Su Guobang stood at the door with his walking stick. He was dressed in a dark red designer suit, which suited the festive atmosphere.
Although his hair was a little white and his face had been marked by the passage of time, he was healthy and hearty; he did not look old. The moment Su Shengjing saw the old man, his eyes narrowed. He had not expected the old man to come here.
Su Shengjing instinctively stood in front of Su Jiu, who was following him, blocking her from Su Guobang’s view. He was like a beast that was protecting its cubs, vigilant and ready to attack.
“What are you doing here?” Su Shengjing spoke first, his tone guarded.
“Do you really not know why?” Su Guobang immediately glared at him and said in an unfriendly tone, “You didn’t bring your child back to the Su Residence for the New Year, so I could only come over. Why? Do I need your permission to go wherever I want to go?”
As he spoke, he waved at Su Jiu, and his expression and voice became much gentler. “Little Jiu, come over to Grandpa. I’ll give you a big red packet.”
The little girl had worn a white sweater and a red coat. On her head were two little pigtails tied with a red bow. She looked especially happy and cute, just like a lucky doll on a poster. Old people liked children who looked like this the most.
Su Jiu hid behind Su Shengjing, her little hand tugging on the corner of his shirt. Her big clear eyes were warily looking at the old man as if she did not intend to come over unless Su Shengjing spoke.
Su Guobang was furious. A trace of disappointment that he had never felt before surged in his heart.
He recalled how Su Shengjing used to be clingy to him in his childhood. During the Lunar New Year, Su Shengjing would pester him for red packets and affectionately call him “Daddy.”
But now, not only was he estranged from him, he wouldn’t even address him as “Dad.” Moreover, his daughter wouldn’t acknowledge him as her grandfather either.
Su Shengjing stroked his daughter’s hair and coldly said to Su Guobang, “I told you: she has received quite a lot of red packets. She doesn’t need yours. Go back! You’re not welcome here!”
With that said, he picked up the little girl and held her tightly in his arms as if he was afraid that Su Guobang would snatch her away. Then, he closed the door as though nothing had happened and did not look at him again.
Su Guobang was speechless.
“Bastard!” He cursed, wanting to break in.
But no matter what, he was still the head of the Su family. He couldn’t go around doing whatever he liked, such as smashing doors or making a scene.
He did not leave immediately. After standing there for a while, when he saw that there was still no movement from the door, he could only grit his teeth and go downstairs.
Su Jiu had placed a stool by the door and climbed up to look out through the peephole. Seeing that Su Guobang had left, she turned to Su Shengjing and said, “Daddy, he’s gone.”
Su Shengjing smiled at her and walked over to carry her down. He held her hand with one hand and carried the stool with the other as they walked in. “That’s fine. Baby, they’re airing a celebration gala tonight. Do you want to watch it with Daddy?”
His tone was calm as if he felt nothing at all about the departure of Su Guobang.
Most people might feel some compassion. After all, Su Guobang was an old man. It was quite pitiful for him to wait outside alone.
However, Su Shengjing still ignored him. Su Jiu felt that there was definitely a conflict between her daddy and his father, and it was the kind that could not be reconciled. This bad relationship between them was still ongoing.
When the two of them were watching the gala, Su Jiu noticed that Su Shengjing seemed to be distracted. When he frowned, Su Jiu knew that he was thinking about Su Guobang.
She moved closer to him and hugged his arm. “Daddy, don’t be unhappy. Little Jiu is with you!”