Chapter 382: Grandma’s Red Envelope
Micah slipped quietly out of the house, moving along the stone path that led through the back gardens. He followed the path until it curved toward his grandmother’s residence. He knew exactly where she would be, her favourite spot, the indoor garden. The moment he stepped inside, the faint rustle of leaves and the earthy smell of soil wrapped around him.
There she was: Zhou Ruyan seated in her wicker chair with a pot of tea at her side. Beside her sat his grandfather, Albert Ramsy, his back straight, a newspaper folded neatly on his lap.
Micah froze in the doorway. Shit. Just his luck. He wanted to speak with Zhou Ruyan alone, asking for advice, but with his grandfather’s presence, it seemed impossible.
"Grandma, grandpa," he greeted them in the end.
Zhou Ruyan lifted her head, her gentle eyes narrowing in suspicion. "What’s with the get-up?"
Micah’s pulse quickened. He raised a hand to touch the edge of his mask, trying to make his voice sound hoarse. "My throat is a bit scratchy. I didn’t want to risk spreading anything." The lie slipped out smoothly, but his palms grew sweaty.
"And the cap?" Albert Ramsy raised an eyebrow.
"My hair is a mess. I didn’t shower, afraid my cold would get worse."
"Oh yeah?" Albert Ramsy lifted his teacup and took a long sip, unimpressed.
"Yeah! You know how much I care about my appearance." Micah said matter-of-factly. "I can’t let people see me like this."
Zhou Ruyan chuckled, unable to hold back.
Micah’s eyes widened. "Grandma? Why are you laughing?"
"I’m serious. I’m the handsome young master of the Ramsy family. What if someone saw me unkempt?" Micah blabbed nonsense.
"Nice try. Lift it." Albert Ramsy said, setting his teacup down with a faint clink.
Micah’s bravado crumbled. He let out a heavy sigh and dropped into the chair opposite them, his shoulders hunched. "Grandpa, you’re so mean. If you knew, you should have said something sooner." his cheeks warmed with embarrassment.
Albert leaned back, gazing at him with sharp eyes. "You think I wouldn’t know after the fuss your mother and sister made?"
Micah winced. Of course, his grandfather had eyes and ears everywhere.
"Let me see," Grandma Zhou said softly.
Micah reluctantly pulled away his mask.
There was a sharp gasp. "You! reckless boy!" Her hand flew to her mouth.
"I know it was for an honourable reason. But we have bodyguards for that." Albert Ramsy said, voice harsh. "You don’t need to put yourself in danger."
"I know grandpa. I’m sorry. I was on edge and lost my temper." Micah said, looking down. His fingers twisted together in his lap.
Albert Ramsy studied him for another long moment before saying, "Good. So what brings you here?"
Micah looked at Zhou Ruyan, hesitant. He bit his lip, unsure whether to speak or not.
But Grandma Zhou’s perceptive eyes caught his hesitation. Her lips curved into the faintest smile as she turned toward her husband. "Dear, aren’t you late for your fishing trip?"
Albert Ramsy glanced at his wife, then, with a soft grunt, he rose to his feet. "Well, I’ll excuse myself then."
He bent over to press a kiss on Zhou Ruyan’s cheek before leaving the indoor garden.
The moment the door closed, Micah sighed in relief.
"So, cheeky monkey," Zhou Ruyan teased. "What’s the problem??"
"Grandma! Don’t call me that." Micah protested, shivering at the use of the nickname.
"Fine, fine." Her eyes wrinkled with amusement. "Tell me what’s on your mind then."
Micah stared at his hands for a long moment, his throat tightening. "I... I don’t know what to do..."
"About what?"
"I’ve started behaving weirdly. Unreasonably. I got too sensitive. Can you believe that? Me? Someone so blunt turning into a nervous wreck?" Micah chuckled bitterly, shaking his head.
"Is that why you turned yourself into a punching bag?" Zhou Ruyan asked, her voice soft but pointed.
"Ah... that’s one of the reasons." Micah sighed, shoulders slumped.
"Are you sleeping and eating well?"
"Yeah, Grandma. It’s not about that." Micah replied. "My health is good."
She tilted her head, studying him. "So you know why you are like this, don’t you?"
Micah’s lips parted, then closed again. Finally, he nodded, his voice dropping low. "Yeah... It’s always related to one person. And I don’t like it. I want to appear mature. Not like a brat. I want them to take me seriously, not treat me like a child. But every time I try to act like an adult, I mess it up badly. Grandma...What’s wrong with me?"
"Oh, silly boy... you’re just in love," Zhou Ruyan’s expression softened. "That’s what comes with it. You can’t act rationally. If you do, you are not really in love."
"Then why is it just me? Shouldn’t the other person act like that too?"
"Perhaps they do, but you can’t just see it."
Micah hummed, deep in thought. He tried to remember any hint of silliness in Clyde, but everything he recalled, was this picture-perfect composed man arriving to rescue him! Tsk. The only time he had broken that stereotype was when Micah had pushed his buttons. Maybe he loved Clyde more...
Zhou Ruyan noticed her grandson’s expression shifting in a fraction of a second from frowning to smiling. She leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing playfully. "You’ve grown up so fast. I can’t believe the boy who climbed trees dressed as a girl had turned into such a Prince Charming. Anyway, is it someone I know?"
Micah jerked before shaking his head. His face turned beetroot as he averted his eyes.
"I didn’t know you liked older girls..." she teased with a chuckle.
Micah stiffened, and the blush spread to his neck. He mumbled under his breath. "It’s not she..."
Her brows rose. She paused, then gave a slow, understanding nod. "So when are you going to introduce him? Should I prepare my red envelope already?"
"Grandma! Don’t tease me." Micah’s voice rose, trying to hide his embarrassment. "We’re not even dating."
"I see." she didn’t press further, only shifted her tone gently. "So what else is on your mind? I can tell this is not just about love advice."
Micah moistened his lips. "Darcy... does Grandpa know about him?"
"No, I didn’t say anything. But I think he might catch on to it. You see... I got curious and investigated his life..." Grandma Zhou said, eyes clouded with sorrow. "Poor soul. He had such a rough life."
"I know..." Micah mumbled. "Maybe it’s good if grandpa finds out."
She hesitated, her voice lowering. "I know it’s horrible of me to say that... but I can’t help feeling grateful it wasn’t you... because I’m sure you would have been ruined if you lived his life..."
Micah’s breath caught. His heart twisted painfully, half warmed by her protectiveness, half saddened by the unspoken reality. He knew his grandmother liked him so much but to wish something like that...
Silence fell between them. Micah decided not to comment on her remark.
"Grandma... Darcy is going to cut me off..." he whispered instead.
"Why?"
"I am not sure," Micah admitted, his eyes darting away. "But I am scared. If he ignores me for an unknown small reason, what will happen if he learns the truth?"
Zhou Ruyan reached across the table, laying a gentle hand on his arm. "Better to say it earlier. Let him choose what he wants to do. You can’t just wait until everyone knows and leave him cornered. Talk to him. Ask him if he wants to come back..."
"Grandma... I can’t look at his eyes and say those words... I can’t bring myself to be that shameless." Micah replied, shaking his head violently.
Her gaze softened, but she didn’t let go of his arm. "So what then?"
"No idea. I’m out of options, Grandma," Micah replied, voice filled with despair.