Yet Chu Xu still had his doubts.
"But Auntie, even if you want to thank me, a betrothal is going rather too far. Of course, I mean no disrespect, and Jiang Mu is certainly wonderful, but this just doesn't seem quite right."
A business marriage of convenience was something Chu Xu could understand, but the problem was that he wasn't worthy of such a match. His family's company, all things considered, was worth at most seventy or eighty million.
To someone of her stature, that was mere child's play.
Marrying off her precious daughter to him made no sense no matter how one looked at it; it was a dead loss.
Wang Suxin smiled. "You left without a word back then, and it took me a very long time to find you. I've been keeping an eye on you ever since. I really do like you, Chu Xu, and I know your background. At first, I thought about adopting you as a godson, but that didn't feel quite right either. Then I thought of a son-in-law. It just so happened that your father's company was running into difficulties, so I proposed this condition to him. Don't be upset with me, Chu Xu—I truly just like you for who you are. Still, you don't need to feel too much pressure. Even if things don't work out between you and Mu Mu, it doesn't matter; we will still help your father's side, and I won't hold any hard feelings against you. Of course, I still hope things work out between you two."
After hearing all of that, Chu Xu finally understood the origin of the betrothal.
Simply put, because he had saved her life, and after observing him for a while, she thought he was a pretty good catch. She wanted to bring their relationship closer, which led her to think of a marriage contract.
Why a betrothal right from the start?
Perhaps she felt that two complete strangers had virtually no chance of naturally drifting together through ordinary social circles, so she bypassed all of that with an engagement.
Thinking of it this way, everything instantly fell into place.
He knew it! How could a betrothal possibly materialize out of thin air? There was a reason for all of this.
Chu Xu gave a bitter smile and said, "Auntie, you really are generous..."
"What is there to be reluctant about? If Mu Mu can be with you, it will be her good fortune." Wang Suxin hesitated for a moment before adding, "However, Mu Mu is thirteen years older than you. I'm not sure if you can accept that..."
Thirteen years... that made her thirty-five!
That certainly was a bit older, but if they got along well, it wasn't out of the question.
Chu Xu genuinely appreciated Jiang Mu's looks; she was drop-dead gorgeous, and every time he saw her, he couldn't help admiring her beauty. If they really did end up together, that wouldn't be bad at all.
"If Jiang Mu and I get along, age isn't an issue at all," Chu Xu replied objectively, making no rash promises—he would just let things take their natural course.
Wang Suxin was very satisfied with Chu Xu's answer. If he had made all sorts of grand guarantees right away, it would have made him look like he had ulterior motives.
Wang Suxin smiled contentedly and said, "In that case, don't go home tonight. We have plenty of guest rooms here."
Chu Xu shook his head. "No need, Auntie, I'll go back. I have things to do tomorrow."
Right now, he and Jiang Mu didn't even have a single stroke of the character written when it came to their relationship; staying overnight at her place would just be awkward.
"Very well then, I'll have Mu Mu drive you." Wang Suxin nodded and called out, "Mu Mu, come down and see Xiao Xu off."
...
By the garage.
Jiang Mu walked straight ahead without looking back, completely ignoring Chu Xu.
Clearly, she was still harboring a grudge over Chu Xu not giving her a gift earlier.
Chu Xu found it a bit trying; how old was she, anyway? Why was she still acting like a child?
Did women really remain maidens until the day they died?
Fortunately, he had prepared in advance.
"Jiang Mu," Chu Xu called out ahead.
She stopped, turned around, and cast him a freezing look. Chu Xu raised an eyebrow—well, well, who was she putting on that sour face for?
Chu Xu stood at one hundred and eighty-one centimeters tall, while Jiang Mu was at most one hundred and sixty-two.
As Chu Xu stepped closer, Jiang Mu had to tilt her head up just to meet his gaze.
She really was pretty. Those brows, those crimson lips...
Chu Xu smiled and said, "Hold out your hand."
"What for?" Jiang Mu frowned tightly, not understanding the point of this.
"Just hold it out and you'll see."
"You'd better not try any tricks."
Jiang Mu gave a cold huff, but obediently extended her hand.
She wasn't wearing any flashy nail art; her hand looked lovely—smooth, delicate, and fair, showing none of the skin texture of a thirty-five-year-old.
Then, from somewhere, Chu Xu produced a bracelet and slipped it right onto her wrist.
He gently held her hand to admire it for a moment. Not bad; the size was just right, making her hand look even more exquisite.
Jiang Mu instinctively wanted to pull her hand back, but seeing that he was merely admiring the bracelet, she stayed still.
"Have you looked enough yet?"
Jiang Mu kept her expression calm, letting him hold her hand.
Yet deep down, she felt a slight flutter of awkwardness, since this was the first time a man had ever held her hand like this.
This man was incorrigible—so brazen about taking advantage of her!
Chu Xu nodded and let go. "I've seen enough. But honestly, your hand is very pretty."
He paused, then added, "Of course, you're even more beautiful."
"Hmph..."
On the surface, Jiang Mu looked dismissive, but a wave of sweetness was welling up inside her, and she couldn't suppress the smile at the corner of her lips.
She quickly turned away to hide her look of delight, lest this rascal push his luck.
"You certainly know how to talk. God knows how many young girls you've sweet-talked."
Just as the words left her mouth, Jiang Mu suddenly stopped in her tracks, turned to look at Chu Xu, and her expression gradually turned frosty.
With a sharp snap, she yanked open the passenger door and slammed it shut.
"Drive yourself!"
She was angry again.
Chu Xu was somewhat baffled. Why did she get mad whenever he told the truth? Was he not even allowed to compliment her now?
He hadn't been trying to flatter her with those words just now.
She must have reached menopause and become emotionally unstable.
He couldn't let himself get worked up over her.
Chu Xu sighed and drove away in the Mulsanne.
He had driven luxury cars like this before, so he didn't feel any particular way about it.
The downtown area was still bustling past nine o'clock, and the traffic was a bit congested.
Seeing that Jiang Mu was already reviewing documents, Chu Xu didn't disturb her.
It wasn't until she turned off her screen that Chu Xu asked, "Are you heading back to Songshan Forest later?"
"No, just drive straight to your place."
Even he had several properties in the downtown area, let alone Jiang Mu.
A wealthy heiress like her owned an untold number of real estate properties.
However, she didn't seem angry anymore; her expression had returned to normal.
Chu Xu couldn't be bothered to figure out why—a woman's mind was something he could never guess, otherwise his last relationship wouldn't have ended so abruptly.
"Goodbye, Director Jiang."
With a casual farewell at the entrance of the residential complex, Chu Xu got out and left.
Jiang Mu watched his figure disappear, then slid into the driver's seat. Resting her hand on the steering wheel, she looked at the bracelet that had slipped down to her forearm, and an irrepressible smile curved her lips.
This feeling... actually felt rather nice.
Having never been in a relationship, Jiang Mu had no idea what romance felt like, nor did she know how to date.
She only knew that she felt wonderful right now, and there was no need to overthink anything else.
...
Early the next morning, a light drizzle began to fall from the sky.
Chu Xu figured Jinchuan wouldn't go night-climbing Nanshan in this weather.
No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than his phone rang.
"I'll pick you up in the afternoon. Come with me to pick up my girlfriend, and we'll head to Nanshan in the evening."
Chu Xu looked at the light rain outside his window and said, "Brother, how are we supposed to go night-climbing in the rain?"
He genuinely hadn't expected Jinchuan to be so stubbornly determined, coming rain or shine.
"It's fine, it won't rain in the afternoon. I checked the weather forecast. That's settled, I'll be at your place at one, let's leave on time."
Chu Xu irritably raked a hand through his hair. "Fine, fine."
He could have enjoyed a nice, relaxing day off, only to get dragged out again. What a pain.
He slowly got up, took a shower, ordered takeout, and waited for it to arrive.