Min Yu and Huo Yao left the Yi residence after dinner and gave Old Mr. Pei a lift on the way back.

  Unexpectedly, Yi Lianfan came back to the Yi residence this evening. He happened to see his grandfather seeing some guests out when he came in.

  He stood in the courtyard for a while and watched from a distance as those people left. For a second, he thought that he spotted someone familiar. However, they had already gotten into the car when he wanted to get a closer look.

  Before long, Old Mr. Yi walked over. “You punk. Why did you come back out of the blue?”


  Yi Lianfan shifted his eyes away from the car. His typical cold expression became warmer when he spotted his grandfather. “Didn’t you text me about you coming up with two new dishes? I came over to sample them for you.”


  Old Mr. Yi would usually be touched to hear this, but all he did tonight was sneer. “What for? All you do is eat without giving me any real suggestions.”


  Yi Lianfan was speechless. “.……”


  Old Mr. Yi walked towards the house as he said, “I wanted to teach you how to cook, but you keep throwing the same excuse at me, saying you need to study. What’s so great about studying?”


  Even the little lass he wanted to take in as a disciple kept talking about studying. What was going on with youngsters these days? Were they not interested in learning skills and making a livelihood for themselves?

  Each time Yi Lianfan’s grandfather nagged him, it gave him a headache, so he changed the subject without replying. “Grandpa, where did those guests come from?”


  Old Mr. Yi raised his brow and looked to the side. “Why? Do you know them?”


  Yi Lianfan narrowed his eyes. “No, I don’t. I only asked because we rarely have guests.”


  “Don’t get nosy. Sometimes, you shouldn’t know too much,” said Old Mr. Yi in a serious tone.

  Yi Lianfan replied with a nod of his head. “Got it.”


  Old Mr. Yi raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder. He said somewhat sadly, “You will take over the Yi family one day. Although I won’t be around forever, I will help you take care of everything. You should do what you like while you have the time.”


  “There you go again. It’s getting windy outside. Let’s go in.” Yi Lianfan held Old Mr. Yi’s hand and helped him inside the house.

  Old Mr. Yi shook his head and smiled without arguing with his grandson.

  **

  Since Old Mr. Pei was in the car as well, Huo Yao did not speak much. Instead, she leaned against the car window and rested her eyes.

  Huo Yao opened her eyes when her phone pinged with a notification.

  It was a text from her fourth brother asking what time she was coming home.

  Huo Yao looked outside before looking at Zhuo Yun, who was talking to Old Mr. Pei. She contemplated for a few seconds and then said to Zhuo Yun, “Just drop me at the intersection up ahead.”


  Zhuo Yun instinctively looked at his boss through the rearview mirror.

  Min Yu turned to look at Huo Yao. “Do you have somewhere to go?”


  Huo Yao replied gently. “Yes. Don’t worry, I can take a cab from here.”


  Min Yu looked at her but did not insist any further. “Take care.”


  Zhuo Yun had already pulled up by the roadside. Huo Yao waved her hand before opening the car door. “I’m off.”


  Zhuo Yun did not start the engine immediately after Huo Yao got off. Instead, he waited for her to hail and get into a cab.

  Min Yu raised his brow. Zhuo Yun was getting smarter.

  “That young lady……” said Old Mr. Pei, eventually, while sitting in the front passenger seat.