novelhk Page 13
Page 13
He looked at his adoptive father, only to see that Old Man Mu was pressing his fingers hard against his brow with his hands behind his back, looking rather comical.
"What's wrong?" Mu Qinghan walked over and asked in a calm tone.
Old Man Mu looked pained. "It's nothing, it's nothing. I just blinked too hard and got a cramp."
Mu Qinghan silently withdrew his gaze.
On the other side, Aoki Hime's attention had already fallen on the boy who had just entered the door.
Mu Qinghan has a tall and straight figure, and although he is still young, he exudes a calm and composed demeanor.
He wore a moon-white robe, which made his skin appear even whiter. His eyes were large and bright, like they held clear mountain springs. He had a high nose bridge, clear lips, and his appearance was so exquisite that he was even more beautiful than a girl.
Aoki Hime was momentarily stunned, her small hands unconsciously twisting the hem of her skirt.
This is... the legendary, exceptionally talented "Little Sword Immortal" Mu Qinghan?
Compared to Mu Shenqi, who was loud and thoughtless just now, the two were practically two different species.
She couldn't help but wonder to herself: Could Mu Shenqi be adopted? Otherwise, how could he be so different?
"Mu Yuan, come here, let Auntie introduce you."
Grandma Mu finally stopped chasing and hitting, straightened her clothes, and led Qingmu Yuan to Mu Qinghan, smiling as she said, "This is my Qinghan. Qinghan, this is the young lady of the Qing family, Qingmu Yuan."
Mu Qinghan nodded slightly and said politely, "Miss Qing."
Aoki Yuan suddenly snapped out of her daze, her cheeks flushing slightly. She quickly lowered her head and whispered, "Young Master Mu."
She secretly glanced at Mu Qinghan again, only to meet his calm gaze. Startled, she quickly lowered her head again, her mind in turmoil.
Aoki Hime gripped the hem of her skirt so tightly her fingers turned white, her heart pounding like a rabbit caught in its throes.
She inwardly berated herself: Aoki Yuan, you're two years older than him!
Normally he's a big shot in the Qing family, and he even dares to talk back to the elders of the clan. Why is he so timid when he sees a young man today?
Say something, even just a casual greeting. You can't just stand here like a wooden post!
She took a deep breath, and just as she mustered the courage to look up and speak, she saw that Mu Qinghan had already turned and walked towards her mother.
The young man walked steadily to the head of the Qing family, bowed slightly, and said in a clear and respectful voice: "Mu Qinghan greets the head of the Qing family."
The head of the Qing family sat in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over the two of them.
Looking at Mu Qinghan, who was sensible, polite, and calm, and then at her own daughter—her face was flushed red, like a steamed bun just taken out of a steamer, with even her ears steaming, and her head was almost buried in her chest.
The head of the Qing family shook his head helplessly, thinking to himself: This girl was slamming her fist on the table yesterday, saying she would rather die than marry the Mu family boy. How come she's so shy today?
But then she looked at Mu Qinghan again.
Although the child was very polite, his eyes showed only pure respect, without the awkwardness or curiosity that a young man should have when he sees a pretty girl. He seemed to have no special feelings for his own daughter at all.
The head of the Qing family gently stroked the rim of the teacup, showing no annoyance.
After all, Mu Qinghan is only ten years old, so he probably doesn't have any thoughts about that.
In a few years, when the children are a bit older, they can spend more time together and maybe develop some feelings for each other.
"No gifts."
The head of the Qing family raised his hand, his tone gentle.
"I have long heard of Young Master Mu's exceptional talent. Seeing him today, I can confirm that his reputation is well-deserved. He has such a demeanor at such a young age."
Mu Qinghan straightened up, his expression still calm: "Patriarch, you flatter me. This junior only knows a little bit about the basics."
Aoki Yuan, who was standing to the side, listened to the conversation between the two and secretly glanced at Mu Qinghan.
Seeing that he remained calm and composed even when facing his own mother, without the slightest fear, her admiration for him grew even stronger.
Grandma Mu sat in her chair, watching her youngest son Mu Qinghan handle things properly. Her eyes were full of satisfaction, and the smile on her lips never faded.
Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of a head peeking in from outside the courtyard gate; it was Mu Shenqi.
He hunched his shoulders, revealing only his bright, darting eyes as he cautiously peered into the living room, afraid of incurring his mother's wrath again.
Seeing his thieving appearance, Grandma Mu couldn't help but laugh and wave her hand: "Come here, you idiot. How old are you? You're still acting like a child, so carefree."
"Hehehe, Mother."
Mu Shenqi immediately squeezed in with a grin, scratching the back of his head as he approached the table.
"Isn't it because you and Dad take care of everything? You arrange everything at home and outside perfectly, so I don't have to think about anything else."
Upon hearing this, Grandma Mu's smile faded slightly. She gently patted the back of his hand, her tone earnest.
"But we will all have to leave one day. What will you do when your father and I are gone?"
Mu Shenqi's playful expression vanished instantly. He paused in scratching his head, then said firmly.
"Let's not even talk about whether you and Dad will live to be a hundred years old. Even if that day comes, I still have my younger brother! At that time, I will depend on Qinghan for survival."
"Pfft!" Old Mrs. Mu was amused by him and tapped his forehead. "You, you are clearly the older brother, you should be the one protecting your younger brother. Besides, we have the entire Mu family behind us, how can we rely on just the two of you brothers to support us?"
"I know!"
Mu Shenqi straightened up, his eyes unusually serious, and his voice resounding.
"I will protect my brother with my life! In my eyes, you, Dad, and Qinghan are my closest relatives. The only three of you are worth protecting with my life in this life."
Looking at her son's earnest expression, Grandma Mu's eyes welled up with tears. She reached out and ruffled his hair, her voice softening as she said, "You... you're such a silly child."
"Hehehe, fools are lucky!" Mu Shenqi immediately reverted to his carefree self, grinning and revealing two rows of neat white teeth.
"With you and Dad doting on me, and my younger brother protecting me, I'm incredibly lucky!"
Mu Qinghan glanced at his older brother, a slight smile playing on his lips.
He turned around, took a jade pendant from his waist, and placed it in his brother's palm.
"Brother, today is your birthday."
"Happy birthday…"
Chapter 18 I Love You, Mom
"My...my birthday?"
Mu Shenqi's pupils contracted slightly, and he stopped in his tracks.
He blinked blankly, his gaze quickly sweeping across the hall.
The table was covered with a red checkered tablecloth, and in the center was a fruit cake covered with cream (back then, there must have been cream, right?), surrounded by steaming dishes, all of which were his favorites.
Looking at Grandma Mu behind her, she nodded gently and quietly touched Grandpa Mu's arm beside her.
"Happy birthday, my dear son." Old Mrs. Mu's voice was unusually gentle.
"Hahaha, what are you standing there for!"
Old Man Mu broke the silence with a gruff voice, his deliberately stern face unable to hide his smile, and he patted the table.
"This whole table of delicious dishes is made with fresh ingredients that your mother went to the market to buy before dawn and has been busy preparing it all this time! There's such a big red character with gold lettering for longevity pasted on the wall by the door, where were your eyes when you came in?"
Mu Shen scratched his head, his ear tips slightly red, and his voice was barely audible: "I...I can't read..."
The air fell silent for two seconds.
Damn, I forgot.
Old Man Mu's smile froze, and he opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word for a long time.
Grandma Mu was also stunned for a moment, then helplessly covered her face.
The head of the Qing family, who was hiding to the side, couldn't help but chuckle softly.
The way this family interacts is completely natural and full of the warmth and everyday life of an ordinary family, which is really quite interesting.
Her gaze shifted to her daughter, Aoki Hitoshi.
She was no longer shy or timid; she was staring at the scene before her with bright, sparkling eyes, a smile unconsciously playing on her lips, her eyes filled with envy.
It's really great.
The head of the Qing family sighed inwardly.
There were no strict rules, no cold calculations, only the warmth of family affection flowing between them. This atmosphere was warm and harmonious, something she and her daughter had never experienced before.
Aoki Yuan's gaze fell on the hand of Maki's mother as she served food to Maki Shenqi, her eyes gradually drifting into the distance.
She thought of her father, whom she had never met, the man who only existed in her mother's words.
If Dad were still alive, would he also be like Grandpa Mu, making a fool of himself because of a small misunderstanding?
Will you also cook her a table of her favorite dishes yourself?
If that were the case, wouldn't I be able to live such a lively and loving life every day?
Seeing the undisguised longing in his daughter's eyes, the Qing family patriarch's heart clenched, as if he had been stabbed by a needle, and a bitter feeling instantly spread through him.
She is the head of the Qing family, bearing the weight of the family's rise and fall, honor and disgrace on her shoulders. Every day, she wakes up to a mountain of tasks.
Managing the clan's businesses, negotiating with other families, disciplining the clan's children... she had to do everything herself, leaving no room to breathe.
Unlike the carefree life of the Mu family, her life consisted only of endless responsibilities.
Many nights, she was still in her study reviewing documents, the lamplight casting long shadows of her.
How she longed to spend more time with her daughter! But whenever she finished her work and wanted to go see her daughter, she always found that Aoki Hibiki was already fast asleep, with an unfinished note on the bedside table, on which was written crookedly, "I want to eat with my mother."
She remembered that several times, after finishing her work late at night, she would push open the study door and see Aoki Hime's small figure curled up on the steps outside the door, covered with a thin blanket, probably having fallen asleep from waiting too long.
She knew that her daughter had run to her door countless times, but she didn't dare to disturb her. She would just stand there quietly, listening to the rustling of pens on paper and the occasional sound of her turning over files, as if that would bring her a little closer to her.
Thinking of this, the head of the Qing family grasped her daughter's hand, feeling the warmth of her daughter's palm through her fingertips. She gently squeezed it, secretly making a decision in her heart.
From now on, no matter how busy I am, I will make time to spend with Yuanyuan, even if it's just having a meal with her and saying a few words.
"Hahaha, chicken soup is here!"
Afu's loud voice came from outside the door first, and then he strode into the main hall carrying a heavy ebony tray.
On the tray, in a white porcelain bowl, bubbling chicken soup steamed, with golden oil floating on the surface, and a rich aroma instantly filled the air, whetting one's appetite.
He was wearing a brand-new blue cotton coat with fine stitches, which made his originally thin figure, which was made to look thicker by years of hard work, appear more robust.