Chapter 12: Youth Should Be Full of Vitality

After dinner, Xu Muzhou chatted briefly with Father Xiao before getting ready to leave.

Mother Xiao said to her son, “Go see Xiao Xu out.”

“Alright.”

Xiao Huaishu wasn’t slow by now, he had a feeling there were some things he should make clear with his good friend.

He put on his military coat, adjusted his hat, and put his arm around Xu Muzhou’s shoulder as they headed out.

“Just look at how care free he acts. There’s no stability in him,” Mother Xiao muttered.

“Having a bit of energy in young people is a good thing,” Father Xiao replied.

“He’s got too much energy, if you ask me! Why can’t he bring back a daughter in law with all that spirit?”

Their son was already 23 at this age, some people’s kids were even old enough to run errands!

Since Mother Xiao didn’t work, her daily routine revolved around taking care of the family, and she sincerely wished her son would settle down and give her a grandchild, a boy or a girl.

“It’s the era of free love now don’t stress over it. When he gets older, he’ll feel the pressure.”

“There aren’t that many eligible young ladies around here, you know. I just don’t want him to end up single!”

“If he can’t find someone here, he can look outside. Don’t limit your vision to one spot it’ll strain your eyes.”

Xiao Qingru gave a thumbs-up, “Dad, you nailed it. Eyes shouldn’t just be focused on one place.”

“Is that sage advice? Hurry up and write it down.”

Mother Xiao shook her head helplessly. “Stop joking.”

She stood by the door for a while before heading back to sit in the living room. “I think Xiao is a good match for our son. She’s good friends with Qingru, so we’d all get along well as a family.”

“Mom, don’t try to play matchmaker. She doesn’t like my brother.”

“Feelings can grow over time.”

“She already likes someone else.”

With her ideal daughter in law out of the picture, Mother Xiao looked at her son with even more disdain. He wasn’t bad looking, so why didn’t he attract any girls?

It had to be his mouth he talked too much!

She sighed and dropped the daughter in law topic.

“Xu Muzhou really is a good young man, so thoughtful in his actions and words. Look at all these things he brought.”

“It’s hard for him to save up these ration tickets these things aren’t easy to buy. He must’ve gone all over the place. Let’s invite him over for a few more meals.”

Xiao Qingru, sitting on the couch reading a newspaper, chimed in, “That’d be doing him a disservice.”

“Hey, you girl! What’s wrong with me inviting him to dinner?”

“Well, you see how polite he is. I remember he brought things last time too. If you invite him over too often, you’ll end up emptying his pockets.”

Father Xiao pointed his finger at his daughter, momentarily at a loss for words.

“I think Qingru has a point. Next time we have something nice, let our son take a portion to him.”

“So it’s my fault now?”

In all seriousness, Xiao Qingru replied, “Comrade Xiao, your intentions are good, but your approach needs a bit of adjustment.”

“Dear, look at our daughter! She’s even giving me advice now.”

“And isn’t she right?”

“Fine, fine, you’re all right.” Comrade Xiao looked defeated.

But inwardly, he had to admit that women’s thoughts are more thorough than men’s.

He cast an approving look at his daughter. People with clear minds would do well no matter where they went. They wouldn’t fall apart easily, so he and his wife could rest easy.

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Meanwhile, Xu Muzhou asked Xiao Huaishu, “What did you want to say? You’re not usually this hesitant.”

Xiao Huaishu stopped and asked, “Do you like our Qingru?”

“Yes, I like her.”

At the mention of Xiao Qingru, Xu Muzhou’s sharp eyes softened, melting into a gentler gaze that seemed to flow with a hint of warmth.

“From the first time I saw her, I liked her.”

Xiao Huaishu’s eyes widened. “Are you even human? Back then, she was already engaged!”

“She’s not engaged anymore.”

When the girl he liked was engaged to another man, he had no choice but to suppress his feelings.

Sometimes, being a step behind could mean missing out for life.

Originally, he thought he and Xiao Qingru were not meant to be. But then, unexpectedly, she ended her engagement with Jiang Chuan.

Xu Muzhou felt like fate had given him a second chance.

“Are you serious?”

“Since when was I not?”

Xiao Huaishu’s face turned serious. “You should know that her last relationship hurt my little sister a lot.”

Xu Muzhou’s gaze drifted to a nearby tree. “I know, which is why I want to treat her even better.”

“Alright, I trust you.”

Before Xu Muzhou could say thanks, Xiao Huaishu’s fist met his stomach. “That punch was for myself. I took you to see her performance in good faith, and you went and fell for her.”

Even though he’d been hit, Xu Muzhou laughed, “Rightfully so, big brother in law.”

“Get lost! Who’s your brother in law? It’s not set in stone yet!”

“I’ll work hard to make it happen.”

Xiao Huaishu gritted his teeth. “Is that what I meant?”

“If Qingru likes me too, I’d never let her get hurt again.”

“Watch your words. Is Qingru someone you can casually call by name? From now on, address her as Comrade Xiao!”

Xiao Huaishu was about to say that his sister preferred refined men. Just look at Xu Muzhou big, tall, and rough not at all her type.

With business settled, Xu Muzhou reminded him, “Let’s keep this between us. I don’t want her feeling pressured.”

For some reason, Xiao Huaishu suddenly found his buddy quite annoying, even though they’d once spent every day together.

“Don’t worry, I won’t help you.”

As long as he didn’t stand in the way, Xu Muzhou would be grateful.

With a smile, Xu Muzhou said, “Alright, I’ll be heading back.”

He waved to Xiao Huaishu before jogging back to the dormitory.

The weather was freezing, but his heart felt ablaze, filling him with a determined energy.

This time, he wasn’t going to let another man steal the girl he liked.