"Pinzi, when... are you moving back?"
Grandpa picked up a piece of braised pork and put it into Yi Pin's bowl, pretending to ask casually.
Yi Pin was caught off guard by the question. He froze, looking a bit at a loss.
Since he'd been with Shen Yu, he'd never once thought about moving back. So, being suddenly reminded of this question today left him flustered.
Shen Yu frowned slightly.
"I... I'll decide later. I'm still in my internship, and it's closer and more convenient to live there."
Yi Pin forced a smile.
But it was obvious that Grandpa looked a bit dissatisfied.
"Are you still mad at me, Pinzi? I was wrong to hit you that day. I was just too impulsive... But they say there's no grudge between family members that lasts overnight. Why are you so stubborn?"
Grandpa sighed.
Yi Pin looked down at his bowl and smiled. "I know. I'm not saying I won't come back. But... I have my own dreams and things I want to do. I don't want to live my life according to your wishes."
"What do you mean? What future can you have as a small-time lawyer? How much money can you make?"
Dad started nagging again.
He'd always wanted Yi Pin to inherit the family business, but Yi Pin clearly had no interest in it.
"Not everything in this world can be measured by money. Besides, we only live once. Of course, I want to do what I like. If I just live my life according to your wishes, I might as well just be waiting to die!"
Yi Pin spoke his mind.
Glancing at his father's ashen face, Yi Pin continued eating.
"And... don't look down on the profession of a lawyer. Every job is equal. No matter what, we're all making a living with our own hands and should be respected."
Yi Pin continued.
Dad slammed his chopsticks on the table, clearly angry.
"Stop being so petty and only thinking about money all day long..." Grandpa said. "I think being a lawyer is pretty good. Besides, haven't you seen how well A Yu is doing?"
Hearing Grandpa speak up, Yi Pin smiled and continued eating.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten a home-cooked meal. Maybe it was because he'd gotten used to eating out every day.
Yi Pin ate a lot. He sat there from the beginning until the end.
Even Zi Qi had put down his chopsticks, but Yi Pin was still enjoying his meal.
Grandpa couldn't help but feel something seeing this.
He wondered if Yi Pin hadn't been eating or sleeping well since he'd left. But his complexion looked healthy.
Shen Yu silently picked up some food for Yi Pin and watched him with a satisfied look.
"A Yu, when I talked to your grandpa on the phone, he said the girl you've been set up on a blind date with is quite nice. You're old enough to start a family and a career. You should seize the opportunity."
Grandpa said with a smile.
Hearing this, Yi Pin spat out his food and coughed for a long time.
"Look at you. You're like you were starved in your past life. Can't you eat slower? Now you're choking."
Dad looked at Yi Pin with disgust.
Shen Yu smiled, gently patted Yi Pin on the back, and poured him a glass of water. Seeing how well the two got along, Grandpa couldn't help but smile too.
"What? What blind date?"
After drinking the water, Yi Pin put down his chopsticks and asked anxiously.
"It's the daughter of the Hongbo Group. She came to our house once. It was... when I celebrated my birthday!"
Grandpa frowned, looking at Yi Pin's distracted expression.
Yi Pin was shocked. His heart was in a mess, and he felt irritated.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Yi Pin turned to look at the calm Shen Yu.
"You didn't ask."
Shen Yu replied coldly.
Yi Pin turned back to look at his food. He took a couple of bites but suddenly lost his appetite. It tasted bland.
"She seems nice. Her character, looks, and manners are all quite good."
Grandpa smiled.
"Yeah, she's pretty nice."
Shen Yu smiled faintly.
Hearing this, Yi Pin felt a sudden surge of irritation.
Why hadn't Shen Yu told him about this for so long? No wonder he'd seen a really good-looking girl come out of the hospital ward that day when he went out to buy food. He'd thought she'd gone to the wrong ward and hadn't given it much thought.
Yi Pin angrily slammed his chopsticks on the table. "I'm not eating anymore!"
"If you don't want to eat, just say so. Why are you slamming the table? So impolite."
Grandpa tapped Yi Pin on the head, looking disappointed.
After hearing this, Yi Pin was completely distracted. "She's pretty nice"? That meant they'd already met and might meet again.
The thought haunted him all night.
He felt a sense of sadness and depression he couldn't quite describe.
As it got late, the three of them decided to head home.
At this moment, Grandpa looked a bit sad and serious.
Seeing Grandpa looking so sad and absent-minded, Yi Pin said nervously, "I'll come back this weekend!"
"Okay, come back with A Yu!"
Grandpa finally smiled, his eyebrows relaxing.
"Got it, got it. I'll bring your beloved A Yu with me!"
Yi Pin shrugged helplessly and ruffled Zi Qi's hair.
"Also, leave my grandson here. He's suffered enough with you. Let Lao Li take him to school tomorrow. He can also keep me company at home."
Grandpa said excitedly, looking tenderly at Zi Qi.
"Um... Zi Qi, do you want to stay and play with Grandpa or go back with the brothers?"
Yi Pin squatted down, ruffled Zi Qi's hair, and asked with a smile.
"I'll stay with Grandpa. That way, you two can have some alone time!"
Zi Qi thought for a moment and said with a smile.
Yi Pin and Shen Yu stood there, stunned. Grandpa burst into laughter, just thinking it was a child's innocent words.
"What do you know about alone time, you little kid?"
Grandpa said with a hearty laugh.
Yi Pin's face instantly turned red, and he turned to leave.
"Well... it's getting late. We should go." Yi Pin stammered, glancing at Grandpa's calm expression.
"Zi Qi, we'll come pick you up this weekend!"
Seeing Yi Pin hurriedly grab his coat and leave, Shen Yu also smiled and left first.
The two sat in the car in silence, stealing glances at each other but feeling a bit awkward.
Yi Pin cleared his throat and slowly said, "Don't... don't take it to heart. Kids say the darndest things!"
Shen Yu smiled. "Guilty conscience?"