Volume One, Chapter 31: Bringing the Pretty Boy Home

She found Uncle Zhang.

After Yu Mo came to see Grandpa Fu, Uncle Zhang had only left for a short while. He hadn't expected that in such a brief absence, something like this would happen, and Yu Mo would end up taking the blame for it. Uncle Zhang was filled with guilt.

"Mo Mo, I'll explain everything to Young Master for you."

He had witnessed, over these six years, just how devoted Yu Mo was to Old Master Fu. He could never believe she would do such a thing. It was that Lin Hua—always up to something, too cunning by half.

"There's no need. Even if you explained, he wouldn't listen. Uncle Zhang, I'm leaving now. Please take good care of Grandpa, especially watch out for Lin Hua," Yu Mo instructed.

She was afraid Lin Hua might try to harm Grandpa again.

"I will," Uncle Zhang promised with a nod.

Only then did Yu Mo leave the hospital with some peace of mind. She drove straight to Pretty Boy's place.

The moment she opened the door, that handsome face appeared before her. All the grievances of the past two days surged out at once. She wrapped her arms around Pretty Boy and spoke.

"Darling, I've missed you so much."

As soon as the words fell, Mu Shaozhou swept her up in his arms. Yu Mo's slender arms looped around his neck, her red lips curving into a soft smile. Moments later, his searing kiss fell upon the snowy skin of her neck. Tilting her head back, she met his kiss with equal passion. Her eyes narrowed with languid allure, a faint blush coloring her pale cheeks. Her voice grew husky.

"Darling, tomorrow I'm taking you home to meet my mother."

His lips, still beside her ear, stilled. Mu Shaozhou lifted his head, his long, dark eyes suddenly bright.

"You're taking me home?"

In the next moment, he hugged her tightly, kissing her with fervent enthusiasm.

Yu Mo let out a muffled sound, gently pushing against him.

"Easy, please. My mother keeps urging me to get married—help me out, pretend to be my boyfriend for a while."

As her words ended, she felt the man in her arms pause.

Mu Shaozhou lifted his head, meeting the shimmering light in her almond-shaped eyes beneath their feathery lashes—his expression was full of grievance.

"Fake?"

"Mm."

"…"

"Ow... be gentle."

He didn't reply; his answer was a deep, hungry kiss.

—

The next morning at nine, Yu Mo was woken by noise. She turned over in annoyance, wanting to sleep a little longer.

But a warm embrace drew her close, making her breath hitch. She opened her eyes to see a face almost too beautiful to be real. She couldn't help swallowing.

"Have breakfast before you go back to sleep," Mu Shaozhou said, lifting her and gently setting her down at the dining table.

A fried egg, two slices of bread, and a glass of hot milk awaited her.

Yu Mo had never experienced such consideration before. For a moment, staring at the food, her eyes grew damp.

"Darling..."

Mu Shaozhou knelt beside her, his large hand gently stroking her thigh, gaze locked on hers, lips parting softly.

"What's wrong? Don't like the food?"

Yu Mo shook her head, sniffled, and picked up a slice of bread to eat.

When breakfast was finished, she was wide awake. She tidied herself up, ready to bring Pretty Boy home to the Yu family.

Truthfully, Yu Mo had her own reasons for bringing him home. She wanted to reassure her mother and grandfather. Over the years, they had poured so much effort into searching for her father and brother.

At the Yu residence, just before entering, Yu Mo took Pretty Boy's hand.

Her mother saw the man beside her and paused for a second.

Yu Mo spoke to her mother.

"Mom, this is my new boyfriend. What do you think?"

A smile played on her lips.

Her mother could see the fondness in her daughter's eyes as she looked at the man, and finally felt at ease. She'd been worried Yu Mo might never move on from her last relationship.

"Hello, Auntie. My name is Mu Yu, but you can call me Xiao Yu," Mu Shaozhou said, gift in hand, bowing his head slightly in a tone surprisingly formal.

Yu Mo was certain he was nervous.

Mu Yu, was it? It was the first time she’d learned his name.

After her mother accepted the gift and turned to let them in, Yu Mo whispered in his ear.

"Nice name."

"My mother gave it to me, hoping I would soar with my own wings."

Yu Mo nodded.

After chatting for a while, her mother discovered Mu Shaozhou knew many of Yu Mo's preferences—even the smallest details. Such attentiveness made her genuinely happy for her daughter.

By eleven o’clock, Yu Mo got up to help her mother in the kitchen. Mu Shaozhou sat with Grandpa Yu on the sofa.

At first sight, Grandpa Yu knew he had met this man before. There was a unique air about him. Though their last meeting was more than a decade ago, such a person was unforgettable, even after only one encounter.

Mu Shaozhou nodded to Grandpa Yu.

"Grandpa."

The old man nodded, inviting him to sit. His face was kind as he stroked his white beard.

"Young man, it's been years, but you haven't changed a bit."

"Grandpa, you’re just as hale and hearty as you were seventeen years ago," Mu Shaozhou replied, his lips curving as if recalling an important memory.

Grandpa Yu's wrinkled hand tightened slightly as he continued, "You remember so clearly. Last time, Mo Mo said she was taking home a sachet for better sleep—it was for you, wasn’t it?"

Mu Shaozhou remembered the medicine pouch inside the little duck plush toy, and nodded.

"Yes. Grandpa, could you keep that a secret for me?"

He still wasn't sure of Yu Mo's feelings and didn't want to force anything upon her.

Grandpa Yu smiled, his white beard quivering.

"Of course."

They talked a while longer.

When the meal was ready, they all sat down to eat. At the table, Yu Mo’s mother and grandfather were thoroughly satisfied with Mu Shaozhou.

Throughout the meal, Mu Shaozhou kept piling food into Yu Mo’s bowl. As soon as she finished, her favorite dishes would appear again in her bowl.

Yu Mo felt a wave of warmth in her heart.

Oh well, she thought, she might as well enjoy this moment of tenderness.

With that, she accepted his care with quiet contentment.

After lunch, her mother wanted them to stay and chat, but Yu Mo tugged Mu Shaozhou to leave.

"Mom, I have something to do. When I’m less busy, I’ll come back with him to see you and Grandpa."

Though reluctant, her mother understood that young people needed their freedom.

"Xiao Yu, I’m entrusting Mo Mo to you. She never takes care of herself..."

"Mom," Yu Mo interjected, her tone firmer.

Her mother could be so nagging.

Mu Shaozhou took Yu Mo's hand, intertwining their fingers, and said to her mother,

"Auntie, please don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her."

Hand in hand, the two left the Yu house.

Once in the car, Yu Mo finally let out a long breath.

"Darling, I’m very satisfied with your performance. Well done."

"Is there a reward, Mo Mo?"

Mu Shaozhou leaned in, about to kiss her.

Yu Mo pushed his face away and started the engine.

"We’ll see."

On the way to drop Pretty Boy home, Yu Mo took out her phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, Universal News? I’d like to buy a headline. Yes, about the eldest Miss Chu. The Chu family's daughter, long lost, has finally been brought back home, and the news will be made public soon. You can get the scoop from me first, ahead of all the other papers. Also, the rivalry between Chu Pharmaceuticals and Fu Pharmaceuticals is closely tied to this Miss Chu..."