So, Chu Mu thought he might as well take her back with him; he figured he'd find out sooner or later anyway, so he might as well not hide it from her.
Shu Yi'an tugged at her skirt, pressing it repeatedly, before finally muttering softly, "Does Mom know about what happened a couple of days ago? If she doesn't, don't tell her, or she'll worry."
Chu Mu turned to look at Shu Yi'an, his fair face showing worry and tension, but for some reason, his mood suddenly improved. "Don't worry, I won't tell."
Upon entering the house, Sui Qing saw the two of them were overjoyed and quickly instructed the housekeeper to set the table and prepare for dinner. Because Shu Yi'an's facial injuries hadn't healed quickly enough, and some faint marks were still visible, Sui Qing, always quick to spot, grabbed Chu Mu and gave him a light tap. "How did Yi'an get those injuries on his face? Why are there so many marks?"
Shu Yi'an awkwardly scratched her head. "Mom, it has nothing to do with him. I accidentally fell down the stairs that day."
Just as she finished speaking, Mr. Chu got off work and his car pulled up in front of the house. Sui Qing clapped her hands, "Everyone in the family is here today, and your dad is back too. Dinner will be served in a bit!"
When Mr. Chu heard from his younger brother about Chu Mu's transfer back, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was both happy and worried. After all, he was a man, and he hoped his son could achieve great things in his career. But at the same time, Mr. Chu was also gratified for Chu Mu, relieved that his son had finally moved on from the past and was willing to face the responsibilities he had to shoulder for his family. So when he saw the two of them at home, his usually serious expression softened considerably.
After changing her shoes upon entering, she waved for Shu Yi'an to sit down. "Sit down. It's been two months since I've seen you. How's work going?"
Shu Yi'an was always somewhat reserved in front of Chu's father, and politely replied, "Everything is fine, don't worry."
Mr. Chu nodded in satisfaction, and a rare smile appeared on his face as he watched Chu Mu come out of the bathroom and wipe his hands. "I'll go upstairs to change first. After dinner, come with me for some tea. Your Uncle Ji gave me a lot of top-quality Tieguanyin." Sui Qing was genuinely happy to see the rare harmonious atmosphere between the father and son.
Chu Mu pondered Sui Qing's words for a while before frowning and finding the key point. "Mom, everyone in the family is here... what does that mean?"
Sui Qing's expression stiffened, and her voice immediately softened. "Your sister is back too."
Chu Mu snorted and pulled over a chair, gesturing for Shu Yi'an to come over. "The sun shines so brightly in the United States, why are you in such a hurry to return to your motherland? Besides, when has she ever thought about going home?"
Shu Yi'an didn't know what had happened between Chu Mu and Chu Weiyuan, but she vaguely sensed something was off about the siblings. She glanced at Sui Qing and tentatively asked, "Yuanyuan... what's wrong?"
Sui Qing slapped Chu Mu on the shoulder, her tone tinged with disappointment. "She's still your sister! You..."
Just then, Chu Weiyuan, wearing a cartoon T-shirt, stood on the stairs and cried out sadly, "Brother..." The unpleasant conversation between the siblings at the airport last time made Chu Weiyuan uneasy even after flying to the United States. She always felt that she had gone too far with her words, so as soon as she returned to China, she stayed at home obediently, waiting for Chu Mu to come back and apologize.
Shu Yi'an hadn't seen Chu Weiyuan for over a month. The girl had lost a lot of weight and looked quite haggard. Unlike her previous domineering self, she now seemed more like a girl next door. Chu Mu glanced at the person standing on the stairs. Although he was still angry, he suppressed his emotions when he saw his father coming downstairs and said to Chu Weiyuan, "Come down, it's time for dinner."
Father Chu was unaware of Chu Weiyuan's affair with Pang Zexun, and even though Chu Mu was angry, he had to keep it a secret from her. Being a young girl, she immediately beamed with joy and skipped downstairs when she saw that Chu Mu had relented.
The meal consisted of twelve dishes, a truly lavish spread. The five family members sat around the table, enjoying a rare dinner like any ordinary family. Sui Qing slowly poured a glass of wine for Mr. Chu and casually asked, "Son, is things a bit easier now that you've been transferred back to Beijing?"
Clang! The bone china chopsticks in Shu Yi'an's hand suddenly made a very crisp sound as they collided with the porcelain plate. Everyone turned to look at her at the sound. She turned her head blankly, her eyes full of bewilderment and surprise as she looked at the man sitting next to her, and asked a question in a somewhat silly manner.
"You... you've been transferred back?"
Author's Note: I'm losing my hair from thinking of four-character titles every day...
Here comes the main text you've been waiting for, my little beauties.
Look how shocked Miss Shu was when she found out Mr. Chu had been transferred back!
Chapter 34 Moses
Chu's father and Sui Qing were also taken aback when they heard this. "You didn't tell Yi'an about this?"
Chu Mu calmly picked up the chopsticks and handed them to the aunt, gesturing for her to get a new pair. He then reached out and patted the bewildered Shu Yi'an. "I didn't have time to find out yet, but now I do."
Sui Qing and her husband looked at each other for a long time before they finally understood. "Hey! What are you talking about? Your dad and I thought Yi'an knew, but look how scared my daughter-in-law is."
"Surprised?" Chu Mu looked at the person in front of him with a hint of amusement, his smile slightly etched.
"A little." Shu Yi'an nodded seriously, wanting to say that it wasn't surprise, it was clearly shock, okay? No, it was delight. She still remembered that rainy night in Berlin, when he calmly but also angrily said, "Shu Yi'an, I must be crazy to even think of staying in Beijing to be with you."
So when she thought she might never see Chu Mu again for many days to come, when she was desperately kidnapped and put into a car, filled with regret that she would never see Chu Mu again, his appearance was like a lucky gift from heaven to Shu Yi'an, making her ecstatic. At the same time, there was also the deepest fear of gain and loss from the bottom of her heart.
These past few days, every time she woke up, she would cautiously open her eyes and look at the spot beside her, afraid that one day he would tell her, "I'm leaving." Just like that cold night when she was in the hospital, he left hastily and without hesitation. Although they both tacitly agreed not to mention the argument that night, it was like a scar that had been stubbornly etched between them.
So when Shu Yi'an heard Sui Qing's words and saw Chu Mu's calm acceptance, her nose tingled and she almost burst into tears. See? She was so sentimental. Even when she heard this news, she couldn't smile calmly and generously and say that it was okay, even though she was secretly overjoyed.
Shu Yi'an is Shu Yi'an. She can face everything the world gives her with equanimity and sincerity. She is never discouraged or resentful about what she loses, but she repays what she gains with immense joy and gratitude. So what many people consider extremely unfair, she usually just smiles at. What others consider to be the most normal aspects of life, she insists on repaying with her true heart.
"Are you... sure you can stay here? Won't it have any negative impact on you?"
Before Chu Mu could even speak, his father stepped in front of him. "It won't have any impact. You can do the same job anywhere. How much time will he have to spend with you in the two years since you married into this family? This is fine."
Chu Weiyuan nodded in agreement, adding, "He's thirty years old, what impact could it have? Returning to the embrace of the motherland as soon as possible is the most important thing."
Chu Mu glanced at Chu Weiyuan with a sinister look, signaling her to shut up. He calmly picked up a spoon and ladled a bowl of soup for Shu Yi'an, placing it beside him. "I'm worried about you being alone. It's better if I come back to keep an eye on you." "I'm worried," or rather, "I'm very concerned." This was probably the most vulnerable and tender thing Chu Mu had ever said to a woman.
Shu Yi'an took the bowl of soup, her face flushing slightly. "Who wants you to look?"
Sui Qing and Chu's father, being elderly, were afraid that the young couple would feel embarrassed here, so they quickly finished their meal and left the table, instructing the two to go upstairs after they finished eating.
Coming back home twice a month was considered a lot, so Chu Mu was usually very filial. Even though he was already impatient with his father's constant nagging, he would still force himself to accompany him to the study on the second floor for tea. Shu Yi'an and Chu Weiyuan went into the master bedroom to chat with Sui Qing.
Mr. Chu slowly poured boiling water into the cup, and his expression relaxed considerably as he watched the water rise and steam. "This matter has taken shape this time. It's good that you're home; it'll be peaceful."
Chu Mu stared blankly at the pine and bamboo design printed on the cup, his tone indifferent. "What kind of stability do you mean? The stability of my position or the stability of my family?"
Mr. Chu knew that ever since that incident two years ago, Chu Mu had always been willing to argue with him. Mr. Chu also understood that his son was angry; putting aside the incident itself, he had made decisions for his son, which was a taboo. The old man wasn't angry, though, and chuckled. "Don't hold a grudge against me. In the end, this is the daughter-in-law you chose, and your mother and I both approve of her now. It's a good thing that she's back."
Chu Mu subtly glanced at his father for a moment before belatedly realizing that the old man seemed to have aged considerably compared to a few years ago. Softening his tone, Chu Mu decided to change the subject. "My position as deputy director remains unchanged; it just means that I'll be in charge of handling external affairs in Beijing from now on, so it's not a demotion."
Father Chu gave a nonchalant "hmm," then said with feigned seriousness, "Now the four of you are all together again. The Zhan family told me the other day that their grandson is getting married and they're being transferred back for training. I'm warning you, watch your step, or I'll skin you alive."
Chu Mu stretched lazily, completely unconcerned. "Do you think you're in your thirties? You think you can just beat me up like that?"
Mr. Chu laughed and scolded, "You little rascal, by the way, where did your sister go the other day? I always feel like you and your mother are hiding something from me." Chu Mu's gaze paused slightly, "What could she be hiding? She can't do anything other than cause me trouble."
Father Chu assumed that Chu Weiyuan had gone somewhere and squandered Chu Mu's fortune again, so he didn't pay much attention. After chatting for a while, he told them to go back to sleep.
In the master bedroom on the other side.