The bills were as dazzlingly red as Di Mingjue, who stood before them, radiating a light that blinded the eyes.
This was perhaps life; nineteen out of twenty things were unsatisfactory.
...
After their honeymoon, the family of five flew directly to Sijiu City. Arriving a day earlier than expected, Jiang Ziyu stood by the roadside, her heart filled with complex emotions as she waited for Ye Qianzhi.
Her parents' love had been opposed by the elder Mrs. Ye. What would the elder Mrs. Ye's attitude be towards her appearance?
Di Mingjue watched over the children and noticed Jiang Ziyu's anxiety.
"Is something on your mind?"
Lifting her gaze from her toes, Jiang Ziyu picked at the dead skin on her lips. "Coming to Sijiu City, was it really the right choice for us?"
Returning to normal life from the capital, appearing here so abruptly to seek so-called kinship, what would the outcome be?
"I'm here for everything. Right or wrong, you'll never regret coming," Di Mingjue said.
Yes, if she didn't come, she would never know the result and would always wonder. Once she truly tried, good or bad, it wouldn't trouble her anymore.
Jiang Ziyu watched a luxurious vehicle approaching them in the distance. She forced a smile. "Mm."
Di Mingjue affectionately rubbed her hair, his arm around Jiang Ziyu's waist as they watched a black Cayenne pull up before them.
The car stopped by the roadside, and the driver got out, opening the rear door.
"You're here," Ye Qianzhi greeted them with satisfaction.
"Mm," Jiang Ziyu responded with a light hum.
The atmosphere suddenly turned stiff, and Di Mingjue immediately spoke to ease the tension. "Uncle, our early arrival didn't affect your arrangements, did it?"
Since the misunderstanding had been cleared up, and Di Mingjue had played a role in mediating between him and his daughter, Ye Qianzhi had changed his opinion of him.
"Still calling me Uncle?"
Di Mingjue paused, exchanged a glance with Jiang Ziyu, and quickly corrected himself. "Dad."
"Alright, hurry up and get in the car. Everyone at home is waiting," Ye Qianzhi said, as the driver beside him placed the luggage into the trunk.
The lively children became reserved upon seeing Ye Qianzhi, sitting quietly in the car and not daring to move carelessly.
Along the way, Ye Qianzhi inquired about their trip, asking casually and receiving perfunctory answers. When the conversation ran dry, the atmosphere in the car grew colder.
After a thirty-minute drive, the car entered a high-end villa district.
"We're home," Ye Qianzhi announced with a smile.
Noticing his gaze, the three children visibly flinched back.
Di Mingjue escorted Jiang Ziyu out of the car, then carried each child out one by one.
"It looks like a castle!" Qianqian exclaimed.
The house before them was like a castle from a fairy tale book.
Xiao Ran tugged Qianqian's hand and whispered, "There's a wicked queen inside the castle."
Hearing the dialogue between the two little ones, Ye Qianzhi was amused. He turned to Qianqian, looking at the girl who was like a miniature Jiang Ziyu, and inexplicably felt affection for her. "It's a castle, and you are the little princess in the castle."
He extended his hand, waiting for Qianqian's small hand to be placed in his.
Recalling the first encounter, Xiao Ran protectively stood in front of Qianqian.
"Good, you know how to protect your sister!" Ye Qianzhi was startled, then came to his senses and touched Xiao Ran's forehead with emotion.
Before he could touch him, Xiao Ran nimbly dodged.
Ye Qianzhi looked at his hand that grasped only air.
"This child!"
"Xiao Ran, you mustn't be impolite. He's your maternal grandfather; you must learn to respect him." Di Mingjue held Xiao Ran, patiently guiding him to let go of his guard.
Though they understood in their hearts, the children harbored resentment and were unwilling to acknowledge him.
Ye Qianzhi saw their subtle thoughts and waved his hand, saying, "Never mind, let's go inside."
They entered the living room from the doorway in a grand procession, and as soon as they entered, a deep voice floated from the sofa.