Chapter 37: Great-Grandpa is Scary, Xiao Chu is Afraid…

Chapter 37: Great-Grandpa Is Terrifying, Xiao Chu Is Scared…

After dropping Ji Gaozheng off at home, Uncle Li called Ji Fuxi. "Mr. Ji, the old man knows."

In the top-floor office of Yuanhe Tower, Ji Fuxi set down his pen and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. His voice was calm, as if he had anticipated this. "When did he find out?"

"Probably a couple of days ago. The old man has a lot of information and photos of Ms. Song and Xiao Chu."

Ji Fuxi chuckled softly. So he’d known all along—the old man was quite patient.

Nothing stays secret forever. Moving into the small villa in Rongyuan, driving the mother and daughter to and from school and work, taking Song Tan to Lan Yu’s winery, bringing Xiao Chu to the company, and the frequent trending topics these past few days—all of this might have fooled Song Tan’s fans, but it was impossible to hide from Ji Gaozheng.

He had been prepared for this day ever since accepting Xiao Chu.

"Leave Grandpa to me," Ji Fuxi said, his left hand in his pants pocket as he gazed ahead. "Isn’t Pei Qiu’s birthday next week?"

"Yes."

"Tell Ji Jiangdie to throw a birthday party and invite Pei Qiu’s close friends."

Uncle Li sounded surprised. "What about Xiao Chu?"

Ji Fuxi didn't elaborate, merely giving a faint "Hmm."

…

That evening, Ji Fuxi arrived on time for a work dinner, where he ran into Liang Chuwen, whom he hadn't seen in ages.

As soon as they met, Liang Chuwen sidled up. "Mr. Ji, tell me—how did you manage when your wife was pregnant?"

Ji Fuxi didn't understand and glanced at him.

Liang Chuwen sighed. "Maybe I had it too easy before, but now every day is a struggle. It’s brutal."

"What are you talking about?"

Liang Chuwen looked surprised. "What? Your wife let you near her when she was pregnant?"

"…" Ji Fuxi finally understood and took a sip of his drink.

"I know it’s risky, so I can keep my hands to myself for a few months—what kind of man would I be otherwise? But why does my wife get even more beautiful when she’s pregnant? She’s gained a little weight, her complexion is glowing, and the way she looks at me, it’s torture every damn day."

After his long complaint, Liang Chuwen turned back only to find Ji Fuxi walking off, hands in his pockets. "Hey, Mr. Ji, don’t leave! Let’s discuss this!"

Once the dinner began, Liang Chuwen sat next to Ji Fuxi and was about to lean in again when he heard a cold remark: "Don’t talk to me."

"…Ji Fuxi, what’s got you so tense—or are you just pent up?!"

Ji Fuxi glared at him. "Stick to business. Or shut it."

Liang Chuwen grumbled under his breath—probably just sexually frustrated, with his wife always away filming. "I just wanted to discuss it. My wife’s moods are all over the place now; I'm walking on eggshells at home…"

There was silence for a moment, and just as Liang Chuwen was about to drop it, he heard a muttered remark: "Nothing to discuss. I wasn’t there when she was pregnant."

"Ah…" Right, his wife had gone abroad to give birth. Liang Chuwen shut his mouth, not wanting to rub salt in the wound.

The dinner involved toasting with senior officials, and since Ji Fuxi had business at stake, he drank quite a bit.

Once serious discussions began, Liang Chuwen became professional and managed to charm the officials.

After several rounds of toasts, Liang Chuwen was worn out and complained softly, "How does Minister Jiang drink so much?" Then, perking up, he declared, "I refuse to believe I can't outdrink him!"

Around 9 p.m., Ji Fuxi’s phone screen lit up on the table. Liang Chuwen spotted the name "Xiao Chu" first and elbowed him. "Mr. Ji, your daughter’s calling."

Ji Fuxi noticed it then and took the phone outside to answer.

"What’s wrong, Xiao Chu?" He checked the time—almost 9:30, her usual bedtime. "Why aren’t you asleep? Where’s Mom?"

Song Chuqing’s voice was muffled, as if she was hiding under the covers. Instead of answering, she asked first, "Daddy, are you drinking?"

Ji Fuxi was surprised by the question but answered honestly, "Yes, I’m having a work dinner with some uncles."

The little girl's voice quivered. "Wuwu… Daddy, don’t drink. Come home quickly."

Alarmed, he asked urgently, "What happened? Is Mom there? Where are you?"

"Daddy, I’m fine. Just don’t drink. You can’t drink…"

Song Chuqing’s voice shook strangely. Ji Fuxi immediately reassured her, "Okay, I won’t drink anymore. I’m coming home now."

The little girl softly agreed.

Back in the private room, Ji Fuxi made his excuses and left.

The others tried to stop him. "Mr. Ji, in such a hurry?"

Before they could finish, he was already gone.

Twenty minutes later, he arrived home and went straight upstairs without even changing. Song Tan, still awake, came out and asked what was wrong. After checking that she was fine, Ji Fuxi entered their daughter’s room.

Song Chuqing hadn’t slept either, clutching her smartwatch while waiting.

The moment the door opened, she sat up. "Daddy!"

Ji Fuxi hurried over and picked her up, his expression anxious. "Are you okay?"

Song Chuqing wrinkled her nose at the smell of alcohol on him. Glancing at her mom, who had followed him in, she pouted sadly. "Daddy, don’t fight with Mommy."

Song Tan, standing behind him, finally understood what had prompted this.

That afternoon, Xiao Chu had mentioned that Li Keke’s parents had fought because her dad drank too much. At bedtime, the little girl had suddenly asked if her dad was going out to eat. When Song Tan said yes, she asked if he would drink. Without thinking much, Song Tan had said he would—for work.

Song Chuqing had stayed quiet, closed her eyes to sleep, and then half an hour later, her dad rushed home in a panic.

Hiding a smile, Song Tan walked over to reassure the worried girl. "Sweetheart, Daddy drinks for work. Mommy isn’t angry. We won’t fight or get divorced."

"Really?"

"Really. Come on, let’s go back to sleep."

Song Chuqing climbed down from Ji Fuxi’s arms but held onto him. "Stay with me."

The two adults exchanged a glance.

After a moment, Song Tan nodded first. "But Daddy needs to change first."

The little girl grinned. "Okay~"

Song Tan got into bed, and Song Chuqing snuggled into her arms. She reassured her once more, "Sweetheart, Mommy and Daddy won’t fight or get divorced. We’ll always be with you."

"Okay, Mom, I got it."

Ji Fuxi came up quickly and lay down on the other side.

Song Chuqing looked at her parents on either side of her, then held one hand of each, finally relaxed.

Even when Dad drinks, Mommy and Daddy won’t get divorced. That’s great.

The little girl, worried all night, soon fell asleep. Even in her sleep, her eyes darted around, and her little mouth curled up—perhaps she was having a sweet dream.

She was out cold, leaving the two grown-ups at a loss.

Song Chuqing’s bed was only 1.5 meters wide, making it quite cramped for three people. Song Tan tried to slip her hand free, but the moment she moved, Song Chuqing reflexively gripped it even tighter.

No way around it. Song Tan said to him, "We might have to wait a bit."

She filled him in quietly. After listening, Ji Fuxi was conflicted as he gazed at his daughter.

After a long while, he finally looked away, his eyes meeting Song Tan’s in the nightlight’s soft glow. "Song Tan."

Song Tan adjusted the blanket and smoothed the little girl’s tousled bangs, answering distractedly, "Hmm?"

"Grandfather knows."

Song Tan lifted her eyes, slightly surprised. "What did he say?"

"I haven’t seen him yet." Ji Fuxi looked at her, his voice gentle. "Pei Qiu’s birthday is next week. I want to bring Xiao Chu. Do you want to come too?"

Song Tan thought quietly for a moment before answering, "Let Xiao Chu go first. We’ll take it slow."

They couldn’t go back now. She was content—she hadn’t sold herself short, but she also didn’t have the full courage to face his family.

Sucking up to his grandpa and entering his family wasn’t her life’s mission. But since they’d decided to live together as Xiao Chu’s parents, she ought to contribute something too.

That grandfather was extremely important to him and was also Xiao Chu’s family. She hoped for a good outcome in the end.

One step at a time. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

Thinking this, Song Tan smiled at him. "What if Grandfather reacts strongly?"

Ji Fuxi leaned over and took her hand, resting on the blanket. "That’s for me to handle."

Song Tan’s gaze was drawn into his dark eyes, and her heart suddenly settled. She pressed her lips together. "Mm."

The little one in her arms suddenly turned over, mumbling "Mommy" and interrupting their conversation.

Song Tan withdrew her hand and pulled Song Chuqing closer, gently patting her back. "Go take a shower. I’ll sleep with Xiao Chu."

"Okay." He did smell like booze. Ji Fuxi got up and left the bed.

At the doorway, he glanced back.

Her soft eyes rested on their daughter, and even the strands of hair framing her face seemed tender.

He lingered for another moment before turning off the light.

…

Pei Qiu’s birthday fell on a Friday.

He had invited Li Keke and Song Chuqing in advance. Right after school on Friday, the three kids rode in the Ji family car back to the old estate in the western suburbs.

As soon as they got in the car, Song Chuqing saw Uncle Li and called out cheerfully, "Grandpa Li!"

Yao Peiqiu was surprised. "Huh? Xiao Chu, how do you know Grandpa Li?"

What kind of question was that? She just knew him! Every time Daddy picked her up, it was Grandpa Li driving. Song Chuqing said, "Because Grandpa Li knows my daddy!"

The little lord was clueless. Uncle Li smirked to himself from the front seat and glanced back. "Alright, kids, buckle up."

They were in a company van today, so each child had their own seat and obediently fastened their seatbelts.

Yao Peiqiu didn’t dwell on the question of recognition and instead began babbling excitedly about his birthday party. "My mom ordered a huge cake for me—five layers tall! And there are lots of yummy little cakes and pastries. Grandma Jiang made tons of delicious food too!"

Li Keke lit up. "Can I blow out the candles?"

"Of course! We’ll blow them out together!" Yao Peiqiu wasn’t finished. "There’s also a clown and sooo many balloons." He spread his arms wide. "This many!"

Li Keke: "Wow!"

"My mom invited lots of people too! Uncle Jiarui is coming—he’s so fun! He always does magic tricks for me!"

Li Keke: "My mom and dad are coming too!"

"Yeah!"

Hearing this, Song Chuqing felt a little sad. Mommy had work today and couldn’t come with her—only Daddy was here.

Song Chuqing looked at Yao Peiqiu. "Pei Qiu, can I bring a piece of cake back for my mommy?"

"Of course! I’ll cut a big piece for Xiao Chu’s mommy!"

"Hehe." Song Chuqing perked up.

They chattered nonstop the whole way until they finally arrived.

Though they’d been to the old estate before, the two girls were still amazed when the car entered the courtyard, with their noses pressed to the glass.

Yao Peiqiu’s birthday party was held on the lawn by the little lake, decorated with flowers, balloons, and glittering lights!

Li Keke gasped. "So pretty~"

Yao Peiqiu puffed up proudly. "Right?!"

The car stopped at the main entrance, where Aunt Jiang and the housekeeper were waiting.

Aunt Jiang had already learned something from Uncle Li. Now, she stared intently at the back seat, and when she saw that delicate, sweet little girl, her eyes welled up involuntarily.

When she first heard the news, her initial reaction was shock. But then came relief. Old Li had said the child was very well-behaved—just like Xixi, she was fussy about cleanliness and hated greens, and was glued to Xixi, who doted on her right back.

Xixi lost his mom young, and with the family being what it was, no wonder she felt relieved.

Old Li had added that she’d seen the girl before—the little girl who’d visited with the young master before New Year’s. Aunt Jiang searched her memory and was floored.

That girl with the starlet mom?

Then the worry set in—getting past the old patriarch would be the real challenge.

But seeing the child in person now put some of her worries to rest—who wouldn't adore such an adorable and beautiful little girl?

Yao Peiqiu got out of the car first and called out, "Granny Jiang, we're back!"

"Ah." Auntie Jiang responded briefly, then reached past him toward the little girl behind him, her eyes brimming with affection. "Come here, sweetheart. Let Granny give you a hug."

Yao Peiqiu blinked in confusion.

Song Chuqing was also puzzled, but since the hands were already extended in front of her, she obediently allowed herself to be picked up. She had met Granny Jiang before—last time when they came to see the piglets, she had even made them cookies.

"Hello, Grandma~" The little girl's voice was soft and sweet, sweet as honey.

Auntie Jiang lifted her up and examined her carefully. She didn’t look much like Xixi, but the shape of her face and eyes revealed hints of their father-daughter likeness. She was indeed Xixi’s child.

Auntie Jiang smiled warmly. "Come on, let’s go meet your great-grandfather."

The living room was already filled with quite a few people—Ji Gaozheng, Ji Zhongliang’s family, Ji Jiangdie and her husband, Li Keke’s parents, along with several close relatives and their children—all chatting animatedly.

Auntie Jiang set Song Chuqing down and announced, "Grandfather, she’s arrived."

Everyone in the living room turned to look outside in unison.

Among them, only Ji Gaozheng knew the truth. The elderly man’s sharp gaze locked onto the four-year-old girl, studying her with narrowed eyes.

Yao Peiqiu and Li Keke had already ran off to their parents, leaving Song Chuqing standing alone at the doorway.

Surrounded by unfamiliar faces, all staring at her in silence, she felt utterly isolated.

Even the great-grandfather in the middle had terrifying eyes. The shy little girl took two frightened steps back, her small fists clenched anxiously, gripping the hem of her dress, too scared to move.

Wahh… Daddy’s not here yet… I’m scared…

Song Chuqing stood rooted to the spot, her wide, frightened eyes welled with panic, unsure of what to do.

"Xiao Chu."

A familiar voice suddenly came from behind her. Song Chuqing immediately relaxed and turned around.

Spotting him, she dashed forward and shouted, "Daddy!"