Han Shao Zhou was certain that Mo Ming was still hiding somewhere in the apartment.
The bathroom? The storage room… or perhaps behind the curtains on the balcony?
This little thing was playing hide and seek with him at a time like this. Once Grandpa left, he was definitely going to teach him a lesson.
He must have spoiled him too much, making this guy more and more indifferent to what he said. If he didn’t discipline him now, who knew what would happen in the future?
Han Shao Zhou’s sharp eyes scanned all the possible hiding spots where Mo Ming might be, but his thoughts were interrupted by a sharp jab from his grandfather’s cane to his calf, snapping him back to reality.
“Are you even listening to me?” Han Changzong asked angrily, “Still looking for that cat?”
Han Shao Zhou rubbed his leg and turned his gaze back. “I’m listening, Grandpa. Go ahead.”
“I was talking about Wen Ci. You must know by now that he’s divorced. He’s single again.”
Han Changzong looked at Han Shao Zhou with a complex expression.
Over the years, Han Changzong had watched Han Shao Zhou grow and was very proud of him. However, he couldn’t help but worry about his grandson’s tumultuous love life. He had seen Han Shao Zhou’s reckless passion and his despondent lows, and it pained him.
Han Changzong always felt guilty when it came to his grandson. When Han Shao Zhou’s parents died, he was just a young child, and at that time, Han Changzong had to return his focus to business, so he wasn’t as involved in Han Shao Zhou’s upbringing as he would have liked. When Han Shao Zhou later became rebellious, Han Changzong felt it was his fault. He had placed all his hopes on Wen Ci, believing that the only way to change an already stubborn adult was through the influence of someone they loved. So, when Han Shao Zhou pursued Wen Ci with everything he had, Han Changzong had tacitly approved, even though it meant almost emptying the family coffers.
It was a selfish move. Han Changzong didn’t actually think Wen Ci was an exceptional match. He simply wanted Han Shao Zhou to be happy. The Han family didn’t need to rely on marriages for business alliances, and from what little he knew, Wen Ci seemed like a decent person. So, when it came to love, he had always allowed Han Shao Zhou to follow his heart. He hoped Han Shao Zhou could find true love to make up for the warmth he had missed out on in his childhood.
“Yes, I know.” Han Shao Zhou said, glancing again toward the balcony. The bottom of the curtain swayed slightly. Was it the wind, or was someone hiding behind it?
“I never would have thought it possible.” Grandpa sighed deeply, genuinely surprised. “What we had been wishing for day and night actually came true.”
“…”
Han Shao Zhou’s lips twitched. “Don’t bring me into this. I’m not thinking that way.”
Grandpa wasn’t upset. “Do you remember what you wrote on that wish pouch when we went to Fo Yuan Mountain back then?”
Han Shao Zhou frowned. “Why were you snooping?”
“I was worried you were leaving a suicide note, so I checked. Do you remember what you wrote instead?” That part was true. After Wen Ci got married, Han Shao Zhou’s despondency had scared him. He had wanted to understand Han Shao Zhou’s mental state and guide him back on the right path.
It turned out Han Shao Zhou had written in his wish pouch that he hoped Wen Ci would get divorced and come back to him. And he had declared with absolute determination that he would wait forever.
Of course, Grandpa had later told Ah De to remove and discard the pouch. Even back then, he thought it was a rather heartless wish.
“Grandpa, can we stop bringing up what happened three years ago? Everyone goes through a foolish phase in their youth.” Han Shao Zhou tried to divert the topic. “You’ve told me before that when you were chasing after Grandma, Great-Grandpa almost broke your legs. And Dad nearly became a live-in son-in-law while pursuing Mom. Back then, you said the Han family was full of hopeless romantics, and now you’re making fun of me.”
Grandpa chuckled, despite his annoyance. “You dare to compare yourself to me and your dad? No matter how much trouble we caused back then, at least we managed to win the person over. And you? You couldn’t even do that. If this were the old days, I bet you’d have stormed in to snatch a bride.”
Han Shao Zhou stood up. “I’ll go check on how Ah De is doing with dinner.”
“Sit down!” Grandpa ordered, his voice stern.
With a sullen expression, Han Shao Zhou reluctantly sat back down.
“Enough jokes. I came here mainly to ask you…” Grandpa’s tone softened, growing serious. “Now that Wen Ci is single again, what are your plans? Do you still intend to pursue him like before?”
He didn’t want Han Shao Zhou to throw himself back into the same relentless pursuit that had left no room for retreat. A person could only endure so much heartache and upheaval in life. This time, if he decided to try again, he needed to be prepared for the possibility of disappointment.
Just as Han Shao Zhou was about to respond, his gaze instinctively flicked toward the balcony.
Was someone really hiding behind those curtains?
If Mo Ming was there, then he must have heard every word of this conversation.
Han Shao Zhou narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Grandpa, I understand what you’re saying.” Han Shao Zhou replied. “Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing. After everything that’s happened, do you really think I haven’t learned anything?”
Seeing the calm look on Han Shao Zhou’s face, Grandpa felt reassured. “I’m glad to hear that. To be honest, before I came over, I was wondering if you would still be as obsessed with Wen Ci now that he’s divorced.”
“I’m not that shallow.” Han Shao Zhou said, glancing briefly at the balcony. “When I pursue someone, it’s based on whether I like them or not. I don’t care if they’re divorced or even widowed.”
Grandpa laughed. “You’ve got some nerve.”
The curtain fluttered again, as if something was stirring behind it.
Han Shao Zhou withdrew his gaze. “It’s been years since I’ve seen him. I wonder what Wen Ci is like now.”
“They say he’ll be back in a few days. Just remember what you said earlier, and don’t go back to the way things were.” Grandpa’s expression turned complicated. “You’re my only grandson…”
“Don’t worry, Grandpa.” Han Shao Zhou said, sitting up straight and patting his grandfather on the shoulder. “You don’t have to worry about me so much. People move forward, and so will I.”
After going through it once, Han Shao Zhou had grown to detest the idea of clinging desperately to love, whether it was himself in the past or anyone else now.
“Good. I’m glad to see you’re approaching love with more maturity and reason now.” Grandpa said, his expression softening. “Talking with you like this, I know what I need to do next.”
Han Shao Zhou immediately snapped out of his thoughts and quickly said, “Grandpa, you absolutely must not interfere in this. Focus on your own matters. I won’t cause you any trouble.”
“I know. Matters of the heart are something you’ll have to handle yourself.”
The two of them continued chatting for a while. It was rare for grandfather and grandson to have such a calm and peaceful conversation. It wasn’t until Ah De emerged from the kitchen that the conversation ended.
“Mr. Han, dinner is ready.” Ah De announced.
Grandpa slowly stood up from the sofa. “I won’t stay for dinner. I just dropped by to talk for a bit. There are still things I need to handle back home.”
Han Shao Zhou, thinking of Mo Ming still on the balcony, didn’t try to persuade him to stay. He stood up to escort Grandpa downstairs.
In the elevator, Grandpa reminded Han Shao Zhou to visit his maternal grandfather more often.
“Your grandfather thinks of you often.”
“I just visited him a little while ago.”
Han Shao Zhou’s maternal grandfather, Pang Mingshun, was over eighty years old and gravely ill, not expected to survive much longer. He had endured many hardships in his life, including losing his son, daughter, and son-in-law in an accident. Although he had a dutiful adopted son by his side, he cherished his bloodline above all else, and his dearest concern was always Han Shao Zhou, his grandson.
During a recent business trip through the city, Han Shao Zhou had made a point to visit Pang Mingshun. Pang had hinted at passing on part of the family’s business to him. His adoptive son—Han Shao Zhou’s nominal uncle—had been standing nearby at the time, and Han Shao Zhou had chosen not to respond.
After seeing Grandpa into the car, Han Shao Zhou called out, “Grandpa.”
Grandpa turned around, looking out through the car window at him.
“Don’t worry.” Han Shao Zhou said, smiling calmly. “I’ll make you proud in the future, in every way.”
Grandpa paused for a moment, then a warm, affectionate smile appeared in his eyes.
“Especially in matters of the heart.” Han Shao Zhou added.
Now, when he looked back on his past foolish actions, even he found them embarrassing. He had once believed, naively, that without love, his life would be meaningless. But as time moved him forward, the once-passionate memories had been worn down by the passage of time.
That reckless, all-consuming love—there was probably only one chance to experience something like that in a lifetime. Perhaps he had been crazy, obsessive, immature, and foolish, and he still wasn’t sure what that intense love had become in his heart. But now, he could look back at it with a calm mind, distanced from the uncontrolled emotions of the past.
“That’s good to hear.” Grandpa said with a soft laugh. “Remember what you said.”
“I will.”
“Oh, and by the way, don’t keep the cat.” Grandpa added suddenly. “You’re too busy to take care of it properly, and you don’t even have a housekeeper. If you really like it, send it to the house at Champagne Hill. The housekeeper there can take care of it.”
Han Shao Zhou raised an eyebrow. Champagne Hill was a nice place, and having someone to care for the cat would be convenient. But he still preferred living here with Mo Ming. The cozy, intimate atmosphere of their little home wasn’t something a luxury mansion could provide.
But perhaps they could spend the occasional weekend there.
“Alright.” Han Shao Zhou replied. “I’ll have a talk with the cat and see what it thinks.”
“…”
Without another word, Grandpa raised the window and gestured for Ah De to drive off.
As the car slowly left the neighborhood, Grandpa leaned back in the seat, deep in thought.
“The Wen family is holding a private art exhibition in Chuanhai soon. Go and purchase a few paintings in my name.” Grandpa said to his assistant. “Also, Mrs. Shen’s niece, the one who wants to break into the entertainment industry—get in touch with Xingci and arrange for them to sign her. Make sure they treat her well.”
“Yes, sir.”
…
After seeing Grandpa off, Han Shao Zhou quickly returned to the apartment.
Entering the apartment, he casually rolled up his sleeves, a small smirk on his lips, though his eyes held a trace of irritation.
So, he wanted to play hide and seek, did he?
Fine. Then Mo Ming shouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being “meowed” into submission later.
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