Confronted by his stare, Li Beinian felt somewhat guilty.
However, she quickly steadied herself and said, “Let’s go.”
After sending Chi Dali and his wife home and ensuring that Chi Hailang was able to handle the situation, Mu Xichen and Li Beinian took their leave.
Since Mu Xichen had had a few drinks, Li Beinian took to the wheel.
As she was about to drive off, a phone call came in for her, from the Old Master.
She looked at the time. It was past 9 pm.
She picked up the call. “Grandpa, why aren’t you asleep?”
She reached out to turn on the radio in the car. Music flowed from the surround sound system. “Nian Nian, where are you? I’m waiting for you to come home.”
“What? Waiting for me?”
Li Beinian was stunned for a moment, then she suddenly remembered. It seemed… she had promised Grandpa that before their marriage was officially announced, she and Mu Xichen were not to live together.
She stole a glance at Mu Xichen instinctively and looked a little troubled. She replied, “Grandpa, why don’t you go to bed first…”
“No way.” It was clear from the Old Master’s tone that it was non-negotiable. “Hurry up and come home. I’m waiting in the living room. I’m not going to bed if you don’t come home.”
He hardened his tone and continued, “Didn’t you promise me that you’ll be home when you’re not at work? You’re not working today, are you? In fact, you’re not working in the next few days. Come back home, don’t go gallivanting around. What does that look like?”
“I’m not gallivanting…”
Mu Xichen and she were man and wife, it was normal to be doing things together!
How could this be labeled gallivanting?
Li Beinian was indignant.
However, before she could finish what she wanted to say, Old Master Li interrupted, “Whatever it is, come home now. Grandpa’s waiting for you.”
The line went dead after he said this.
Listening to the engaged tone on the phone, Li Beinian felt a mix of emotions. She cast a sidelong glance at Mu Xichen.
He was quietly sitting back in the passenger seat.
“Let’s go,” he said, looking ahead. His expression gave nothing away about what he was thinking. “Grandpa’s doing this for your own good. I understand.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll go back to Qian Zhou.” Mu Xichen turned to look at her, his eyes darkening. He said, “But I’ll come up with you to put the ointment on.”
Their eye contact left Li Beinian with a naggy feeling that something wasn’t quite right. Her face started to burn, and she quickly said, “Well, then, please explain to Grandpa. I don’t want to get a dressing down.”
“Okay.”
…
Fog shrouded the air all the way to Qian Zhou. The traffic had lightened in the night, and that shaved some time off the journey, but still, it took about half an hour.
By the time they arrived, it was past 10 pm.
Li Beinian parked the car, walked up to the door, and knocked before she entered.
Old Master Li was in the living room playing on his fiddle. He looked up when he heard the noise coming from outside.
When he saw Li Beinian, he humphed and said disdainfully, “I don’t suppose you would’ve come home if I didn’t call you?”
After saying these words, he noticed that behind her was the man, Mu Xichen. The Old Master glared at him and asked, “Why are you here?”
“Grandpa,” Mu Xichen walked in holding the bag of medicine. “Ah Nian’s hand is hurting, I’ll apply some ointment for her before I leave.”
“What happened? Why is her hand hurting?” Old Master Li put his fiddle aside and walked over to her. “Let Grandpa have a look. What did you do?”
Of course, Li Beinian wouldn’t have dared to show it to the old man. She quickly dodged aside and chuckled. “Just a bunch of youngsters fooling around, and I was careless to have strained it. It’s no big deal.”
On that note, she hurriedly led Mu Xichen upstairs as she called out, “Grandpa, have an early night. We’ll be upstairs.”
Old Master Li looked at them with a frown, obviously displeased. He glared after them and shouted, “Please leave after you’re done applying the ointment!”
Hearing the energetic voice of Old Master Li bellowing after them, Li Beinian felt terribly helpless, but at the same time, she found it quite funny.
The next moment, she felt a grip tighten over her arm.
Then, she felt herself falling forward onto his chest. He spoke in a muffled but deep voice, and she could feel the heaving of his chest. His breath was hot against her skin as he whispered into her ear, “After doing the first aid, I really want to do his granddaughter too.”