Chapter 261: The Mo Family Men Are Not Cowards

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Liang Wenyin immediately knew from Liang Xiulin's tone what she was about to say next. “Auntie!”

Liang Xiulin glanced at her from the side. “Stop being coy with me. Your parents gave me a call before you came to remind me to look out for you. They want me to introduce you to someone young and capable, who will be a good match for you. Don't fault me for saying this but Lin Chu is only twenty-five this year and she's already pregnant. I'm not an old-fas.h.i.+oned person who thinks that all women should get married early and have children. There are many celebrities and powerful women who get pregnant and marry at thirty or forty years old. It's really no big deal, but they at least have a family. You're already thirty this year and don't even have a boyfriend. It shouldn't be this way.”

This placed Lin Chu in an awkward situation. She was not supposed to be involved in this conversation but had gotten sucked into it anyway because Liang Xiulin had mentioned her.

Liang Wenyin's expression stiffened. She was obviously unhappy about her age being announced to everyone at the table.

“I just haven't met anyone suitable. It's not that I don't want to get married, I'm just looking for someone that I can have a good conversation with – someone I can connect to,” Liang Wenyin retaliated.

Liang Xiulin looked at Yan Huaian and Yan Beicheng. She felt like it was such a pity. Liang Wenyin and Yan Beicheng had known each other since they were young. It could have been such a wonderful fateful meeting, but too bad it did not last.

Even though she felt like it was a pity, she never once thought about destroying someone else's family. So, Liang Xiulin continued, “What are you still being so picky about? The good men have all been taken off the market one by one while you're busy being selective. The older ones who are still bachelors are either too outstanding and have extremely high standards, or too lousy such that no one wants to be with them.”

Liang Wenyin pouted as she said, “Stop it, Auntie! Stop pus.h.i.+ng me in front of so many people. It's so embarra.s.sing. It's not that I don't want to get married, if I meet someone I like, I would marry him on the spot. I've been introduced to quite a few people before but they're just not chivalrous enough. The thought of spending the rest of my life with someone like them gives me a headache. At the end of the day, I know I wouldn't be happy if I married them.”

Liang Xiulin sighed. “Fine, I know you have high standards.”

She turned toward Yan Beicheng and Yan Huaian before saying, “Please help me keep a lookout for any suitable men out there and introduce them to Wenyin. I would ask Old Mo for his help, but the people he meets are all old men. He rarely gets in touch with young people and it would be difficult to find someone suitable just through hearsay. It would be much more reliable if you personally know the person and understand their character. Besides, Old Mo is not really suitable to play matchmaker.”

Lin Chu looked at Police Chief Mo's stern face. She could not imagine what sort of suitors he would be able to introduce.

Liang Wenyin nodded. “That's true. It's really not that I refuse to get married. The men that were introduced to me before were not people that my friends were familiar with. They were usually friends of friends, or friends of my juniors. All they knew about these people was hearsay; for example, about what a nice person they were. However, once I got to meet them and spent time with them, it was a totally different matter. They were not at all like what had been described to me. Some of my friends did not even know what job the people they introduced to me had, and they gave me the wrong information. How could I believe them again?”

Liang Xiulin agreed with Liang Wenyin on this point. “That's so true. Beicheng, Huaian, both of you should help keep a lookout for Wenyin. As for Jingsheng, as a mother, I feel that his job is too dangerous. I can't have him introducing his colleagues to Wenyin.”

“Let's see how it goes. This sort of thing needs a little help from fate,” said Liang Wenyin.

“Just look at your artistic self going off again. You want fate to be involved in everything. How much fate can this world have? It's not going to be all suns.h.i.+ne and rainbows the way books describe a first encounter. Real-life doesn't have that much romance. You need to lower your standards a little and get in an honest relations.h.i.+p with someone. Please,” Liang Xiulin shook her head as she said.

“What do you mean lower my standards? Auntie, you've said it yourself. Why should I lower my standard with my looks and capabilities? I'm an artist, so if nothing else I have one condition: I am especially picky when it comes to looks. I can never accept someone who looks ugly. I know at my age, there are many men in the country who won't accept me either and would prefer to get with someone younger. However, being a bachelorette at my age is a common occurrence overseas. How can I lower my standards and style for the sake of hoping to bag a few lousy men? Of course, I'm not rejecting the possibility of dating someone younger than myself. If he's good looking enough, it will be no problem for me,” Liang Wenyin smiled and scooped herself a big spoonful of corn.

“Brother Yanzi, Brother Huaian, when you help me look out for someone suitable, please note that age is no barrier. Looks are the most important thing. As for how good-looking they should be, just go home and look in the mirror or take a selfie. Both of you are the benchmarks,” Liang Wenyin laid it out openly.

Liang Xiulin nearly spat out her food. “This child! We're talking about something important. Can you be more serious about it?”

Liang Wenyin blinked innocently. “I am being serious. What I just told you is of importance to me. People like me who are involved in fine art are very sensitive to beauty. Look at me, I don't look too bad myself, so it doesn't bother me when I look in the mirror every day. Naturally, I'd like to find someone who looks just as good. Once we decide to spend the rest of our lives together, I can wake up to a good-looking face every day and that alone would get me in a good mood to face the rest of my day. If he isn't good looking, I don't know how I can continue spending the days together.”

“You…” Liang Xiulin could no longer find the words to continue the argument against her nonsensical reasoning.

Nevertheless, Liang Wenyin immediately said, “Yes, I'm that shallow of a person.”

Liang Xiulin did not know what else to do with her. Thus, all she could do was shake her head and lament to herself. After this, she stopped harping on the topic and moved on.

After dinner, everyone politely stayed back for some snacks and tea before taking their leave. After all, it would be rude to leave immediately after their meal.

Yan Ningbai insisted that Mo Jinxi bring him to visit the bedroom, so Mo Jinxi led Yan Ningbai away to his room.

No one knew what games the two of them played in the bedroom, but not long after, Yan Ningbai ran out like a crazy little man and rushed straight into Yu Zi's arms.

“I got Jinxi to change into his school uniform. He looks so good. Everyone, take a look at him,” Yan Ningbai pointed behind him with his fair, fat little hands.

Mo Jinxi was a little shy. He hid behind the wall and peeked out from behind it, only revealing his little head. He was too embarra.s.sed to come out.

Yan Ningbai moved around while in Yu Zi's arms as he knelt on her thighs with both hands wrapped around Yu Zi's neck. He looked behind him at Mo Jinxi while doing this.

This little fatso's weight was really something else, and Yu Zi struggled to take his weight while he s.h.i.+fted about in her arms. When he knelt on her leg, Yu Zi quietly groaned in pain.

Yan Ningbai was not sensitive enough to notice this, but Yan Huaian's face immediately darkened. He lifted Yan Ningbai off her and rubbed Yu Zi's legs. “Did the little brat hurt you?”

Yu Zi was embarra.s.sed as the stern Police Chief Mo and Liang Xiulin, whom she did not know well, was present. She quickly squeezed his hands. “I'm okay. He was a little heavy, but I'm fine now.”

Yan Huaian calmly removed his hands, as if there was no one else around. His expression remained unhappy.

Liang Xiulin was sitting opposite from them. After witnessing this scene, her original perception of the Yan family was shattered. She had never thought that Yan Huaian would act this way.

Yan Huaian glanced casually at Yan Ningbai's face from the side. His dark eyes looked him up and down intently, sending chills down Yan Ningbai's spine.

Yan Ningbai took a step back as he crossed his fat little arms in front of himself protectively. “Dad, what… what do you want?”

He was acting like a delicate lady being picked on by a gangster.

Liang Xiulin, “…”

Did everyone in the Yan family act this way?

“You are going on a diet when we get back. Otherwise, you won't be allowed in your mother's arms anymore,” Yan Huaian said casually.

Yan Ningbai was taken aback as he took two more exaggerated steps backward. He moved until he b.u.mped into Mo Jingsheng's legs before turning back to see Mo Jingsheng's stern face looking down at him. He got a shock and quickly jumped forward.

Liang Xiulin, “…”

How scary could her son be?

Yan Ningbai moved far away from Mo Jingsheng and looked at Yan Huaian with an expression that was a mixture of sadness and rage. “Dad, you… you're heartless, shameless and unreasonable!”

Yan Huaian did not even look at him. All he did was lean toward Yu Zi to pour her a hot cup of tea before picking up the cup and giving it to Yu Zi.

Yan Ningbai felt hurt as he turned to look sadly at Yu Zi. He acted like a little green vegetable that had been thrown out in the coldest night of winter as he called out in distress, “Mum!”

His tone made him seem very hurt as it quivered, giving everyone who heard it chills.

Lin Chu rubbed her arms to soothe herself. Yan Beicheng saw her do this and reached his arm out to pull her in. As Yan Beicheng's warmth enveloped her Lin Chu blushed and poked him lightly.

Yan Beicheng lowered his head and got close to her before asking quietly, “What wrong?”

It was a really intimate moment.

Lin Chu, “…”

“I'm fine,” Lin Chu replied in embarra.s.sment.

Yan Beicheng smiled and said nothing else, but he continued to hold her close.

He knew that Lin Chu had rubbed her arms on purpose just to tease Yan Ningbai, but he wanted to s.n.a.t.c.h the opportunity to hug her. He could not just sit there and watch Yan Huaian be the only one being affectionate to his wife.

Yan Ningbai saw that no one was paying attention to him and immediately thought of his little companion, Mo Jinxi, whom he had up until now forgotten.

He turned back and saw that Mo Jinxi was still hiding behind the wall with just his little head peeking out. Mo Jinxi had been happily watching his performance from afar!

Yan Ningbai stamped his feet in anger. What kind of friend was he?!

He pointed at Mo Jinxi with his fat little fingers. “Jinxi, stop acting bashful like a lady. Quickly come on out and let everyone take a look at your school uniform!”

Everyone's gaze immediately s.h.i.+fted back toward Mo Jinxi.

Mo Jinxi immediately felt uncomfortable. He had rarely been the focus of attention and felt a little nervous in this situation. There were so many people observing him that it was quite awkward. After all, he was not as thick-skinned as Yan Ningbai.

However, he remembered that Police Chief Mo was not a fan of cowards. His most frequently saying was 'The Mo family men are not cowards!'.

When Mo Jinxi arrived on the first night, Police Chief Mo was experiencing a rare day of having no work to do. So, he silently took out a bunch of photo alb.u.ms to go through with Mo Jinxi. They were all filled with pictures of Mo Jingyu when he was still alive, which he showed Mo Jinxi while explaining the story behind each photo.

The stories were from so long ago, but Police Chief Mo remembered every single one of them despite having so many photos. He was a strict father, one that hid his love for his sons in the deepest part of his heart. He would never show this love easily, but Police Chief Mo remembered every detail of what his sons had done in the past, more clearly than anyone else could.

There were some memories that Liang Xiulin did not really remember, and even Mo Jingsheng had forgotten them too, but they had been deeply engraved into Police Chief Mo's heart. As a result, there was nothing he had forgotten.

Mo Jinxi did not know what came into him, but a thought suddenly popped into his head and he asked brashly, “Grandpa, have you ever regretted what happened to dad?”

Mo Jingyu had wanted to prove himself by taking the risk to go undercover because of the pressure he faced from the outside world as well as pressure from Police Chief Mo himself.

This strict father had set high standards for Mo Jingsheng and Mo Jingyu ever since they were young. If it was not for Police Chief Mo's strict upbringing, Mo Jingyu might not have ended up the way he did.

Police Chief Mo was silent and did not say anything for a long time. Just as Mo Jinxi started to regret asking the question, Police Chief Mo replied, “The Mo family men are not cowards.”

Perhaps it was because he was getting old, or because this was his grandson, or because of the guilt he felt toward Mo Jingyu, but Police Chief Mo was never as strict with Mo Jinxi as he was with Mo Jingsheng and Mo Jingyu.

Even so, Mo Jinxi took note of the stern expression on Police Chief Mo's face. He did not want to disappoint his grandfather.

His grandfather was his idol, his role model. As such, he did not want to disappoint his grandfather now more than ever.

If he froze when faced with such a small matter, then he was a coward.

Therefore, Mo Jinxi blushed as he gathered the courage to walk out and stand in front of everyone. He was still feeling shy, but he walked to the middle of where everyone was gathered.

A tidy little Chinese tunic suit rested neatly on his small body, making him look very adorable. Mo Jinxi was an attractive child, and he looked very different from Yan Ningbai.

Yan Ningbai looked good as well, but he was much cuter as he was meaty and round. He had come over straight from school and was still wearing his uniform from Jixia Academy. However, his Chinese tunic suit has been modified to fit his little tummy. His round tummy jutted out from his Chinese tunic suit, making him look like a ball that had somehow managed to fit into a suit.

Even his dear mother, Yu Zi, had to admit that he did not look as handsome as Mo Jinxi.

Lin Chu clapped her hands and praised him without hesitation. “Jinxi, you look so handsome!”

Mo Jinxi blushed and smiled shyly. He had also thought that his new uniform looked much cooler than the uniform from his original school.

“We'll dye your hair grey next. Then we can come as a set,” Yan Ningbai said as he twisted around to face Mo Jinxi.

Yan Huaian, “…”

'Who wants to come in a set with you?!'

“Don't you dare!” Police Chief Mo shut him down as he glared at them. His stern face made Yan Ningbai and Mo Jingxi tremble; they felt like they were having a Social-Political Education cla.s.s.

“Children should look like children, there will be no dyeing of the hair! You are attending school to learn and to improve yourself. Don't let these unnecessary outside influences affect your studies!” Police Chief Mo said sternly.

Yan Ningbai and Mo Jinxi were scared speechless. Yan Ningbai quietly moved closer to Mo Jinxi as his hands clutched Mo Jinxi's uniform. Then, he tugged at him secretly as if to hint at him to do something.

An idea suddenly popped into Mo Jinxi's head as he stood up straight before giving Police Chief Mo a bow. “Grandpa, I won't dye my hair!”

Yan Ningbai was stunned. How could he abandon him?

Even if Mo Jinxi was going to swear that he would be a good boy, he should… he should help save Yan Ningbai too!

Police Chief Mo nodded in satisfaction. His stern eyes moved slowly toward Yan Ningbai.

Yan Ningbai immediately said in a high-pitched voice, “I won't dye my hair too. I was just joking earlier!”

Police Chief Mo nodded in satisfaction as he waved Mo Jinxi over. “Come here.”

Mo Jinxi had just been lectured and was now observing Police Chief Mo's expression. He looked much gentler now and did not seem like he was about to lecture anybody anymore. Only then did Mo Jinxi dare to walk toward Police Chief Mo.

Mo Jinxi felt that he could really train himself to be more courageous by spending time with Police Chief Mo.

Police Chief Mo took out a box from his briefcase which had a picture of a cellphone on it.

It was not one that adults usually used. This one was for children.

“Jixia Academy is different from your original school as there are no public phones there. If you need to call someone, you need to use a phone. This is for you. If you need to call home, you can use this. Jixia Academy does not stop their students from using cellphones, but you're not allowed to play with it during cla.s.s. This is a present for your first day of being transferred to another school,” said Police Chief Mo as his lips twitched awkwardly into a smile. He was not really used to it.

Mo Jinxi was pleasantly surprised as he took the phone. He had not expected his strict grandfather to think of everything and help him prepare. “Thank you, Grandpa.”

“I'll wait for you in front of school tomorrow morning. We'll go to cla.s.s together. Don't worry. With me around, no one in school will dare to bully you. Our cla.s.smates are nice people, but there are three whom you need to be careful with. You should ignore them if you can, but they won't be causing you much trouble,” Yan Ningbai said as he patted himself on the chest.

Yan Ningbai may appear naive and blind to his friend's background, but he was very aware of how people viewed hierarchy.

Yan Ningbai knew that there were a few school bullies who did not dare to come after him and that no one would ever say anything sarcastic to him. This was not because he was a fighter, it was simply because Yan Ningbai had the Yan family backing him up. This was why Yan Ningbai could even afford to be slightly plump.

Yes, the little boy had just admitted himself to be slightly plump.

There were children in other cla.s.ses from less prestigious families that shared the same body size as him, but they were always teased as fatsos. Nevertheless, no one ever dared to call Yan Ningbai fat.