tomorrow.”

“Let’s sit on the sofa. Do you want anything to drink?”

Chen Xiaoyan shook her head.

She’d almost gone a whole day without a bathroom break—her bladder was at the limit. There was no way she’d want more to drink.

Emmm.

Not that she didn’t want to go, she just didn’t dare.

Neither the men’s nor women’s restroom was safe for her right now—too risky, so she’d held it in all this time.

If only she’d drunk less orange juice and milk at dinner.

Blame Qingxue for constantly pouring her milk.

“Qingxue, it’s getting late. I should head home.”

Mu Qingxue managed a smile, sitting beside her.

“Xiaoyan, you don’t want to be with me?”

“It’s not that. I just need to get up early for the game tomorrow, so I want to rest tonight.”

“Alright, I’ll have Qiu Xue book you the next flight to Qingzhou.” With that, Mu Qingxue sent a text to Qiu Xue.

“Thanks.”

“Xiaoyan, don’t thank me anymore. It feels distant.”

“Okay, I promise I won’t,” Chen Xiaoyan raised her hand solemnly.

“Pfft~” Mu Qingxue covered her mouth, “Don’t look so serious—it’s funny!”

“Beep beep.” Mu Qingxue’s phone rang.

She looked down, “The flight’s in an hour. Fifteen minutes to the airport. We have forty minutes to hang out.”

An hour?

Chen Xiaoyan grimaced.

Damn, another hour to hold it in.

“What’s wrong? Why the sour face?”

“Nothing, just wish I could fly straight home now.”

“What’s so urgent?”

“Nothing, just want to sleep right away.”

“Go lie down on my bed. I’ll wake you when it’s time.”

Chen Xiaoyan glanced at the inner room, tempted but shook her head.

“No, it’s my first time in your room. I’d be too nervous to sleep.”

“You won’t know until you try. Come on.”

Mu Qingxue dragged her to the bed and turned on the light.

“Lie down, just try it.”

Chen Xiaoyan shook her head wildly.

“No, I won’t fall asleep.”

“How would you know if you don’t try? Or… do you dislike my bed?”

“No!”

“Then lie down.” Mu Qingxue pressed Chen Xiaoyan onto the bed by the shoulders.

Then both of them froze.

The night in Central State was a bit chilly. The breeze stirred the curtains and carried the plum fragrance through the room, brushing their restless hearts.

Their eyes locked quietly, clear and deep.

The air grew heavy with ambiguity.

“Xiaoyan, you smell so nice,” Mu Qingxue suddenly joked, shattering the mood.

“Uh…” Chen Xiaoyan was speechless.

Mu Qingxue sniffed her again, “Smells a bit like peach blossoms.”

“Qingxue, maybe you should let go of me before saying that?”

Seeing Chen Xiaoyan’s exasperated face, Mu Qingxue released her and sat up.

Chen Xiaoyan quickly bolted to the sofa outside.

Her face was flushed, heart pounding, adrenaline surging.

That face so close, the setting… she almost lost control.

Luckily, Qingxue ruined the mood, or she might really have blown her cover.

If she made a move on Mu Qingxue here, she’d be exposed for sure.

And this was her house—no chance of escape.

Inside, Mu Qingxue watched as Chen Xiaoyan scrambled away and curved her lips into a smile.

She’d clearly seen the blush on Chen Xiaoyan’s face just now.

Obvious—she was shy.

That also proved Xiaoyan wasn’t completely indifferent to girls.

That’s good.

Mu Qingxue grinned slyly.

If she had no feelings for girls, that’d be tough to handle.

But if she did, things would be much simpler.

“Qingxue, how much longer till we leave?”

Faced with Chen Xiaoyan’s question, Mu Qingxue smirked and walked over.

Sitting beside her, she replied flirtatiously, “What’s the rush? We’ve got time.”

“……” Chen Xiaoyan froze, staring at her in shock.

What’s up with this girl?

Why does her voice suddenly sound different?

“Qingxue, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. What’s wrong?”

Chen Xiaoyan shook her head and swallowed, deciding not to look at her.

Watching her fidget, Mu Qingxue couldn’t help but laugh.

She suddenly felt like teasing her.

So Mu Qingxue leaned on Chen Xiaoyan’s shoulder, breathing softly into her ear.

“Eep~” Chen Xiaoyan shivered and clamped her hands over her ears, staring at her in disbelief.

“What are you doing?”

“Xiaoyan, tell me honestly—were you blushing just now?”

“No,” Chen Xiaoyan flatly denied.

Mu Qingxue pouted, poking her cheek and giggling, “Not honest. I saw it all.”

“You’re mistaken.”

“Oh, really? Want to try again?” Mu Qingxue’s gaze suddenly sharpened, full of mischief.

Chen Xiaoyan trembled inside.