Chapter 229: The Sociable Xu Mo

The two brothers carried a shopping basket as they walked towards the supply store. Xu Mo walked ahead, greeting everyone he saw with his cheerful northeastern accent.

When he saw women, he would call them “Big Sister” or “Auntie,” and when he saw men, he would salute them and say, “Hello, Comrade.”

When people asked who he was, he would proudly say, “I’m the youngest son of Chief Lu and Director Shen.”

Those who knew Uncle Lu and Auntie Lu were confused. Didn’t Chief Lu only have one daughter and one son, both of whom were already married? How could there be such a young son?

Xu Mo would then explain that he was their adopted son from the countryside.

Some of the gossip-loving folks, seeing his age, began to speculate: Did the couple have another child while living in the countryside?

Xu An, embarrassed by how Xu Mo greeted everyone he met, distanced himself and pretended not to know him.

But Xu Mo didn’t care. He happily carried the shopping basket, smiling as he walked ahead.

When Uncle Lu and Auntie Lu got off work, they hurried home. People who knew them teased, “Director Lu, Chief Shen, things are different now that your youngest son is back—you’re not even eating at the canteen anymore!”

Hearing this, they immediately knew that Xu Mo had been out socializing again.

Uncle Lu chuckled, “We’re skipping the canteen today. Our youngest son is already at home, and he’s cooked for us. We’ll be eating a homemade meal.”

The person, surprised by this, asked, “Wait, are you saying you really had another child while living in the countryside?”

At that, the couple couldn’t hold back any longer and burst into laughter.

On the way back, everyone they knew asked if they had really had another son while living in the countryside.

By the time they returned home, their faces were sore from smiling so much.

Xu An was in the kitchen cooking, while their youngest son was lounging on the sofa, propped up on his legs, munching on snacks.

When he saw them return, he shouted into the kitchen, “Second Brother, hurry up! Uncle Lu and Auntie Lu are back from work, and your meal isn’t ready yet!”

He then rushed to the door to welcome them with a big smile, saying, “Chief Lu and Director Shen are home! Come in, come in! Go sit down and relax while I fetch you some water!”

After they embraced him affectionately, Uncle Lu asked with a smile, “Xu Mo, your Auntie Lu said you’re going to make two dishes that we like. Why is it your second brother cooking in the kitchen?”

“Uncle Lu, the two dishes you and Auntie Lu like are ones my brother makes better than I do, so I asked him to do it.”

“He just wants to show his respect for you. As the younger brother, I’ll let him shine this time. Next time, if you want anything else, just let me know, and I’ll make it for you,” Xu Mo said.

Uncle Lu and Auntie Lu laughed again, knowing that Xu Mo was just letting his second brother do the work while he relaxed.

In the kitchen, Xu An heard their conversation and sighed.

After they bought the groceries, Xu Mo had just flopped onto the sofa, refusing to move, claiming he was too tired from walking. He gave Xu An orders to sweep the floor, cook, and prepare all the dishes for him.

Auntie Lu washed her hands and went into the kitchen to help, but Xu An stopped her. “Auntie Lu, you don’t need to help. There’s just one more dish left, and we’ll be able to eat soon.”

“Xu An, you’re working hard,” she said.

“Auntie Lu, it’s just two dishes; it’s nothing to fuss about.”

During dinner, Xu Mo brought up the reasons for their return.

Uncle Lu said, “Your parents must have been called back to work by the school, so you don’t need to worry about that.

“As for your house, there’s no need to confront those shameless people. Just take the property deed and head to the neighborhood office. I’ll be contacting them and the power supply bureau this afternoon, and I will arrange for your Auntie to take you to retrieve your house tomorrow.”

Xu An paused for a moment before responding, “Uncle Lu, both my uncle and aunt have jobs, and we can speak to their supervisors, but my great-grandmother is a difficult person to deal with. I’m worried she might refuse to leave when the time comes.”

The reason he had returned this time was that he feared his parents wouldn’t be able to handle that old woman. It wasn’t that his parents lacked the means; after all, she was technically their mother.

Even though they had severed ties, it wouldn’t be right to act too harshly, especially since his parents had just resumed work. He was concerned about the impact it might have on their reputation.

That old woman was both black-hearted and thick-skinned; she could do anything.

But Xu Mo didn’t care. “Second Brother is just overthinking. We have the severance agreement, so it’s not our problem anymore. Why should she be allowed to stay in our house? When the time comes, we can just find two aunties to kick her out.”

Aunt Lu nodded with a smile and said, “Xu Mo is right. Once your uncle and aunt move out, if that old woman tries to stay, we’ll just hire two strong women to carry her out. She doesn’t care about losing face, so why should we?”

Hearing this made Xu An realize the logic in it. How come he hadn’t thought of these things? He glanced at Xu Mo, appreciating how clever he was. It was a good thing they had brought him along.

After discussing everything, Aunt Lu said to the two of them, “You two shouldn’t go back today. Tomorrow, we’ll go directly to the neighborhood office and then to your uncle’s workplace.”

“Auntie Lu, we have another elder at home. If we don’t return tonight, he’ll worry,” Xu An replied.

When they left, they hadn’t told Uncle Lin that they wouldn’t be coming back, so he would probably think they got lost and would start looking for them.

Xu Mo firmly stated, “Second Brother, you go back. I’ll stay here and keep Auntie Lu and Uncle Lu company. Tomorrow morning, I’ll go with Auntie Lu to find you.”

With that decision made, everyone smiled and nodded in agreement.