Chapter 348 – Your family’s plum blossom is lost again (25)
Looking at Yan Luzheng’s expression, Mu Ci’s fingers tightened slightly.
“This time, I plan to hold a grand celebration for Luoluo’s seventeenth birthday and take the opportunity to officially announce her as the heir of the Yan family,” Yan Luzheng said softly.
Mu Ci nodded, then saw Yan Luzheng looking at him seriously. “There will be many guests, including outstanding young talents. Mu Ci, I hope you will attend that day—as Luoluo’s brother.”
Mu Ci’s fingers tightened, and the corners of his lips stiffened slightly as he forced a smile. “Grandpa Yan, I…”
“There’s no need to explain, nor do you have to rush to say anything.”
Yan Luzheng raised a hand to massage his temples. Perhaps it was the toll of his relentless efforts in his younger years, but as he aged, his health declined rapidly. Even a little exertion left him feeling fatigued.
“I’ve been through countless storms and seen many things, including situations like yours. I may not be able to see through everything you’re hiding, but I can feel it, especially after spending enough time together.”
Mu Ci fell silent, his lips pressed together, his eyes dark and devoid of light, lost in thought.
“You don’t seem to love Luoluo as much as you make it appear. I can sense that, however faintly. But at the same time, you’re different with her, you treat her in a way unlike anyone else. I wonder if you’ve realized it yourself.”
Mu Ci’s eyes widened slightly in shock. He looked up at Yan Luzheng, watching his lips move, yet the words seemed to explode like thunder in his ears.
“When you look at Luoluo, there seems to be light in your eyes.”
After that, Mu Ci barely remembered what else Yan Luzheng had said. Something about how his current state was far from enough, how he was too difficult to control, and how Yan Luzheng couldn’t entrust Yan Luo to him…
Back in his room, Mu Ci appeared calm, but his mind felt blank.
This feeling, it had never happened to him before. A wry smile tugged at his lips.
Light in his eyes? How ridiculous.
Yet, despite thinking that, his barely maintained smile faltered, then disappeared. His lips pressed into a thin line.
Sitting on the bed, he didn’t know what he was thinking. Clearly, he had only ever intended to be Yan Luo’s brother, and now he was finally about to get what he wanted, so why did he feel so restless?
Furrowing his brows, a trace of exhaustion flickered in his eyes. He glanced at the tablet hidden under his desk. Knowledge wouldn’t come without effort. He had always stayed up late to study in secret, catching up on sleep during the day. But tonight…
Tonight, nothing seemed to interest him. His mind was filled only with Yan Luzheng’s words:
“I’m getting old. Before my vision fails me completely, I want to find a reliable person for Luoluo. Someone who doesn’t need to be exceptionally capable, just someone who will love and cherish her and take care of her in my place for a lifetime…”
And you are not that person.
It made sense. From the very beginning—or rather, from the moment they met—he had never intended to take responsibility for that little girl’s life.
The Yan family provided him with temporary shelter, making it easier for him to move freely. And as for Yan Luo, of course, he would take care of her, but not in the way a husband would.
This was exactly the outcome he had envisioned.
And yet, all he could think was one stubborn, aggrieved question he wanted to ask Yan Luzheng:
—Am I really not reliable enough?