Yue Ling sees her yeye from the corners of her eyes. She turns her head in his direction and stood up from the bench.
Seeing the old man's expression full of mischievous intent, she already knew what was going to happen.
Lu Tian had left to City Z, so she decided to use this time to visit and explain. After all, she cannot keep this secret for long.
Her eyes soften and she gently touch her lower abdomen. Today, she will tell her yeye about her relationship with Lu Tian. As for the little one inside her, she will talk with Lu Tian first.
Besides, judging from what she saw at Imperial Military Hospital, her yeye seems to like Lu Tian. She really hopes to get his blessing.
"Grandfather!!"
Ji Jingxu calls out when he sees the old man. He steps out of formation and quickly runs to his grandfather with a wide smile.
Grandfather Ji looks at his grandson and sees how the boy is covered in sweat.
When he saw the happy and energetic expression on the boy, he could only soften. That face full of life, how can he ever get angry with a face like that?
The feeling he had earlier completely vanishes, but he made sure to maintain a straight face.
"Your speed is too slow. You need to train more so you can catch up to Inu."
Ji Jingxu: "…."
Yue Ling: "…"
Ji Jingxu was dumbfounded. He stumble but quickly steadied himself. However, he stares at his grandfather with heavy eyelids. His looks at Inu and sees the white fluff ball staring back at him.
"…."
That expression…
Ji Jingxu was even more dumbfounded.
Inu at this very moment stare back at him with an expression full of confidence and arrogance. It was as if the Samoyed was saying, 'Don't look at me. I am the fastest one here.'
At the same time, the soldiers didn't understand why Ji Jingxu had stepped out of formation. Their heads turn in his direction and seeing the reason, their eyes widen.
They all quickly stop running and straighten their postures. Multiple hands raise and saluted.
"General Ji!"
Grandfather Ji looks away from his grandson to the young men behind. His eyes scan every one of them until he sees Ting. His heart ached for the young man, but he doesn't show it. He nods to the young men and usher with his hand.
"Good job everyone. Continue on with your training."
"Yes, sir!!"
Being dismissed, the soldiers continue with their run. However, Ting didn't forget to look back at the old man again. His mind is unreadable as he looks away and quickly follows in pursuit of the soldiers.
At the side, Yue Ling sighs a smile. She walks over to her grandfather and brother.
"Yeye."
Grandfather Ji hears her and turn his head to look at her. Seeing her smiling at him, he makes a hmmf and swung his head away from her. He will pretend to be angry at her for hiding such important news.
"After so long and you finally decide to visit? Look at Jingxu, he doesn't stay home anymore, and you are always busy with work. Should I find new grandkids?"
"….."
Both grandchildren were dumbfounded at the old man's words.
However, Yue Ling was the first to recover. She walks over to stand next to him and hook her arm around his.
"Yeye, I really was busy with work. Since I have some free time, I specially came to visit. See, I even brought Inu."
Grandfather Ji rolled his eyes but does not move his arm away of hers.
"Free? Yes, my granddaughter must have a lot of free time today."
He made sure to emphasize the word free. After all, he knows about that his granddaughter is seeing Lu Tian. Not only that, he also knows that the yearly meeting is today, so Lu Tian must have left the city. Thus, this gives Yue Ling the 'free' time to visit him.
Yue Ling stare at her grandfather and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. On the other hand, Ji Jingxu furrow his brows.
"Old man, Jie finally has time to visit us. Why are you acting like the world is going to end? Do you want Jie to leave, because I don't!"
Grandfather Ji shoots Ji Jingxu a glare. The boy's words had clearly hit him in the heart with the truth. However, he snorts a hmmf again.
"Someone who runs slow should not get involve in adult conversations."
"Y-You…!"
Ji Jingxu's face turn red and he points his shaking finger at the old man.
"Slow? Hah! If we race right now, you won't even be able to catch up!"
Grandfather Ji does not care at all. He continuously rolls his eyes at each word that came out of the boy's mouth. When the boy finally finished, he smirks and points behind Ji Jingxu.
"Jingxu, look. There's something behind you. What is it?!"
Unknowing to his grandfather's intention, Ji Jingxu turns around to look. However, he sees nothing and glares back at the old man.
"Old man, there is nothing behind me."
Grandfather Ji touch his chin and furrow his brow. His expression looking like he is deep in thoughts. In the end, he shook his head and sigh.
"Ah, such a pity. I was too fast that you didn't see me run pass you."
Ji Jingxu: "…."
The corner of Ji Jing's lip twitch uncontrollably. He swore his high IQ and EQ have dropped to the negatives since the old man came here.
He glares at his grandfather and stutter his words.
"Y-You.. Your face is so t-thick!!"
Grandfather Ji roll his eyes again and touch the side of his face.
"Aiya! My face has always been thicker than yours."
"….."
Grandfather Ji smiles with arrogrance seeing his grandson's face turn bright red. He didn't care if he was being thick faced, he was beaming with happiness inside. For many years, this was always how they communicated.
Standing quietly the entire time, Yue Ling press her lips tightly together. She wanted so badly to laugh but could only stop herself.
However, when she saw the color on Ji Jingxu's face turn red, she coughs to stop her urge to laugh.
"Yeye, let's go back. I need to speak with you about some things."
Hearing this, Ji Jingxu frown and he walks over to his sister. He light tug the sleeve of her coat.
"Jie…"
He spoke, but when he remembers something, he swallows back his remaining words. His head lower and he mumbles.
"Can Inu train with us?"
Yue Ling looks at boy put on a pitiful look. She lifts her free hand and pat his head.
"Mm. Take care of him until I come back."
Ji Jingxu nod his head and the pitiful look he had disappears. He signals to Inu and runs off.
"Come Inu. Let's go!"
"Wroof!"
Yue Ling stare at the boy's figure as he got further and further away. She felt his expression just now was weird, but she doesn't put much thought into it.
A faint smile curl on her lip and she spoke in a low voice.
"He has grown so much…"
Grandfather Ji hears this as he also stares at Ji Jingxu. He lift his hand and place it over Yue Ling's arm around his.
"You've both grown so much."
As he said this, he faintly smiles. It was a smile filled with love and doting, but at the same time pain and guilt.
Both children have no one else but him. He, who is their only elder left and yet… He will soon be leaving them alone in this cruel world.
He takes a deep breath and push the sad thoughts away. It is better to focus on the happy thoughts.
"Ah Ling, are you going to explain how you know Lu Tian?"
"Heh."
Yue Ling was taken back by surprise. She forces a small chuckle and looks at her yeye.
"Yeye, let's go inside. I'll explain it to you."
Grandfather Ji narrow his eyes as he tries to read her, but knowing his granddaughter, he will never be able to read her. His only choice now is to listen to what she has to say and decide after.
As both individuals head back to the Ji Mansion, Ji Jingxu slows down his legs.
He stops and stares down at the grass for a long minute, then slowly turns around and stare at the two most important figures in his life.
At first, he wanted to spend more time with his older sister, but.. He remembers the old man's condition.
It was better to let the old man win this time.
He inhales a deep breath and looks away. Picking up his pace again, he runs to catch up with the soldiers.
Once he graduates, he will enlist in the military. He will get stronger and make his grandfather proud. In the future, he will protect everyone important to him.
As Ji Jingxu thought this, he does not see the determine look in Inu's eyes.
Inu ran with his might and also wants to become stronger so he can protect his favorite human and the little one!