Chapter 20: A Woman of Enchanting Beauty

Lying in bed at night, Xiao Yu stroked his little bulldog with his right hand while holding his phone in his left, contemplating whether to call Mu Qingwu.

The bulldog, Kara, was an eight-year-old companion, dear to him since he had rescued her.

Dogs, indeed, can be remarkably loyal creatures.

His mother adored Kara like her own child, yet the dog was most attached to Xiao Yu, always by his side, even at night.

After dialing, the call connected.

“What?” came Mu Qingwu’s voice, laced with curiosity.

“Come to my house tomorrow,” Xiao Yu said straightforwardly. “My parents want to meet you.”

There was a pause on the other end.

‘Hey, hey, hey, don’t leave me hanging,’ Xiao Yu thought, a tinge of worry creeping in. ‘I just helped you out, you can’t bail on me now.’

“Alright, I’ll prepare. What time?” Mu Qingwu finally responded.

“That long hesitation… aren’t you looking forward to it?” Xiao Yu asked, a frown creasing his forehead.

“No, it’s not that,” Mu Qingwu replied, her voice light. “I have a client meeting tomorrow. We’ll need to reschedule.”

There was a moment of silence from Xiao Yu, followed by a soft, “Thank you!”

“What’s there to thank me for? You’ve helped me before.” Mu Qingwu chuckled lightly, “Besides, you’re my newly acknowledged little brother.”

Xiao Yu was puzzled.

When did I agree to be your little brother? Was that ever discussed?

“Uh, just a heads up, don’t dress too… lavishly.” Xiao Yu added cautiously, “I don’t want to shock my parents.”

He wasn’t entirely sure about the specifics of Mu Qingwu’s job, but the luxury cars, villas, and her air of elegance hinted at a lot. His parents were ordinary folks, and if Mu Qingwu showed up in full glamour, it might make them feel uneasy.

“Got it,” Mu Qingwu replied, surprisingly easygoing. “Anything else?”

“No, that’s all.”

The conversation ended, and Xiao Yu stared at his phone for a while, lost in thought.

Big sister? Little brother?

He shook his head, drifting into sleep amidst his jumbled thoughts.

***

The next day at noon, Xiao Yu waited outside the residential complex. He watched as Mu Qingwu stepped out of a taxi. True to her word, she was dressed simply, her natural beauty unenhanced by makeup. 

Despite the ordinariness of her jeans and down jacket, she still carried an air of effortless grace. On her, even these simple clothes exuded an air of understated elegance.

Was this the embodiment of ‘temperament over material’?

Xiao Yu found himself growing fond of this sister for her understanding nature.

She was accommodating and cooperative, as long as the request was reasonable.

Noticing the two gift boxes in Mu Qingwu’s hands, Xiao Yu’s cheeks reddened slightly. He realized he hadn’t brought anything for their meeting with her mother.

Taking the gift boxes from her, Xiao Yu looked at her with a mix of appreciation and awkwardness. 

“Sister, thanks,” he said, the term rolling off his tongue naturally.

“Um.”

Mu Qingwu, usually cool and composed, now seemed to bloom like a flower, her eyes sparkling, lips a soft crimson. The icy beauty transformed into someone alluring and vibrant. She gently placed her hand in Xiao Yu’s outstretched one, asking softly, “Are your uncle and aunt watching?”

Such a smart woman.

It was this side of her that brought out her feminine charm. Always aloof and regal, she rarely showed this more approachable, endearing side.

“Yeah,” Xiao Yu replied with a smile, “My family’s apartment directly faces the community entrance. They’re definitely watching.”

“Ha,” Mu Qingwu laughed lightly, “Let’s go then.”

Xiao Yu, holding Mu Qingwu’s hand and carrying her things, made his way toward home.

Inside the house, the couple standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows were astounded.

Was that really their son’s girlfriend?

Why was she… so stunningly beautiful?

They had braced themselves for the worst. What could one expect from a 28-year-old woman, after all?

But reality defied their expectations. Xiao Yu’s girlfriend looked every bit like a dignified lady from ancient times.

Were they seeing things?

***

“Mom, Dad, I’m back,” Xiao Yu announced as he opened the door, ushering Mu Qingwu inside.

There was no need to call, the couple had already been eagerly waiting at the door.

“Hello, Uncle and Auntie,” greeted Mu Qingwu, her fair and lovely face tinged with a shy blush, radiating charm and allure.

Stunned by the ethereal beauty before them, Liu Yunqing and Xiao Shengguo were momentarily speechless. A thought crossed their minds. How on earth did their son get so lucky?

“Come in, come in!” Liu Yunqing said excitedly, taking Mu Qingwu’s hand and giving Xiao Yu a playful glare. “What are you standing around for? Get some slippers for her.”

“I…” Xiao Yu felt like he was about to cough up blood.

He dutifully knelt down to fetch slippers for Mu Qingwu.

Liu Yunqing, holding Mu Qingwu’s hand, wandered off, effectively leaving the father and son duo sidelined.

“Son, you’re impressive,” Xiao Shengguo looked at Xiao Yu with a chuckle. “You’ve got a bit of your old man’s charm. Good taste.”

“Ha!” Xiao Yu scoffed. “Dad, please, enough with the boasting. Do you even remember what kind of person Mom is? Your taste… well, let’s not go there.”

“Erm…” Xiao Shengguo laughed awkwardly, thinking to himself, ‘Did I really have a choice back then? The past is a painful memory.’

Once the family settled in the living room, Xiao Yu and his father seemed almost invisible.

Liu Yunqing chatted away with Mu Qingwu, clearly overjoyed.

Mu Qingwu shed her usual aloof demeanor, appearing gentle and demure.

“It’s settled.” Xiao Shengguo whispered to his son. “I haven’t seen your mom this happy in years. She’s like a kid again.”

“…” Xiao Yu was at a loss for words. ‘Settled? If Mom ever finds out that Mu Qingwu and I are just pretending.’

A chill ran down his spine and his ass suddenly tightened as he pondered over the scenario.

Analyzing the situation, he drew a grim conclusion, ‘This is not going to end well!’