Chapter 132: The Mu Family Situation
The living room fell silent for a while.
Xu Huawen smiled and said, “Huazhang, you know I’m married now, right? You already have a nephew and a niece.”
“Sister-in-law and the kids are doing well?” Xu Huazhang asked. “I’ll prepare a little something later for you to bring back.”
In the study, Mu Lantu thought for a moment, then picked out two tins of malted milk and two catties of milk candy. After rummaging around in his space for a while, he also found a delicate little makeup mirror—small enough to fit in a handbag. A woman would probably like it.
“They’re all fine,” Xu Huawen replied. “It’s just… our family’s house still hasn’t been returned. If I bring them all to the capital with me, we’d have nowhere to live, so I didn’t. They’re still back home. This time I came to borrow some money from you, so I can rent a place and bring them over.”
“Borrow money from me?” Xu Huazhang chuckled softly. “I don’t have any money.”
Instinctively, Xu Huawen blurted out, “How could you not have money?”
“Oh?” Xu Huazhang gazed at him calmly.
Xu Huawen didn’t understand why, as the elder brother, he always felt nervous in front of his younger brother. He shifted uneasily on the sofa and cleared his throat. “Dad… didn’t give you money?”
“He did,” Xu Huazhang admitted, still looking straight at him. “But where do you get the face to use Dad’s money?”
Xu Huawen gave a forced laugh. “What’s that supposed to mean? I’m Dad’s son too, same as you. Why can’t I use his money?”
“No need to say more,” Xu Huazhang replied coolly. “I have money, but I won’t give you a cent. Don’t bother disturbing my life again. For the sake of your two children, I won’t fight you over the family house. Once it’s returned, it’ll be yours. But if you insist on bothering me, just as I can give you the house, I can also take it back. You shouldn’t doubt my ability to do so.”
Xu Huawen flew into a rage, suddenly standing up and jabbing a finger at his younger brother. “Xu Huazhang! I’m your elder brother!”
Xu Huazhang’s eyes chilled. He stared at the finger. “Don’t want it anymore?”
Xu Huawen’s expression shifted, then slowly lowered his hand.
“I really don’t have money. How much did Dad give you? Even just a hundred would be fine.”
Xu Huazhang picked up his teacup. “Since you don’t want the house—”
“Forget it. Who told you to be my younger brother? If you won’t give, you won’t give.” Xu Huawen sighed heavily.
Xu Huazhang rose and went into the study.
Mu Lantu handed him the things. “How about these?”
“That’s plenty.” Xu Huazhang only took one portion each of the malted milk and candy, then stroked Mu Lantu’s face. “Do you really think he has no money? When he was sent down to the countryside, my dad gave him quite a bit too.”
Mu Lantu muttered, “He’s nothing like big brother Xu Huafeng.”
At the mention of Xu Huafeng, Xu Huazhang’s lips curved. Xu Huafeng was indeed a good elder brother, but as a younger brother, he had treated him well too.
When Xu Huawen saw the malted milk, candy, and especially the little makeup mirror that looked like something sold only at overseas Chinese shops, he couldn’t help but stir inside. These three things weren’t easy to get. Huazhang’s friend…
But when his eyes met Xu Huazhang’s calm, bottomless gaze, a chill ran down his spine, and all his thoughts scattered.
“Anything else?”
Xu Huawen asked grudgingly, “Don’t you want to know if I’ve heard anything about Mom?”
“If she hasn’t contacted me, it means she’s doing well,” Xu Huazhang said flatly. Living well but not reaching out—meant she didn’t want to be disturbed.
Xu Huawen had no rebuttal.
He left.
Mu Lantu came out and sat on Xu Huazhang’s lap. “Should I call my family? My dad can’t reach me right now. I’m afraid he and my stepmother will do something foolish.”
“Call first,” Xu Huazhang replied. “When summer break comes, I’ll go back with you. Before graduation, we can’t let them ruin your reputation.”
Mu Lantu shared the same worry.
Time passed.
In July, the university let out for summer.
Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang boarded the train back to Jiang City.
Mu Aijun specially took the day off, cleaned the house thoroughly, even humming songs—showing just how happy he was!
The neighbors in the family housing compound all noticed.
“Director Mu, why are you so happy today? Don’t tell me your eldest is giving you another grandchild?”
This was meant to mock him. After all, Mu Hongbing wasn’t his biological son, and their relationship had grown more and more strained over the years—so much that it had become a well-known spectacle in the compound.
Mu Aijun was displeased but quickly brushed it aside. He laughed loudly: “You’re quite the joker! My eldest hasn’t even married yet. Where would a grandchild come from?”
That was an outright denial of Mu Hongbing as his son.
No one was too surprised. Mu Hongbing had long since grown independent, especially after securing an apartment through his wife’s glass factory job. He no longer gave Mu Aijun any respect. If Mu Aijun still treated him like a son, people would look down on him. After all, he was a workshop director at the steel plant.
“Then why are you so happy?”
“My eldest is coming home today!” Mu Aijun’s voice boomed even louder. “He’s the only university student in our family! And not just any university—he’s at the Imperial Capital University! As his father, of course I must welcome him with the highest honor! Hahaha…”
At that, everyone in the compound went green with envy.
There were indeed a few kids in the compound who had gotten into university, but only four in total, and none at a top school. But Mu Lantu? He had not only gotten in, he had gotten into one of the very best.
To them, it was like soaring to the heavens in a single leap.
Someone unwilling to see Mu Aijun so pleased said with a smile, “Lantu really is promising—and filial too! But Aijun, you have to admit, you did treat that boy badly before. I thought he wouldn’t acknowledge you anymore!”
The man who dared to call him directly by name was, of course, of higher rank—the deputy factory director, surnamed Wang.
Everyone else perked up their ears to eavesdrop.
Mu Aijun felt that jab keenly, but he forced a laugh and played along. “Deputy Director Wang, there’s no overnight grudge between father and son! When Lantu comes back, I’ll have him toast you properly. If he has time, I’ll even arrange a banquet—everyone will be invited. When he was little, you all took care of him!”
Deputy Director Wang didn’t want to truly offend him either. Who knew how far Mu Lantu might go in the future? One day, he might have to ask him for help. So he laughed heartily: “Well then, how could I refuse a drink with a top student from the Imperial University? I’ll be sure to soak up his good fortune!”
Others joined in with flattery, their praises unending.
Mu Aijun basked in the rare glory, speaking louder and louder.
Outside the courtyard, Sun Yuhe stood clutching her bag so tightly it was crumpled.
She had known Lantu would be coming back, but she hadn’t known Mu Aijun had even taken leave to prepare. She had only learned of it when a coworker mentioned it on her way to work. In a rush, she too had asked for leave and hurried back.
If Mu Aijun had asked her to take leave, she would have resented it. But because he hadn’t, she now felt a barrier between them. The unease gnawed at her.
Strictly speaking, the signs had appeared years ago—ever since Mu Aijun reclaimed the passbook she used to keep for him.
She had just chosen to ignore it.
She knew well enough the real cause wasn’t only Mu Lantu’s meddling. Mu Hongbing had played a huge part.
That son was a true ingrate!
Back then, she had taken Hongbing and Honghong with her when she married, because she truly pitied her own children. Otherwise, she could have left them behind, and her marriage with Mu Aijun would have been much smoother.
Everything she did was for Hongbing! And what had he done?
Once he was established at the sugar factory, he tried to shake off Mu Aijun, and even treated her, his own mother, with indifference. He only came home once a month at most, usually to ask for things—saying his wife wanted a sewing machine, a TV, an electric fan…
At first, Sun Yuhe consoled herself, thinking it was all his wife’s doing. But later she realized—it was Hongbing himself who wanted them!
It was like being struck by lightning.
She knew then her son was hopeless, someone she could never rely on.
As for Honghong, she didn’t dare hope at all. Both Honghong and Xiuxiu had taken the college entrance exam, but they had only finished junior high. How could they possibly cram all of high school into a few months? Neither passed.
And Honghong couldn’t endure countryside life either. Within two months, she was already courting a villager. Once she came of age, she got married.
She wasn’t stupid though—she picked well, choosing the brigade leader’s son. He was capable and doted on her. This time he even generously allowed her to take the exam. But she was simply too dull—she still failed.
Sun Yuhe believed that even two or three more tries would be useless. Honghong would probably never return to the city.
Her only consolation was that she and Mu Aijun still had two younger children together—Mu Hongtu and Mu Lanlan. For their sake, as long as she didn’t make any serious mistakes, Mu Aijun wouldn’t abandon her. Her later years would still be secure.
“Yuhe, you’re back!”
The neighbors all gave her curious looks. Interesting—her husband had been cleaning for two hours already, but only now the wife returned, empty-handed and still in her work clothes. Didn’t she know he had taken leave today? Wasn’t she supposed to be pampered like a princess? So now they were quarreling?
Sun Yuhe quickly realized coming back empty-handed was a mistake. She lifted her chin and said openly:
“Lantu’s coming home today—I was so happy I got confused, forgot I’d taken leave, and went to work as usual. When I finally remembered, I thought to stop by the supply store, but realized I’d left my money behind! Sorry for making everyone laugh.”
The neighbors didn’t really buy it. Both her own children had failed the exam. Would she really be happy for Mu Lantu?
“Well, now isn’t that a miracle from the heavens! Haha!” one middle-aged woman sneered, glancing up at the sky. She was the same age as Sun Yuhe, but looked ten years older.
From upstairs, Mu Aijun poked his head out. “You forgot your wallet, didn’t you? I just saw it. Otherwise I would have brought it over.”
His words backed up Sun Yuhe’s excuse.
Even if the neighbors still doubted, they couldn’t say anything more.
