Chapter 72: Taking the Initiative
Mu Aijun looked at Sun Yuhe with deep emotion. She still understood him best. With a wife like her, what more could a husband ask?
Mu Lantu dragged a chair over and sat down. “If you want me to go to the countryside, that’s fine.”
Mu Aijun and Sun Yuhe immediately noticed something different about him. The old Mu Lantu was timid and never would have dared sit while they were both still standing.
They had initially doubted he really hit Mu Hongbing, but now they were starting to believe it.
Sun Yuhe said, “Aijun…”
Mu Hongbing sneered. “What, you think you can bargain? You’re going to the countryside. That’s final!”
“When did this family start being run by Mu Hongbing? And no one told me?” Mu Lantu looked directly at Mu Aijun.
Sun Yuhe glared at Mu Hongbing. So impatient!
Mu Hongbing realized he had misspoken and quickly lowered his head.
“Dad, I know I was wrong.”
Sun Yuhe gently rubbed Mu Aijun’s back. “Aijun, you’ve worked all afternoon. You must be hungry. Shouldn’t we eat first?”
Mu Aijun’s expression softened.
Mu Lantu gave Sun Yuhe a meaningful look.
Sun Yuhe smiled slightly at him.
Mu Lantu said, “Dad, the food’s not ready yet. Talking now won’t delay anything.”
Mu Aijun was about to nod, but Sun Yuhe tugged at him again.
Mu Xiuxiu wrapped her arms around his waist. “Daddy, do you remember the classmate who walked me home last time?”
Mu Aijun seemed to recall something.
“Alright, alright, I’m tired too. Let’s talk about everything tomorrow. Yuhe, go make dinner. I’m going to rest for a bit.”
Sun Yuhe quickly followed. “Let Honghong and Xiuxiu cook. I’ll give you a massage—you’ll feel better.”
The door closed behind them.
Mu Lantu gave Mu Xiuxiu a cryptic glance and left the house.
The ground outside was muddy, and after only a few steps, his shoes were caked in it.
[System]: Host, where are you going?
[Mu Lantu]: The Youth Affairs Office.
Luckily, the staff there hadn’t gotten off work yet.
Seeing someone arrive this late surprised them.
“Comrade, are you here to volunteer for countryside relocation?” one of them asked, though his face clearly showed he didn’t expect a yes.
Volunteers for rural assignments weren’t unheard of, but they were rare.
“Yes, Comrade. The countryside is a vast stage full of opportunity. As ambitious educated youth, we should go there—to help build up the countryside and serve our country!”
Mu Lantu’s passionate words stirred the two workers.
“You’re absolutely right, Comrade! As educated youth, we need more people with your awareness!”
Mu Lantu quietly handed over two bags of brown sugar.
He had secretly prepared these on the way, removing the modern packaging and wrapping them in plain white paper. Each bag was one jin (500g).
“Yes, Comrade. I’d like to go to Heiliao Province, if that’s possible?”
They didn’t need to open the paper to know what was inside—brown sugar! Just the smell gave it away. That was a luxury—each of them only received 200g of sugar coupons per month!
The two men calmly pocketed the gifts and exchanged a glance.
This comrade wasn’t trying to avoid going to the countryside—he just wanted to choose where to go. That was manageable.
“Are you sure?” the older man looked him up and down, seeing his thin frame. He softened slightly after accepting the sugar. “Heiliao Province (a.k.a very north of China) is far. The train ride from Jiang City takes three days and nights. Winters there are brutally cold.”
Mu Lantu scratched his head bashfully. “That’s exactly why I want to go. Not many volunteers would pick such a place, so I’m willing to help the villagers there build their home.”
The older man nodded. “In that case, we’ll assign you to a relatively simple and better-off area.”
That was exactly what Mu Lantu wanted. He smiled gratefully. “Thank you! Thank you both, Comrades!”
“No need to thank us. Serving the people is our duty!”
The assignment on Mu Lantu’s transfer letter read: Dongfanghong Brigade, Chaoyang Commune, Shuangfeng County, Danjiang City, Heiliao Province.
After filling it out, the staff handed it over.
“Take good care of this letter. Losing it will cause big problems. The departure time for youth going to Heiliao is the morning after next at 9:20. Don’t be late.”
Mu Lantu stored the letter in his system space—no way he’d lose it now.
When he returned home, the Mu family was already eating.
As soon as they saw him, everyone sped up.
On the table were just a plate of pickled vegetables, a bowl of steamed egg, and a bowl of stir-fried potato slivers—practically no oil at all.
Mu Lantu turned away in disgust and asked Mu Aijun, “Dad, when will you take me to hand over my job?”
Sun Yuhe quietly ate, mild and docile.
Mu Aijun’s eyes flicked to her lips, then he coughed and shifted in his seat. “Well, Lantu, I’ve decided to give the job to Hongbing.”
Mu Hongbing smirked proudly at Mu Lantu and deliberately shoved a big spoonful of rice into his mouth.
“You know Hongbing was brought here by your mother. If I gave the job to you, people would say I’m treating my stepson badly. That would hurt my reputation. Try to understand, alright? You go to the countryside first. I’ll keep an eye out for job openings in the city and bring you back as soon as I find one.”
“Dad, are you out of your mind? You’re more worried about treating your stepson too harshly than your own biological son? Aren’t you afraid people will say, ‘Get a stepmother, get a stepfather too’?”
Mu Aijun flushed red. He had worried about that, but Sun Yuhe had just pampered him so well that he’d impulsively agreed.
Not something he could say aloud.
He scowled. “Nonsense! You’re my own son—can’t you try to understand me a little?”
“I think you’ve gone mad. There are eight people in this house. I’m the only one truly on your side. Now that Mu Hongbing has a job, the next step is marriage. Then there’ll be another person on the stepmother’s team—”
Mu Lantu wasn’t done—he wanted to scold them more.
Sun Yuhe began crying, wiping her tears pitifully. “Lantu, I raised you even though you’re not my biological son. I worked so hard to bring you up, and this is how you see me?”
Mu Lantu calmly replied, “See that? Can’t even have a private conversation with my dad. Stepmom’s interrupted me again. How many times is that now?”
Sun Yuhe’s heart skipped a beat.
Mu Aijun thought back—yeah, that had been happening. His heart sank.
“Lantu, you’re acting strange today, like a different person,” Sun Yuhe tried changing the subject.
Mu Lantu had been waiting for that. “Ask your good son. At the river today, he almost killed me.”
Mu Hongbing panicked. “That’s a lie!”
Sun Yuhe quickly hugged Mu Aijun, whose face had changed. “Aijun, kids fooling around happens all the time.”
“Let’s say it was just playing,” Mu Lantu stared at her. “So, Stepmom, can I talk to my dad alone now?”
He really had changed—he used to call her “Mom.”
Sun Yuhe’s smile was strained. “Of course. Maybe after he finishes eating, you two can have a nice talk?”
“More excuses. After dinner, will it be ‘after he bathes’ next? Dad, you’re a grown man—don’t you have a mind of your own?”
Mu Aijun glared at him, abandoned his meal, and stormed out. His emotions were complicated—anger, but also a touch of pride.
This son had always been weak and timid. He had to admit—today, he was impressed.
Mu Lantu pulled him far away before stopping.
“Dad, don’t ignore what I’m saying. Right now, they respect you because you still earn money. But now that Mu Hongbing has a job, he’ll soon stop listening to you. When you retire—or maybe even before, if he thinks he can beat you—do you really think he’ll still treat you with respect?”
Mu Aijun was already regretting things but tried to stay calm.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make him hand over half his salary.”
Mu Lantu scoffed. “Isn’t the money managed by Sun Yuhe? Whether he hands it over or not makes no difference. I’ve told you before—they’re all on her side. You just don’t believe me.”
“What exactly are you trying to say?” asked Mu Aijun.
“I’m saying, if you give me 500 yuan and enough coupons for my relocation, I’ll still be willing to support you in the future. If not—well, you can count on Mu Hongtu and Mu Lanlan for your retirement.” (Those two were still young, maybe salvageable. The rest? Useless.)
He knew Mu Aijun had money—last year, the original Mu Lantu had overheard him and Sun Yuhe saying they had over 2,000 yuan in savings.
Mu Aijun snapped, “How dare you say you won’t support me?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Mu Lantu replied. “However you treat me, I’ll treat you the same. Isn’t that simple?”
Mu Aijun was speechless.
“You and Honghong and Xiuxiu are all going to the countryside. Where would I get that much money for you? I can give you ten yuan at most.”
“What can ten yuan do? Going to the countryside means setting up a whole new life. Bedding, pots, dishes—everything needs money and coupons!”
Mu Aijun looked helpless. “Son, I really don’t have money. Think about it—we have six kids! We can’t save anything.”
Mu Lantu felt chilled to the core. Is this really my father? Thank goodness he had come. If the original Mu Lantu had heard this, he would have been devastated.
“So you’ve made up your mind. Keep your ten yuan.”
He turned and walked away.
Watching his straight back slowly disappear into the darkness, Mu Aijun suddenly felt anxious. He hesitated for a long time but didn’t follow.
The next morning, during breakfast, Mu Lantu asked again in front of everyone, “Dad, Stepmom, I’m going to the countryside. How much money will you give me?”
Sun Yuhe smiled. “Ask your father—he decides.”
Mu Aijun wiped his face bitterly and pulled three bundles of money and ration coupons from his pocket.
“Lantu, Xiuxiu, Honghong—this is all we’ve got. I can only give each of you ten yuan and some coupons. It’s my fault for not being capable enough. I’m sorry you have to suffer.”
