When afternoon arrived in Imperial, the bright and beautiful morning had turn gloomy. Grey clouds slowly cover the once bright sky as faint sound of thunder transmit in the sky.
Despite the gloominess, Ji Jingxu and the soldiers did not pay attention to it. They ran in their usual pace through the vast open field.
To them, rain or shine, it did not matter. Of course, knowing that Yue Ling is watching, they were even more motivated to impress her.
Yue Ling, who is oblivious to herself being their strength, sat on a bench at the side. She watched the soldiers run with their might like she did when she young. Her eyes caught sight of Ji Jingxu and Ting amongst the many heads.
However, she is were more focused on the little white fluff ball taking the lead.
Inu ran freely as the wind brush against his face. His tongue slightly hung out, but he does not care. He loves the feeling of the wind!
Yue Ling lightly shook her head. She knows that Inu could have outrun the boys behind him, but he made sure to keep a steady pace. He acted like he is part of the team and he didn't leave anyone behind. Of course, at the same time, he made sure no one pass him.
While Yue Ling watch the soldiers act out their daily training, a loud thud echo inside the Ji Mansion's livingroom. Follow by a loud roar.
"What did you say?!"
Grandfather Ji abruptly stood up from the couch and his nostrils flare. His eyes turned murderous and his chest heaving up and down.
Standing at the side, Housekeeper Hu hung his head low. Even though he has been the housekeeper of Ji Mansion for many years, he will never get use to the old man's temper.
Beads of sweat slowly form on his forehead and he answers his master.
"Master, earlier Miss Ji came and wanted to meet you. However, upon her arrival, she met with the young master."
Saying this, he gulps in difficulty and tells the man the truth.
"Miss Ji said some upsetting words to the young master. She mentioned the word t-t-trash… and that he is not related to the Ji family by blood. She also said, she can send the young master to meet his deceased family."
When he finally finished, Housekeeper Hu wipe the sweat with the back of his hand. He swore inside that having to explain what happened terrified him. Each time he spoke, it was like he had somehow fallen into the bottom of a burning volcano.
Everyone at the Ji Mansion knows that it is a taboo to speak about the young master's past. No one dares to say anything or mention a word. If one did, the General's wrath will turn into Hell.
"Good. Very good."
Grandfather Ji scoff a sarcastic chuckle and he looks at Zhong Yang.
"Zhong Yang, inform the second Ji family. This is one is going to pay them a visit."
Saying this, his eyes narrow and the temperature in the room turned cold.
"Seems like I have let them act freely for too long."
"Yes, Chairman!"
Zhong Yang quickly answers. The him at this moment is no different from Housekeeper Hu. He can tell the temperature in the room change from fiery hot to a blizzard. It was as if the intense blizzard had burst from the old man.
However, he quickly gathers himself together and turn to leave the room. He must complete this task given to him at all cost.
Grandfather Ji takes a deep breath to calm himself. He had just return from his daily check up, never did he expect such occurance happened while he was away! With his current health, the doctor told him to maintain his temper. Any more stress can cause him to faint.
However, when someone dares to mention his precious grandson's past… How can he not be angry?
Ji Jingxu may not be his grandson by blood, but he does not care. No matter what others say, the boy will always be his grandson.
Thinking this, he takes another deep breath and sits down. Knowing the boy, he's sure that Ji Jingxu is hurt from Ji Chu Hua's words. His grandson's pain is his pain.
"Where is that boy?"
Hearing the question, Housekeeper Hu was tongue tied. He looks at his master and ponder in thought on what he should say.
However, he straightens his back and decides it's better to tell the truth.
"Young Master is outside training with the soldiers again."
"….."
Grandfather Ji who was worried about his grandson turned dumbfounded. He thought the boy was hurt, but…
Blood rush to his head and he hits his thigh. He abruptly stands up and another roar comes out from him.
"Training?! Again?! Why is he training again? Why is he out there and not in his room? Has he forgotten that he lives in this house?!!"
He angrily storms out of the living room and head for the back door.
Ever since the incident with Ghost Gang, the boy has turn into a different person.
He is proud that Ji Jingxu is training with the soldiers, but…
He also misses being the one who protects the boy.
Housekeeper Hu anxiously follows behind. He can see the anger in his master, but he is also confused.
Why would his master be angry? Didn't he always complain to the young master to train?
He thought of this and suddenly remembers something. His legs increase their speed as he nears his master. There is only one person who can calm the old man's temper.
"Master, the young Miss is also here. Master. Master, the young Miss came to visit with Inu. Master, I said--"
Housekeeper Hu continues to try and tell grandfather Ji, but his words went through one ear and out the other.
Grandfather Ji arrives at the back door. He reaches out to grab the door handle, but the moment he touched it, he stops.
His brows scrunch tightly and tries to think about something that Housekeeper Hu had said.
He heard the old man mention something about Inu. How did their topic change to Inu?
As he thought of this, in the far distance, he sees the young soldiers running.
Suddenly, his eyes widen when he sees a majestic beast running freely at the front. Its white fur dance smoothly against the wind like a movie.
He inhales an intense amount of air through his nose and froze in place.
After what felt like an entire day had gone by, his mouth finally open.
"H-Housekeeper Hu…. Is that Inu?"
Standing behind him, Housekeeper Hu sighed and lightly shook his head. He had been trying to tell his master, but he didn't listen.
He sighed again and spoke.
"Master, the young Miss brought Inu over this morning. They are currently outside with the young master and the solders. Also, the young Miss arrived when Miss Ji was here."
"….."
Grandfather Ji was dumbfounded. His eyes blink as if something had caught in his eyes. However, he cast a glare at Housekeeper Hu.
He is angry about what happened to Ji Jingxu, but knowing that Yue Ling is here… If he had gone outside to lecture the boy without knowing, he will definitely get lecture by her.
Pushing away his anger, he changes into a highly distinguish demeanor and pretends nothing happened. He pulls open the door and walks out.
"Mm. Mm. This one shall go watch too."
Just as he took a step out, he stops and turn to shoot Housekeeper Hu another glare.
"You heard nothing and saw nothing."
"….."
Saying this, Grandfather Ji continues with his walk. His appearance completely knocking off the cold atmosphere he had.
Housekeeper Hu stood dumbfounded at the door. The old man was raging when he heard Ji Jingxu was hurt. Then he got angry when he heard that Ji Jingxu is out training.
Then now, he's acting as if none of this ever happened…
He shook his head and decides to not push it. After all, everyone knows how protective Yue Ling is towards her little brother. If the old man were to lecture the boy, Yue Ling would lecture him.
Walking towards the soldiers, Grandfather Ji sighed inside. He places both his hand behind his back and stare at the running group.
Amongst the group of young men, he can spot his grandson running behind the forth person in front. Although his frame is smaller in comparison to the others, he did not look out of place. He can even see the determination in the boy's face.
From young till now, he had always lectured the boy. It wasn't because he didn't love boy, but because he wanted Ji Jingxu to know that resilience is very important. No matter how much you fail, always get back up and strive forward.
However, after the boy started training, he notices that they spent less and less time together.
It's not that he isn't proud, he is very proud of the boy, but he misses seeing the boy inside and studying. Now, Ji Jingxu would finish his schoolwork and runs off to train.
Thinking these thoughts, he sighs but quickly sees something.
His granddaughter sat at the side like a fairy.
Despite her dark attire, she looked like an immortal looking down upon the mundane world.
Seeing her so beautifully, he couldn't help but be reminded of his wife and daughter.
A faint smile curl on his lip and he sighs again.
The reason why he couldn't stay mad at Ji Jingxu isn't because he favors Yue Ling. In fact, he loves and favors both equally. Of course, he also doesn't want to get lecture by his granddaughter for lecturing his grandson.
"Wroof! Wroof!"
Suddenly, a white fluff ball runs around Grandfather Ji. He remembers something and pat the little guy on the head.
A small chuckle escapes his mouth and he proceed forward.
'Ah, that's right. Since she is here, I should have her explain.'