Since lunch was a casual affair, Ye Yuning wanted to have a nicer dinner. Considering today’s events, she felt she deserved something delicious to cheer herself up!
"Shall we go buy some fish? We can have grilled fish tonight!" she asked Xiao Linye, her eyes flickered evasively as she sought his opinion.
Though it was awkward, her good mood was unmistakable. Xiao Linye, however, had no idea that the very thing making her happy might be a source of his own vexation. At that moment, influenced by her enthusiasm, he simply nodded. "Alright, grilled fish it is."
Ye Yuning added, "And let’s get a bottle of fruit wine!"
Xiao Linye glanced at her again and smiled as well.
The two went to the supermarket together to buy fish. Throughout the trip, Ye Yuning deliberately kept some distance from him.
Yet, despite her caution, an accident occurred when they returned home.
As they entered, Xiao Linye inexplicably paused right after opening the door. Ye Yuning, following closely behind and caught off guard, bumped squarely into his back. The impact was quite strong; she almost lost her balance and instinctively wrapped her arms around his lean waist.
Instantly, the air grew still!
Ye Yuning found it hard to breathe! Having collided with someone that morning and now bumping into his back, could she ever catch a break?!
She quickly regained her composure, straightened up, and rubbed her sore nose. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked, "What happened?" The way was clear, so why did he suddenly stop?
Xiao Linye stood in the entryway, his gaze fixed on an old man sitting on the living room sofa. His entire demeanor chilled in an instant!
Ye Yuning, her eyes nearly tearing up from the pain in her nose, noticed his silence and raised her head in puzzlement. Seeing him staring intently into the living room, she curiously peeked out from behind him, following his line of sight!
When she saw an old man with white hair sitting on the sofa, she was startled. Why was there suddenly another person? "Is this... your grandfather?"
It must be his grandfather, given his advanced age.
However, her words instantly made the already frigid atmosphere even more awkward.
Old Master Xiao: "..."
The moment their eyes met, Old Master Xiao’s expression was grim, and Xiao Linye’s was no better. But hearing Ye Yuning’s confused tone, Xiao Linye inexplicably breathed a small sigh of relief.
Ye Yuning sensed the tense atmosphere, feeling she might have said something wrong... Feeling awkward, she glanced at Xiao Linye, then at the elderly gentleman, who indeed looked quite old. Still perplexed, she turned back to Xiao Linye. "Or is he... your great-grandfather?!"
This time it must be correct, right? Anyway, given the age difference, it couldn’t be his father.
Yet her innocuous statement managed to freeze the already bad atmosphere, plunging it to an icy point.
Seeing Xiao Linye still silent, Ye Yuning felt she had blundered again! Seriously, he should make an introduction. Suddenly, there’s such an elderly man in the house; he definitely can’t be younger than Xiao Linye. If he’s an elder, shouldn’t Xiao Linye introduce him?
Sensing the strained atmosphere, Ye Yuning tugged at Xiao Linye’s clothes. "Um, maybe I should leave first?"
Without waiting for his agreement, she prepared to slip away. But just as she turned, Xiao Linye grabbed her hand. "That’s my father."
Her breath hitched! She glanced back at Xiao Linye, then at the stern-faced old man on the sofa. Is this really his father?! No, age isn’t the important thing right now!
Before she could fully recover from her shock, Xiao Linye thrust the groceries into her hands. "You go to the kitchen and get things ready."
"Oh, okay." Ye Yuning awkwardly took them, completely unsure how to react, and immediately headed for the kitchen with the items.
She knew she should greet his father properly, but the situation was just too awkward.
Once in the kitchen, Ye Yuning felt lost again. Xiao Linye had sent her to the kitchen in front of his father; was he expecting her to cook? But she didn’t know how! What was she supposed to do?! Recalling the earlier awkwardness, two words echoed in Ye Yuning’s mind: I’m doomed!
Outside, Xiao Linye saw Ye Yuning had retreated to the utility balcony behind the kitchen. He frowned at the old man, his expression and tone harsh. "Why did you suddenly come over?"
He remembered his father not being ! A moment’s thought, and Xiao Linye understood the reason, his gaze turning even colder.
Old Master Xiao, dressed in a Tang suit, was emaciated yet carried himself with a stern dignity. His expression was as grim as Xiao Linye’s, and his tone was equally harsh. "Is this the one you found for yourself? Just this?"
The moment those words were spoken, Xiao Linye’s expression darkened completely. Gazing at Old Master Xiao, his look held a distinct resolve.
He could tell the old man was displeased with Ye Yuning. But was it his place to be dissatisfied?
Old Master Xiao was indeed very displeased. Previously, Lai Shuo had told him that Xiao Linye had married. However, when asked who the bride was or what she looked like, Lai Shuo knew nothing! This had thoroughly infuriated the old man...