Because the door was slightly ajar, Yang Feng could hear their muffled conversation and make out small bits of what was being said. He could see she was comforting his younger sister, something both he and Yang Yulong had great trouble doing.

While Zhao Lifei comforted Yang Ruqin, he came to the conclusion that she would make a fantastic mother — something he planned on ensuring.

- - - - -

The dinner had officially started. Yang Mujian sat at the enormous table in the center of the room, surrounded by a majority of his family members who were doing their very best to kiss up to him; unfortunately, two of his three favorite grandchildren were absent.

Everyone was complimenting the first dish of the seven-course meal, but Yang Mujian sat with a glum face that was darker than his usual one. His sour mood worsened when the birds' nest soup was served and his grandchildren were still not present. Although the rambling fool of a grandson, Yang Yulong, was chatting up a storm beside him, Yang Mujian would not be satisfied until he saw all three of his favorite grandchildren together.

As he was about to signal his people to look for the other two, they walked back into the banquet hall, Yang Feng leading the trio with Yang Ruqin and Zhao Lifei right behind him. Yang Mujian narrowed his eyes.

'Those two rascals! They better have a good explanation!' He fumed to himself, especially when he saw Zhao Lifei. 'Did she need something from them? Is that why they're so late to dinner? What could be so damn important for Yang Ruqin and Yang Feng to both be absent during the most crucial bonding moment?!'

Su Meixiu was one of the selected three that were allowed to sit at his table. She saw his displeasure and quietly whispered, "Young Master Feng was spotted searching for Miss Zhao. I suppose that was what took him a while."

Yang Mujian did not respond, but her words did add fuel to the fire. His grandson personally searched for her? What for? All he had to do was get his men to drag the woman back to the banquet hall and should she resist, a good slap to the face was enough.

Many of the people surrounding him were too indulged in the food to realize the three of them walking towards their seats.

Zhao Lifei could feel the burning, glowering even, stare of Elder Yang and when she looked up, she immediately looked back down. The slightest second of eye contact with him was enough for an uneasy feeling to settle in her stomach, her face becoming a bit paler.

Yang Feng saw the small exchange. "Ruqin, go back to the table first. Explain to grandfather that you needed Lifei's help and it was not the other way around."

Yang Ruqin was confused at why she needed to explain anything, but when she saw the accusing glare of her grandfather, she finally understood why. "Okay." She nodded her head, walking back to her grandfather.

Yang Feng settled his arm on her lower back, before grabbing her side and stepping closer to her. "Are you alright? You're pale." He quietly whispered while walking her back to her table which was to the right of theirs.

"I'm fine." She mumbled, not able to look him in the eyes. She could feel it again, those beady eyes set upon her. She felt a sense of Déjà vu as if there was once a time she angered the Elder before, but it was strange to her that she didn't recall ever meeting him before…

"Remember our promise."

"I know, but I don't want to talk about it here…"

Yang Feng took in their surroundings. Aside from the waiters bustling around with the next set of dishes, they were the only two guests standing. Everyone had a perfect view of them. He decided they needed time alone.

When he was about to guide her off to somewhere secluded, they were within close enough proximity of Zhao Moyao's table that he was able to see them.

"Let's go somewhere else then."

Zhao Moyao spoke up, "Xiao Fei, come and sit down."

The people seated at the table paused their bites midway, not believing such a stoic man was capable of affection. They had never witnessed the elder acting like this, even when he spoke to his own daughters. A few people exchanged glances, as if sharing the silent understanding. The best way to get on Zhao Moyao's good side was not by directly bootlicking him, but by bootlicking his notorious granddaughter.

Yang Feng noticed there was only one open chair at the entire table. He frowned at this, ready to take out a blank check to buy the chair on the other side of her.

"And you, young man, should return back to your grandfather's table. He has been waiting for you." Zhao Moyao's stern voice did not leave any room for argument.

When Yang Feng's finger dug into her hips, she made an attempt to put his anger at bay. Zhao Lifei raised her head and placed a hand over his. "Go back." She whispered to him, to which he responded by squeezing her waist.

"No."

"Don't make it difficult." She whispered, before turning her face to him, her heart skipping a beat when she saw that his eyes had been on her the entire time.

In a low voice that resembled a small murmur, she said, "I'll see you tonight anyway, so behave and go back. Alright?" She made sure no one else heard her.

Yang Feng pressed his lips together and in an equally quiet voice, he rasped, "You better not fall asleep so quickly tonight."

She could feel her cheeks flush. "Shut up."

He smirked and released her waist. She thought that was the end of it so she jumped when he suddenly kissed her cheek and walked off, all in the blink of an eye. She was dazed, practically on cloud nine, that he did not hesitate to show public displays of affection. He was not scared to show her off and make his claim.

Zhao Moyao scowled, resisting the urge to throw a fork straight into the brat's head. Such a possessive brute that one was!

He firmly turned to his granddaughter, ready to lecture her, but seeing as she was still stuck in her little bubble, even as she was sitting down, he fumed to himself. Talking to her in this state would be like talking to a wall.

Yang Mujian did not miss their little exchange. His grandson was visibly smitten by the girl, as he once was in his youth. This was not good. The young man was reverting back to his old ways.

"Grandfather, you haven't touched your salad." Yang Ruqin said in hopes of distracting him. "Father heard you really fancied this particular salad dressing so he had it specifically imported from the capital."

Yang Qianlu felt himself brimming with pride at this daughter of his. Quite a sweet talker this one was…

Yang Mujian hummed. "Worry about your own food, you've skipped the first two courses." He briskly replied. His mood had gotten better after hearing the explanation that his granddaughter was facing a dilemma before the dinner and needed the comfort of Zhao Lifei. At least that woman was not distracting her, but she was indeed, distracting his grandson…

Yang Ruqin felt the subtle jab and hurriedly made amends. "My job does not allow me to eat too much. I have to maintain my figure."

Yang Mujian slowly nodded in understanding. She was working hard to maintain her job, something that children born in wealth barely bothered to entertain. "Regardless of your work, I expect you to at least eat one good meal every day."

"Of course, grandfather. Feng-ge has assigned a chef to me who follows a strict nutrition guide." She also made sure to earn some brownie points from her older brother, saying such things right when he arrived at the table.

Yang Feng somberly said, "I apologize for my lateness, grandfather."

"You don't sound apologetic, besides, a simple apology is not enough."

"Then what would you like instead?" Yang Feng's face became expressionless again, his eyes heavily guarded. He sat directly to the right of his grandfather, a seat that many envied.

"A birthday gift would be adequate."

"You have all the wealth in the world, grandfather. What more do you need?"

Many of Yang Feng's relatives saw that as an ignorant response, but it was the exact one that Yang Mujian was looking for. It showed Yang Feng was apathetic enough to not care about the sincerity and thoughtfulness of a gift. Good. As the current leader, he does not need such feelings.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.