Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Zhao Youlin thought to herself. ‘Darn! What is the situation now? Is the old man… acknowledging me?’
The former master’s words that came all of a sudden had caught everyone on the spot by surprise. The old butler paused his hand movements just as he was bending to serve the evening tea. He looked up at the former master with his eyes filled with great disbelief.
One had to know that over the past four years when the previous Zhao Youlin was married into the Mu family, the former master had never once allowed her to call him Grandpa.
On that night when Zhao Youlin was married to the Mu family, the bride had to meet the parents after the banquet was over. At that time, the old butler had stood next to the former master. The former master had blurted out the words coldly at his happy granddaughter-in-law-to-be who was bowing at him, “Like before, call me Grandpa Mu even after you are married into the family.”
One knew how distantly and cold the former master had treated the previous Zhao Youlin by asking her to address him using the same title as before even after she was married into the Mu family.
At that time, the old butler had often wondered why the former master had insisted on Mu Tingfeng marrying the previous Zhao Youlin when it was clear that the former master disliked her.
However, all these were the master’s affairs. Even though the old butler worked for many years in the family, he could not simply ask questions on anything.
Of course, the reason the old butler still remembered the images so vividly was because at that time, the previous Zhao Youlin, who was originally looking happy, had her expression instantly change as soon as she heard the former master’s words. Her face had turned as white as sheets and she looked incredibly upset and hurt.
In fact, that was the old butler’s first impression of the so-called Madam of the Mu family. He found her to be very… loathsome but at the same time, pitiful.
The previous Zhao Youlin had not been able to gain the approval from the former master after four years. Today, the person before him had managed to gain his approval before she was even married into the family. One would wonder what the previous Zhao Youlin felt like in her grave.
Unfortunately, the old butler, who had a heartfelt feeling for this, thought that it was, after all, still the same Zhao Youlin.
The old butler had a very simple train of thought. He thought that the reason the former master had treated the madam this way, in the beginning, was related to the way the eldest young master had treated her. At that time, the eldest young master had found the madam to be disdainful and disgusting. Although the old butler had no idea why the former master still insisted on letting the madam be married into the Mu family even after knowing how the young master had treated her, the former master adored him and so he naturally did not treat the madam well.
However, everything has changed now. The young master cared about the madam so much. In fact, he adored and indulged her very much. When the former master saw this, the old butler thought he naturally changed his attitude and truly accepted his granddaughter-in-law.
For a moment, everyone bore different thoughts in their minds at the pavilion. Su Ruixin was the first to recover her senses. Her eyes lit up and said happily, “That’s right! Father is right. Youlin and Tingfeng are about to remarry in a week. We are a family soon. There’s no need to make each other sound so distant.”
The former master’s words had fully stated his stand regarding Zhao Youlin and Mu Tingfeng’s marriage. Even if the former master disagreed or was dissatisfied with their marriage, they were aware that Mu Tingfeng would not allow the former to interfere and make decisions on his behalf about his marriage like four years ago. The fact that the couple had received a blessing from the elder was undoubtedly the best outcome.
Upon hearing the former master’s words, Mu Tingfeng and Mu Xiaoyang unanimously cast their glances at Zhao Youlin.
Zhao Youlin smiled dry and answered perfunctorily, “Urm… Okay… Okay…”
As she was saying this, she awkwardly picked up the black tea in front of her and lowered her head as she took a sip to hide her twitching lips.
Now, she was convinced that it was not her imagination when she saw the hint of a smile that flashed across the former master’s expression just now!
After she was convinced of this, the twitching on the corners of her lips grew increasingly prominent. The old man was truly Mu Tingfeng’s biological grandfather.
Before this, she had greeted him politely and treated him with respect and awe. However, this old man had ignored her and was as cold as ice. He did not even raise one of his eyebrows.
As a result, she decided to act recklessly against the former master Mu after seeing him treating her so indifferently. She had teased him and spoke outrageously. She almost scolded him in the face but the former master had, in turn, looked pleased and took the initiative to show her his kindness…
Mu Tingfeng had behaved like this before and now, even the former master Mu also behaved this way. Did the whole family take a sadistic pleasure in being tormented?! Was it too late for her to regret not marrying Mu Tingfeng now?
It was clear that the answer to this question was a yes. Zhao Youlin quietly looked down in order to avoid the fiery gazes shot at her from the elders while answering their inquiries perfunctorily.
Meanwhile, Mu Tingfeng quietly sat at the side watching Zhao Youlin being “besieged” by the elders. His eyes flickered. Even the atmosphere around him softened up.
In the middle of a lush greenery courtyard, occasional jokes and laughter rose along with the afternoon sun which depicted a heartwarming and relaxing atmosphere.
Zhao Youlin was under a forced confessional regarding questions such as when she was going to add another younger brother or sister for Joy, when she was going to tag along with them to go overseas and have a honeymoon, so on and so forth. Even though Zhao Youlin could not truly take them all in, she still responded to them patiently and with a smile. She accompanied Su Ruixin and the rest of her group throughout their tea time and later, she was matter-of-factly made to stay for dinner. Zhao Youlin knew that she would have indigestion after having the two meals.
It had not been easy for her to finally find a good reason to excuse herself after the dinner ended. After Zhao Youlin bade farewell to the elders politely, she could not wait to depart from the house. However, just when she was about to turn around, she heard the former master’s majestic voice once again, “If you are free this weekend, bring Joy over for a walk.”
Zhao Youlin paused mid-stride. She turned around and looked at the former master who was standing at the forefront before others.
Even though it happened in the blink of an eye, Zhao Youlin caught a trace of anticipation from the old man’s eyes. Her heart was moved slightly. As she recalled the bits and pieces from her memory bank, the former master had mentioned that he wanted to take Joy overseas after the previous Zhao Youlin had given birth to Joy.
Perhaps, the old man was not as indifferent as he appeared to be. In fact, he did care about Joy. However, at that time, Zhao Youlin had sounded very resolute. Therefore, there was nothing much for him to say and before he left, he had left his most faithful and reliable servant, the old butler, to take care of Joy…
After seeing that Zhao Youlin did not respond to them after some time, Su Ruixin faked a cough and tried to ease the atmosphere. “That’s right. You two have been kept occupied with your wedding, and I haven’t been seeing my precious Joy for several days. Youlin, when you’re free during weekends, take Joy over. After all, you are going to remarry Mu Tingfeng soon and would bring him back sooner or later. It’s best to take this opportunity to bring Joy over and let him take a look at the rooms. Let him decide if he wants his original room or change to another so that we could prepare beforehand.”
Zhao Youlin snapped out of her daze upon hearing Su Ruixin’s words. She looked up at the former master and said with a smile, “Alright, Joy is having a holiday this weekend. I’ll take him over.”
Su Ruixin and the rest of her group heaved a sigh of relief. They exchanged gazes and smiled..
