NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Use Him as a Shield
Chapter 4: Use Him as a Shield
Mother Su wasn’t foolish. Earlier, seeing Su Mu’s lack of response, she worried he might reject the Chu family outright, which was why she had spoken those half-truths.
Now with Father Su’s comment, she naturally realized her previous words were inappropriate.
She quickly amended: “Yes, yes, yes, I was just anxious out of concern, afraid that our Mu might miss out on a good marriage prospect.”
Old Master Chu remained noncommittal, keeping his gaze fixed on Su Mu as he asked, “Child, what are your own thoughts?”
However, Su Mu, the center of the discussion, had his eyes firmly fixed on Chu Hanting, his expression focused and eyes slightly misty.
Chu Hanting couldn’t understand Su Mu’s expression. Wasn’t this their first meeting?
Why was this young man looking at him as if he were a familiar face?
He too was waiting for Su Mu’s answer, initially thinking anyone would reject such a random matchmaking attempt, but now he wasn’t so sure.
This fellow’s gaze was too intense.
This was actually the first time in both lives that Su Mu had so carefully observed such a young Chu Hanting.
In his previous life, their time together always ended unpleasantly. Thinking back now, it was all because he had trusted and listened to the wrong people.
Such a handsome face – why hadn’t he looked more carefully in his previous life!
What a waste, such a huge waste!!!
Withdrawing his gaze, Su Mu lifted his lips in a perfectly measured smile and said solemnly to Old Master Chu:
“With someone like Young Master Chu, I think anyone of sound mind wouldn’t want to let go of such a marriage prospect.”
Su Ning, hiding behind Mother Su and shorter than her, felt these words were indirectly criticizing him, and shot Su Mu a venomous glance.
Then they heard Su Mu continue: “I’m willing to try dating Young Master Chu, if he agrees?”
Su Mu lifted his chin slightly, the latter half of his statement seeking Chu Hanting’s opinion.
His eyes were bright and clear, his pupils reflecting only one person’s image.
Chu Hanting was stunned.
As expected, this young man had ulterior motives toward him. “I…”
“I agree,” Old Master Chu interrupted his grandson’s words, immediately accepting.
For his grandson who had always actively remained unsold in the marriage market, Old Master Chu was eager to marry him off.
If he wasn’t interested in women, then they could try with men – perhaps feelings would develop naturally over time.
Chu Hanting: …So no one considers my thoughts, my opinion doesn’t matter, right?
When Su Mu saw his beautiful eyebrows slightly furrow, he thought the other was going to refuse, after all, they had just met today.
Looking back to his previous life, they were also forcefully bound together at first, and this person didn’t immediately fall in love with him then either.
Chu Hanting indeed wanted to find a reason to refuse while preserving the other’s dignity and face.
Originally, he thought today’s visit was just to appease his grandfather. If he was always the one refusing, the old man was already very dissatisfied with him. Since he couldn’t escape matchmaking, why not let others reject him instead?
But women aside, he thought a man would definitely refuse this marriage arrangement, yet things didn’t go as expected.
With words of refusal at the tip of his tongue, he suddenly recalled his good friend Liu Yu’s recent advice: “I say, since you don’t want to marry but can’t escape matchmaking, why not find a man? Just treat him like a brother normally, and put on a show for the elders when others are around.”
What did he say back then? He said “I don’t like men.”
But truthfully, he didn’t like women either.
Strictly speaking, he had never liked anyone.
Now with such a suitable person presenting themselves, he thought he might as well go with the flow – his friend’s suggestion wasn’t entirely unreasonable.
“Alright, I agree too. Let’s see how things go.”
If he had someone to “date,” the old man wouldn’t force him to go on blind dates, saving him a lot of trouble.
Besides, he absolutely wouldn’t fall for a little kid anyway, and if the other person wanted to date someone else, he wouldn’t stop them.
For this period, he’d just use him as a shield.
Su Mu smiled, as if touched by a gentle spring breeze, making one’s heart feel sweet.
Seeing this pure, seemingly uncomplicated smile, Chu Hanting felt guilty, as if he’d done something wrong, and suddenly couldn’t meet the other’s eyes.
Was he really that happy about his agreement to date?
It felt somewhat immoral to use this person. Could it be that he really had feelings for him?
Or was he after the Chu family’s fortune?
Old Master Chu was naturally pleased with all this. Regardless of the outcome, at least it was a start.
Otherwise, he truly feared that even after he was buried, his grandson would still be alone, without anyone by his side who truly cared for him – how could he rest in peace in the underworld?
The Su parents both let out sighs of relief.
The tense atmosphere immediately dissipated.
Father Su thought: There’s hope now to cover the missing funds in the company.
Mother Su thought: Poor Ning finally returned to her side, and now wouldn’t have to accompany a man.
As for Su Ning, who had little presence in the current situation, although he too was surprised at first glance when Chu Hanting appeared.
But he didn’t want to be with a man – wouldn’t that mean being unable to continue the family line? The Su family fortune needed an heir, to continue the family legacy.
Once married into the Chu family, he wouldn’t be able to secretly have children with women. With the Su family’s position, they couldn’t afford to offend the Chu family, and no one would take his side then.
Fortunately, Su Mu had accepted this ‘good’ thing.
Moreover, Su Ning didn’t understand.
Hadn’t Su Mu been making a huge fuss just two days ago, refusing to go to matchmaking? How did he agree so quickly upon meeting someone today?
Could it be that he was attracted to Chu Hanting? He felt he’d figured it out – Su Mu’s eyes were practically glued to the other person, so he must be attracted to him.
Sure, he’s handsome, but you can’t eat looks.
Indeed, Su Mu was truly worthless at his core, Su Ning cursed silently.
Before leaving, Chu Hanting and Su Mu exchanged WeChat contacts.
Regardless of what the other person thought, since they had agreed, they had to at least maintain appearances.
Old Master Chu was secretly pleased: It seemed this decision was right. In all the previous forced attempts, none had even resulted in exchanging WeChat, let alone getting a proper look.
But today, the two had shared several long gazes, and from what he could see, that Su Mu kid seemed to have some interest in his grandson.