In that moment though Mo Li forgot that technically she was not an adult either. In fact, she was one year younger than Mo Yu.
Mo Yu felt a lump in his throat. The normally well-spoken child could only stammer, "What, what... are you talking about... I was not trying to protect you..."
Mo Li was not going to stay there and argue semantics with him. It was meaningless. She nodded, a sign that she understood and appreciated everything he had done for her.
However this did not make Mo Yu feel more at ease, if anything it only made his heart race faster. The pressure on him heightened.
She nodded? Why did she nod?
Did she really think I was trying to protect her? Because of what she did for me with Lin Mu?
No, wait! Why would I care about what she is thinking?!
Mo Yu hurriedly released his hold on Mo Li's wrist. The touch of her skin lingered on his fingers, it flustered him for some reason. He forced himself to not think about that. He pushed the following out from his lips, "I, I... didn't mean... don't get the wrong idea... I..."
Likewise, Mo Li only nodded lightly.
Instantly Mo Yu felt his heart twist. It doesn't feel right no matter what I do or say, the worst part is, it doesn't look like she cares!
"Well, are you going back to the dining table?" Mo Li asked.
Mo Yu was in no mood to eat, but considering the lengths his grandmother had gone through to prepare the meal, he grumbled, "Fine."
Back at the dining table, Xu Yan had been watching the exchange between Mo Li and her son. She saw how red Mo Yu's face was and she assumed Mo Li was back to her old tricks. The wretched girl! Who does she think she is? How dare she look down on my Xiao Yu like that? And these two antiques didn't even say anything to correct her. What is wrong with these people?! They are so unreasonable.
To Xu Yan's complete surprise, instead of exploding, Mo Yu returned to the table and sat quietly with Mo Li. They continued the meal in peace, this was something that was unimaginable in the past!
Mo Li enjoyed the meal, and Mo Yu enjoyed watching her. Mo Yu felt strangely comforted watching her doing something as simple as eating. As if sensing his eyes on her, Mo Li suddenly met his eyes and said, "This is not something that you can take on."
Xu Yan very sensitively caught this exchange. What does she mean by that? The wretched girl is up to no good again? And she has dragged Xiao Yu into it? Is that why Xiao Yu didn't dare to stand up to her because she would expose him?! How cunning!
Mo Li had already foreseen this future when she invited Lin Mu home from the police station. Plan before you act. Mo Li could share her plan with Mo Yu but most likely the kid wouldn't be able to understand it.
It was why she was not worried. She said what she said to comfort Mo Yu.
Xu Yan looked at Mo Li with sternness and disdain. "Li Li, what have you done this time?!" She started to scold Mo Li like she really cared about her. "I don't want to lecture you but at your age, you should know what you're doing. You can't just go around, not expecting consequences to your actions.
"It must be the people you've mixed with, who have left their bad influence on you. Do you think it is proper for you to keep on going around creating trouble for our family?"
Old Madam Mo said with a hint of warning, "Xu Yan, there are still food on your plate. Don't you want to finish them?"
Xu Yan had no appetite anymore, especially knowing what Mo Li had done to her son. So she ignored her mother-in-law and powered on, "Xiao Yu only wants to help you. I'm sure that if not for him, you would be in deeper trouble, so that is no way to talk to your big brother!"
Xu Yan continued with mock earnestness, "Don't blame me for scolding you. At your age, you should know how to conduct yourself properly and sensibly already."
"Mom, what are you talking..." Mo Yu's face turned red from Xu Yan's words. What is she talking about? I'm the one who created the trouble this time. Mo Li was only trying to help me. Why would she lecture Mo Li instead?
"Shush." Xu Yan cut off Mo Yu and proceeded, "Li Li, I know these things might not sound pretty to your ears but you have to understand that we are a family, I'm only lecturing you for your own good. You have already destroyed the life of one of your brothers, you can't do the same to Xiao Yu..."
At that moment, Old Madam Mo slammed down her chopsticks. Her eyes were red with fury.
Elder Mo stared down the table. Facing the table full of delicious food, he felt like he was chewing wax.
Initially, he did not intend to interfere, but Xu Yan had gone too far.
Just as Old Madam Mo was about to say something, the doorbell suddenly rang.
Mo Yu immediately ran to get the door, trying to escape from the frozen atmosphere at the dining table.
"Excuse me, is Miss Mo Li at home?"