Chapter Thirty-Two: Grandmother’s Subtle Intervention

After dinner, Chu Muyun escorted Bai Chenxi home. As soon as they stepped out of the car, they ran into Grandpa Chu and Grandma Chu, who were out for an evening stroll.

Bai Chenxi greeted them nervously. Grandma Chu’s intentions to matchmake the two were obvious; now, seeing Chu Muyun bring her home, there would surely be no misunderstandings.

Chu Muyun's expression remained composed and proper as he greeted his grandparents.

Grandma Chu’s gaze flickered back and forth between the two. “Chenxi, how come you and Muyun are coming back together?”

Her expectant look made it clear she hoped for something between them.

How was Bai Chenxi supposed to answer? Should she say she spent the night at their grandson’s place? If she did, Grandma would probably drag them straight to the registry office.

Chu Muyun stepped in just in time. “I came to visit Grandpa and Grandma, happened to meet her, so I walked her home.”

Bai Chenxi nodded in agreement.

“Oh! It’s right to take care of girls more. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have to worry that you’re not getting any younger and still can’t find a girlfriend,” Grandma Chu muttered, though in her heart she thought: As if I’d believe that—‘happened to meet’ is such a clumsy excuse.

But she wouldn’t expose them; finally, there was some progress, and she understood that haste would only spoil things.

Chu Muyun wanted to accompany the elders on their walk, but Grandma Chu refused decisively: “What’s the point of you tagging along? I want to stroll alone with your grandpa.” She emphasized “alone.”

Then, she turned her eyes again: “If you’re so idle, go upstairs and help us clean up a bit. Some places are too high for us old folks to reach.”

Seeing Chu Muyun agree, Grandma turned to Bai Chenxi: “Chenxi, if you’re free, keep an eye on Muyun for me. Men always do things carelessly; don’t let him accidentally break anything.”

She then turned sternly to Chu Muyun: “I’m sending Chenxi to oversee you. Any dirty or tiring work, you do yourself, understand?”

As soon as she finished, she gently took Bai Chenxi’s hand: “Chenxi, Grandma just wants you to watch. Don’t do anything yourself, just keep an eye on him, all right?”

Bai Chenxi nodded. Chu Muyun looked at the two, shaking his head helplessly: Was he still Grandma’s favorite grandson? It felt as though Grandma liked Bai Chenxi even more.

Chu Muyun glanced at Grandpa Chu, who shrugged, giving him a look of helplessness—everyone in the family listened to the wife.

Back at Grandma’s house, Bai Chenxi was about to start cleaning when Chu Muyun stopped her.

“Just sit down! If Grandma comes back and sees you cleaning, I’ll be in trouble.”

Sitting there felt awkward, so Bai Chenxi thought for a moment. “How about I play some music for you?”

Chu Muyun nodded and began to clean.

“You have quite diverse tastes,” Chu Muyun remarked, listening to Bai Chenxi’s playlist—folk songs, classical, rock, rap—he’d heard several genres in just a short while.

Most people’s musical tastes are pretty fixed, but Bai Chenxi’s playlist spanned an impressive range.

Bai Chenxi smiled sheepishly. “I don’t really know much about music, and I don’t have any particular favorites. If it sounds nice, I download it. So my playlist is pretty mixed.”

They listened quietly, and occasionally Chu Muyun couldn’t help but chat with Bai Chenxi about the songs.

Though Bai Chenxi didn’t know much, she listened attentively. When talking about music, Chu Muyun was nothing like his usual silent self; instead, he seemed to glow with a rare vibrancy, impossible to look away from.

Hearing a female voice from the phone, Chu Muyun paused, his brows furrowed. After a while, he asked, as if casually, “Do you like listening to her songs?”

“I just think it sounds nice. I don’t even know who’s singing. Are you acquainted?”

Bai Chenxi wondered if they knew each other—after all, they were both singers.

“No,” Chu Muyun replied, unusually cold.

Hearing his tone, Bai Chenxi thought: I expected him to know something, since they’re both singers. But with this attitude, it’s no wonder Grandma worries he won't find a girlfriend.

Chu Muyun realized he’d been a bit harsh and switched topics, fearing she’d read too much into it. “So, is there none of my music in your playlist?”

“There is, there is!” Bai Chenxi replied, quickly searching for his songs.

Most of Chu Muyun’s music was gentle, always conveying a story.

Soon, the song “Later, You Were Gone” played. The first time Bai Chenxi heard it was at an awards ceremony, when she first listened to Chu Muyun sing seriously, and discovered the depth of feeling behind his usually cool exterior.

Thinking back, they’d once been mutual eyesores—who’d have guessed they’d end up sitting together, listening to music.

Looking at the lyrics, Bai Chenxi’s curiosity was piqued. “Chu Muyun, don’t singers usually pour their feelings into their songs? Does this song have a story behind it?”

Seeing Bai Chenxi’s eyes full of gossip, Chu Muyun began, “It is a true story, but it’s not mine.”

Hearing there was a story, Bai Chenxi settled in comfortably, ready to listen.

Chu Muyun’s voice turned somber as he recalled it. “I heard this story while gathering inspiration at Lianli Bay.”

When I was at Lianli Bay, I stayed at a guesthouse called ‘Reunion,’ owned by a man in his sixties.

Despite his age, he managed everything himself. He had a son who was the CEO of a major company, and whenever he had free time, the son would help out.

I asked why he didn’t live with his son, but instead worked so hard running the guesthouse.

The old man smiled and said, ‘I’m going to leave soon. If she comes back, she won’t be able to find me.’

The ‘she’ he spoke of was a woman he loved in his youth. His name was Ding Wei. When he was young, he made ends meet by doing manual labor for others.

He and his friends would chat idly to pass the time, living carefree days.

But he fell for Lü Yuelan, whose family was well-known and prominent. How they fell in love was unknown. But in those days, for Ding Wei, it was like a toad coveting a swan—he was seen as audacious for pursuing a noble’s daughter.

Neither their families nor society accepted them, so they planned to elope. But they didn’t get far before they were caught.

Mr. Lü was furious and beat Ding Wei, ignoring Lü Yuelan’s desperate pleas.

‘You think you can marry my daughter? On what grounds?’

‘Because I love her. I genuinely love Yuelan. Please, let us be together!’ Ding Wei pleaded, hoping his love would move Mr. Lü.

Mr. Lü sneered at him: ‘Love? What right do you have to talk about love? Do you want Yuelan to suffer every day with you? Is this what you call love?’

Ding Wei clenched his fists, his body trembling.

‘Three years. Give me three years, and I’ll make something of myself.’

He shouted those words with everything he had, for it might be his only chance.