Chapter 62: Big Sister’s Assist
Mu Zhenguo and He Cuifang were in tears.
He Cuifang choked up, “How did it come to this? How could it end up like this…”
Mu Zhenguo was at a loss. “Lantu… you two are brothers…”
Xu Huazhang frowned, “Uncle, you can’t keep asking Lantu to be the one who compromises just because he’s more mature. If being mature means being wronged, then it’s better not to be mature at all.”
Mu Zhenguo was left speechless.
Only then did Mu Lantu say, “No matter how my relationship with him is, it won’t stop me from being filial to you. Please don’t overthink it.”
Mu Hongtu looked at the cold-faced Mu Lantu, then at their passive parents, and tried to flip the table in anger.
Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang simultaneously placed one hand on the table, keeping it firmly in place.
Infuriated and humiliated, Mu Hongtu kicked over a stool and stormed out, flinging his sleeves dramatically.
He Cuifang, clearly flustered, quickly changed the subject: “Lantu, you said you came back for two things. What’s the second one?”
“Oh, right,” Mu Lantu said casually. “The other thing is—I’m together with Xu Huazhang.”
Xu Huazhang was caught off guard but smiled softly, touched. His baby hadn’t told him they’d be coming clean today.
He Cuifang and Mu Zhenguo were completely baffled.
“What do you mean?”
Mu Lantu said it lightly, “It means Xu Huazhang and I are a couple.”
“What?!”
Both He Cuifang and Mu Zhenguo exclaimed in unison, their faces frozen in shock, minds spinning.
Mu Lantu added, “I’ve already met his parents and other family members.”
Xu Huazhang took his hand. “Uncle, Auntie, my family thinks very highly of Lantu. They’re also eager to meet you both.”
Mu Zhenguo stammered, “You… you two…” but couldn’t form a complete sentence. Hit by two heavy shocks in a row, his mind went blank.
He Cuifang was the same—unable to believe her son liked men. How could a man like another man?
“Dad, Mom, Huazhang and I are going out for a walk. You two think about when you’d like to meet his parents so I can arrange it.”
Mu Lantu pulled Xu Huazhang out with him.
Once they were far enough away, Xu Huazhang asked, “Baby, how could you just blurt it out like that? I wasn’t even prepared!”
Mu Lantu had done it deliberately. He intentionally followed one shocking revelation with another, hoping the second would be softened by the first. It was a spontaneous decision meant to cushion the blow. If they had revealed their relationship under different circumstances, no matter how carefully, it would’ve still felt abrupt and might’ve hurt even more.
The earlier fight with Mu Hongtu gave their parents some buffer time to process everything.
Xu Huazhang thought it made sense.
“Should we go to the supermarket and make up for the missed gifts?”
Mu Lantu shook his head. “No rush, let’s wait a bit.”
The two stayed outside for over half an hour before returning to the breakfast shop.
Mu Zhenguo and He Cuifang now glared at Xu Huazhang, all previous warmth gone. Their youngest son had never shown signs like this before—this man must have corrupted him!
Mu Zhenguo put on his fatherly authority and said sternly, “Lantu, your mother and I do not approve of this! We’re going to pretend we never heard anything today. And you’re not going to the capital anymore! You’re staying here in Anfeng! Your mother and I have already discussed it—we’ll start calling around to arrange blind dates. Marriage and children are what truly matter!”
He Cuifang chimed in quickly, “That’s right, listen to your father.”
Mu Lantu struck first, “I’m not listening. If you don’t accept it, I’ll cut ties. Huazhang, let’s go.”
Xu Huazhang didn’t quite follow the script but played along without hesitation.
“We’re just leaving like this? Is that okay?”
“It’s fine. They’re not short on children—besides me, they still have a son and a daughter, and those two will definitely be filial! We’re just extra. Staying will only be an eyesore. And if word gets out, they’ll be embarrassed. Let’s just go!”
Mu Lantu shouted that last part, then pulled Xu Huazhang out the door.
Mu Zhenguo and He Cuifang didn’t know whether to chase after them or not.
Mu Zhenguo yelled, “Mu Lantu! Stop right there! If you walk out that door, I’ll disown you!”
“Fine! I’m going to my sister’s place.” Mu Lantu didn’t stop.
Mu Zhenzhen was at her shop. Her newly purchased car was parked out front, polished to a gleam.
The midday sun was scorching, and there wasn’t a single customer.
She reclined in a chair, enjoying the air conditioning while playing on her phone.
Mu Lantu opened the door, and the lucky cat at the entrance chirped, “Welcome!”
Mu Zhenzhen looked up, surprised to see Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang walk in. She stood up quickly.
“Lantu? And Boss Xu, Mr. Zhou, Mr. Ge—you’re back? Have you eaten?”
“Sis, don’t bother. We already ate.”
“Then sit for a bit. I’ll go get some ice cream and drinks!”
She rushed out before Mu Lantu could stop her.
Many shops had coolers out front in summer, selling popsicles, ice cream, and cold drinks—a decent side income.
Mu Zhenzhen came back with a large bag.
“Sis, I need your help with something,” Mu Lantu said, picking out a small pudding. “I hope you can help talk to Mom and Dad.”
“Talk to them?” Mu Zhenzhen was confused. “What’s wrong with them?”
Mu Lantu said, “I told them about me and Huazhang. They can’t accept it.”
The sweet ice cream in Mu Zhenzhen’s mouth lost all flavor. She asked heavily, “Are you really sure?”
Mu Lantu nodded. “Yes. I’ve already met his family.”
Mu Zhenzhen grew nervous. “How do his family treat you?”
Xu Huazhang smiled. “They all really like Lantu. If you’re still worried, why don’t you come with us to the capital and meet them yourself?”
Mu Zhenzhen said nothing, just stared at Mu Lantu, wanting to hear it from him.
Mu Lantu affirmed what Xu Huazhang said. “Just like he said. Love is complicated. If nothing unexpected happens, he’s it for me.”
Xu Huazhang instinctively disliked jinxes and firmly added, “There will be no unexpected events!”
Mu Zhenzhen nodded. “As long as you’re happy, I’ll support you. But be prepared—if Mom and Dad never come around…”
“Thanks, sis.” Mu Lantu stayed clear-headed. “If that happens, I’ll just avoid being an eyesore to them.”
Mu Lantu had another thought in mind but didn’t mention it yet.
They didn’t stay in Anfeng long. Mu Lantu left a message for He Cuifang and then left the city.
By the time He Cuifang and Mu Zhenguo got to the shop, they were already gone.
He Cuifang slapped her thigh in frustration. “You—you girl! Why didn’t you stop your brother?!”
“Mom, don’t panic. Sit down. Dad, you too. Let’s talk calmly.”
Mu Zhenzhen got them seated and brought over cut watermelon.
But He Cuifang was in no mood to eat, eyeing her daughter suspiciously. “You… you already knew?”
Mu Zhenguo looked sharply at her too.
Mu Zhenzhen nodded. “Lantu already told me. And he’s met Huazhang’s family. That means they’re serious—not just messing around.”
Mu Zhenguo set his watermelon back on the table, frowning, silent.
Mu Zhenzhen knew this was a tough situation—but it still had to be handled.
“Dad, you can’t stay silent forever. Whatever the issue is, it needs to be talked through. Why are you so against it? Surely there’s a reason?”
Mu Zhenguo snapped, “What reason? They’re both men! How can they be together?!”
Mu Zhenzhen responded, “Why not? You just don’t understand. Whether someone likes men or women is something they’re born with. There are men who like women, men who like men, and women who like women. You just didn’t know it existed.
It’s like when you hadn’t been to the county town—you didn’t know there were so many kinds of cigarettes, liquor, or snacks. You didn’t know about durian, mangoes, or mangosteen. Back in the village, all we knew were apples, oranges, and peaches. We’d never even heard of the other fruits!”
Mu Zhenguo didn’t get it. “But why him? Other men like women.”
Mu Zhenzhen replied, “I told you—it’s inborn. Look it up on your phone. In our country alone, there are over fifty million people who like the same sex. It’s perfectly normal.
I think as long as it’s not illegal, not immoral, and doesn’t hurt others, Lantu should have the freedom to be with whoever he wants. My brother is outstanding—handsome, capable, and above all, filial. What more could you want?
You want him to be filial, make money, get along with my other brother, and marry and have kids to your liking? You can’t have everything. Nothing in life is perfect!
Even my brother, as well-off as he is, has his own burdens—his own parents stand in the way of his happiness. As for me—my husband treats me well, and my in-laws are decent. But our shop struggles, and we barely have ¥100,000 in savings. I worry that if something happens, we won’t even have enough emergency funds…”
Mu Zhenguo and He Cuifang listened quietly.
When she was done, He Cuifang said, “You make some sense. But two men can’t have children—how can that last?”
Mu Zhenzhen scoffed, “And a man and woman can have kids, sure—but that doesn’t mean they do last. The boss next door got divorced within a year of marriage—don’t you know her? Is she not living freely now? Traveling every few months?
And let’s look even closer—our cousin’s brother-in-law. He had two kids and still got divorced. Whether it lasts or not has nothing to do with gender—it’s about feelings. Oh, and even closer—why are my brother and his wife getting divorced, huh?”
