"Your eyes were already closing, but you still refused to go to bed."
Thinking of the scene back then, Father Xiao shook his head. "The elderly can't stay up late."
"This was the latest they'd gone to bed in years."
"They didn't get back to their room until almost midnight."
"We had to coax them for ages before we finally managed to get them to go back."
"Your grandparents can be really stubborn when they set their minds to something."
Father Xiao smiled helplessly.
Seeing the regret on Xiao Xiao's face, Father Xiao said, "Just say a few nice things to your grandparents tomorrow."
"They'll be very happy."
"Okay."
Xiao Xiao nodded.
"Uncle, I'm sorry. I put Master Xiao to so much trouble."
"I kept him from getting back in time to celebrate the New Year with you."
Su Xun wore an apologetic expression.
Especially after hearing that the elderly people in Master Xiao's family had been waiting for him to come home, he felt even more guilty.
Master Xiao?
Father Xiao paused in surprise.
But then he remembered the White Plum Blossom that bloomed year-round in the courtyard and the unseen fish in the pond, and understanding dawned on him.
He smiled. "It's all right, it's all right."
"You're Su Xun, right?"
"Yes. You can just call me A Xun, Uncle."
Though travel-worn, Su Xun's refined bearing was unmistakable.
A hint of admiration appeared in Father Xiao's eyes.
Elders always took a special liking to young people like him.
"A Xun, there's no need to be so formal."
"You can celebrate together again next year."
"But you must have had something urgent you needed Xiao Xiao's help with, right?"
"Yes."
At the thought of Dangdang, Su Xun's expression inevitably darkened.
In the end, he'd been too late.