Chapter 571 - Lovable

There was a strange silence that had taken root in the living room. Grandfather Xiang already had close to zero topics to talk about with Xiang Weimin and now with the addition of Xiang Wai, it was even more difficult. Just what was he supposed to ask them?

He couldn't be disrespectful to their privacy and ask about some personal stuff. After all, they were both adults and capable of making their own decisions. And he couldn't discuss their job as well since they both were in the military. Their jobs couldn't be casually discussed even with family.

Grandfather Xiang picked up the glass of water to moisten his throat.

In the meantime, Xiang Weimin lowered his voice and said to his sister, "Did you come here to compare yourself with Raelle?"

"No," replied Xiang Wai. "I was just casually asking."

"As her elder sister, drop the matter," added Xiang Weimin. "You don't have to dwell over the past that doesn't have anything to do with Raelle."

Xiang Wai pouted at him, "Ge, why are you taking her side?" She definitely wouldn't admit that she was also on Raelle's side. At least, no out outrightly. "Didn't she do enough to you last time she met you?"

Grandfather Xiang put the glass down on the table and stared at them, "Raelle went to see you?"

Xiang Weimin looked at his grandfather and shook his head, "She didn't specifically come to see me. It was a coincidence. We are kind of working on a project together."

Grandfather Xiang recalled the project that Raelle discussed with him and he instantly understood. However, he didn't think Raelle would come across her brother there. So, what happened? Actually, he didn't even have to think to know what must have happened.

Taking a deep breath, he said, "About our family's Yenay... I mean, Raelle." He cleared his throat and continued, "She is a very straightforward person. And her thoughts had always been very clear. She isn't really a bad person. Even if she comes across as one from her words. If she hurt you, trust me that wasn't her intention. I promise you, she had no hard feelings and she did not mean to hurt you in any way possible."

Xiang Weimin and Xiang Wai were a bit surprised. Not because of what Grandfather Xiang said but more so because of his intention here. He seemed to be speaking up for his granddaughter. To these siblings, that was a unique situation since they had never had someone speaking up for them like this. Whether they were right or wrong, they had to fight their own battles.

"Raelle only says bitter words but she is a very sweet person," Grandfather Xiang was saying not noticing the change in their emotions. "It's just that her perception of things is slightly different than normal people."

"Grandfather," Xiang Wai called him out for the first time she came which stunned Grandfather Xiang. He was so overwhelmed that he couldn't react instantly. He could only hum in response allowing her to continue. "It's said that Raelle Xiang doesn't have feelings. Is it true?"

Grandfather Xiang shook his head, "No, it's not true. However, you'd have to exert a whole of effort and time to find those feelings. Or should I say, understand her feelings? Raelle had always been different from her peers. She had an exceptional IQ. As I said, her perception of things around her is different from the rest. The same applied to feelings as well. She is as simple of a person as she is complicated. It depends on how you're trying to look at her."

Xiang Weimin and Xiang Wai both had their own thoughts after listening to his words. But both didn't say it out loud. 

"In fact, it's not that difficult to get along with our Raelle," said Grandfather Xiang. "If you have patience, anything is possible." He took a pause and added, "But we should not talk about her anymore. You don't have to worry about her at all. You both can just relax. This is your home. Even she won't stop you from coming here."

And Xiang Weimin and Xiang Wai didn't doubt those words. After all, one way or another, they were both incited by Raelle to come here. And looking at their grandfather's excitement to meet them, they finally understood it. She was really a good granddaughter. She really was willing to do anything to make her grandfather happy.

"Elder Xiang!" 

Mu Chenyan came running over in her usual domineering manner but restrained herself seeing her nephew and niece looking at her. Offering them a smile, she turned to Grandfather Xiang, "It's time for your meds." She put a tablet in her hand, "The dinner will be served in 30 minutes." He was always the one who kept track of his medication even though he had personal caregivers. But as long as she was around, she would take over the job.

After giving him the meds he had to take before the meal, she finally was free to look at her nephew and niece again. It was like she couldn't seem to get enough of them and wanted to look again and again.

"Don't scare them away," said Grandfather Xiang.

Mu Chenyan's face stiffened, "When did I scare them?"

"That burning gaze of yours is scary enough," pointed Grandfather Xiang without any mercy. Then he even said to his grandchildren, "Don't mind your aunt. She seemed to have dropped her IQ somewhere today."

Mu Chenyan ground her teeth and leaned down to say in a soft voice, "Elder Xiang, you should stop insulting me before them. You can't soil my image like this."

"And what's the image you so want to protect?" asked Grandfather Xiang.

"Of a good aunt," Mu Chenyan gritted out. 

"Tsk. Too late for that," said Grandfather Xiang. Mu Chenyan turned to glare at him.

Hmphed at him and turned to Xiang Weimin and Xiang Wai, "Do you both want anything? You can tell me. Auntie will find whatever you want." And then she got carried away, "Even if you want stars, auntie can get it all for you. Just name it. Don't be shy. Auntie is here for you."

"Oh, the great aunt," spoke Grandfather Xiang. "Are you trying to coax kids here?"

Mu Chenyan gave him a stinky look forgetting all about how she usually wouldn't even raise her voice at him. "Elder Xiang, do you have to go against me like this?"

"I just found out, it's fun to go against you," was Grandfather Xiang's casual response.

"Oh, you seem to be enjoying yourself a lot," stated Mu Chenyan with her hands on her hips. "Then you won't mind me telling Elle about you sneaking those spicy crayfish into your room the other night, right?"

"You dare?!"

"Try me," Mu Chenyan shot back. "It was me who let you go and allowed you to indulge in your cravings. But do you think Elle is that easygoing?"

"You're infuriating," said Grandfather Xiang.

"I always had been," she retorted. Immediately she chuckled when she noticed how Xiang Weimin and Xiang Wai were looking at them. Straightening up, she cleared her throat and said, "Don't pay attention to this. It happens. No big deal."

Obviously, their surprise was because of the fact that Grandfather Xiang and Mu Chenyan seemed to share a very good relationship. One had a powerful aura of an army man, and the other had an explosive and roguish aura of a gangster. And yet, they looked in harmony even when they seemed to be arguing. This was quite refreshing to them.

"Weimin, I made a lot of nutritious food for you," Mu Chenyan told Xiang Weimin. "Eat more later. It's good for your recovery. You've gotten so thin after the accident. You should take more care of your health in this condition." She thought of something and added, "And if something is not to your liking, you can tell me. Maybe you won't like the taste of our dishes. But we can always order from a restaurant. There is no problem."

"But I think I like what you make," said Xiang Weimin stunning Mu Chenyan into silence and bewilderment. "Yue Fai brought a lunchbox. And he told me how much he loved to eat what you make. I tried it as well. And it was certainly to my taste."

Xiang Wai stared daggers into her brother's face. How come he didn't tell her that? Now she was jealous! She was only going to try something made by her eccentric aunt tonight for the first time! She was the last one! How infuriating!

Mu Chenyan's eyes shimmered with tears and she still smiled through it as she said, "Our little Fai is a busybody. But I love him for that." She didn't even know she got to feed Xiang Weimin the food made by her. That sneaky little prince of their family was so... lovable! If he was around, she'd just squish him right now. 

Sigh! That just reminded her how much she was missing that little prince.