Chapter 1228: Complaining
"How did you get wet?" asked Mu Chenyan as soon as she laid her eyes on Raelle and Shui Xian. "Don't you know to get under the shade when it's raining like that?"
"Didn't want to," answered Raelle.
"Argh! Why are you doing this to me?" asked Mu Chenyan and then she ran outside. No one knew why she left so suddenly but they got the answer when she came running back with clean towels. "Here. Wipe yourself. It's easier to get sick like this. The air conditioner is on here." Thinking that she was slow, Mu Chenyan stepped up to wipe Raelle's hair. "When did you get interested in the rain? You didn't even play in the rain when you were a kid. I used to coax you to step out and play in those puddles but you strongly resisted. Now, for this stupid man, you're even willing to stand under the rain?"
"Why are you blaming Xian so arbitrarily?" asked Raelle. "It wasn't his idea."
"This stupid idea was yours?" asked Mu Chenyan in shock.
"Yeah."
"Oh my!" was Mu Chenyan's response since she couldn't think of anything else to say. "Do you have clean clothes in your car?" asked Mu Chenyan. "I only had towels in there."
"Forget it," said Raelle. "I'll change when I get home."
"It'll dry off by that time."
"Isn't that good?"
"No," answered Mu Chenyan. She rubbed her temples, "Forget it. There is nothing we can do right now."
"Why are you guys standing here?" came Grandfather Xiang's voice. "No plan to go back or what?"
"We are going back," said Mu Chenyan. "Let's go home, Elder Xiang."
"Aren't you going with Zhao?"
"Why would I? He isn't coming with us. Our homes aren't even in the same direction."
"Yes, Uncle. I'm not going in the same direction. I'll see you tomorrow," said Xia Zhao.
"Tomorrow? Why?" asked Mu Chenyan.
"You'll find out," he replied but didn't explain anything.
Grandfather Xiang gave a nod to Xia Zhao and looked at Mu Chenyan, "You come with me then. Also, bring your brother. You both are going with me."
Mu Chenyan gave him a strange look but still agreed.
"Bye, Opa!" Raelle waved at him.
Grandfather Xiang gave her a helpless look and turned to Shui Xian, "You take her home and let her take a hot bath. Don't forget to give her some ginger and cinnamon tea before sleeping. Her childishness is coming out at the wrong age."
"You don't like your granddaughter now?" asked Raelle.
"That's not possible," replied Grandfather Xiang. "Let's go. The downpour is bad out there."
"Bà, you come with us," said Raelle.
"Don't worry, daughter-in-law. I had the same intention," said Shui Koshing as he left with his son and daughter-in-law.
"Where is Weimin though?" asked Mu Chenyan.
"He left earlier," answered Xiang Hulin. "It was Justin's bedtime. So, he had to leave. Also, Kuijun said he'll drop off Yue Yue too. They might already be home by now."
Mu Chenyan sneered when she heard that, "That guy sure knows how to take advantage of my absence."
Both brother and sister got in the car with Grandfather Xiang.
"Elder Xiang, you look very happy," mentioned Mu Chenyan.
"Why won't I be? At this age, what can I wish for? Just to see a happy and lively family. Now, I can see both of my kids. Three of my grandchildren. And I even had a great-grandchild now. Why wouldn't I be happy?"
"True," agreed Mu Chenyan. "That's something to be happy about. If you say it like that, it seems like you're very blessed."
"I can close my eyes with peace. What more blessing can I ask for?"
"Father!" Both Mu Chenyan and Xiang Hulin exclaimed simultaneously. Obviously they were very dissatisfied with his comment.
"Wah! It's rare for my daughter to call me father," said Grandfather Xiang.
"Don't joke around. It won't help you," said Mu Chenyan. "How many times I've told you to not talk about such things? I really don't wanna hear it."
"But I also miss my wife," replied Grandfather Xiang. "She must be waiting for me in the underworld. I think I've kept her waiting for too long already."
"I think godmother would be more upset if she knew that you made me sad. You know, she loved me so much. She'd definitely take my side and tell you stay by my side."
"She only asked me to make sure to take care of Raelle and if possible, I had to make sure you don't end up alone in your life. Now, I am very satisfied already since her wish is already coming true."
"I didn't say I'd marry Zhao," said Mu Chenyan.
"Then what are you doing? Playing with his feelings?" asked Grandfather Xiang angrily. "In our times, if you dated someone without the intention of marriage, it'd be considered hooliganism and you could get shot for that too!"
Xiang Hulin pursed his lips while Mu Chenyan's lips twitched, "Are you saying, I'm a hooligan?"
"You're no better too! People who play with others' feelings are worse than scums! And I refuse to believe that I raised a scum with my own hands."
"Ge, you won't say anything in defense here?" asked Mu Chenyan to Xiang Hulin.
The later was under a lot of pressure suddenly and smiled awkwardly saying, "Father, I think our Chenchen isn't like that."
"You better not say anything," said Grandfather Xiang and Xiang Hulin shut up. "Also, you. I heard you want to retire."
Xiang Hulin paused before asking, "Where did you hear that?"
"I might be retired but I'm not that useless. My family didn't get the title of the military family for no reason. I still have my own contacts. So, why do you think you'll be able to hide it from me?"
Xiang Hulin looked awkward, "I didn't want to hide it from you. I just thought I'll tell you after it's done. But..."
"You think they'll let you retire so easily?" asked Grandfather Xiang. "Don't be naive. It's not even your age to retire yet. They won't let you leave like this. So, get your thoughts get straight and don't make trouble unnecessarily."
General Xiang Hulin was like an obedient little kid before his father as he lowered his head and agreed. "Yes, I'll keep that in mind."
"Ge, why do you want to retire early though?" asked Mu Chenyan.
"I wanted to spend time with father," said Xiang Hulin. "I haven't done my filial piety over the years. I can't just let you do everything. He is my father."
"He is mine too," retorted Mu Chenyan. "Just because I don't call him father, do you even doubt my filial piety now?"
"I said no such thing, Chenchen."
"Ge, then why are you doing this?"
"Because it's been years," said Xiang Hulin. "Can't I want to do something for him? I just want to spend more time with him."
"I think you shouldn't though. Seeing each other more will only make you suffer more. After all, if Elder Xiang saw you everyday, he'll start despising you like he does with me."
"When did I despise you of all people, Chenyan?" asked Grandfather Xiang.
"You told me to get out of the house and do something practical instead of always wandering around you like a bum."
"And what was my intention behind those words, don't you know?" asked Grandfather Xiang as he stared at her seriously.
"I don't care about the intention. You clearly despised my bum like appearance."
"Father can never get tired of you, Chenchen. Even I can guarantee that," said Xiang Hulin. "But it might not be the case when it comes to me."
"Okay, you both have grown up," said Grandfather Xiang. "Go ahead, Start complaining. Tell me all your dissatisfaction. I'll listen. Tell me."
Both Mu Chenyan and Xiang Hulin stared at each other and shook their heads. They didn't dare say another word.
"Why are you so quiet now? Just say it. Don't go and complain to my wife later. What if she came to my dreams to show her anger again? I can't take her anger at this age," said Grandfather Xiang.
"Elder Xiang," called out Mu Chenyan. "Have you really met her in your dreams?"
"Why are you asking?"
"Because she doesn't come to see me," answered Mu Chenyan. "I miss her too. But she never comes to say hi. Do you think she is upset with mee? Did I do something wrong?"
Grandfather Xiang rubbed her head, "There is no such thing. You know your godmother had always been a social butterfly. Even better than you. I think she has made too many friends in the underworld. So, she hardly has time to even think about us living beings."
Xiang Hulin also nodded in agreement, "Thinking about mother's nature, I also think so. That's a very high possibility."
Mu Chenyan gave both of them a weird look and sighed to herself. She obviously didn't believe their nonsense but this nonsense did make her forget about the sadness that had just brimmed up.
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