I turned reality into a romantic comedy.

When Chen Junqian and Xu Youwei met up with Lin Mu in the afternoon, Lin Mu was sitting in the car fiddling with his phone, seemingly playing a mobile game. Upon closer inspection, it was "Temple Run," a game that had been wildly popular throughout 2014 and whose popularity didn't wane even in 2015. This game had eaten up one-fifth of Zhong Yu's pocket money. However, since Chen Junqian had never had a mobile phone in his previous life, he had never been very addicted to mobile games. After glancing at it, he was about to sit in the front passenger seat when Xu Youwei, who was following behind him, pushed him back.

"It's not like there's no room for three people. Go inside, Mu Mu, move over a little."

"Okay, I understand."

Lin Mu verbally agreed, but his eyes never left the screen, focusing intently on controlling the character. This gave Xu Youwei a mischievous idea. Just as Chen Junqian got into the car, Xu Youwei suddenly pushed him forward from behind, causing the unsuspecting Chen Junqian to fall over, half of his body landing on Lin Mu.

"...Ugh, he's dead."

Compared to her childhood sweetheart suddenly pressing her face against his, Lin Mu seemed more concerned about the character on screen who was falling off a cliff with a thud. After letting out a mournful cry, she turned to Chen Junqian and said righteously:

"Qianqian killed me, I need to get through this level for you later."

"Mu Mu, try to stand up for a bit."

"It's okay, I'm wearing thick clothes in winter, I didn't bump or hurt myself anywhere."

Seeing her best friend, who was pinned down by her childhood sweetheart, waving her limbs to indicate that she was alright while also advising Chen Junqian not to take it to heart, Xu Youwei realized that her suggestion of closer physical contact that morning was not applicable to Lin Mu. She reached out to help Chen Junqian sit up straight before getting into the car herself.

After waiting for a while, Mr. and Mrs. Lin Youfeng, who had put their luggage in the trunk, returned to the car. Seeing Lin Mu playing on his phone, they immediately said, "Don't play games while riding in the car, it's bad for your eyes." Then they took Lin Mu's phone and officially drove the three of them to their destination.

"I heard Junqian brought a girlfriend from out of town, whom he met online, back home for Chinese New Year this year?"

Undoubtedly, this was the first topic the parents brought up, making Chen Junqian wonder if this was a hot topic in Guoning, a small county town.

However, unlike Xu Zhiling's situation this morning, this time it was Lin Mu who took the initiative to answer for Chen Junqian:

"Yes, Sister Shen is from Lin'an. Although it's in a neighboring province, it's very close to Guoning. She's a super pretty girl. Dad, do you remember the first season of the 'Chinese Character Dictation Competition' that Qianqian participated in a couple of years ago? She was one of the representatives of the Zhejiang team and appeared on TV with Qianqian..."

Before Lin Mu could finish speaking, she saw her mother return the phone from the front passenger seat at lightning speed. She even opened "Temple Run" in one go, selected the character Cat Xiaomeng and the little sheep mount, and used coins to get the blessing of automatic 2,000-meter dash at the start.

"Mumu, why don't you play some games first?"

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PS2: However, the character I used to be the most powerful was the Dual-Pistols Little Handsome ( ).

Chapter 70: If it had succeeded then (Part 2)

Although Lin Mu's family situation has never been as complicated as Xu Youwei's, it doesn't mean that Lin Youfeng and his wife don't care about their daughter's interpersonal relationships, or more precisely, about that vague romantic relationship. After all, they are the kind of parents who would cherish Lin Mu, so even if there is only the slightest hint of something, they would still want to find out the truth.

Moreover, the fact that the rumors about the Crown Prince and Crown Princess have persisted in the company for so long already speaks volumes about their attitudes towards the matter. The literal meaning of being a perfect match and childhood sweethearts naturally leads everyone to imagine a bright future for these two children. While childhood sweethearts in real life aren't like those in romantic comedies, where everyone around them automatically assumes they should be together, they are definitely the easiest couples to be brought together.

Putting aside the complexities and interests of the adult world, the Lin couple, who have always cared about their child's feelings, have now realized that their beloved daughter is essentially still a child. Even though this has achieved their initial goal of 'letting their child grow up happily and healthily,' in some ways, it would be harder than killing them to actually hand their precious daughter over to a completely unfamiliar boy.

In their original plan, Mu Mu might have figured things out a few years later, when she was in high school or even college. Even if she couldn't go to the same university as Chen Junqian, they could at least arrange for her to be in the same city.

When that time comes, the couple can simply say things like, "Mumu has never traveled far from home before, so you have to take good care of her," "We're entrusting Mumu to you," or "Mumu might get bullied in the dorms because of her personality. Let me rent a place for you to live together." That should be enough to make things a natural and established fact.

But unexpectedly, Chen Junqian brought a girlfriend home this year.

Moreover, her daughter seemed completely oblivious to the situation, which made her unable to resist returning the phone and thoughtfully putting headphones on her, acting as if she wanted the child to play aside and not interrupt.

When did Junqian and that person start dating?

After settling her daughter's affairs, Lin Mu's mother turned to Chen Junqian and asked him a question, glancing at Xu Youwei sitting next to her.

It can only be said that this was the first candidate she initially envisioned to steal her intended son-in-law. The girl herself was good-looking and had a bit of a temper, which many boys found appealing. Then, her elders would also cause trouble. In the end, she didn't expect that someone else would suddenly appear and steal the spotlight from her, and it wasn't even the genuine No. 1 famous student from Guoning Middle School, Zhu Wenyun.

"It was around the second half of last year. It's not entirely accurate to say we were dating. The main thing was that I wanted to find a plausible reason to bring Sister Nianqiu back to Guoning. Her family situation wasn't good. We had known each other online for many years."

After Chen Junqian's explanation, Lin Mu's mother secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She had always known her son's character well; he was indeed a helpful person. The first time he and her son Mu Mu started playing together at the night market was because of this. However, due to his own circumstances, the treatment he received was never "I will repay your kindness by serving you like a slave in the next life," but rather the genuine "I can only repay your kindness in this life with my body."

"Sister Nianqiu, is that girl older than Junqian?"

"Yes, she's two years older and will be a senior in high school in the fall. She studies in Lin'an and usually lives at the school. I only bring her to Guoning during winter and summer vacations."

"In that case, it's a critical period, and just thinking about it puts a lot of pressure on me."

While chatting with Chen Junqian, Lin Mu's mother was already using her phone to search for the first season of the "Chinese Character Dictation Competition" program that her daughter had mentioned, and soon found information and photos of a girl named Shen Nianqiu online.

If it were 2013, she would be the same age as Mumu this year.

...But she doesn't look like someone her age at all.

Looking through the rearview mirror at the two people sitting side by side in the back, there was a clear height difference between them, and their daughter, who was playing on her phone and started resting her head on Chen Junqian's arm, Lin Mu's mother felt a little complicated. She and her husband were not short, but their daughter was this short. When she was little, she suspected that there might be some kind of genetic disease. Several tests showed that she was very healthy and just didn't grow tall.

"Is this your first time celebrating the New Year here? Don't be shy, Youwei. You and Mumu are good friends, so make yourself at home."

Seeing his wife looking at her phone and then at the rearview mirror in silence in the passenger seat, Lin Youfeng, who was driving, took care of Xu Youwei, who had been sitting quietly in the car since getting in, and greeted her warmly.

"Yes, I know, thank you, Uncle."

Xu Youwei, who wanted to be a wingman but felt more like a third wheel, gave a somewhat stiff reply. Mainly, she was still trying to use her extraordinary wisdom to think about how to act tonight, and she hadn't even listened carefully to the conversation between Chen Junqian and Lin Mu's mother.

However, since the other party took the initiative to ask about this topic, it means that they must also value Qinqin. In other words, there are no problems with Mumu's family as well. Now it can be said that everything is ready except for the final step.

As long as Mumu launches an attack, everything will be alright!

"I died again—Qianqian, come run for me, help me break the record!"

Turning his head, he saw Lin Mu, looking annoyed, shoving his phone into Chen Junqian's hand.

"I'll give you a pair of headphones too. If you can't hear the sound effects, the controls won't feel good."

Then, she naturally put one of her earphones into Chen Junqian's ear.

That's right, that's it!

Xu Youwei tried hard to convince herself that this was a very good thing, and that the more intimate interactions between the two of them, the better. But she couldn't help turning her head back, her gaze blankly drifting towards the scenery rushing past the window.

She really overestimated herself.

A kiss can't last a whole day.

Just as Chen Junqian said this morning, probably because Xu Youwei was suddenly added to the family this year, Lin Mu's relatives from his hometown immediately changed their gossipy nature from the previous two years. After all, it's perfectly fine to joke about things with family members, but they would restrain themselves when guests are present. So Xu Youwei quickly got bored and, after Chen Junqian, who had come back to the table to eat, served her some food, she took her rice bowl and sat down with Lin Mu on a bench.

"It gets dark so quickly."

Looking at the sky outside the courtyard, which had almost completely darkened, Xu Youwei sighed in the same way.

"Because it's winter, and that's how it is in the mountains, it gets dark very quickly, so everyone goes to bed very early, but also gets up very early."

With Chen Junqian, her childhood sweetheart with whom she knew everything, Lin Mu no longer needed to carefully pick out the parts of the various dishes that her relatives were putting into her bowl with their chopsticks. Instead, she could eat them without worry, her voice even a little muffled.

"So, where exactly is the place Mumu mentioned that's where they set off firecrackers? Is it far?"

"It's about two miles away, Weiwei, don't worry. I stay here every winter vacation, and I know all the roads like the back of my hand. The three of us must have a great time. I bought a lot of fireworks and firecrackers. Weiwei, you can set off as many as you want."

Seeing Lin Mu's confident assurance, Xu Youwei felt relieved and responded with a smile:

"Okay, let's go over after we finish eating. The sooner we go, the sooner we can have fun."

"Okay, okay."

After nodding in agreement, Lin Mu stood up again and nimbly slipped behind Chen Junqian. In front of all the relatives at the table, she quickly put her mouth to his ear and said, "Qianqian, eat quickly, we're going out to play in a little while." Then she darted back, leaving Chen Junqian a little caught off guard.

"What's wrong?"

Lin Youfeng, who was standing next to him, asked a question out of curiosity.

"It's nothing, just tell me to finish my meal quickly so I can go out and have fun with her."

"Oh, right? It's about setting off firecrackers together. The roads in the mountains are difficult to travel. Junqian, keep an eye on Mumu and Youwei. Also, keep your phones with you. Contact us anytime if anything happens."

"Yes, Uncle, don't worry."

After all, they weren't children anymore. After giving that instruction, Lin Youfeng went back to drinking with the other relatives. Chen Junqian also took advantage of Lin Mu's words and, amidst the laughter of the relatives, said, "Everyone, eat and drink well. I'm going to keep Mu Mu company now," and quickly finished his dinner and left the table.

"...So many firecrackers!"

Lin Mu and Xu Youwei seemed ready to go, but when Chen Junqian walked over, the first thing he saw was a large red plastic bag on the ground, filled with various small fireworks and firecrackers.

"Yeah, I bought all of them. It should be fine if the three of us each carry some."

"It's okay, I can carry it myself."

As he said this, Chen Junqian, showing his strength, directly lifted the seemingly heavy plastic bag with one hand, causing Lin Mu, who was standing next to him, to widen his eyes in shock:

"Wow, Qianqian, you're so strong!"

"Alright, let's go. It'll get even darker if we go any later. Mu Mu, lead the way."

"Okay, Vivi, let's go."

Lin Mu naturally took Xu Youwei's hand, and continued walking while glancing at Chen Junqian:

"This bag feels like it weighs about 30 pounds. Qianqian, don't try to carry it. Weiwei and I can help."

"I didn't have to force myself, it was very easy, and I could carry this bag or even another person on my back without any problem."

Upon hearing Chen Junqian's answer, Xu Youwei, who had genuinely been carried on his back, unconsciously pursed her lips, clearly recalling the time when Chen Junqian carried her to her mother's cemetery.

It's strange, really. Chen Junqian is so much more relaxed and carefree now than he was back then, sweating and disheveled. But she always felt that he was more handsome back then. In fact, it was from that moment that she truly started to like Chen Junqian.

Was it because Chen Junqian only had eyes for himself at that time? Or was it for something else?

Thinking this, Xu Youwei still lagged behind a little and walked to Chen Junqian's side, using her other hand to help him carry the plastic bag. Lin Mu wanted to help too, but since there were only places to carry the plastic bag on both sides, and she also had to lead the way, in the end, they let the two of them carry it.

This wasn't Chen Junqian's first time visiting Lin Mu's hometown, but it was his first time going out at night. In addition, given the advance notice or warning of a certain achievement, Chen Junqian had been carefully observing his surroundings from the moment he left home, secretly memorizing the route and terrain, and preparing for any unexpected events.

The mountain forest was indeed quiet at night, and the area illuminated by the streetlights was very small. In every sense, it was full of all the elements that would lead to a ghost story. Fortunately, it was not completely dark yet, and the faint sound of firecrackers could be heard from all around, so it was not scary. Even Lin Mu, who was the most timid, was not afraid. He walked ahead, humming a song, and soon led the two of them to their destination.

This is a small clearing where the mountains and forests meet the highway. There are many remnants of large fireworks and firecrackers left over from last night's Lunar New Year's Eve. It seems that, as Lin Mu said, it is an area not affected by the ban. When the three of them arrived, they could already see several other parents with young children playing with firecrackers in the vicinity.

"Okay, this is it."

Lin Mu excitedly gestured for the two to put the plastic bag containing fireworks on the ground. He then squatted down and took the contents out, asking curiously:

"It really feels like it's been ages since we last played with firecrackers. When was the ban issued?"

"Probably 2013."

Xu Youwei answered the year without hesitation.

"Weiwei remembers it so clearly."

"Uh-huh."

Of course she remembers it very clearly.

Because the last time I watched fireworks with him was in 2012.

If my confession had been delivered back then...

What will happen?

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