Living in a small county town, earning a million a year

Chapter 26 The Lingering Ghost: Zhou Mengting

Xu Mu arrived at the elevator lobby and answered the phone.

"Hello? Who is it?"

"Xu Mu, why did you block my phone number and WeChat?"

On the phone, Zhou Mengting posed a soul-searching question.

Xu Mu frowned and cursed, "Idiot."

I hung up the phone in frustration.

He took out a cigarette and was about to light it.

Suddenly, a delicate hand reached out from beside him, offering him a lit lighter and lighting his cigarette.

Xu Mu recognized Bai Xue and smiled, "Sister Bai Xue, are you done with your work?"

"I just finished my work and got out of the elevator when I saw you standing here making a phone call and smoking."

"What's wrong? Did something upset you?"

"It's that stupid ex-girlfriend again. Now that she sees I have money, she's sticking to me like a leech."

Xu Mu took a deep breath, her expression showing some impatience.

"Okay, stop bothering me!"

Bai Xue grabbed Xu Mu's arm with her left hand, took the cigarette out of Xu Mu's mouth with her right hand, and tiptoed to kiss Xu Mu's lips.

The kiss was brief and fleeting.

Bai Xue blushed slightly and returned the cigarette to Xu Mu.

Xu Mu touched her lips and asked with a smile, "Sister Bai Xue, are you provoking me?"

"No way! I'm just trying to comfort you."

"I hope you won't get upset over such a small thing."

"But that's not enough!"

Xu Mu suddenly lowered his head, put his arm around Bai Xue's waist, and kissed her again.

After kissing for about ten seconds, Bai Xue's face turned bright red and her legs went weak.

She quickly braced herself against Xu Mu's chest and pushed him away, saying, "Xiao Mu, this is still a hospital!"

"If you want, I'll book you a hotel tonight!"

Bai Xue had already made preparations, but since Xu Mu was in Tianji County and she was in Shanghai, she could only think about making it up to Xu Mu after she returned.

But she never expected that Xu Mu would suddenly appear in Shanghai.

Come and keep her company.

It gave her such a surprise.

"Let's talk about it tonight!"

"Go check on your aunt, I'm calling again."

Xu Mu put the cigarette back in his mouth and answered another unfamiliar phone call.

"Zhou Mengting, could you please stop bothering me?"

"Xu Mu, what do you want from me to forgive me?"

Zhou Mengting's aggrieved voice came through the phone, "Is it because you now have that assistant Bai Xue that you look down on me?"

"???"

Xu Mu looked completely bewildered.

No, where does this woman get her confidence from?!
What makes her think she can be compared to Snow White?

What level is Bai Xue? What level are you?

Do you deserve it?
"Zhou Mengting, I think you might have some misunderstandings about yourself!"

"Bai Xue is the assistant in the president's office at Kaiyuan Taihe, and what about you? You're not even worth as much as a prostitute on the street!"

"So, what makes you think you're qualified to compare yourself to Snow White?"

Xu Mu originally wanted to hang up the phone, but then she thought about how Zhou Mengting had harassed her by changing her number repeatedly.

He just wanted to get rid of Zhou Mengting.

The best way to get rid of someone is to win their heart.

Let her despair!

Xu Mu is not a good person, but he is not a victim either.

You've already fooled me before, and now you want to use the same tricks on me again?
Do you really think you're the ideal woman?
Xu Mu felt that this "white moonlight" was rotten to the point of being relegated to the toilet.

It's even more disgusting than toilet poop.

"I'm your first love!"

"No! I'd rather my first love died."

"Xu Mu, why are you always so cold to me?"

Zhou Mengting said in a tearful voice, "I really know I was wrong!"

"If you know you're wrong, then kowtow three times to me, and I'll see your attitude!"

"Xu Mu, are you really going to do this? I'm truly desperate, please help me!"

"Hey, I thought you were harassing me because you really wanted to get back together? Turns out you still want money from me! What, you don't like a rich boss like Wang Wei? Why are you still targeting me? I held your hand and kissed your lips back then."

"I don't even know what your calligraphy brush looks like, how dare you ask me for money?"

Xu Mu couldn't help but sigh, "The money I gave you back then would have been enough for me to contact a bunch of welfare chickens that could be airdropped."

That's so stupid!

Back in 2018 and 19, all sorts of female bodhisattvas were waiting to open for business on Weibo, Twitter, and Douyin.

My biggest fear is not making any money!

Zhou Mengting is something else; she made the money but doesn't want to pay the price!

Sigh, Xu Mu felt so stupid just thinking about it!

"If that's what you want, I can do it too!"

"I'll do anything you want as long as you can help me."

"I told you, you're not even as good as a prostitute on the street with a price tag." Xu Mu said indifferently. "Stop bothering me. I have no nostalgia for my rotten white moonlight or my dead first love. Go find Wang Wei. Wang Wei is rich."

"He doesn't have a damn amount of money. He borrowed 50,000 yuan from her before, and ever since the class reunion, he's been asking me for the money every day, saying he'll sue me if I don't pay it back!"

"His boss persona was all an act; he's just a lousy employee! I was fooled too!"

"Xu Mu, only you can help me now!"

"please!"

"I'll really kneel down and kowtow to you."

"No, I'm afraid it will shorten my lifespan." Xu Mu quickly waved his hand. "Alright, stop babbling! I'm not lending you money, so give up on that idea!"

That's all I have to say, or I'll sue you for harassment!

After saying that, Xu Mu hung up the phone without any hesitation!

……

In the ward, Bai Xue walked in and peeled an apple for Yang Shufen.

"Mom, the report is in. The doctor said that based on the current report, there shouldn't be any major problems, and the surgery can be scheduled for the 5th or 6th."

Bai Xue lowered her head, her pretty face still slightly flushed.

After kissing Xu Mu at the elevator entrance, her face felt burning hot, and she couldn't calm down quickly.

On the contrary, my heart was still pounding.

It's love at first sight! Oh no, I can't hide my eyes from that look!

"I understand." Yang Shufen nodded gently. "How far have things progressed between you and Xiao Mu?"

“We’re just ordinary friends.” Bai Xue looked up and said softly, “Mom, Xu Mu came to see you just now, did you say anything to him?”

"I didn't say anything, I just wanted to tell you that Xiao Mu is such a good guy, you should hold on to him and cherish him."

"Mom has been sick for so many years, which has delayed your life for so many years. There aren't many good boys like you nowadays."

"Okay, Mom!"

Bai Xue felt embarrassed by her mother's words, and her already slightly flushed face turned even redder. "I know what I'm doing!"

"Okay, you know it yourself. I can't interfere in your affairs."

“But Xiao Mu came all the way from Tianji County, why don’t you take him out for dinner tonight?”

"Let him have a good time sightseeing in Shanghai. I'm fine here. I'll call the nurse if anything happens." "Okay!"

After finishing her phone call, Xu Mu walked into the ward.

"Auntie, you've got an apple? I was just about to peel one for you!" Xu Mu scratched her head sheepishly. "Sister Bai Xue beat me to it!"

“Taking care of my mom is my duty, why would I need you to do it! Besides, you're a clumsy boy, how could you possibly do something like this!”

"Okay, sit down for a bit. I'll make a couple of calls to the doctor, and then we'll go out for a walk."

Xu Mu sat obediently on the stool with her legs together, just like a primary school student. She looked up and asked with clear eyes, "Don't you need to stay with Auntie?"

"The hospital has nurses and caregivers who can help, and since you rarely come to Shanghai, I'll take you around the city!"

After waiting for about ten minutes, Bai Xue returned.

"Mom, you should rest here."

"Call me if you need anything, I'll take Xu Mu for a stroll on the Bund."

"..."

After leaving the hospital, Xu Mu and Bai Xue took the subway to the Bund.

In Shanghai, taking a taxi is a foolish thing to do.

The subway is the fastest mode of transportation.

On the subway, because it was crowded, Bai Xue and Xu Mu could only stand on the side.

Because it's summer vacation now, which is the tourist season, there are a lot of people going to popular attractions like the Bund and the Oriental Pearl Tower. Most of them are from out of town, so it's almost impossible to find empty seats on the subway.

"Xu Mu, thank you for coming to see me."

Bai Xue nestled in Xu Mu's arms, her voice soft and gentle.

Leaning against Xu Mu's chest gave her an unparalleled sense of relaxation.

It seems that with Xu Mu around, there's nothing that can't be solved.

She didn't realize subconsciously that she had actually become dependent on Xu Mu.

"I actually came to Shanghai to buy some goods. I was in Fengxian yesterday, but I thought since you were in Shanghai, I took some time to come and visit!"

"No matter what reason you give, I don't care!" Bai Xue said softly, holding Xu Mu's hand. "As long as you're here, I don't think anything else matters."

"You know what? I've been thinking about you these past few days, but I haven't dared to tell you. I'm afraid that if I do, I'll feel wronged."

Xu Mu gently stroked Bai Xue's long hair and said softly, "It's nothing. If you feel wronged or upset and can't bear this kind of pressure, just tell me anytime. It's not like I won't reply to your messages."

"But you are my creditor, and I feel that given our relationship, I cannot overstep my bounds like this!"

"What's our relationship?" Xu Mu lowered his head slightly, raised an eyebrow, and asked Bai Xue with a smile, "The fact that I can lend you money means I trust you."

Even if you treat me as just a friend, you still have the right to confide your grievances!

"What's wrong with me being your confidante?"

"I understand." Bai Xue was no longer behaving like an older sister; she looked like a wronged little girl.

Upon arriving at the Bund, Bai Xue took Xu Mu's hand and stood on the banks of the Huangpu River.

The evening breeze ruffled her long hair, soothing some of the anxiety and stress she had been experiencing lately.

"This is my first time at the Bund!"

This was truly Xu Mu's first time visiting a place like this.

However, Xu Mu didn't really like Shanghai.

He's the kind of person who's used to being lazy, and the pace of life in Shanghai is just too fast.

In comparison, the slow pace of life in Tianji County is more suitable for a lazy person like him.

I can sleep until I naturally wake up every day, and I don't have the pressure of rent, work, or survival.

Although prices in small towns aren't exactly cheap, a Coke costs three yuan and a Mixue Ice Cream costs four yuan—the prices are the same all over the country. You can get around the whole town on an electric scooter, which is more than enough.

"Did you never go out to play before?"

"No," Xu Mu shook his head and replied, "I only have a few good brothers, but we just eat, drink, and brag in this small county town. We never go out to have fun together, and I'm not the kind of person who really likes going out."

"I usually just scroll through Douyin, read novels or watch mindless short dramas, and a day is over."

"I seem to have a lot of free time every day, but I'm actually quite busy. Going out to play isn't for me."

"Then I can go out and play with you from now on!" Bai Xue smiled brightly.

Snow-white teeth, eyes curved into crescent moons.

The stunningly beautiful face, paired with the red sunset reflected on the Huangpu River, creates a breathtakingly beautiful picture.

The two strolled around the Bund for a while, and then had a Western meal at a rooftop restaurant in the evening.

Xu Mu frowned as she looked at the steak in front of her. "Could you please give me a well-done steak?"

"I can't get used to this stuff."

"Also, could you give me a pair of chopsticks? I'm a country bumpkin!"

"Pfft!" Bai Xue, sitting opposite Xu Mu, couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Xiao Mu, can you stop being so funny?"

"Okay, their kind of Western restaurants only serve medium-rare to medium-well at most."

"If you can't use a knife and fork, I'll feed you!"

As she spoke, Bai Xue got up and sat down next to Xu Mu, cut the steak in half, and fed it to Xu Mu with a fork.

"The steak that Sister Bai Xue fed me was definitely tastier!"

"This is Wellington steak. Essentially, the beef is just one big piece, wrapped in bread dough, which makes it difficult for the inside to cook through, but the taste is indeed quite good."

"Understood." Xu Mu obediently accepted Bai Xue's feeding.

The two of them sat in the sky restaurant, eating steak and sipping red wine.

Feeling the summer night breeze on her face, Xu Mu felt a sense of relaxation that made her realize how wonderful life could be.

Everything is very comfortable.

After dinner, the two strolled around for a while to digest their food before taking the subway back to the hospital.

"Xiao Mu, have you booked a hotel?"

Where will you stay tonight?

"No, let me check Meituan!"

As Xu Mu spoke, he began searching for nearby hotels.

My gaze then fell upon a five-star hotel near the Huangpu River. The rooms had bathtubs, and the Oriental Pearl Tower could be seen in the distance.

The price is 1,800 yuan per night.

The subway can directly reach the hospital.

not bad.

"This is it."

Xu Mu clicked to place an order.

"Let me take you there."

Bai Xue looked at Xu Mu. Because of the alcohol she had been drinking and the wind that had been blowing on her for a while, her cheeks were slightly flushed and her eyes were a little glazed.

It looks like a perfectly ripe peach, extremely tempting.

"You've been in Shanghai for so long, where have you been staying?"

"It's that small hotel across from the hospital."

"Wait here for me a moment, I'll go upstairs to get some clothes and a charger."

"Okay." Xu Mu didn't say anything more; it was an unspoken understanding between the two of them.

Adults no longer need to say things explicitly.

Everyone understands.

After waiting for about ten minutes, Bai Xue appeared in front of Xu Mu with a canvas bag on her back.

"I just checked, it's only three subway stops away."

The two of them took the subway to this five-star hotel.

After checking in, Xu Mu and Bai Xue went upstairs to their room.

As soon as they entered the room and closed the door, Bai Xue threw herself into Xu Mu's arms.

A sweet kiss landed on Xu Mu's lips, and he pressed Xu Mu against the wall.

"Xu Mu... I love you so much!"

(End of this chapter)