"He... doesn't remember me at all."
The old lady patted the back of her hand, comforting her.
“You were both young back then, one was ten and the other was eleven. So many years have passed, he might not remember clearly. It's okay, don't overthink it. I'll mention it and he'll remember.”
She turned to look at Shen Zhiyu.
"Xiao Shuo, do you remember? When you were ten years old, you came back to my hometown with me that summer and stayed in the village for five or six days. You played with Haitang for a few days. You even picked mulberries together and climbed trees. You were so close. Don't you remember anything?"
Shen Haitang also opened her eyes wide and stared at him expectantly.
Shen Zhiyu's tone was crisp and decisive.
"I don't remember."
Shen Haitang forced a smile, managing to pull at the corners of her lips.
"Oh, never mind if you don't remember. Maybe I'm too ordinary to leave any impression."
The old lady glared at Shen Zhiyu, her brows furrowed, her tone full of reproach.
"You child, can't you speak more tactfully? Would it kill you to say a few words to comfort her? Everyone has their pride."
Shen Zhiyu remained calm.
"If my grandfather is chatting happily with other old ladies outside, would you be happy? If you don't mind, I'll find a couple of old ladies to keep him company and have a good chat."
Su Qingzhi couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.
The old lady was already furious, feeling that her grandson was being incredibly disrespectful.
Upon hearing Su Qingzhi laugh, he immediately turned his anger towards her, pointing at her and saying...
"What are you laughing at? Are you just looking for trouble?"
Su Qingzhi nodded honestly, her face completely at ease.
"Yes, yes, I just realized how funny my man is. He's so witty, like a theatrical performer."
The old lady snorted and turned her head away.
Shen Haitang sat to the side, her fingertips resting lightly on her knees, her gaze still fixed on Shen Zhiyu.
But the other person didn't even glance at her from beginning to end.
She didn't throw a tantrum.
Instead, he turned around and gently patted the old lady's hand.
"Grandma, don't be angry. Shen Zhiyu is just like that, he speaks his mind. Actually, he respects you quite a bit."
“Look how radiant you look today! You look like you’re twenty years younger. Everyone in the neighborhood asks you for your beauty secrets.”
The old lady initially kept a straight face, but as she listened, her lips softened.
Shen Haitang pressed on, her voice softening even more.
“I just saw that the camellia on your balcony has bloomed, and it’s so bright red. I’ve loved flowers since I was a child. Could you teach me how to grow it? I’d like to grow one for you.”
The old lady finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"You little rascal, your words are as sweet as honey. No wonder Xiao Shen says you're good with words."
Just then, a steady footstep sounded at the door.
An elderly man with gray hair walked in.
He looked to be over seventy years old, but his back was ramrod straight and he was full of energy.
He spoke with a cheerful laugh, his voice loud and clear.
"Xiao Shuo is back?"
Shen Zhiyu slowly stood up and looked at the figure at the door.
"grandfather."
Seeing this, Su Qingzhi followed behind Shen Zhiyu and called out softly.
"grandfather."
Grandpa Shen leaned on his cane, his wrinkles smoothing out.
When his gaze fell on Su Qingzhi, there was not a trace of coldness in it.
"You must be Xiao Su?"
Su Qingzhi nodded slightly.
"Yes, hello Grandpa."
Grandpa Shen chuckled and looked her up and down.
"Not bad, quite a spirited girl. Delicate features and good temperament. If Shen Zhiyu bullies you in the future, just tell Grandpa, and I'll deal with him without any favoritism."
Upon hearing this, the old lady sitting opposite frowned and let out a soft snort.
But she didn't say anything in rebuttal; she simply picked up her teacup and took a sip.
His gaze swept over Su Qingzhi indifferently before shifting away.
With Grandpa Shen's return, the atmosphere at home subtly changed.
Li Haitang was unusually quiet at the dinner table today.
She lowered her eyes, and her movements when picking up food were much more restrained than usual.
Li Chunhua was just about to open her mouth to say something.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Li Haitang wink at her, then quietly reach out and tug hard twice at the back of her clothes.
Li Chunhua immediately understood the implication, and, holding her breath, continued to eat with her head down.
This meal, unusually, went without causing any disturbance.
After dinner, Su Qingzhi and Shen Zhiyu returned to their room.
As soon as the door closed, Shen Zhiyu locked it with his other hand, then turned around and pulled Su Qingzhi into his arms.
"Niannian, I'm sorry."
Su Qingzhi understood that he was apologizing for her grandmother's cold attitude towards her earlier.
"It's really nothing, don't worry about it. I know the old lady has her reasons, and I won't hold it against her."
She paused for a moment, then stepped back a little.
"But you really don't remember anything about Li Haitang's past? When you were little... did you really not have any interaction?"
The moment those words left her lips, Shen Zhiyu immediately noticed the unusual tone in her voice.
"I did see her a few times when I was little, at family gatherings, but that was a long time ago. I didn't know her at all, and we barely even exchanged a few words. Who would have thought she would suddenly appear now, acting like we're so close, talking about childhood sweethearts and innocent childhood friends? It's just so inexplicable."
Su Qingzhi listened attentively.
"Yeah, I know you're not that kind of person. I believe you too. I just find it strange. The way she looks at me has been off ever since we first met; I always feel there's an inexplicable hostility in her eyes."
Did she say something offensive?
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