Chapter 173: You Really Can’t Change Your Nature

“Watch your words…”

Ji Mo Sheng tiredly pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly unwilling to continue the conversation. “I don’t want to bring up old matters.”

Back then, Xiao Yutian had wronged him, so he wisely chose not to press further.

However, suspicions and doubts formed in his mind… as if he was pondering something.

As the car slowly made its way up the mountain, Ji Mo Sheng looked up and saw a vast sea of blooming flowers. His mood naturally improved.

The Xiao family estate was indeed a place with beautiful mountains, clear waters, and birds singing among the fragrant flowers.

As soon as he got out of the car, Ji Mo Sheng spotted a small figure rushing toward him from afar.

He focused his gaze and realized it was Lin Qingyou.

It wasn’t his fault he didn’t recognize her at first glance—at the moment, Lin Qingyou was wrapped in a thick, fluffy sweater, making her look like an adorable little bear.

As she ran excitedly, her footsteps made a “thump thump” sound, which was irresistibly cute.

Ji Mo Sheng’s gloom instantly dissipated…

“Master… Master… Master!” Lin Qingyou called out happily as she ran.

“Slow down, don’t trip,” Ji Mo Sheng quickly reminded her.

However, just as he finished speaking, Lin Qingyou had already arrived before him like a gust of wind.

She tilted her head up, blinking her bright, lively eyes with joy. “Master, why are you here?”

“Of course, I came to see my precious disciple!”

Ji Mo Sheng smiled as he gently patted her fluffy head with affection.

“My dear disciple, why are you dressed like a little bear? Is it really that cold?”

At his words, Lin Qingyou pouted and shot an annoyed glance at Yin Hanyu, who was following behind.

“It’s all his fault! He forced me to wear so much, saying that even if I fell, I wouldn’t get hurt.”

“Pfft…”

Ji Mo Sheng couldn’t help but chuckle, his laughter escaping from his throat.

Looking at this mischievous little girl, he affectionately ruffled her hair again and agreed, “Well, he’s not wrong. You do tend to fall easily when you’re in a hurry.”

“Master!” Lin Qingyou stomped her foot in protest. “Whose side are you on? You have to be on my side!”

Ji Mo Sheng said, “I’m a reasonable person. I stand on the side of truth.”

Lin Qingyou lifted her chin. “Then I am the truth!”

“Hahahaha…” Ji Mo Sheng burst into laughter.

People often wondered why he doted on this girl so much.

The reason was simple.

Because being with her made him happy and at ease.

Ji Mo Sheng suddenly turned his gaze to Xiao Yutian and asked straightforwardly, “Qingyou, in the days you’ve been here, has your grandfather made things difficult for you?”

“Of course!” Lin Qingyou immediately replied, grabbing Ji Mo Sheng’s hand to complain. “He keeps picking on my husband, acting like he’s some kind of prince with a throne to inherit. So arrogant and annoying!”

Xiao Yutian said calmly, “I’m just stating the truth.”

“The truth?” Lin Qingyou retorted bluntly. “So what if it’s the truth? Even if Yin Hanyu isn’t skilled in those things, I still love him!”

“No one wants your Xiao family’s wealth. I don’t want it, and Yin Hanyu doesn’t care for it either.”

Besides, if it really came down to wealth, the Xiao family might not even be richer than Yin Hanyu.

The people who survived the training at that secret base were all elite professionals, now dominating various industries and making money for Yin Hanyu.

And Yin Hanyu’s biological father, Lan Si, was the one who actually had a throne to inherit.

But Yin Hanyu didn’t even acknowledge him.

Xiao Yutian had been king of his own little mountain for too long, completely unaware of the bigger world beyond.

“Just guard your power and wealth and live out your days,” Lin Qingyou huffed, linking arms with Yin Hanyu and Ji Mo Sheng as she walked away. “Hmph, looking down on people like a snobbish dog!”

“You… cough, cough, cough…” Xiao Yutian was so furious that he started coughing uncontrollably.

A servant, seeing that his condition was worsening, quickly helped him back to his room for medicine.

Ji Mo Sheng, noticing Xiao Yutian’s health was indeed failing, followed him inside and offered a few words of concern.

“Are you alright?” Ji Mo Sheng asked.

“I’m not dead yet…” After taking his medicine, Xiao Yutian looked much better.

Ji Mo Sheng sat down beside him. “You’re getting old. You should be enjoying life now. Why do you keep making trouble for the young ones?”

He reached out and touched a rare, expensive orchid nearby. “Look at these exquisite plants you care for so well, yet you’ve never really taken the time to admire them, have you?”

Then he turned back to Xiao Yutian. “Qingyou is a straightforward girl. Don’t take her words too seriously.”

“Deep down, she actually respects you. She’s even felt proud to have such a powerful grandfather.”

“Really?”

“Why would I lie to you?” Ji Mo Sheng flicked the leaves of the orchid.

Xiao Yutian immediately smacked his hand away. “Don’t damage it! It’s delicate!”

Ji Mo Sheng laughed. “Yin Hanyu is to Qingyou what this rare orchid is to you—precious and untouchable.”

“To Qingyou, Yin Hanyu is her everything. Not only can no one harm him, but no one can even speak ill of him. If someone tries to hurt him, she’ll fight to the death. And yet, you keep making things difficult for her beloved—what did you expect? That she’d like you for it?”

“Hmph…” Xiao Yutian said angrily. “Women who are too blinded by love end up suffering. Her mother was a living example of that. I don’t want her to follow in those footsteps.”

“Blinded by love?” Ji Mo Sheng chuckled. “Look at you, keeping up with modern slang!”

Xiao Yutian: “…”

Just because he lived in the mountains didn’t mean he was some ancient hermit!

Ji Mo Sheng continued, “What does being ‘blinded by love’ even mean?”

“Romantic relationships are a natural part of life. If two young people love each other and are well-matched, why is that a problem?”

“Giving up everything for an unworthy man—that’s being ‘blinded by love.'”

“But tell me, has Yin Hanyu made Qingyou lose anything?”

“The answer is no.”

“On the contrary, because of Yin Hanyu, Qingyou has found herself again. She’s happy and living her best life. Isn’t that a good thing?”

“If you had seen how she used to be—completely losing herself because of Leng Yifeng—you would be grateful to Yin Hanyu.”

“Come on, it’s the modern age. And you still want to break up a loving couple?”

“I’m not trying to break them up,” Xiao Yutian sighed. “I don’t have much time left, and I don’t expect her to forgive me. But I truly want the best for her.”

“I’ve been observing Yin Hanyu these past few days.”

“Observing?” Ji Mo Sheng rolled his eyes. “You really can’t change your nature, can you?”

Xiao Yutian: “…”

“People don’t like being tested, you know…”

Still, Ji Mo Sheng was curious. “So, what’s your conclusion?”

Xiao Yutian sighed, but a trace of relief appeared on his face. “Qingyou has much better judgment than her mother ever did.”

“Compared to Yin Hanyu, Lin Zhiwei is nothing—just a low-class fool.”