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n101 Grumpy Grandpa

nWhen Shen Xi saw the old man’s happy look, she did not know why, but she also felt happy. “Sure, you can call me Xixi,” she said happily.

nLu De wrung his hands awkwardly as he eyed Shen Xi. Tentatively, he asked, “Can you call me Grandpa?”

nShen Xi was instantly stunned. It was not because the old man’s request was excessive, but because when the old man in front of her made this request, the pleading, hope, and uneasiness in his eyes… It caused a deep, inexplicable sadness to well up from within.

nThe old man must have missed his granddaughter dearly.

nA smile bloomed on Shen Xi’s face, and she called Lu De sweetly, “Grandpa!”

nBeing called ‘Grandpa’ made Lu De’s heart burst with joy. His empty, lonely heart, bereft of something he could not put into words, filled with laughter and light, the missing piece of a puzzle that had gnawed on him for more than ten years. Lu De’s eyes swam, tinged in red.

nLu De did not want to make a joke of himself in front of his granddaughter and hurriedly turned away, coughing into his hand. He did not want her to see his silly, emotional state.

nShen Xi regarded the old man with an understanding nod. He must have thought of something uncomfortable and did not want others to see him misty-eyed.

nMeanwhile, Lu De’s bodyguards searched for him in a blind panic. Where had the chairman gone?

n“Is it so hard to keep an eye on one person? What are you all doing?” Lu Lin grilled the bodyguards forming up before him.

nZhao Hui sighed. The chairman probably grew impatient and went out searching for the Young Miss.

nLu Lin sent the smartly dressed defence personnel a scathing look as he tried his grandfather’s number again. Fortunately, this time, the call connected.

n“Grandpa, where are you? I…” Lu Lin asked anxiously.

nThe sombre mood hanging over Lu De evaporated into thin air. He glanced at Shen Xi beside him and said, “Yes, yes. I’ll return as soon as I finish my work.”

nOn the other end of the phone, Lu Lin asked in puzzlement, “Grandpa, what are you talking about? What work?”

n“You know, that one!” Lu De muttered impatiently. “I’ll return soon.” After which, he hung up the phone.

nBewildered by his grandfather’s behaviour, Lu Lin turned to Zhao Hui. “Has Grandpa received any big projects recently that require his presence in person?”

nZhao Hui mulled over the possibilities. She could not think of any big projects requiring the chairman to appear in person, so she shook her head.

nLu Lin frowned and tried calling his grandfather again. He had not had the chance to ask where he was so that he could arrange for someone to pick him up.

nThe call connected for an even shorter duration than the last as Lu De said, “I know, I know. I’ll be back soon. Stop being such a nag!”

nThe call cut off after that. Lu Lin did not even have the chance to speak.

nSurprise darted across Zhao Yuan’s eyes as she looked at the old man. The old man’s tone towards Shen Xi was gentle and kind, but he seemed completely different when engaged with someone on the phone.

nShen Xi felt the same way. This old man seemed rather irritable.

nLu De turned around and was greeted by Shen Xi and Zhao Yuan’s complicated expressions. He smiled sheepishly and said, “My family have bad ears. I have to speak louder so that they can hear.

nShen Xi and Zhao Yuan shared a knowing look.

n“Shen Xi, Zhao Yuan, what are the two of you doing over there? Gather!” The students in the class shouted in the direction of Shen Xi and Zhao Yuan.

nLu De immediately said to Shen Xi and Zhao Yuan, “Go, go. I shan’t keep you girls. Go and have fun and enjoy yourselves.”

nShen Xi smiled sweetly at Lu De and said, “Okay. Then you must be careful on your way back.”

nLu De promised he would. He watched Shen Xi depart and left through the school gate, satisfied.

nWhen Shen Xi and Zhao Yuan arrived at the other side of the class, Jiang Xue also rushed over.

nSeeing that Xiang Cheng had not arrived, Jiang Xue let out a soft sigh and tidied up her hair.

nJust then, a black Bugatti sports car stopped in front of everyone. Xiang Cheng was impeccably dressed as he slid out of the car gracefully. He was greeted with hungry gazes, and Jiang Xue’s, in particular, lit up upon his arrival.

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