Chapter 567: Gu Muxue's "Well-Behaved" Version

Lin Ruoxi’s expression was conflicted. She thought Xue Rui should sit at the head of the table, the seat reserved for the head of the household.

But this was Gu Muxue’s home, so there was nothing wrong with her sitting there…

Xue Rui walked to the seat on Gu Muxue’s left, pulled out a chair, and sat down. “So, Teacher Gu, what do you have planned?”

Xue Rui might have seemed like a bit of a chauvinist on the surface, but that was only because Lin Ruoxi wasn’t assertive, often forcing him to use a commanding tone. In reality, Xue Rui didn’t care much for the title of “head of the household.”

Besides, there were no outsiders here, so there was no need to put on an act. He didn’t mind which of the two girls he liked took the seat.

“Can’t you think for yourself?” Gu Muxue said, tapping the table.

“Hmm, let me think.” Xue Rui propped his chin on his hand, lost in thought.

When he and Lin Ruoxi were together, she did most of the housework by herself…

Even with tasks boys were supposedly good at, like changing lightbulbs and fixing computers, he only got to show off once. After that, he never had another chance to “display his talents”…

But compared to a prodigy like Lin Ruoxi, his efforts seemed like a giant joke.

Lin Ruoxi didn’t give him a second chance to show off. She even refurbished all their old appliances, then waited with an expectant look on her face for him to pat her head and give her some praise.

‘What chores could he do?’

“Have you figured it out yet?” Gu Muxue asked as she picked up small bowls from the table. She stood and ladled soup for both of them, then placed the bowls neatly in front of herself.

“I’ll do the laundry from now on,” Xue Rui said earnestly.

Gu Muxue looked surprised. Laundry was clearly something girls were better at. Why would Xue Rui choose that?

Just as Gu Muxue was pondering this, Xue Rui began to explain, “You can wash a guy’s clothes carelessly, but you can’t be sloppy with a girl’s. Washing underwear requires the most care, otherwise it can lead to gynecological problems…”

Gu Muxue’s face flushed red as she listened. She muttered, “You asshole! I’m being serious here.”

Xue Rui chuckled mischievously. He was about to raise his bowl for a sip of soup to quench his thirst when Gu Muxue grabbed his wrist.

“Decide what you’re going to do first, then you can drink,” Gu Muxue said, smiling.

Since things had developed this way, she needed to plan for their future life together. At the very least, everyone had to take on a share of the chores; only then would they appreciate each other’s efforts.

Last night, Gu Muxue had drawn a hot bath as usual. But because Lin Ruoxi was on her period, she’d washed up quickly and gotten out, leaving Gu Muxue to soak by herself for the entire time.

It was the first time she’d cleaned the tub and wiped the water from the floor by herself…

Only then did Gu Muxue realize that these seemingly trivial little things were actually so time-consuming and difficult. No wonder Lin Ruoxi preferred showers; they saved so much more time…

“Aren’t you being a little too strict, Teacher Gu?” Xue Rui teased.

Although Lin Ruoxi was a bit taller—tall enough to be at eye level with Xue Rui if she wore high heels—she would never do so. In her heart, she always looked up to him.

Gu Muxue, however, came from a privileged background and possessed immense confidence and self-respect. While she might occasionally indulge Xue Rui in their relationship, at its core, they were equals. And in private, she sometimes enjoyed feeling superior.

Xue Rui lifted his gaze to meet Gu Muxue’s. They stared at each other in silence, but Gu Muxue’s eyes would occasionally flit over to Lin Ruoxi before returning to Xue Rui.

Xue Rui nodded slightly. He understood what Gu Muxue was thinking.

Gu Muxue wanted to set the ground rules for their life together, and her stance was unyielding.

“Muxue, he doesn’t have to do anything. I was the one who forgot to cook today. I promise it won’t happen again.”

Lin Ruoxi took the blame upon herself.

She was here to “atone.” Gu Muxue’s illness had been caused by both her and Xue Rui, but Lin Ruoxi believed Xue Rui had made a mistake because of her own inaction.

Therefore, in Lin Ruoxi’s eyes, it was all her fault.

Xue Rui shook his head again and again. “No, how could I just stand by and watch two beautiful women work so hard for me? I’ll do the dishes after dinner.”

Xue Rui thought Gu Muxue’s plan was excellent. Participating more in the housework would foster communication and maintain household harmony.

“Mm, you’re teachable,” Gu Muxue said with a nod and a smile, placing a bowl of tomato and egg drop soup in front of Xue Rui.

Then she picked up the other bowl of soup and set it down at the seat to her right. “Ruoxi, hurry and take off your apron. Sit here.”

“Xixi,” Xue Rui coughed lightly, reaching out to pull out the chair to his left.

‘It doesn’t matter who sits at the head of the table, but my own position is crucial.’

‘As long as Lin Ruoxi sat on his left, he’d still have a girl on either side of him.’

Lin Ruoxi stuffed her hands into the large pocket of her apron, her gaze shifting back and forth between Xue Rui and Gu Muxue. She’d never imagined that a simple meal could be so stressful.

‘Xue Rui and Gu Muxue both want me to sit next to them. Who should I listen to?’

On one side was the man she deeply loved; on the other, the woman she felt indebted to. Lin Ruoxi felt torn between the two, and tears dripped onto her apron like pearls from a broken string.

“I… You two go ahead and eat. I’m not hungry anymore.”

With that, Lin Ruoxi slowly walked toward her room. She didn’t know how to choose, and she didn’t want to be the cause of another conflict between Xue Rui and Gu Muxue.

Gu Muxue shot Xue Rui a look, feigning annoyance. “Xiaorui, what are you trying to start?”

That was just the kind of girl Lin Ruoxi was. She always prioritized others’ feelings when trying to solve a problem. If both Gu Muxue and Xue Rui were to act forcefully, Lin Ruoxi would be the one caught in the middle, suffering the most.

“Who’s really the one causing trouble here? It’s obvious she wants to sit next to me,” Xue Rui said leisurely. He wasn’t going to back down to that girl on a matter like this.