I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

The old Shu family residence is located halfway up the mountain in the west of the city.

The car wound its way up the mountain road, the camphor and sycamore trees on both sides growing denser and denser, completely isolating the city's hustle and bustle from the outside world.

The car turned onto a private road that could only accommodate two cars side by side. After driving a short distance, a simple wooden fence appeared ahead. It automatically rose up. We continued driving for more than a minute before we saw the unassuming building that was almost hidden in the mountains.

Gray walls, dark tiles, and large floor-to-ceiling windows create an understated yet luxurious feel.

As soon as the car came to a stop in the cobblestone parking area, the glass door of the main house opened.

An elderly man dressed in a dark gray Zhongshan suit, with his hair neatly combed, quickly came out to greet us, his face beaming with an uncontrollable smile.

"The young lady is back!"

The old butler, Uncle Chen, spoke in a loud voice, carrying the unique kindness of an old man. His gaze first fell on Shu Zi, then immediately turned to Gu Yan behind her, his smile deepening.

"Young Master Gu is here too, good, that's great."

Shu Zi jumped out of the car, her hat and mask already removed. She ran a few steps to Uncle Chen, grinning, "Uncle Chen! Did you miss me?"

"Think about it, think about it every day."

Chen Bole narrowed his eyes and looked her up and down. "You've lost weight. Are you not eating properly again? Can you even fill your stomach with the food on the show?"

"Yes, yes, I can eat a lot!" Shu Zi affectionately took Uncle Chen's arm, then turned back and waved to Gu Yan, "Hurry up!"

Gu Yan walked over steadily, carrying two boxes of pastries, and nodded slightly to Uncle Chen: "Uncle Chen."

"Hey, come inside quickly. The old man is busy with his orchids in the greenhouse. He's been talking about you all morning."

As Uncle Chen spoke, he led the two men into the house.

"Uncle Chen! What bad things is Grandpa saying about me again?"

"It's not bad talk, it's just that I'm wondering why you haven't come back for so long." Uncle Chen patted her hand.

As you walk through the living room and push open a glass door, warm, humid air mixed with the fresh scent of grass and trees wafts out.

The greenhouse is very large, with sunlight streaming through the glass roof.

A small, elderly man, dressed in a navy blue traditional Chinese jacket and with neatly combed white hair, stood with his back to the door, carefully using a small watering can to "artificially rain" several potted orchids, muttering incantations as he did so.

"...You're so hard to please, too much water is no good, too little water and you wilted, you're even harder to take care of than my little maid..."

"Grandpa! Who are you saying is hard to please!" Shu Zi's clear voice boomed in the greenhouse.

No, it's not an old man.

Shu Wangjin's hand trembled, and the spray bottle almost fell to the ground.

He turned around abruptly and saw Shu Zi and Gu Yan standing in the doorway. His eyes behind his reading glasses instantly lit up dramatically, and every wrinkle on his face smoothed out, but he still habitually kept a stern expression.

"Oh, so the big star actually knows to come back? I thought you'd forgotten all about this old man since you were on TV."

Shu Zi ran over, grabbed Shu Wangjin's arm, and shook it:

"No way! I miss Grandpa the most! Look, I rushed back to the hearing as soon as I had a spare moment~ I even brought the 'witness' with me."

She gestured towards Gu Yan, who was walking over.

Gu Yan stepped forward, placed the pastry box on the small rattan table beside him, and respectfully greeted, "Grandpa Shu."

Shu Wangjin's gaze swept over Gu Yan's face, then looked at his granddaughter's "fearless" expression, and he snorted, but the smile in his eyes was hard to hide:

"You've got some conscience, young man, at least you remembered to come and see this old man."

"Sit down, everyone sit down. Old Chen, brew some tea, the best pre-Qingming Longjing!"

The three of them sat in the wicker chairs in the flower room. Shu Wangjin stopped tending to his precious orchids and just looked at Shu Zi, asking her all sorts of questions.

"How did the recording go? Did you cause any trouble for anyone?"

"I'm so well-behaved, what trouble could I possibly cause!"

Shu Zi immediately said, then, as if remembering something, blinked, "But Grandpa, have you watched the program?"

"Me?" Shu Wangjin snorted. "Why would I look at that thing? A bunch of young people playing house."

But Uncle Chen's suppressed laughter betrayed him.

Shu Zi didn't expose him, but cheerfully talked about the funny things that happened on the show, focusing on criticizing Jiang Yunyou's "artistic talent" and how roller coasters were a piece of cake for her.

Gu Yan stood by, smiling but saying nothing, occasionally adding a comment, creating a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.

After chatting for a while, Shu Wangjin seemed to suddenly remember something and said to Shu Zi:

"Nuonuo, go to my study and bring me the copy of 'The Classic of Tea' on the table. It's the ancient book you said you wanted to read last time, the facsimile edition."

"Now?" Shu Zi was taken aback.

"Well, it's perfect that Xiao Yan is here. Let him take a look too; that version is pretty good."

"Oh, okay." Shu Zi didn't suspect anything and got up to walk into the house.

As soon as her figure disappeared behind the glass door, the atmosphere in the greenhouse changed almost imperceptibly.

Shu Wangjin picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and looked at Gu Yan's face. His expression remained calm, but with a hint of deeper meaning.

"Xiao Yan," he said, his voice low.

"There are no outsiders here, so let me tell you the truth, Grandpa. You went on that show, investing in it and being a guest, making such a big fuss. Was it for the show itself, or for someone on it?"

Gu Yan remained seated, meeting his gaze without flinching.

He paused for two seconds, then uttered the unspoken answer clearly and calmly:

"people."

Shu Wangjin stared at him for a full five seconds.

Then, he suddenly smiled softly. In that smile was understanding, relief, and perhaps a touch of melancholy at the passage of time.

"I knew it." He shook his head and put down his teacup.

"From childhood to adulthood, you've never been ambiguous when it comes to this girl. This time, however... it's quite a big deal."

Gu Yan lowered his eyes, looking at the clear tea in the cup, his voice becoming lower:

"I was wrong before. I left too hastily and didn't explain things clearly, which made her feel wronged."

"Feeling wronged?" Shu Wangjin snorted. "Her little grievances are nothing compared to yours back then..."

He was about to speak when he waved his hand, "Alright, you young people handle your own affairs. I only want to ask you, are you serious this time? Or is it just a spur-of-the-moment decision, or pressure from your family?"

Gu Yan raised his head, his gaze calm and firm: "Grandpa Shu, you should know what kind of person I am and what my attitude is towards things and people."

"My feelings for her were never just a passing fancy."

Eyes facing each other.

Shu Wangjin saw in his eyes the familiar stubbornness, sense of responsibility, and the unchanging focus over the years.

After a long while, the old man slowly nodded, the feigned seriousness on his face completely melting away, revealing his genuine gentleness.

"Okay, as long as you understand."

He paused, his tone becoming more cautionary, "That girl seems loud and boisterous, but she's actually quite thoughtful. Sometimes she's also very proud, so you need to be patient with her."

"I see."

"And also," Shu Wangjin picked up the teapot and poured tea for Gu, his voice calm yet carrying a certain weight:

"Since you've made up your mind, protect her and don't let her cry anymore."