Volume 1, Chapter 124: Why Is It So Hard to Confess?

"Xiaoyu, I love..."
"Singing this song for you, it has no particular style; it simply represents my wish to bring you happiness..."

Just as Jiang Yu was about to speak these words, a melodious ringtone suddenly pierced the quiet, intimate atmosphere.

In this utterly silent and tender moment, the phone's ring sounded especially jarring.

The young couple, lost in the moment, couldn't help but shudder. Jiang Yu nearly bit his tongue.

Who could be calling at such a late hour? Could they not have some sense of boundaries?

Su Muyu cleared her throat softly, picked up the phone with a hint of embarrassment: "It's my aunt calling."

Aunt? What about Aunt? Does she not know that disturbing a good moment comes at a price?

A surge of fury rushed through Jiang Yu like a tsunami. The perfect mood was completely shattered by this call!

Clenching his teeth, he forced a smile: "It's alright, your aunt's call is important."

Su Muyu smiled playfully as she answered the call.

"Aunt..."

No sooner had she spoken than a gruff voice came through the line: "Xiaoyu, is Jiang Yu by your side? Did the Golden Melody Awards cause me trouble again, with calls coming straight to me?"

Hearing that voice, Jiang Yu looked thoroughly embarrassed.

Su Muyu couldn't help but laugh: "Jiang Yu is right here beside me."

"What? He's right there? Turn on the speaker!"

"Jiang... Yu!!!"

"Well, Aunt..." Jiang Yu rubbed his nose nervously. "Let me explain."

Tonight's events were indeed significant.

He had just pulled back the veil on a hidden disgrace in the music industry.

Essentially, he had trampled on the faces of those capitalists, even grinding them underfoot.

And the song he sang, "Rise," was tantamount to declaring war on them.

It was no surprise they reacted.

"Explain what? Do you even know what time it is? Still with Su Muyu? Are you trying to get into trouble?"

"No, it's them. Um?" Jiang Yu paused. "Aunt, aren't you calling to accuse me?"

On the other end, Su Ling countered: "Why would I accuse you?"

Jiang Yu was stumped by the question: "They didn't pressure you? I really slapped them hard today."

"You knew that, huh?" came a tone of irritation. "Slap away. Those sleazy, greasy old men deserve it. No big deal. Are you scared?"

"What would I be scared of?"

"Good. Now, what I want to know is why you and Su Muyu are still together so late? I'm warning you, young man..."

"Cough cough, Aunt, hey, what did you say? The signal is bad—hello?" Su Muyu abruptly ended the call, even switching off her phone, then looked at Jiang Yu with hopeful eyes.

Jiang Yu was dumbfounded by the entire sequence but couldn't help smiling at Su Muyu’s kitten-like gaze.

This call, though it ruined the romantic mood, also dissolved the tension that had built up moments ago.

Gathering his composure, Jiang Yu took Su Muyu's hand.

A rosy blush painted Su Muyu's cheeks like the glow of dawn.

"Xiaoyu, could you promise me..."

"Ding ding ding!"

The phone rang again.

Curse it!

Jiang Yu let go of her hand, rested his elbows on the table, and buried his head in his hands, running his fingers through his hair.

Why was confessing so difficult?

Su Muyu chuckled, finding his frustration adorable. She glanced at his phone, which displayed the words "Mom."

"It's your mom calling. Why not answer?"

Jiang Yu sighed heavily and took the phone from her.

When the video connected and he saw the youthful face, Jiang Yu’s irritation flared.

"Brother, I saw the Golden Melody Awards. You were so fierce! How did I never notice before?"

"That English song was so cool! I almost jumped out of my seat listening to it."

"The Mandarin Golden Melody Awards, won again by an English song? How disgusting! So annoying, so hateful."

You're the more annoying one!

It was just past midnight on Friday. Jiang Ru must have just finished her evening class, watched the live broadcast at home, learned about the awards ceremony, and promptly called him.

Jiang Ru was biting her molars almost to pieces.

"Jiang... Ru!"

"Check the time, do you know what hour it is?"

On the other end, Jiang Ru glanced at the clock: "Almost midnight. Brother, are you tired? You usually sleep by now. You're only in your twenties; why do you have such an old person's schedule?"

Jiang Yu drew in a breath and exhaled long and slow: "Is Mom with you? Hand the phone to her."

"Huh? I haven’t finished yet. Brother, sitting next to you is Su Muyu. You two look quite close. Could you trick her into becoming my sister-in-law?"

You crazy girl!

Jiang Yu’s face darkened as he glanced at Su Muyu.

Su Muyu blushed but cast him a teasing look, her expression rich with unspoken meaning.

"Alright, alright, let me talk to your brother," came Pan Lanzhi’s voice as the phone was snatched from Jiang Ru’s hand.

Jiang Yu felt tears welling up.

Mom, I love you—I adore you!

A kind face appeared on the screen.

"Xiaoyu, Ru told me you seem to have gotten into some trouble today?"

Jiang Yu smiled: "Mom, don’t listen to that crazy girl. I’m fine. It was just a normal show, part of the program."

"Brother, who are you calling crazy?"

A voice outside the screen interrupted again.

Jiang Yu’s forehead veins bulged as he signaled to Su Muyu, asking to borrow her phone.

Curious, Su Muyu looked over. Jiang Yu opened a shopping app, and seeing the items he added to his cart nearly made her burst out laughing.

After finishing, Jiang Yu’s mouth curved into a slight smirk: "Mom, you don’t need to worry about me. Ru is about to take her college entrance exams; you and Dad need to keep a close eye on her. I’m quite worried here."

As Su Muyu took the phone back to shut it off, she heard Jiang Yu’s words and laughed softly, hastily covering her mouth.

Hearing her brother speak like that, Jiang Ru sitting on the sofa shivered, a foreboding feeling creeping over her heart.

Pan Lanzhi looked fondly at Jiang Ru: "You focus on your work outside. Your sister’s studies are under me and your father’s watchful eyes. Don’t worry and take care of yourself."

"Sigh, I can’t always be there for her, so I bought five sets of 'Five Years of Simulation, Three Years of College Entrance Exams' and had them delivered home. You and Dad must keep a tight rein on Ru. It’s her senior year; no slacking off."

"You see how thoughtful your brother is!" Pan Lanzhi shot a glance at the restless Jiang Ru, then smiled again at the screen: "Don’t worry. Your father and I will make sure she finishes all her exercise books!"

"Mom, it’s late. You should get some rest."

"Alright, take good care of yourself out there."

The call ended.

Jiang Yu looked at Su Muyu: "How much are the exercise books? I’ll transfer the money."

Su Muyu shook her head, unable to hold back a smile: "No need. Consider it a gift from me... or from your little sister for interrupting your conversation."

Jiang Yu took Su Muyu’s hand. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly remembered something and switched off his phone.

Now, no one could disturb them anymore.