Chapter 246: 246: Being Stiff and Awkward (Thanks for the tips and monthly pass, haha)
Mu Bai also felt that her great-aunt’s taste was good, otherwise how could she have such a discerning eye to pick her great-uncle? Handsome, excellent, and devoted—it couldn’t get any better.
Lu Mingchen felt both relieved and somewhat uncomfortable in his heart: "You mean, as long as Sister-in-law Jiang agrees, you’ll date him?"
"Exactly, my great-aunt’s taste is so good, she would never harm me. Plus, don’t you think Qiao Zhichuan is very handsome?"
Qiao Zhichuan has foreign blood, dark eyes, high nose, and sharply defined features. Honestly, he’s quite handsome, with an exotic charm.
To be honest, Mu Bai was quite amazed the first time she saw him. But she’s no longer an eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl who would rush ahead just because someone is good-looking.
Besides, doesn’t her family already have the most handsome great-uncle in the entire universe?
Seeing him every day, her standards have become pretty high. Not only must he be as handsome as her great-uncle, but he must also be as devoted.
"Xiao Bai, you also said before that you’d focus on work and avoid romance for the next year or two." Lu Mingchen took a deep breath and said.
"Do you think I don’t know there’s a saying in this world: plans can’t keep up with changes?" Murong said lazily, not really wanting to discuss this with him anymore. After all, she was just giving her manager a heads-up about her recent emotional developments to prevent him from being caught off guard and blaming her for it later.
"Xiao Bai..."
Lu Mingchen wanted to say something, but unfortunately, Murong no longer wanted to talk to him: "Alright, Brother Lu, I’m just giving you a heads up. Whether I date or not is up to me. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now?"
"Wait."
Before he could finish, the call was hung up.
A breath was stuck in Lu Mingchen’s chest, feeling a bit uncomfortable. Didn’t she say she wouldn’t date? Didn’t she say she wasn’t interested in anyone? Why is she talking about dating now?
Jiang Nuo was unaware of Lu Mingchen’s situation. He carried a large pile of gift boxes into the Mu family old house. As soon as he entered the main gate, someone saw him and quickly came over to help with the stuff.
"Great-uncle, you’re back? Why did you buy so many things? They’re gifts for great-aunt, right? Here, let me help you carry them!"
"Yes, yes, we’ll all help you. It’s too tiring for you to carry them all by yourself!"
"Great-uncle, filming is hard work, isn’t it?"
...
Jiang Nuo felt a bit uneasy.
He always knew that thanks to Mu Qiuniang, he held a particularly high rank in the Mu family. But whenever a group of elderly people, older than him with gray hair and beards, enthusiastically ran up to "serve" him, he always felt a bit strange.
"No! No need, really no need..."
Unfortunately, his refusals were weak at best, and this group of elderly folk wasn’t about to miss the rare opportunity to curry favor with the great-uncle. If they couldn’t win over the great-aunt, then cheering up the great-uncle was just as good.
They had lived most of their lives and knew a good, respectful young man when they saw one. If they genuinely treated him well, he would surely repay them. Just like the great-aunt, he was a good kid!
Kids with such simple and sincere hearts aren’t common these days!
Jiang Nuo, half-pushing and half-refusing, was led by the elderly folks into Mu Qiuniang’s courtyard.
"Great-aunt, great-uncle is back and brought lots of gifts!"
"Yes, yes, come out quickly and see, there are really lots of gifts. Great-uncle is so thoughtful!"
...
Upon hearing the commotion, Mu Mingyu came out from the house and couldn’t help but say with some exasperation: "Third Uncle, Fourth Grandma, why aren’t you asleep yet at this late hour?"
"Can’t sleep, can’t sleep," the elderly man called Third Uncle waved his hand dismissively, "now that we’re old, we don’t sleep as well as you young ones. Walking around at night helps us sleep better."
"Didn’t great-aunt make you some health wine last time? Drinking a glass before bed helps with sleep..."
Another old man immediately chimed in: "That wine is good. I drink it and fall asleep right away—one kick and I’m out until morning, it’s comfortable."
"You’re comfortable all right. The way you snore, I can’t sleep in the middle of the night," his wife patted his hand with a laugh.
"What? I told you to drink it and you didn’t. Who can you blame?"
"Yes, yes, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have felt bad for you and kept all the wine for you, afraid you wouldn’t sleep well... I should have drunk it all, not leaving you a drop."
Meanwhile, Mu Qiuniang had already come out of her study to join them, carried on a breeze of the evening. Wearing a pastel pink han-style long dress, she was graceful and elegant, like clouds gliding effortlessly, adding a touch of color to the dark night and offering a visual delight.
"Back home?"
"Yeah! Isn’t today the premiere of ’With Quietness’? I wanted to come back to watch it with you." Jiang Nuo grinned, both silly and cute.
These few simple words brought a wave of happiness to the elderly group, their hearts warming as they watched him with smiles.
Fourth Grandma happily held her husband’s hand, whispering, "Doesn’t it remind you of our younger days?"
Her husband happily replied, "Yes, it does!"
Zhan Jingshu, who had been meditating inside, came out to greet the Mu family elders, and they praised him for his politeness, calling him a nice child.
"It’s thanks to my master’s teaching!" Zhan Jingshu replied modestly.
"Hahahaha... Your master is a truly skilled person, you should indeed learn well from your master. Regardless of how much of your master’s skills you acquire in the future, remember it’s all your ability. Just don’t forget your roots or to be grateful. In one’s lifetime, everything can be forgotten, but gratitude should never be."
"You’re absolutely right, Third Grandpa. If a person forgets gratitude, he’s not even human!"
"Whether it’s right or wrong, as long as you understand it in your heart, that’s enough."
This group of elders also knew it was needless worrying. Such an exceptional person as the great-aunt had even better discernment than they did. How could she misjudge someone? Since she accepted him as a disciple, there’d be nothing wrong with him.
But still, the older they got, the more they liked to fuss; and when they saw someone younger, they couldn’t help but show a little concern.
Even though Zhan Jingshu didn’t have the Mu surname, he was considered a Mu family child by virtue of being the great-aunt’s disciple. Thus, they’d care for, manage, and discipline him as if he were one of their own.
"We old folks love to meddle as we age; just don’t mind us too much."
"Not at all, Fourth Grandpa, I know you have my best interests at heart," Zhan Jingshu replied with genuine warmth. For elderly folks, it’s normal to nag a bit. Listening to them was enough without needing to argue over it.
After all, these elders truly meant no harm!