“Long hair?” Shuai Chang thought of the man from Mu Baichun’s birthday party.
“Hmm, Teacher Nan, do you know him?”
Shuai Chang smiled slightly, “There are some things I might have forgotten to tell you.” He recounted what had happened at Mu Baichun’s villa that day.
Mu Cheng Guang’s eyes widened with excitement: “Teacher Nan, you’re really amazing! Thanks to you, I don’t have to deal with Mu Baichun’s schemes.”
“You don’t know, that long-haired pretty boy is the son of the chairman of the Nian Group, his name is Nian Xin. He and our Mu family are quite a match. Not long ago, Chairman Nian personally brought Nian Xin to our home to propose, saying that Nian Xin and Mu Baichun are in a relationship and already intimate, so why not arrange for the two kids to get married soon? I happened to be at home reporting to my dad when I stumbled upon this dramatic scene. You have no idea how pale Mu Baichun’s face was. My brother Mu Songtao, who loves to put on a show, couldn’t help but flush with anger.”
Shuai Chang asked curiously, “What was the outcome? Did your dad agree?”
“He did! It’s such a great opportunity since the Mu family is collaborating on a project with the Nian family. Their marriage would be the best choice. My dad has always prioritized benefits; even though Mu Baichun is his pride, nothing would shake his pursuit of money.”
Shuai Chang said, “Did I mention that Mu Baichun is a zero?”
“No!” Mu Cheng Guang’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Ha ha, Teacher Nan, what do you call this? When two zeros meet, one must become a top? Unless Mu Baichun gets divorced, he will either be alone for the rest of his life or force himself to be a one. But as long as my dad is alive, he definitely wouldn’t dare to divorce.” One could imagine the miserable life awaiting Mu Baichun after marriage.
On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, Shuai Chang took a few changes of clothes and, together with Mu Cheng Guang, set off on the road back to the village.
Mu Cheng Guang had investigated Nan Yu while chasing after someone and knew that Nan Yuan village was genuinely poor. He had initially thought they would need to take a tractor to get into the village, but to his surprise, the dark asphalt road ahead was shining brightly; driving on it felt completely smooth.
“Teacher Nan, this can’t be a road you donated money to repair, right?” Mu Cheng Guang glanced at the driver and whispered beside Shuai Chang’s ear.
Shuai Chang felt his ears redden sensitively; Mu Cheng Guang’s warm breath lingered. “Driver Li is not a stranger; you don’t need to speak in whispers with me.”
Li Cheng was the driver hired by Nan Yu. He was a retired soldier with a steady personality, having served as a special forces soldier skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Besides being Nan Yu’s exclusive driver, Li Cheng had another identity: a part-time bodyguard.
After retiring, Li Cheng received professional training from a bodyguard company and signed a confidentiality agreement. His professional ethics were high, and he wouldn’t leak clients’ information.
Since he entrusted his life and safety to Li Cheng, there was no need to worry about small secrets—like his background or his relationship with Mu Cheng Guang.
“Oh.” Mu Cheng Guang chuckled: “Then I’ll just ask louder: Teacher Nan, did you donate money to repair this asphalt road?”
Li Cheng remained quiet while driving, not even glancing back.
Shuai Chang helplessly turned Mu Cheng Guang’s little head back to face him: “When you ask me, look at me. Don’t distract Driver Li while he’s driving.”
“Alright, alright, I understand. Teacher Nan, hurry up and answer my question.” Mu Cheng Guang pouted.
“It was me who donated to repair it; you’re really quite the clever one.” Shuai Chang reached out to gently scratch Mu Cheng Guang’s nose. “Just so you know, Teacher Nan has many relatives; when we enter the village, stick close to me and don’t get lost.”
“Don’t worry, Teacher Nan, I’ll definitely hold your hand tightly.” Mu Cheng Guang said confidently.
Before they even reached the village, Mu Cheng Guang was stunned by the scene before him: the sound of drums and fireworks filled the air, with men and women of all ages wearing large red flowers. The vehicle slowly drove into the village, and a crowd followed behind. Mu Cheng Guang, feeling mixed emotions, remarked, “Thank goodness Driver Li has great driving skills; what if he accidentally hit someone? That would be too dangerous.”
“Now you see how good Driver Li is?”
“I know, I know, Driver Li, I’m cheering for you!”
The car stopped in front of a white gate. “We’re here.”
Confirming that this was Nan Yu’s home, Mu Cheng Guang hurriedly pulled Shuai Chang into the house before the crowd could catch up.
Little did he know, there would be a huge surprise waiting for him inside.
In the large living room, two elderly people with graying hair and weathered faces sat on the sofa, surrounded by eight women in their thirties or forties and an uncountable number of children ranging from a few to twenty-something years old.
Mu Cheng Guang: “…”
Mu Cheng Guang was at a loss for words!
He looked at Shuai Chang for help. Shuai Chang had anticipated this reaction, smiled slightly, and pulled Mu Cheng Guang to face the two elderly people.
“Mom and Dad, this is Cheng Guang, my partner. I called you last year to tell you that I got married; it’s with Cheng Guang.”
Mom Nan exclaimed “Good, good” while nodding, tears streaming down her face.
Dad Nan’s lips moved, but no sound came out; only tears welled up in his eyes, which he held back from falling.
“Cheng Guang, call them Mom and Dad.” Shuai Chang gently scratched Mu Cheng Guang’s palm.
Mu Cheng Guang blushed and shyly addressed them, “Mom and Dad.”
“Good, good.” The elderly couple could only repeat those words in their excitement. Mom Nan, trembling, pulled out a “red envelope” from her pocket. Although it was called a red envelope, it was not the delicate kind sold in city shops, but rather made of rough red paper shaped like a traditional red envelope.
Shuai Chang encouraged him with a look, and Mu Cheng Guang carefully took it. “Thank you, Mom and Dad.”
Shuai Chang whispered in Mu Cheng Guang’s ear: “Keep it safe; I’ve never received a red envelope in my life, and you received one on your first visit. It’s really impressive.”
Mu Cheng Guang couldn’t help but show his true nature, grinning proudly: “There’s no way; Mom and Dad like me. This must be my charm!”
“Look at how pleased you are! Come, let me introduce you to my eight sisters.”
“This is my eldest sister, Zhao Di.”
Mu Cheng Guang showed a well-behaved smile: “Hello, eldest sister.”
“This is my second sister, Lai Di.”
“Hello, second sister.”