Out of respect for Mr. Liu, Mo Qingze lowered his stance, but didn't appear sycophantic, and was very moved to learn that Mr. Liu had taken special leave to come.
"Ziyu is being too polite. I'm a few years your elder; how about I humbly accept your calling me 'Brother Jianan'?"
Mr. Liu smiled faintly, fully displaying the grace of a scholar.
"Exactly, Uncle Mo. Hearing you call my dad 'Mr. Liu,' I feel like you're making my dad sound like an old man." Liu Tinglan, with her arm linked through Mrs. Liu's, said with a giggle.
"When adults are talking, what business is it of a child's to interrupt? No manners!" Mrs. Liu chided her daughter with a light tap.
Liu Tinglan stuck out her tongue playfully, making the adults struggle not to laugh.
"If that's the case, then Ziyu shall follow the example set and call you 'Brother Jianan' with respect," Mo Qingze said amiably.
"That's how it should be, haha," Mr. Liu laughed heartily, stroking his beard and nodding in approval.
