Chapter 172: Forcefully Seize the Celestial Mother!

Fortunately, Qiao Qiao and Liu Xiaoli's gazes were both fixed on Xu Yuexin at that moment, and they didn't notice Chen Yixue's change of complexion.

"The response was great; the audience was especially enthusiastic."

Chen Yixue's face bore a flush, her eyes filled with uncontainable excitement as she said, "It's livelier than any previous performance venue."

"Hmm, I knew it would be like this."

Xu Yuexin nodded and said, "I'll go tidy up the equipment; we'll go home together later."

"I'll go with you."

Qiao Qiao said.

"No need, just stay backstage."

Xu Yuexin said, "I'm just going to direct the workers to move it, not move it myself."

After speaking, Xu Yuexin turned and walked out of the backstage area to pack up the equipment.

He was busy until late night, and only then returned home together with his daughter-in-law, Da Yizi, and Liu Xiaoli.

After arriving home, Xu Yuexin handed out money to the girls of the dance troupe.

Regular members received 80, and Liu Xiaoli, as team leader, received 120.

The girls had been exhausted all day; they were already weary, but upon seeing fresh Great Unity notes, they became excited again, chatting about where to buy clothes tomorrow.

Liu Xiaoli was somewhat pleased to receive the money, but at this moment she felt more embarrassed.

Because she felt she owed Xu Yuexin.

The next morning, Xu Yuexin took fish food to the small bridge and stream in the front yard to feed the fish, and when passing Zhongyuan he saw Liu Xiaoli waiting.

"Good morning, Boss Xu."

Seeing Xu Yuexin, Liu Xiaoli smiled proactively and came forward, pulling a stack of Great Unity from her pocket, "These are the money for the previous clothes."

"Please accept them."

"The clothes are my gift to you."

Xu Yuexin blocked her hand and said, "If we talk about money, it would be too formal."

"No, no, this isn't a small amount…"

After speaking, Liu Xiaoli reached forward again, trying to force the money into Xu Yuexin's pocket.

"Hey, it's all what you deserve."

Xu Yuexin held Liu Xiaoli's hand, gazing into her eyes, and said, "A beautiful girl like you should wear nice clothes."

"Consider this a small token of my affection; you needn't be so polite."

Liu Xiaoli hadn't expected such a touch from Xu Yuexin, and she recoiled her hand as if shocked.

Moreover, Xu Yuexin's gaze made her heart flutter.

"But we…"

"No need for 'but', take the money back, go attend to your business."

"Don't let anyone see you later; it would cause trouble."

Xu Yuexin said lightly, then turned and walked toward the front yard.

Liu Xiaoli was a bit surprised by his behavior.

Liu Xiaoli had expected Xu Yuexin to linger, but didn't anticipate him slipping away so smoothly.

He waved his sleeve, taking nothing but a wisp of cloud with him.

Liu Xiaoli had originally planned to finish paying, then return home to practice her skills.

After this unexpected twist, Liu Xiaoli no longer felt like practicing.

Back in her room, Liu Xiaoli sat at the desk by the window, propping her chin with her hand, staring blankly outside.

Why does Xu Yuexin have to treat her this way?

One is in Jingcheng, the other in Wuhan, a thousand miles apart.

Even if genuine feelings arise, could they last…

Liu Xiaoli drifted in thought, when a knock from outside interrupted her.

"Lili, let's go out for a walk together."

After the knock, a voice from outside, belonging to a dance troupe member, was heard.

"Hey, I'm here."

Liu Xiaoli quickly put away those random thoughts, responded with a voice and stood up, saying,

She and the dance troupe's sisters had previously arranged to wander around Jing for a day after the performance ended, then return to Wuhan. After stepping out of the house, Liu Xiaoli and her companions called a few more girls and headed out together.

…

Not until evening did they return from Dazhaolan, each person carrying a full load, mostly filled with clothes.

Including Liu Xiaoli, she simply wouldn't buy clothes clearly beyond her purchasing power, such as that Wool Coat.

For reasonably priced beautiful garments, she still accepts them without hesitation.

The next morning, Liu Xiaoli and the other girls carried the clothes together to the train station, heading back to Wuhan.

When buying tickets, they discovered only seven tickets back to Wuhan remained.

The girls then chattered and discussed.

"How about drawing lots; whoever draws it gets to ride the train?"

"Pfft, stop joking, thinking you're a little guy."

"Exactly, a gust of wind will blow you off the train roof."

…

The girls laughed and discussed, and ultimately Liu Xiaoli, as team leader, acted with high moral standards, giving the tickets to the members and booking her own ticket for the next day, delaying her return by one day.

After leaving the train station, Liu Xiaoli, considering what happened yesterday with Xu Yuexin, did not return to Guogongfu, but instead prepared to find a nearby inn that did not require an Introduction Letter.

Of course, since the train station is very close to Guogongfu, one could also say she stayed near Guogongfu.

Liu Xiaoli, carrying her luggage, first tried two state‑owned guesthouses, but each replied that an Introduction Letter was required to stay.

How about a small private inn? After being rejected twice, Liu Xiaoli thought.

"Rumble—..."

At that moment, a familiar roar entered Liu Xiaoli's ears.

Turning around, she saw Xu Yuexin riding a motorcycle toward her, with two bags of vegetables hanging from the handlebars.

"Why didn't you go back?"

Seeing Liu Xiaoli wandering the street, Xu Yuexin asked, a bit surprised.

Xu Yuexin had thought that Tian Xianma would return to Wuhan today, and that he would have to wait for another chance to find her.

He didn't expect that she hadn't left.

"Train Ticket no tickets, I'm planning to leave tomorrow."

"Oh, then come stay at my place."

"No, no, I'll just find a hotel here to stay."

"The hotel isn't safe, come to my house."

After saying that, Xu Yuexin forcefully grabbed Tian Xianma's hand, "Get in the vehicle quickly."

Tian Xianma didn't expect his sudden, public appearance, and instantly became nervous and at a loss.

What made her more embarrassed was that pedestrians nearby even turned to look.

"I'm getting in, you quickly let go."

Tian Xianma was so frantic her face flushed red, her bright eyes on the verge of tears.

Only then did Xu Yuexin release Tian Xianma's hand; after she got in, he slammed the throttle and, satisfied, drove toward Guogongfu.

Chen Qiaoqiao is participating in a school project today and won't be back during the day, while Chen Yixue has returned to Unity Lake.

That means that for the entire day, Guogongfu was just a two‑person world of Xu Yuexin and Tian Xianma.

When they arrived at Guogongfu, Xu Yuexin parked the vehicle, and Tian Xianma came down from the back seat carrying her luggage.

"You bought quite a few clothes, huh."

Xu Yuexin, looking at the two bulging bags in her hands, said, "Why did you refuse when I first bought them for you?"

"That's not good."

Tian Xianma quickly avoided Xu Yuexin's gaze, her face still flushed, and said, "Also, next time don't be like that again, pulling and tugging in public."

"Oh, you mean casually tugging in private, right?"

Xu Yuexin gave a slight smile, got off the vehicle and said.

Then, he again extended his sinful large hand toward Tian Xianma.

(End of chapter)