"Why are you going back so soon, didn't you say you'd stay for a few more days?"
Having been in Huhai for only a couple of days, Father Xu and Mother Xu were already preparing to pack up and leave.
"The big city is great, but we're more comfortable back home. Besides, it's not convenient for us to always be around you young couple. Moreover, my flower shop has been closed for days, and it's not right for me not to be there to oversee things..."
After packing up, Mother Xu looked at her son. Although he showed some signs of becoming a playboy, as her own son, she thought that this flaw was somehow acceptable.
Still, she spoke earnestly, "And most importantly, we came to see Nuannuan. Now we feel at ease. Nuannuan is a good girl; you just need to treasure her."
Xu Musen didn't try to persuade them any further. At their age, it was best to be comfortable wherever they were.
After speaking, Mother Xu went over to chat with An Nuannuan.
Even though they had only met for a day or two, Mother Xu found herself growing increasingly fond of this lovely and attentive young girl.
"Auntie, are you really going back already?"
"Yes, when you two have a holiday, come back to our hometown to visit. I'll cook you something delicious. If Musen makes you angry, you just call me and his dad will fly over to take him to task!"
Mother Xu couldn't help but stroke her head.
An Nuannuan nodded with a sweet smile.
On the side, Father Xu was also giving instructions to Xu Musen.
"Get along well with the girl. Don't rush in business. Take one step at a time. Also, I heard about your Uncle Yao's issue from your mom, right?"
There was a complex tone in Father Xu's voice.
Father Xu didn't say much more, but extended his hand to pat Xu Musen on the shoulder, "Then you should treat Ming Yue well too."
Men don't need too many words between them.
Xu Musen nodded, and thought about the current time period, while looking at his mother chatting happily with Nuannuan on the other side.
He lowered his voice and said, "Dad, there's this guy nicknamed 'Fatty Wang' who has been frequently coming to your company to talk about investment, right?"
"Yeah, there is one. He wanted me to invest in something called an 'unlimited signal receiver.' How did you know about that?" Father Xu was taken aback.
Xu Musen clearly remembered that in his past life, just when his father's company was finally starting to improve and things were looking up, they were swindled by this Fatty Wang, losing their investment and causing the company to never recover, which completely disheartened Father Xu.
This grudge, Xu Musen still remembered.
The so-called 'unlimited signal receiver' was actually just a modified antenna with a calling card attached, marketed as a device that offered free wireless signals and phone calls.
Back then, many people had little understanding of online scams and many were deceived.
Father Xu was anxious to make money and being old acquaintances with Fatty Wang, he was conned.
"Just don't believe what he tells you, and definitely don't invest any more money in it."
"Well, he's been talking to me about it for over a year, and I invested a few tens of thousands just to save face as friends," Father Xu explained.
Father Xu wasn't very knowledgeable about these things and the tens of thousands were only invested to keep up appearances as a friend.
Even if it was a loss, it wouldn't be crippling.
"No worries. Just remember not to continue investing after you go back, and there's no need to alert them. I'll get the money back," Xu Musen reassured him with a nod.
Fatty Wang's scheme was a classic Ponzi, initially returning some dividends to investors, but never more than the principal.
He would then deceitfully persuade investors to put in more, accumulating enough before absconding with the funds.
A few tens of thousands didn't matter much, but if it hadn't been for him, his family wouldn't have suffered so much in his past life.
This vendetta, Xu Musen was determined to settle.
"Alright, I'll look into it when I get back." Father Xu now took his son's advice very seriously.
Soon after, Yao Mingyue and Liu Rushuang arrived.
"You two really, it's so rare for you to come out and you want to leave before the kids can show their filial piety. I'm going to be a lonely old woman in Huhai again," Liu Rushuang began to lament as soon as she entered, clinging to Mother Xu pitifully.
"You all live in Huhai. It's so lively to eat together every day."
"Oh no, if I, the old auntie, come over for dinner every day, Xiao Sen might resent me."
Liu Rushuang put on a dramatically distressed expression as if she had been spurned.
"He dares! That stinker used to pester you for snacks when he was little. See if he dares to be unfilial to you."
Mother Xu joined in, shooting Xu Musen a stern look.
Xu Musen sighed internally, thinking that his mother had already been taken in by the routine.
Yet, he could only smile and respond, "Don't worry, I'll make sure to prepare an extra... two pairs of chopsticks for Aunt Liu whenever I cook."
Meanwhile, a tiny figure of jealousy silently watched him.
"Hehe, just knowing Xiao Sen has the thought makes me happy. Actually, living here is quite comfortable and lively, plus it's close to school. I don't mind, but it would be convenient if Ming Yue could live around here too," said Liu Rushuang cheerfully, effortlessly steering the conversation toward the next topic.
Yao Mingyue was taken aback, looking at her mother, wondering how she could have played her hand so openly.
Father Xu and Mother Xu exchanged silent glances, but since the house wasn't theirs, they turned their gaze back to Xu Musen.