“Xiao Feng?”
A coarse, aged voice suddenly rang out from behind them, immediately drawing their attention.
Turning around to see an old man, the girl instantly wondered if he was Qin Nanfeng’s grandfather.
She instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but Qin Nanfeng held it so tightly that she couldn’t break free at all.
Seeing this, Lin Xinyuan felt huffy deep down, but she still forced herself to look up and give the approaching old man a visibly stiff smile.
‘Yellow-Haired Brat… it’s all your fault… I haven’t even prepared myself yet… what do I do, what do I do…’
While Lin Xinyuan’s mind raced, debating whether she should just address him as “Grandpa,” Qin Nanfeng finally spoke up.
He smiled and pulled the girl toward the old man. “Grandpa Xiao, are you here this early to play chess with my grandfather?”
“Oh, it really is you, kid! You finally decided to come back and see your old man?”
Grandpa Xiao was quite tall. Even though his height had shrunk with age, he was still about 5 feet 10 inches tall. The old man was in high spirits.
Qin Nanfeng’s attitude was polite yet not distant. “You’re joking. Don’t I come back every year?”
“Well, you’re still a good boy.” Grandpa Xiao nodded repeatedly, looking at the bags in their hands.
Then he sized up the youth in front of him and sighed with emotion. “You’ve grown taller again. You look like a man now. Not bad, not bad…”
As he spoke, the old man’s gaze finally landed on the beautiful girl whose hand was held by Qin Nanfeng. He looked friendly. “This is… Xiao Feng’s partner, right?”
Before Qin Nanfeng could say anything, Lin Xinyuan spoke up quickly.
“Grandpa Xiao… h-hello! I am… Brother Feng’s girlfriend!”
Although she knew from their conversation that he was likely just a friend of Grandpa Qin, she couldn’t help but panic.
Still, she feigned composure, trying her best to appear elegant and poised.
But as soon as she finished speaking, Lin Xinyuan sheepishly shrank behind Qin Nanfeng. Grandpa Xiao was stunned for a moment before he couldn’t help but chuckle.
Even though he thought the girl was a bit timid, her attitude was good. He could tell she was a kind child, and that was enough.
He was very happy that Qin Nanfeng had found such a beautiful girl with such a good personality.
Thinking this, Grandpa Xiao nodded repeatedly with a kind expression. “Ah, hello! You’re such a beautiful young lady.”
Then, he looked at Qin Nanfeng and patted his shoulder with a smile. “Not bad, Xiao Feng! You have good taste. You’re very lucky! Your grandfather will be thrilled to know you’ve found such a wife.”
Even though she knew these were likely just polite pleasantries, being praised like that still made Lin Xinyuan feel shy. Her small hand, held by the youth, involuntarily tightened its grip.
“Yes, I am lucky.” Qin Nanfeng nodded very seriously. He tilted his head to glance at the person leaning timidly against him, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
“Alright then, you two go on inside! Old Qin is still at home. I’ll be heading off now.”
Grandpa Xiao was well-versed in the ways of the world. Seeing the grandson and granddaughter-in-law return, he planned to leave and come back later to play chess with Grandpa Qin.
“Alright, then take care, Grandpa Xiao. Remember to come over this afternoon. Stay for dinner tonight before you leave.”
Qin Nanfeng waved to Grandpa Xiao. Seeing this, Lin Xinyuan also hurriedly waved goodbye like the Yellow-Haired Brat. “Goodbye, Grandpa Xiao!”
No matter how uncomfortable she felt, she had to maintain basic manners. She didn’t want to leave a bad impression on the Yellow-Haired Brat’s family or acquaintances…
Watching Grandpa Xiao leave, Lin Xinyuan breathed a sigh of relief. But the thought that she was about to face Qin Nanfeng’s actual grandfather made her even more nervous.
“Hmph…” She turned her head away, indignantly ignoring Qin Nanfeng. Even though the Yellow-Haired Brat was holding her hand, she stopped struggling.
It was all his fault. He brought her here without her being prepared or even giving her a detailed explanation…
“Shall we go, my girl?”
Qin Nanfeng squeezed the girl’s soft, delicate hand. The curve of his lips was uncontrollable, carrying a hint of teasing.
Lin Xinyuan’s forehead metaphorically twitched with annoyance. She really wanted to curse out this guy who only knew how to take advantage of her. “Get lost…”
“Then I’ll get lost. You’re going to see my grandfather by yourself?”
“I…”
Lin Xinyuan’s words caught in her throat. She didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t exactly leave and let Qin Nanfeng go in alone…
Since she was already here…
Fine, she would see him. If she died, she died!
It was bound to happen sooner or later anyway…
Thinking this, Lin Xinyuan couldn’t help but swallow hard. She was even more nervous. She gave the guy one last glare, then looked straight ahead, feigning composure and saying no more.
Only Qin Nanfeng could sense her body trembling slightly and understand her current emotions.
“Don’t be afraid… My grandfather is very kind. He’ll definitely love his granddaughter-in-law…”
Qin Nanfeng seemed to think of something. A strange look flashed through his eyes, and his originally playful voice turned somber. But before Lin Xinyuan could notice, he became serious again. “Besides… you have me…”
The youth’s gaze was intense and tender, staring straight at Lin Xinyuan as if he wanted to melt her.
Lin Xinyuan’s heart trembled under his gaze. Her previous feelings of embarrassment, anger, and panic dissipated quite a bit.
She began to look around, responding in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz. “Oh…”
But her heart was in a total mess.
‘This guy… he only knows how to say these sweet words… truly a scumbag!’
‘Hmph… I’m a broad-minded person and won’t stoop to the level of this shameless scoundrel!’
And so, holding hands and carrying bags of ingredients and fruit, the two of them walked inside. They arrived at the courtyard gate of a small three-story building.
Before they even entered, they could hear movement inside.
Aside from the meowing of a cat, there was a creaking sound similar to a rocking chair, along with the faint sound of a video — seemingly a food documentary or something similar.
Lin Xinyuan could faintly hear words like “fresh and fragrant” and “hotpot.” The narrator’s voice was deep and familiar…
“Grandpa, open the door.”
Qin Nanfeng knocked on the metal gate and called out.
As soon as he spoke, the noise inside stopped instantly.
Moments later, heavy and powerful footsteps began to approach the gate —
The gate opened, and a figure that was old but standing ramrod straight appeared before them. The old man held a folding fan, lazily fanning himself.
Lin Xinyuan finally saw the man’s face clearly.
Although there were many wrinkles on his face, one could still see traces of his extraordinary youth.
He looked to be in his 60s, with a steady gait. He stood straight, lacking the tottering steps of most elderly people.
His expression was majestic and imposing, carrying a heavy sense of pressure. However, unlike her own grandfather’s fierce appearance, this man’s authority was tempered with a sense of calm and warmth.
This sight immediately caused the girl’s heart, which had just barely steadied, to race once again…