Chapter 21: Unexpected Bonds
by xennovelThe entire Xiao family stood dumbfounded.
They stared blankly at Kara, who was obediently nestled in Mu Qingwu’s arms.
Even a stranger she met for the first time couldn’t stop her from wagging her head and acting spoiled.
Remember, Kara was fierce—a true bully in the neighborhood.
No matter what dog it was, they trembled before her.
Kara never allowed outsiders to touch her; as an eight-year-old dog, she was extremely cautious.
But…
Today, she approached Mu Qingwu on her own and even wanted a hug.
What was going on?
“There’s an old saying,”
Xiao Shenguo, coming to his senses, sighed, “Those not of the same family shouldn’t enter the same door!”
Xiao Yu’s heart skipped a beat.
Liu Yunqing’s eyes shone with surprise as they focused on Mu Qingwu.
Mu Qingwu’s cheeks flushed a rosy hue as she looked utterly perplexed.
Why had this family suddenly become so odd?
The couple had gone to cook, leaving the space to the younger generation.
“What just happened?”
Holding Kara, Mu Qingwu looked at Xiao Yu with puzzled eyes, her expression unreadable.
“Nothing.”
Xiao Yu shook his head and changed the subject, “My parents didn’t scare you, did they?”
“Not at all.”
After a moment’s thought, Mu Qingwu smiled warmly, “I actually like them.”
She really liked them.
In the Xiao household, she felt a genuine warmth of home.
It reminded her of the cozy days when her father was still alive…
“That’s great.”
Xiao Yu nodded, stealing a glance at his parents in the kitchen sneakily watching them, leaving him no choice but to extend his hand in resignation.
“…”
Mu Qingwu, equally helpless, snuggled into Xiao Yu like a little bird.
They acted so naturally, completely unaware of it.
No hints were needed; their communication flowed without even a glance.
“Are clients really that important?”
With Mu Qingwu pressed against him, Xiao Yu asked softly.
“Money can always be earned. There’s no shortage of it.”
Cradled in Xiao Yu’s arms, Mu Qingwu teased Kara, “She’s just so adorable.”
Adorable?
You haven’t seen her in action—Kara once pinned a dog over ten times her size to the ground, rubbing her against it… Xiao Yu winced at the memory.
This woman must have a very skewed idea of what ‘adorable’ means!
At lunchtime, the real conversation began.
“Qingwu, what do your parents do?”
Liu Yunqing, holding back her curiosity until now, finally asked.
“My father passed away.”
With admirable composure, Mu Qingwu smiled and replied, “My mother stays at home; she doesn’t work.”
“Oh.”
Liu Yunqing nodded and exchanged a glance with her husband.
“Your mom—Qingwu, your mother—hails from the same place as mine used to.”
While eating, Xiao Yu remarked casually.
“What?”
Liu Yunqing gasped in surprise, “What’s her name? Maybe I knew her?”
Mu Qingwu revealed her mother’s name, “Zhou Xuelan.”
Suddenly.
The atmosphere turned tense.
Both Xiao Yu and Mu Qingwu could clearly sense that the couple before them was frozen in astonishment, utterly speechless.
What was happening here?
“Your mother…”
Regaining her composure, Liu Yunqing grew animated, fixing her gaze on Mu Qingwu as she listed details like treasured family secrets, “Were you conceived at eighteen and born when you were nineteen? And your father, a soldier turned civilian, was six years older than your mom?”
“Huh?”
Mu Qingwu was taken aback, “Yes!”
Xiao Yu was equally stunned.
With the intelligence they shared, how could it not be obvious that the two mothers must know each other?!
“You’re actually Xuelan’s daughter!”
Tears welled in Liu Yunqing’s eyes as she recalled, “I played with her since we were kids. We haven’t met in over twenty years. That heartless woman left in such a hurry when you were just a baby, not even leaving me a way to contact her!”
Mu Qingwu stood in silence.
Xiao Yu’s expression turned strangely odd.
How could it be such a coincidence? It must be fake, right?
Soon after, Liu Yunqing exchanged phone numbers with Mu Qingwu and called Zhou Xuelan.
After a brief conversation, Liu Yunqing was both crying and exclaiming—and they arranged to meet immediately.
Xiao Yu and Mu Qingwu exchanged wary glances.
It was clear neither looked too good.
This was the prelude to a major calamity!
And sure enough.
Roughly half an hour later, Zhou Xuelan arrived at the Xiao residence.
The two women embraced tightly.
Childhood playmates and lifelong friends, they cried as though the world were ending.
Even Xiao Shenguo looked on with tears glistening in his eyes.
But…
Xiao Yu and Mu Qingwu felt a chill run down their spines.
When the two mothers eventually discovered that their children were now a couple, they erupted with ecstatic happiness.
There was a sense of fate—an indescribable, serendipitous bond…
They were so overjoyed and excited.
One exclaimed, “Let’s get the kids married!”
Another chimed in, “Sure!”
One suggested, “Tomorrow?”
And another agreed, “Sounds good!”
Holy crap… Xiao Yu nearly died on the spot.
Mu Qingwu was pale as she completely lost her composure.
The two of them were on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
How could something so serious be handled so impulsively?
Aren’t our opinions worth any consideration?
While the elders chatted away, the pair slipped into Xiao Yu’s bedroom.
“We need to come up with a plan!”
Mu Qingwu, usually the epitome of calm, was now frantic.
“A plan?”
Xiao Yu rolled his eyes, “My mom used to practice Sanda. If I dare to say no, she’ll kill me!”
“What a coincidence,”
Mu Qingwu’s face went pale as she added, “My mom practiced Sanda too. Don’t you think they might have trained together?”
“…”
Xiao Yu grumbled, “Sis, we’re off track. Now they’re trying to force us into marriage!”
“Oh.”
Regaining her composure, Mu Qingwu pondered for a moment, “Are you really worried about that connection?”
“Huh?”
Xiao Yu paused and then, calmer, admitted, “Well, maybe not too much.”
Besides, with that connection, our parents would finally stop pressuring us.
It would actually be a relief, so we could even move out.
More personal space for each of us.
A win-win situation!
Xiao Yu’s and Mu Qingwu’s eyes lit up.
An audacious idea formed in their minds…
Xiao Yu glanced at Mu Qingwu, “Then…”
Mu Qingwu smiled sweetly, “Let’s get married.”
Two hopeless romantics, forced into consensus!