Nangong Xiaoxue’s tone wasn’t very pleasant.
She had been delaying for so long, yet Ah Lie still hadn’t arrived; it was infuriating!
"Master?" Yan Qianyi asked in surprise, "Do you have other grandchildren?"
"No, I only have one daughter and one grandchild."
"Yes," Nangong Xiaoxue smiled, "Who else could it be?"
Yan Qianyi fell silent for a moment, then asked, "When did he return? I didn’t see him just now."
"He must have been back for a while, he came through the back door, so we didn’t see him, I only just heard it from a servant."
Seeing the smile on Nangong Xiaoxue’s face, Yan Qianyi finally understood.
Nangong Xiaoxue had been delaying, refusing to listen to how to take the medication, all because she was waiting for Mu Yunlie to return.
She placed her hands on the table, thinking of pushing herself up to leave.
But she couldn’t bear to see Nangong Xiaoxue’s expression dim later.
After all, she would see him in a couple of days when she administered his injection.
Tonight was just another ordeal.
Maybe getting numb from the heartache could become bearable.
Yan Qianyi kept telling herself internally to accept the situation.
But when she heard Mu Yunlie’s footsteps approaching, her heart clenched, and she dared not look up.
His footsteps drew nearer, and Yan Qianyi’s heart raced faster.
Mu Yunlie actually walked right up to her and stopped!
She held her breath, her heart nearly leaping to her throat.
Suddenly, a warm touch came from above.
He reached out to touch her head!
Accompanied by his gentle voice, "You’re here, no wonder grandmother insisted on calling me down for dinner, why didn’t you say something when you arrived? Were you trying to give me a surprise?"
"..." Yan Qianyi’s spine stiffened.
Nangong Xiaoxue, sitting across from them, was also stunned, blinking at the two.
Qianyi had said they had already broken up, hadn’t she?
Quickly, Nangong Xiaoxue recovered, chuckling mirthfully.
"Qianyi, look, Ah Lie is coaxing you. He has never been one to easily bow his head since he was young. Come on, stop being upset and get along well."
At these words, Mu Yunlie lowered his gaze, puzzledly looking towards Nangong Xiaoxue, then downward at Yan Qianyi.
Yan Qianyi too finally understood why Mu Yunlie had acted that way.
She looked up at him, "I... I’ve already told grandmother about our separation, there’s... there’s no need for this."
Mu Yunlie paused, then stepped back, a self-deprecating sneer crossing his lips, "So eager to let everyone know we’re already apart?"
That Monday night, when his grandmother asked him when he’d bring Yan Qianyi back?
Afraid that his grandmother would worry, he had endured the pain and told her that she was very busy and wouldn’t be coming to the Nangong Family anymore.
He had been pretending in front of his grandmother, but she had already spoken the truth.
Before, she would cooperate with him, pretending to be loving in front of his grandmother.
Now, she was so tired of him that she wasn’t even willing to pretend?
At this moment, Mu Yunlie stood there, feeling like a clown.
Yan Qianyi opened her mouth to explain, and Mu Yunlie cut in first:
"It’s just as well, Doctor Yan. I’ll trouble you with my grandfather’s illness. Next time you come, please notify me in advance; I’ll make sure to stay away."
After speaking, Mu Yunlie turned and walked away.
"Ah Lie!" Nangong Xiaoxue quickly got up to follow him.
But his long strides were too quick and urgent, and Nangong Xiaoxue couldn’t catch up.
Yan Qianyi sat frozen in her original spot.
She should have anticipated this; Nangong Xiaoxue had mentioned in the afternoon that Ah Lie said she didn’t come on Monday because she was too busy.
Since he hadn’t told Nangong Xiaoxue the truth, he obviously didn’t want Nangong Xiaoxue to know they had broken up yet.
But he hadn’t communicated with her beforehand either.
And her speaking out today was also to ensure that Nangong Jie could cooperate and get treated properly.
Now, he must hate her even more.
Yan Qianyi’s hands were tightly entwined together.
She couldn’t sit still any longer; she stood up to leave and met Nangong Xiaoxue returning.
Nangong Xiaoxue was frantic, "Qianyi, don’t take Ah Lie’s words to heart, he just felt embarrassed and spoke in anger."
"It’s okay, Grandma. I really need to go back. I’ll come over again tomorrow."
Nangong Xiaoxue felt too embarrassed to keep Yan Qianyi any longer.
"Okay then, I’ll have my driver take you. Rest assured, I’ll talk to Ah Lie and have him apologize to you."
Yan Qianyi let out a long sigh, "Grandma, thanks for your kindness, but please don’t talk to Ah Lie about this. This is a decision between the two of us. Please respect our choice. I’m sorry I can’t join you for dinner tonight."
After speaking, Yan Qianyi turned and walked away.
Nangong Xiaoxue watched her retreating figure with sorrow, knowing she couldn’t make her stay, and refrained from following her further. Instead, she went back to find Mu Yunlie.
Mu Yunlie had locked himself in his room, and no matter how Nangong Xiaoxue knocked, he wouldn’t open the door.
Nangong Xiaoxue kicked the door in frustration, "Mu Yunlie! If you don’t open the door, you can forget about having me as your grandmother!"
Just as she finished speaking, there were finally sounds from inside the door.
Nangong Xiaoxue smiled slightly.
This phrase always worked.
If she had known, she would have said it earlier instead of wasting effort knocking for so long.
However, when the door opened and she saw Mu Yunlie’s bloodshot eyes, the smile froze on Nangong Xiaoxue’s face.
She reached out to touch Mu Yunlie’s face, heartbroken, "Ah Lie, have you been crying? Please don’t scare Grandma!"
Ever since the departure of his parents and little grandchild, Ah Lie hadn’t shed a single tear. It had been many years since she had seen him this upset.
Mu Yunlie turned his head away, his voice cold, "Don’t threaten me with that anymore. Even if you disown me as your grandson, it won’t change the outcome between Yan Qianyi and me."
"Why... why is this happening? Did you do something to hurt her? Just woo her affectionately, all girls need to be coddled. Every time I got angry in the past, your grandfather would always soothe me."
Mu Yunlie gave a bitter laugh, "I did nothing. She said she doesn’t like me anymore, she’s tired of me. I’ve tried to hold on, put in effort, but it’s no use..."
"How... how could that be?" Nangong Xiaoxue was in disbelief.
How could Yan Qianyi just stop liking her excellent grandson for no reason?
And they had only been together for a few months, right in the throes of a passionate relationship. How could she grow tired so quickly?
And Yan Qianyi didn’t seem like that fickle-hearted kind of girl.
"So, please don’t press me anymore. Just let it be."
After saying this, Mu Yunlie shut the door again.
Nangong Xiaoxue stood stunned on the spot.
She could hardly believe that there was a girl in this world who couldn’t be wooed by Ah Lie.
No, she must think of some way!
Suddenly, a glint of determination sparked in Nangong Xiaoxue’s eyes as she turned and walked away briskly.