"Leaving with nothing?"
The four words shocked not only Du Juan and Meng Jingwei, who were eavesdropping, but also Qing Muye himself.
Though he didn't know when he had fallen in love with Meng Jingwei, in the short seven to eight months they had known each other, he was willing to 'leave with nothing' for her?
Qing Muye, in his twenty-eight years of life, for the first time understood the depth of loving someone, even being willing to give up everything for them.
This, was perhaps what everyone called a 'weakness'.
Before he knew her, he was naturally indifferent and cold. Now, he had gained more warmth and humanity.
"Mu..."
"You've known the little girl for less than a year, it's too early to say such things."
Just as Du Juan was about to speak, Old Chen Tou quietly walked over and directly refused.
Meng Jingwei, too focused on Qing Muye's words, hadn't noticed Old Chen Tou's arrival.
She straightened up, turned to look at Old Chen Tou, pursed her lips, and said nothing.
"The little girl is still young, marriage is not urgent. If you truly like her, you can try dating first. After a year or two, then talk about marriage."
Old Chen Tou added.
"That's true."
Du Juan turned to look at Old Chen Tou. After a moment of calm thought, she realized it was indeed so. "Jingwei is not yet 22, it's indeed not good to rush."
Meng Jingwei, listening to Old Chen Tou and Du Juan, remained silent.
"Alright."
After much deliberation, Qing Muye finally nodded in agreement.
Speaking to Du Juan today was indeed abrupt; he should have given them some time to adjust. "I'll listen to you."
He said, a gentle and warm smile gracing his handsome face, "Auntie, you should go about your business, I'll wash the dishes first."
"Uh... okay, alright."
Du Juan observed Qing Muye, watching his every move. She genuinely felt that men like him, wealthy and handsome, considerate and capable, were rare.
Perhaps, her own daughter should cherish him.
Qing Muye washed the dishes in the kitchen, tidied up the stove, and worked with clean and efficient movements. In no time, the kitchen was spotless.
"A domestic husband who can both entertain guests and manage the household, I wouldn't have guessed. Tsk tsk..."
Lu Yanming walked from the main hall to the kitchen and happened to see Qing Muye wearing an apron, holding a rag, and diligently cleaning the kitchen. He couldn't help but sigh, "You handle it so skillfully. I think you should hand over Songyu Group to your seventh uncle, and you can marry into the Meng family. It's a good deal."
"How much did seventh uncle bribe you, hmm?"
Qing Muye glanced sideways at Lu Yanming, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Despite doing the most down-to-earth chores, his noble demeanor couldn't be concealed in his every move. Even the simple act of untying his apron and hanging it on the side was pleasing to the eye.
"I fear this is the life you've been hoping for."
Lu Yanming placed his hands in his trousers pockets and sighed, "People in love are truly crazy. A CEO and young master like you, who has never lifted a finger, is actually washing dishes at his future mother-in-law's house. If this were to spread to Lancheng, countless women would be so jealous of Meng Jingwei."
"Shut up."
Qing Muye washed his hands and then walked out of the kitchen to the main hall.
As soon as he entered the main hall, Tang Si immediately stood up and grinned mischievously at Qing Muye, "Second Brother, Jingwei's father said that it's cold lately and the firewood for the stove is insufficient. He asked you to split the wood by the door."
"Hey, I..."
Upon hearing Tang Si speak, Meng Tianhua immediately tried to stop him, but Han Yu also stepped forward and nodded, "Yes, Master Chen was just mentioning that there isn't enough firewood."
In the countryside, in winter, there was no heating, and people were reluctant to use air conditioning. Most households had a sealed stove, and a round hole was made in the window with a vent pipe installed. This made the rooms exceptionally warm.
"That's fine too."
Old Chen Tou held his pipe, took a puff of his cigarette, and said to Qing Muye, "Your brothers mentioned you wanted to experience rural life. Since you have nothing else to do, split that pile of firewood by the door."
"Ah?"
Meng Jingwei couldn't help but be surprised. She felt that Old Chen Tou was deliberately making things difficult for Qing Muye.
She immediately stepped forward, "No, no, no, Old Chen Tou, my dad said guests should be treated as guests. This isn't right."
After all, he was a wealthy young master. The image of Qing Muye holding an axe to chop wood... she couldn't fathom what it would look like.
But Meng Jingwei truly couldn't bear to let Qing Muye chop wood.
"He is a guest, indeed, but you, little girl, are my disciple, Old Chen Tou. If he wants to pursue you, he must first pass my test. Otherwise, you two can't talk."
Old Chen Tou waved his hand, snorted coldly, and turned his head to the side, refusing to speak further.
The matter had reached this point; he had made his intentions clear.
Du Juan sat beside them, saying nothing.
She knew Old Chen Tou treated her daughter like his own. Old Chen Tou making things difficult for Qing Muye was merely his way of testing his character.
On this matter, she had to wholeheartedly agree.
"What? Likes Jingwei?"
Among everyone present, only Meng Tianhua found out about this last and looked at Old Chen Tou blankly, then at Du Juan, and finally glanced at Meng Jingwei and Qing Muye, "How come I didn't know?"
"What else do you know besides eating all day?" Du Juan glared at Meng Tianhua.
"Old Chen Tou, you..."
"Shut up, it's not your turn to speak!"
Meng Jingwei wanted to intervene, but was sharply reprimanded by Old Chen Tou.
"It's fine. It's a good way to exercise my muscles."
Qing Muye's demeanor was calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant. He then asked Meng Jingwei, "Where is your axe?"
"I..."
Meng Jingwei wanted to refuse.
She knew very well that given the disparity in their status, she was not worthy of Qing Muye, and she shouldn't use such methods to test him.
"Take me to get it." Qing Muye said calmly.
Although his tone was gentle, it carried an undeniable authority.
"Alright, I'll take you to get it."
Meng Jingwei walked out of the main hall to the storage room, picked up the axe, and handed it to Qing Muye.
The man took the axe, but Meng Jingwei didn't let go. Instead, she gazed at him with a mixture of complex emotions and helplessness, "You don't have to pay attention to Old Chen Tou at all. My parents haven't said anything, why must you listen to him."
Qing Muye's obsidian-like eyes held a gentle smile. He reached out and dotingly ruffled her hair, "Because, when I'm with you, I want to receive blessings from all your family members."
Old Chen Tou was Meng Jingwei's master and had watched her grow up. He was like a father figure, so Qing Muye naturally had to respect him.
"But you've never done manual labor, can you chop wood? It's very tiring."
"Consider it experiencing life."
He brushed away Meng Jingwei's hand, turned, and walked to the entrance of the outer courtyard.
By the entrance was a large cement ground, with a muddy area to the right. Piles of thick logs were placed on the muddy ground, covered with a plastic film to shield them from the thick snow.
Qing Muye found a flat spot, placed a round log as a chopping block, then picked up a section of wood and placed it on top. He raised the axe and swung it down.