novelraw Chapter 1021 - 1036: Happiness Arrived Too Suddenly
Chapter 1021 - 1036: Happiness Arrived Too Suddenly
"Alright, let's go. The backyard has a pond with plenty of big fish." Elder Ren grabbed his fishing rod and led Lin Mu and Zhou Xun out of the house.Upon arriving at the Ren family's villa backyard, they found a small pond. Elder Ren sat down to fish, with Lin Mu and Zhou Xun sitting next to him. Despite finding fishing somewhat dull, Lin Mu managed to stay patient since today was a celebration for Elder Ren's birthday, aiming to make him happy.
They fished until it was nearly noon before Elder Ren, in high spirits, returned home.
"Xiaoxun, Lin Mu, you two sit here and rest. I'll personally cook fish soup for you." Elder Ren said with a cheerful smile.
"President Ren, how could I let you do that? Here, let me handle it." Zhou Xun stepped forward and said.
"No need, there's a chef inside assisting me. You and Lin Mu can sit here and rest. Later, we'll have lunch together." Elder Ren chuckled, then took the fish into the kitchen.
Zhou Xun gave Lin Mu an embarrassed look. Lin Mu, understanding Elder Ren's intentions, gestured to Zhou Xun, "Come on, have a seat."
Zhou Xun sighed helplessly and sat down. After about half an hour, Elder Ren emerged from the kitchen, still smiling.
"Come, Lin Mu, Xiaoxun, let's eat." Elder Ren happily invited.
A few chefs carried dishes out of the kitchen. This time, Elder Ren had specially hired five-star chefs from a hotel, and their culinary skills were top-notch.
Once all the dishes were presented, the chefs retreated.
Carrying a box of liquor, Elder Ren came over, "Lin Mu, today we must drink well together. This is my treasured Wuliangye, which I've saved for years, unwilling to drink it. Let's finish it today at lunch."
"Ah, thank you, Elder Ren. I haven't had such good liquor in a long time." Lin Mu chuckled.
Elder Ren extended his hand with a smile, "Xiaoxun, sit down."
"Okay," Zhou Xun nodded and sat down.
Elder Ren took out two cups, about to pour for Lin Mu, but Lin Mu understood the respect for elders and quickly took the liquor from Elder Ren's hands. "Elder, since it's your birthday, I should pour for you!"
"Alright, haha." Elder Ren nodded happily.
Lin Mu poured a cup for Elder Ren, then another for himself.
"Here, Elder, happy birthday to you, wishing you longevity and health." Lin Mu raised his cup.
"President Ren, I also wish you a happy birthday, and a long life." Zhou Xun raised a cup of coke and said.
"Good, let's all have a drink." Elder Ren cheerfully said, clinking their glasses and downing his drink. Lin Mu knew that after this glass, the main event would begin.
After finishing his drink, Elder Ren set his cup down and smiled, "Come, Xiaoxun, let me scoop some fish soup for you to taste. See if you like it."
"Thank you, President Ren." Zhou Xun said, feeling rather flattered. "Oh, by the way, President Ren, why haven't I seen my Uncle Ren or any other relatives or friends come to celebrate your birthday?"
"Haha, this year, I intentionally postponed all relatives and friends to spend my birthday alone in Wancheng, just to celebrate with you two!"
After serving Zhou Xun a bowl of fish soup, Elder Ren smiled, "Come, have a taste."
Zhou Xun smiled, lifted the bowl of fish soup for a sip, smacked his lips, then nodded, "Mm, President Ren, this fish soup is incredibly delicious and flavorful."
"Haha, glad it suits your taste." Elder Ren glanced at Zhou Xun, "Xiaoxun, there's something I want to tell you."
Zhou Xun was unaware of what Elder Ren was about to reveal, and nodded, "President Ren, whatever you want to say, just tell me."
"Haha, Xiaoxun, wouldn't you like to have a grandfather?" Elder Ren asked.
"Of course I would, I dream about it." Zhou Xun nodded without hesitation.
Elder Ren nodded, placing a jade pendant, or rather half of one, on the table. Lin Mu noticed the pendant and furrowed his brow; it looked remarkably similar to the one Zhou Xun wore around his neck. Zhou Xun also wore half of a pendant just like it around his neck.
However, when Zhou Xun saw the jade on the table, his expression suddenly changed, as if encountering something monumental.
"This..." Zhou Xun hurriedly picked up the table pendant and took out his own. When the two were aligned, they fitted perfectly, revealing a clear cursive "Ren" character in the center.
"That's right, this is it, this is it!" Zhou Xun exclaimed excitedly, then looked towards Elder Ren, "President Ren, where did this pendant come from?"
Elder Ren regarded Zhou Xun, his eyes beginning to moisten, "This pendant is from the Ren family, it's an heirloom."
Zhou Xun stared at Elder Ren, hardly able to believe it, and said, "Then, then President Ren, you..."
"Yes, I am your real grandfather." Elder Ren said while looking at Zhou Xun.
"Grandfather?" Zhou Xun's voice wavered slightly, as the sudden revelation of having a grandfather after drinking a bowl of fish soup was indeed overwhelming.
"Yes, I am your real grandfather. This may be too sudden for you, I've pondered how to tell you, but I didn't know how. That's why I took this chance to tell you today. My poor granddaughter, you've suffered for so many years, it's my fault!" Elder Ren sighed and shook his head.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible, I don't believe it!" Zhou Xun suddenly stood up, incredibly agitated, unable to accept suddenly having a grandfather after twenty-some years without family.
"Xiaoxun, I'm not lying to you. Even if I were, surely the half pendant must persuade you?" Elder Ren said.
Zhou Xun looked at the pendant and suddenly calmed down, "You, you really are my grandfather?"
"Yes, I truly am your grandfather; otherwise, how could the pendant have the Ren character?" Elder Ren said.
Zhou Xun gazed at the pendant without speaking, simply staring at it, before finally asking, "What about my parents? You're wealthy, they should be too, but why haven't they come for me? Why haven't they brought me home?"
Elder Ren let out a long sigh, "Ah! They're no longer alive. I've been searching for you for over twenty years before finally finding you."
Zhou Xun watched Elder Ren, tears pooling in her eyes once more, as this revelation was too sudden. To put it in trendy terms, happiness had come so abruptly!