"What's so desperate?"
Xiang Mantang retorted with a cold sneer, "Isn't it just because she was afraid of giving birth to a son and being punished by the Dragon King, so she just abandoned my brother and didn't care!"
With a snort of derision, Xiang Mantang's eyes filled with contempt as he said, "You tell me, is there a mother in the world who doesn't love her own child? Yet, to my recollection, after she abandoned my brother, hasn't she not contacted him for over ten years? Is this her motherly love?"
Uncle Fu's expression was conflicted as he sighed and said, "The whole matter is like a tangled ball of yarn, not easily clarified or explained, but Tianshu, you should be aware that if the Saintess really didn't care about the young master, how could she have remained so alone until today?"
Upon hearing Uncle Fu's words, a vision of a gentle and beautiful woman, who was often troubled and scarcely happy, arose in Xiang Mantang's mind.
A thought struck Xiang Mantang, wondering, could there really be a reason for her suffering?
Uncle Fu knew that to persuade Mu Jinyu to come back and inherit the position of the Dragon King, he needed Xiang Mantang's help; if he was unwilling, it would be very difficult to persuade Mu Jinyu to return.
Seeing the change in Xiang Mantang's expression and the slight dissipation of the cold light in his eyes, Uncle Fu knew he had somewhat persuaded him and continued to strike while the iron was hot:
"Moreover, Tianshu, your own background is even more tragic compared to the young master's. Now that he can reunite with his biological mother, don't you have the heart to help him?"
When Uncle Fu mentioned his past, Xiang Mantang's expression abruptly changed, and a murderous intent flashed in his eyes. However, as Uncle Fu continued to persuade, his gaze became lost in thought again.
Indeed, compared to a lifetime without the chance to see his parents and be cherished by them, how could Mu Jinyu's mother still be alive in this world? If she had a hidden reason for leaving Mu Jinyu all those years ago, why couldn't he try to understand and accept her instead of harboring resentment and hurting each other?
Xiang Mantang clenched his fists, his gaze wavered for a moment, but gradually cleared again.
Looking at the sincere face of Uncle Fu, he took a deep breath and said, "Alright, then you explain to me the hidden reasons and hardships of the Saintess when she left my brother. If I find the reason convincing enough that it might persuade my brother, I... I will help you!"
A look of surprise appeared in Uncle Fu's eyes, knowing that Xiang Mantang would definitely not refuse him.
Thus, he quickly began, recounting the past events briefly: "Like this... and so on..."
"So, it turns out this is what happened...", Xiang Mantang seemed dazed after listening, feeling Uncle Fu's explanation was reasonable, and he could accept and forgive, but he just wasn't sure if...
Mu Jinyu, could he accept and forgive.
Uncle Fu sighed and said, "The Old Dragon King wasn't as harsh and unapproachable as you think, Tianshu. The reason he urgently summoned the Saintess back then, cutting off contact with her and their son, was actually to protect the young master and son-in-law, otherwise, he probably wouldn't have survived until now; pity the son-in-law..."
Uncle Fu heaved a long sigh and said, "Pity the heart of all parents in the world, if the Saintess really had no feelings for father and son, why would she still be alone until now."
"Phew..." Xiang Mantang exhaled lightly, his expression regaining its composure, but the slight trembling of his hands and the fleeting cold gleam in his eyes revealed his unsettled mind.
'Shen Family, Shen Cangsheng, what boldness you had, to drive Jinyu and his family to ruin all those years ago. I've noted this debt!' he thought.
Then, Xiang Mantang nodded and said, "Alright, I promise you, I will try my best to persuade my brother. You should go back now, try not to agitate him further."
"This...", Uncle Fu hesitated, then looking out the window at Mu Jinyu, whose expression was cold and unwelcoming to strangers, thought for a moment, and said, "Then I'll rely on Tianshu."
Afterward, Xiang Mantang got out of the car, watching as Uncle Fu drove away.
Looking away, Xiang Mantang sighed softly, taking steps toward Mu Jinyu, who sat crouched at the doorway, his face covered with a layer of frost.
"Brother, are you alright?" Xiang Mantang approached, asking with some concern.
"What could be wrong with me?" Mu Jinyu sneered, murmuring softly, "Back then they abandoned me and my father, and now that the old man is dying and sees that I've made a fortune, does he want me to come home? Ha ha ha..."
Mu Jinyu spoke, and could not help but burst into wild laughter.
"What are you laughing at?"
At this moment, Gu Xiyan, who had finished eating and paying, came out and, seeing Mu Jinyu laughing inexplicably, asked somewhat puzzled.
Mu Jinyu's laughter stopped abruptly.
Then he looked at Gu Xiyan and shook his head, "It's nothing. Have you finished your meal? Then let's go."
After speaking, Mu Jinyu stood up from the ground and said to Xiang Mantang, "Ah-Xiang, my mood is not very good today, so I won't be joining you for fun. Oh, do you have a place to stay now?!"
"Yes," Xiang Mantang nodded. "Liu Mei has already bought a house over at Donghui Mansion."
"Well, then, I'm going to leave first, senior brother."
Mu Jinyu nodded at Xiang Mantang and then pulled Gu Xiyan, who was still somewhat confused, away.
Xiang Mantang watched them leave, his eyes flickering slightly, but he did not open his mouth to say anything persuasively.
He knew that Mu Jinyu's mind was very restless at the moment and wouldn't listen to persuasion; it was better to wait until evening, calm down, then go to him and explain the hidden details of the past.
"Commander Xiang, what was that car just now?"
Liu Mei walked up to Xiang Mantang, thinking about the Rolls-Royce license plate she had just seen, and asked curiously.
"Yes, it was Uncle Fu's car," Xiang Mantang nodded.
"So, the Dragon Master was looking for you because..."
Upon hearing this, Liu Mei, overwhelmed with joy, thinking Xiang Mantang really was going to take over the position of the Tiance True Dragon, quickly asked tentatively.
Xiang Mantang shook his head and said softly, "No, he didn't come for me; he came for my senior brother."
"Eh? For your senior brother?"
Liu Mei, puzzled upon hearing this, wondered.
What did the Old Dragon King want with Commander Xiang's senior brother? Could it be that his time was nearing, but being unwilling to give up, he wanted the divinely skilled Mu Jinyu to save him?
Xiang Mantang said, "My senior brother, he is the grandson of the Dragon Master."
"Ah?!"
Upon hearing Xiang Mantang's words, Liu Mei felt as if a heavy bomb exploded in her mind, buzzing, and she murmured:
"Your senior brother is... the Dragon Master's grandson?!"
"So..." Muttering, Liu Mei suddenly looked up, her eyes anxiously fixed on Xiang Mantang, and asked, "Is the Old Dragon King preparing to appoint your senior brother as the next Tiance True Dragon?"
"Yes, that seems to be the plan," Xiang Mantang nodded lightly.
"Then are you planning..." Liu Mei took a deep breath, wanting to ask if Xiang Mantang had any plans to compete with Mu Jinyu?
"I'm going to help him!" Xiang Mantang said firmly.
Liu Mei stared blankly at Xiang Mantang, trying to see any signs of discontent, frustration, or hatred in his expression, but unfortunately, there were none; instead, there was only a wistful envy.
Liu Mei didn't understand what Xiang Mantang was envious of, thinking it was because Mu Jinyu had a good grandfather.
She asked unwillingly, "Commander Xiang, are you really content with this?!"
"What is there to be discontent about?" Xiang Mantang chuckled lightly, offering no further explanation.
If it had been someone else becoming the new Dragon King, he indeed would have felt discontent, but if it was Mu Jinyu, he didn't mind.
Because he was Mu Jinyu, because they were Jinyu Mantang!