Day Thirty-Six...
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[ At Ancestral Mansion of Xu Family... ]
Weekend! Ethan had no class today, so he visited his grandfather. Old Man Xu had been waiting for his grandson to arrive. He asked the Chef to prepare and cook Ethan's favorite food.
Old Man Xu was excited to bond with his adorable grandson today. The chess board was already arranged on the top of the table on the balcony. He was leisurely sitting on his chair while putting the chess pieces on the board.
He often played chess with his grandson. This was one of their playtime activities whenever Ethan visited his place. Old Man Xu turned to the entrance gate when he heard the sound of the car approaching.
His lips curled up into a gentle smile as soon as he recognized the vehicle. His grandson finally arrived!
"Grandpa!" Ethan called his grandfather, waving his hand as he alighted from the car.
"My dear grandson, come!" Old Man Xu stood up from his seat and welcomed his grandson with a warm hug. The young boy embraced him and kissed his right cheek.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtOld Man Xu carried Ethan as he returned to the balcony. He gently put him down and stroked his hair. "I missed you, my adorable grandson. Did you miss this old man too?"
Ethan moved his head up and down. "Of course, grandpa. I missed you, that's why I'm here."
Old Man Xu chuckled gleefully hearing his grandson's reply. "Wait here. I will get your favorite snacks."
Old Man Xu was about to leave when Ethan stopped him. "Grandpa, just stay here with me. Don't leave. Just let Uncle Jorge get the snacks." Ethan was referring to the head butler who was standing near the door.
Old Man Xu bobbed his head before motioning for the butler to get the favorite snacks of his grandsonâ€" French Fries, Chocolate Cookies, Cheese Cake and Pineapple Juice.
"Grandpa, let's play chess. I want to make a bet with you," Ethan immediately challenged his grandpa when he looked at the chessboard on the surface of the table.
"Haha! I love your fighting spirit, grandson. Do you plan to defeat this old man today? Hmm. I will not go easy on you because of the bet. What are you betting, my grandson?" Old Man Xu asked Little Ethan with intrigue.
Ethan just gave his grandfather a meaningful smile before he sat down on the opposite chair. "Hmm. I will tell you later, grandpa. For now, let's choose our piece. What do you want grandpa, Black or white?"
"Since you already sat in front of the white piece, I will let you take the first move." Old Man Xu also took his seat. He watched his grandson with a wide grin.
Ethan grabbed the first piece and moved it. It was a pawn. After placing the pawn on the desired spot, Ethan began asking his grandpa. "Grandpa, did you find a suitable woman for my Dad to marry?"
"Cough! Cough!" Old Man Xu was caught off guard by Ethan's sudden question. He wondered if his son told Ethan about the woman he set up with Nathan.
"Why, dear Ethan? Do you want your dad to marry someone and have a new mom? Is that the bet you want to make with me? Do you want this grandpa of yours to find your Dad a wife?" Old Man Xu glanced at Ethan expectantly.
However, Ethan shook his head frantically. "No, grandpa. I already found a suitable candidate for Dad's future wife. You don't have to find someone else," Ethan declared to his grandpa with confidence.
Old Man Xu blinked several times, assessing his grandson's expression. 'My grandson found someone whom he wanted to be his father's wife.'
"Who is she?"
Ethan giggled and said, "Secret!"
Old Man Xu sighed helplessly and rubbed his beard. "Don't you want to introduce her to your grandpa? If she is your dad's future wife then I will become her future father-in-law. I have to meet her."
"Hmm. I am sure you will like her. She is smart, beautiful, and strong. She is fierce and brave... someone who is not afraid of Dad nor intimidated by him. She can protect Dad and me!" There was a gleam in Ethan's eyes as he spoke about Abigail's good qualities.
Old Man Xu could only watch his grandson with amusement. He could tell that his grandson was happy as he described the woman. He became more interested in the woman Ethan was referring to.
"Hmm. Now, I'm excited to meet her," Old Man Xu blurted out with a broad smile on his face.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBut then again, Ethan didn't miss this opportunity to confront his grandfather. "Grandpa, did you introduce my Dad to another woman? I heard he had a date tonight."
Old Man Xu scratched his face and smiled at his grandson sheepishly. He suddenly felt guilty. He didn't know what to say.
"Grandpa, If I win, I want you to support my candidate to be my Dad's wife. Don't introduce him to other women," Ethan proclaimed with conviction.
"Grandson... Honestly, your grandpa had a situation. Please don't be upset with me if I set him up with another woman tonight. It's just that... there is a scheming old man who is blackmailing your grandpa. I had no choice but to introduce the daughter of that scheming old man to your dad."
"But don't worry. I will not allow him to marry that woman... It's just that your Dad and I had a deal. Your Dad is helping this grandpa of yours to buy me some time." Old Man Xu explained the situation to his grandson. He could sense that his grandson was unhappy knowing that his Dad was having a dinner date tonight with another woman.
Little Ethan fell silent for a moment. He was assessing his grandpa's expression, analyzing if he was lying or not. When he confirmed that his grandpa was telling the truth, Ethan's face brightened up.
"Okay, Grandpa. I understand. I won't get mad or upset with you. But promise me... you will support the woman whom I want my Dad to marry!"
"Of course. I will do that. You always have my support, my dearest grandson! You have my word. By the way, who is the woman?"
"You already met her, grandpa. It's Miss Abi... Abigail Scarlett!"
Old Man Xu: "..."
'Eh? That woman? The woman who almost killed my son because of her cooking?!'