Mu Jiuchen could only awkwardly touch his nose, and under the embarrassment, he could only steel himself and say, "Um, I... I'd like to have dinner with you all too."
"Alright, since you're here, we can't just kick you out in front of a guest."
The old man's condescending look almost made Mu Jiuchen laugh in anger. He was benefiting from his son's presence.
"Xiao Jiu, you keep Kūo Bao company for a while. I'll go change my clothes before coming out. These clothes are too thick, they feel heavy on me." After speaking, the old man returned to his room.
Mu Jiuchen and Jiang Yūokou were left staring at each other.
Meanwhile, Lu Qiaoyī followed, but got separated. The Mu family mansion was vast. Seeing that Mu Jiuchen was no longer in sight, she became anxious. She looked around but still couldn't find him.
Xiao Fan, however, had been following her all along.
As he followed, he realized something was wrong. Through the glass not far away, he vaguely saw Mu Sichen's reflection. Mu Sichen was behind him.
He looked at the path ahead, turned a corner, and walked towards the Old Man's Cloud Sea Courtyard.
Mu Sichen looked at Xiao Fan's retreating back and smiled coldly, "Xiao Fan, you're the one not following. Don't blame me if something happens later."
He would absolutely not allow the marriage between Mu Jiuchen and Lu Qiaoyī. The Lu family was powerful, and marrying Lu Qiaoyī meant possessing half of their influence.
He absolutely refused to let such a thing happen.
Xiao Fan waited for Mu Sichen to leave for a while before cautiously following.
This way, he wouldn't have to face the imposing Lu Qiaoyī.
In the Cloud Sea Courtyard, Jiang Yūokou took off his mask and set it aside.
He surveyed the luxurious and grand hall without speaking.
Mu Jiuchen, seeing him sitting so calmly, simply praised him, "Your singing was good!"
Jiang Yūokou pouted. Just "good"?
Jiang Yūokou felt a pang of sadness, as if he were upset for not receiving his affirmation.
"The bigger your heart, the bigger your stage. I love singing and will continue to sing," Jiang Yūokou said with conviction. He wanted to make his mark in the entertainment industry.
Tang Ziyī was a famous agent in Jinshi City, so he didn't need to rack his brains to find an entertainment company.
Mu Jiuchen sat opposite him, watching his composed demeanor, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. He was the eldest son and would have to bear the heavy responsibility of the Mu family in the future.
"Yūokou, your father believes you might develop in a better direction in the future. Have you thought about other options?"
The Old Man, eavesdropping from behind the door, heard Mu Jiuchen's words and retreated a few steps. Oh dear, did Xiao Jiu just call him Dad?
Hearing the word "Dad," a subtle change appeared on Jiang Yūokou's small face. He was angry, then he gave a faint smile, "Until my mother acknowledges you, you can't be our father."
Mu Jiuchen, holding a high position and known as a decisive business magnate in the business world, could stir up a storm with a single sentence. However, in front of his own son, he had lost all his deterrent power.
Mu Jiuchen's voice was deep and resonant, "Until I marry your mother, I won't force you to acknowledge me. But Father wants to remind you, you are the eldest son, and your responsibilities in the future will be very heavy."
"How heavy?" Jiang Yūokou asked expressionlessly.
Mu Jiuchen narrowed his eyes. Like him, he was born with a proud spirit, never admitting defeat!
"You'll understand in the future," he said lightly, then leaned back on the sofa and handed over his phone, "Add me on WeChat. Come to me if you need anything in the future."
Jiang Yūokou glanced at his phone, but did not refuse. After all, there would be plenty of things to trouble him with later.
He readily added him on WeChat and asked, "When does Ninth Master plan to tell my Mommy the truth?"
Mu Jiuchen elegantly crossed his legs, his handsome face inscrutable. "Children shouldn't meddle in adult affairs. Focus on your studies."
Jiang Yūokou's expression turned cold, looking very much like Mu Jiuchen opposite him, "Who's meddling in your business? I'm afraid you'll hurt my mother. It was very difficult for my mom to raise us these past years; she suffered a lot, basically walking on the edge of life and death. I won't let anyone hurt her."
Yes, what's a father?
Their mother was the best mother in the world.
Mu Jiuchen sat up slightly, his tone firm, "You can rest assured about this. Even if the whole world hurts her, I will not."
"Heh heh...!" Jiang Yūokou couldn't help but laugh, a sarcastic laugh, "You don't even have the courage to tell her? How can you say you won't hurt her?"
Mu Jiuchen looked at his steady demeanor, finding it hard to imagine that a miniaturized version of himself would possess such presence.
"How about a bet?"
Mu Jiuchen narrowed his dark eyes, "How do children learn such things?"
Jiang Yūokou smiled, "In this world, people compete with each other. Competition stimulates people's enthusiasm. On weekends, whichever of us three siblings finishes washing clothes, and washes them the cleanest, will get to eat the best chicken leg made by Mom."
"If Shaoqing's game can make your company earn a lot of money, and if I, following Aunt Tang, surpass your company's artists, then no matter what, you cannot force my mother, nor can you appear before my mother as you please."
Mother didn't actually know who Father was. She subconsciously wanted to forget him.
"Oh my! When people get old, it's like this. Even a slightly thicker shirt feels heavy!" The Old Man came out without changing clothes, wearing only a white shirt.
Mu Jiuchen used to think his old man was fussy and talkative, but at this moment, he was incredibly grateful for his appearance.
He no longer had to bet with his son. He couldn't afford such a terrifying bet. How had he found Nuannuan?
Seeing the Old Man emerge, Jiang Yūokou said nothing more.
Instead, he quickly typed out a text message to his cheap dad.
[The bet is made. Big shot Sānbǎo is going to blow up your conglomerate. Just wait. Without you, our rich and powerful father, by our side, we three siblings can shine on our own.]
Mu Jiuchen's phone vibrated. He glanced at his son opposite him, then at the content.
He closed his eyes and tossed the phone aside. Indeed, fate could not be escaped.
"Old Master, dinner has been served." Steward Hong, along with several servants, brought in the delicacies.
Jiang Yūokou was already hungry. He had been playing with Yíngyíng and hadn't had time to eat anything.
The Old Man smiled at Jiang Yūokou, then looked at the helpless Mu Xiao Jiu. Oh, he's met his match?
His eyesight was indeed good. He had not guessed wrong; this was his little great-grandson.
"Come, Great-Grandpa will take you," the Old Man took Jiang Yūokou's hand. Even at this moment, his heart was trembling.
Because he had heard "three siblings."
Hahaha...!
Three siblings, he really wanted to see what they looked like?
They were triplets.
No wonder this kid didn't recognize him. The person he had met must have been another child. Their auras were completely different.