13 – Not Going to Marry Her
Knowing that Master Fu was looking for Mu Mian, Fu Yifei thoughtfully waved and signaled to him, “Grandpa, sister-in-law is right here!”
Even without Fu Yifei’s indication, Master Fu spotted Mu Mian sitting on the sofa with Fu Chenxiu and Fu Yifei the moment he entered.
Quickening his steps excitedly, he approached and looked Mu Mian up and down. “So you are Chenxiu’s fiancée? What’s your name?”
“Hello, Grandpa… My name is Mu Mian,” she introduced herself obediently.
“Mu Mian… What a unique name.”
Just as a servant came out to indicate that lunch was ready, Fu Chenxiu spoke calmly, “Let’s head to the dining room.”
Master Fu nodded. “We can chat slowly over the meal.”
In the dining room, Master Fu naturally took the seat at the head of the table, pulling Mu Mian to sit beside him, while Fu Chenxiu and Fu Yifei sat on the opposite side.
“You never showed up for so long, I had started to think the legend was false. But thankfully, you’ve finally appeared,” Master Fu said, letting out a relieved sigh.
When Master Fu was young, his elders had told him about the Fu family legend, emphasizing that he must remember it well, as it concerned the family’s destiny.
Though half-believing, he committed the legend firmly to memory.
It wasn’t until Fu Chenxiu was born that he truly confirmed its truth—the child indeed had seven moles on his chest, just as the elders had described.
Moreover, the year of his birth coincided exactly with the century-long cycle his elders had foretold.
This convinced Master Fu that the legend was real.
Which meant… this grandson of his would not live past the age of 28.
However, the elders also prophesied that a woman would appear—one capable of breaking this Curse.
If she did, then Chenxiu might have a chance to survive…
But when the time came for this woman to appear—the man’s coming-of-age day, equivalent to 20 years old in modern terms—she never showed up.
Master Fu began to worry that something might have happened to the one destined to break the Curse, that she might never come at all.
In the blink of an eye, Fu Chenxiu was already 27, approaching the rumored age of 28 he was not supposed to surpass. Just as everyone had given up hope, she finally appeared.
Feeling embarrassed for arriving so many years late, Mu Mian scratched her cheek sheepishly.
How could she admit that she had overslept and ended up appearing seven years behind schedule…
Fu Yifei chimed in, “Yeah, we all heard that sister-in-law was supposed to show up when Brother turned 20, but nothing happened that day. Brother even—”
Before he could finish, he felt an icy glare shot his way from beside him.
Mu Mian blinked and looked at Fu Yifei. What happened that day?
Well aware of his older brother’s temper, Fu Yifei swallowed and didn’t dare say more. “It’s… it’s nothing.”
Master Fu looked earnestly at Mu Mian and entrusted her with a heartfelt plea. “Mu Mian, I leave Chenxiu in your hands.”
Please… make sure he lives.
This last part, Master Fu couldn’t bring himself to say in front of Fu Chenxiu.
Mu Mian nodded her head firmly, like a determined little rabbit. “Don’t worry, Grandpa, I’ll take good care of my husband!”
Hearing her unwavering response, a faint ripple stirred in Fu Chenxiu’s heart.
But the next moment, his eyes darkened once more.He had once looked forward to her arrival, even clearing his schedule that day, preparing lavish dishes and dressing up to await her appearance.
Yet he waited from night until day, and then from day until night again.
But she never appeared…
Unexpectedly, Mu Mian called Fu Chenxiu “husband,” and Master Fu exclaimed in surprise, “You call Chenxiu husband?”
Mu Mian blinked her eyes in confusion: “Yes. Can’t I call him that?” But Xiao Qiu had told her that people nowadays call their husbands “husband”!
Master Fu immediately explained: “Of course you can, of course you can! But usually, people call each other that after marriage… It seems we need to hurry up and prepare for the wedding!”
Master Fu was already eager to hold a wedding for the two, and he began envisioning the wedding scene in his mind.
However, Fu Chenxiu’s cold voice broke Master Fu’s fantasy: “I won’t marry her.”
Hearing this, Master Fu glared at him angrily: “What nonsense are you talking about? Mu Mian is your fiancée. Why won’t you marry her?”
Fu Chenxiu replied in a calm tone: “I will only marry someone I love.”
Fu Chenxiu’s words made Mu Mian sadly lower her rabbit ears.
Did “husband” mean… he didn’t like her?
Mu Mian lowered her eyes in grievance, her nose tingling with sourness, and her eyes slightly reddened.
Husband doesn’t like her. Rabbit is sad.
“You… you rascal!” Master Fu was so angry at Fu Chenxiu’s words that he was practically fuming. Did he even want to live anymore!
Fu Chenxiu caught Mu Mian’s reaction out of the corner of his eye. Since he could see those rabbit ears, the girl’s red-eyed appearance made her look even more like a bullied rabbit.
Yet the man still spoke without emotion: “I’m just telling the truth.”
Fu Yifei glanced at his older brother, then at his sister-in-law, wondering how his brother’s 36-degree body could utter such icy words while looking at his sister-in-law’s pitiful appearance!
Was his heart made of ice?
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Fu Yifei played the peacemaker: “Grandpa, it’s the 21st century after all. Who gets married after just a few days of knowing each other? Give brother and sister-in-law some more time to get to know each other!”
Master Fu angrily blurted out: “Time! How much time does he have left!?”
Deep down, Master Fu truly hoped Mu Mian could break Fu Chenxiu’s curse.
But since this curse had been passed down to Chenxiu, it meant previous generations hadn’t broken it. What if Chenxiu really couldn’t live past 28…
Master Fu’s careless words made Fu Chenxiu tighten his grip on his chopsticks, veins bulging on the back of his hand.
Yes, since he didn’t have much time left, why waste it on such matters?
The pain of losing after briefly having something was worse than never having it at all.
Anyway, he couldn’t accompany her for long. After he died, she would probably just keep waiting for the next “him” to appear.
Realizing he had said the wrong thing, Master Fu pressed his lips together.
He knew his grandson’s personality well – stubborn as a rock. Once he decided against something, no one could persuade him.
He compromised: “We’ll discuss marriage later, but Mu Mian must continue living here so you two can develop your relationship.”Fu Chenxiu did not respond, but neither did he refuse, tacitly agreeing to Master Fu’s proposal.
Knowing she could continue staying by her husband’s side, Mu Mian breathed a sigh of relief.