Chapter 26 (Combined with Twenty-Six and Three)
Twenty-six:
When Mu Zheng and Mu Shaowu finished talking and were about to leave...
When the group went upstairs, they found that Ye Qingxi had fallen asleep on the coffee table in the study.
Qin Cheng sat beside him, looking rather helpless.
Forty minutes ago, Ye Qingxi finally started reading again after being coaxed by him. However, he had only been reading for five minutes when he collapsed onto his arm and fell fast asleep.
Seeing how tired he was, Qin Cheng figured he probably hadn't slept well that morning, so he didn't wake him.
Ye Qingxi fell into a deep sleep, occasionally smacking her lips and making "mmm" sounds, as if she were eating something delicious in her dream.
Looking at his innocent appearance, Qin Cheng thought it was quite rare. After experiencing so much, now living in someone else's house without any of his former family members, he didn't feel sorry for himself at all. He was carefree and slept quite soundly.
At that moment, he suddenly felt that he was not as good as a child who was five years younger than him.
If Ye Qingxi doesn't feel sorry for herself or sad about herself when she lives alone in this world, then what is there for her to be sad about when she, her mother, her uncle, and Mu Zheng live together in this world, which is already very warm?
He wasn't his grandfather's biological grandson, so it's normal that his grandfather didn't like him.
His maternal grandparents didn't like him, let alone his paternal grandfather who wasn't related to him by blood.
Qin Cheng blinked and pondered quietly.
He never actually thought his grandfather would like him.
Just like at the beginning, his only hope was that his mother could get rid of his influence as a burden, marry someone else, and live a happy life.
However, when Mu Zheng first met him, he showed him kindness by giving him a jade Guanyin pendant to wear around his neck.
Afterwards, we took a family photo together with him and his mother.
Despite his maternal grandparents' objections, he was allowed to attend the wedding.
Later, they lived together, and Mu Zheng treated him with even more gentleness and kindness, as if he were his son.
Qin Cheng collected these good things and carefully kept them in his heart. These good things were like fireflies, gradually illuminating his longing and expectation for the Mu family to which Mu Zheng belonged.
So he began to hope that his grandfather would like him too, just like other grandfathers would like their children.
He had never been liked by the older generation in his life, and he never thought he wanted it.
However, Mu Zheng liked him, and he fell in love with Mu Zheng, which inevitably led him to develop feelings for Mu Feng, and he began to have longing and desire for him.
However, this hope soon vanished.
Mu Feng didn't like him.
Qin Cheng could tell.
He rarely looked at himself; when he did, his gaze was indifferent and cold.
I wouldn't say I hate it, but I definitely don't like it either.
It's optional, but it's best if it doesn't exist.
Every time they met, it was like a wake-up call for Qin Cheng, reminding him that his grandfather didn't like him.
Although he is nominally Mu Zheng's son, that's all he is.
Just as he was disliked by his maternal grandparents, he was also disliked by his paternal grandfather.
Whether it's the Qin family or the Mu family, he's always the one who doesn't fit in.
They should not exist.
Therefore, Qin Cheng was initially unwilling to come here and unwilling to meet Mu Feng.
If I can't see them, I won't feel sad.
It won't annoy others.
Fortunately, they don't live together, so they only need to see each other four or five times a year.
Qin Cheng always thought that his grandfather disliked him because he was not Mu Zheng's biological son and had no blood relation with his grandfather.
But Ye Qingxi's appearance told him otherwise.
Ye Qingxi is not related to his grandfather by blood.
Then it can only mean that he himself is not likable.
That's normal, Qin Cheng thought. After all, what lovable child wouldn't be liked by their own maternal grandparents?
He was still young and didn't understand that he and Ye Qingxi were both similar and different.
He thought Mu Zheng was Mu Feng's son, and that Ye Qingxi's grandfather was Mu Feng's friend.
They all have a bridge to Mu Feng.
They are the same.
Little did he know that the adult world was far more complex than he imagined.
"What are you looking at?" Mu Shaowu leaned closer to Qin Cheng's face and glanced at the book in front of him. "World Geography, you can understand this?"
Qin Cheng: ...
Qin Cheng thought that the two of them were truly father and son, as they said the same things.
"Hmm," he said indifferently.
"Then take it back and look at it," Mu Shaowu said generously. "I'm not going to look at it anyway."
"No need, thank you," Qin Cheng said politely.
"It's nothing, it's not valuable."
Mu Shaowu picked up the book, turned around and handed it to his brother, saying, "Here you go."
Qin Cheng: ...
"Take it," Mu Zheng said to him. "Your second uncle is indeed not a bookworm."
Mu Shaowu: ? ? ?
"No, how am I not someone who reads books?"
"Have you been reading books in recent years?" Mu Zheng asked curiously.
"That's because I'm busy, okay? Who am I? I'm a top star! I'm already grateful if I get six days off out of 365 days a year. I'd love to see that, but where would I find the time?"
"So you've had quite a long break this time."
"That's because I turned down a role in a film."
"What play? What play?" Ye Qingxi woke up groggily, grasping the key word. "Which play did you turn down? Why didn't you discuss it with me beforehand?"
Mu Shaowu looked at his rosy, sleeping face, walked up to him, and gave him a good squeeze. "You're awake? Did you sleep well?"
"Mm." Ye Qingxi nodded.
He watched as Mu Shaowu's figure gradually became clearer before he realized what was happening.
It wasn't that he turned down a role; it was that Mu Shaowu turned down a role.
Honestly, I'm still half asleep.
Fortunately, Mu Shaowu didn't seem to notice anything amiss.
"Which film did you turn down?" Ye Qingxi asked with concern.
"It's just a TV series, you wouldn't know anyway. You want to discuss it?" Mu Shaowu laughed. "You know how to discuss things?"
TV drama!
Ye Qingxi immediately became alert. Could it be the movie where the lead actor was auditioning?!
No, that won't do. That show did quite well; otherwise, the main character wouldn't have been able to hold a grudge against Mu Shaowu for so long.
Ye Qingxi immediately feigned a defiant look, "How do you know I don't know? I've watched a lot of TV shows, I know eight of them, let alone one."
Mu Shaowu laughed heartily.
Mu Zheng and Qin Luan were amused by his childlike words.
“That’s different,” Mu Shaowu said with a smile.
"What's different?" Ye Qingxi looked at him. "Tell me the name of yours, and I'll see if I've seen it."
Hearing his childish words, Mu Shaowu laughed even more heartily, "Alright, let me tell you, have you ever heard of 'The Morning Flower Order'?"
I've never heard of that before; it doesn't seem to be mentioned in the book.
Ye Qingxi breathed a sigh of relief. Since it was an unimportant TV series, she might as well turn it down.
He looked at Mu Shaowu and replied, "I've heard of 'Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk.' My grandfather said that 'Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk' was written by a very talented person."
"Oh, you even know about 'Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk'? That's impressive. I'll send you a copy another day," Mu Shaowu said.
Ye Qingxi nodded, easily changing the subject.
When Mu Shaowu saw that he was awake, he picked him up and said, "Let's go, your uncle and the others are leaving. Let's see them off."
Ye Qingxi responded with an "Oh".
Qin Cheng unconsciously looked up at Ye Qingxi, who was being held.
Mu Zheng had never hugged him like this before.
Most of the time, Qin Cheng felt that Mu Zheng liked him.
But sometimes, he had a vague, keen sense that his father didn't seem to like him.
Qin Cheng is a very smart child.
He's smart enough to notice details that children might miss.
For example, his mother and uncle would hug him, kiss him, and pinch his cheeks.
But his father doesn't.
During the year they knew each other and lived together, Mu Zheng was always gentle with him.
But it was only gentleness.
He wouldn't rub him like Mu Shaowu had just rubbed Ye Qingxi's face.
He wouldn't hug Ye Qingxi like Mu Shaowu did when he smiled and picked her up.
He just looked at him gently.
But she wasn't close to him.
So sometimes, Qin Cheng doesn't understand whether his current father likes him or not.
If you don't like him, why would you give him a jade pendant and be willing to live with him?
If you like him, then why don't you get closer to him?
"I can't think like that," Qin Cheng quickly told himself. "Every child has a different personality, so naturally, a father's personality will be different too."
Just because Ye Qingxi's father likes to hold children doesn't mean her father does too.
Perhaps Mu Zheng simply doesn't like kisses and hugs.
He gave him a jade pendant, hoping he would grow up safe and healthy.
Then he must still like him.
He doesn't like kisses and hugs, even though they're just small gestures.
Yeah, he doesn't like it either.
Qin Cheng stood up and followed his parents downstairs.
Mu Shaowu carried Ye Qingxi and saw them all the way to the door.
"Alright, you can go back now." Mu Zheng turned around and said to his younger brother, "Xiao Xi's school will start in a little over a week. Please prepare his schoolbag, stationery, and things he needs to bring for lunch break and when he stays at school in advance."
"Okay," Mu Shaowu replied.
However, since this was his first time raising a child, he wasn't quite sure what to prepare for the nap and accommodation.
Doesn't the school provide dormitories?
"It's his blanket, toiletries, and some other personal items he's used to. I'll make a list for you when we get back and send it to you then," Qin Luan said.
Mu Shaowu nodded, "Okay, thank you, sister-in-law."
"You are welcome."
"Then we're leaving," Mu Zheng said.
Mu Shaowu nodded.
Ye Qingxi quickly waved, "Goodbye, Uncle, Aunt, and Brother!"
Qin Cheng replied, "Goodbye to you too."
Then he looked at Mu Shaowu and said politely, "Goodbye, Second Uncle."
"Goodbye," Mu Shaowu said.
Ye Qingxi looked at Qin Cheng and tilted her head.
When he was standing on the ground earlier, he was short and didn't notice that the aloofness in Qin Cheng's eyes was somewhat similar to that of Mu Zheng beside him.
Mu Zheng is like this even when he's not speaking; he's serious, aloof, and difficult to approach.
He always spoke softly and his eyes were gentle when he talked to him, which is why he didn't get that feeling.
From this perspective, spending a lot of time together really does make you more inclined to gravitate towards those around you.
Thinking of this, Ye Qingxi couldn't help but look down at Mu Shaowu.
Will his acting skills deteriorate to the point of becoming like Mu Shaowu's in the future?
No!
He's been a genius actor for thirteen years, and he can't take it anymore.
"What kind of look is that?" Mu Shaowu looked up and saw Ye Qingxi staring at him with a complicated expression.
"Of course it's because I'm disgusted by your eyes," Ye Qingxi said. "A top star like you, with such terrible acting skills, how can you be so shameless?"
However, despite his thoughts, he still smiled and said, "It's nothing, Dad, you look so handsome tonight!"
Mu Shaowu said smugly, "When isn't your dad handsome?!"
Ye Qingxi nodded. That's true. Otherwise, how could he become a top star with his acting skills and singing voice?
He looked at his adoptive father and thought to himself, "You'd better take good care of your face."
As long as you have a face, the country will be secure. As long as you have this face, everything is negotiable.
Thinking of this, Ye Qingxi recalled the ending of the book, where Mu Shaowu was disfigured.
It must be said that the original author was ruthless in attacking the author's spirit.
Something was wrong. Ye Qingxi vaguely sensed that something seemed to have been overlooked.
But which place?
Ye Qingxi couldn't think of anything for a moment.
Ye Qingxi only let out an "Ah" after Mu Shaowu carried her back to her room.
He had an idea.
In the end, whether it was his father, the villain, his uncle and aunt, the minor villains, or his grandfather, the old villain, they all died or were injured, making for an extremely tragic end.
Only his uncle, the big villain, was neither dead nor injured.
This is not scientific.
Although his uncle's father and youngest brother and sister were all dead, and Mu Shaowu had gone mad, he even divorced his wife to take care of Mu Shaowu, which could be considered as his family being destroyed.
But he's the main villain!
It was a villain who almost drove the protagonist to the brink of defeat, and who would have been completely outmatched if not for the protagonist's plot armor!
He was neither dead nor injured, his body was intact, and his mental state was relatively stable. Compared to others, wasn't his ending too mild?
Mu Shaoting was young and beautiful, just beginning to experience love. That's why she died from cyberbullying, from being betrayed by her lover, and from not wanting to involve her family.
Mu Shaoyan was young, proud, and full of vigor, so he was first paralyzed and then tortured to death.
Old Master Mu's wife died young, leaving behind four children. So he died seeking revenge for his children, and because of his evil deeds, his children faced an even more tragic future.
Mu Shaowu, on the other hand, had a glamorous first half of his life, adored by thousands, so he was disfigured and despised and ridiculed by thousands.
Everyone can be said to have suffered the most unbearable pain.
To kill someone is to destroy their spirit.
He had already destroyed his heart, yet at the end of the story, his uncle was still able to take care of his mentally unstable younger brother in a stable manner.
Ye Qingxi felt more and more uneasy the more she thought about it.
There's definitely something fishy going on here.
He should pay more attention to his uncle in the future, lest there be any hidden plot points that he might miss.
Meanwhile, Mu Zheng, who was on Ye Qingxi's mind, was still driving.
Qin Cheng and Qin Luan sat in the back seat. Qin Luan hugged him and asked, "Did you have fun with Xiao Xi?"
Qin Cheng nodded silently.
"That's good." Qin Luan said gently, "You and Xiao Xi are like brothers, and Xiao Xi is younger than you. You'll need to take care of him more at school. Of course, you also need to take good care of yourself, okay?"
Qin Cheng nodded again.
He knew, of course, that his younger brother would fall asleep as soon as he looked at a book, and if he didn't help him, he might fail the exam.
Seeing him nod, and looking at his calm expression, Qin Luan felt a little guilty.
Qin Cheng has never had any friends.
She had previously thought of having her cousins' children come over so that Qin Cheng would have a playmate.
But they found out that they would say things like, "Why doesn't your dad want you or your mom?" and "My mom said that your mom can't get married because of you."
Qin Luan angrily chased the other person away and then got into an argument with her cousins.
In the end, her parents angrily said, "Did they say something wrong? Isn't this the truth? I told you to have an abortion but you wouldn't. Now look what happened, you can't get married and you'll be dragged down by this burden sooner or later!"
“He’s not a burden, he’s my son. I don’t necessarily need to get married. I can stay single for the rest of my life,” Qin Luan said excitedly.
"Nonsense! What are you going to do if you're a woman and don't get married? Do you expect us to support you for the rest of your life?"
Qin Luan didn't expect anything, so she moved out of her house and lived alone with Qin Cheng.
She no longer allowed the Qin family children to have too much contact with Qin Cheng, fearing they might say something they shouldn't, and that Qin Cheng would be upset if he heard it.
But children always need friends to grow up.
Qin Luan hoped he could have friends.
So this time, she brought Qin Cheng to the Mu family's banquet. Besides the fact that the old man required everyone to attend, she also hoped that Qin Cheng could meet Ye Qingxi and see if the two of them could get along.
As it turns out, the old man's judgment was indeed excellent.
Ye Qingxi was indeed a sweet and lovely child, and Qin Cheng did not reject her.
That's good. Now Qin Cheng will have another friend to talk to and play with.
Thinking of this, Qin Luan unconsciously thought of Ye Qingxi's 1% share.
Mu Zheng had told her about this, saying that Ye Qingxi's grandfather was gone and he was all alone. His father felt sorry for him, so he wanted to give him more security.
Qin Luan could understand.
Besides, those are Mu Feng's shares; it's his freedom to give them to whomever he wants.
However, she did not expect that Mu Feng not only gave her shares, but also built an amusement park in his backyard.
He truly loves Ye Qingxi.
Qin Luan looked down at her son.
The light in the back seat was dim, and her eyes were hidden in the darkness. Mu Zheng couldn't see her expression in the rearview mirror, but he could see that she was gently hugging Qin Cheng.
After driving for another twenty minutes, Mu Zheng stopped the car.
The three of them got out of the car and walked back together.
Mu Zheng handed the book "World Geography" to Qin Cheng.
"Thank you." Qin Cheng reached out and took it.
He returned to his bedroom, and Qin Luan and Mu Zheng also returned to their bedroom.
When Mu Zheng finished showering and came out, Qin Luan seemed to have thought about it for a long time and made up her mind. She said to him, "I want to talk to you."
Mu Zheng paused for a moment while drying his hair, and after a couple of seconds, he said, "Okay."
Qin Luan had just opened her mouth, but before she could utter a sound, her phone, which was on the bed, rang.
She glanced at the phone, answered it, and heard her brother say, "Mom fell downstairs and hurt her leg. She's in the hospital now. I can't go back yet. Go and see what happened."
"Okay," Qin Luan replied.
She hung up the phone and started changing her clothes.
Mu Zheng asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
“My mom had an accident and is in the hospital now. My brother can’t come back, so I have to go see her.”
Mu Zheng didn't really like his mother-in-law.
The Qin family was not a prominent family; they could only be considered moderately wealthy. It was only later, with the emergence of someone like Qin Yuan, who started from scratch, entered the field of AI, and became a rising star in the technology industry, that the Qin family was given the right to cooperate with the Mu family.
Without Qin Yuan, even if the Qin family were to act recklessly for another eight hundred years, they would never catch Mu Zheng's eye.
Therefore, Mu Feng looked down on the petty and outdated ideas that Qin's parents occasionally revealed.
Despite his disapproval, he still said, "I'll take you there."
Qin Luan nodded, "Okay."
She said, "I'll go tell Xiao Cheng."
"Um."
Mu Zheng didn't ask Qin Luan what she was about to say to him, and Qin Luan had completely forgotten about it.
The matter was simply buried.
The Mu family banquet ended, and within two days, news spread that Mu Feng had gained a grandson.
Although Mu Feng's friends were not familiar with Ye Min, they had always known that Mu Feng had such a friend. Previously, when Ye Min was seriously ill, they did not want to bother Mu Feng. Now that they heard that Mu Feng's family banquet was over, they thought that they should be able to get together.
So they messaged Mu Feng, asking if he wanted to bring Ye Qingxi over for a get-together.
“This way, the children can get to know each other,” Pei Ying said.
Mu Feng had already planned to do so, so he readily agreed upon hearing this.
He told Ye Qingxi about it during dinner that evening.
"Xiaoxi, let's go out for dinner tomorrow afternoon."
Ye Qingxi asked in confusion, "Why?"
"I'll take you to meet a few people."
Ye Qingxi: I saw someone again?
However, it seems he doesn't have anything he's ashamed of.
Ye Qingxi nodded, "Oh."
After finishing their meal and returning to their room, Mu Shaowu told him, "Your grandfather probably took you to meet his friends. He wants you to make some friends."
Ye Qingxi was surprised; he didn't have many friends in his previous life.
It used to exist, but it gradually disappeared.
I never imagined that I would be making friends so soon in this lifetime.
"Of course," Mu Shaowu added, "Making friends is mainly about fate. So even though they are the grandsons of your grandfather's friends, you don't have to force yourself to befriend them if you don't like them. You'll naturally make friends when you start school."
"My friends and your grandfather's friends are all people I met in school."
Ye Qingxi nodded. He knew that Mu Feng and Ye Min had met in school.
Even so, he was still somewhat curious.
Some of them wanted to meet the "kids" that Mu Feng had found for them.
The next day, Ye Qingxi specially found a black short-sleeved shirt and shorts that matched Mu Feng's outfit, and went out with Mu Feng and got into the car.
This gathering was held at a friend's house in Mufeng.
Ye Qingxi got out of the car with Mu Feng and saw a garden villa.
Mu Feng walked over and rang the doorbell.
A little while later, a child ran out of the villa inside, shouting, "I'll drive! I'll drive!"
Following behind him was an elderly man of similar age to Mu Feng, but who looked much more easygoing than Mu Feng.
"Okay, okay, no one's going to take it from you, slow down."
As soon as he finished speaking, the child ran to the gate and opened it.
Looking at the child's chubby little face, Ye Qingxi thought to herself that this child was quite endearing.
"You must be Ye Qingxi," the other person said proactively. "My name is Kang Cong. How old are you?"
“Five years old,” Ye Qingxi replied.
"I'm six years old, I'm older than you, so I'll be your boss from now on."
Ye Qingxi: ? ? ?
Mu Feng glanced at Kang Cong with disdain, "You, the boss?"
Kang Cong put his hands on his hips and asked, "Is that not allowed?"
“No,” Mu Feng said.
Kang Cong: ...
Kang Cong was actually a little afraid of him. He had just put his hands on his hips to bluff, but when he heard him say no, he immediately backed down. However, he still pretended to be fearless.
However, his acting skills were no match for Ye Qingxi.
Ye Qingxi smiled as she looked at his deadpan act, finding him rather amusing.
Kang Chi smiled and walked over to his grandson, took his hand, and said to Mu Feng, "Come in. You're here early this time. Old Zhong and Old Pei haven't arrived yet."
No sooner had they finished speaking than a car pulled up behind them.
The next second, the car door opened, and a child wearing a red and black jersey stepped out.
His hair was a little wet, and a few strands of his bangs were stuck to his forehead.
"Wow, that's rare, Lao Mu, you actually came." Zhong Xiang said in surprise, "So early today."
Mu Feng: ...
"I'll come later next time."
Zhong Xiang: ...
However, the little boy beside him looked at Ye Qingxi with great curiosity and ran over.
"You are Ye Qingxi?"
Ye Qingxi nodded.
"You're so handsome, are you a boy?"
Ye Qingxi: ...
Ye Qingxi nodded, "Mm."
Zhong Yan said with some regret, "He's so good-looking, but he's a boy."
Ye Qingxi: ...Well, I'm really sorry.
"Let's go inside." Zhong Yan was clearly familiar with Kang Cong. "I'm so hot from playing ball just now. Kang Cong, do you have any watermelon juice? I want some."
"Yes, there is," Kang Cong nodded. "And orange juice too."
As he spoke, he looked at Ye Qingxi and asked, "What would you like to drink? Yogurt? Watermelon juice? Orange juice or cola?"
"Cola," Ye Qingxi said.
Kang Cong's eyes lit up, "I want a Coke too!"
He pulled Ye Qingxi and walked into the house.
Mu Feng followed behind them and entered the house with his two friends.
The housekeeper had already prepared the drinks. Now, Kang Cong led them around the table where the drinks, snacks, and desserts were placed, and all three of them had their hands full of things.
"When are we eating?" Zhong Yan asked Kang Cong while drinking watermelon juice. "I'm starving."
"We'll have to wait a while; Pei Liang hasn't arrived yet."
Zhong Yan was surprised, "He's here today too."
Didn't your grandfather tell you?
Zhong Yan immediately shouted angrily, "Grandpa, why didn't you tell me Pei Liang was coming too!"
Zhong Xiang immediately pretended, "What? Speak louder, Grandpa can't hear you."
Zhong Yan: ...
Zhong Yan snorted angrily and turned away, ignoring him.
Zhong Xiang smiled broadly.
Ye Qingxi asked, puzzled, "You don't like Pei Liang?"
"Who would like him?" Zhong Yan looked at Kang Cong. "Do you like him?"
Kang Cong shook his head, "How could I possibly like him?!"
Ye Qingxi was even more confused now, "What's wrong with him?"
“He’s so annoying,” Zhong Yan said.
Kang Cong nodded, "I really hate it."
"He and his grandfather are both annoying."
"That's right."
"Every time we meet, he has to show off!"
"that is!"
"Today it's 'Xiao Liang got five more red flowers,' tomorrow it's 'The teacher praised him for speaking English well.'"
"Either 'Xiao Liang has learned a new ancient poem,' or 'Xiao Liang won first place in her craft project.'"
"It's so annoying."
"Yeah, it's so annoying."
The two of them were like a comedian, taking turns saying one line and another.
Finally, Zhong Yan stopped drinking and decided that the best course of action was to flee.
Otherwise, when he gets back, his grandfather will make him memorize ancient poems again.
“Let’s go, let’s go.” Zhong Yan ran to his grandfather’s side and tugged at him. “I’m not feeling well, I want to go home.”
“You just arrived,” Zhong Xiang said speechlessly.
"I'm not feeling well either, my stomach hurts."
"Your Grandpa Kang's house has a toilet."
"I don't need to go to the toilet."
"Then have your Grandpa Kang call a family doctor for you."
Zhong Yan: ...
He was just thinking about whether to pretend to cry when he suddenly heard the doorbell ring.
"It's over," Kang Cong said in despair. "Pei Liang is here."
Aren't you going to open the door for him?
Ye Qingxi still remembered Kang Cong's eager "I'll drive, I'll drive" attitude when he arrived.
Kang Cong snorted, "Only a dog would open the door for him!"
Then he saw his grandfather stand up, smiling, and go to open the door.
Kang Cong: ...
Ye Qingxi: ...
Ye Qingxi patted his shoulder, "Looks like you can't be my boss anymore, you'll have to be my little puppy."
Kang Cong: !!!
Kang Cong almost fainted.
Soon, Ye Qingxi saw a child walk in.
The other person was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and light blue jeans. He had delicate features and his hands were in his pockets, like a proud little peacock.
"I was stuck in traffic on the way, I'm not late, am I?" Pei Ying said with a smile.
“No, no,” Kang Chi said. “Come, sit here.”
Pei Ying pulled her grandson down to sit.
Zhong Yan immediately ran to Ye Qingxi and Kang Cong's side—to stick together for warmth.
Pei Ying followed his figure and saw Ye Qingxi.
He was somewhat surprised.
Although he had heard Mu Feng mention Ye Min before, they were not in the same circle, and Mu Feng had not introduced Ye Min to their circle, so he had never actually seen what Ye Min looked like.
I never expected his grandson to be so good-looking.
Judging from this, Ye Min himself must be quite good-looking.
It's a pity, he was only sixty when he passed away.
Pei Ying turned to look at her grandson, "Go and play with them."
Pei Liang: ...
Pei Liang glanced disdainfully at the trio not far away, stood up with a look of disgust, and walked over to them.
Kang Cong was speechless. If you dislike someone so much, why did you come over?
Zhong Yan also looked like she couldn't stand it anymore.
Pei Liang walked to the table, grabbed a glass of watermelon juice, and started drinking.
Kang Congdiao, who was standing nearby, asked, "How do you say watermelon in English?"
“Watermelon,” Pei Liang said calmly.
Kang Cong: ...
"You didn't read any books this summer vacation, did you?" Pei Liang asked.
"none of your business!"
"I have some bad news for you. I've decided to skip to the first year, so starting next semester, we'll be in the same grade."
Kang Cong: !!!
Zhong Yan: !!!
Who made this decision?! Why don't you tell them?!
“Maybe we’ll still be in the same school then~” Pei Liang said with a smile.
Kang Cong: ...
Zhong Yan: ...
"Do you have to only cause trouble for the two of us? Can't you cause trouble for others?" Zhong Yan said in despair.
"It's because our grandpas have a good relationship." Pei Liang smiled and took another sip of watermelon juice.
After finishing his drink, he looked at Ye Qingxi as if remembering something, "How old are you?"
“Five years old,” Ye Qingxi said.
"Oh." Pei Liang nodded. They were the same age.
“Xiao Xi, you’re so kind,” Kang Cong said enviously. “I also want to go back to kindergarten.”
Ye Qingxi blinked. "But I start school in September, and I'm in first grade."
Kang Cong: ? ? ?
Zhong Yan: ? ? ?
Pei Liang raised her eyes and looked at him again, "You're in first grade too?"
Ye Qingxi nodded.
"Your grades are good?"
Ye Qingxi considered carefully before replying, "It's alright."
Upon hearing this, Pei Liang became somewhat interested.
He said that his two childhood friends were both terrible at the game.
Of course, his peers are just as bad.
They're all noobs, utterly vulnerable.
I wonder what level of novice Ye Qingxi is. I hope he's better than his two childhood friends.
As he was thinking this, Pei Ying couldn't wait to show off, "Xiao Liang has been learning piano recently, and she can play it now. She plays it quite well, listen to her."
Zhong Xiang: ...
Kang Chi: ...
Damn it, here we go again!
He never misses showing off his grandson every time we meet!
So what if his grandson is so great?
That's really something, his grandson is awesome QAQ
Zhong Xiang understood his grandson's situation now; he was also feeling unwell and wanted to leave.
"Xiao Liang, play your newly learned piano for Grandpa Kang, Grandpa Zhong, and Grandpa Mu," Pei Ying said with a smile to her grandson.
Zhong Yan: !!!
Kang Cong: !!!
Pei Liang put down the watermelon juice in his hand and glanced at his two childhood friends.
"Sorry, I've learned a new skill."
Zhong Yan: ? ? ?
"You don't seem embarrassed at all!"
Pei Liang smiled, "It's just a token gesture, isn't it to show my politeness?"
Zhong Yan: ...Where exactly was your manners?!
The next second, Pei Liang had already walked up to Kang Chi and said obediently, "Grandpa Kang, can I borrow the piano for a moment?"
Kang Chi: ...
What could Kang Chi say?
Kang Chi had no choice but to agree.
Pei Liang walked to the piano near the French windows, sat down slowly, and then raised his hand.
The piano music flowed lightly from his fingers.
Ye Qingxi took a dessert and listened while eating.
It must be said that, for a five-year-old child, Pei Liang played the piano quite well.
Although he played "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," it's already quite good that he was able to play it at all.
Ye Qingxi raised her hand and clapped for him.
Pei Ying said proudly, "How was it? Not bad, right?"
“It’s pretty good,” Kang Chi said.
"Xiao Liang is really smart," Zhong Xiang couldn't help but exclaim.
Pei Ying nodded, then looked at Mu Feng.
Mu Feng: ...
What, you expect him to praise Pei Liang?
Even when Mu Shaoting played the piano beautifully as a child, he only said "not bad." Is this "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" really worth his praise?
Mu Feng said indifferently, "Not very good."
Pei Ying was indignant. "How is it not good? It was played so well! Can you even do it?"
"My daughter is fine," Mu Feng said dismissively.
"How old is your daughter? How dare she compare to Xiao Liang? Our Xiao Liang is only five years old. It's already very good that she can play like this at five years old."
Mu Feng: "Heh."
"What are you 'hehing' about? Why don't you let your grandson try it and see if he can do it?"
Why should I let my grandson try it?
“That means your grandson isn’t good enough.” Pei Ying patted his arm. “Old Mu, it’s not shameful to admit that someone else’s grandson is good. Look, I can admit that you were very good back then. It’s just that times have changed. Now it’s our grandson’s era.”
Mu Feng: "I'm not dead, so how come it's their era?"
Pei Ying:......
Pei Ying was speechless. "Fine, I can't argue with you. I'm not going to say anything more."
Mu Feng was satisfied; that was more like it.
Ye Qingxi doesn't need to compare herself to anyone.
He came here to make friends, not to participate in a piano competition.
Zhong Yan, with her sharp ears, overheard Mu Feng and the others' conversation and asked Ye Qingxi, "Can you play the piano? Grandpa Mu said his daughter can, can you?"
Ye Qingxi: ...
Ye Qingxi certainly knows how.
He can play not only the piano, but also the violin, guitar, and drums.
When he was a child, he learned all these talents in order to succeed in his auditions.
When he was fifteen, while writing songs, he spent a year playing the piano, guitar, and drums, and also learned bass.
but……
Pei Liang is five years old.
Ye Qingxi really didn't want to compete with him.
They won, didn't they? They bullied the kid.
He lost, didn't he? Just kidding. He released three original albums, each one a huge hit, making him the "God of Songs" that year.
How could we possibly lose?
"If you don't refute it, it means you will, right?" Zhong Yan said.
Ye Qingxi: I didn't say that.
Zhong Yan's eyes immediately lit up, "How did you play? Was it as good as his?"
Ye Qingxi: ...
Kang Cong, being a good friend of Zhong Yan, immediately added, "He didn't refute it, which means he played better than him."
Ye Qingxi: ? ? ?
No, who taught you two to do reading comprehension like this!
Did I say that?!
The next second, Ye Qingxi felt her hand being raised.
Zhong Yan exclaimed happily, "Grandpa, Ye Qingxi can play the piano, and he wants to play it too."
Zhongxiang: !!!
Kang Chi: !!!
Pei Ying:? ? ?
The three of them looked at Mu Feng.
Mu Feng is no better than the other three, yet Ye Qingxi can play the piano?
Could it be that Ye Min taught it before?
That's possible.
As far as Mu Feng was concerned, he tacitly agreed that Ye Min was an all-rounder who could do everything. If it weren't for his family's poverty limiting him, Ye Min's life would not have ended up as a civil servant.
"Why are you looking at me?" Mu Feng remained calm. "My daughter can play the piano, and so can my grandson. Isn't that normal?"
"Then why didn't you let him try?"
Have you ever heard my daughter play the piano?
Everyone shook their heads.
"That's it then," Mu Feng said arrogantly. "Are you even worthy to listen to my grandson play the zither?"
Everyone: ...
"Mu Feng, let me tell you, the only reason we can still be friends is because I'm broad-minded and have a good temper." Pei Ying picked up her teacup and took a sip.
Zhong Xiang and Kang Chi, who were standing to the side, glanced at him secretly, thinking to themselves: Who isn't like that!
When Pei Liang saw that Ye Qingxi was about to play, he stood up and gave him his seat.
He was somewhat surprised, "You can do that too?"
Ye Qingxi smiled, "I know a little bit."
"It seems you're better than Kang Cong and Zhong Yan."
Kang Cong and Zhong Yan, standing nearby: ...We're still here! We can still hear you! We're not deaf!
"Xiao Xi, you play," Zhong Yan said. "I'm listening."
"Keep it up, Xiao Xi!" Kang Cong encouraged him.
Ye Qingxi had no choice but to sit down.
He figured that given his age and physical condition, he couldn't play anything too difficult, so he played "Ode to Joy".
As soon as they finished talking, Zhong Yan and Kang Cong immediately applauded.
"It sounds great!"
"Xiao Xi, you're amazing!"
Kang Chi and Zhong Xiang, who were sitting on the sofa, couldn't help but say, "You played so well."
"Xiao Xi is really doing a great job, Lao Mu, you're amazing!"
Mu Feng's lips curled up slightly. "It's not bad."
He turned to his friend, "How is it?"
"Not very good," Pei Ying said stubbornly.
Mu Feng said indifferently, "How is it not good? It was played very well. Can you do it?"
Pei Ying:? ? ?
These are his words!
Pei Yingqi said, "I can't, but my grandson can."
He looked at his grandson, "Xiao Liang, play another song."
Pei Liang: ...Is it possible that he has only just started learning and has only learned this one song?
When Zhong Yan and Kang Cong saw him standing still, they instantly understood.
The two of them immediately egged him on, "Xiao Xi, play another one."
"Yes, Xiaoxi, you'll win if you play one more song."
Ye Qingxi felt it was unnecessary.
Just as he was about to get up, he heard Pei Liang ask him, "Do you know anything else?"
He asked the question calmly and seriously, without any sense of competition or dissatisfaction.
Seeing this, Ye Qingxi nodded.
“You play,” Pei Liang said.
Ye Qingxi: ...
Ye Qingxi had no choice but to search for simple pieces that could be played at her age.
He played "Two Tigers".
Zhong Yan and Kang Cong immediately jumped up, "Yay! Xiao Xi won!"
"Hmph, let you show off for a second, now you've lost."
"This is what they mean by 'there are always people better than you, and there's always something beyond your understanding.' Pei Liang, you've finally met your match."
The two children laughed heartily.
Zhong Xiang and Kang Chi couldn't help but laugh.
Although they also liked Pei Liang very much, and also liked their old friend of many years, in the past few years, ever since their grandson started school, they had been constantly overshadowed by their old friend. Now that their old friend had finally made a fool of himself, when else would they laugh if not now?
"I never expected this. More than forty years ago, you were suppressed by Mu Feng, and now your grandson is being suppressed by Mu Feng's grandson. This bloodline suppression is hilarious!"
Upon hearing this, Mu Feng turned to his old friend and asked, "How was your playing?"
Pei Ying:......
Mu Feng chuckled: "It's not shameful to admit that someone else's grandson is amazing. Look, you were quick to admit that I was amazing back then. Now times have changed, it's our grandson's era, so you should be able to admit that my grandson is amazing too."
Pei Ying:? ? ?
Isn't this also one of his lyrics?
What, you think you have such a good memory?
Pei Ying picked up the teacup and drank the tea in large gulps.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com