Chapter 91

"Uncle." Although the other party was smiling, Yuan Yi's intuition told him that in front of his future father-in-law, it was better to be polite and respectful rather than overconfident, or he would surely be the one to suffer in the end.

"Ah, Yuan Yi has arrived?" Song Hai, patting his protruding belly, flashed a warm smile. "Come in and have a seat?"

"How could I trouble you, Uncle?" Yuan Yi smiled. "I'm here to pick up Yan Xi."

"I know you're here to pick up Yan Yan, but I can't imagine you came to see an old man like me," Song Hai glanced at the time. "You young people go have fun, I need to head to work."

"Take care, Uncle." Yuan Yi stepped aside.

Song Hai, with a half-smile, teased, "I see you're eager for me to disappear from your sight, not even wanting me to walk slowly."

Yuan Yi quickly replied, "How could I think that?!"

"Hey, we're all grown-ups, let's skip the formalities," Song Hai shook his head with a sigh. "When I was young and chasing Yan Yan's mother, I felt just the same."

"Dad, if you don't leave soon, you'll be late."

Song Hai silently glanced back at his daughter and reluctantly got into the car.

His precious daughter, once a pure jade cabbage, was now turning into a pig. As a father, it really felt like a knife to the heart.

"Uncle... do you not like me?" Yuan Yi asked, watching Song Hai drive off before turning to Yan Xi. "Do you think if I send him some diamond watches or brooches, he might like me a bit more?"

"Wake up, as long as you're still my boyfriend, he won't like you too much," Yan Xi sighed. "To a father, his daughter is his priceless treasure."

"Then I must be like the prepaid phone cards my parents gave me, the ones with just twenty bucks of credit," Yuan Yi raised an eyebrow. "When we get married, should we bring my dad over to live with us?"

"What 'our dad'?" Yan Xi rolled her eyes. "Didn't you say my dad doesn't like you?"

"Once I become part of your family, he'll like me, won't he?"

Yan Xi: ...That actually makes a lot of sense?

Seeing that Yan Xi didn't respond, Yuan Yi thought she didn't believe him and continued, "Anyway, my parents don't care to see me, and your dad can't bear to be apart from you—seems like it works out perfectly."

"What works out perfectly? Stop overthinking it." Yan Xi hooked her arm through Yuan Yi's. "Come on, let's go upstairs. I need to grab something."

"What is it?" Yuan Yi let her drag him along.

"Of course, it's a housewarming gift," Yan Xi smiled. "What, do you think it's still a betrothal gift?"

Yuan Yi: "..."

At the Yuan family home, Yuan Bo stood in front of the mirror, meticulously adjusting his bow tie and cufflinks. After descending the stairs, he picked up the newspaper that had been freshly ironed, and saw the front page of the business section with a photo of him and his younger brother, Yuan Yi.

The article described them as the successors of the Yuan family's strong willpower, as well as commercial geniuses who had surpassed their father's generation. The article was filled with praise for the brothers, subtly implying that they were more capable than Yuan Yasen.

In many wealthy families, the younger generation is often compared to their parents. Mediocrity is seen as doing nothing outstanding, and even the slightest failure is considered a sign of decline. Only by surpassing their predecessors can they earn the praise of others, who are quick to criticize but harshly judgmental.

Hearing footsteps coming from upstairs, Yuan Bo placed the newspaper back in its place.

Yuan Yasen and Xu Ya descended the stairs, carrying travel bags. Yuan Yasen noticed that Yuan Bo was dressed in an impeccably arranged outfit and couldn't help but ask, "Where are you going?"

Looking at the luggage in their hands, Yuan Bo replied, "I'm going to visit Grandpa. Do you want to come along?"

"No, we've already booked international travel tickets. You can send our regards to Grandpa for us," Yuan Yasen replied, slightly uncomfortable. Lately, it seemed like his father-in-law had been particularly displeased with him, so he didn't want to go over and be scolded again.

"Okay, I understand," Yuan Bo nodded, not planning to say more, and turned to leave.

"Wait a moment." Xu Ya handed Yuan Bo a box. "Take this to your Grandpa."

"Alright." Yuan Bo opened the box to find some snacks that elderly people like to eat.

"Your Grandpa loves these, but the aunties at home don't make them properly, so I made some myself last night," Xu Ya said, patting Yuan Bo on the shoulder. "You've become quieter as you've grown."

Yuan Bo spoke in a steady voice, "Mom, I call this being composed."

"As kids grow, they can't be as lively as when they were younger," Yuan Yasen said, pulling Xu Ya close. "Let's have breakfast."

Yuan Bo watched them, happily oblivious to everything, and said, "Dad, Mom, have fun. I'm heading out."

"Be careful on the road," Xu Ya looked up at her eldest son, only seeing his tall figure as he walked away.

After breakfast, Yuan Yasen casually picked up the newspaper from the table. When he saw the report in the business section, his expression flickered, becoming extremely complicated.

"Yasen, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Yuan Yasen wanted to crumple the newspaper in his hands, but seeing his wife's curious gaze, he held back and handed it to her instead. "The media is praising the eldest and second sons for surpassing their predecessors."

Especially when it came to Yuan Yi, it even mentioned some scandalous rumors. It seemed to be mocking his earlier decision to promote Yuan Yi to the management of Changfeng.

"Although Yuan Yi lost his position in Changfeng's management, for him, this is merely the beginning of a challenge. Eagles never fear difficulties; they only rise higher and higher..."

His disobedient son had already become an eagle, while he himself was slowly aging. Turning to look at the woman he had loved his entire life, she was seriously reading every word on the newspaper, a proud smile on her face.

For a moment, Yuan Yasen didn't know whether to feel emotional or disappointed.

"Yasen, the second one is getting more and more capable," Xu Ya put down the newspaper, "It's really great."

"Mmm." Yuan Yasen nodded with a stern face.

"Mr. Yuan, you seem quite happy?" The driver handed a cup of hot coffee to Yuan Bo. Yuan Bo took a sip, leisurely replying, "Really?"

He tilted his head to look out the window. The snow had stopped.

The newspaper should have been seen by now.