The old man took a deep breath before speaking, "It was my mother who told me on her deathbed. That was when I realized how incredibly fortunate I was to have a good mother and a loving father."
"Mingrun, family relationships are not always harmonious just because there's blood relation. The Mu family is wealthy; one more or one less like Xiao Jiu makes no difference. Besides, Xiao Jiu has always been intelligent and clever, winning my heart."
"My foolish son, though he indulged in a decadent lifestyle, still possessed some conscience. Even though your aunt fabricated the pretense that Yun Xiao had touched her, a man, if he's conscious, knows whether he did it or not.
He never touched your aunt. Your aunt became pregnant, but she said nothing, and my foolish son also said nothing. He let your aunt give birth to the child and raise it by his side."
"Yet, he felt wronged and came to me. I told him to pretend he knew nothing. Their marriage was arranged, and your aunt was unwilling. My son, however, was captivated by her beauty and insisted on marrying her. I couldn't stop him either. He also loved her, admired her beauty, and was stubborn as a bull."
"You see, Mingrun, benevolence and virtue are paramount in life. Doesn't he have good karma now? He found the love he desired, and he's very happy. By letting your aunt go back then, he also set himself free."
The old man, unconcerned by He Mingrun's shocked expression, continued, "Mingrun, my father was a great man. In those times, he was considered wealthy, but he was unlike other wealthy men. The money he earned not only supported his own children but also raised other orphaned children who had no parents, helping them establish families and careers. Each of them lived happily.
His great love was silent. My father was healthy and never suffered a day until his death. On the day of his funeral, there were many people, a truly lively occasion. My mother said these were all the good deeds he had done during his lifetime.
"Mingrun, do you understand now?"
He Mingrun nodded heavily, realizing how remarkable the old man was. "Old man, I understand. Thank you!" He Mingrun's eyes felt a little warm.
Those with a broad perspective are always different.
When the old man managed the Mu family, it thrived enduringly. His life was simple and kind, as selfless and loving as his father's.
They had heard many gossip stories about wealthy people since childhood, but never about the old man.
"It's good that you understand. If Xiao Jiu returns, tell him to come again tomorrow morning. Don't disturb me in the middle of the night; this old body of mine wants to live a few more years."
He Mingrun smiled and said, "Alright, old man. I'll be going then. I'll come see you again tomorrow." His grandmother was also a difficult issue, he pondered as he drove back to the He family.
"Okay!" The old man didn't stop him. He had said all he needed to say.
Watching He Mingrun leave, the butler said, "Old man, let the young people sort out their own affairs. You shouldn't worry about them."
The old man looked at him and said, "At my age, I can't control the affairs of young people. Let them fuss; Xiao Jiu won't be polite to them anyway." He understood the child he had raised.
"Old man, have some pastries." The butler placed sugar-free pastries in front of him.
"Mmm! You old fellow, you understand me quite well." The old man smiled at him and lowered his head to eat the pastries.
The butler smiled. How could he not understand? They had been together for a lifetime!
After He Mingrun left, thinking that Xiao Jiu was already on the plane, he didn't call Mu Jiu Chen.
He sent a message to Meng Yuan, telling her to rest well and that he would be back later, then drove to Li Qing Shuo's company.
Having contacted them in advance, he quickly arrived at Li Qing Shuo's office.
Actually, thinking about what had happened in his own life made it less difficult to accept.
When He Mingrun walked into Li Qing Shuo's office, Li Qing Shuo was looking down and typing a message.
Yun Xia had sent him several design drafts. After reviewing them, he offered his suggestions, and they were discussing how to modify them.
He looked up and glanced at He Mingrun, whose complexion was not very good, and asked with a smile, "You, who never visit my office throughout the year, are a rare visitor today?"
He Mingrun sat on the sofa and asked him, "Are you still busy?" his faint voice clearly showing he had something on his mind.
Having grown up together, Li Qing Shuo could tell.
Li Qing Shuo stood up, took his phone, and sat opposite him. Sheng Huan brought them coffee. After Sheng Huan left, Li Qing Shuo tentatively asked, "Is Yuan Yuan at your place or at Jiang Nuan's?"
He Mingrun, preoccupied with his thoughts, answered him honestly, "She's at my place, accompanying Yun Xia every day. Today she finally had time to accompany me, but I had to come out for something."
Li Qing Shuo heard the hint of anger in his tone and said, "Yun Xia is pregnant. As a friend, it's only right to accompany your friend more."
He Mingrun finally looked at him, his gaze flickering. "I understand, so I didn't say anything!"
Li Qing Shuo subtly glanced at him, wondering why he was so angry.
He Mingrun felt a little curious and looked at Li Qing Shuo, asking, "Tell me, who is the scumbag father of Yun Xia's child? If they have the guts to sow their seeds, why don't they have the courage to acknowledge the child? It's so difficult for a woman to raise a child alone. That scumbag deserves to be single for life."
Li Qing Shuo: "..."
He wasn't a scumbag!
Initially, he thought Yun Xia didn't want the child.
Now that he knew about the child's existence, he was making amends.
"Hmph!" He Mingrun snorted. "If I knew who that scumbag was, I'd teach him a good lesson. I'd beat him so badly that even his mother wouldn't recognize him."
Li Qing Shuo: "..." He pointed to himself and said, "He Mingrun, look at me."
He Mingrun glanced at him angrily. "Why should I look at you? What's so great about you? I know how many hairs are on your face."
Li Qing Shuo's face darkened as he responded to his previous words: "I, Li Qing Shuo, am the scumbag you're talking about. I, Li Qing Shuo, am the father of Yun Xia's unborn child."
He Mingrun: "..."
What kind of karma was this?
Wherever he went today, his heart was being bombarded.
Li Qing Shuo looked at He Mingrun's surprised and shocked expression, and a smile finally appeared on his handsome face. Or rather, after saying it, the heavy stone pressing on his heart was instantly moved.
His mood lightened considerably. He had to bear the consequences of his mistakes. The only thing he was afraid of now was appearing before Yun Xia, lest he upset her.
He Mingrun looked at Li Qing Shuo, scratched his head slightly, opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word.
He hesitated for a moment, then looked at Li Qing Shuo seriously. "Li Qing Shuo, my head isn't quite clear today. I came to find you because I heard something incredible, but you dropped a bomb that's a bit overwhelming. Say it again, who is the father of Yun Xia's child? I didn't hear clearly!"