The atmosphere in the dining room suddenly beca inexplicably eerie. Mrs. Zhuang paused for a mont, looking at her grandson-in-law’s serious and handso face, suddenly realizing sothing.
She turned to Ruan Xinyu and said, "Make so chicken soup with red dates and yam for Nuannuan tonight to boost her energy."
"Alright." Ruan Xinyu responded.
She looked at Mu Yan and said, "Nuannuan, if you won’t drink the soup, at least eat more vegetables."
"Okay, thank you, Aunt." Mu Yan nodded and glanced down, seeing several slices of beef placed in her bowl.
She imdiately picked up a piece of vegetable with her chopsticks and placed it into his bowl.
Seeing this scene, everyone smiled knowingly. This young couple truly had a great relationship.
After lunch, Mr. Zhuang called Mu Yan into the study.
The old man’s study was richly traditional, made of the finest rosewood, with rows of bookshelves filled densely with books.
In his youth, Mr. Zhuang was the son of a wealthy rchant family in Jiangnan, well-versed in literature. Later, driven by a patriotic spirit, he chose to serve in the military.
After the liberation, he continued his studies, developed a keen interest in ancient Chinese literature, and upon retiring, dedicated himself to calligraphy and painting. The wall in his study was adorned with calligraphy works of his own creation.
When Mu Yan entered the study, the old man was writing with a brush. She watched as the ebony ink seeped into the rice paper, and five vigorous characters quickly appeared on the page.
"Harmony in the family brings prosperity." Seeing these five characters, Mu Yan had a rough idea of what the old man wanted to discuss with her.
Finishing the last stroke, the old man set the brush aside and asked Mu Yan, "What do you think of these words?"
"The strokes are sharp, flowing smoothly and naturally, embodying the style of a true master." Mu Yan said sincerely.
The old man looked at her and said, "Are you just saying that to please ?"
"No, Grandpa’s calligraphy is really excellent." Mu Yan hurriedly explained.
"Do you want to learn?" Mr. Zhuang asked.
Mu Yan paused for a mont, then instinctively said, "Yes."
"Then stay in Beijing and learn calligraphy with ."
"Huh?" Mu Yan was sowhat caught off guard.
Mr. Zhuang looked at her surprised expression, staring intently at her for a few seconds, and asked, "You don’t want to?"
The atmosphere in the study suddenly beca tense. Mu Yan t his shrewd and wise eyes, the kind of military authority exerting a pressure that made her nervous and breathless.
She clenched her hand, bit her lip, and said, "Yes, I don’t want to."
"Are you mad at us for protecting Jiaojiao?" Mr. Zhuang frowned.
Mu Yan looked at his slightly displeased face and countered, "Should I forgive her?"
Looking at her determined eyes, Mr. Zhuang was reminded of her childhood. Whatever she did, she was confident that she could do it well, and indeed, she always did.
Back then, he praised her for her steadfast nature, believing she would achieve great things in the future.
And she did not disappoint him.
Ultimately, they were the ones who let her down.
Grandfather and granddaughter stared at each other, neither speaking.
After a long while, Mr. Zhuang explained, "The Guan Family will never allow the only descendant to have a blemish. Their network of relationships is complex; soone will inevitably co forward to take the bla. As for Jiaojiao, if we don’t protect her, the Liang Family would also not let her fall into trouble, so in the end, you can do nothing, but instead, offend everyone."
"So, I must endure it?" Mu Yan chuckled lightly, her tone not without irony. "Indeed, this is Beijing. Anyone you randomly encounter could be a relative of a chief. As it’s said, commoners do not contend with officials. Offend them, and with just a word, they could make it so I can no longer continue in the entertainnt industry."
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