Chapter 333 – Your family’s plum blossom is lost again (10)
Yan Luo hesitated aggrievedly, glancing at her Grandpa’s resolute face before shifting her gaze to Mu Ci’s delicate features. She seemed to waver for a moment but eventually gave a soft response and reluctantly let go of Mu Ci’s hand. In a childish yet serious tone, she spoke, “Xiao Gege, next time, I’ll invite you to my house to play.”
Mu Ci immediately smiled, lifting a hand under Yan Luzheng’s watchful eyes to pinch Yan Luo’s cheek. His expression carried a hint of warmth, yet the curve of his lips exuded an indescribable charm that set him apart from boys his age. In that instant, the little girl was utterly captivated.
“Mm, alright. I’ll remember that, Luoluo.” His voice, though still youthful, carried a certain steadiness.
—Luoluo, my foot! Who gave you the right to call her that?
—That’s my precious granddaughter!! You little rascal, stay away from her!!!
On the surface, Yan Luzheng remained composed, but internally, he was screaming in protest.
In the end, he couldn’t help but step forward, scooping up his little princess into his arms. Only then did he notice that Mu Ci’s clothes still bore traces of dampness.
Yan Luzheng paused as he stood up, his eyes darkening slightly. He cast a look at Mu Beicheng. Though his granddaughter’s clothes were wet, she was ultimately a child of an unfamiliar household. The Mu family was somewhat well-known, a minor aristocratic family of sorts, so a certain level of caution was understandable. While the situation angered him, he could still comprehend their reasoning.
However, regarding this child—if he was truly their biological son, why, after reporting the missing child nand letting so much time pass, had they still not given him a change of clothes or even a blanket?
Were they really his parents?
“Mom, Dad, what’s going on?”
At that moment, a tender voice came from the staircase.
Mu Beicheng quickly turned and beckoned, “Xiao Li, come down.”
Yan Luzheng watched as Mu Li descended the stairs, his gaze pausing slightly.
Mu Beicheng immediately pulled the slightly older boy closer, his movements gentle and affectionate. “Mr. Yan, this is my eldest son, Mu Li.”
“Yes, yes,” Gu Mingli stepped forward as well, placing a hand intimately on Mu Li’s shoulder with a bright smile, as if trying to recover from her earlier misstep. “Mu Li is a little over two years older than Mu Ci. He’s very smart and mature. If Mu Ci lacks in certain areas, Xiao Li can help take care of your little princess.”
Mu Li looked up at his parents with some confusion before shifting his gaze to Yan Luo in Yan Luzheng’s arms. He spoke cautiously, his voice soft, “You mean taking care of this little sister?”
“Yes! Xiao Li, do you like having a little sister?” Gu Mingli asked with a smile.
Meanwhile, Mu Ci stood quietly to the side, his head slightly lowered, making it hard to discern his expression.
Yan Luo, holding onto Yan Luzheng’s neck, glanced at Mu Ci, who stood alone and looked somewhat dejected. She pursed her rosy lips and immediately spoke up, “No.”
“Hm?” Yan Luzheng had been observing the interaction when he was suddenly startled by the firm response from the little girl in his arms. He raised an eyebrow and turned to look at her, only to see her small face drooping, on the verge of tears.
“I only want Xiao Gege,” she declared, her voice petulant. “Grandpa, let’s go now! Xiao Gege needs to go and change his clothes.”
Yan Luzheng had a soft spot for Yan Luo and instantly relented.
“Alright, alright, little princess, we’re leaving.”
Without paying any attention to Mu Beicheng and Gu Mingli’s slightly awkward smiles, Yan Luzheng merely nodded at them before turning away and leaving directly.