After twenty years apart, not only did Lin Changheng barely recognize her, even Master Mo stood stunned for a long while.
Only after a long silence did he choke out, "Little Zhaoli."
Lin Changheng, whom Master Mo had pulled over to stand beside him, merely smiled and nodded in greeting at the start, without saying anything.
He knew full well that this was not the moment for him to speak. The stars of this reunion were already here; he should not let the guest steal the host's spotlight.
After a simple but heartfelt welcoming feast, several senior members of the Xu Family and Lin Changheng all took their leave at an appropriate moment, leaving the grandfather and granddaughter time together.
Three days later.
Mo Zhaoli came to visit him in person.
When Lin Changheng opened the door and saw her, he froze briefly before smiling with easy familiarity. "Zhaoli, what brings you here? Come in, come in."
Mo Zhaoli handed him a gift basket and smiled gently. "Brother Lin, you've made quite a name for yourself in the Xu Family. I hardly needed to ask before someone from the lineage showed me the way."
"I've only made a few small contributions."
Lin Changheng did not deny it, replying with a faint smile.
As they walked through the courtyard, Mo Zhaoli looked around curiously. "The surroundings here really are lovely, Brother Lin. The flowers and plants complement each other beautifully.
"Unlike my grandfather, who spends all day growing those dark, dreary medicinal herbs."
Mo Zhaoli spoke without the slightest reserve, then suddenly gave a soft exclamation and stopped walking.
A black turtle in the mud nearby had caught her attention.
She had already crouched beside the mud pit to inspect it curiously, poking the shell protruding from the mud with a