When he got out of the car, Ren Bonian’s cheeks were wet, and he sighed again, "I really am getting old."
A private nurse handed him a handkerchief, and he wiped his face with it. It had been several years since he last returned to the Ren Mansion; the green trees and white flowers in the sanatorium brought not only good air that was comforting for both body and soul but also shielded him from various kinds of displeasing news. For instance, the infighting between different factions, the conflicts between the political scene and the military region, these were all things Ren Bonian did not want to see.
"Grandpa, the journey must have been tiring," his eldest granddaughter-in-law approached proactively to assist him but was stopped by Ren Bonian. Ren Bonian was an Iron Bone soldier; although shrapnel from an ambush a few years earlier had fatally damaged his cardiopulmonary functions.
"Dad, they are upstairs, no need to rush; your granddaughter-in-law isn’t going anywhere," The Ren Family members all knew that Ren Bonian’s most beloved was Ren Minghang, so it was presumed that Minghang’s girlfriend would also be of great importance to him.
Despite that, it was unexpected to the Ren Family members how much of a reaction Ren Bonian showed when he met Xia You.
Without any unnecessary questions, nor an introduction, as soon as Ren Bonian saw Xia You come downstairs with Ren Minghang, he just said, "Let’s eat."
The atmosphere at the dining table was very heavy. Xia You, seeing this legendary Old Marshal of Hua Country for the first time, surprisingly, did not panic. In her eyes, Ren Bonian was just a laconic old man.
After the meal, Mr. Ren noticed something amiss; it seemed that his father didn’t like Xia You, so he suggested that Minghang accompany Xia You home first. At that moment, Ren Bonian spoke, "Let Xiao drive Miss Xia home, Minghang, Grandpa has something to talk to you about." Xiao was the Ren family’s driver and was usually responsible for driving Mrs. Ren to and from work.
Ren Minghang’s expression was uncomfortable then; he wanted to burst out, but how could he, with Mrs. Ren signaling to him from the side? Xia You didn’t voice any objections, merely allowing the driver to take her away.
Before leaving, Xia You bid farewell to Ren Bonian, "Grandpa Ren, I’m going now." A very polite greeting; Ren Bonian just waved his hand.
After she left, several of the Ren Family members curiously exited the living room, leaving Grandpa Ren and grandson each sitting on a sofa in the living room, silent for a long time.
"Minghang, go and get a chess set," when Ren Bonian spoke again, it was already past ten in the evening. He had neither called the private nurse to take him back, nor had he signaled Ren Minghang to leave. At this point, Ren Minghang was burning with impatience, eager to call Xia You.
Considering Xia You’s cautious and careful character, she must have sensed that Ren Bonian was deliberately snubbing her.
"I’m not in the mood to play chess," Ren Minghang said indignantly, Ren Bonian’s actions tonight would undoubtedly have a big impact on the other members of the Ren Family. They would change their tune, no doubt.
"Minghang, don’t blame Grandpa. You can’t be with her, that girl named Xia You," Ren Bonian said with a bitter smile. Everyone thought his silence earlier was a form of denial, but in actuality, Ren Bonian was only covering up his own gaffe; how could a person who should have died four years ago still be living and standing in the Ren Mansion?
Even though there are many similar-looking people in the world, Ding Ling is Ding Ling; even if she showed no trace of strangeness when she saw Ren Bonian, even if Ren Minghang had also said that her name is now Xia You, a female soldier from Rand Military District.
"Grandpa!" Ren Minghang thought that Ren Bonian just didn’t like Xia You, but he didn’t expect Ren Bonian to directly interfere with his relationship with Xia You. He couldn’t bear to listen to what Ren Bonian was going to say next. He could only feel himself getting angry in the living room, unable to stop questioning Ren Bonian.
The rest of the Ren Family hurried over at the sound, and Ren Minghang was pulled away from the living room. Just as he was about to leave the living room, Ren Bonian said one more thing, a phrase that caused Mr. Ren and Mrs. Ren to break out in a cold sweat; they hadn’t heard Ren Minghang say such words in many years.
"If you continue to be with Xia You, then she can forget about staying in Rand," Ren Bonian not only disliked Xia You, but he loathed her.
Ren Minghang was taken back to his room by Ren Mingxun, and the two brothers sat in silence for a while.
"Brother, I..." Ren Minghang hung his head, his broad shoulders tensed around his arms, and his short hair pulled back and forth. Speaking had become so difficult, and Ren Mingxun was at a loss for words; after a long time, he said, "Minghang, there’s a daughter of one of Dad’s old friends, I heard she’s quite attractive and has a nice personality, do you want to give it a try?"