Chapter 74: Chapter 74: If You Have What It Takes, Marry Ten! (Please Subscribe!)
Summer vacation flew by in the blink of an eye.
Xu Musen had successfully obtained his driver's license, and the advertisement shoot for the whole food street was essentially complete.
Originally, some store owners were unwilling to have their locations filmed, somewhat embodying the mentality of "a good wine needs no bush."
But when everyone else was advertising, if you didn't, it was akin to moving backward by standing still.
After all, there's only so much appetite to go around; even the best products need to be promoted. Watching their sales decline, they eventually couldn't resist seeking cooperation with Xu Musen.
Throughout the summer, Xu Musen had filmed for about one hundred and fifty stores, each costing nearly four thousand.
He netted almost six hundred thousand in his hands.
After deducting costs and paying the summer workers, there was about five hundred thousand left.
On the last day, Xu Musen even gave a bonus red packet of five hundred yuan to a few who had performed well.
A few guys, tanned like black loaches, were so moved they nearly hugged Xu Musen's thigh and slapped their chests, promising to come back to work for him after getting their college degrees.
Xu Musen was touched. Truly a born worker's physique!
As the start of the new school year approached, Xu's mother prepared a large and small bag of luggage for Xu Musen early in the morning.
Seeing Xu Musen dressed and ready to go out, she stopped him, "Where are you going?"
"He Qiang also got into Hu Hai University; I'm going to chat with him and see if he wants to travel together."
"Wait a moment."
Xu's mother walked over and pulled him back, a bit exasperated, "I'm saying, why don't you take this chance to help Ming Yue pack her things instead of chatting with a boy?"
"What's the benefit in packing her stuff?"
"What do you think the benefit is?"
Xu's mother rolled her eyes at her son, "Back in high school, studies were the priority, and we didn't allow you to date. Now in university, you both are at the same school, do you understand 'the advantage of being the first to the water'? Ming Yue is such a nice girl; you better seize the opportunity."
Xu's mother was quite satisfied with Yao Mingyue.
Even speaking of the practical circumstances of both their families.
Xu's father's company was still deeply wounded and hadn't shown much improvement.
Though Xu's mother's flower shop had made some extra money, it was hard-earned.
Compared with Yao Mingyue's family, it was like heaven and earth now.
They couldn't help but consider the reality of their situation, though it's not that they wanted their son to marry into wealth.
But after all, the friendship between the two families was longstanding, with each knowing the other inside and out.
Moreover, over these days, it had become apparent that Yao Mingyue did have a fondness for Xu Musen.
Liu Rushuang also maintained a very open-minded attitude.
So, if Xu Musen and Yao Mingyue could really come together, it would put their minds as parents at ease.
"Mom, you have to believe in your son. I can support our family to have a good life on my own."
Xu Musen spoke earnestly; he understood his parents' thinking.
This was like the family urging a daughter to marry someone of equal standing, all to avoid a difficult life for their child.
But they didn't know Yao Mingyue's true nature, nor how hard it was to stomach such soft rice.
"It's not that Mom doesn't believe in you, but after all, isn't Ming Yue the best in looks, height, and family background?"
"That was then, this is now. I really don't want to be in a relationship right now."
"Tch, aren't the love letters you wrote to Ming Yue still hidden under your desk?"
Xu's mother directly exposed her son's secret, "Girls have to be pursued. It took your dad a long time to chase me too."
Xu Musen scratched his head. Things from his previous life, even if he told his parents directly, they wouldn't believe him.
They might even accuse him of being ungrateful.
After all, without the need for a dowry, or to buy a car or house, without having to work, with unending pocket money every day, and someone utterly devoted to you.
Many would vie for such an opportunity without success.
"Mom, I really don't suit Ming Yue, so don't bother about it."
Xu Musen stated firmly.
Xu's mother also stopped what she was doing and looked at her son, sighing, "Son, Mom isn't forcing you to do anything; you're still young, and the family might not be of much help in the future. You'll struggle in society, and marrying a good wife can save you a lifetime of toil.
And after all, we've watched Ming Yue grow up. She might be a little willful sometimes, but aren't all girls from well-off families like that? That's enough; if you truly let her slip away, you'll regret it."
Yet another face, one simple and a bit silly, flashed across Xu Musen's mind as he spoke without thinking.
"What if there's one with a wealthy family, a great figure, good looks, and a nice personality?"
Xu's mother turned and glanced at her eldest son, without mincing words, "Is there such a girl who would be interested in you?"
"Well, it's not impossible, what if there is?"
"Heh, okay, okay, if you have the capability, go find one. Marry ten or eight to aid you, and play emperor for all you care," his mother said disapprovingly.
"No need for that, my appetite isn't that big; two or three will suffice."
"Go, go, go, daydreaming in broad daylight..."
Xu Musen ran out the door, while Xu's mother watched her son's departing figure.
She was a bit dreamy herself; her son was off to university in the blink of an eye, his height having grown unnoticed.
She had seen all the changes in Xu Musen during this time, and as a mother, she was very gratified.
But their past experience of bankruptcy made her afraid of poverty, afraid of suffering.
There's a saying, 'When poor, one does not choose a wife.' Their family's circumstances forced them to consider practical issues.
She didn't want her son to suffer as they had.
So, she wished to set up her son with Yao Mingyue.
One reason was that she genuinely liked the girl. And the other was to give her son a safety net for his future life.
Wasn't that a perfect solution?
Of course, these thoughts were only her own, and if her son really insisted on marrying another girl, she could only let nature take its course...
"This kid."
Mrs. Xu shook her head, preparing to help Yao Mingyue pack her things.
Xu Musen went to meet with He Qiang, and the two of them chatted about their plans for the upcoming semester while fishing.
He also prepared a big red envelope for He Qiang.
"So much!" He Qiang took it and saw it was filled to the brim, at least fifty thousand.
He had never touched so much money in his life, and he was trembling a little.
"Hold it tight, don't drop it into the river and waste it."
"Damn, isn't this too much? I'm just giving you a hand."
"It's not much, you haven't been idle all summer, and without you, I couldn't have earned so much. What's more, I will need your help after starting university."
"We're buddies; why split it so clearly? This is too much."
"We're buddies and you're being polite with me? Not to mention fifty thousand, as long as you follow my lead well in the future, it's no problem to add a few more zeros to this amount!"
Xu Musen said with a smile, remembering that He Qiang had even sold his fishing rod to help him raise money, so he naturally had to do right by him.
He Qiang was moved to the point of tears, "Moriko, you're really the best, never mind adding zeros, if you need it in the future, you can turn me into a zero."
"???"
Back at home.
Liu Rushuang called, saying she had originally planned to come and take them to university, but Xu Musen declined.
Over two thousand kilometers back and forth, driving would be too exhausting, it's better to just take the high-speed train.
"Alright then, just take care of each other on the way, and once I'm done with my work here, I'll take you guys out to eat!"
Liu Rushuang instructed them both, as it was the first time they were traveling so far without an adult, she couldn't help but worry.
In these days, An Nuannuan was also very punctual in sending pictures of her undergoing treatment.
One had to admit, the specialists in Hu Hai were really skillful; An Nuannuan's legs were now leaning against the wall, and she could slowly move them.
Although she still needed a wheelchair most of the time, judging by the recovery, it probably wouldn't be too long before she could truly be healed.
Xu Musen was really looking forward to meeting her at school.
Off to university.
Xu's father and mother took them to the high-speed train station, and He Qiang also arrived.
"Call us once you get there, look after each other, don't hesitate to spend money where it's needed, and get along well with your classmates..."
Mrs. Xu came over, happy that the kids had been admitted to a good university, but she still felt reluctant about their sudden departure.
"Ming Yue, be sure to take good care of yourself at university. If there's anything, just go to Musen, and if he doesn't listen to you, tell me, and I'll sort him out for you!"
"Yeah, don't worry, auntie, I'll take care of him too. You and Uncle Xu should also take care of yourselves."
Mrs. Xu and Yao Mingyue hugged each other like mother and daughter.
Xu's father approached Xu Musen and patted his shoulder, "Don't overwork yourself, your mother and I are holding the fort at home. University will be the happiest time of your life, so take good care of yourself and study hard."
Xu's father, a man of few words and a very traditional Chinese father, conveyed his contentment and encouragement in his words, warming Xu Musen's heart.
"Dad, you and mom take care of yourselves as well. From now on, your son and you will support this family together."
Xu's father looked at his son, who was now a half-head taller than him, grunted affirmatively, and patted his shoulder again.
"Let's go."
On this side, there was fatherly love and filial piety, whereas with He Qiang, his dad, tanned and burly, was a loud and hearty man.
"When you're at university, you should learn more from Xu Musen. All you know is fishing. First, find me a daughter-in-law to bring home, got it?"
"I don't want to find one; girlfriends are nothing but trouble. Fishing is way more fun."
"You ingrate, if you don't bring one back after graduating, I'll throw you in the lake to feed the fish!"
...
They set off.
The high-speed train seats were face-to-face, and Xu Musen and He Qiang were originally seated together, but under Yao Mingyue's death glare.
He cleared his throat, "Well, I get motion sickness, I'll sit on the side."
Xu Musen's lips twitched, but he was used to it by now.
After all, when you're at your lowest, it's always your brothers who help you.
But it's also your brothers who rib you the most.
Yao Mingyue lifted her chin proudly, ready to sit down next to Xu Musen.
"Hello, that's my seat inside, could you please move?"
At that moment, a very magnetic female voice reached them.
They looked up.
There stood a tall girl.
She wore a plaid shirt with a neat knot tied at her slender waist, and denim shorts below.
Her legs were a healthy wheat color, long and straight; she must have been over one meter seventy, with a strikingly leggy proportion.
Though she seemed a bit too thin.
She wore a baseball cap, hiding her hair underneath, with sharp, gleaming eyes, a high nose bridge, and thin lips.
Her looks were quite good, if An Nuannuan and Yao Mingyue were perfect scores.
She would score a seven, and of course, most importantly, her healthy wheat complexion was not common among girls.
Plus, she gave off a vibe of being strong-willed and not easily messed with.
There's a term for it in the future, what was it?
Right, a dark-skinned girl!