"Where's this little guy? Did you raise him, Grandpa?"

Zhou Siyu held the five-legged creature in his arms and rubbed his face against its fur. The milk-scented steamed bun let out a soft hum and turned away arrogantly.

"I've had it for several years. Xiao Wei found it while patrolling the forest near headquarters. Its mother was attacked by a wild beast, and it was the only one left in the family." Grandpa Yu held up his palm to show it. "When I first brought it here, its eyes weren't even open yet, and it was about the size of my palm."

Yu Wei was extremely fond of it, wiping its body with a hot towel and feeding it milk powder. After returning to headquarters, he would often ask about its condition.

“The milk-flavored steamed buns were also picked up by Yu Wei.” Zhou Siyu gestured with her hand, “They were small, fluffy, and had big, bright eyes.”

"Haha, Xiao Wei has always liked to bring things home since he was little, from small stones to big animals. As long as he likes something, he will put it in his pocket and bring it home." Grandpa Yu squatted down and rubbed the head of the milk-flavored steamed bun. "When he buys clothes, he never looks at the color or the style. He only has one requirement: it must have big pockets, the bigger the better."

"No wonder he had so many things in his pockets."

Zhou Siyu smiled and told Grandpa Yu about their encounter on the seventeenth planet.

"This kid, you can say he's meticulous, yet he manages to break the spaceship; you can say he's careless, yet he thinks of bringing snacks." Grandpa Yu concluded helplessly, "He's the kind of person who would give you his whole heart if he liked someone, but if he doesn't like someone, he won't even give them a second glance."

"Yeah, a bit silly."

“He’s not just stupid, he’s incredibly stupid.” Grandpa Yu dusted off his hands. “Forget it, let’s not talk about him anymore.” Then, looking into Zhou Siyu’s eyes, he said seriously, “I still hope you will reconsider your suggestion.”

“Grandpa, I am very grateful for your appreciation, but I really can’t agree.” Zhou Siyu put down the five-legged creature, patted its head, pointed to the milk-flavored steamed buns, and gestured for them to go play elsewhere. “Yu Wei is different from before. He can manage the Yu family’s business and lead the Yu family to become stronger. Besides, he needs the absolute support of the Yu family.”

With Yu Wei in control of the Yu family, he can better manage the family's resources and integrate them with the military, creating greater value.

He couldn't guarantee that he would always stand on the same side as Yu Wei, nor could he guarantee that their relationship would always be strong. If one day he and Yu Wei went against each other's wishes, the Yu family would fall apart, and the alliance would likely fall into chaos again.

"This is indeed a pleasant surprise." Grandpa Yu said, his hands behind his back, looking at the two white figures playing in the distance. "I haven't seen Xiao Wei for so long, and my impression of him has been stuck in the past. It seems that he has indeed grown a lot."

"Yes, he's more mature than before."

Zhou Siyu's feelings were complicated; she didn't know whether to be happy or sad. Every choice Yu Wei made was mixed with many factors. His decisions were no longer arbitrary but were the result of careful consideration from multiple perspectives.

He seemed free, yet he was trapped in an invisible cage.

"Once everything is over, you two must come and visit often to keep this old man company."

Grandpa Yu whistled, and Milk-Fragrant Bun and Five-Unlikes ran up to him, wagging their tails around him.

"Lunch is ready, let's go."

Grandpa Yu stood with his hands behind his back. Wu Xiang sometimes followed behind him, sometimes ran ahead, and after running for a while, it turned back. Milk-scented steamed buns quietly followed Zhou Siyu, occasionally rubbing against his legs, as if reminding him to watch his step.

Walking back along the cobblestone path, Grandpa Yu suddenly stopped at a rose bush, picked up a stick, and parted the flowers to reveal a small door.

Grandpa Yu ignored the surprise in Zhou Siyu's eyes, took out his key, unlocked the small golden lock, pushed open the door, and a spacious dining room appeared before him.

"Dad, why did you come in from there again?" Lorna stepped forward and handed the hot towel from the maid's tray to Grandpa Yu, brushing the petals off his shoulder, and said helplessly, "What if you get scratched by the rose thorns?"

"My old face is covered in calluses, it's no problem." After wiping his hands, Grandpa Yu handed the towel to Zhou Siyu. "Xiaoyu, wipe your hands and get ready for dinner."

Zhou Siyu nodded, took the towel to wipe her hands, and glanced at the empty dining table. "Where are my eldest uncle and second uncle?"

"They're having a meeting in the study," Lorna said, supporting Grandpa Yu with a hint of complaint. "I don't understand what the point of them having meetings all the time is."

"I'm afraid things aren't so simple." Grandpa Yu frowned slightly, sat down, and beckoned to the servants, "Go and call them down for dinner."

The servants urged them three times before they finally emerged from the study and took their seats one after another.

"Dad, there's a problem at headquarters..."

As soon as he sat down, Yu Mao spoke quickly, only to be sternly interrupted by his grandfather: "If you have any urgent business, wait until after this meal before you leave!"

"dad……"

Grandpa Yu glared at Yu Mao, his sharp gaze sweeping across everyone's faces. After a long while, he sighed, "You all leave after you finish eating. What about Xiao Yu and Xiao Zhen?"

"I'll stay a few more days." Yu Zhen peeled a few shrimp for Grandpa Yu, put them on a plate, poured on some dipping sauce, and pushed it in front of him. She said with a grin, "Grandpa, I haven't had enough of all the delicious food here yet. It would be a waste to leave now." Then she nudged Lin Nianyu and said, "Nian Nian will also be staying here for a while. School is on holiday."

"That's good." Grandpa Yu's expression softened considerably. He looked at Zhou Siyu, who put a chicken leg into Grandpa Yu's bowl and placed it on his chopsticks, saying, "There's nothing much going on at the company for now. I'll stay here for a few days and try to learn how to ride a horse."

"I'll stay too." Lin Ling, who arrived late, took the hot towel to wipe her hands and sat down in her seat. "I'll leave with Si Yu later."

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