Chapter 16: Grandfather and Grandson Clash

Fuming with anger, Chu Changyun left in a stormy mood, unable to dispel the turmoil within. He drove out of his home and passed by the Overlook Bar. After hesitating for a moment, he stepped inside. It was the first time he intended to stay out all night, and naturally, it would not be the last—though that was a tale for another time.

Meanwhile, after Xie Chenjing left the Blue Mood Club, he habitually drove in a certain direction until he reached his destination. Standing by the window, he gazed at the pitch-black room opposite, a wry smile tugging at his lips. His slender fingers pressed lightly against his brow. He was losing his mind. His actions today had been nothing less than a harsh slap to his own face. It seemed that some things had silently transformed without his awareness.

Calm now, he closed his eyes and leaned against the window frame, reflecting deeply on recent events. After a long while, he opened his eyes, which sparkled like countless stars in the darkness.

Among those who found the long night sleepless was Chu Yitong. She lay in bed, staring out the window. The clear moonlight poured through the panes, casting a cold and lonely glow upon the floor. Slowly, she closed her eyes, murmuring, “One sheep, two sheep…” She lost count of how many she’d counted, but sleep refused to come. Well then, let things take their course.

At the first light of dawn, she opened her eyes, unable to recall when she had fallen asleep the night before. Perhaps she was simply exhausted. Rising, she prepared herself. Outside the door, the voice of Butler Mu called, “Miss Yitong, the old master requests your presence for breakfast.”

“All right, I’m coming.” A faint smile curved her lips in the mirror as she clenched her fist, quietly cheering herself on.

Following Butler Mu to the main house, she found that breakfast would not be served in the grand hall she had seen the day before. Instead, it was in the pavilion at the rear.

“Butler Mu, where is Grandfather?” The pavilion was empty. She turned to him and asked calmly.

“Miss Yitong, please wait a moment. The old master will be here shortly!” His face was expressionless, revealing no hint of unusualness. Chu Yitong smiled inwardly—indeed, old foxes are always cunning.

Not pressing further, she stepped slowly into the pavilion and glanced at the table before moving to the edge to feed the fish. Streams flowed almost everywhere throughout the estate. She could scarcely imagine the vast manpower and resources required to build such a place.

“Little lady is here!” Chu Wentian’s robust voice came from nearby. She set down the fish food, clapped her hands lightly, and looked toward the sound. As he approached, she greeted him naturally, “Good morning, Grandfather!”

“Ah, good morning!” He noticed the fish food at her side and chuckled warmly. “Do you like these fish?”

“Not particularly.” She neither liked nor disliked them much; it was merely a way to pass the time. But such words she would never voice aloud.

“Come, sit down. It’s been a long while since we’ve eaten together.” He took the main seat and beckoned her.

With clear purpose, she sat opposite him, lowering her eyes without a word, focusing solely on her breakfast.

Chu Wentian’s wrinkled face twitched twice. “Little lady, what are your plans?”

Her hand paused as she looked up, her gaze serene. “What are your plans, Grandfather?”

“You, haha—” His exaggerated laughter echoed in her ears, prompting a frown. Was her response so amusing? Since he revealed nothing, it was clear he had other intentions.

“Grandfather, if there’s nothing else, I will return to rest.” She lifted a napkin to wipe her mouth, uninterested in this cat-and-mouse game.

“Why, what about your patience?” Chu Wentian’s eyes narrowed sharply. His once kindly face turned cold and merciless in an instant.

Her gaze met his without flinching. “Patience—if it exists, it can be boundless; if it does not, then not a shred remains.”