HLnovel Chapter 176 The Request of the Ming Family Elder
Chapter 176 The Request of the Ming Family Elder
"Sir, Mr. Gu has arrived."
Uncle Ma walked up to the old man and bowed to him.
The old man was feeding the koi in the pond when he heard Uncle Ma report, and he quickly said, "Quick, quick, let him come over."
Led by Uncle Ma, Gu Ye walked through a wooden corridor to the waterside pavilion.
The Ming family is a century-old family, and their buildings are all in the ancient Chinese style.
"Hello, Grandpa Ming." Gu Ye approached Grandpa Ming and bowed to him.
"Gu Ye, it's been five or six years since we last met, hasn't it?" Old Master Ming looked at Gu Ye with a kind expression, placing the fish food in his hand next to a potted plant.
Uncle Ma quickly helped him to a grand chair and carefully placed his cane aside, within easy reach.
After he sat down, he said to Gu Ye, "Gu Ye, please sit down quickly."
“Okay, Grandpa Ming.” Gu Ye sat down opposite Grandpa Ming.
Old Master Ming scrutinized Gu Ye again. He was already an outstanding person, and after not seeing him for several years, he felt that Gu Ye was even more outstanding and noble. If he could become the son-in-law of the Ming family, the Ming family's century-old foundation could continue for more than a hundred years without collapsing.
The Ming family is now small, and he only has one granddaughter. For the sake of his granddaughter and the Ming family, he has no choice but to swallow his pride and facilitate this marriage.
"Gu Ye, I can't believe how quickly time flies; you've already reached the age to get married."
Old Master Ming sighed with heartfelt regret at the passage of time. If he were a few decades younger, the Ming family would probably be even more magnificent and enduring than it is now. Alas, time waits for no one, and though it may be kind, it cannot save us from the passage of time.
"Actually, logically speaking, someone my age should already have a whole bunch of kids." Gu Ye smiled slightly.
But it's not too late now, as Lanlan is already carrying his child.
"I heard you're about to marry a young lady from a humble family?"
Old Master Ming got straight to the point, asking with a somewhat serious expression.
"She is the wife I chose, so naturally I don't care about her background," Gu Ye said with a faint smile.
“The Gu family and our Ming family have been friends for generations. If your parents were still alive, they would definitely value family background. It’s just a pity that they died young…” Old Master Ming seemed to be moved, then looked at Gu Ye and continued, “I remember when you came to our Ming family, you were just a little kid, about this age.”
Grandpa Ming gestured with his hand.
"Yes, I was only five or six years old at that time. I am so grateful to Grandpa Ming for helping me survive to this day. I will always remember his kindness."
"Since you remember my kindness to you, then I'll shamelessly ask for that favor back."
Grandpa Ming glanced at Gu Ye.
Gu Ye's expression remained unchanged. Instead, he smiled and said, "Grandpa Ming, just say the word. There's anything I, Gu Ye, can do, and I will do it."
“I have a granddaughter who is a few years younger than you, and she is also the orphan of my only son, your Uncle Minghao.”
As he spoke, Old Master Ming shouted behind the screen in front of him, "Ming Yin, come out here."
Immediately afterwards, a bright and beautiful figure appeared quickly from behind the screen.
"Grandpa," Mingyin said sweetly, then looked shyly at Gu Ye, "Brother Ye."
Gu Ye's pupils widened as he recognized the person in front of him at a glance—Xiang He?!
No, she's actually the eldest daughter of the Ming family!
"I had no idea that my nanny was actually the eldest daughter of the Ming family. I was truly blind to her greatness."
Gu Ye was only startled for a moment, but quickly calmed down, and there was no longer any extra expression on his face.
“This can’t be blamed on Brother Ye. I concealed my identity and stayed by your side. I saw you when I was fourteen. Several years have passed since then, so it’s reasonable that you don’t recognize me.” Ming Yin stared intently at Gu Ye, her bright eyes and white teeth beaming with a smile.
"Since you are Uncle Minghao's daughter, I will naturally treat you like my own sister."
In her past life, she drove Lanlan to her death, and he pushed her off the building and killed her as well. It was a case of karma. In this life, she didn't have time to harm Lanlan, and since she was Uncle Hao's orphan, he let bygones be bygones.
"I don't want to be your sister," Ming Yin said anxiously, then looked expectantly at Grandpa Ming, "Grandpa."
Old Master Ming knew what Ming Yin wanted him to do, and now that things had come to this, he could only grant her wish.
"Gu Ye, I want you to marry Ming Yin."
Gu Ye was taken aback, then immediately refused.
"Grandpa Ming, that's impossible."
Grandpa Ming and Uncle Ma were stunned. He actually refused without even hesitating?
"Why is it impossible? Your life was given to you by my grandfather. You said that if it weren't for him, you wouldn't be alive today. All this kindness is for you to marry me. Why don't you agree?"
Mingyin spoke up in exasperation.
Old Master Ming, being an experienced man, saw the outcome at a glance. Even after he spoke up, Gu Ye still refused him without hesitation. He was not someone who didn't repay kindness, so the only possibility was that the woman was more important to him than gratitude or his own life.
"Mingyin, you've lost your composure." Old Master Ming scolded his precious granddaughter slightly. She was the heir he had nurtured with all his might, yet she had given up her status as the eldest daughter of the Ming family for a man, and now she was so out of control, which truly disappointed him.
Am I really just old? Both of my carefully groomed successors couldn't escape the allure of love.
"Grandpa, I don't care, I must marry Gu Ye. If I can't marry him, I will never marry again."
Mingyin knew what Old Master Ming cared about. His son had suffered a terrible accident because of her obstruction, and this was a pain he could never shake off. So as long as she made a little fuss, Old Master Ming would not sit idly by. She also knew that this was like rubbing salt into Old Master Ming's wounds, but for her own happiness, she could only sacrifice Old Master Ming.
"Miss, the old man has already done his best. There's no use in you continuing to act recklessly." Uncle Ma, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it any longer and immediately spoke up.
Mingyin merely glanced coldly at Uncle Ma, completely disregarding him.
Uncle Ma could only sigh helplessly. Seeing that the old man was getting old, he hoped that the young lady could come back so that the old man could enjoy the joy of family life. However, after returning, the young lady directly forced the old man to swallow his pride and ask Gu Ye to marry her. Gu Ye had already clearly refused the old man's request, but he still made a fuss.
Gu Ye is not a member of the Ming family and will not indulge Ming Yin. He reiterated his stance.
"Grandpa Ming, I, Gu Ye, can agree to anything you ask of me, except when it comes to matters of the heart. I love my wife and will never marry another."
"I understand." Old Master Ming smiled weakly. "I am indeed old, and I really shouldn't meddle in the affairs of you young people anymore."
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now. I'll visit you again another time."
As Gu Ye spoke, he bowed to Old Master Ming and turned to leave.