Main city.

He Family compound.

Though it's called a compound, it's merely an old term.

The He Family's rowhouse used to be a standalone four-sided courtyard. However, due to later relocations.

A high-end residential area was built on the original courtyard base.

The He's courtyard naturally evolved into a rowhouse.

The villa has three floors, one generation per floor.

The top floor, the third layer.

Houses only one person, the man who crafted the current He Family prosperity, the former provincial governor - Old Man He.

Father to He Rongxuan and Mu Shanshan's mother He Rongshan, although long retired, Old Man He's residual might remains. He is undeniably the patriarch of the He Family.

Old Man He has three children throughout his life. Aside from the first wife, who bore He Rongxuan and He Rongshan, there's another son, He Zhiyuan, born from Old Man He's second wife.

Neither wife lived as long as Old Man He. The first wife, mother of He Rongxuan and He Rongshan, died of illness when Rongshan was just over ten.

The second wife wasn't as healthy as Old Man He, passing away several years ago due to old age.

Thus, for years, the third floor has been solely occupied by Old Man He.

As for the second floor, it originally housed He Rongxuan, He Rongshan, and He Zhiyuan. But given Rongshan's insistence on marrying Mu Hong early on, her bedroom has been sealed off for many years. Meanwhile, Rongxuan and Zhiyuan both have public duties and rarely return home throughout the year.

So the second floor remains empty most of the time.

And the third floor is home to the third He Family generation.

Namely, He Rongxuan's son and daughter, along with He Zhiyuan's only son.

But now, it's also empty.

He Rongxuan's son serves in the military and his daughter studies abroad, rarely returning home.

He Zhiyuan's only son, though living in the main city, dislikes being constrained by Old Man He. He's seldom home throughout the year, too.

In short, usually, only Old Man He and a maid attending to his daily needs reside at the He Family compound.

However, tonight includes an additional presence, He Rongxuan.

He Rongxuan, a deputy leader of a northern province, is usually occupied with official duties. This time, his return to the main city is not just to meet Lin Fei and Mu Shanshan, but also to celebrate Old Man He's birthday.

After separating from Lin Fei and Mu Shanshan at the airport, He Rongxuan naturally headed back to the He Family.

Despite the late hour, the He Family remains brightly lit.

Because, before returning home, He Rongxuan had already made a call to Old Man He.

Having received Rongxuan's call, Old Man He stayed awake, sitting in the living room waiting for Rongxuan.

Though aged, nothing diminishes Old Man He's authority.

His originally graying temples have been dyed black because of his upcoming seventieth birthday. He wears a Zhongshan suit, simple yet dignified. Due to years of practicing Tai Chi, his posture shows no sign of stooping.

From behind, one who doesn't know might never guess that this upright figure belongs to a seventy-year-old.

If it were Lin Fei entering the living room instead of He Rongxuan at this moment.

Lin Fei would undoubtedly feel a touch of his assessment of Old Man He's personality as domineering.

And indeed, whether during the years of governance or throughout his family leadership, Old Man He has always been quite stern.

This sternness isn't simply solemnity. It stems from strict self-discipline.

Old Man He is harsh with those around him and even harsher with himself!

Such self-discipline throughout his forty-year political career meant no negligence or malpractice. Were it not for his impoverished background and lower initial starting point.

Given Old Man He's governance capabilities and reputation, he might have progressed further.

Regrets certainly exist, but retiring honorably from his position is enough for Old Man He to find pride in his lifetime.

The only shortcoming was in handling He Rongshan and Mu Hong's marriage issue, where stubbornness led to some fundamental mistakes.

...

He Rongxuan, having strolled into the living room, stands before Old Man He and immediately, respectfully bows and speaks, "Dad, sorry to keep you waiting; I'm back."

"It's good to return, have a seat."

Old Man He, who had been sitting in the living room waiting for Rongxuan for quite some time, showed no sign of impatience. Nor did he display excessive excitement or inappropriate demeanor, his face stern as he casually gestured for Rongxuan to sit.

After Rongxuan was seated, Old Man He used his gaze to stop Rongxuan from pouring tea for him.

Old Man He personally lifted the teapot to pour tea for Rongxuan, saying, "The prodigal returns; may this cup welcome you home and clear the dust from your travels."

Knowing Old Man He's style, Rongxuan offered no polite refusals, immediately taking the tea from Old Man He and drinking it in one go.

Then, as Rongxuan set down the teacup, he received the teapot from Old Man He, pouring tea for him, stating, "Dad, sorry for the delay; I really apologize. I—"

"Since childhood, no matter what you do, you have been punctual and trustworthy. This time, it's been nearly an hour and a half past the expected time you mentioned during the call to reach home. I can somewhat guess what's kept you; she came, didn't she?"

If it was anyone else, they would not know who Old Man He's "she" referred to. However, Rongxuan clearly knew.

Because when deciding to invite "her," it was under Old Man He's instruction that Rongxuan called Mu Hong.

Simply put, wanting Mu Shanshan and Lin Fei to come to the capital wasn't Rongxuan's intention but Old Man He's.

As people age, there's an inclination to reminisce. Often, reminiscing prompts actions that seem irrational but carry deeper intentions.

This is akin to how Old Man He directed Rongxuan to invite Mu Hong to have Mu Shanshan and Lin Fei come to the capital.

Reflecting Mu Shanshan's stubborn heart and Lin Fei's rebellious instincts.

Old Man He's intentions weren't simply about having Mu Shanshan and Lin Fei celebrate his birthday. The birthday celebration was merely a formality.

Old Man He's invitation for Mu Shanshan and Lin Fei under the guise of celebrating his birthday was because through reminiscing, he realized the mistake made in handling Rongshan and Mu Hong's marriage.

Now, he wants to make amends for that mistake.

With Rongshan gone, even with the desire to compensate, it's evidently unfeasible for Old Man He.

Therefore, what Old Man He came up with, the best way to amend, is to accept Mu Shanshan as his granddaughter...

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