Chapter 192: Siyang, Siyang—Sounds Pretty Familiar, Doesn’t It?

Chapter 192: Siyang, Siyang—Sounds Pretty Familiar, Doesn’t It?

Without giving it much thought, Yu Siyang enthusiastically showed the elderly man a few trinkets that young girls tend to love.

The old man narrowed his eyes and looked a little displeased. "You seem to know quite a bit about young girls?"

Yu Siyang, looking confused, let out an "Ah," his eyes still pure and clear as he looked at the old man.

The elderly man gave Yu Siyang another look but didn’t say anything more. He casually pointed to two small items, paid for them, and left.

This little episode wasn’t given much thought by anyone.

The elderly man walked out of Yujia Commercial Store with the two items he had bought. Another old man, dressed like a rural farmer, approached him with a smile. "Grandfather, how did it go?"

The old man didn’t respond, merely tossing the two items to the other man before getting into the carriage waiting at the corner of the alley.

The rural-looking old man examined the items in his arms.

He was from the capital and had seen many fine things.

They weren’t especially valuable, but they had a clever design that made them fun to play with.

"These are..." the rural-looking old man asked.

"For Ah Wu to play with, of course," the elderly man in the carriage casually replied.

The rural-looking old man smiled. "Ah Wu’s gonna love these."

The old man didn’t respond.

The rural-looking old man glanced back at the sign for Yujia Commercial Store before getting into the carriage.

"Grandfather, how did it go?" the rural-looking old man asked with a smile. "Previously, didn’t you have someone inquire about this family’s background before you felt at ease letting Ah Wu come to play with the young mistress of this household?"

The old man rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Alright, Old Mao, enough. I didn’t expect that silly girl Ah Wu to..."

The old man couldn’t continue and rubbed his nose.

The man called "Old Mao" chuckled. "Grandfather, that’s just how things are meant to be."

The old man humphed and didn’t say anything more.

The carriage moved slowly and finally stopped at a newly-built villa on the western hillside of Mapo County.

The villa, newly renovated, stood out with its fresh white walls and blue tiles.

A simple sign hanging above read "Liu Manor."

The old man and the man called "Old Mao" got off the carriage one after another.

The doorkeeper came forward and said to Old Mao, "...Master Mao, a few more invitations have come from people who want to meet with Grandfather."

Old Mao waved his hand without even looking. "Leave them there. Grandfather probably has no interest in seeing any visitors for the time being."

Grandfather Liu strode into the courtyard, hands behind his back, without a backward glance. The doorkeeper responded, "Yes."

Grandfather Liu suddenly called out again, "Old Mao, come in and have some tea with me."

Old Mao responded promptly and followed briskly.

Grandfather Liu and Old Mao drank tea for about a good thirty minutes when someone came to report that the young mistress had returned and asked if the old master was at home.

Grandfather Liu's eyes lit up and he sat up a little straighter, waiting eagerly for his granddaughter.

The house was small, and before long, a bright young voice called out, "Grandfather~"

Grandfather Liu tried to look serious, but a smile had already bloomed on his face.

Ah Wu ran in happily, with Moliu following behind her, anxiously reminding, "Young mistress, watch your step!"

Ah Wu poked her tongue out, slowing down a bit. She lifted the door curtain and smiled, "Grandfather~"

The young girl had run all the way, her cheeks flushed.

Grandfather Liu tried to appear dignified and hummed lightly.

Ah Wu, however, was used to her grandfather's act. She smiled and sat down beside him, her eyes drawn to the snacks on the small table nearby. She smiled brightly and, cushioning her hand with a napkin, took a snack to eat.

Grandfather Liu's eyes were full of affection.

He glanced at Old Mao and coughed quietly.

Old Mao, having followed Grandfather Liu for many years, understood immediately. He smiled and took out the two small trinkets he had bought from Yujia Commercial Store, presenting them, "Young mistress, these are gifts that the old master bought for you during his outing."

Grandfather Liu added, "I bought them casually."

The snacks were very small, and Ah Wu finished one in a single bite. She was about to reach for another when Old Mao mentioned that Grandfather had bought her gifts. She immediately smiled sweetly and said to Grandfather Liu, "Thank you, Grandfather. I knew you love me the most."

Grandfather Liu beamed at her words.

But when Ah Wu saw the items Old Mao presented, she blinked, surprised, "Huh, aren't these things from Siyang's shop?"

The smile on Grandfather Liu's face stiffened immediately.

Calling him 'Siyang' like they're old friends! That young man from the Yujia family surely has ulterior motives!

Ah Wu was completely absorbed in the items Grandfather Liu had "just happened to pick up." She examined them closely, as if she could see a flower in them.

Moliu, however, was not as relaxed as her young mistress.

Moliu's smile also stiffened a little.

...Just happened to pick up? Grandfather, do you think I believe that?

He definitely went to Yujia Commercial Store on purpose!

Seeing that Ah Wu was engrossed with the items, Grandfather Liu coughed, "...Ah Wu."

Ah Wu responded, "Ah," remembering something. She carefully placed the small item aside and said, "By the way, Grandfather, I have something to tell you too."

Grandfather Liu, now curious, asked, "What is it?"

"You go first, Grandfather," Ah Wu said, "Didn't you call for me just now?"

Grandfather Liu gazed at his granddaughter, who was as delicate and beautiful as a flower. She was already eighteen years old, but still as happy and innocent as a child. She could happily play with the two small trinkets he brought back for hours.

He was getting old, and he didn’t know how many more years he had left.

“After I’m gone, I worry about what will happen to my delicate and innocent granddaughter, who knows nothing of the world. I fear those with ill intentions will take advantage of her.”

In the end, Grandfather Liu slowly said, "It's nothing, I just wanted to ask if you had a good time playing outside today."

Ah Wu perked up. "I had a lot of fun! I went to find Xingxing, and we played shuttlecock for a while. I sweated a lot!"

Grandfather Liu had investigated the Yujia family and naturally knew that Xingxing was a young girl they had taken in. His granddaughter seemed to truly enjoy her company.

A warm look softened Grandfather Liu’s eyes as he asked, "What was it that you wanted to tell me just now?"

Ah Wu thought for a moment, a troubled look appearing on her face. "Grandfather, you mentioned that you’d only consider a marriage where the husband moves into our family, is that really true?"

Grandfather Liu let out a violent cough.

Ah Wu jumped in surprise and quickly began patting his back with her small hands.

Once Grandfather Liu had calmed down, he was about to say something to Ah Wu when a servant delivered a letter, saying it was from the capital.

Grandfather Liu had retired and returned to his hometown, bringing back the only remaining orphaned daughter of his youngest son’s family. But he still had two sons serving in the capital.