“Mm,” Meng Ting’s eyes curved slightly at the words, tugging their clasped hands closer to his chest before settling back properly. But as soon as Ning Zhou and Xiao Huimin weren’t looking, he immediately leaned against Yan Sui again.
Yan Sui saw nothing wrong with this. He adjusted his posture to make Meng Ting more comfortable, just as they had done on the plane.
When Ning Zhou and Xiao Huimin turned back and saw Meng Ting looking somewhat drowsy, they didn’t say anything more. They had long known that Yan Sui and Meng Ting had a good relationship. As elders, they naturally hoped that Yan Sui and Meng Ting’s relationship would continue this way.
About an hour later, they arrived at the Xiao family’s ancestral home in Beicheng. Meng Ting and Yan Sui stepped out of the car one after another. Though there were many people gathered near the entrance, but Meng Ting didn’t recognize any of them, so he remained silent. Held by Yan Sui’s hand, he felt slightly uncomfortable but not fearful.
Ning Zhou approached and gently linked arms with Meng Ting, introducing the few people who had come out specifically to wait for them.
“These are Zilu and Ziyue from your second uncle’s family. They’re both older than you.”
Meng Ting nodded upon hearing this. “Hello, cousins.”
Xiao Zilu, twenty-four years old, had long hair reaching her waist and looked very gentle and elegant, whereas Xiao Ziyue dressed more boldly. Even in the cold Beicheng weather, she showed off a good portion of her legs. They looked at Meng Ting and Yan Sui with great curiosity, and Ning Zhou introduced them as well.
“This is Nuo Nuo and Yan Sui, your younger brother and brother-in-law. It’s very cold; whatever you have to say, let’s say it inside.”
After introducing them, Ning Zhou didn’t intend to delay any longer. She continued walking inside with Meng Ting’s arm still linked in hers, and Yan Sui, holding Meng Ting’s hand, naturally walked along with them.
Xiao Huimin was the last to get out of the car. Xiao Zilu and Xiao Ziyue looked over, and even if they had opinions, they dared not show them. After greeting him, they too entered the house.
“Big Brother, Second Brother,” Meng Ting immediately called out upon seeing Xiao Zi’ang and Xiao Zimo. Xiao Zimo had been frequenting Haicheng lately, often visiting Meng Ting at the Yan residence whenever possible. Xiao Zi’ang, busier with work, only occasionally coming with Ning Zhou and Xiao Huimin.
However, since Meng Ting had acknowledged them, he wouldn’t treat them differently. Or rather, so far, among the Xiao family members, only Ning Zhou made him feel a discernible difference.
“Nuo Nuo, Yan Sui, come in quickly.”
After exchanging greetings, they walked ahead, leading the way. They encountered many servants along the way, but most of them weren’t important enough for Ning Zhou to introduce.
“Nanny Chen, is the ginger tea[mfn]姜茶 (jiāng chá): Ginger tea is a herbal beverage that is made from ginger root. It has a long history as a traditional herbal medicine in East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and West Asia. Ginger tea can be drunk by itself, or served alongside traditional accompaniments, such as milk, orange slices, or lemon. In the Tang dynasty, tea was flavoured to counteract the bitter taste. Ginger was favoured among tea drinkers, in addition to onion, orange peel, cloves, and peppermint. 
[/mfn] ready? Bring it out quickly. Nuo Nuo and Yan Sui should each have a bowl.” Ning Zhou was afraid that Meng Ting, being new to Beicheng, might not adapt to the climate and accidentally catch a cold. They had prepared coats in the car they arrived in and had already asked the kitchen to prepare ginger tea before they even set off.
Upon hearing this, Meng Ting looked at Ning Zhou and patted her hand gently, as if to reassure her. “Thank you, Mom.”
Hearing Meng Ting say this, Ning Zhou’s expression, which had been serious a moment ago, instantly bloomed like spring flowers. “Nuo Nuo, you’re such a good boy.”
She led Meng Ting and Yan Sui to sit on the sofa in the living room. When the ginger tea was brought over, she tasted it first before offering it to Meng Ting and Yan Sui.
Following Ning Zhou’s instructions, Meng Ting and Yan Sui sipped the ginger tea slowly. Meanwhile, the twin sisters from the second house of the Xiao family, daughters of Xiao Xuanmin, also entered the room.
They were certainly interested in Meng Ting, but it was clear that Yan Sui was the one who truly captured their attention. Even though they lived in different cities, Yan Sui’s name was like thunder to their ears—they often heard their elders mention Yan Sui, even becoming the center of gossip at various banquets.
Yet no matter how interested they were, they knew better than to show it at this moment. Otherwise, Ning Zhou and the entire Xiao Huimin family would certainly not give them a kind look—especially Xiao Huimin. Since childhood, they had been particularly afraid of this uncle who had become the family patriarch.
“Grandpa is here,” Xiao Ziyue called out as Old Master Xiao was helped into the room. She shifted her body slightly, as if afraid that Old Master Xiao would notice her outfit.
Within the Xiao family, the only person more intimidating than Xiao Huimin was undoubtedly their grandfather, Old Master Xiao. If not for their burning curiosity about the newly emerged Meng Ting, they wouldn’t have returned to the main family residence so early.
“Grandpa.”
“Dad…”
After various greetings from others, it was finally Meng Ting and Yan Sui’s turn. Yan Sui was straightforward—he stood up with Meng Ting, gave a slight nod, and said, “Grandpa.”
Meng Ting, still holding a spoon from his ginger tea, just stared at Old Master Xiao with wide eyes. Only when Old Master Xiao’s gaze landed on him did Meng Ting finally spoke. “Grandpa.”
But then, he immediately asked, “Grandpa, are you here to kick me out?”
The moment those words left Meng Ting’s mouth, even Xiao Zi’ang and Xiao Zimo felt their scalps tingle. Their little brother was perfect in every way—except for his brutal honesty, which often caught them off guard.
Old Master Xiao was quite speechless upon hearing this. He hadn’t expected Meng Ting held grudges so well. As the two of them looked at each other, the surrounding atmosphere grew increasingly awkward.
Meng Ting, however, felt nothing of the sort. He simply thought it necessary to ask.
Old Master Xiao’s beard twitched twice. Just when everyone thought he was about to lose his temper, he let out a ‘Hmph’ and said, “Kick you out for what? This is your home too.”
Meng Ting blinked, but he wasn’t letting Old Master Xiao off the hook just yet. “Then I’m still going back with Yan Sui tomorrow.”
“Do as you please,” Old Master Xiao replied, unable to resist glaring at Meng Ting again. He then turned to Yan Sui. “Come to my study after you finish your ginger tea.”
“Understood. I’ll be there shortly.”
With Yan Sui’s acknowledgment, Old Master Xiao turned to leave—only to be stopped once more by Meng Ting.
“Grandpa, can I come too?”
It wasn’t that Meng Ting feared Old Master Xiao saying something strange to Yan Sui. Rather, having just arrived at the Xiao family home, he didn’t want to be separated from Yan Sui.
“Come if you don’t mind being bored,” Old Master Xiao replied, quickening his steps. He was genuinely a little exasperated by Meng Ting.
“I won’t be bored. I’ll come with Yan Sui in a bit,” Meng Ting immediately responded. After speaking to Old Master Xiao, he turned to Yan Sui and the others who were silently staring at him, his voice inexplicably softer.
“Grandpa glared at me, but he didn’t kick me out, and he even let me go to the study…” He shook Yan Sui’s hand lightly, his tone tinged with confusion. “Yan Sui, what’s wrong?”
Why was everyone looking at him? Had he said something wrong?
“But Grandpa already said I could go to the study.” He wanted to stick close to Yan Sui—he’d even asked for permission, and Old Maser Xiao didn’t say no. Was there still something wrong?
“Nothing’s wrong,” Yan Sui said, pulling Meng Ting to sit down. He handed Meng Ting the bowl of ginger tea and waited for him to finish drinking before they stood up to go find Old Master Xiao.
Xiao Zi’ang personally led the way, escorting Yan Sui and Meng Ting to the door of Old Master Xiao’s study before stopping.
The door closed, and Xiao Zi’ang pondered for a moment before chuckling softly.
They had been slightly stunned just now because they had never seen Old Master Xiao look so speechless and helpless. The once formidable Old Master Xiao, in his later years, had unexpectedly met his match in such a little nemesis—something even he likely never anticipated.
Xiao Zilu and Xiao Ziyue were equally stunned. While it wasn’t unusual for Yan Sui, as the patriarch of the Yan family, to not fear their grandfather, but this long-lost younger cousin, who had grown up outside the family, also showed no fear and even asked such bold questions.
Xiao Huimin and Ning Zhou sighed softly, feeling a bit helpless. They didn’t stay in the living room for long either. The conversation between Old Master Xiao and Yan Sui would likely not be short. Xiao Huimin had matters to attend to, while Ning Zhou went to supervise the arrangements for the evening banquet.
***
In Old Master Xiao’s study, the scent of tea was rich. Aside from a rather ornate desk, everything else appeared quite ordinary. Of course, this was only ordinary in Meng Ting’s eyes. In truth, nearly every piece of furniture here had its own distinguished history.
Old Master Xiao loved calligraphy. On the wall, besides some famous calligraphers’ works, there were also his own. He looked at Yan Sui. “Can you write?”
Yan Sui nodded upon hearing this. “I learned from Grandpa for a few years.”
Old Master Xiao gave up his seat, and Yan Sui didn’t decline. He walked up, took the brush, and immediately wrote three characters.
Old Master Xiao stepped aside, and Yan Sui didn’t decline. He stepped forward, took up the brush, and swiftly wrote three characters.
It was Meng Ting’s original name in the Xiao family—’Xiao Zinuo’ [蕭子諾].
Meng Ting naturally recognized these three characters. He looked at Yan Sui, his eyes curving into a smile. “You write so beautifully.”
“Love-struck children…” Old Master Xiao couldn’t help but comment. Yan Sui’s brushstrokes should have been sharp and forceful, yet these three characters ended up exuding a kind of steely tenderness.
It wasn’t that Yan Sui’s calligraphy had deteriorated; it was that when he wrote, he thought of the owner of the name, and unconsciously softened his touch. Perhaps if he had written different characters, it wouldn’t have given this impression, but Yan Sui specifically chose to write these three.
It wasn’t that Yan Sui’s calligraphy had declined—it was that, as he wrote, he thought of the person who bore this name, and unconsciously softened his touch. Perhaps if he had written different characters, it wouldn’t have given this impression, but Yan Sui had deliberately chosen to write these three characters.
He was also making a point to Old Master Xiao about Meng Ting’s importance.
As for the first half of Old Master Xiao’s remark, it certainly didn’t apply to Yan Sui. Even if he doted on and protected Meng Ting, and he had the means and strength to do so. A hero whose brought low by love… was hardly a phrase that fit Yan Sui.
Meng Ting didn’t fully grasp the implication of Old Master Xiao’s words, but he sensed they weren’t particularly good. He turned to Old Master Xiao and argued earnestly, “What ‘children[mfn]兒女 (ér nǚ): T/N: The idiom love-struck, 兒女情長 (ér nǚ qíng cháng), means love between man and woman lingers long—be excessively indulged in love; the lasting affection of boys and girls; refers to attaching too much importance to love. MT took issue with the usage of 兒女 (ér nǚ). 兒 (ér) means son, 女(nǚ) means female.[/mfn]’… Yan Sui and I are clearly both men. And Yan Sui writes well, better than Grandpa’s.”
Upon hearing this, Old Master Xiao glared at Meng Ting again, but Meng Ting immediately turned his head to look at Yan Sui, as if he’d been hurt by Old Master Xiao’s words. “It’s really good, I think it’s good.”
Yan Sui smiled faintly and reached out to ruffle Meng Ting’s hair.
Old Master Xiao felt another surge of exasperation. He wouldn’t compare calligraphy with Yan Sui anymore; he didn’t want Meng Ting to think he was bullying Yan Sui. Instead, they got straight to the point, discussing matters concerning the Yan family, the Yán family, the Meng family, and even various matters concerning the Yan family’s affairs in F Country.
When it came to these topics, Meng Ting stopped speaking casually. He obediently sat by Yan Sui’s side, listening attentively when he understood, and when he didn’t but was genuinely curious, he made a mental note to ask Yan Sui later when they were alone.
***
After nearly two hours of conversation, a knock at the door reminded them that dinner was about to be served. Only then did Old Master Xiao and Yan Sui conclude their discussion.
“After dinner, get some good rest. There will be quite a few guests tonight.”
“Yes, we will,” Yan Sui replied before leading Meng Ting out of the study. Instead of heading straight to the dining room, they first went to the third floor to freshen up in the room Ning Zhou had prepared for Meng Ting.
As soon as the room door closed, Meng Ting no longer suppressed his thoughts. He wrapped his arms around Yan Sui’s waist, pulling him towards the bed. When Yan Sui lay down, Meng Ting also climbed onto his chest.
Yan Sui raised his hand to rub Meng Ting’s hair and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just want to hug you,” Meng Ting replied, then clung to Yan Sui even tighter.
After a little thought, Yan Sui could easily understand—Meng Ting himself might not even realize the discomfort of being in the Xiao family for the first time. So he simply let himself be pushed down and clung to without resistance.
After holding onto Yan Sui for a while, Meng Ting finally loosened his grip slightly. He shifted upward and pressed a kiss to Yan Sui’s cheek.
Yan Sui turned his head, and Meng Ting sought his lips, kissing him again. After some haphazard fumbling, Yan Sui was also aroused. He cupped Meng Ting’s face, and the two rolled deeper into the bed, their kisses becoming increasingly uncontrollable.
At that moment, the room door suddenly swung open. Yan Sui swiftly pulled the blanket over Meng Ting, wrapping him up, and turned his head to look. Seeing the person who had pushed the door open, his expression turned cold. “Get out.”
The fact that he didn’t say ‘Roll’ was already a testament to his restraint and courtesy. But his glare and tone were still very intimidating.
“I—I’m sorry! I… I just came to call you for dinner.”
Xiao Zilu was startled by Yan Sui’s cold voice. She hurriedly backed out but didn’t close the door behind her.
Xiao Zimo emerged from the neighboring room, his face dark as he strode over. He first shut Meng Ting’s door firmly before reprimanding her.
“Zilu! Don’t you knock before entering a room? Where are your manners?”
Even if Yan Sui and Meng Ting hadn’t been doing anything, Xiao Zilu barging in like that was extremely rude. Meng Ting and Yan Sui had finally come home after so long—if they were left with unpleasant memories or impressions because of this, how could she possibly bear the responsibility?
[dropdown title=”List of Idiom in Chapter 83″]
春暖花開 (chūn nuǎn huā kāi): during the warmth of spring all the flowers bloom; spring blossoms; spring has come and flowers are in bloom; in full spring; the original meaning is that the spring scenery is beautiful, now it is often used to describe a good situation that is conducive to work or study.如雷貫耳 (rú léi guàn ěr): lit. like thunder piercing the ear; to reverberate like thunder; (figurative) to be very famous; a well-known reputation (idiom); famous; renowned; widely known; as loud as thunder in the ears. It is used to describe a person’s great reputation.
叱咤風雲 (chì zhà fēng yún): lit. to rebuke Heaven and Earth (idiom); ride the whirlwind; to be influential and powerful; shaking the whole world; all-powerful; shake heaven and earth; be powerful enough to master/command any situation; to describe a person who has caused a sensation. Nowadays, it often refers to the majestic and imposing manner of a general or a person who has influenced the current situation.
兒女情長 (ér nǚ qíng cháng): be immersed in love; the lasting affection of boys and girls; love between man and woman lingers long—be excessively indulged in love; refers to attaching too much importance to love.
英雄氣短 (yīng xióng qì duǎn): brief is the spirit of a hero in face of difficulties or in love with a beauty; a good man caught in difficult circumstances; a hero being discouraged; refers to a person with talent and ambition who loses his ambition due to setbacks or indulgence in personal affairs.
據理力爭 (jù lǐ lì zhēng): to argue vigorously on the basis of sound reason or justice; to contend on strong grounds; to argue strongly for what is right; argue strongly on just grounds; contend vehemently on the basis of reason; argue hard or strive for the best according to reason.
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