93: Chapter 93 Brat

In the Qiantang Provincial Government, The Government Compound, Mu Qing put down his phone, leaned back in his chair, and stared at the ceiling for a full ten seconds.

Something is off. Why is this brat acting so warm today?

"Uncle Mu, you are too kind. Ruxue is doing quite well in Changyuan County. Please don't worry, with me here, I will definitely take good care of her."

"Uncle Mu, how is your health lately? No matter how busy work is, you must pay attention to resting. My father was talking about you the other day, saying it's been a long time since you had tea together."

"Uncle Mu, Ruxue is working very seriously. The Youth League Committee has a very high opinion of her. You have raised her well..."

Mu Qing rubbed his temples. He had known Xu Tianhua for over ten years, and he had watched Comrade Weidong grow up from a young age.

When had this brat ever been so enthusiastic toward him?

In the past, when they met during the New Year, he would just politely call him Uncle Mu, ask about the New Year, and then run off to chat with Ruxue.

Today, however, he was asking about his well-being on the phone, even more affectionate than his own son.

Something is wrong!

Something is very wrong!

Mu Qing sat up straight, tapped his fingers on the desk, and suddenly remembered something.

Last year, when Ruxue said she wanted to transfer to Changyuan County, he and Tian Xue had an argument.

"I told you we shouldn't have given in to her whims!"

"Back then, she insisted on transferring to Changyuan County. What did I say? That place is remote and the conditions are tough, but she wouldn't listen."

"Now it's happened. She's about to be snatched up by that brat from the Xu Family!"

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got, pacing around the office.

"Don't I know Xu Tianhua's son? He was cunning since he was a kid, and even worse now that he's grown up."

He sat back in his chair, picked up his phone, hesitated for a moment, and then put it back down.

No, this matter cannot be discussed over the phone.

It's hard to explain clearly on the phone, and what if that brat hears something...

He stood up again, walked to the window, and looked at the night scenery outside.

That girl, Ruxue, had been clinging to Comrade Weidong since she was little.

When they had family gatherings as children, she would follow behind him like a little tail, calling out 'Comrade Weidong, Comrade Weidong'.

They were young then and didn't understand anything, so everyone just treated it as a joke.

Later, as they grew up, went to middle school and university, they met less often, but every time Comrade Weidong was mentioned, that girl's eyes would light up.

At the time, Mu Qing didn't take it to heart, thinking it was just the bond of growing up together—it was normal.

Now that he thinks about it...

"I was truly..."

"Careless."

He stood by the window for a long time, finally sighed, picked up his phone, and called home.

"Hello, I'm coming home for dinner tonight."

An hour later, Mu Qing pushed open the front door.

Tian Xue was busy in the kitchen. Hearing the movement, she poked her head out and said: "You're back? Wash your hands and eat."

Mu Qing changed his shoes, walked into the kitchen, and stood at the doorway without saying a word.

Tian Xue glanced at him, but her hands didn't stop moving.

"What's wrong? Your face looks so terrible."

"I called Comrade Weidong."

"Hmm?"

"Called to thank him for taking care of Ruxue."

Mu Qing paused, then said: "That brat was acting strange today."

Tian Xue's spatula paused for a moment, then she continued stirring the food in the pan.

"How was he strange?"

"Too enthusiastic."

Mu Qing frowned and said: "Asking after my health, telling me to rest, saying Ruxue is doing great over there, telling me not to worry..."

Tian Xue laughed.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing at you."

Tian Xue turned off the stove, dished the food out, and walked out of the kitchen with the plate.

"You've been a leader for so many years, can't you see through this little thing?"

Mu Qing followed behind and sat down at the dining table.

"What do you mean?"

Tian Xue put down the plate and went to get the soup, saying as she did: "Old Mu, let me ask you, when Ruxue said she wanted to transfer to Changyuan County, didn't you agree to it?"

"I..."

Mu Qing was speechless, then said stubbornly: "It wasn't that she insisted on going, I just couldn't refuse her."

"You couldn't refuse her?"

Tian Xue slammed the soup bowl onto the table and sneered: "You are her father. If you really didn't want her to go, could she have gone?"

"It was because you knew Comrade Weidong was in Changyuan County, so you felt you could look after her and be at ease."

Mu Qing didn't speak.

Tian Xue sat down opposite him, picked up her chopsticks, and said leisurely: "I told you back then, it's not like you didn't know about Ruxue's feelings for Comrade Weidong."

"You insisted there was nothing, saying the two children grew up together and it was normal."

"Now it's fine, something has really happened, and now you're anxious."

"What do you mean something happened?"

Mu Qing glared: "Nothing has happened yet! I just think that brat is acting weird, maybe..."

"Maybe he has his eyes on our daughter?"

Tian Xue took over the conversation and chuckled.

"Old Mu, do you have some misunderstanding about your own daughter?"

Mu Qing was stunned.

Tian Xue put down her chopsticks and looked at him seriously: "Ruxue is twenty-five this year, she's beautiful, has a good personality, and is serious about her work."

"She hasn't been in Changyuan County for a short time, and she's doing great work at the Youth League Committee."

"For a girl like this, isn't it normal for someone to be interested in her? It would be strange if Comrade Weidong hadn't taken a liking to her."

Mu Qing opened his mouth but couldn't say anything.

"Besides."

Tian Xue continued eating, her tone indifferent.

"We've watched that child, Comrade Weidong, grow up since he was little. Don't you know what kind of character he has? If he really is with Ruxue, would he mistreat her?"

Mu Qing picked up his chopsticks gloomily, picked up a piece of food, chewed for a long time, and suddenly said: "But it shouldn't be him."

"Why shouldn't it be him?"

"He..."

Mu Qing wanted to say something, but swallowed it back.

Tian Xue looked at him, her eyes carrying a hint of amusement.

"Do you think that because he is Xu Tianhua's son, and our two families are political allies, it wouldn't sound good if this got out?"

"Or do you think it's inappropriate because he is one year older than your daughter?"

Mu Qing didn't speak. In his position, there were many things to consider.

"Old Mu, you are a person who sees things quite clearly in the political arena, but you get muddled when it comes to your own family affairs."

"Who Ruxue likes is her own business."

"As parents, we just need to keep an eye on things and provide guidance. Can we live her life for her?"

Mu Qing was silent for a long time, then finally said gloomily: "That still doesn't mean we should let him get his way so easily."

Tian Xue couldn't help but laugh: "Okay, then what do you plan to do?"

"I..."

Mu Qing thought for a moment, then said: "I'll call Old Xu and sound him out?"

Tian Xue shook her head: "Don't call Old Xu. Calling him will just make us look petty."

"As for the two children, let them handle it themselves."

"If it really works out, it won't be too late for the two families to sit down and talk then."

Mu Qing wanted to say something else, but his phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at the caller ID, and his expression became somewhat subtle.

"Who is it?"

Mu Qing didn't speak, but turned the phone screen to show her.

The three characters Xu Tianhua were clearly on the screen.

Tian Xue was stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud: "Forget it, you don't need to sound him out; he's here to sound you out."

Mu Qing glared at her, took a deep breath, and answered the phone.

"Hello, Old Xu..."

From the other end of the phone came Xu Tianhua's hearty laughter: "Old Mu, are you home? Have you eaten? Let me tell you something..."

Mu Qing listened and listened, his expression becoming increasingly complex.

Tian Xue watched from the side, full of smiles.