Give Him a Chance

Song Anning had originally wanted to go upstairs and demand an explanation himself, but in the end, he inexplicably withdrew in dejection. He left that pile of lousy copper mirrors right outside Guo Lantai's door, and before leaving, he gave them a hard, petulant kick. So what if his name was engraved on them? Anything associated with Guo Lantai was no good.

There came a clattering sound from the backpack. He did not even need to look to know there had to be a considerable number of small copper mirrors inside. That guy really had been willing to spend that much money.

Those were all secondary. The main issue was that Cen Muxiao's attitude left him utterly baffled. No matter how convincingly Guo Lantai dressed up his story, it was hardly credible!

Cen Muxiao's grandfather had indeed lived in that room, but he had not died there. How could his soul possibly have entered Guo Lantai's dream and showered him with affection?

And how could Guo Lantai shamelessly assume that rubbing his head meant he was liked and accepted?

What if the man had wanted to crush his skull in one grip? What wishful thinking!

Not only had his scheme failed, but he had also handed Guo Lantai a perfect opportunity to display his filial devotion. Who could have expected that he would actually shamelessly start wiping away tears?

He had spoken with such apparent sincerity, saying that with Cen Muxiao's grandfather keeping him company, he did not even need the copper mirrors to ward off evil. Just like that, he had openly tied himself to the grandfather Cen Muxiao respected most!

He had never even met Cen Muxiao's grandfather, okay? Where did he get the nerve to cozy up to him?

This Guo Lantai was definitely an even better actor than he was!

Song Anning returned to his room in frustration and did not come out even when it was time for a late-night snack. Cen Muxiao knew he was upset and did not force him, only instructing Uncle Meng to send some appetizing dishes to his room.

Because of that, Guo Lantai got the chance to dine alone with Cen Muxiao. Sure enough, without Song Anning around, even the air felt much fresher.

Cen Muxiao sat at the head of the table and raised his eyes slightly to study him. His freshly washed hair looked fluffy and soft, with his choppy bangs covering half his brows and revealing only his two eyes. His lashes were lowered as he focused intently on the food before him.

Together with his Mickey Mouse cartoon pajamas, he did look much more docile. If his grandfather were still alive, then upon meeting such a little fellow, he probably would not have been able to resist rubbing that fluffy little head.

What Song Anning considered entirely unconvincing already held a different meaning for Cen Muxiao. No matter how often he looked at things and thought of his grandfather, he had never experienced meeting him in a dream.

Whether Guo Lantai had been making it up or not, a faint sense of envy and anticipation rose from the bottom of his heart. That kind of reunion seemed rather nice.

He could not help comparing how differently his grandfather and grandfather might have treated Guo Lantai—one had passed away with the regret of never seeing him settle down, while the other remained calmly in the rear, watching him manage everything on his own.

Guo Lantai ignored the gaze from above and earnestly got to work on his meal. He had silently counted just now. What should have been a simple, light late-night snack had somehow become a full dinner. Even without Song Anning's assortment of health-conscious dishes filling up the table, more than half of it was already covered, and he had even delightedly spotted sweet and sour ribs and steamed pork with rice flour, both of which he liked.

His eyes were sharp. That big pig hoof had not touched a single bite of his food, clearly showing that it was not normally to his taste. Had the sun risen in the west? Was the kitchen actually considering his preferences now?

Still, was this change not a little too sudden?

As he stuffed himself, he quietly pondered. Either this man felt the project had implicated the Guo Family and was being nicer to him as compensation.

Or he had already read Cindy's interview records and, having wronged him, was offering some belated comfort.

Then again, perhaps tonight's performance had been a success and had moved his heart somewhat, so he had prepared several extra dishes as a reward.

Heh. He was staring at him like this now—was he waiting for him to speak first and express his gratitude?

And since the meal had begun, he had not said a single word. Guo Lantai did not know whether he simply did not want to talk to him and feared wasting his breath, or whether he disdained sitting face-to-face with him for a conversation at all. After all, in Cen Muxiao's eyes, this Mrs. Cen of his had occupied nothing but an awkward position from beginning to end and could never have the chance for an equal conversation.

He knew that although Cen Muxiao's status was vastly different from before, the Cen Family Villa was unlike those wealthy aristocratic households with countless stifling rules. There was certainly no rule about not speaking while eating or sleeping.

He had openly told Uncle Meng about getting the Demon-Revealing Mirror, so he was not afraid of Cen Muxiao finding out. His grandfather's matter was another issue, but Song Anning had suffered a grievance in front of him. Even if Cen Muxiao had spared Song Anning's pride and not come upstairs to confront him then, did he not intend to voice even the slightest opinion now?

At the very least, he ought to give him a warning with a threat in it!

Guo Lantai's inner little drama was bustling. The two of them ate silently for quite some time, until Guo Lantai was about to put down his chopsticks when Cen Muxiao finally broke the silence. "I'm going back to work at the company tomorrow. Anning will stay home to prepare some things. You—I hope you can behave yourself. Do you understand what I mean?"

Upon hearing that, Guo Lantai paused with his chopsticks in hand, then obediently nodded. "I understand, sir. Unless something unusual happens, I will not disturb him. I only hope Mr. Song can endure the loneliness."

The last part of his words carried a faintly sarcastic edge, while also quietly reminding Cen Muxiao that so long as Song Anning did not deliberately cause trouble, they would coexist peacefully.

Naturally, Cen Muxiao understood what he meant. He had to admit that Song Anning did indeed have prejudices against Guo Lantai, but his intentions had always been for Cen Muxiao's sake. It was simply that communicating with Guo Lantai had not gone very smoothly.

And Guo Lantai had been hostile toward Song Anning from the very beginning, so naturally he could not accept Song Anning's advice. Every time, it ended up looking as though Song Anning were deliberately picking a fight.

But thinking back, Song Anning seemed to have been the one at a disadvantage in every encounter between them. Meanwhile, Guo Lantai always stood proudly at the heights like a victorious fledgling eagle, looking down on his opponent with smug satisfaction, unwilling to let him off easily even when he had the moral high ground.

The crucial problem was that Cen Muxiao could not even rightfully stand behind Song Anning and support him. Otherwise, he would always feel as though he was taking a loss—and a massive one at that.

In the past, his eyes had been full of amazement and cherishment for Song Anning. He had stubbornly trusted his character and found his appearance and looks indescribably pleasing.

But just when he had thought that the person who embodied all the beauty in the world had finally returned to his side, Guo Lantai had become like a mirror, inadvertently reflecting a side of him that no one knew.

A little jealousy, a little unwillingness, a little regret, a little caution, a little prejudice, and a little unease!

This was not one mirror—there had to be many, right? Cen Muxiao was confused. Did Song Anning have feelings for him or not?

If not, then from what position was he acting this way?

Before such a Song Anning, the faint fluttering feelings that had only just revived in Cen Muxiao's heart had no choice but to subside once more. Since he could not understand him, then he should give him more space.

As for the Guo Lantai before him, Cen Muxiao found him increasingly interesting. He was equally unreadable, but Cen Muxiao did not mind giving him more chances to display his acting skills. After all, his name really did sound like that of an actor, did it not?