Snowflakes drifted down from the sky. Chu Mu stood just two steps away from her, travel-worn, his face ashen. His deep, dark eyes were fixed on the pregnant woman.
Shu Yi'an stood there dumbfounded opposite him, clutching the large red lantern in one hand, completely at a loss. No matter how much she lowered her eyes to avoid his gaze, her prominently protruding belly seemed like a mischievous child showing off to him.
No one knows how relieved Chu Mu felt the moment he saw Shu Yi'an. Looking at the woman who was just a little taller than his chest, and noticing her hands that were red from the cold, he suddenly and silently took off his fine leather gloves and forcibly grabbed hers, his voice restrained and restrained.
"Shu Yi'an, it's been a long time."
Author's Note: Come on, come on, your long-awaited encounter has finally arrived!
I'm going to the hospital for a follow-up appointment tomorrow and to buy some winter clothes. As a girl from Northeast China, I'm already shivering from the cold. So, my update might be a little late, but I'll try my best to be on time!
Thank you so much to Fei Shiqiongju, Talay, Lu Chen, Piao, and Shao Lan for all the grenades and landmines you threw! You've gone to so much trouble!
Chapter 62 Becoming a Father
Shu Yi'an never imagined that she would see Chu Mu again in this way and at this time. He was standing right in front of her, the gloves he had taken off still warm from him. The moment his fingers touched the skin on the back of her hand, Shu Yi'an was so shocked that she almost burst into tears.
"Why are you here...?"
She wore a red sweater that accentuated her fair skin, and thick wool boots made her look round and plump. Chu Mu's gaze remained fixed on her protruding belly, not shifting for a second, as if afraid it would all disappear when he looked up again. No one knew how fast his heart was beating at that moment, nor how he forced himself to suppress the overwhelming pleasure that seemed to fill every inch of his body.
Chu Mu took a deep breath, abruptly pulled her into his arms, and spat out those words through gritted teeth, his voice filled with rage.
"You ran away with my child for nine months? Hmm? Shu Yi'an, how come I never realized you were so capable before?"
She could hear the sound of herself waking up crying from a dream, longing for him unbearably; she could smell the lingering scent that had once filled her senses. Shu Yi'an was truly stunned. After all, she felt guilty about the child, and now that he had caught her red-handed, she felt utterly in the wrong. She didn't respond at all as he held her, just standing there dumbly for a long time, trying to calm herself down from seeing him so suddenly.
She thought he had found someone better to live with, she thought all traces of herself in Chu Mu's life were slowly fading away, she thought that phone call was her final farewell and a sign of weakness. She never imagined that that phone call could bring someone thousands of miles away to stand before her. He was travel-worn and weary, yet he couldn't hide his anxiety. But he did it anyway.
The narrow alleyway leading to the street was filled with festive cheer. The damp air, carrying the unique scent of winter, was incredibly relaxing. The woman in his arms felt so real; Chu Mu could almost instantly read Shu Yi'an's mind, even when she was silent. He slightly pulled away from her, a little anxious that she might feel uncomfortable, and didn't even bother to answer her questions.
"It's not what you think. I just happened to be outside with Ji Hengdong and the others that day, and there were a lot of people there."
“I’ve been looking for you ever since the day you left. I went to Suzhou as soon as I got your call, but when I got there I learned from your landlord that you had returned here.”
They had both suffered enough from this, and Chu Mu could no longer ignore all her self-deprecation as before. His long, slender fingers carefully touched her stomach, and he composed himself.
"Shu Yi'an, come home with me."
Shu Yi paused for a moment, then turned and walked back with the lantern in her hand. "My home is right here."
Chu Mu panicked, quickly took a few steps, grabbed her arm, then hesitated, worried about hurting her, and loosened his grip slightly, frowning as he asked, "No, where are you going with the child?"
Shu Yi'an looked at the person she hadn't seen in so long and suddenly smiled, slowly withdrawing her hand and saying each word clearly, "Chu Mu, we're divorced. I never thought I'd ever go back to you."
Looking at the still frail woman's back, Chu Mu felt a sense of defeat. Bringing his wife and child home seemed like a long and arduous journey. Shu Yi'an... seemed no longer the same person he used to be, someone who would foolishly agree to anything after being pinned down and threatened.
This is Chu Mu's second visit to the old house in Yangzhou. The last time he came was to accompany Shu Yi'an to sweep her grave on the fifth anniversary of her parents' death.
"Why did you leave in such a hurry when I told you not to go get it? What will you do if something happens later? ... This is, son-in-law?" Qingshan saw Shu Yi'an returning with a lantern from afar and went out to greet him, but when he saw the person behind Shu Yi'an, he stopped abruptly.
Chu Mu bowed slightly to the butler who had served Old Master Shu for many years, saying, "Hello."
"Oh! You're too kind, you're too kind." Qingshan hurriedly replied, and he and the others looked at each other blankly, not knowing what was going on.
Shu Yi'an turned around and looked at the people who had already entered the courtyard behind her, frowning. "What are you doing?"
Chu Mu raised an eyebrow and shrugged helplessly. "If you won't come back with me, I'll come back with you." Actually, Chu Mu was thinking, "I haven't slept for a day and a night, and I finally caught you. Do you think I'd let you get away so easily?" Especially seeing that little life still alive and well, the regret and remorse he felt before were replaced by the joy of becoming a father. He wouldn't even hesitate to follow her; he'd be happy to marry into her family!
Shu Yi'an had never seen Chu Mu like this before and was at a loss for what to do.
Shu Xuehong, leaning on her cane, stood quietly in the courtyard, watching this scene unfold. Suddenly, she let out a heavy snort. The two people who had been facing each other both turned to look down at the corridor.
The old man, his hands clasped on the handles of his cane, spoke with a strong voice, but also with a fierce anger. "Come in if you want, there's plenty of room in the yard. Yi'an, come inside!" Although Shu Xuehong didn't shut him out, she still gave Chu Mu a show of force in front of everyone. With just one sentence, she made her stance clear: he could come in, but once he was inside, he should stand outside.
As soon as she spoke, the courtyard fell silent. The festive atmosphere of welcoming the Spring Festival was instantly replaced by a cautious demeanor from Shu Xuehong. Shu Yi'an secretly glanced back at Chu Mu, then silently lowered her head and followed her grandfather into the house. Chu Mu was left standing alone in the courtyard, smiling helplessly as punishment.
Actually, it wasn't punishment at all; it was clearly the old woman giving him a warning out of her anger. Chu Mu lowered his eyes and thought silently, thankfully, thankfully he hadn't been kicked out yet, thankfully she hadn't been so heartless as to tell him to get lost, otherwise, he really wouldn't know how to win her back. In fact, on the way here, he had already made all the preparations for the long road ahead that lay before him. Even if it was grueling.
Amidst the blanket of white snow, he stood tall and slender in the courtyard, his posture neither humble nor arrogant, not even a trace of embarrassment or awkwardness on his face. His hair and coat were covered in tiny water droplets from the falling snowflakes, and for six whole hours, he maintained that same posture without changing.
The weather wasn't very cold, but the light drizzle mixed with snow still brought a chill. The fireplace inside burned brightly. Shu Yi'an stood in the room, peeking out through a small gap in the curtains, and slowly began to cry, covering her mouth. It's said that pregnant women's emotions are very unstable, but at this moment, Shu Yi'an's emotions had nothing to do with pregnancy. Those feelings she had so tightly hidden all rushed out in this moment when no one could see them. Almost every girl hopes that in her most desperate and hopeful time, someone will suddenly appear by her side, without warning, yet with all their heartfelt affection. Chu Mu's arrival was especially so.
Shu Xuehong could see Chu Mu standing in the courtyard through the study. Qingshan, who was grinding ink for the old man, couldn't help but add, "The young master has been standing here for three hours. Unlike in the north, we shouldn't let him catch a cold from the dampness."
Shu Xuehong angrily pounded the ground, clearly displeased. "Caught a cold? My granddaughter suffered so much, what does it matter if he catches a cold? This is what he deserves."
No one understood the old man better than Qingshan, who carefully laid out a paperweight to weigh down the paper. Only then did he invite Shu Xuehong over, and upon seeing the old man write the first character, he understood quite a bit. "I'm afraid you're also reluctant to part with this grandson-in-law..." Otherwise, given Shu Xuehong's temperament, how could she have let anyone in? She would have chased him out with her cane long ago.
Shu Xuehong hesitated for a moment, then looked out the window before relaxing her expression and smiling slightly. "He's quite a good man, not showing the slightest impatience for so long. It's clear he cares." Someone with Chu Mu's background and status, both psychologically and in terms of stance, could easily ignore such a punishment from an old man, but it would be a loss of face. Yet he actually stood in the courtyard from daylight until dusk on New Year's Eve.
“Qingshan…do you really think I’m getting old and my eyesight is failing? The worst thing for young people is to be impetuous and frivolous. It’s already quite remarkable that he’s been able to persevere for Yi’an for so long. Besides, Yi’an still has feelings for this guy, otherwise, why would she bring the child home alone? I just wanted to test how much of a hurdle the two of them could overcome. I’m getting old, and there’s less and less I can do for this granddaughter.”
Shu Xuehong glanced at the pocket watch on the table and waved her hand outside. "Go ahead and call him in. Also, have the kitchen prepare an extra set of chopsticks and a bowl."
After standing for six hours, Chu Mu barely managed to stretch his stiff neck and numb hands and feet before strolling into the study. Compared to being punished by standing, Shu Xuehong's ordeal was the most agonizing. As he climbed the steps, he glanced casually at the side room on his left, and the smile on Chu Mu's lips deepened slightly.
Chu Mu gently closed the study door and bowed to the old man behind the desk.
"Grandpa."
"This old man can hardly bear it, and I don't know if I can still accept being called 'Grandpa' by you now." Shu Xuehong put down his pen and pulled a piece of paper from his desk. "Do you remember what you promised me when you married Yi'an? And what did I say to you?"
Chu Mu's eyes flickered as he clearly recalled the promise he made to Shu Yi'an the moment he received her from Shu Xuehong on their wedding day.
"Then look what I've done to my granddaughter!!" Shu Xuehong roared, slamming the inkstone on the table to the ground with a dull thud. Walking slowly to Chu Mu, the old man raised his cane, which he'd used for over a decade. "The way your Chu family treats people has truly broadened my horizons!"
The nanmu cane struck Chu Mu's back with great force, but he only frowned and did not utter a groan of pain or show any anger.