Ran Xueyi didn't know what was going inside the heads of these people when she walked over to the garden together with Butler Chen. However, one thing she was certain about was that they weren't happy to see her.
It was as clear as day from the moment they saw her emerging from behind Butler Chen, their smiley and relaxed faces stiffened and tensed up as if they saw some smudge in a beautiful and expensive painting. They wanted so badly to take it out of the painting but no matter what they did, the little dirt in their eyes wouldn't disappear.
Ran Xueyi, however, ignored the way they stared at her as she moved closer towards Old Master Song, whose dull eyes twinkled upon seeing her.
She smiled at the old man and said, "Grandpa Song, I have come here as promised."
Old Master Song seemed delighted and pleased by the way she went straight to greet him and took her hand as soon as she stood close next to him.
"That's good! I have been waiting for you since morning. Come here and take a seat." Old Master Song glanced towards the empty chair placed next to him before he said, "Sorry, this old man wanted to have breakfast with you alone but..."
Ran Xueyi interjected quickly: "It's alright, Grandpa Song. I think having more people to eat breakfast with is livelier."
After saying so, she turned her head to the other people at the table and said, "Good morning."
No one greeted her back in the first few seconds.
However, since it would appear to be such a rude thing not to greet her, Janice Song and Cao Huiling, had to greet her back and also smile at her.
"You are..." Janice Song's voice trailed as she stared at Ran Xueyi with curiosity. This was the first time she met the woman sitting closely next to her grandfather. The strangest thing was her grandfather even allowed some outsider to call him 'Grandpa Song'.
Ran Xueyi smiled, "I'm Ran Xueyi."
"Grandfather, did you adopt a granddaughter while I was away?" Janice Song asked vigilantly while staring at Ran Xueyi.
Old Master Song chuckled but he soon answered her question, "No... I'm too old to adopt anyone at this age."
Knowing what was going inside Janice's head, Old Master Song didn't want her to think too much about Ran Xueyi's identity.
As soon as she heard her grandfather's words, Janice's cold eyes lessened and swept on Ran Xueyi's face again. She was glad that her grandfather didn't adopt a child because that would mean that the share she would get from her grandfather's inheritance would be divided once again.
Finally, Janice showed an amiable appearance and was about to speak to Ran Xueyi when another voice rang in the garden.
"Grandfather of course didn't want to adopt a grandchild," Song Yongrui stared at Janice, who was sitting across from her and frowned at him. Grinning and turning his head towards Old Master Song, he said, "Because grandfather is planning to take a granddaughter-in-law. Am I right, Grandfather?"
The growing smile on Janice's lips turned down and she glared at Song Yongrui. What does that mean? No adopted grandchild, but a granddaughter-in-law instead? Wasn't that even worse?
Old Master Song sighed deeply in his heart and stared at Ran Xueyi apologetically. He knew that the peaceful morning breakfast plan he arranged for himself and Ran Xueyi was completely destroyed because of these people. However, he couldn't really say anything.
At the end of the day, they were his family.
And so, he could only stare at Ran Xueyi meaningfully.
Ran Xueyi understood that Old Master Song was being polite and wanted her to be understanding towards them. However, deep inside, she was filled with questions.
Compared to how the rumors say that everyone in the Song family was extremely afraid of Old Master Song, it didn't seem to be the case.
Looking at how rude and ridiculous these people were acting in front of Old Master Song, it seems that they had enough backing and power to support them to even become disrespectful towards Old Master Song in front of an outsider.
What was exactly happening here?
It was true that Old Master Song seemed to be feared by many and anyone would never dare offend him. However, in front of his family, they didn't seem to be that afraid anymore compared to how they were acting a few weeks ago.
Ran Xueyi wondered if she accidentally found out a deep hidden secret she shouldn't have opened. Shaking her head, Ran Xueyi planned to ask Song Yu Han about this matter when he returns. There's no need for her to think about this matter when she's clueless about other people's family matters.
After that brief introduction that failed due to the Song family members showing great dislike towards each other, they left the garden on a rough note and left Old Master Song and Ran Xueyi alone in the garden.
Old Master Song leaned his back against the chair and looked at the cloudy white sky above, his eyes growing cloudy as well.
On Old Master Song's suggestion, the two of them went to the study where nobody could disturb them anymore.
Seeing how his mood had turned a bit sour, Ran Xueyi slowly walked around the wide study and sat down across the chessboard game that they played before.
She arranged the scattered chess pieces according to their order and invited Old Master Song to sit and play with her.
Old Master Song's dull eyes showed a spark of light and slowly walked over to sit across her.
No words were exchanged between them when they started to play a game of chess. The two push and pull, attacking and defending their territory, swallowing every discarded pawn, and targeting the King. No one dared to show any weakness nor let the other win easily.
In the past years, Old Master Song found the most relaxing and enjoyable moment in his life. It was to play a game of chess with someone who somewhat understood him a little bit.
Before, there was another who would play a game of chess with him and completely understood his thoughts and actions.
Now, there was another one who appeared and had a little understanding of what he was going through.
And the funniest thing was... These two people who could understand him and make him relax so much were destined and married with each other.
While the two of them were still engaging in an intense duel using their chess pieces, Old Master Song suddenly spoke up.
"Xiao Xueyi... Will you hate this old man if I say that it would be better if you didn't marry into the Song family?" The Song family has been riddled with cruel means and ruthless methods. Nobody cared about how thicker blood could be than water and just attacked each other just to get their goals.
Old Master Song was afraid that Ran Xueyi would be entangled in it and he was extremely sorry if she was hurt because of this. Wouldn't it be better to let her go and find a far more peaceful and welcoming in-laws who would treat her affectionately and familiarly?
The situation in their family and outside has been boiling right now. Even he, the Old Master Song, that many dared not to offend and steer clear away, was now losing his strength and shackles over the forces that wanted to tear him and Song Yu Han up.
Upon hearing his words, Ran Xueyi's hand that was holding a Knight paused in mid-air. She didn't raise her head to look at Old Master Song as she replied, "I didn't marry the Song family, I married the man I am in love with. It is Song Yu Han whom I married."
"But sadly, even if you say that... Our Song family won't let you go," Old Master Song looked sad as he stared at her face. Sadness, reluctance, and determination filling his eyes. "I can protect you and my grandson can do that too. However, the enemies surrounding us have increased a lot and now that they have found a new target to weaken us... I am worried that even my grandson cannot protect you any longer."
I don't need protection... Ran Xueyi wanted to tell him, however, she held back herself.
After all, no matter how much she wanted to pretend she didn't need protection and she could defend herself despite the storm that was about to come, she knew within herself that the troubles that she has been facing wouldn't even amount to how intense and dangerous the storm that Song Yu Han and Old Master Song was facing right now.
Besides, Ran Xueyi was really weak. She didn't have the support from her family, only her grandparents who were still in the dark about her marriage and what was happening to her life. She's just starting her career in acting and her entertainment company was still listed as an unknown company that hasn't produced any Film Emperor or Empress.
Moreover, the amount of money she has right now was like a drop in a bucket compared to other wealthy people. She didn't have the wealth nor power to protect herself or even support Song Yu Han in his battles.
And then, there's her pregnancy too...
She hadn't told Song Yu Han about it.
Ran Xueyi sat inside her car, parked on the side of the road.
After leaving the Song family and listening to Old Master Song's worries, Ran Xueyi had to be alone to think more deeply into her situation.
She received a few messages from Zhao Fei and Feng Huai. There were also several calls from Song Yu Han.
But she didn't dare reply nor call any of them.
...
Poisonlily has something to say; The First Volume has ended!
Next volume, readers will finally see Baobei (after some opening and other chapters).
Spoiler: Ran Xueyi will make a decision that would definitely change their lives but strengthen their bonds. This time, a game of cat and mouse will happen. Who will chase who?
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