「廃墟の中の鍵」

When the old madam saw Gu Weizi's reaction, the realization dawned on her. However, she had already matched Mu Zhanbei with Gu Anran. It did not seem like there was anything else she could do even if Gu Weizi liked her eldest grandson. She had regretted her action and could only hope that Gu Weizi would lead a happier life. It would have been too cruel if she were to break up the couple.

"I am in good health, and Weizi has been with me for quite some time too. I am very happy today."

The old madam looked delighted as she held Gu Weizi's hand. Mu Zhanbei's eyes finally fell onto Gu Weizi. The girl looked as if she was too embarrassed to look at him, so she played with her thumbs instead.

Mu Fengjin also made his way forward. "Grandmother, how are you feeling today?"

"I have Weizi with me today, so I feel fine."

Both Mu Zhanbei and Mu Fengjin were the old madam's favorite grandchildren in the household, and she was always happy to see them.

"Fengjin, come and sit down. You are not well, so don't stand around."

"I'm fine, Grandmother. I have been recuperating abroad for a long time, so there is nothing wrong with my health anymore."

Even though he said that, Mu Fengjin still pulled a chair next to his grandmother and sat in it. The brothers were not happy with how pale their grandmother looked. The doctor's words rang in their ears; they did not know if she would survive the winter.

"I'm glad to hear that you are completely well now."

Old Madam Mu did notice that Mu Fengjin had looked better than when he was younger. He no longer appeared sickly and weak, and she felt reassured about that. The person that she worried most at that moment was Gu Weizi. The poor girl had suffered so much at the Gu household, and she did not even know about their relationship with each other. Gu Weizi was strong and staunch, but it broke the old madam's heart to see her tough exterior.

"Ah Bei," the old madam suddenly called out.

"Yes?" Mu Zhanbei looked at her as he sat up.

"Ah Bei, I would like to talk to you about something. Come with me."

Mu Zhanbei immediately stood up and went to push her wheelchair. "Grandmother, where would you like to go?"

"Let's take a walk around the garden." The old lady looked at Gu Weizi with a gleam of worry in her eyes.

The old lady then turned toward Mu Fengjin. "Fengjin, Weizi's foot is hurt, so please take care of her."

Mu Fengjin just nodded silently. Mu Zhanbei pushed the old madam to the garden before he chose to park her chair under a beautiful and shady spot.

He moved to her side and gently asked, "Grandmother, what is it that you wanted to tell me?"

Mu Zhanbei was uncomfortable with how solemn the old madam had looked when she said that she wanted to talk to him. He felt as if she was making arrangements for the time when she would finally leave them. He realized that his instincts were right when his grandmother took his hand and looked at him with reddened eyes.

"I know that I may not have long now."

"Nonsense, Grandmother, you are still very healthy. You'll be able to live to a hundred years old," Mu Zhanbei immediately interrupted her.

The old lady shook her head; she was well-informed about the condition of her health. The doctor and her family members had tried to keep the truth from her. However, she had also seen the signs that her body had shown her.

"Ah Bei, I need your help with something."

"Of course, what is it?"

The old lady looked at him; she knew that her eldest grandson was an exceptional man. He was strong and yet tender at the same time. Even though the world saw him as a cold and ruthless person, she knew that he would protect someone with his life once he had decided on them. However, things would always be difficult for the person that he had committed himself to.

"There is someone that I would like you to protect, a girl."

The old madam knew that she was asking too much of him. Even though it would burden him for a lifetime, Old Madam Wu thought that it was the only way to help her granddaughter. What would happen to Gu Weizi when she passed away?

"Who?" Mu Zhanbei looked a little indifferent at her request.

"It's the lady who was with me just now; Gu Weizi."

His face immediately darkened. It was an absolute burden for him! He despised the word ‘protect’ as it carried such massive responsibility. He even felt disgusted at the thought of it.

"Ah Bei, I know that you have always stayed away from women. I also know that I'm asking too much of you."

What more could she have done? No one would understand her concerns. Except for Mu Zhanbei, no one else would have the ability to protect her granddaughter.

"Grandmother, why do you like Gu Weizi so much?"

As far as he could tell, that girl had not had much contact with his grandmother. So he did not understand why she would treat her so well. Mu Zhanbei realized that he was biased. He had accepted the fact that his grandmother was kind toward Gu Anran so easily. However, when it was for Gu Weizi, he could not allow it. He thought it was too burdensome.

The old lady stopped talking and then looked at him. She had so much to say, but she dared not continue with the conversation.

"Grandmother, if you cannot give me a plausible reason for that, then I'll find it difficult to agree to do that."

The old lady's hand grasped the wheelchair handlebar tightly. Her clutch was so tight that her thin fingers and knuckles turned white. Mu Zhanbei rolled his eyes when he saw the tremble in her fingers.

She knew that he would pity her. If she insisted on not giving him a reason, then he would not have forced it out of her either. However, it would make a huge difference to Gu Weizi whether he was willing to do it or if his grandmother forced him into it.

"She is my...only blood relative in the world."

The air seemed to have quieted as Mu Zhanbei kept his silence. It was early October, and it was the start of autumn, so there were many fallen leaves around them. A brown leaf swayed in the air as it dropped gently onto the old madam's head. The earth-colored leaf stood out in contrast to her white hair. The sharp distinction bore into Mu Zhanbei's eyes, and it made him feel so uncomfortable.

Old Madam Mu had a biological son a very long time ago, and he was the fourth master in the Mu family, Mu Zhaobang. A tragedy had happened many years ago when a fire took Mu Zhaobang’s life, and she had fallen ill ever since.

Mu Zhanbei had been very young when the tragedy struck, and when he was caught in the fire. He only survived because of Mu Zhaobang. His fourth uncle had saved him from the fire, and the flames had buried him instead.

The old madam could no longer bear any children of her own, and thus she had lost the chance to have another biological child. Even though she was the matriarch of the Mu family, none of their descendants was her blood relative. Mu Zhanbei had always been kind to her because he knew that he was the reason she had lost her precious son. If she had found a blood relative, then it was his responsibility to protect that person with his life. He owed her that much.

A few moments passed before the old lady looked at him and softly said, "Ah Bei, I know that I am asking too much of you." She paused for a moment before she continued, "But I know that as long as it is my request, you would definitely protect Weizi for me."

She kept her grip on the handle. Even though she felt a little excited about it, she felt helpless too.

"She is my only granddaughter. I do not dare to admit our relationship publicly because I don't want people with ill intentions to target her. I also don't want to frighten her with the truth."

"My only wish is for someone to take care of her when I've passed on."