Bai Nuanxi looked at Huo Muchen for a while, wiped away her tears, and said, "Then you should apologize to me."
"Hm?" Huo Muchen looked puzzled. "Why?" She had ruined his piece of Dragonwood, yet now she was demanding an apology. This little girl was truly turning the world upside down!
"Because you scared me!" Bai Nuanxi puffed out her chest, trying to appear more confident.
Huo Muchen pressed his lips together, choosing not to say anything further.
Fortunately, Bai Nuanxi didn't seem to care much whether she got a response. Stretching and yawning, she said, "Miss Sun, do you still have any issues with my gift?"
Her tone was casual, yet it carried a sharp edge. Sun Miaomiao instinctively took a step back before realizing how weak she appeared. Quickly regaining her composure, she stepped forward and glared at Bai Nuanxi.
"Using someone else's treasure so carelessly, and still having the audacity to present it as a gift?" Though the wood itself was fine, the carving was an insult to it!
"Well, my husband and I are family," Bai Nuanxi said, hugging Huo Muchen's arm and smiling at Sun Miaomiao's furious expression. "And besides, when it comes to gifts, it's the thought that counts. While the wood is invaluable, my effort is also beyond measure. After all, I carved it with my own hands. Miss Sun's gift, though beautiful, lacks practicality. If we're comparing, perhaps it's your gift that falls short."
Her words were sharp, full of open disdain. "Miss Sun, you should learn to speak more cautiously!"
"You..." Sun Miaomiao's refined eyes seemed to shoot sparks, as if she wished to pierce Bai Nuanxi with her gaze.
"Enough! Whatever grudges you hold, keep them private. At my birthday celebration, you two juniors creating such a scene—do you think so little of me?" Seeing their verbal sparring escalating, Old Master Huo's voice boomed out. Their quarrel was already a spectacle for all to see, and it was embarrassing!
With Old Master Huo's intervention, Sun Miaomiao's face turned pale, and she forced herself to regain her composure, barely holding it together. While his words were meant to chastise both of them, it was evident that he was leaning toward Bai Nuanxi.
What did this mean?
Sun Miaomiao's thoughts raced. Could it be... Has Old Master Huo already accepted Bai Nuanxi as part of the family? This can't be! She must not allow it!
Sun Miaomiao's expression darkened, remaining somber until the end of the event.
After the banquet, Bai Nuanxi was summoned by Old Master Huo to his study upstairs. Closing the door behind her, she quickly moved to his side.
Old Master Huo patted the empty space on the sofa next to him. "Sit down, child. I have a lot to discuss with you."
Seeing the seriousness on his face, Bai Nuanxi couldn't help but feel a bit tense. Could it be that he wanted her to leave Huo Muchen?
Although he had publicly declared that there was no need for a marriage alliance, and that Huo Muchen's wife should simply be someone he loves, now there were no outsiders around. Who knew if those words were just for show, and his true intentions were different?
Clenching her fists, Bai Nuanxi resolved that no matter what happened, she would not leave Huo Muchen's side. "Grandfather, please just say whatever you need to. I can handle it."
"Relax." Noticing her tension, Old Master Huo chuckled softly. "Don't worry. I don't want you overthinking things. I just want to talk to you about Muchen."
Bai Nuanxi nodded, unclenching her fists and trying to relax. "Alright."
"You're aware of Muchen's condition, aren't you?" Old Master Huo began.
"Yes," Bai Nuanxi replied, "He often... used to show fits of rage in front of me." She chose her words carefully, understating the severity of his episodes. When his manic episodes struck, things would inevitably spiral out of control. While Bai Nuanxi hadn't been hurt herself, she hadn't exactly escaped unscathed either.
And the reason she said "used to" was because she used to foolishly provoke Huo Muchen, triggering his manic episodes. Thus, she played a significant role in his previous outbursts.
Since her rebirth, Bai Nuanxi had refrained from resisting Huo Muchen, and he seemed to trust her. While his inner balance was still precarious, this hadn't changed the fact that his manic episodes had become less frequent lately.
"I noticed that too. Today, I thought he would erupt on the spot. Considering how long he treasured that piece, using it like that surely displeased him. That should've easily set him off, yet surprisingly, he didn't show any signs of anger."
"I've thought it over, and it seems the catalyst for all this might be you..."
"Me?" Bai Nuanxi was taken aback, pointing a finger at herself. How could she not know she had such influence?
Even though she had calmed Huo Muchen's rage once before, she had considered it a fluke! In that moment, she had simply conveyed her unwavering commitment to stay by his side—genuine feelings straight from her heart. So Bai Nuanxi didn't think much of it. But now, reflecting on everything, it was clear that she was indeed the main reason for Huo Muchen's calmness.
In an instant, Bai Nuanxi understood what Old Master Huo was about to say but still hesitated to believe it. "Are you hoping for something from me?" she asked cautiously.
"You're a smart girl," Old Master Huo complimented her. Bai Nuanxi smiled awkwardly, not replying. His words felt like a trap—an invitation to a feast where she could be the prey. If she answered, she would effectively be stepping into this trap.
Unsure of the true intentions behind this "feast," she decided to tread carefully for now.
"Muchen's condition stems from his childhood. When he was young, we were all busy and had little time to care for him. His parents were constantly away, sometimes not returning for years. Growing up, being ignored by his family while being treated differently by outsiders caused Muchen to develop some signs of schizophrenia. By the time we realized, while his schizophrenia was under control, he developed mania."
"From then on, we were careful not to trigger Muchen's temper, and the staff at the old residence were diligent, fearing they might accidentally provoke an episode."
As he spoke, Old Master Huo seemed to sink into memories. "As Muchen grew older and learned to control his emotions, he chose to move out."