vstars Chapter 130 The Shop Is on Fire
Chapter 130 The Shop Is on Fire
Mu Xiaowan looked down.
Liu Weiguo sported a slicked-back hairstyle, giving him a cunning and shrewd look. He wore a gray wool coat, a black scarf, and shiny black leather shoes, all of which complemented his slicked-back hair. Greasy!
"Why is Mr. Liu here during the Chinese New Year?"
"I was just passing by and saw you hanging up a lamp here, so I came over to do a good deed."
Mu Xiaowan smiled slightly, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Liu."
Chu Junbai returned home exhausted. Upon learning that Mu Xiaowan had gone to the store, he unbuttoned two buttons on his coat and headed out without taking a break.
Having not seen her for several days, Chu Junbai's mind was filled with Mu Xiaowan's aloof image the whole way. Thinking that he would see her soon, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.
However, when he reached the intersection, the sight before him froze his smile.
Mu Xiaowan was hanging colorful lights on a ladder, while Liu Weiguo, who was holding the ladder, looked up. The two of them were chatting, both with smiles on their faces. The intimate atmosphere instantly frosted over Chu Junbai's eyes.
"Mr. Liu, why are you here instead of spending the New Year at home?" Chu Junbai paused for a moment before getting out of the car. He strode forward, his voice unconsciously turning cold, his gaze fixed on Liu Weiguo.
Mu Xiaowan turned her head when she heard the sound. Chu Junbai, dressed in military uniform, walked towards her with his long, straight legs. His military boots were firmly planted on the ground, and his sharp, deep eyes, like those of an eagle, were coldly staring at Liu Weiguo.
Mu Xiaowan felt slightly embarrassed. Had Chu Junbai misunderstood something? Although it was a contractual marriage, she was very professional, and she hadn't done anything to damage her reputation.
"Captain Chu, you're back!"
Mu Xiaowan deliberately raised her voice to express her excitement and avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings. Unexpectedly, she stumbled and almost fell off the ladder. She quickly grabbed the ladder, and Chu Junbai, seeing this, immediately stepped forward to steady her.
Liu Weiguo was also frightened and his face changed color. He gripped the ladder tightly with both hands.
"I was just passing by and saw Boss Mu doing such dangerous work, so I thought I'd lend a hand."
After hanging up, Mu Xiaowan walked down two wooden steps. Then, Chu Junbai put his hands under Mu Xiaowan's armpits and lifted her up.
Mu Xiaowan: "..."
Was she lifted up high?
Liu Weiguo merely glanced at Chu Junbai, then leisurely walked to the car, took out a net bag from the trunk containing two black watermelons, and said, "Xiao Wan, have a taste of these."
Mu Xiaowan subconsciously looked at Chu Junbai, and seeing that his expression was getting worse, she quickly declined, saying, "No need, you're too kind."
But Liu Weiguo insisted on putting it in her hand, and then swaggered into his car and left.
Chu Junbai watched the departing car, his fists clenching unconsciously, his eyes as deep and unfathomable as a still pool.
Mu Xiaowan shrugged. Why did this person seem so strange?
As night fell, the Chu family was very lively on New Year's Eve. After dinner, the family sat around in the living room, ready to watch the Spring Festival Gala.
An Muxue sat in the corner, unusually quiet, letting Chu Shaoze take care of her.
But the look in her eyes as she gazed at Mu Xiaowan was filled with resentment, as if it held endless hatred, which she suppressed for the time being in this joyful family atmosphere.
Mu Xiaowan had little interest in the Spring Festival Gala to begin with, and soon, drowsiness washed over her like a tide. She sat on the sofa, her eyelids growing heavier and heavier, and her head gradually began to nod off.
Chu Shaoqing and Chu Zhihui had been restless for a while. Seeing Mu Xiaowan looking drowsy, they exchanged a smile and then hopped to her sides. Chu Shaoqing grabbed Mu Xiaowan's arm, "Second sister-in-law, don't sleep! Let's watch the fireworks together!"
Chu Zhihui chimed in, "Yes, the fireworks outside are so beautiful!"
They assumed Mu Xiaowan had never seen fireworks.
Mu Xiaowan yawned, thinking to herself that if they had seen the beautiful and diverse modern fireworks, they probably wouldn't be so excited. Seeing their expectant looks, Mu Xiaowan couldn't bear to disturb them, so she stood up.
Upon hearing that fireworks were being set off, the rest of the family went out to watch as well.
Chu Junbai brought out fireworks, and Chu Shaoqing lit them.
Fireworks burst into bloom in the night sky, their colorful lights illuminating the dark expanse. Chu Shaoqing and Chu Zhihui were overjoyed, their laughter echoing through the air.
Chu Shaoting rolled her eyes at them and said disdainfully, "Childish!"
Mu Xiaowan was caught up in the lively atmosphere, and her drowsiness dissipated considerably. She tilted her head back, watching the fireworks bloom in the night sky, her face beaming with a happy smile. Chu Junbai stood quietly beside her, his eyes never leaving her face, the tenderness in his gaze unnoticed even by himself.
On this night of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new, the entire provincial capital was immersed in a festive atmosphere.
Strings of bright red lanterns hung high outside the shops on both sides of the street, their reflections in the glass windows creating a strong festive atmosphere.
Outside the window, colorful fireworks burst one after another, adorning the dark night sky with a dreamlike beauty. The sounds of firecrackers rising and falling, along with the laughter of people, intertwined to create a lively New Year's symphony.
The phone rang suddenly at the Chu family home. Mu Xiaowan had just returned from outside and answered it casually, "Hello, Chu family!"
"Xiao Wan, hurry back to the general store, it's on fire!" Ye Jincheng recognized Mu Xiaowan's voice and didn't waste any words.
Ye Jincheng's voice was urgent and tense as he shouted loudly on the other end of the phone.
Mu Xiaowan's face turned deathly pale instantly, and she almost dropped the phone.
"You said our grocery store caught fire?" she repeated in terror, her voice trembling.
Chu Junbai noticed Mu Xiaowan's unusual behavior and immediately stopped what he was doing, asking with concern, "What's wrong?"
Mu Xiaowan looked up in a panic, her eyes filled with unease. "Junbai, the general store is on fire! Could you please take me there?"
As she spoke, she hung up the phone, grabbed Chu Junbai's hand, and Chu Junbai, without the slightest hesitation, grasped her hand in return, grabbed his coat, and headed outside.
"Junbai, where are you two going?" They ran into the rest of the Chu family who were walking back from outside when they went out.
Chu Junbai only said one sentence, "I'll be right back."
They were in such a hurry that they didn't see the sinister smiles that An Muxue and Chu Shaoting exchanged after looking at each other in the crowd.
Along the way, Mu Xiaowan was extremely anxious and hurried along. Chu Junbai held her hand tightly and kept comforting her: "Don't panic, we'll be there soon. Jincheng is definitely trying to figure something out."
When they sped up to the grocery store, they found it wasn't engulfed in flames as they had imagined. The colorful lights on the signboard twinkled beautifully, and only a few neighbors were chatting amongst themselves in front of the store. Mu Xiaowan breathed a sigh of relief, and her tense nerves gradually relaxed.
Where is Ye Jincheng?
"What exactly happened?" Chu Junbai frowned and asked his neighbors.
A neighbor stepped forward and explained, "A few children were setting off fireworks here just now, and some of the fireworks accidentally landed on the woodpile next to the shop. However, the fire was quickly put out, and there was no serious damage."
Chu Junbai looked at Mu Xiaowan. She had been terrified just now, her face had turned pale. It seemed that she valued this shop very much.
Why would Brother Ye lie for no reason? Why can't I see him?
Chu Junbai said, "I'll go make a phone call."
Just then, Ye Jincheng hurriedly rode his bicycle over from afar.
"Jun Bai, Xiao Mu!"
Chu Junbai's face turned ashen.