Qin Haiming looked at him, and for a moment, his mind went blank.
"Yichen, don’t talk nonsense,"
Feng Fanghua immediately intervened.
"Nonsense? My wife has spent so many years abroad. After coming back, did Mr. Qin, as her father, sincerely want to make up for the past? Not to mention initially wanting to move my mother-in-law’s grave from the Qin family burial ground, let’s talk about a few days ago when your wife and daughter went to make a scene at her studio. Whether my wife takes after you or my mother-in-law, is she the kind of person who would strike someone first? Yet, you listened to your wife and daughter’s provocations and demanded an apology from her, disappointing not just her—"
Mu Yichen’s words trailed off there; he knew Qin Haiming understood his point. His words were heavy, serious, and unkind—so much so that at this moment, his stern demeanor almost made him seem like the host of the table.
"Yichen, stop talking!"
Even Mu Zihao, the perennially gentle man, couldn’t help but call for a halt after his son finished his speech.
Mu Yichen naturally did not continue but instead picked up his glass, "As a junior, I have no place to say these things, but as my wife’s husband, I must speak up for her. If I have offended, consider this drink as my apology."
Mu Yichen then picked up his glass, without the slightest hesitation.
At that moment, the dining room fell silent.
The three older generations watched him finish his drink and remained silent for a long while.
"I admit I haven’t trusted Mumu enough. She’s been away for so many years, and upon returning, she’s become so cold. Of course, she turned out this way because of me, but—as for many things—it’s not easy to explain,"
Mu Zihao and Feng Fanghua naturally could not say much; they just listened quietly.
"Actually, after being apart for so many years, some harmonization is necessary, but we’re still family after all. Don’t think too much."
"Yes, life goes on. Besides, we understand you don’t have time to tend to family matters,"
Mu Zihao and Feng Fanghua would then speak in his defense after a while.
"Yichen spoke well just now. In the future, I’ll use my eyes to see and my heart to discern. Am I satisfying you with this statement?"
Qin Haiming looked at his son-in-law sitting across from him. Actually, he wasn’t very satisfied with Mu Yichen. Even though Mu Yichen normally was sparing with his words, Qin Haiming was aware that he harbored many things in his heart. Today, since Mu Yichen was willing to talk so much, he naturally would not fail to respond.
"I’m looking forward to it,"
Mu Yichen tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Then, can those rumors of you leaving Rong City to develop elsewhere also disappear from the city?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Zihao and Feng Fanghua couldn’t help but look at their son curiously. None had expected Mu Yichen would pull such a stunt, and it really did scare some people.
"Those weren’t my words. Although I indeed have some projects elsewhere, I never said I was leaving Rong City,"
Mu Yichen leaned back in his chair, speaking as if it were all true.
His sharply contoured face was devoid of emotion, and while his words were slick, they didn’t give the impression that he was brushing you off.
After hearing him, Qin Haiming nodded: "With your word, I am relieved."
Qin Haiming gave a light smile and drank with him.
Mu Yichen, not saying much more, poured himself another glass.
Qin Mu had been upstairs with Huanhuan all along, bathing her and then reading her fairy tale books. Usually, these were tasks for Feng Fanghua, and she rarely had the chance. Tonight, she finally got her wish.
"Mommy, is grandpa still here?"
In the warm bedroom, on the bed that belonged to the little princess, mother and daughter lay talking. Huanhuan was actually close to falling asleep, but her concerns lay downstairs.
"Will grandpa live with us?"
"Does Huanhuan want grandpa to live with us?"
"Grandpa has his own home and can’t live with us. But grandpa will come to see Huanhuan often, right?"
"Right, and he will bring Huanhuan a lot of gifts."
Qin Mu gently stroked her daughter’s hair. A child is always so pure; as long as someone treats her well and buys her gifts, she will greatly like them.
But how many people in this world genuinely care for others?
She wasn’t sure if Qin Haiming’s feelings for her were genuine, just as she wasn’t sure if she could continue to bear everything silently.
Later, Mu Yichen also returned upstairs first. Qin Mu was still in her daughter’s room. He crouched beside the bed and watched her. Since Huanhuan had fallen asleep, she was watching her phone. Putting down the phone and glancing sideways at him: "Why are you looking at me like that?"