Holding the test report, Ruan He embraced his granddaughter tightly, unable to speak for a long while.
He should be happy, yet he found it hard to truly rejoice.
Of course, he didn’t want to turn into a mindless beast, so meeting Shushu might be the luckiest thing that ever happened to him. But he couldn’t help thinking of others; he was fortunate, yet this luck was something he had to selfishly keep to himself.
“Sigh…”
Ruan He let out a deep sigh.
“Grandpa, aren’t you happy?”
Ruan Shu didn’t quite understand. Wasn’t reducing Jingshen contamination a good thing?
Ruan He laughed heartily, “How could Grandpa not be happy? It’s just that Grandpa thought of something else; it has nothing to do with you, Shushu.”
He tossed his little granddaughter into the air and caught her again.
Ruan Shu gasped a little, but once she was safely back in his arms, she broke into a big, bright smile.
“Shushu truly is the Ruan family’s little lucky star!”
Ruan Qingran also smiled, “Indeed, she’s a little lucky star.”
Ruan Shu blushed at the praise, and, naturally, she became even more eager to help her grandfather with his mental therapy.
She had wanted to help her father as well, but unfortunately, he was always out of sight, and Ruan Shu didn’t quite dare disturb him.
Finally, the day of the Beast God Festival arrived.
This was a day of national celebration.
Schools had been closed for the past three days.
However, her third brother hadn’t returned because he was traveling with his fellow academy competitors on a starship bound for the competition planet.
Ruan Shu only managed to give him a safety talisman and a tiny felted cat ball, barely larger than his palm, as a farewell gift, but she hadn’t seen him off in person.
Since the departure was organized by the academy, only the competing students were allowed to attend, and no one else could go along.
“Shushu, are you ready? We’re heading out.”
Ruan He was dressed in a dashing military uniform, and after undergoing mental therapy, he looked much younger and had fewer wrinkles.
Wearing his uniform, he looked like a robust, energetic elder.
His uniform bore many medals symbolizing honor.
Ruan Shu was dressed in a custom-made dress in the colors of the Third Legion’s uniform, a bit like their official attire. The blue and black tones gave her a particularly striking look.
“Grandpa, are we going to see Dad?”
Ruan He nodded and then shook his head, holding her little hand as they walked outside.
“Your dad is busy right now, but you’ll see him later. First, I’ll take you to meet some of Grandpa’s old friends—all those grandpas and grandmas in the group. They’ve all sent you gifts, and you’ve sent them gifts too.”
Ruan Shu followed closely beside her grandfather, nodding obediently, though she couldn’t hide the nervous fluttering in her heart.
Their hover car pulled up in front of the central plaza’s administration building, the largest structure on the entire main planet.
Peeking out the window, she saw military officers in uniforms and officials in formal attire and noble suits entering and exiting the building in a steady stream.
Participating in such a grand event for the first time, Ruan Shu found herself walking a little clumsily, almost moving her hands and feet in sync, and her cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment.
Ruan He laughed heartily and lifted her up into his arms.
Ruan Shu, careful not to press against his medals, sat with caution.
“Marshal Ruan, you’ve arrived.”
Many people greeted Ruan He with respectful nods as they saw him approach.
“And who is this…?” they asked, noticing the young girl in his arms, difficult to overlook.
Ruan He stood tall and proudly introduced her with a beaming smile. “This is my granddaughter, Ruan Shu.”
“Hello, uncles and aunties,” Ruan Shu greeted them. Though her voice trembled from nerves, she maintained an admirable level of politeness.
Wearing her little dress, she looked both dashing and endearing, and it was hard for anyone not to feel charmed by such a polite child.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Ruan He led his granddaughter away, shielding her from too many interactions. Thanks to this, she began to relax a bit from her initial tension.
As they walked off, soft whispers of conversation began among those they left behind.
“I’d heard that Marshal Ruan had brought a daughter back with him. Seems she’s the one.”
“They say her background isn’t the most honorable, but from how Marshal Ruan treats her, it’s clear he’s quite protective.”
“You all don’t know, do you? The Ruan family hasn’t had a girl in generations. The Marshal himself never had a daughter, so he’s long dreamed of having a granddaughter. He’s already got five grandsons, so now that he finally has a granddaughter, how could he not treasure her?”
“And as for her background? Marshal Ruan has been single all these years and likely intends to stay that way. The Ruan family has no lady of the house, and his three sons are all grown. A little girl poses no threat to anyone, nor does she disrupt the family. Why wouldn’t the old marshal dote on her?”
“Still, I’d wager his three sons might not take to her so easily. Back in the day, they sure didn’t go easy on any noblewomen who hoped to marry the marshal.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. After all this time, with no plans for the marshal to remarry, a girl who shares his blood is entirely different from an outsider trying to marry in. Plus, the young girl seems polite and well-mannered. They’re adults; even if they don’t immediately accept her, they won’t resent a little girl.”
“Seems like the girl really is lucky.”
While people whispered about the Ruan family’s affairs, the person at the center of it all had followed her grandfather into an opulent hall.
As the doors opened, the hall was already buzzing with people. In one area, a group of older men and women stood out, many dressed in uniforms adorned with badges of honor similar to her grandfather’s. Some, dressed in noble attire, looked elegant and dignified.
Ruan He wasn’t the only one who’d brought a younger family member along. As Ruan Shu clutched her grandfather’s hand, the crowd’s gaze instantly turned toward them the moment they entered.
She shifted on her feet, instinctively wanting to hide behind her grandfather. But then she remembered something, straightened up, took a deep breath, and tried her best to appear unafraid.
I can’t… I can’t embarrass Grandpa and Dad!
Shushu, you can do this—you’re amazing!
Silently cheering herself on, Ruan Shu held tightly onto her grandfather’s finger.
Her lips were pressed together in a determined, serious expression, yet her big, watery eyes betrayed her true emotions. Her chubby, delicate little face combined with that serious look was utterly adorable.
Everyone present was well-seasoned at reading people, so her small attempt at a façade didn’t fool anyone.
“Old He, you finally brought Shushu with you!”
Another elderly man, also dressed in a military uniform, stood up and laughed heartily. His booming voice was as loud as her grandfather’s, and he looked like a jovial person.
Ruan Shu couldn’t help but look over, meeting the warm, smiling eyes of the elderly man.
“Shushu, I’m your Grandpa Liu! You even sent me a little gift, remember?”