Mu Xichen and Mu Che did not get along at all.

  As Li Beinian and Mu Xichen approached Mu Che’s study, Butler Mu Yun smiled at the man and said, “You’re back. Sir has been waiting for you.”

  Mu Xichen walked past Mu Yun without a word.

  Li Beinian smiled and thanked him. “Thanks for the trouble.”

  “You’re most welcome.” Mu Yun obviously didn’t like Li Beinian very much and one could tell from how the smile on his face became a little frosty.

  Li Beinian could sense it, but she brushed it off and quickly followed behind Mu Xichen.

  When they entered the study, they saw Mu Che, in his reading glasses, sitting behind the desk.

  Upon seeing Mu Xichen, he immediately set aside the documents in his hand and said, “You’re back.”

  \r \r \r

  You’re back.

  Just like Mu Yun, the way he said it made it sound like Mu Xichen was someone who had only temporarily left home.

  Mu Che removed his reading glasses and cleaned them with the cloth placed next to him. He sighed and said, “I’m old and my eyesight isn’t as good as before. In the blink of an eye, you and your brother have got your own families now. It’s time for me to retire.”

  Mu Xichen remained expressionless.

  The servants had already served them tea and invited them to take a seat.

  However, Mu Xichen showed no intention of sitting down.

  As Mu Che spoke, he put his glasses back on and looked up at Mu Xichen, then at Li Beinian. He smiled and said, “We meet again.”

  Since Li Beinian had accompanied Mu Xichen here, it was obviously for a purpose.

  As the saying goes, one does not hit a smiling person. Furthermore, this was Mu Xichen’s father.

  Even if he weren’t on good terms with Mu Xichen, their blood ties couldn’t be disregarded.

  Li Beinian replied, “Yes, it’s been a long time, Uncle Mu, seven to eight months perhaps.”

  “That’s right.” Mu Che smiled. “Young lass, you’re unexpectedly impressive. You managed to tame both sons of mine. They have high standards.”

  Li Beinian smiled and did not answer.

  Mu Xichen looked at the man and went straight to the point. “Why did you call us here today?”

  “Must I have a reason to ask to see you?” Mu Che stood up from behind the table and frowned. “I’m your father, and you didn’t even tell me that you got married. It’s a significant lifetime event and in the end, I found out about it from the newspapers. You, have you no self-awareness of your role as a son!”

  “No.” Mu Xichen looked at Mu Che indifferently. “If you called us here just to say this, then save your breath. I don’t like hearing it.”

  Mu Che felt a dull ache in his chest. He placed his wrinkled hand on the table and took a deep breath.

  Then he reached out for the glass of water beside him and took a big sip. After he had calmed down somewhat, he continued, “Xichen, I’m your father. You shouldn’t talk to me like this.”

  “You said yourself that you have only one son.” Mu Xichen finally relaxed a little. There was a hint of mockery in his eyes.

  Mu Che replied furiously. “I said that in a fit of anger. To think you bore a grudge for 20 years!”

  “Once it’s been said, I will not forget it.” Mu Xichen looked at him coldly. “If there’s nothing else, I’d like to take my leave.”

  As he spoke, he made a move to leave with Li Beinian.

  Mu Che’s breathing became heavier and he had a sad expression on his face as he shouted, “Stop!”