By all rights, Grandpa Mo should have retired and be enjoying his twilight years by now.
But Grandpa Mo isn't just the head of a military district—he also carries a mysterious mission. Even at his age, he continues to serve the country.
You could say the nation can't do without Grandpa Mo, and he would never easily step down from his post.
At their level, they basically won't leave their positions until their last breath.
Unless something truly major happens, this is a lifetime career.
Charles Yin's words made Max Mo and Sophie Mo's expressions change slightly.
Charles was hinting to Max Mo that if he didn’t know how to behave, Charles wouldn’t mind using his international influence to force Grandpa Mo to retire.
All the things Max Mo said couldn’t match up to Charles’s single counterattack.
Just as the atmosphere between the two men grew tense, Mrs. Yin reached out and patted her two grandsons’ hands, signaling them to go greet the guests.
"Uncle Max, Aunt Sophie." Ethan Yin and Miles Gu spoke up at the same time: "Daddy said he’s been to K City in Y Province before. He said it’s a beautiful city. Can we go to K City and play too?"
With Ethan Yin and Miles Gu interrupting, the silent battle between the two men quickly ended.
Max Mo crouched down, his blue eyes gentle as ever as he looked at the two kids. "Of course you can. Uncle Max will always welcome you to Y Province. Once you’re there, you’re home. You never have to stand on ceremony with me."
Sophie Mo crouched down too and gave the kids a hug. "Good kids, Aunt Sophie likes you both! Miles, you’re the most sensible one, so you have to look after your brother. Only then will Mommy feel at ease when she’s away, understand?"
Miles Gu nodded emphatically.
"Ethan, don’t always get into trouble. Mommy worries about you the most when she’s away, afraid you’ll get hurt." Sophie Mo tapped Ethan Yin’s mischievous nose. "Don’t bully Miles. If you do, Mommy will feel bad. You know, Miles carries Mommy’s surname—he’s her precious little one too."
Ethan Yin made a funny face at Sophie Mo. "Got it! Aunt Sophie is so naggy, her future husband is in for it!"
"Hey, you little rascal!" Sophie Mo was instantly annoyed. "That sharp tongue of yours is just like your dad’s!"
Charles Yin gave an awkward smile.
He could openly spar with Max Mo, but he couldn’t really argue with a woman.
Besides, he knew perfectly well that Cici and Sophie Mo were extremely close. If he upset Sophie, Cici would definitely be mad too.
So when Sophie Mo teased him, he didn’t dare talk back.
What can you do? He’s afraid of his wife!
Ethan Yin suddenly hugged Sophie Mo’s arm and grinned, "Aunt Sophie’s so pretty, even if Uncle gets bullied every day, he’d do it willingly!"
Sophie Mo was instantly amused by this little rascal, and poked Ethan Yin’s forehead hard. "Who knows how many girls you’ll torment when you grow up! That sweet mouth of yours is something else."
Just then, a flippant voice sounded from behind, accompanied by light applause: "Yuhan really gets me! Even if I get bullied to death in this life, I’d do it willingly!"
Everyone turned to see Julian King walking out from the courtyard.
Julian King had just arrived from abroad and checked into the Yin family mansion yesterday, so today he was basically free to wander around.
Sophie Mo’s good mood instantly vanished the moment she saw Julian King.
This guy just won't go away.
Sophie Mo didn’t want to deal with Jing Rong, so she turned to Mrs. Yin, Jiang Xue, and said, "Madam, I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you today!"
Mrs. Yin smiled and patted Sophie Mo’s hand. "We’re all family here, don’t mention trouble! Someone, please escort Miss Mo and Mr. Mo inside to rest!"
Max Mo and Sophie Mo said their goodbyes. As they passed Julian King, Sophie Mo snorted and walked off first.
Julian King looked at Max Mo awkwardly. "Bro..."
Max Mo smiled meaningfully. "Good luck!"
Julian King couldn’t help but explain to his future brother-in-law, "I never did anything to let Sophie down..."
"You should explain that to her." Max Mo patted Jing Rong’s shoulder. "Sophie knows her own mind. As her brother, I can’t make decisions for her."
"Alright..." Julian King nodded helplessly. "Bro, I’ll prove everything with my actions."
Max Mo glanced casually in Charles Yin’s direction, then lowered his voice. "I heard you’re working with Charles Yin?"
A glimmer flashed in Julian King's eyes. "What do you mean, bro...?"
"The Jing family’s waters run deep. Be careful." Max Mo didn’t elaborate. "We’re all men, chasing the women we love—nothing wrong with that. I get it."
After saying that, Max Mo turned and walked away.
Jing Rong stood there, watching Max Mo’s back, deep in thought.
Just as the Mo siblings entered, Sean Kerr hurried over.
"Aunt Xue." Sean Kerr’s relationship with the Yin family couldn’t be closer.
Sean Kerr handed his gift to Mrs. Yin and immediately asked Charles Yin, "Has Ruona arrived yet?"
Before Charles could answer, Mrs. Yin smiled helplessly. "Look at you, try to stay calm!"
Sean Kerr said helplessly, "Aunt Xue, Ruona keeps avoiding me. It’s almost impossible to see her."
Mrs. Yin replied with a huff, "Who told you to be such a jerk back then?"
Sean Kerr gave Mrs. Yin a wounded look.
He admits he was a jerk, but he wasn’t the only one...
Who knew Ran Xiwei could act so well?
If he’d known helping Ran Xiwei would lead to such terrible consequences, he never would have...
But now, it’s too late, isn’t it?
"Alright, let’s go inside. Everyone’s in there." Charles Yin felt a little sorry for him.
Of all his brothers, except for Joe Qi, none of them have had smooth love lives.
Just as he thought of Joe Qi, he heard Joe’s teasing voice from afar: "Wow, Xue-jie, you look ten years younger again!"
Joe Qi is actually forty this year, but he still acts like a playboy.
Jiang Xue is more than ten years older than him, but she’s kept up her looks so well that she doesn’t look much older than Joe Qi.
Mrs. Yin couldn’t help but laugh and scold him, "You sly fox, still trying to take advantage of me?"
Joe Qi handed his gift to his assistant, crouched to meet Mrs. Yin’s gaze, and said, "Xue-jie scolds me for my own good. I’m happy to listen!"
Charles Yin kicked Joe Qi’s leg. "Behave yourself today."
Joe Qi laughed and straightened up. "I’m not late, am I? I came straight from the airport."
"Not late at all, Joe Qi, let’s go inside!" Sean Kerr didn’t care about Joe Qi—his mind was already elsewhere. He dragged Joe Qi inside without another word.
Joe Qi yelped as he was pulled inside.
Mrs. Yin said softly, "Joe Qi is already forty and still hasn’t settled down. Why didn’t he bring his wife with him?"
Charles Yin’s mouth twitched. "Wife? They’ve been living apart for ages. When Joe Qi married Dieyi, it was only because she forced him into it by getting pregnant. After everything that’s happened since, whatever feelings they had are long gone."
Mrs. Yin looked surprised. "Really? Joe Qi isn’t the type to be threatened."
"That’s why Joe Qi went along with it." Charles Yin smiled slyly. "He’s so cunning—who could ever outsmart him?"
Mrs. Yin chuckled. "That’s true."
Julian King is a fake playboy; Joe Qi is the real deal.
A few seconds later, more guests arrived.
As hosts, they had to pause their conversation and go greet the guests.
Cici, already at the Yin family mansion, looked at the scenery before her, secretly amazed.
It was just that the surroundings made her feel like she’d lived here before.
Could it be she really did live here once?
Didn’t Charles Yin rarely stay at home?
Had she... really lived here before?
"Cici?" A flippant voice called out from behind.
Cici turned around to see a flamboyantly dressed man looking at her with surprise. "You really came back?"
Cici felt like the man looked familiar, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t remember who he was.
Rona Muir whispered to Cici, "Joe Qi—Chen Joe Qi. He’s a big shot in the film industry. He’s close with Charles Yin and Sean Kerr, kind of like we are with Sophie Mo."
Cici immediately understood and shook Joe Qi’s hand. "Hello, Joe Qi."
Joe Qi’s expression turned odd. "You never used to talk to me like this! Did you forget me?"
Then Joe Qi clutched his chest dramatically. "I’m so hurt! You remember Charles, but you forgot me!"
Cici and Rona Muir couldn’t help but crack a smile.
Before Cici or Mu Ruona could say anything, Sophie Mo’s voice called out, "Sorry, Cici only remembers us, not you. You’re jealous, but that’s just how it is!"
Joe Qi turned to look at Sophie Mo and immediately pretended to surrender. "Alright, I give up! But, Cici, do you really not remember the past?"
Cici smiled and nodded. "Sorry."
Joe Qi shrugged. "Maybe it’s better this way. Come on, let’s start over. I’m Joe Qi, forty years old, still single..."
Rona Muir and Sophie Mo rolled their eyes at the same time and pulled Cici away.
"Hey, hey, I’m not finished yet!" Joe Qi called after them on purpose.
Watching Cici walk away, the usually carefree Joe Qi’s face gradually grew serious. He stared thoughtfully at her back and murmured to himself, "Is the Yun family’s prophecy really coming true? The Yun family fell because of you, and will rise because of you. Gu Cici, what surprises will you bring me next?"