Chapter 126

Chapter 126: Almost Ruined His Reputation

After two months of training, the Du family had already gotten used to the happy days of picking up gossip everywhere. When they heard this familiar opening line now, they were a little excited inside, but their faces did not show a thing.

As for Du De Sheng, who always thought he had seen big storms, this was his first time encountering something this mysterious. He instinctively tightened his grip on his cane and tried hard to calm his shaken heart.

Du An Rao did not notice everyone’s reaction. She stared at Miss Qiao for quite a while and still felt she needed more information before she could be sure.

“Mom, what does Granduncle do? I don’t think I’ve seen him before, and I never heard you talk about him.”

Mother Du’s mouth twitched. She thought to herself that except for Du Lian Shuang, which of their relatives hadn’t they met for the first time at the birthday banquet? What was so strange about another distant relative popping up that they hadn’t met before?

That was what she was thinking, but in order to eat the freshest melon, Mother Du still cleared her throat and said truthfully: “Your Granduncle retired a few years ago. Before he retired, I think he was in heavy industry investment.”

[Heavy industry investment? That’s a pretty big range. Is there really no more exact information?]

Though Du De Sheng was old, his hearing was as sharp as ever. He had already heard most of the mother and daughter’s whispers. His eyes rolled and he smiled lightly as he said: “Of course. We’re all family, so I’ll speak frankly. The main reason I shamelessly asked to stay with you is that I felt a special bond with An An as soon as I saw her. I was thinking, while I’m staying in City S, maybe I can ask her to be my guide and go around with me.”

The Du family, who had already seen through his little scheme, all went: “…”

They figured the walks were just an excuse. What he really wanted was to tag along after their youngest and eat gossip melons all day. They just didn’t know if, in the end, the melon would be about him.

“You’re an elder. In reason and in feelings, I shouldn’t refuse this request. It’s just that An An was only brought back to City S by us a bit over two months ago, and not long ago she went to City J and stayed there for nearly a month. So if you count it all, she’s only been in City S for about a month and hasn’t had time to go anywhere. I’m afraid it’s not very suitable to have her accompany you around.”

Du De Sheng laughed: “Isn’t that perfect? She isn’t familiar with City S, and I’m not familiar with City S either. If we go out together, we can share our thoughts anytime and anywhere. As for what you’re worried about, we can just hire another guide. It’s not a big deal.”

The Du family was left speechless by Du De Sheng’s shameless way of doing things: “…” Was this really allowed?

Although Du An Rao reacted a beat slow because she was busy thinking about the story, she now understood too.

[What is going on? He really came just for me? But I have never even met him. Saying we felt a bond at first sight… even a dog wouldn’t believe that excuse.]

The whole Du family: “!!!”

“Cough, cough, cough… cough, cough, cough…”

Du An Rao’s inner complaining was cut off by a sudden fit of rough coughing beside her.

“Mom, are you okay? Did you choke?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine. I just drank water too fast and it went down the wrong pipe. I’m much better now.”

“…Oh. Then be careful.”

“Mm…”

Mother Du forced a smile, but her attention was on the old man across from her, afraid he would be angry at Du An Rao’s rudeness.

Unexpectedly, not only was Du De Sheng not angry at all, he was smiling even more happily.

“Before I came, I already heard about An An from a few of your uncles. The child was wandering outside before, so of course she suffered. Now that you’ve found her, that’s a good thing. But young people should still go out more. Only by using their own legs to walk through this big land, and seeing the mountains beyond the mountains and the skies beyond the skies, can they know how the scenery outside is different from what they see around them.”

Du De Sheng changed the subject and said: “How about this. After we walk around City S for a while, An An can also come back with me to City B to visit. Granduncle’s home is at No. 9 Jingyu Street. Next door is a very large garden park. The people who live nearby don’t need tickets to take guests in. It’s perfect for a walk after dinner to help digest.”

These words also had a double meaning. He was telling the Du family that before he came, he had already heard from other relatives about how special Du An Rao was and had no bad intentions toward her, so they didn’t need to be so guarded. At the same time, he slipped in his home address to quietly give Du An Rao more clues to recognize him.

Sure enough, as soon as Du De Sheng finished speaking, Du An Rao’s eyes lit up.

[Jingyu Street, the most expensive area in the center of City B, said to sit on the dragon vein. The old imperial palace sites, all the old princes’ mansions and royal gardens are gathered around it. Ordinary people have to buy tickets to get in, but Granduncle actually lives right inside, and by coincidence he lives at No. 9 Jingyu Street!]

The Du family already knew that Du De Sheng had a big background, so they were not too surprised by Du An Rao’s stream of exclamations. What they cared about more was the No. 9 that she kept mentioning. Did that number have some special meaning?

[So Granduncle really is that Ninth Master Du from the rumors, the one who only has to stomp his foot for all of City B to shake, and whose name alone can scare countless powerful officials?]

Father Du and Mother Du froze for a moment and turned to look at Du De Sheng without thinking, asking with their eyes if he really had such a nickname.

Du De Sheng had his hands crossed on top of his cane. When he heard this, he couldn’t help moving his fingers awkwardly.

The story related to this Granduncle was a suspenseful inner-courtyard drama novel. The female lead was the care attendant Qiao Yi Ting who was now at Du De Sheng’s side. As for the male lead, it should be this once-famous Ninth Master Du.

As soon as Du An Rao threw out this bit of information, all the Du family’s eyes shot toward Du De Sheng, as if saying: Who would have thought you were this kind of person, Granduncle? At your age, you’re still getting into a grandpa-granddaughter romance with a little girl like your granddaughter!

Du De Sheng understood their looks. His hand gripping the cane started to tremble. How could that be…

He had long already given his heart to someone. How could he fall for someone else, and on top of that, such a young girl who could be his own granddaughter? Absolutely impossible!

[Oh, of course, calling him the male protagonist doesn’t mean he has any romantic relationship with the female protagonist. It is simply because in this novel, his page time is second only to the female lead. It’s a suspenseful inner-courtyard drama, after all. If there is going to be fighting inside the house, the house they are fighting over is his. How could he not count as the male lead?]

[As for Granduncle and Miss Qiao, they just have a simple employer-employee relationship, plus a bit of mistaken “love me, love my house” feeling. It is a pure, grandparent-grandchild kind of affection that he uses to place his feelings for someone from the past.]

The Du family: “…” Ahahaha, so that was it. How awkward.jpg.

Du De Sheng: “…” This little girl was so young. Could she not talk in such huge jumps? As someone with one foot already in the grave, he had almost lost his good reputation and ruined his name because of just a few of her sentences!