AWB Chapter 461 felt Meng Ze's kindness and closeness.
Chapter 461 felt Meng Ze's kindness and closeness.
Meng Ze carefully rolled up the painting and placed it on the table, handling it as if it were an extremely precious treasure.
Xie Jue sat next to Meng Ze, swinging her short legs back and forth.
She propped herself up on the corner of the table with one hand, secretly glancing at Meng Ze's profile.
He stared at the scar for a while, his little cheeks puffed out.
It's as if there's something to say, but the words just won't come out.
Meng Ze noticed his subtle movement, turned his head to look at him, and asked in a gentle tone, "What's wrong?"
Xie Jue hesitated for a moment, then muttered softly, "Um... can I ask you a question?"
"Ah."
"So... are you really my grandfather?"
Meng Ze was stunned for a moment, and a strange, inexplicable bitterness welled up in his heart.
He didn't answer immediately, but gently raised his hand and placed it on Xie Jue's head, rubbing it.
"Do you want me to be?"
Xie Jue suddenly looked up, "Of course I hope so!"
Meng Ze looked at him and said, "Then I will be it."
Xie Jue chuckled, then threw himself at Meng Ze, hugging his waist tightly, and mumbled in a muffled voice, "Grandfather..."
The shout came out much more easily than he had imagined.
Meng Ze looked down at the little dumpling who was tightly hugging him in his arms, tightened his grip, patted the little dumpling on the back, and spoke in a low, hoarse voice.
"Well, I'm here."
Xie Jue chuckled in his arms.
He didn't like his previous grandfather, who was always mean to them and never treated them well!
He likes Xie Siyuan, but he doesn't like them!
He doesn't like him either!
He likes his current grandfather! He helps him with math, plays with him, and loves his paintings!
A soft footstep sounded at the door.
Xie Jing pushed open the door and entered, his expression as usual and his demeanor upright.
He cupped his hands in greeting to Meng Ze, his tone gentle yet measured: "Mr. Meng, I've come to see you."
He didn't have much contact with Meng Ze, and they weren't nearly as close as he was with Xie Jue.
Meng Ze looked at him; this was the first time he had spoken directly with Xie Jing.
Unlike Xie Jue's innocence, Xie Jing already possessed a maturity and restraint beyond his years.
Xie Jing looked at Meng Ze's face in front of him, lowered his eyes, and felt complicated.
He hadn't expected this at all.
The father's background is surprisingly unusual, and it even involves the deceased eldest prince.
The previous dynasty, the prince, the Great Liang.
These relationships are intricately intertwined, like hidden pieces on a chessboard, each one potentially unleashing a storm.
He was at a loss for what to do.
"Second brother," Xie Jue blinked and suddenly spoke up, "Why are you looking at Grandfather like that?"
Xie Jing: ...
After a short while, my grandfather was already calling out to me.
They changed their tune so quickly.
He looked up at Xie Jue and suddenly felt a headache coming on.
Xie Jue puffed out his little chest confidently, looking like he was "very filial."
Xie Jing's lips twitched, too lazy to say anything more.
Meng Ze chuckled softly.
He looked at the two children before him, his eyes softening with an unprecedented gentleness, as if the ice and snow were just beginning to melt.
I've been alone for so many years and haven't gotten close to anyone.
But when I was with these two children, I couldn't help but let my guard down and become close to them.
My heart felt warm and cozy.
Xie Jing slowly spoke, "Grandfather, did you really come here to reunite with your family?"
Meng Ze did not avoid the question, but looked at him frankly.
“Yes.” He nodded. “I lost more than twenty years of my memory, and only now do I realize that I still have relatives in the Great Jin. I have no other purpose in returning this time than to reunite with my family and find out about my origins.”
He paused, a hint of weariness in his expression. "However, I'm a little late. Now that I'm back, I don't want to leave again."
Xie Jing listened quietly, then said in a deep voice, "But you were once the prime minister of the Great Liang."
Meng Ze smiled gently, "Don't worry, I am now Xie Yanli's father and your grandfather, nothing more."
“I am originally from the Great Jin Dynasty. Going to the Great Liang Dynasty was not my wish. I lost my memory after waking up and ended up in the Great Liang Dynasty. Although I still don’t remember anything, I am certain that I am from the Great Jin Dynasty, and that cannot be changed.”
Xie Jing's tense knuckles relaxed, and the wariness in his eyes slowly dissipated.
He sensed Meng Ze's kindness and closeness.
He must not be a bad person.
"I understand," Xie Jing said, his tone no longer sharp. "Now that Grandfather has returned, I will treat you as family as well."
A hint of warmth flashed in Meng Ze's eyes.
"Okay, that's enough."
Xie Jing's eyes cleared up considerably. "Actually, I didn't ask you those questions just now because I wanted to make things difficult for you. It's just that this matter involves too many things, and I'm worried about some unpredictable consequences."
Meng Ze looked at him and nodded, saying, "You did the right thing. We should have been more cautious."
The smile in his eyes deepened.
This child is indeed different.
Despite their young age, they already know how to weigh the pros and cons, are not swayed by emotions, and do not easily believe in feelings.
Now, he can stand on his own.
Evening, Qinglan Courtyard.
Inside the main house, the family sat around a round table, enjoying a sumptuous meal, the food steaming hot.
Xie Jue clung to Qin Jiuwei's side, grinning as he ate sweet and sour pork ribs, his lips glistening with oil.
Xie Jing ate quietly, occasionally talking to Xie Yanli.
This was the first time Meng Ze had sat down at such a lively dinner table. His gaze slowly swept over each face, his expression gentle.
Footsteps sounded outside the door, and then Xie Jingchun strode into the room.
The boy was dressed in a dark blue casual outfit, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Xie Jingchun's gaze fell on Meng Ze, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes. She hadn't expected to see him here that night.
"Chun-ge'er?" Meng Ze asked.
Xie Jingchun stood up and bowed, saying, "Junior Xie Jingchun greets...Grandfather."
He paused, then followed Xie Jue's example and changed his form of address, but it still sounded a bit awkward.
Meng Ze smiled, gesturing for him to sit down, and then carefully examined him for a moment. "I heard you practice martial arts at the training ground. You are indeed a young general with an extraordinary presence."
Xie Jingchun blushed slightly at the praise. "Grandfather, you flatter me. I'm just young and a bit impulsive."
“It’s good to have a lot of drive.” Meng Ze nodded, his tone filled with genuine appreciation. “You have a sharp edge in your eyes, yet you also know how to be humble. That’s rare.”
Xie Jingchun touched his nose sheepishly, but couldn't help but smile. He then poured Meng Ze another cup of hot tea.
"Grandfather, please enjoy your drink. Did you like the food tonight?"
Meng Ze took it and nodded slightly: "It suits my taste very well."
"That's good." Xie Jingchun finally relaxed and sat down in his usual spot to eat.
While eating, she didn't forget to put a braised lion's head on Meng Ze's plate.
“This is the best thing made in the small kitchen, Grandfather, please try it.”
Meng Ze looked at the young man in front of him with a smile.
This child is courageous and responsible, and also cheerful and uninhibited, making him irresistibly likable.
He bent down, picked up the lion's head meatball, took a bite, and found it to be indeed rich in flavor, tender and delicious.
"delicious."