Ten Years of Yearning. My Love, Let Me Protect You.

Luo Lixi didn't do what her grandmother said. The old lady didn't mention the matter later. The whole time, she took care of all Luo Lixi's needs. 

'Grandma is so warm…' Luo Lixi understood while she was being taken into the master bedroom of her grandparents. Then, Madam Tang left her on the bed and went away to her secret chamber. 

"Doesn't she fear that I will expose her?'' Luo Lixi murmured awkwardly. Madam Tang didn't take much time and returned soon. 

Then, she strode towards Luo Lixi and handed two wooden boxes. Luo Lixi guessed something and opened those slowly. As expected, there were two hairpins. One was golden, the other was silver. 

Luo Lixi didn't show any reaction as if she didn't know what was happening. However, Madam Tang crouched down in front of her and picked those things up. 

"You see these hairpins? This yellow hairpin is gold and this grey hairpin is silver." Madam Tang explained very seriously. Luo Lixi also nodded with equal seriousness. 

Then, she handed them to her and said, "For other people, these are expensive but for you and me, not much. The only value is that these are very old and heirlooms of our family."

Luo Lixi nodded as she examined the two pins. She knew of these because, in her past life, her grandfather had dumped all the jewellery of the family to her. Being a lady who loved unique designs, she felt those were indeed noble.

Luo Lixi rubbed those two things and then lifted her face, "I understand, grandma. You can take back~"

"Child, this grandma of yours doesn't take back what she gives. These are yours now." Madam Tang declared. Luo Lixi fell in deep thought. 

Then she again glanced at her and asked, "These are so pretty~ Mama also likes pretty things~ Can I give these to Mama, grandma?"

The hand which was going to pat Luo Lixi on her head stopped midair. She looked down at Luo Lixi's face as her own smile fades away. 

Looking at her innocent complexion, she couldn't say otherwise even if she was against it. "Fine. Give these to your mother to safe keep."

Luo Lixi hummed and then put the things back into the boxes. Afterwards, she slipped down from the bed and walked towards the door. As soon as she tried to open it, someone from outside pushed in. 

Luo Lixi's figure was pushed aside by the door as Luo Qintian entered the room. But before he could relax, Madam Tang stormed towards him with a murderous expression. "Husband! What have you done?!"

"Wh… What?" Luo Qintian asked as he saw her grabbing the doorknob and turning the door. Finally, Luo Qintian saw what was wrong. 

On the ground, Luo Lixi was sitting on her butt as her two arms had two wooden boxes. She had a blank face as she stared ahead. 

"Xixi, are you okay?" Madam Tang called out anxiously. Luo Lixi jolted awake from her messy thoughts and then glanced at Madam Tang pitifully. 

"Grandma~ My foot…" She pointed at her right leg. The lady hurriedly opened the shoe and saw the big toe was slightly reddened. Instantly, her instinct flared up as she frowned at Luo Qintian. 

"How can you be so reckless?! Couldn't you have knocked before coming inside?! For a moment, I feared that you caused her severe injuries!"

"…I have to knock before coming to my own bedroom?" Luo Qintian grimaced in vexation and shot a look at Luo Lixi. 

"A little one has come into our family. Do you want her to be careful when you, the adult, should do that instead?!" Madam Tang grumbled as she picked Luo Lixi. Then, without giving another look to the man, she strolled out of the room.

Luo Qintian kept silent as he saw her leaving. He felt guilty for hurting the little kid even if he had done it unintentionally. When he changed out into more comfortable clothes, he walked down to the first floor. 

Luo Lixi was placed on the sofa while Xiao Chi was rubbing an ice cube on her toe. Except for Housekeeper Wu, nobody gave Luo Qintian any attention. The old man went beside Luo Lixi. 

With his deep and rough voice, he asked nonchalantly, "Does it hurt?"

Luo Lixi subconsciously nodded but when she realised it was her grandfather, she shook her head, "Doesn't hurt!"

Luo Qintian's eyes grew dark by her reply. He leaned down and gently pinched Luo Lixi's red toe. 

"Ah! Hurts!" Luo Lixi cried out with a little distorted face and moved her leg away. Luo Qintian harrumphed and muttered out in a displeased voice. "Little liar just like that insolent brat!" 

'Why are you venting your dissatisfaction regarding Baiyun on her?!' Madam Tang thought angrily. 

Even though Luo Lixi didn't mind, it seemed her little body minded it a lot. In no time, her eyes got teary and beads of tears began to fall. 

Even though she didn't make any commotion or cried like those little kids, this scene was too heart wrenching to be ignored. 

At once, many eyes fell on Luo Qintian. He instantly got the tag of a big bully who likes to bully his little granddaughter. Madam Tang hugged Luo Lixi and then her eyes sharpened. 

She gazed at Luo Qintian and said coldly, "Husband, if you want me to leave this house like my son, then say it directly. Don't behave rudely with a child just because you are mad at her father!"

"I told the truth. She has already learned how to lie." Luo Qintian was indifferent as his eyes fell on Luo Lixi. The little body reacted fiercely as she shook and hugged her grandmother tightly. 

"Grandma, I… I want to go home." Luo Lixi whimpered. Even she didn't know why the body showed such a huge reaction. 

Luo Qintian pursed his lips and then left the scene. As per routine, he went to his study to start working. Luo Lixi peeked at the second floor secretly. 

"Xixi, don't mind that man. Stay with me today?" Madam Tang asked gently.

In return, Luo Lixi shook her head, "I can't~"

"Why?" Madam Tang's mood dropped again. 

"Mama… Ma is alone." Luo Lixi whispered and then looked down on the two boxes, "Also, I have to give these to her…"

"Your father will come to pick you up. Until then, be quiet!" Luo Qintian said. At some point, he came back. Then, he picked up the newspaper he had barely finished and started reading beside them. 

'Back then, was grandfather rude to me as well?' Luo Lixi speculated as she dived into Madam Tang's embrace and refused to look at anybody. 

Luo Qintian was going to snort at her when his eyes met with Madam Tang's warning. "Are you doing this on purpose?"

"If not?" Luo Qintian asserted and then concentrated on his newspaper. Noticing his cold behaviour, Luo Lixi's heart felt stifled. She hadn't looked towards his place since then. 

…

When the big clock crossed 6, finally some movements were heard outside. Luo Baiyun came to the mansion with large steps. His eyes fell on Luo Lixi who had curled up in Madam Tang's lap. 

"Son, go to your room and freshen up." Madam Tang murmured when she saw him. However, Luo Baiyun's eyes were locked on Luo Lixi as he interrogated. 

"Why is she sleeping now?" He implored and then his sight fell on the exposed legs of Luo Lixi. 

Madam Tang felt regretful as she clarified, "She had a little accident. When your father…"

"No need to explain then." Luo Baiyun stopped her from talking further then picked up Luo Lixi. The latter woke up and groggily glanced at Luo Baiyun. 

"Father." Luo Lixi whispered to be confirmed and grabbed the little boxes tightly. 

"Hmm." Luo Baiyun hummed and then turned around to leave. 

Madam Tang saw this and wanted to tell him to stop but at that moment, Luo Qintian's sharp glare was directed at her. "Don't bring yourself so low that you have to beg others to stay." 

The raised hand of her dropped as she saw them leaving silently. The housekeeper and the servants tactfully left the scene as well. 

Luo Qintian saw the silent woman and said indifferently, "Didn't you spend enough time with that kid? Why is your face swollen then?"

"Qintian… don't test my patience! The thing which disgusts me the most is your sarcasm. My children have to leave and live somewhere else when this huge mansion is nearly empty… It doesn't feel like home anymore." 

"Am I not enough?" Luo Qintian asked.

"Same to you. Am I not enough? Leave work and come with me to the mountain. Let's leave this surreal world and become wanderers!" 

Madam Tang retorts back, her nose flaring with her teeth gritting in anger, her eyes bore into his eyes daring him to speak further.

"…" Luo Qintian.

"What? You got scared so easily?" Madam Tang chuckled as she turned around. 

Before going upstairs, she glanced sideways and said frostily, "Husband, before our granddaughter's birthday, bring them back. Or else… Sigh! It's been years since I have visited my maternal home. I guess I will have to pay them a long visit…" 

"..." Luo Qintian.