"I thought your grandson was personally gonna pay me a visit to apologize," said Grandfather Xiang as he took a sip of the tea from the ceramic cup in his hand. His gaze was focused on the tea leaves floating in the cup. "After all, the slight clash between us had nothing to do with you." It was indeed true that he was upset with Zhai Yanjun for ditching his granddaughter but that matter had nothing to do with his best friend.
Although he pretended to be angry with Zhai Feiyang over that incident, he actually wasn't angry with him.
Grandmother Zhai took this chance to speak up, "Brother Yu, it's because our Jun had to join an important mission at the last moment. Otherwise, he had been prepared to come and kneel before you."
Grandfather Xiang smiled a little as he said, "Sister-in-law, how come you're so biased when it comes to your grandson?"
"As if you aren't biased when it comes to your youngest granddaughter," retorted Grandmother Zhai with a challenging look.
Grandfather Xiang couldn't argue with her over that. He was biased when it came to Raelle and it was a widely known fact by now. He couldn't help it either.
"Little master, drink some soup."
The elders in the drawing-room turned their heads towards the door when they heard the maid's voice. And what they saw was the sight of Hyson running ahead while the maid running after him with a bowl of soup.
"It's your favorite soup!"
"But you added that bitter medicinal herb in it," said Hyson as he scrunched up his nose. He had no problem with drinking the soup but he hated the medicines! No matter what kind of medicine it was, he couldn't swallow it with a straight face.
"Yue Fai!" Grandfather Xiang called out and Hyson made a face at him before reluctantly taking the bowl of the soup from the maid as he walked over to sit beside Grandfather Xiang. "It's good for your health. Don't make such a face. Besides, don't you always bring me the bitter tonics? Have I ever complained?"
"Your granddaughter's name is Raelle Xiang," said Hyson. "There is no bitterness that can compete with her."
Grandfather Xiang's lips twitched at his remark, "She is your best friend as well."
"Of course, she is," Hyson sounded quite proud of himself as he said it. "And she is the only bitterness I'm willing to swallow happily in my life. Have you ever seen me frown at her? No! Because she is my favorite kind of bitterness."
Grandfather Xiang shook his head at Hyson and introduced him to the guests, "Meet my best friend, Zhai Feiyang, and his wife." Then he placed his hand on Hyson's head as he went on, "And this is my grandson, Yue Fai."
Hyson offered the two elders a bright and lovely smile that startled the elderly couple for a moment. "Nice to meet you both. I have heard a lot about you from Tianyu."
As everyone already knew, Hyson's talent was how easily he managed to charm elders around him. He was indeed a loveable child whose smile alone was enough to evoke good feelings within people. He was the kind of a young lad whom the elder people loved. Bright smile, lively personality, a sweet mouth, and good manners. Who would not like such a person?
"Aiyo, Brother Yu, if you had told us about Yue Fai we would have brought something for him as well," said Grandmother Zhai who couldn't bring herself to look away from Hyson's handsome face. His recently washed hair fell over his eyes slightly as he hadn't styled it again. He gave off a very carefree and unrestraint feeling at the moment.
"Yue Fai doesn't like receiving gifts just like Raelle," told Grandfather Xiang with a knowing smile.
Hyson had nothing to say regarding that. Even he knew just how similar he and Raelle could get. He silently drank the soup from the bowl in his hand.
"Ah! Grandpa, where is mum?" asked Hyson as he suddenly recalled that he didn't find his mother at home and this was the only place he could think of where his mother would go on a weekend.
"She went out with Chenyan," replied Grandfather Xiang with a strange expression.
Hyson frowned at him slightly, "Obviously, I already know that only Yanyan can drag my homebody mum out of the house. But where did those beautiful ladies go?"
"Just wait here," was Grandfather Xiang's response. "You'll know once they come back in the evening."
Hyson placed his elbow on Grandfather Xiang's shoulder as he wiggled his brow inquisitively, "Grandpa, what's up? Why so mysterious?"
Grandfather Xiang tried to stifle his laughter as he said, "Your Yanyan has found a new hobby for herself and she had managed to drag your mother along. Just wait patiently. You'll love the show once they come back in the evening."
Hyson felt itchy now that he heard only half of this mystery, "Aiya! Now, I'm even more curious!" He stood up and said, "I'm gonna go and look for Ellie. She'll definitely be able to distract me."
"It's still raining!" shouted Grandfather Xiang.
"It's just drizzling," retorted Hyson. "It's beautiful weather. Don't worry, I'll still take an umbrella." He looked back to shout over his shoulder, "Besides, Ellie lives next door! It's not even that far."
As always, Hyson ran away as fast as he came. He seemed to be floating on the wind. Flying from one place to another.
"This kid..." Grandfather Xiang sighed out.
"Brother Yu," called out Grandmother Zhai. "Whose son is he?"
"Why are you so curious about that sister-in-law?" inquired Grandfather Xiang with a raise of his brow.
Grandmother Zhai tried to hide her curiosity as she laughed it off saying, "Nothing. It's just that he seems like a good kid."
Although Xiang Tianyu didn't buy her excuse, he still said, "His mother will be joining us for dinner. You can meet her then."
"And what about his father?" This question came from Zhai Feiyang which surprised Xiang Tianyu a little but he didn't let it show on his face.
"He doesn't have one," was the only response Grandfather Xiang was willing to give. He wouldn't go into details regarding this matter. After all, he didn't like it whenever people inquired about Hyson's father. To him, it was enough to know that Hyson had a beautiful mother. The rest really didn't matter.
Both Zhai Feiyang and his wife shared a look and found the same question in each other's gaze. But they both didn't voice it out for now. They had decided to wait for the evening to meet Hyson's mother.