Chapter 1120: No Fool
Although Yue Yue was prepared to face Grandpa Zhai and Grandma Zhai, she still had been trying to procrastinate just like her son. It didn't seem to work though since it was Raelle's engagement and she couldn't possibly stay on the sidelines on such an occasion. If the Xiang family treated her like a family member, she had to do her best for them too.
So, today, Yue Yue even forgot about her insecurities and didn't mind that she couldn't speak. Couldn't she smile too? She'd use her gentle and sweet smile to the best of her ability. And did exactly that too.
And that's why when Grandpa Zhai and Grandma Zhai saw her, they almost didn't recognize her. And no, it wasn't because she was aged now. It was more so because her whole demeanor had changed from what they remembered. She exuded confidence and elegance like she never did before.
It took them a moment to match this Yue Yue with the one in their memory.
Yue Yue's smile froze a little when she faced these elders. Not for any other reason but that she felt a little guilty for hiding from them the last time at the Xiang Manor. Although it had been months since that incident, she didn't forget and she believed that they also knew about it by now.
But at that time, she had her own reservations.
Now, she didn't think so much about it.
So, she nodded to them as a greeting politely.
"It's really you," commented Grandma Zhai softly and sighed. "I almost didn't recognize you, Yue Yue."
"That's true," agreed Grandpa Zhai. "You've changed. But it's a good change. You have no idea how happy I am to see you like this, little girl."
Yue Yue smiled at that and wrote on her phone, 'I'm not a little girl anymore, Uncle.'
Grandpa Zhai laughed at that, "Indeed. You're not a little girl anymore. But in my memory, you had always been a little girl. However, it's a fact that you're now a mother. It's not appropriate to call you a little girl."
Yue Yue's stiffened a little when she heard that.
"I have to say though, I'm very upset that you actually hid from us," added Grandpa Zhai. "I kept feeling you seemed familiar but I never thought my intuition was right at that time. You hid very well behind Mu Chenyan."
Yue Yue clutched her phone tightly before tying, 'If I won't hide behind my best friend, who else would I hide behind?'
"Oh, that's well said," said Grandpa Zhai. "When you have a reliable, strong, and protective friend. You should lean on that friend when the time asks for it. There is nothing wrong with it. I'm just sad that you didn't trust us enough."
Yue Yue shook her head, 'It's not about trust, Uncle Zhai. You should know how much I have respected you. I just thought since I have left my past behind, it's better to let my past stay in the past.' She smiled a little bitterly, 'In the end, I couldn't escape from this past.'
"It's okay to face it," said Grandpa Zhai. "You can't always run. It's tiring and unfair to yourself. Some things should be faced rather than avoided. There is no need to think so much about it. Besides, you're doing so well in your life. You have a career, you have an excellent family, and you have a remarkable son. It's all your time to show off. Why run from the past? In fact, you should find everyone related to your past and show them that you're living better than them. Happier than them. Because I can assure you, that the ones who looked down on you, not everyone is having a good time right now."
This wasn't something she expected to hear from Grandpa Zhai. You must know he came from a scholarly family who always followed old rules and looked down on people who always flaunted. And now, he was telling her to go and show off her happiness.
"You don't have to feel bad for anyone. You don't owe anyone anything. If anything, I'd say, those people owe you a lot."
'I'm fine where I am, Uncle. I don't want anything from anyone. Not even revenge.'
Grandpa Zhai gave her a look as if he was very dissatisfied with her words, "How can you say that, Xiao Yue? Why are you still so nice? It's not time to be nice."
'It's been too long, Uncle.'
"Revenge is best served cold."
Yue Yue laughed silently at that. 'Uncle Zhai, when did you become so fierce? You never loved violence.'
"I'm against violence," said Grandpa Zhai. "But I am always up for debate. And let me tell you, the war of words can be fiercer and brutal than fist fights."
"Okay. Stop giving her so many lectures on this," Grandma Zhai spoke up. "Yue Yue, you do what you want to do. Don't listen to this old man. He knows nothing."
"Why don't I know nothing?"
"If we put you in the museum, you'd be considered antique at this point, old man. So, stop with your opinions. No one likes to hear them."
Yue Yue pursed his lips when she saw this old couple talking back and forth like this. It seemed to have taken her back in time for a moment. She still remembered the time, Zhai Kuijun first brought to her home to see his parents. She was still a young girl at that time. And this couple was always poking each other.
Grandma Zhai loved to remind Grandpa Zhai that he was old while Grandpa Zhai was just not willing to take any of that.
Grandma Zhai held Yue Yue's hands in her aged and wrinkly hands as she said, "When I heard about you from Kuijun, I was so surprised at first and then I was so relieved to know that you had been fine all this time. Believe me, Auntie never forgot you or stopped worrying about you. I even went to pray for you."
Yue Yue wanted to say something but her hands were held so she couldn't even type on her phone.
"But you have no idea, how much it hurt when I learned about your situation and how much you were hurt back then. Your voice..." Before she could continue, Grandpa Zhai held her arm to stop her from continuing this topic. He didn't want this careless old woman to poke at Yue Yue's sore points at this time.
Although he knew it wasn't her intention, it was still unavoidable that his old wife often got carried away in emotions. So, it couldn't be helped. That's why he had to keep an eye on his wife to stop her from saying anything she wasn't supposed to say.
"I'm no fool," said Grandma Zhai. "Do you think I want to hurt Yue Yue?" She looked at Yue Yue and said, "You know, right? I don't mean to hurt you. I just mean it. Really. I cried for so long when I heard about your voice. It's not like I don't know how much you loved to sing. I know it's hurtful but I can't just stop talking about it like it never happened. Do you think auntie is wrong?"
Yue Yue shook her head. She really didn't think her voice was such a sore topic that people had to avoid it. Wouldn't it be a shame if everyone forgot what her voice sounded like? She definitely wanted someone to remember her passion too. So, she was actually happy to see that Grandma Zhai didn't avoid this topic in front of her.
Grandma Zhai patted her head, "I can see you have become stronger. How can you be so fragile?"
Yue Yue finally got a chance to type, 'Didn't you always that I have quite some potential that even I haven't figured out yet. I guess I have realized my potential now.'
"It's good to know that," said Grandma Zhai. "Auntie won't lie to you, I did feel like I'd come to talk to you to see your parents. But I changed my mind the moment Kuijun told me how your mother went to look for you. That woman had few cells from the beginning. It seems with age, they are getting worse." Seeing that she was still talking to Yue Yue about this, she stopped talking and bit her tongue as she said, "Sorry. I got carried away. I shouldn't talk about your mother like this. She is still your mother."
'I don't mind actually,' responded Yue Yue indifferently. 'If you had said it a few days ago, I might have stopped you but I have let go whatever respect I had for her the day she came to me and splashed dirty water on my character once again. She made me question whether I am her daughter more than once in my life. But now, I don't really care.'
"Good. You shouldn't care at all. Live your life well."
'I will.'
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