He continued, “I don't want to go back now. I'm not yet ready.

“Grandfather, I have a good life here. Once I return with you, it will disrupt everything. My family and friends will all be affected. They have always helped me in the past. Whenever my mother or I have had difficulties, they have always lent a helping hand.

“Also…”

Mo Beihan looked at him and said, “Grandfather, I am engaged to my childhood sweetheart. We will be married in two years' time.”

Old Master Mo's eyes immediately widened. He had come here in a hurry. He had obtained the news by chance from the Ji family and seen Mo Beihan's features in a photograph. Then he had obtained the address of Mo Beihan's hometown from the Ji family. Since it was the same as the village that his son, Mo Huai, had been sent to in the past, he knew that this child was his grandson.

But he had not yet had time to investigate his actual circ.u.mstances.

This… he was engaged?

And would be married soon?

“This, this, this… who is this girl? Can I meet her? She's your wife, surely you will let me meet her?”

Mo Beihan laughed. “Don't worry, she's a fine girl. Our families live near each other and we grew up together. My mother likes her very much.

“Her family helped me a lot in the past. My mother has always been ill and her family took care of her. Her grandfather and father are doctors and her cousins are my friends.”

Old Master Mo nodded. His first impression of Gu Qingyao was a good one.

“Oh! Then she must be a fine girl. Why don't you let me meet her?”

Mo Beihan shook his head. “No. You'll frighten her.

“Right now, our life is very peaceful. She's still young and her family has always doted on her so she has never suffered any grievances. I don't want her to have any trouble because of me.”

Most importantly, I just want to court Yao Yao here in peace. I don't want to have to deal with those boring people in the capital!

Old Master Mo could tell that Mo Beihan was adamant. Although the child was very polite and patient on the surface, he was definitely high-handed.

He would not budge!

If he said he would not go, then that was that. He also would not permit the Old Master to disrupt their lives.

He was even more stubborn than Old Master Mo had been in his youth.

Old Master Mo also knew that such a deep estrangement would not be bridged so easily, and it was no use being impatient. He had put in a lot of effort to give his grandson a good impression, and he was unwilling to spoil it by insisting on his way.

That night, Old Master Mo refused to leave. He insisted on staying with Mo Beihan so that they could bond. The corners of Mo Beihan's mouth kept twitching.

He had no choice but to chat with the Old Master and allow him to stay the night. He even personally cooked dinner for the Old Master, which moved the latter so much that he almost cried.

His heart ached!

Which of those fellows at home knew how to cook?

His Han Han had suffered so much!

The children of poor people became independent very early on!

In his heart, he once again affirmed his decision to deal with his son severely the moment he got home.

The next day, Mo Beihan sent the old man off.

“You're getting on in years. You had better hurry home! I'll write to you. Give me your address.”

Old Master Mo happily wrote down his address immediately and instructed Steward Zhong to look out for his letters.

At last, before Old Master Mo left, Mo Beihan suddenly said, “Grandfather, I have something very important to tell you.”

Old Master Mo was taken aback!

Mo Beihan said, “I'm not your eldest grandson. To be precise, I'm the second eldest. I had an elder brother, but to support the family, he left the home even earlier to fight, but in the end… he made the ultimate sacrifice!

“He pa.s.sed away many years ago, but he left two children. Sister-in-law also left when I was still young, so my mother raised the three of us.”