Zhao Zirong, as a father, also had a sense of gratification tinged with the complex flavors of joy and pain.
Only Xiao Jianming, with his piercing gaze fixed on the little girl’s face, suddenly blurted out, "Did you think of this yourself, or did someone teach you to say it?"
The others were momentarily taken aback.
Zhao Mengjin, heart trembling from the old crocodile’s sudden interrogation but maintaining a calm facade, replied, "It’s my own heartfelt thoughts, Grandpa."
Xiao Jianming snorted through his nostrils.
Zhao Mengjin furrowed her brow and, disregarding the expression on her father’s face, continued, "I know what Grandpa is thinking, wondering if Uncle and Auntie influenced me. To be honest, yes, they did. But, I don’t think the influence they have on me is wrong. Does Grandpa think it’s wrong?"
Seeing the child’s suddenly aggressive stance, anyone would think that she must have been instigated by someone.
Zhao Zirong hastily scolded his daughter, "Mengjin, can you speak to your elders with such disrespect?"
Zhao Mengjin lowered her head and fell silent.
Xiao Jianming could clearly see in his granddaughter’s lowered yet unbowed brows, some of the same shadow that he saw in Gu Nuan.
Whenever Gu Nuan seemed to bow to him, her brows and eyes never bore any sign of feeling aggrieved.
Because Gu Nuan believed that bowing to him was reasonable.
This was evidence of how terrifying a woman she was. Most women are said to be emotional creatures, how could she be so clear-cut?
Xiao Jianming took a deep breath into his lungs.
"You young people having your own opinions is not wrong. After all, in the end, we parents, grandparents, and grandfathers, are all getting old, going a step ahead of you. If you don’t have your own opinions, how will you continue to live after we’re gone?"
The words Xiao Jianming expressed seemed to bring some appeasement.
The Zhao family, following these words, started to soften their expressions slightly. But without warning, Xiao Jianming doused Zhao Mengjin with a bucket of cold water, "I won’t speak of others, just your mother. The situation she finds herself in today is the result of her own stubbornness. You are her daughter, with half of her blood flowing in your veins. Not heeding the advice of the elderly, you’ll learn the lesson the hard way. I am an old man, whether you listen or not is up to you."
Zhao Mengjin involuntarily clenched her fists.
Xiao Jianming, without sparing her another glance, wore an expression of cold indifference and arrogance, as though looking down upon the world. The source of this content ɪs 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩✶𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚✶𝕟𝕖𝕥
In the hotel lobby, after Xiao Jianming left, Gu Nuan and Xiao Yebai as a couple, stepped into the elevator together.
Gu Nuan asked, "Was there any unexpected incident today?"
She was thinking of the previous instance when Uncle Tang had secretly sent a message to Xiao Jianming; clearly, something must have gone wrong on their side.
Xiao Yebai replied, "On the way back with brother-in-law, there was a small issue with his car which someone took care of, nothing serious."
Yebai, downplaying the incident, certainly wouldn’t tell his wife about the bomb planted in their car to avoid worrying her. His hand casually tucked in his pocket, after speaking, he glanced at her face. Seeing her squinting, seemingly not completely believing him, he arched an eyebrow and then pulled a pitiable expression, asking, "What? Are you worried about me?"
Gu Jinrong could not help but pout slightly: Nice try, kid, trying to change the subject.
For youngster Yebai, such diversions were his forte. Quickly taking the chance while the elevator was empty, he cozied up to his wife, begging for a sweet reward, "I know you’re worried about me, aren’t you? Nuannuan, look at me, why won’t you look at me?"