94: Chapter 94 needs an explanation.

Xu Tianhua made this call right on time.

He had calculated the time perfectly; at 7:30 PM, Mu Qing should have just finished dinner and would be curled up on the sofa, drinking tea and watching the news.

Calling at this time wouldn't disturb his work or his rest—it was just right.

"Did you call just to ask if I've eaten?"

"And why else?"

Xu Tianhua chuckled and said, "We're old friends. Can't I make a call to show some concern?"

Mu Qing was silent for two seconds. Based on his twenty-plus years of knowing Xu Tianhua, this man never called without a reason.

Every time he called, there was definitely something up.

And listening to that tone, laughing like that, it certainly wasn't anything good.

"Speak up. What is it?"

Mu Qing leaned back against the sofa and said, "Stop beating around the bush."

Xu Tianhua laughed out loud, saying, "Old Mu, oh Old Mu, you're still as direct as ever."

"Fine, then I won't beat around the bush either. How is your little princess doing lately?"

Mu Qing's heart skipped a beat. Here it comes!

He remained calm on the surface and said, "She's doing quite well, working nicely in Changyuan County. What, did your son report to you?"

"He reported, he reported."

Xu Tianhua's eyes crinkled with laughter as he said, "That brat has been calling very frequently lately, and he can't go three sentences without mentioning Ruxue."

"I was just wondering, when did he get so close to Ruxue? Later, when I asked, I found out..."

Xu Tianhua deliberately dragged out his voice, making it sound infuriating.

Mu Qing prompted, "Found out what?"

"I found out that the two kids are dating!"

Xu Tianhua slapped his thigh and laughed, "Old Mu, don't you think this is a coincidence?"

"Our two families have known each other for over ten years, and these two grew up together. Now they've actually ended up together! If this isn't fate, what is?"

Mu Qing's face turned dark. Coincidence? What kind of coincidence? It was clearly your son who had a premeditated plan!

He took a deep breath, trying hard to make his tone sound calm: "Old Xu, the way you're putting it, why does it sound off to me?"

"What's off?"

"What do you mean by 'dating'?"

Mu Qing sat up straight and said seriously, "The two children just have a normal working relationship. What are you imagining?"

Xu Tianhua was taken aback, then laughed even more happily.

"Old Mu, oh Old Mu, stop pretending."

"You know perfectly well what your little princess is thinking."

"And I know exactly what my brat is thinking."

"Just a moment ago, I asked him, 'You brat, are you interested in Ruxue?' He hemmed and hawed for a long time, but finally admitted it!"

Mu Qing's hand tightened around the phone. That brat, Xu Weidong, actually admitted it directly?

"Old Xu, your son admitting it is your son's business."

"I haven't asked what my daughter's attitude is yet, so don't get happy too soon."

"Fine, fine, fine, you ask, you ask."

Xu Tianhua chuckled and said, "But Old Mu, with our friendship of so many years, I have to say something fair."

"If your Ruxue didn't have those intentions, would she have run off to Changyuan County? That place is so remote. As a young woman, unfamiliar with the place, what would she be looking for?"

Mu Qing was choked up. What was she looking for? Looking for your son, of course...

He remembered how Ruxue had pestered him last year, insisting on being transferred to Changyuan County, and he felt so angry.

This girl—if he had known she was aiming for Xu Weidong, he would never have agreed, no matter what!

Mu Qing said through gritted teeth, "Old Xu, you're not being kind."

"How am I not being kind?"

"Your son is eyeing my daughter, and you, as his father, aren't going to do anything about it?"

Xu Tianhua laughed out loud, "Do what? Why should I do anything? He's interested in your daughter, not someone else."

"I've watched Ruxue grow up since she was a child. She's smart, beautiful, and sensible. She's more than enough for that brat of mine."

"I'm too happy to even think about stopping him, so why would I do anything?"

Mu Qing was laughed in anger, "So you were just waiting to see me make a fool of myself, right?"

"How could that be!"

Xu Tianhua quickly said, "I'm genuinely happy."

"Old Mu, think about it. Our two families have such a long friendship. If we could truly become in-laws, wouldn't that be like adding kinship to kinship?"

"In the future, during holidays and festivals, our two families can sit down and eat together. How lively that would be!"

Mu Qing snorted, "Don't get your hopes up too high."

"This whole thing hasn't even begun. I don't even know what Ruxue's attitude is."

"What if it's just your son's unrequited love?"

"That can't be."

Xu Tianhua said confidently, "I know that brat of mine. He wouldn't say anything if he wasn't sure."

"Since he dared to admit it to me, there must be something going on."

"Old Mu, stop being stubborn. Hurry back and ask your little princess. I guarantee you'll be pleasantly surprised."

Mu Qing took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

He knew Xu Tianhua was telling the truth. How could he, as her father, not have sensed Ruxue's feelings at all?

It was just that he hadn't wanted to think about it before, always feeling that it was still early, that she was still young, and that he should wait.

But as a result of waiting, something happened.

"Old Mu, seriously, I genuinely like Ruxue. If that brat of mine can marry her, it's his good fortune."

"You can rest assured. If he dares to treat Ruxue badly, I'll be the first one to break his legs."

Mu Qing was silent for a few seconds, then finally said, "Old Xu, I like hearing that."

"But I'll say the ugly things first: that brat, Xu Weidong, must give me an explanation."

"What kind of explanation?"

"A formal explanation."

Mu Qing said, enunciating every word, "It can't just be so muddled."

"If he really likes Ruxue, he should come to the house properly, sit down, and explain it to me face-to-face."

"Don't hide behind the scenes and have his father make the call. What kind of behavior is that?"

Xu Tianhua was taken aback, then laughed out loud, "Good, good, good! That's well said!"

"Don't worry, I will definitely make that brat give you an explanation."

"When is convenient?"

"I'll have him buy a ticket to Qiantang and apologize to you in person!"

"Apologize for what?"

Mu Qing glared, "I didn't say he committed a crime."

"Right, right, right. It's not an apology; it's a visit to his future father-in-law."

Xu Tianhua laughed from ear to ear, "Old Mu, you have to go easy on him. Don't make things too difficult for him."

"That kid has thin skin; he can't handle being scared."

Mu Qing snorted, "Thin skin? If he had thin skin, would he be eyeing my daughter? I think his skin is very thick!"

Xu Tianhua laughed again. The two chatted a few more sentences and hung up the phone.

Mu Qing held his phone, sitting on the sofa with a very complex expression on his face.

Tian Xue came out of the kitchen holding a plate of fruit. Seeing him like this, she smiled, "What? Didn't I tell you he would call?"

Mu Qing nodded.

"What did he say?"

Mu Qing glanced at her and said sullenly, "He said his son has taken a fancy to our Ruxue."

Tian Xue wasn't surprised at all. She sat down next to him and picked up a piece of apple, chewing slowly.

"And then?"

"And then?"

Mu Qing glared, "And then he just laughed! He laughed through the entire phone call! He was just waiting to see me make a fool of myself!"

Tian Xue couldn't help but laugh, "Don't you know Old Xu? He's just happy."

"If our two families can really become in-laws, he'll probably wake up laughing in his dreams."

Mu Qing snorted and didn't speak.

Tian Xue glanced at him and asked softly, "So what is your attitude?"

Mu Qing was silent for a while, then said slowly, "I told him just now to let that kid, Xu Weidong, come see me himself."

"Don't hide behind the scenes and have his father make the call. What kind of behavior is that?"

Tian Xue nodded, "That's right. He should come here himself."

"Are you really planning to let him come?"

"What? You don't want to see him?"

Tian Xue smiled, "Old Mu, you talk tough, but in your heart, you're actually quite satisfied with Xu Weidong, aren't you?"

"We watched that child grow up. His character and ability are impeccable. At twenty-six, he's already the Executive Deputy Director of the County Public Security Bureau, and he even won a first-class merit last year."

"Such a son-in-law is not bad at all."

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

He really couldn't find any faults with Xu Weidong. The child was excellent growing up, and even more excellent as an adult.

The key is that they know his roots and bottom line, and the two families are close. Ruxue definitely won't be wronged if she marries into that family.

"I just can't swallow this anger!"

Mu Qing slapped his thigh, "I've raised my daughter for over twenty years. Why should I let his brat get such a bargain?"

Tian Xue laughed out loud, "Fine, fine, fine, if you can't swallow it, then keep your guard up."

"When Xu Weidong comes, test him well and let him know what the dignity of a father-in-law is."

Mu Qing felt a little better. He leaned back on the sofa and picked up the remote to change channels.

He changed channels twice, then put it down.

"Tell me, when is that kid coming?"

Tian Xue laughed until she couldn't straighten up, "You were just saying you weren't happy about it, and now you're looking forward to him coming?"

"Who is looking forward to him coming?"

Mu Qing said with a straight face, "I'm just asking, to have an idea in my heart."

Tian Xue shook her head with a smile, not exposing him.

Meanwhile, in Yancheng.

Xu Tianhua hung up the phone, the smile on his face still lingering.

He picked up his phone and sent a message to his son.

"It's all settled with your Uncle Mu. Find a time to go to Qiantang and give him an explanation in person. Don't be afraid; your Uncle Mu is just sharp-tongued, but in his heart, he's actually quite satisfied with you."

After sending it, he added one more sentence.

"Remember to bring gifts; don't go empty-handed."

In Changyuan County, Xu Weidong looked at the two messages on his phone, a trace of a smile appearing on the corner of his mouth.

A message from Mu Ruxue suddenly popped up: "My dad just called me."

Xu Weidong replied: "What did he say?"

Mu Ruxue sent a face-covering emoji: "He asked me if I'm dating you."

"How did you reply?"

"I said no."

Xu Weidong raised an eyebrow: "No?"

Mu Ruxue sent another face-covering emoji: "I said... it's you who are pursuing me, and I haven't agreed yet."

Xu Weidong smiled, picked up his phone, and typed a few words.

"Then I must continue to work hard."

After sending it, he added one more sentence.

"I'm going to Qiantang in a few days to see your dad. Will you accompany me?"

There was silence on the other end for a long time, so long that Xu Weidong thought she wouldn't reply, before the message popped up.

"Who wants to accompany you... go yourself!"

Followed by a blushing emoji, Xu Weidong looked at the screen, his smile deepening.