"Well... Old Master... this..."
Steward Wu was also at a loss, not knowing what to do for a moment, standing there dumbfounded, not daring to move.
He could only silently wait for Old Master Ling's next command, not daring to even breathe, the atmosphere instantly dropping to freezing point.
"Counting on you useless lot, I'll never see my great-grandchildren in my life!"
Seeing the people standing before him, he grew even angrier. They couldn't even handle this simplest of matters, wasting food all day long.
Old Master Ling snorted and said impatiently, "Stop standing there foolishly, go back to what you were doing. You'll go again tomorrow, and every day after, until you bring them back. Starting today, station someone at the door. I don't believe this door will always be shut and never opened."
He would play the waiting game, he refused to believe he wouldn't see his great-grandchildren in his lifetime. If not today, then tomorrow, or the day after. He was determined to hold out against Feng Jin.
If he couldn't even outwit that little girl Feng Jin, then all his years of eating would have been in vain.
"Then... Old Master, I'll order some people to guard the young madam's courtyard?"
Steward Wu cautiously inquired about Old Master Ling's wishes. Without the Old Master's command, he truly dared not act on his own.
After all, the young madam was not to be trifled with. He didn't want to offend either side, and being caught in the middle made him miserable.
"Nonsense, do I need to teach you such a simple matter? Hurry up and get people to guard there. As soon as the door opens, you go in. Just wait them out. I'll bring people in later. I don't believe Feng Jin will openly defy me."
He had thought of a plan long ago. Even if he had to sacrifice his pride, he was determined to bring his precious grandson back.
"Yes, Old Master, this old servant will go now and ensure it's done perfectly."
Steward Wu repeatedly agreed, glancing at the others still standing there cluelessly. He quickly waved them over, "You clueless ones, why are you still lingering here? Hurry up and go."
Truly incompetent fools, unable to grasp even this simple matter. Talking to them was truly exhausting.
Scolded, the few men instantly reacted, agreeing in unison, and scurried out behind Steward Wu.
Old Master Ling snorted, stroking his slightly graying beard. Such blockheads, unable to handle such a minor task. How were these people assigned to him? They were an eyesore.
He paced a few steps inside the room. Yesterday, it was filled with laughter and joy, but today, he was all alone, so desolate.
A wave of sadness washed over him. Steward Wu sighed softly and sat back in his recliner, closing his eyes to rest.
"Great-Grandpa..."
"Great-Grandpa..."
Faintly, he seemed to hear the voices of Da Bao and Er Bao. Old Master Ling's eyes stung, and he almost shed tears. Then, silence descended again. He thought he had misheard.
It seemed he missed the two children too much, now he was hallucinating. He sighed helplessly and was about to lie back down when he heard the voices of Da Bao and Er Bao again.
"Great-Grandpa..."
"Great-Grandpa..."
...
After several calls, he was sure he hadn't hallucinated. His heart filled with excitement. He gripped the armrest of the recliner and stood up, his steps slightly unsteady.
He hurried outside. After a few steps, he saw Ling Mo Han walking in, carrying the two children, one in each arm.
Upon seeing Da Bao and Er Bao, Old Master Ling excitedly ran towards them, completely ignoring Ling Mo Han. He quickly reached out to take the two children, hugging them to his chest as if they were treasures.
"Good grandchildren, did you miss Great-Grandpa?"
"We did..."
"Great-Grandpa, I missed you..."
Da Bao and Er Bao hugged Old Master Ling's face, kissing him on each side, their words expressing their longing for Old Master Ling.
In just a few words, Old Master Ling was moved to tears, his eyes stinging as a crystal-clear tear rolled down his cheek.
"My precious grandchildren, Great-Grandpa missed you too. I couldn't even eat without seeing you for a single day..."
Less than a day had passed, yet it felt like an eternity. Old Master Ling held the two children, doting on them. He even held them while eating.
Ling Mo Han couldn't find an opportunity to say a few words. In the past, his grandfather's eyes were only on him. Now, with these two little ones around, everyone else had to take a backseat.
"Great-Grandpa... want... horse... horse..." Da Bao's words were not yet clear, but he gestured animatedly, trying hard to express his needs.
Fortunately, Old Master Ling immediately understood Da Bao's intention and readily agreed, "Da Bao wants to ride a horse. Alright, Grandfather will let you ride a horse now."
Ling Mo Han watched the conversation between his grandfather and the grandchildren, utterly bewildered. Weren't they just asking for fish? Now they wanted a horse? What was this horse, and where would it come from? Unbeknownst to him, in just a moment, he would completely understand what Da Bao meant by 'horse.'
He also realized how enthusiastically his grandfather played with the two children, and understood why Feng Jin was so insistent on not letting her grandfather take the children away.
Old Master Ling looked around. There was indeed no one around. But after being their 'horse' for the past two days, his old back was starting to ache. It was still sore.
If he let these two boys ride him again, he really wouldn't be able to take it. His gaze swept around and finally settled on Ling Mo Han. He pointed directly at him, "Come here."
Ling Mo Han, who had been called, paused slightly but still walked over as Old Master Ling wished, "Grandfather, what do you need me for?"
"Lie on the ground and be a horse for Da Bao and Er Bao to ride on you."
Ling Mo Han froze as if struck by lightning. After a moment, he managed to come back to his senses, his gaze vacant as he looked at Old Master Ling, and asked disbelievingly again, "Grandfather, did you just say, you want me to..."
"Hurry up and crouch on the ground. Must I repeat myself? Hurry up!"
Old Master Ling kicked him angrily, urging Ling Mo Han to hurry.