Vying to Be the Grandfather

Jiang Manting noticed the expression on Lin Li's face and asked worriedly, "Cousin, what's wrong? You look so pale."

Moreover, he kept staring at Lin Xuan.

Jiang Manting had a gut feeling that Lin Li was hiding something from her.

"It's nothing," Lin Li forced a smile. "I just have a bit of a stomachache."

"Did you take any medicine?" Jiang Manting asked with concern.

"Yeah, I did," Lin Li nodded. "It should get better soon."

Grandpa Jiang also narrowed his eyes as he observed Old Master Su and Lin Xuan.

Watching the two of them interact so comfortably, as if no one else was around, an inexplicable sense of jealousy rose in his heart.

What exactly was their relationship?

Why were they so close?

"Come, Tingting, let’s go over there," Grandpa Jiang said in a tone laced with danger.

"Alright."

A hint of confusion flickered in Jiang Manting’s eyes.

Why did it feel like she was sensing the tension of an impending explosion?

Supported by Jiang Manting, Grandpa Jiang approached Old Master Su.

"Old Su," Grandpa Jiang squinted his eyes and asked, "You seem awfully close to little Xuan. What’s the deal between you two?"

Old Master Su and Grandpa Jiang had been longtime business rivals.

Over the years, their rivalry had evolved into a complicated mix of enmity and friendship, and they knew each other well.

Old Master Su immediately detected the hostility in Grandpa Jiang’s tone.

He studied Grandpa Jiang.

Was this old man also eyeing Xuan, wanting to claim him as a grandson-in-law or even adopt him as his own grandson?

Absolutely not.

Xuan belonged to Hua'er—to the Su Family. He couldn’t let anyone take him away.

So what if Xuan was Grandpa Jiang’s biological grandson?

They hadn’t even acknowledged each other yet!

"I met Xuan a year ago," Old Master Su replied proudly. "Since then, I’ve treated him like my own grandson. And of course, he sees me as a grandfather too. We may not be related by blood, but our bond is just as strong."

After all, Xuan was already with his precious granddaughter Hua'er.

They would eventually marry.

A grandson-in-law was practically a grandson, wasn’t it?

Grandpa Jiang’s voice dripped with sourness. "Hmph, you’re lucky to have such a fine young man as your grandson."

First, he had a granddaughter as outstanding as Su Hua, and now he had someone as admirable as Lin Xuan as his grandson.

Why did all the good things in the world end up in Old Su’s hands?

"Heh heh, I suppose I am fortunate," Old Master Su beamed. "With Hua'er and Xuan by my side, I have nothing more to ask for in life."

Jiang Yutong’s face fell with disappointment.

If Lin Xuan had already accepted someone else as his grandfather, then her hopes of recognizing him as her younger brother were even slimmer now…

Grandpa Jiang glared at Old Master Su.

That smug expression made him want to punch the old man.

But…

If he couldn’t make Xuan his grandson, then having him as a grandson-in-law wouldn’t be a bad alternative either.

His scrutinizing gaze shifted to his two granddaughters.

His eldest granddaughter was already twenty-seven.

Lin Xuan was only twenty-two—a five-year gap was a bit too much.

Yutong, on the other hand, was closer in age, just two years older than Xuan. But she already had a boyfriend.

He regretted pushing her to find one. If she were still single, he might have had a chance to make Xuan his grandson-in-law.

Then he’d love to see how Old Su could keep flaunting his luck!

Old Master Su saw right through Grandpa Jiang’s thoughts and scoffed. "Old Jiang, I know what you’re scheming. Don’t even think about it. Xuan is already taken, and his relationship is rock-solid. There’s no breaking them apart."

Grandpa Jiang couldn’t help but ask, "Who is his girlfriend?"

He wanted to vet her properly—see if she was truly worthy of Xuan’s affection.

Old Master Su turned his head away. "I’m not telling you."

If he revealed that Xuan’s girlfriend was his granddaughter, this old man would surely start scheming to claim Xuan as his own grandson again.

He couldn’t give him that opportunity.

Grandpa Jiang shot Old Master Su an annoyed look.

Fine, if he wouldn’t say, he’d just ask himself.

"Xuan, who is your girlfriend?" Grandpa Jiang turned to Lin Xuan with a smile.

Lin Xuan replied politely, "Apologies, Grandpa Jiang, but my girlfriend prefers to stay out of the public eye."

"If that’s the case, then never mind."

Grandpa Jiang sighed inwardly.

If he knew who Xuan’s girlfriend was, he could at least assess whether her feelings for Xuan were genuine.

But it seemed Xuan wasn’t willing to share.

"Grandpa, I know what Lin Xuan’s girlfriend is like," Jiang Yutong spoke up.

"You’ve met her?" Grandpa Jiang turned to her.

"Yes," Jiang Yutong nodded. "Twice. She’s very beautiful, with a great figure and an elegant demeanor."

For some reason, though, she always felt like Xuan’s girlfriend harbored some hostility toward her.

But from her expression alone, she couldn’t detect anything.

She thought she might have imagined it.

The only thing that bothered her was how often the couple flaunted their affection in front of her.

Just two encounters, and she’d been force-fed dog food twice.

She had to admit, they were sweet together.

But as a single woman, she was practically drowning in their sweetness.

That was why she had rushed to find a boyfriend herself.

Old Master Su swelled with pride upon hearing Jiang Yutong’s words.

Of course his granddaughter was exceptional!

Meanwhile, Lin Li watched as everyone surrounded Lin Xuan, his heart twisting with bitterness.

He used to be the center of attention.

But the moment Lin Xuan appeared, all eyes turned to him.

At least Old Master Su hadn’t revealed that Lin Xuan was Su Hua’s boyfriend.

But… by letting everyone assume Xuan was his adopted grandson, Old Master Su was still allowing him to enjoy the benefits of the Su Family.

Lin Li clenched his fists in resentment.

Back in the Lin Family, Lin Xuan had always been beneath him—living like a dog while he basked in glory.

Now everything had flipped.

Ever since Lin Xuan left the Lin Family, their roles had completely reversed.

Lin Xuan was thriving, while he… was the one living like a dog.

His reputation was ruined, and he was even… less of a man now.

Why had things turned out this way?

Somehow, he felt like his life wasn’t supposed to go down this path.

"Grandpa Jiang, it’s time," a man in a sharp suit approached and reminded him.

Thanks to Double Gun Lao Mazi and other dear friends for the gifts.

Goodnight, everyone.

Uu.