SHEN JI YUN disliked going to this place.He didn’t mind that he wasn’t welcomed.What he hated was going here and be constantly reminded of his deceased father.To be reminded of the past when he still had a happy and complete family.That was the thing he hated the most.
A reminder of the past that he wouldn’t be able to get back.No matter how much he prayed the gods and the heavens for it.
He stared at the big villa in front.No matter how much he didn’t want to deal with the people inside, he still had to.
"Ji Yun, let’s go," his uncle called.
Shen Ji Yun sighed and just followed his uncle inside the villa.
When they entered, a lot of people were already inside the huge hall of the villa.It was a place solely dedicated for functions such as this.Many members of the various branch families were already there.As soon as the two people walked in, many gazes quickly focused on them.
Their gazes were penetrating, like needles poking on Shen Ji Yun’s skin.Even their voices were ringing in his ears.
"It’s Yi Mu, I heard his company became even bigger this year."
"When I first found out that he was planning to build a gaming company, I was truly in doubt at first.But it seems like there’s nothing to worry about, seeing his success now."
"Of course.What would you expect from the son of the old master?If the second master didn’t die so untimely, he probably would have done a lot of great things by now as well."
"It’s all because he married that foreign woman.If she didn’t entice him to leave the country, then that incident—"
"Sshh!His son is just standing right there."
"But I was only telling the truth.Besides, just look at those blue eyes.It looks so unnatural."
"Yes.A person from our country shouldn’t have that kind of eye color."
Shen Yi Mu looked at those people with cold eyes.Who, in turn, quickly shut their mouth."Don’t mind those idiots."
"I never did," Shen Ji Yun simply said.
Shen Yi Mu chuckled and shook his head.Yes, it would take a lot more than that to affect this kid.They continued walking towards the area that was most crowded.Because there, encircled by almost everyone, was the patriarch of the Shen family.
He was a man in his late 70s.The lines on his face was very prominent and made him look even more stern.All of his hair was now white.But despite that, no one would think that he was a weak old man.His back was straight and his built was still as huge as when he was at his peak.People would easily assume that he was ten years younger.
It was because of his almost larger than life presence.A presence acc.u.mulated throughout his years as a government official.
When Shen Yi Mu and Shen Ji Yun finally reached the crowd, the people gathering around Shen Wang Ji automatically parted.Letting them through.
"Dad."
"Grandfather."
Both of them greeted one after the other.
Shen Wang Ji barely glanced at Shen Ji Yun before focusing his attention at his youngest son."It seems that you still know how to come back."
"Dad seem to be as energetic as ever, seeing as how you’re joking like that," Shen Yi Mu said."Didn’t I visit just last month?"
"And you’re really proud of that?We live in the same city and yet you only come back here once a month.Sometimes, you don’t even bother to visit!Do you think you live in another city?No, you probably think you’re living in another country!"
Shen Yi Mu only laughed at that.
"Dear, please calm down," a new voice said.
They turned and saw a woman who looked to be in her 60s walking to their direction.She was a very well-maintained woman.Only a few strands of her hair had turned white, the lines on her face were barely noticeable.She was still as beautiful as any woman ten years her junior.
"Mom!" Shen Yi Mu walked towards the woman and enthusiastically greeted her.
The woman – Wu Meixiu – gently smiled at his youngest son."It seems you’re doing okay, Ah Mu."
"That son of yours is always doing okay," Shen Wang Ji grunted.
Wu Meixiu ignored her husband and walked towards Shen Ji Yun.She placed her palm on his cheek."Xiao Yun seems to be thinner since the last time I saw you.Is your uncle not feeding you properly?"
"Mom, can’t you see how big your grandson is?There’s no way he’s not eating properly," Shen Yi Mu inserted.
"Uncle Yi Mu is right, Grandma.I’m doing fine," Shen Ji Yun said with a rare gentle smile.
Out of all the people in this villa, the only one Shen Ji Yun considered as family – except from his uncle, of course – was his grandmother.Through the years, she was the only one in this household who never made him feel like he’s an outsider.She always treated him like someone precious.
After his uncle took him out of Country Y, he later found out that his grandmother tried to be his official guardian.Especially after knowing what he experienced in the said country.But his uncle vehemently opposed that.Telling his grandmother that if she became his guardian, she would just be repeating his situation at Country Y.But this time, in a different cage known as the Shen family.Perhaps knowing the attitude of her own husband towards Shen Ji Yun, she reluctantly let her youngest son, who was living separately from them, to be his guardian.
But his grandmother’s sentiments were real.She truly wanted to be the one to take care of him.But in the kind of situation he was in then, he couldn’t help but agree with his uncle’s decision.He would definitely turn out differently if he was raised in this place.And he was not saying that in a positive way.
Wu Meixiu smiled."Then as long as you’re fine, Grandma would be happy."
Shen Ji Yun hadn’t had time to reply because his grandfather suddenly cleared his throat."Let’s start the dinner banquet.Come, Meixiu, accompany me."
His grandmother patted Shen Ji Yun’s hand before smiling apologetically at him.Then she walked towards his grandfather’s side.
"Don’t let it get to you," his uncle said beside him, probably referring to the way his grandfather just acted.
Shen Ji Yun shook his head."I’m already used to it."
He took a deep breath and then followed everyone towards the banquet area.
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