A few days later, Jian Suiying received a call from the old man, asking him to visit him in Qinhuangdao. Jian Suiying realized it had indeed been several months since his last visit.
Now that with the storms finally passing and Grandpa’s timely call, Jian Suiying decided to visit him.
"Grandpa, is there anything you want me to bring?"
"Yes."
"What is it? I'll jot it down." "Bring Li Yu along."
"Huh?"
The old man took a drag on his cigarette, squinting as he said, "Bring Li Yu along too."
"Why?"
"Do I have to report everything to you?"
Then Jian Suiying bought some of the old man's favorite foods, picked up Li Yu's young wife, and set off in a grand procession for
Qinhuangdao.
Upon arriving at the old man's house, both were stunned. Li Xuan and an imposing elderly gentleman were seated inside. Li Yu awkwardly called out, "Grandfather."
. So this is how it turned out." His tone carried a hint of schadenfreude. Jian Suiying bowed respectfully: "This junior greets Grandfather Li."
Old Master Li glanced at him and gave a snort of his own. Turning to Old Master Jian, he asked, "Is this your grandson?"
Having been scolded all morning for being in the wrong, Old Master Jian was even more infuriated by this tone. "What's wrong with my grandson?"
?" he snapped, glaring at Jian Suiying.
Jian Suiying and Li Yu both felt awkward. What started as a young couple's romance had become complicated by the elders' involvement, making it seem like
Jian Suiying could only be honest. "We haven't thought about that yet."
Jian Suiying was startled by the old man's sudden outburst and momentarily lost her words. Li Yu whispered, "Grandpa, let's talk about this at home."
Old Mr. Li sighed and turned away. "They're infuriating."
Li Yu stepped forward earnestly. "Grandfather, we've discussed many issues at home. I've always maintained
, nor do we have any legal proof. Even if we did marry, it wouldn't guarantee anything. So promises and plans aren't reliable enough.
. What matters most is how we live each day. You should trust your grandson, and you should trust the person he chose."
Li Yu glanced at him, his eyes brimming with genuine, unmasked emotion.
Jian Suiying and Li Yu both nodded solemnly.
The two nodded eagerly again.
Li Yu's grandfather retorted,
"I'm also an open-minded person. I'm not trying to bind you with feudal ideas. I'm considering this from the perspective of a more rational elder. You must listen."
The conversation gradually devolved into a back-and-forth between the two old men, each vying to prove who was more open-minded. Li Yu secretly reached behind her and clasped Jian Suiying's hand.
Jian Suiying suppressed a smile at the corner of his mouth and gave his palm a discreet pinch. Li Yu flinched at the sting, then tightened his grip on his hand even more firmly.