After lunch, Uncle Lin took Mu Xiaocheng to the backyard to organize the medicinal herbs, while Ji Huaishen and Grandpa Meng went to the study.

Ji Huaishen knew that Meng Zhixiang had recognized him, so he remained calm, which was also within his expectations.

study.

Old Master Meng stood with his hands behind his back, facing away from Ji Huaishen. He stood upright and dignified, his gray hair showing the marks of time.

"I heard you haven't been back in China for very long?"

The old man spoke first, his voice loud and clear.

Ji Huaishen's expression remained unchanged, his deep eyes calm and composed, as he replied in a deep voice, "Yes."

"Is it for Orange Girl?"

Grandpa Meng suddenly turned around, his bright eyes fixed on Ji Huaishen, his gaze sharp.

Ji Huaishen nodded slightly, his deep eyes as dark as an inkwell, revealing no emotion.

"It seems you know all this."

Meng Zhixiang narrowed his eyes, looked Ji Huaishen up and down, and raised an eyebrow to ask, "Didn't Cheng girl recognize you?"

"No."

The thought of that little girl from back then made Ji Huaishen's gaze darken.

He looks very different now than he did back then. The old man was able to recognize him because they had spent two days together.

That little guy probably doesn't remember him anymore, this passerby in his life.

Grandpa Meng sighed: "I won't doubt your sincerity towards Cheng'er, but Ji Huaishen..."

At this point, Meng Zhixiang's expression turned serious, and his brows furrowed: "It's dangerous for her to be by your side, isn't it?"

Ji Huaishen opened his eyes and met the old man's sharp gaze: "I couldn't guarantee it before, but now... I can protect her and won't let her get into danger."

"If that day ever comes, I will protect her with all my might and not let her suffer even the slightest harm."

Ji Huaishen spoke seriously, his expression earnest, and every word he uttered was profound and powerful.

Meng Zhixiang knew that Ji Huaishen was making a promise to him.

The old man sat in his chair, took a sip of tea, and said, "That child suffered a lot when she was young and has a lot of psychological trauma. You need to be patient with her."

What did Orange Girl say before?

Is it true that she genuinely likes Ji Huaishen?

That girl always liked to bluff him, but even though he was old, he was still sharp-witted.

"I know."

Ji Huaishen nodded, raising an eyebrow slightly: "So you know, our marriage..."

"Hmph! I'm not stupid yet."

Grandpa Meng suddenly raised his voice, his amber eyes darted around, and said, "However, someone has to help that girl get out of this mess."

And Ji Huaishen, standing right in front of us, is probably the best candidate.

Although this guy is an extremely dangerous existence, his daughter Cheng is no pushover either, and she certainly won't let him down when it matters.

It's clear that Ji Huaishen truly cherishes his daughter, Cheng; he's patient with her.

The important thing is that he knows how to maintain boundaries.

In the words of young people, Ji Huaishen knows how to play the game and knows how to take care of people.

Unlike that immature teenager from the Lu family before, who only talked nonsense and acted recklessly, he didn't seem mature at all.

but……

Grandpa Meng raised an eyebrow and said with a warning tone, "If you ever dare to wrong or bully Cheng'er in the future, I won't forgive you."

Ji Huaishen's expression was serious, his gaze firm: "She is more important than my life. Even if I have to betray the whole world, I will never let her down."

Old Master Meng blinked. More important than his life?

Why is this kid making it sound so serious?

At that moment, Old Master Meng couldn't understand the meaning of Ji Huaishen's words, but in the days that followed...

The old man only found out then.

Ji Huaishen has no choice but to have Mu Xiaocheng in this life.

She is his life.