Remarried to a top-tier playboy, her reborn ex-husband is filled with regret.

The gatekeeper quickly ushered him in, glancing back at him furtively as they walked.

Perhaps they felt that this young master was not the same as before.

I can't quite put my finger on what's different, maybe it's just that my shoulders aren't as hunched over when I walk.

Perhaps it was because I didn't look around with a critical eye when I entered.

The Qin family's residence was very large, but its style was quite different from that of the mansions of the powerful and wealthy in the capital.

There are no artificial rockeries or flowing water features; the courtyard is filled with practical plants.

Several crates that hadn't been stored in time were piled up under the eaves, while the sound of abacuses clattering came from the accounting office.

A faint aroma of tea and herbs wafted in the air.

As Yun Shuwen walked through the corridor, she bumped into someone.

The man was around thirty years old, wearing a royal blue brocade robe, with clear and bright features.

His overall demeanor suggests he's someone who spends most of his time traveling for business.

Yun Shuwen recognized him; it was his older cousin, Qin Ziming.

Qin Ziming paused for a moment when he saw him, then smiled and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"My cousin Shuwen is here."

There was no sarcasm, no opportunistic mockery, and even surprise was well concealed.

It's as if his coming today is something perfectly normal.

Yun Shuwen suddenly felt a lump in her throat.

He thought he would be met with indifference and gossiped about.

You might hear things like, "Isn't this the eldest son of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion? Why has he condescended to come to our merchant family?"

He had prepared a whole host of countermeasures, but he didn't have to use a single one.

"cousin."

Yun Shuwen lowered her head, her throat tightening slightly.

"I've come... to see my maternal grandfather."

"The old man is in his study."

Qin Ziming gestured with his lips towards the inside, his tone as casual as if he were saying that the weather was nice today.

"I'm going there anyway, let's go together."

He didn't ask Yun Shuwen why he came, how he had been doing lately, or why he had become so thin.

He didn't ask anything, but simply walked naturally beside him, occasionally pointing out the changes in the yard.

"A new warehouse has been built over there."

"The jujube tree you used to climb when you were a child was struck by lightning last year. What a pity."

"We have some fresh osmanthus cake in the kitchen today, you can try it in a bit."

As Yun Shuwen listened, her eyes grew increasingly hot.

Old Master Qin sat in the armchair in his study, holding a covered teacup in his hand, and was flipping through a thick account book.

He is seventy-three years old this year, with a full head of white hair, but he is in good spirits and stands very straight.

Those old eyes, which had seen the world's affairs, showed no sign of cloudiness.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up and his gaze fell on the thin figure at the door.

Qin Ziming tactfully withdrew and closed the door behind him.

There was a moment of silence in the study.

The old man showed no surprise, no blame; he simply closed the ledger and set it aside.

Then he waved to Yun Shuwen.

"Come and sit down."

Yun Shuwen walked over and sat down in the chair opposite the old man.

The chair was hard, unlike the grand master's chair in the Prince Yi's mansion, which had a thick cushion.

But he felt at ease sitting there.

He lowered his head, unsure how to begin.

Her hands were resting on her knees, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the hem of her clothes.

Grandpa Qin didn't urge him.

The old man picked up the covered teacup, took two slow sips, and looked him up and down a few times.

His gaze lingered on his thin face and the dark circles under his eyes for a moment, then he said nothing.

"Maternal grandfather".

Yun Shuwen finally spoke, his voice dry and hoarse.

"I brought you some peach shortbread."

"That one in the south of the city, I don't know if you still like it."

He placed the oil paper package on the table.

The oil paper package wasn't big, and the peach shortbread he bought for ten taels of silver was cheaper than a pot of wine he used to casually order at restaurants.

But as he carried the oil paper package through the door, he felt it was heavier than anything else.

The old man glanced at the oil paper package, then at his grandson, whose face clearly showed he hadn't eaten much, and a faint smile flickered in his eyes.

"like."

"That's what Grandpa Qin said."

"It's kind of you to remember."

Remember those two words, like a soft thorn, stuck into Yun Shuwen's throat.

He wanted to say he didn't remember, that he didn't remember anything from before.

He doesn't remember his maternal grandfather's birthday, holidays, or even sending him a greeting.

Today marks the first time in his more than twenty years of life that he has proactively bought a gift for his maternal grandfather.

He had to ask three passersby on the street to find out the price of peach shortbread, ten taels of silver, and the location in the south of the city.

The study fell silent again.

The old man didn't ask him why he had come suddenly, how he was doing lately, or about his mother.

He sipped his tea slowly, occasionally glancing up at Yun Shuwen.

His gaze was gentle and steady, like a bottomless well, able to see everything and remain calm in all situations.

"Shu Wen".

The old man finally spoke, his voice unhurried and calm, carrying the composure characteristic of the elderly.

Your mother is not in good health.

The village was very humid, and her old leg ailment flared up again.

If you have time, go back and visit her often.

Yun Shuwen lowered her head and clenched her hands even tighter around her knees.

I know you have something on your mind.

The old man continued, his tone not stern, but his words clear and distinct.

"You think your mother disowns you because she's heartless."

But have you ever thought that in the more than thirty years she has lived in the Duke's mansion, she has never mistreated you and your father?

But what did they get in return?

Yun Shuwen's lips moved, but she didn't say anything.

"Your mother's life has not been easy."

Born into a merchant family, she married into a noble household; many people were waiting to see her make a fool of herself.

She gritted her teeth and endured for thirty years, raising you and cleaning up countless messes for you. You should know that.

The old man sighed softly as he spoke.

She doesn't owe you anything.

"But you and your father owe her something you can never repay."

Yun Shuwen buried her head almost in her chest.

His shoulders trembled slightly, and his hands gripped the fabric on his knees tightly.

After a while, he heard his own voice, low and hoarse, as if it were being squeezed out of his throat.

"You're right."

Just four words.

But it took him more than 20 years to say those four words.

The old man looked at him for a long time.

He has met far too many people in his life.

In business, there are those who turn their backs on you without mercy, those who are opportunistic, those who betray you after you've served your purpose, and those who repay kindness with enmity.

He can tell at a glance who's faking it and who's acting.

The grandson in front of her had red eyes and trembling fingers.

When they came in, they placed the peach shortbread on the table very carefully, as if afraid of breaking something.

Is it an act or a performance?

neither.

The old man put down his teacup and reached under the table to open the drawer.

He took something out of there, placed it on the table, and pushed it towards Yun Shuwen.

It was a banknote.

One thousand taels.

Yun Shuwen stared at the silver note, stunned.

One thousand taels, no more, no less, was the amount he used to lose in one go at the gambling den.

But looking at this banknote today, he felt it was burning hot.

He recalled what it was like when he used to take money from the Qin family.

They just ask for it, and once they've taken it, they turn around and leave without even bothering to say thank you.

When the Qin family sent New Year's gifts during the Spring Festival, he didn't even bother to write a reply.

Once, Qin Ziming personally delivered a box of things, which he had someone accept without even showing his face.

He owes the Qin family more than just money.

His hand reached out.

His finger hovered over the banknote for a moment, then slowly withdrew.

"No, Grandfather."

Yun Shuwen's voice was very soft, so soft that it was almost inaudible.

"I...I just came to see you."

Old Master Qin raised an eyebrow.

The movement was very small, almost imperceptible, but it was the first time today that he had shown a surprised expression.