Chapter 38: Refusing a Blind Date

After the New Year’s Eve performance, Xiao Qingru went on vacation.

On the first day of the New Year, there was no sleeping in she was up early, practicing her routines.

“Qingru, come down and take a look. Someone delivered something for you, a young man brought it just now.”

Xiao Qingru’s first thought was Xu Muzhou, though he’d just left for Beijing, so it couldn’t have arrived so soon.

She looked at the sender’s information, and it was indeed from Xu Muzhou.

Her heart started racing with excitement, filled with a joyful surprise.

“Mom, I’ll head upstairs first. Call me if there’s anything you need.”

“Go ahead, if anyone comes to pay respects, I’ll call you down.”

“Okay.”

Her mother smiled and shook her head, seeing her daughter so excited, she figured it must be a gift from Xiao Xu. These young people today were adorable like this.

If her daughter was happy, then she was happy.

Leaving that unworthy man behind, her daughter’s career and love life were thriving. She’d even won an award for her performance!

Smiling as she went into the kitchen, she decided to make bone broth for her daughter to ensure her strength for dancing.

In her room upstairs, Xiao Qingru eagerly unwrapped the parcel and found two tapes inside.

Holding them up, she saw they were newly released songs, ones she’d been planning to go to the city to buy after the New Year. Now they were right here in her hands, saving her a trip.

Overjoyed by the thoughtful gift, she quickly found some stationery and wrote a letter to Xu Muzhou. It would probably reach him in Beijing in about two weeks.

When she finished, though, she realized she didn’t have Xu Muzhou’s address, so she put the letter away in her drawer, out of sight.

---

In Beijing.

Xu Muzhou rubbed his warm ears was Qingru thinking about him?

He missed her too, she’d even appeared in his dreams at night.

He wondered how her performance went, and if she’d received his New Year’s gift.

At dinner, his mother asked, “Do you have some free time today?”

“Yes, what do you need me to do?”

“The daughter of Liu, the supervisor at our factory, is about your age and also works there. When you get a chance, go meet her. If it works out, we’ll settle it, and she can come with you on base, so someone can take care of you. Your dad and I would feel more at ease.”

“No, thank you.”

“Ah, you say this every year when you come home! You’re not dating anyone, and you refuse all the introductions. When will you settle down?”

“Who said I’m not dating?”

“Don’t tell me you’re still saying you’re too young…”

His mother stopped mid sentence and exchanged a glance with his father. “What did he just say?”

“I think he said he’s dating someone?”

That was an unexpected response, different from previous years. Both parents looked at Xu Muzhou with wide eyes.

“Are you seeing someone?”

“Not quite.”

The disappointment was clear on their faces they shouldn’t have gotten their hopes up.

“But I do have feelings for a young woman.”

His mother nearly choked. “You’re finally interested in a young woman?”

Xu Muzhou sighed internally. Of course he was normal, he just hadn’t met the right one until now.

“Tell us about her,” his mother prodded eagerly, “After the New Year, your dad and I can take some time off to go with you and propose formally.”

His father nodded. “Yes, they say a man should have a home and a career. Once you get your marriage settled, our duty will be done.”

“Who’s given you that duty?” Xu Muzhou quipped.

Father and mother: “…”

They hadn’t really thought about it.

“Are you trying to get out of telling us? Come on, spill it!”

Xu Muzhou thought he was fast paced, but his parents were even more eager.

Straightening up, he cleared his throat and spoke solemnly. “Her name is Xiao Qingru. She’s a dancer in the art troupe.”

“A Xiao? Could she be related to your friend the one who came to Beijing and had dinner with us that one time?”

“Yes, she’s his sister.”

His father thought for a moment. “If I remember correctly, her family background is notable.”

His mother’s expression shifted as well. They remembered that her family was quite prestigious.

Excitement cooled somewhat. “We work in the factory, but to join such a family…we’re hardly on par.”

It wasn’t a matter of self doubt but of traditional values, marriage was often about matching social status, and the Xiao family was quite elite.

Xu Muzhou remained calm. He knew he couldn’t match Qingru’s family background, which was why he was determined to treat her with the utmost care and to work hard toward his future, creating a path that could support her well.

Loving Qingru whole heartedly was his only strength.

“Mom, Dad, there’s a lot of potential for promotions and career growth in aviation. I’ll make sure Qingru never feels she’s settling or that she’s undervalued.”

His mother gave him a small slap on the back of the head. “That’s for her family to decide, not us!”

“The Xiao family’s good people, and so is Qingru.”

At his words, his parents knew they couldn’t dissuade him anymore. All they could do now was offer their full support.

After all, they couldn’t let their son remain single.

Both of them worked, and they’d managed to save a good amount over the years, even securing a spacious courtyard house in the city.

If this match succeeded, they could welcome in laws with dignity.

“Does she feel the same way?” his mother asked.

“Yes,” he replied, smiling somewhat bashfully.

His mother looked away in exasperation. “So why aren’t you dating yet?”

“She’s still thinking it over.”

“Of course, she would be more cautious, given the difference in family backgrounds.”

“Once everything’s settled, let us know. We’ll prepare the bride price,” his mother said. “Whatever’s customary, let’s be ready to add a bit more. An extra two thousand on top of the usual items three must haves and one soundmaker. Xiao’s family isn’t the usual case.”

Xu Muzhou nodded. “I’ll give you my allowance to help with that.”

“We don’t need it,” his mother replied. “Your father makes 38 yuan a month, I make 25, we can save five hundred a year easily enough. We can manage this bride price.”

Xu Muzhou teased her, “Didn’t you say my allowance would go toward my wedding?”

“Well, you need it to help support your family after you’re married. You can’t expect your wife to do that for you, can you?”

Their only son would have everything one day, there was no need to worry about the details now.

Their priority was to show the Xiao family they were serious, so they would feel comfortable entrusting their daughter to their son.

Over that single meal, the Xu family had already planned the details of the bride price and the wedding.

“Where will the wedding be held?”

“On the base in the Northwest. You should come too to see where I work.”

“Alright, considering the Xiao family’s background, let’s keep it low key. Later, you can bring her home to meet the neighbors properly.”

“Yes, whatever you say.”