Nan Chen fell silent for a moment.
âGrandpa, do you think that they would go to someone else and tag along with them?â
âYes.â
âBut how would they manage that?â
Nan Zhengde took a few steps forward, saying, âChen, youâre outstanding in every aspect, but overly upright at the same time. You despised any underhanded dealings and schemes. However, the world is full of evil, and youâre in an enviable position, so you must be cautious to protect yourself. Give it some thought, and youâll figure out how they do it.â
Without uttering a word, Nan Chen was sunk in thought for a short while. âI think I got it.â
âOh? Tell me.â
âEvery Nan family member knows that Grandpa refused to forgive them, but in the eyes of the outsiders, theyâre still part of our family. Thus, no one will reject them if they ask for help. Besides, they can even lie saying that you wanted them to return to the family, but you just canât lower yourself to ask them. Those who want to please our family will agree to it, thinking that theyâre doing something good for us.â
Nan Chen was a man of few words, and he only spoke when he reasoned with someone.
Yet, he rarely needed to do so, as his unparalleled capabilities already said it all.
As a result, he doesnât need to speak much most of the time.
Nan Zhengde gave him a firm nod. âYouâre absolutely correct.â
âAs for who will be bringing them⦠Grandpa, I guess youâve foreseen it, right?â Nan Chen said.
âTheyâll surely tag along with an influential person.â
âBut everyone that we invited to the birthday banquet is influential, or else they wonât be allowed to come.â
âYes, but some are more powerful than the others,â the elderly man explained.
Nan Chen nodded in agreement.
âDo what you need to do,â Nan Zhengde said.
âWhat should I do if they show up?â
âAsk Nan Xing to be the peacemaker when I get mad, but you must not say a thing.â
Grandpa doesnât want me to get involved, lest I get affected by this matter. With my status, itâs best that I stay neutral. Only then can I maintain my influence and authority.
âI understand, Grandpaâ¦â
Meanwhile, Ning Ran was waiting at the airportâs entrance with her two kids, as Nan Chen asked them to pick Nan Xing up.
He loved his brother dearly. Knowing that Nan Xing felt hurt because of Ning Ran and the kids, Nan Chen wanted to make it up to his brother the best he could.
Ning Ran was glad about Nan Xingâs return.
Whether or not Nan Xing is the kidsâ father, Iâm grateful for all his help and care. He may be a womanizer, but he treats me very well. Heâs the one who helps me the most after I return to this country.
After some time, Nan Xing came into sight. Dressed in a white suit, he was wearing bright, yellow-
framed sunglasses and a pair of red leather shoes.
Iâve never seen any man wearing red leather shoes before. What an eye-opener. Oddly enough, such a combination doesnât look weird but matches him perfectly.
âDaddyâ¦â Erbao mumbled.
âYouâre not supposed to call him Daddy, remember?â Ning Ran quickly reminded her daughter.
âOh no! I forgot. Itâs uncle.â Erbao grimaced and said.
The little girl had always been fond of Nan Xing. Unlike Nan Chen, who was stern and rigid, Nan Xing was carefree and easy-going, allowing the little girl to eat and play as she pleased.
That was why he was the ideal father figure in her eyes. Unfortunately, in the end, he became her uncle.
Looking at the two kids, Nan Xing shrieked ecstatically while running toward them through the crowd.
Erbao immediately went up to him. âUncle!â
Picking her up, Nan Xing lifted the little girl high above his head.
Ning Ran couldnât help but furrow her brows. I told him many times not to lift the kids too high. Itâs too dangerous. I can see that my words fell on deaf ears.
The little girl wrapped her arms around Nan Xingâs neck. âAlthough youâre not my Daddy, youâre still my uncle and I will always love you.â
âAww⦠Erbao is the best! My heart just melted at your words. I love you too, whether youâre my daughter or my niece.â
Ning Ran and Dabao cast a glance at one another.
Whatâs with the sudden cheesy confession? These two are one of a kind. How can they say such corny words so effortlessly?
âDabao, youâre still staid as ever, like a little old man. You didnât even greet me!â Nan Xing complained.
âUncle, Iâm not a little old man. Iâm just mature.â the boy corrected Nan Xing with a stern look.
âOkay, okay. I know youâre mature. But isnât it the same as being a little old man?â He poked fun at the boy.
With a warm smile on her face, Ning Ran couldnât find the right words to talk to him, feeling slightly awkward.
Back then, the two were about to get married, but they became in-laws all of a sudden.
No matter how open-minded they were, the awkwardness of their current situation was unavoidable.
âItâs been a while.â In the end, Nan Xing took the initiative and greeted her.
He and Poker Face have the same face, yet they carry totally different vibes.
Poker Face is aloof and stern, with an intimidating aura, while Nan Xing is jovial and a little flippant, making people feel at ease around him.
Staring at Nan Xingâs grin, the memory of their past flooded into her mind, and her eyes misted over.
It was an indescribable feeling, which had nothing to do with love nor the familial relationship they now shared.
âIâm glad that youâre back,â Ning Ran said from the bottom of her heart.
âReally? Did you miss me?â
As Ning Ran was trying to deal with her sudden wave of nostalgia, Nan Xingâs cheekiness snapped her out of that emotion right away.
âCall me sister-in-law,â Ning Ran hit his sore spot.
How dare you be so frivolous and flamboyant.
The smile on his face froze, and his cheeky attitude changed right away. Letting out a few dry coughs, Nan Xing said, âWho drove here? Whereâs the car? Letâs go back.â
I still canât face this reality despite living abroad for so long.
A sense of impish glee welled up in Ning Ranâs heart. I guess what I said really hit a nerve. He dropped that attitude instantly.
âOur car is over there. I donât trust my driving skill, so the driver drove us here.â
Having achieved her goal, she stopped making fun of him.
Nan Xing hoisted Erbao onto his shoulder and headed toward the carpark.
âUncle, have you forgotten something after coming back from overseas?â Erbao asked.
âWhat is it?â
âDidnât you promised to bring me some snacks? How could you forget such an important matter?â the girl said with a solemn face.
Nan Xing broke into a fit of laughter at her words.
âNo, how could I? I dare not forget this important mission. It was too much of a hassle to bring the snacks with me, so I chose to ship them. Itâll be delivered soon. Donât worry, itâs all for you.â
âI knew it. My uncle is an excellent man. I knew you didnât forget about this.â Erbao commended him.
Next Chapter q