Chapter 669: Speaking of Back Then
Old Master Mo gave her a silent nod of approval.
However, he did not show his emotions and it was hard to tell what his take was.
Li Beinian was a little nervous. According to how they had rehearsed in the car on the way there, she walked up to him and said in a relaxed manner, “Grandpa, you must be tired. My Grandpa is already waiting for you at home. When he heard that you were coming, he specially went to his buddy’s house to retrieve the wine that he had kept for more than ten years. That made Uncle Wu rather furious.”
As she spoke, she took Old Master Mo’s arm naturally and said, “I’ll get Ah Chen to settle your luggage for you later. Then, we’ll go straight home to eat. What do you think?”
She was asking for his opinion.
Old Master Mo had an unfathomable expression in his eyes as he glanced at his arm that was being held.
Li Beinian noticed a faint trace of resemblance in the expression between the two men. Undoubtedly, Mu Xichen had learned it from Old Master Mo.
Li Beinian suddenly felt as though she had a new understanding of Mu Xichen.
Although at the same time, Old Master Mo’s gaze made her more nervous than Mu Xichen’s.
But no matter how hard this was, she was determined to give it her best shot.
Despite feeling nervous, Li Beinian maintained a gracious smile.
Just as she was wondering if there might be some mistake in Mo Shengyun’s theory, Old Master Mo turned his head and mumbled an acknowledgement.
Then, he started walking forward.
Li Beinian heaved a sigh of relief and followed him anxiously.
Mu Xichen was on Old Master Mo’s right, talking to him from time to time.
It was nothing more than casual gossip. However, Li Beinian did not know if it was her imagination, but Old Master Mo seemed a little dissatisfied with Mu Xichen.
She silently tried to make guesses as she got into the car. Initially, she thought that Old Master Mo was going to lose his temper, however, to her surprise, he merely leaned against the seat, shut his eyes and rested.
Mu Xichen drove while Old Master Mo sat in the backseat with Li Beinian by his side.
Gu Mingye, Mo Shengyun, and Mo Shengxing traveled in Mo Shengyun’s little SUV.
Old Master Mo was quiet. As a junior, she naturally kept silent to avoid disturbing his rest.
Just as Li Beinian was reflecting on her etiquette and whether she had done everything right, she suddenly heard the old man’s voice saying, “Your name is Ah Nian?”
For a moment, Li Beinian didn’t react. Then she snapped back to reality and immediately said, “Yes, Grandpa. My full name is Li Beinian. Later on, Ah Chen called me Ah Nian. This way of addressing me is more affectionate, and I like it too.”
Old Master Mo nodded and looked at her silently. “I heard that you don’t have a good relationship with your father.”
This question seemed rather abrupt following a question on her name.
Fortunately, Li Beinian was prepared and answered readily. “That’s right, it’s not good. I didn’t grow up by his side and only managed to reunite with my family this year, so our relationship is a little lacking.”
“So you used to have godparents?”
“Yes, my godparents are very good to me and treat me like their own daughter. When they heard that you were coming, Godma really wanted to meet you…”
Old Master Mo nodded. “It’s time to meet them. After all, they’re in-laws.”
These words were like a spark that set off the firecrackers in Li Beinian’s heart.
This was… his way of acknowledging her?
Li Beinian smiled but quickly suppressed the overwhelming joy she was feeling. “Thank you, Grandpa. I was worried that you wouldn’t agree…”
“Adoptive parents are parents too.” Old Master Mo spoke slowly. “Since you don’t have a good relationship with your father and you don’t owe him anything, there’s no need to see him. He played no part in your good upbringing…” He paused, and continued, “Do you have any objections? ”
Was he praising her?
Li Beinian’s nervousness dissipated a little and she said joyfully, “Of course not, my adoptive parents will be very happy.”
She couldn’t suppress the smile on her face and excitedly picked up her phone. However, just as she was about to send a message to Tang Xiaoge, she suddenly realized that she had done something wrong.
She froze and looked at Old Master Mo awkwardly before putting her phone away.
“Do whatever you want. Don’t be afraid of me.” Grandpa exposed her mercilessly. “What did Ah Chen tell you about me? Why are you so restrained around me?”
Embarrassed, Li Beinian blushed and subconsciously gave the man in the driver’s seat a glance.
Mu Xichen had been silent since they got into the car.
At this point, Li Beinian could clearly see his expression through the rearview mirror.
He was smiling.
Although his smile was faint, to the extent that there was no hint of an upturn on those lips.
However, his eyes curved slightly as if he sensed her gaze. He glanced at her and his smile deepened.
Li Beinian really wanted to give him a kick!
However, in front of Grandpa, she had to be refined and carry through her persona.
Li Beinian composed herself and said, “Ah Chen said that you’re a soldier. You’re used to being serious and have strict requirements for your grandchildren.”
Old Master Mo nodded.
It was the truth.
“But I realized that Grandpa isn’t as serious as Ah Chen made you out to be.” Li Beinian smiled. “On the other hand, it is he who keeps a poker face and doesn’t smile at all. He looks like a stuffy person.”
Old Master Mo glanced at the rear view mirror and said, “How is this kid stuffy? He’s a rock in a latrine!”
Hard and smelly!
Mu Xichen was indignant and retorted, “Grandpa, who says that about their grandson?”
“Isn’t that true?” Grandpa sat up straight and looked at Li Beinian. “Don’t you agree?”
Li Beinian chuckled and nodded cooperatively. “And also a firecracker in addition.”
“Isn’t that so true? A small matter can set him off.” Old Master Mo glanced at him. “He’s a little stuffy, but his temper isn’t little.”
Li Beinian nodded in agreement.
Old Master Mo looked into the rear view mirror and started to criticize. “What is going on with the Wang family?”
“What Wang family?” Mu Xichen raised his eyebrow slightly.
“That Wang Hao or whatever his name is? He’s even sending gifts to our home.” Old Master Mo seemed rather displeased. “He comes round every other day and says that you almost bankrupted his company. He is begging us to be magnanimous. Why should I be magnanimous?”
Li Beinian found the name familiar, but she had no idea where she had heard it before.
Upon hearing these words, Mu Xichen seemed to recall. “They haven’t gone bankrupt?”
Old Master Mo frowned unhappily. “It’s not easy for anyone. Why are you making things difficult for them?”
Mu Xichen raised his eyebrow subtly and said, “We’re almost there. Get ready to get off.”
Old Master Mo frowned. “You rascal…”
“How long have they been coming by and causing trouble?” Mu Xichen turned the car around. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you? You keep the surname Mu when you face the outside world, who would know that your surname is Mo?” Old Master Mo said with dissatisfaction. “This person has visited all the people with the surname Mo and all the prestigious families. He doesn’t even know who played them out. Look what you’ve…”
“How did you know about it then?”
“Don’t I know you well enough? Having to take revenge for such a trivial matter. What did they do to you?”
“We’re here. Let’s get off the car.” Mu Xichen stopped the car and unbuckled his seat belt, not answering his grandfather’s question.
At this point, Li Beinian suddenly remembered who Wang Hao was.
Wasn’t this the family that Lin Yuxin’s and Lin Kerou’s family went on a prospective marriage meeting with?
He seemed to be the older of the two brothers, and had been in the business world for some time.
Li Beinian was slightly surprised. However, when she saw Mu Xichen’s calm expression, she was certain: It must be that family!
Old Master Mo was infuriated by Mu Xichen’s attitude. When he saw Mu Xichen opening the door for him, he quickly got out of the car with a sullen expression.
Mu Xichen supported Old Master Mo and said, “You weren’t there to witness it when they bullied me.”
“They said that it was Shangzhi that did this to them. How could a small company that was bankrupted by your company bully you?”
It had to be said that Old Master Mo understood Mu Xichen only too well.
At the same time, he understood Mu Xichen’s capabilities.
Mu Xichen fell silent.
Old Master Mo sighed and said, “Ah Chen, always leave an out for others.”
“Okay. I understand.”
Li Beinian followed behind without saying a word.
She finally understood what Mu Xichen meant when he said those words to her in the military camp a few nights ago.
He said, “Between you and I, you’re more like a child raised by Grandpa.”
Indeed, Grandpa had a different perspective from Mu Xichen.
The car stopped at the entrance of Qian Zhou. Li Beinian saw that Gu Mingye was already busy in the building next door.
Mo Shengxing and Mo Shengyun were helping out and called out a greeting on seeing them.
When Li Beinian saw Mo Shengxing, she smiled and called out, “Hello, Cousin.”
She knew Mo Shengxing.
In the near future, Yokokokawa would face another earthquake.
As a soldier, Mo Shengxing would apply to be a support personnel at the disaster area and became a reinforcement personnel.
However, while attempting to save a child, his lower back would be crushed by a falling concrete slab. From then on, he would be paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair.
This ending was undoubtedly regretful.
Now that she was looking at a perfectly healthy Mo Shengxing, Li Beinian felt both relieved and happy.
She was in time to prevent all these.
Nothing bad was going to happen to anyone in this lifetime.
Mu Xichen had already helped Old Master Mo into the Li Family’s old residence.
The moment she entered, Li Beinian could smell the aroma of food.
Old Master Li saw Old Master Mo enter and came up to him, greeting him with a smile. “Mo Lang, it’s been too long!”
Old Master Mo looked at Old Master Li with feelings of nostalgia. He let go of Mu Xichen’s hand and strode forward, giving Old Master Li a big hug. “Li Xu, why have you grown so old?”
Old Master Li frowned and said, “What sort of rude greeting is this, calling me old? Are you looking for a beating?”
Old Master Mo laughed and patted him a few more times. “I’m old too. We haven’t seen each other for decades. It turns out that we’re fated. Our grandchildren are together. I really can’t escape whatever debts I have to repay in my life!”
“Get lost! What makes you think it’s not the other way around and it’s my debt to have to pay, running into you again!” Old Master Li pushed the other old man aside with a look of disdain. “So many years have passed, why are your legs still so nimble?”
“They won’t be very soon. Sometimes, they don’t have much strength so I have to use a cane to walk on my own.” As he spoke, he looked at Old Master Li’s cane. “Was this… from an injury way back then?”
“Mm.” Old Master Li responded lightly and didn’t seem to want to say more. “Let’s go, let’s sit around and eat!”
Li Beinian was stunned by the interaction between the two men.
What was going on?