Reborn in 2006, I met Mr. Zhou from the past.

Pan Wanxi visited the Zhou family with Yuan Shikai the day after New Year's Day. After returning to Beijing, under Pan Qianlian's careful arrangement, she successfully recognized Old Master Yuan as her godfather. The two old men were sworn brothers who had fought side by side and shared hardships. Later, Old Master Zhou was wounded and went into business. Although they took different paths, their friendship over the decades never broke.

With this identity as "god-granddaughter", Pan Wanxi's entry and exit from the Zhou family's old residence became much more legitimate.

The two elderly people were reminiscing in the living room, with Pan Wanxi sitting quietly beside them. She wore a simple beige dress, her long hair loosely tied up, and her gentle features made her look like a lady from a well-to-do family.

Old Master Yuan picked up his teacup and took two sips. He felt a lingering fragrance on his lips and teeth, and his whole body felt refreshed. His eyes lit up, and he jokingly said, "This tea is quite good. When did you change your taste?"

"Haha," Old Master Zhou stroked his beard and chuckled, his eyes and brows radiating pride, "My eldest grandson specially brought this back for me. What do you think, not bad, right!"

"Hmm, he's a filial son." Old Master Yuan nodded, then his eyes darted around, and he shamelessly leaned closer. "Old friend, could I have some of this good tea to try?"

"Don't give me that!" Old Master Zhou immediately pulled the tea canister into his arms, protecting it tightly. "That's all! This is all I have left, and I need to keep it for myself to enjoy slowly."

Seeing his old friend's stingy and possessive attitude towards food, Grandpa Yuan shook his head helplessly and didn't insist. He turned his gaze back to his granddaughter, smiling as he asked, "Old Zhou, what do you think of my granddaughter?"

Grandpa Zhou followed his gaze, a smile appearing in his eyes: "He's a good kid, he's adorable."

Upon hearing this, Pan Wanxi lowered her head slightly, a shy smile curving her lips, and a faint blush rising to her ear tips, giving her an obedient and docile appearance.

"She just returned from abroad and plans to develop her career in China. She's thinking of holding a solo art exhibition after the New Year." Old Master Yuan put down his teacup, his tone earnest. "I heard that your daughter, Ayu, knows some top curators in the industry? I was thinking of having the children make the connections. What do you think?"

After he finished speaking, the living room was quiet for a moment.

Grandpa Zhou didn't respond immediately. Instead, he picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and gave Pan Wanxi's lowered eyelashes a meaningful look. He had lived most of his life; what kind of people hadn't he seen? This girl was indeed beautiful and gentle, but the more impeccably obedient she was, the more scrutinizing he became.

"Old Yuan," he finally spoke, his voice calm and unhurried, "you know A-Yu, she's very opinionated and has never liked being controlled. I can inquire about the curatorial matter for her, but whether it will come to fruition depends on her own decision."

These words sound amicable, but in reality, they completely shirked responsibility—neither offending the old friend nor making any promises for the grandson.

Old Master Yuan, being so astute, understood the underlying meaning and nodded with a smile: "Of course, let the children discuss their own affairs; we older generation won't interfere."

Pan Wanxi kept her head down, but her fingertips tightened slightly around the folds of her skirt. She heard clearly that Old Master Zhou's words, though seemingly gentle, actually drew an invisible line—he could introduce people, but not guarantee their marriage; they could get to know each other, but not arrange a betrothal.

She looked up and her gaze met Zhou Chenyu's as he came down the stairs.

The man wore a dark gray overcoat, his figure was tall and straight, and his expression was as cold as if covered with a thin layer of frost. He had obviously heard the conversation just now, but his gaze lingered on her face for only a moment before he looked away, as if looking at her any longer would be superfluous.

Pan Wanxi's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately lowered her eyes, completely hiding that subtle emotion.

Zhou Chenyu walked to the old man's side, bent down and whispered something. The old man waved his hand, so Zhou Chenyu straightened up and nodded slightly to Grandpa Yuan: "Hello, Grandpa Yuan."

He was courteous and respectful, maintaining a proper distance.

Grandpa Yuan looked at him with a beaming smile, his eyes full of the loving kindness of an elder looking at a younger generation: "Ayu's back? Your Grandpa Yuan came here today especially to play matchmaker for you, so don't be rude."

Zhou Chenyu's expression remained unchanged, his tone calm: "Grandpa Yuan is joking. If Miss Wanxi needs any help with her art exhibition, I'll have my assistant handle it. As for other things..." He paused, his gaze calmly turning to Pan Wanxi, "She should have her own plans and doesn't need to trouble her elders with everything."

With a single, understated sentence, the hint of a marriage alliance was effectively deflected, leaving only a layer of formal, businesslike distance.

Pan Wanxi's eyelashes trembled slightly, but the smile on her lips deepened.

Interestingly, this eldest grandson of the Zhou family, who was rumored to be cold-hearted and ruthless, was even more difficult to deal with than she had imagined.

Zhou Chenyu remained outwardly calm, but a hint of doubt crept into his mind: Wasn't Pan Wanxi 'that person's' niece? How did she suddenly become Old Master Yuan's granddaughter? The change in identity seemed rather abrupt. He needed to have Zhao Chuan investigate the situation.

Pan Wanxi was already used to his coldness. Her years abroad had made her immune to this kind of suppression and neglect. She adjusted her breathing, her demeanor remaining gentle and soft.

"Brother Chenyu is still as aloof as ever. I've just returned to the country and am not yet familiar with the industry; I'll need someone to guide me in the future." She met his gaze and asked softly, "Brother Chenyu, could it be that person?"

The two elderly men simultaneously turned their gazes to Zhou Chenyu. Old Master Yuan's eyes were full of expectation, his gaze clearly saying: "A beautiful and delicate woman is right in front of you, and you really dare to push her away?" Old Master Zhou, on the other hand, remained calm and composed, his attitude quite clear: "She's here for you, you'd better deal with it yourself."

Zhou Chenyu hadn't expected Pan Wanxi to be so persistent. He decided to disregard any formality towards his elder and said in a flat tone, "Sorry, I'm very busy and don't have time to instruct others."

He paused, then turned to the two elderly people, his expression returning to its usual respectful tone: "Grandpa, since there's nothing else, I'll go take care of my work. I came this morning to have lunch with you, but there's an urgent meeting to attend to now."

Seeing Zhou Chenyu's refusal so decisively, leaving no room for negotiation, a fleeting look of astonishment crossed Pan Wanxi's eyes. She lowered her head, a slight redness rising to the tip of her nose, her pearly teeth gently biting her lower lip, trying to suppress her grievances. Large tears silently fell onto the back of her hand, making her look utterly pitiful.

Seeing this, Old Master Yuan couldn't help but sigh and tried to smooth things over, saying, "Ayu... you should be gentler with girls. With your cold personality, when will you ever find someone who truly cares for you?"

Grandpa Zhou knew his grandson's character all too well and knew that further words would be pointless, so he waved his hand and didn't insist that he stay: "Alright, go and take care of your business. Just remember to come back and keep this old man company when you have time."

"I will, Grandpa." Zhou Chenyu nodded slightly, his expression remaining calm and composed.

He then turned and left, not even sparing a glance for the tearful figure.