Chapter 965: A Sister Like Chenyan
Grandpa Zhai wasn't surprised to see this version of his best friend. He was well aware of Grandfather Xiang's anger. And when he said that he was protective of his family, he wasn't just saying it. Grandpa Zhai knew how much the Xiang family valued their family members. And blood wasn't the only thing important to be a family member.
To be honest, he was feeling gratified that Yue Yue was now considered a part of the Xiang family. It meant she wasn't alone now and she didn't have to always trample on her wishes to give in to someone else. She could be herself.
But this family came to her at the cost of her own voice which really saddened him.
For a long time, no one spoke anything. Grandfather Xiang wasn't interested in talking. Elder Yue was too shocked by the news of Yue Yue's condition and even Madam Yue was in disbelief. While Grandpa Zhai and Grandma Zhai didn't think it was right to speak.
"Master, are you alright?" the silence was broken by Madam Yue who held Elder Yue's arm and asked in worry.
Elder Yue shook his head, "I'm fine." He looked up at Grandfather Xiang and said, "No wonder she didn't say a word when we ran into her the other day. I thought she hated me so much that didn't even want to say a word to me now."
"She doesn't hate you," said Grandfather Xiang. "At least, she grew up in front of your eyes. You should know better what kind of a person she is. She isn't capable of hating anyone. She is too nice and that's why everyone liked to walk all over her."
"Indeed," agreed Grandpa Zhai. "Yue Yue had always been a kind person and the sincerest one. But her sincerity wasn't reciprocated that ended up hurting her at every turn. I hope she doesn't have to go through that again."
"Old Zhai, you don't have to worry. Even if one day I'm not around, my family's Chenyan won't let anything happen to Yue'er."
Grandpa Zhai nodded his head with a smile, "How can I forget Chenyan? She can handle everything."
"Yes, she can," said Grandfather Xiang.
Grandma Zhai looked at the Yue couple and said meaningfully, "Chenyan is the kind of sister that Yue Yue needed. After all, Yue Yue won't have to fight for anything with her. In fact, with Chenyan's doting temperament she might be willing to bring the world to her sister's feet."
Grandfather Xiang chuckled, "That's true. Even though Yue Yue is the older one between them, it's always Chenyan who is hiding Yue Yue behind herself. It took her years to bring back the confidence that Yue'er lost. I'm happy to see that finally, Yue'er is willing to face the world again."
"You tell her to face us as well," complained Grandma Zhai. "The last time we were there, we couldn't even recognize her at all. And she didn't even bother introducing herself." Thinking of something, she asked, "Does Shui Koshing know about her? He must know. Your families are in-laws now, and you live right next to each other. There is no way that he didn't run into Yue. Even he didn't mention anything to us."
"Sister-in-law," started Grandfather Xiang. "I told you, Yue'er wasn't ready. It's not Koshing's fault. After losing her voice and facing the world all alone, she stumbled a lot through life and even got hurt. It broke her confidence and she hid in a shell. I'm telling you, if Chenyan isn't around, Yue'er can spend the whole day holed up in her room."
"It's good to have Chenyan around," said Grandma Zhai. "You bring her over for a meal sometimes, Brother Xiang."
"Isn't it better for you to come over to our place for a meal?" suggested Grandfather Xiang.
"I'll come. I'll bring my grandson. He was asking me about his aunt..." Grandma Zhai's eyes widened the more she spoke and looked at Grandfather Xiang. "Don't tell me, my family's Yanjun also met her?"
Grandfather Xiang silently sipped on tea and pretended to be deaf. Was he supposed to say that not only her grandson but also her son even met Yue Yue? That won't end well.
Grandma Zhai took a deep breath to calm herself, "I'm gonna deal with my grandson. Even he is keeping secrets from his grandma now."
Grandpa Zhai was silent for a while as he thought about something and asked, "Old Xiang, have Yanjun been spending a lot of time with Yue?"
"Why are you asking that?"
"Our grandson had always been gloomy and withdrawn. But since the time he started going to your place, he came back with a smile always. And spoke a lot more than before. All in all, his whole person seems brighter than before. So, I'm wondering if it has something to do with Yue?"
Grandfather Xiang looked at the silent Yue couple before he replied honestly, "Yanjun likes to come and see Yue'er whenever he has time. Even Yue'er packs him meals whenever she makes something delicious and brings it to him at the Base. It's true that he likes spending time with his aunt. Even if he couldn't talk with her, he was happy just being with her. I also noticed the change in him. But isn't it a good thing?"
"Of course, it is," said Grandpa Zhai happily. "I always had worried about that one grandson of mine. Now, I can finally be at ease. Even where I'm not seeing, someone is taking care of him. Isn't that a blessing?"
"But then again, our Yanjun had always been fond of his aunt Yue when he was kid," said Grandma Zhai. "It seems no matter what, that affection couldn't be forgotten."
"It's not only not forgotten but it has only deepened," said Grandfather Xiang. "Yue'er can even forget her own son when Yanjun is around. It always irks my little prince how his mother forgets him."