Chapter 641 - Making decision as a Grandfather

Silence pervaded the air.

The Guan Empire?

Old Guan was hesitant. For his grandson to ask this... 

His grandson was basically asking him to be biased and vote for him.

Old Guan's eyes lowered. He had promised in front of the board and his other grandsons that he would be partial and only vote for the person who would benefit the Guan Empire the most. If he agreed with his grandson, he would be breaking his own words.

"You can't even do that, Grandpa?" Guan Gao Huan's voice was filled with bitterness and disappointment. The old man was clearly hesitating. He chuckled bitterly. "Then you should not have said that you're willing to give me everything."

"Gao Huan..."

"I still respect Grandpa even with the past between us, so you don't have to worry about it." Guan Gao Huan stood up. "I brought Da Hong Pao tea with me. Let me brew it for you." 

He left the room, leaving the old man seriously contemplating about what Guan Gao Huan asked for.

...

The old man in the room sighed heavily. He sincerely wanted to ask forgiveness from his third grandson, but he had to also keep the promise with his other two grandsons. 

Old Guan was torn.

"Head butler."

The head butler walked to his side. "Yes, Master?"

"How is Guan Gao Huan's progress as of this day?"

"Third Young Master Gao Huan was doing great this past few weeks. However, just earlier today, SC's ZD World once more created a huge gap between them and Univ One. With ZD World's latest announcement of selling three percent of the shares of ZD World, several of the shareholders and investors of Univ One are selling their stocks to buy ZD World's. This recent update caused a huge blow on third young master's gathered supporters."

The head butler was observing everything with Old Guan's *eyes and ears in every faction.

Old Guan sighed heavily once more. 

So this was why his grandson was desperate. 

"Do you think my third grandson will do a great job handling the Guan Empire?"

The head butler lowered his head. "This lowly one is only Master's servant. This decision and judgement could only be handled by you and the Guan Empire, Headmaster."

Old Guan massaged his forehead. This sudden request made him feel worse. "You heard his words. What should I do?"

The head butler looked at his master sadly. 

If it was in the past, the old master would never have asked him a single advice for such a large decision. Moreover, his master in his former glory would undoubtedly reject Third young master's ridiculous request.

The head butler knew that a big part of the old master's weakness right now was his sins of the past. This clouded the old master's judgement.

Even though the head butler wanted to advise the old master to maintain a clear stance and separate business matters from his personal emotions, he could not do that.

His old master... was dying. This could be one of his final regrets which he needed to fulfill before his master entered death's embrace.

Thus, the head butler bowed. "Master, if you are thinking for the sake of the Guan Empire, then you should remain impartial and stone-hearted. However, if you are making this decision as a grandfather, then follow your heart."

Old Guan was silent for a long time before chuckling wearily. 

Would he act as the head of the Guan Empire for the last time, or as a grandfather?

...

Guan Gao Huan returned with a set of tea-brewing materials in his hands. 

He quietly observed the old man. 

He had intentionally left earlier to give the old man some time to think. If he came too strongly, the old man might reject him firmly. Thus, he acted like he only said that fact to test his grandfather if he was really sincere in asking for forgiveness.

Guan Gao Huan started brewing the tea. 

The rich yet mellow aroma started to fill the room.

Old Guan's mind was somewhere else as he watched his grandson brew the tea for him. 

Suddenly, a thought hit him. This was the first time that any of his grandsons was brewing tea for him.

"When have you learned this?" The old man asked Guan Gao Huan.

Guan Gao Huan's hand stiffened for a moment before continuing. 

"I learned it while I was overseas. One of my tutors is from our country. I saw him once brewing tea and got interested. My tutor once said that as a little boy who had living grandparents, one must learn how to brew tea excellently. Finally, I found the chance to use this skill."

The story was a lie. 

It was Butler Qian who taught him this art of brewing tea. He brewed previously for his master and Lu Jin. Aside from these two people and his teacher, he never brewed for anyone. 

He was taught of this skill to gain the favor of this old man. Finally, he was able to use this skill.

Old Guan's heart ached while he let out a smile. 

If he did not come to this age where he was about to die, he might have never gotten the chance to taste his third grandson's personally made tea.

It was soothing and calming, with a long lasting aftertaste. It was right for his taste. 

"You brewed it perfectly. "

Guan Gao Huan smiled. 

The old man put down the cup. "I thought about your request. "

Guan Gao Huan's heart stirred. Would the old man agree to his presumptuous request?

Old Guan smiled at his grandson. 

"I made this decision as your grandfather. I wasn't able to support you during those times when you were suffering abroad. I sent you far away and have wronged you irreversibly. I will be commiting a great sin against my two other grandsons this time, but I don't want to sin against you anymore."