...
As soon as Xu Chacha left, the father and daughter's attitudes changed completely. One had a dark cloud on his face, looking like he was about to erupt like a volcano, while the other had a cold look in his eyes, too lazy to even bother with pretense, his intention to drive her away was clearly written on his face.
"Explain yourself clearly, who are you messing around with right now, and how you've even gotten to the point of wanting to live together?"
Wen Mubai was too lazy to beat around the bush and asked bluntly, "Even if I were to repeat my mother's mistakes, what could you do about it?"
Her father was so angry at her words that he wanted to explode, but Wen Mubai said something else in a calm tone.
“Who I date and who I live with is my own business.” She put down her cup. “Don’t insult the relationship between her and me with your dirty speculations.”
Although his tone was still very impolite, it could be considered an explanation. Mr. Wen frowned, but his tone remained firm.
"You've really grown up, haven't you? Since you like it so much, you'll have to take it home." He raised his voice, "You're not planning to even tell me about your wedding, are you?"
Wen Mubai picked up a piece of green vegetable with his chopsticks and ate it slowly and carefully. "When the time comes, I will naturally tell you."
Chapter 65 Confessing
Although the father and daughter didn't have a very pleasant conversation that day, at least they didn't start arguing, which was already a blessing in disguise for Xu Chacha.
She began to focus all her energy on preparing for TY's September show. The brand was quite accommodating, assigning her a small section of the collection. She was required to change into two outfits per show, and they sent her pictures of the designs, but there might be some changes before the official launch.
When good free time comes her way, Xu Chacha will no longer refuse, trying to make more of an appearance.
After the midterm exams in May, she finally had some free time and went home.
Xu's parents had prepared a sumptuous dinner at home, and Xu Yanshu, who had finished recording the variety show, sat down at the table with her girlfriend whom she had tricked.
Jian Xi's popularity skyrocketed after appearing on that variety show, and coincidentally, the female lead withdrew from the role and was replaced by the director. The TV series, which aired on a major network, became increasingly popular, and she received countless offers afterward.
So although she can't be considered a top-tier celebrity now, she's still a well-known "little pink" in the industry.
Xu's parents didn't have the same prejudice against actors as other families. They didn't think that this job of being in the public eye was undignified. They had met a few times in private and found that Jian Xi was calm and sensible. So they didn't say much about the relationship between the two of them.
The fact that Xu Chacha was able to invite Jian Xi back for dinner on the day she returned home speaks volumes about their attitude.
"Cha Cha, it's been a long time," Jian Xi said with a smile.
"Sister Jianxi, I missed you so much!" Xu Chacha went up and hugged her, winking at Xu Yanshu on her shoulder. "My sister said you're so busy, and told me to bother you less. I haven't even dared to send you messages."
"No, she was just joking with you." Jian Xi smiled and patted her head. "You've lost weight again. Haven't you been eating properly at school?"
"There's food!"
"Come here." Xu Yanshu beckoned to Xu Chacha.
Xu Chacha walked over and asked, "What?"
"I need to talk to you." Xu Yanshu put his arm around Xu Chacha's shoulder, gave Jian Xi a look, and then pulled her upstairs.
The two entered the room, and Xu Yanshu cautiously closed the door, her mysterious actions leaving Xu Chacha completely confused.
"What's wrong, sis?"
"Tell me first, how are things going between you and Wen Mubai now?"
"That's fine." Xu Chacha blinked. "You're not here to advise us to break up, are you?"
"How can I control you?" Xu Yanshu walked over. "You know that big-mouthed mistress of the Wen family, right?"
"What's wrong?" Xu Chacha knew that this was referring to Wen Mubai's stepmother.
“She’s been talking about Wen Mubai every day lately.” Xu Yanshu sat down next to Xu Chacha. “Even Mom and Dad know. Last time I went home, they asked me who Wen Mubai’s boyfriend is.”
She can't very well say, "It's your youngest daughter."
Xu Chacha said "Oh" without much reaction, "Actually, it's okay if you tell them."
She came home intending to have an open and honest conversation with her parents, at least hearing it from them would be better than hearing it from outsiders.
Xu Chacha should be thankful that they don't know yet.
"Have you thought it through?" Xu Yanshu frowned.
"You and Sister Jianxi have no problems, so what does it have to do with me?" Xu Chacha swung her legs nonchalantly. "Are you going to beat me up and kick me out of the house?"
“I am different from Jian Xi and you are different from Wen Mubai.” Xu Yanshu earnestly advised, “I can’t stop you from saying what you want, but be careful with your words and give them some time to process.”
Putting aside the age difference, even if the other person wasn't Wen Mubai, Xu Chacha would always be a child in her parents' eyes, someone they would cherish and pamper. The person they would choose for her would definitely be one in a million. Xu's mother even said that she didn't want Xu Chacha to get married at all because she felt that no one was good enough for her precious daughter.
"I know, Mom and Dad aren't as fragile as you think. I know what I'm doing." Xu Chacha clapped her hands and stood up. "Let's go downstairs for dinner. You're being so secretive. I thought something serious had happened."
As the two were coming downstairs, Xu's mother was about to come up to find them. "Where have you been hiding? Leaving Jianxi here all alone. She's still your wife, and you don't take care of her at all."
“That’s right, that’s right.” Xu Chacha stood next to her mother, looking as if she shared the same hatred.
Xu Yanshu turned around, gave her a thumbs up, and resignedly apologized.
"Please sit down. Auntie has prepared a table full of delicious dishes today." Xu's mother invited everyone to sit down at the table. "Honey, you can't get your favorite chicken legs at school, can you? Come and have some more."
"Of course the school has chicken drumsticks; they're always available."
"How can school compare to home?" Xu's father chimed in. "If you ate well at school, would you have lost this much weight?"
Xu Chacha slumped her shoulders, giving up on arguing with the two parents.
"Come on, Jianxi, eat too." Xu's mother called to the side, "You too, you're too thin, you need to eat more. Looking at your small frame, it's clear that our Yanshu hasn't been taking good care of you. I'll have a good talk with her later."
Jian Xi smiled lightly, "It's alright, Yan Shu is quite good at taking care of people, so please don't say anything bad about her."
“Yeah, my sister does more than just take care of her. She’s always sticking to Jianxi’s backside, like a fly that you can’t get rid of.” Xu Chacha interjected, biting her chopsticks.
"Speaking of this," Mr. Xu said seriously, "Cha Cha, you should also be careful now that your aunt has finally found someone to marry. You should try to avoid going to her place too often. She needs to enjoy her time alone. If you're bored by yourself, you can visit home more often, see your sister, and visit your parents."
"..." Xu Chacha suddenly felt that the food in her mouth was a little dry.
Xu Yanshu picked up a piece of lettuce for her and added fuel to the fire, saying, "Yeah, if you didn't know better, you'd think you were the one living with her."
"Sister!" Xu Chacha gritted her teeth and gave her a warning look.
Xu Yanshu made a gesture of zipping up her zipper to shut her mouth.
After that topic was over, the meal went fairly well. After dinner, Xu Yanshu took Jian Xi home. Xu's father, unusually, did not go to his study to handle business, but instead sat on the sofa with Xu Chacha to watch TV.
Xu's mother cut up some fruit and brought it over. She kicked aside Xu's father, who was sitting next to Xu Chacha, and squeezed in herself.
"Honey, have a piece of peach. You've been asking for it every day."
Xu Chacha took a big bite and exclaimed, "So sweet! Mom, have some too!"
The TV was showing the model talent show that Xu Chacha participated in. Xu's father had watched it at least three times, but he still enjoyed it very much.
Judging from how she looked, she often showed it off to others in private, so Xu Chacha was used to it.
It's better to show off this than to brag about how she had short legs but could jump rope quickly when she was little.
This is a rare, heartwarming moment for the three of them. It would have been even more perfect if Xu Yanshu were here, but it's easier to talk now that she's not around.
"Mom, I have something to tell you." Xu Chacha bent her knees and hugged her legs with both hands.
"What's wrong? Don't you have enough pocket money?"
"No, no." She had more than enough pocket money to spend and hardly ever touched it.
"What is it? Tell me, and your parents won't stop you." Xu's mother stuffed another piece of banana into her mouth.
Xu Chacha chewed a few times and swallowed what was in her mouth. "Didn't I say before that I would tell you guys first if I got a boyfriend?"
She had barely begun to speak when Xu's father reacted as if the sky were falling: "What partner? Who? When did it start? How long has it been going on? How far have things progressed? Is he taking advantage of you?!"
"Dad, don't worry," Xu Chacha reassured him before tentatively asking in a low voice, "If it were a girl, you wouldn't mind, would you?"
Even in an era where same-sex marriage is legal, homosexual couples are still rare.
"A girl?" Mr. Xu's expression softened somewhat. "Is she a classmate?"
Xu Chacha shook her head and gestured to him, "A little bit older than me."
"25?" Xu's mother guessed.
"It needs to be a little bigger."
"27?"
"Just a little bit more."
"He can't be thirty yet, can he?"
“It’s not that big.” Xu Chacha shook her head. “Twenty-nine.”
“What’s the difference between that and thirty?” Mr. Xu slapped his thigh. “Have you been fooled? People are really good at fooling young girls these days. Don’t be fooled by a few sweet words.”
“Dad,” Xu Chacha raised her voice, “you still treat me like a child.”
"Your dad is worried about you too," Xu's mother asked, leaning closer. "Do you really like him that much?"
Xu Chacha nodded, "I especially like it."
“Then bring him back so we can meet him. Your parents aren’t unreasonable people. We’re going to live with you eventually, and what matters most is that you like him,” Xu’s mother said softly.
Xu Chacha chuckled, "Mom is still the best to me."
Xu's father coughed, and Xu Chacha moved over and patted his shoulder, saying, "Dad is good to me too."
"Don't rush to say nice things, bring her back to meet us first."
"Actually, there's something else I need to say," Xu Chacha chuckled dryly. "You know that person."
"Do we know each other?"
A woman, 29 years old, whom they all knew and had some connection with Xu Chacha...
Xu's mother reacted quickly, immediately knowing the answer in her mind, but she subconsciously shook her head, "Don't tell Mom it's..."
Xu Chacha nodded to her, "Don't be angry."
"Who?" Xu's father was still in the dark.
Xu's mother leaned down and whispered in his ear.
"You! You!" Mr. Xu was furious, but he couldn't bear to say anything harsh to Xu Chacha. After holding it in for a long time, he finally managed to utter, "Nonsense!"
Xu Chacha fell silent, but secretly poked her mother's arm with her finger, "Mom..."