Chapter 386: Everyone's Persuasion

Mu Youyu was persuaded by her two brothers that even her hand holding the glutinous rice stopped, and she unconsciously looked toward Jiang Liangjin beside her.

Jiang Liangjin pondered, lightly touching their lips with their fingertip, not interrupting, but quietly focusing all their attention on Mu Youyu's expression.

She lowered her eyes, pondered for a few seconds, her lashes trembled, and she whispered: "But..."

"But what?" Song Lujing urged, "Sister, the painting studio at Nan Feng Art Building is twice the size of your school's, with great lighting and everything—you'd have a lot more fun over there."

Nan Feng is a Mu Family enterprise; back then, Mu Youyu casually mentioned wanting to go there in middle school, and the art building was renovated that very day, and it has only gotten better year after year.

Mu Xi immediately chimed in: "Exactly, and the art building is right next to our senior year building—your senior classrooms would have to detour around another teaching building, how troublesome."

Mu Youyu's eyes lit up a little; this point, she truly found it troublesome—every practical class, going to the painting studio required taking a detour.

She had also seen the classrooms in Nan Feng Art Building; they were indeed spacious.

Mu Xin tapped Mu Xi's arm, gave a look, and Mu Xi added softly: "Besides, you used to say you wanted to go to school with your second older brother; the opportunity is right before you—don't you want to fulfill that childhood wish?"

Mu Yichen couldn't help but glance at him.

Wow, little Xi is actually acting cute—he said younger siblings are way more adorable than older brothers.

Jiang Liangjin caught Mu Xi's gaze, pondering what to say, their eyes shifted and then returned to Mu Youyu, waiting for her decision.

Seeing this, Song Lujing pressed on: "Exactly, sister, think about it—you've been at Lan Lin for so long, you pretty much know everyone in your sophomore A class. If you skip a grade to senior year, the class will be completely renewed; you'll be surrounded by strangers—how boring!"

"Coming to Nan Feng would be different!" He slapped Song Yan's shoulder firmly, promising, "Me and Xi Ge have your back; our class isn't big, everyone's easy to get along with, and I and Xi Ge will be with you every day—sitting together in class, eating together, walking home after school—I guarantee you'll fit in instantly."

Song Yan silently shifted his shoulder.

Mu Xin also added, "It's safe over there."

Mu Xi and Song Lujing also secretly have bodyguards; if anything happens, their several bodyguards can team up to fight troublemakers, better protecting the sister.

Mu Youyu was somewhat swayed by everyone's back-and-forth persuasion, the scales in her heart slowly tilting.

Yet she couldn't help but glance at the perpetually silent Jiang Liangjin beside her, gently tugging his sleeve: "A Jin, what do you think?"

Jiang Liangjin lowered his head to look at her small hand gripping his cuff, smiling: "It's up to you; changing environments is also nice."

Mu Xi: "Great, you're not even helping him coax the sister!! Big points deducted!"

Song Lujing secretly cheered, "Great, Jiang Liangjin isn't competing with us or stopping the sister from transferring!"

Mu Youyu tilted her head, "But..."

"There's no 'but'." Seeing she didn't know what to say, Jiang Liangjin handed the glutinous rice in her arms to Qing An not far away, adding, "Your happiness matters most."

Mu Xi turned her head, her gaze landing on his face.

Jiang Liangjin met his gaze, expression unchanged; Mu Xi withdrew her gaze and said nothing more.

Seeing Mu Xi and Mu Xin desperately trying to persuade the sister to transfer, Song Yan helplessly smiled and chimed in: "Sister, look, A Jin said your happiness matters most—coming to Nan Feng will definitely make you happier than staying at Lan Lin, and we can even go home together."

Mu Youyu hesitated, "But A Jin and the others are still at Lan Lin."

As soon as she said that, Qing An blurted out carelessly, tone indifferent: "What's the big deal? Let's go together—any of your other friends who are willing can all transfer over as well."

Jiang Liangjin immediately responded without hesitation: "Exactly, if you transfer, I'll transfer too."

He had already been recommended for exemption; wherever he studied, he'd just coast a few months to get a diploma—no real difference.

Staying by her side is the top priority.

Mu Youyu paused at those words—indeed, they could go together.

A Ci and Little Nan and the others mainly looked up to them.

Song Lujing nodded repeatedly, leaning in closer: "Me and Xi Ge will also come to class then—don't you want to see us every day, sweetheart?"

Mu Xianqi also leaned back in the chair and agreed: "Over at Lan Lin, aside from you and A Jin and the gang, there's nothing worth lingering for. Nan Feng is different—there's little Xi, little Jing, and your childhood best friend."

He thought, Lan Lin Gaozhong is a mixed bag; for the sister to skip a grade to senior year, it's best to stay on home turf, where she can be looked after everywhere—couldn't be more suitable.

Mu Yichi poked his head from behind and interjected: "Youbao, if you come to Nan Feng, I and my older brother wholeheartedly agree!"

Mu Yichen gave a faint "hmm", indicating his agreement.

Mu Youyu found their words somewhat laughable, and could only say: "Let me think about it again, don't rush me."

Song Lujing still wanted to persuade, but Mu Xin stopped him with a light glance, and he grudgingly fell silent.

"Fine, out of consideration for him being the younger brother, I won't say more."

Mu Xin looked at his sister's expression, his heart melting like water, and softly said: "Dear, take your time to consider, no rush—whatever you choose, we'll support you."

Mu Xi also smiled and smoothed things over: "Right, we won't push you; once you figure it out, anyway you can come anytime."

The other brothers all echoed agreement.

Jiang Liangjin also added: "No need to accommodate anyone; it mainly depends on your thoughts."

Song Lujing: "Exactly, exactly, we're just saying it—mainly it's up to you, sister."

Mu Yichen spoke solemnly: "That's right, that's how it is."

Qing An had a brainwave: "If it really doesn't work out, we could just not go to school—if you want to study, go to our M Guo International College."

Anyway, it seems like several of us have been recommended for exemption.

Mu Youyu: "... No."

Mu Xin immediately responded: "I still have a veto vote."

Song Yan silently cursed, "What a scheming M Guo prince," then said, "Better to go to Y Guo—if you ask why, I can only say it's because I'm there."

Everyone: "……"

When the plane steadily landed at C Shi Private Airport, it was already four in the afternoon.

On the tarmac, several black cars waited quietly, a familiar figure standing beside them.

Mu Youyu recognized the person at a glance, her face instantly breaking into a smile as she hurried down the stairs: "Grandfather!"

Mu Grandfather stood at the front, behind him several similarly familiar elders—uncle, younger uncle, and four uncles.

Seeing his long-awaited little granddaughter run over, Mu Grandfather hurried forward, voice trembling: "It's good that you're back—my little treasure has finally returned safely."

Mu Youyu shook his arm, "Grandfather, I'm back."

Mu grandfather scrutinized her closely, confirming she was unharmed, then he repeatedly said, "That's good, that's good, safety is more important than anything."

Several elders also gathered around, asking questions all at once.

Youbao, are you tired from the journey? Hungry?

Did you have fun in M Guo?

Hey, we've finally awaited our little princess's return.

Even I, as an uncle, get some reflected glory, being able to stand alongside the little princess ennobled by M Guo!

Mu Youyu responded to each, her face bearing an obedient smile.

After Jiang Liangjin and the others had chatted enough, he stepped forward and said, "Grandfather."

Mu grandfather looked at him, his eyes showing some relief, "Ah Jin, thank you for troubling your third uncle to intervene; our Mu family keeps this in mind."

Jiang Liangjin's brows and eyes were calm, he shook his head, "Grandfather, this is what I ought to do."

Mu grandfather's gaze swept over Mu Xin, Mu Xi, Mu Xianqi and the others as they disembarked one after another, finally settling on Qing An, who was hiding behind Mu Xin.

Qing An immediately shed his usual laxity, stepped forward politely and greeted, "Hello, grandfather."

Mu grandfather replied briefly, without saying more.

Qing An felt relieved in his heart, worried that there would be too many people at the Mu family's old residence, yet also thinking that it was a gathering of relatives, and fearing he would be too conspicuous, he proactively bade farewell to everyone and left the apron alone.

After exchanging pleasantries, the group split into several cars and headed for the Mu family's old residence.

Mu Youyu had just entered the door when she saw Song grandmother rise from the sofa.

"Grandma!" Mu Youyu broke free from the elders' crowd, ran over and flung herself into Song grandmother's arms, burying her face in the old woman's soft shawl, full of reliance.

Song grandmother held her tightly, voice slightly choked, "Good child, you've finally come back; let grandma see if you've lost weight."

Mu Youyu lifted her head from her embrace, smiling brightly, "I haven't lost weight; I've actually gained a bit."

Seeing her granddaughter whom she hadn't seen in over two weeks, Song grandmother's eyes rimmed red, yet she forced back her heartache, teasing with a smile, "Grandma can't tell you've gained weight; let me take a closer look, don't try to fool me."

Mu Youyu obediently let her look, and in her peripheral vision she saw the two rarely seen aunts and the aunt-in-law sitting beside the sofa, all gazing at her with affection.

She called them one by one; the elders answered with smiles, took her hand and began to show concern.

Song Lujing had actually wanted to find his mother to talk to before.

But now, seeing his mother whom he hadn't seen in nearly a year, he opened his mouth, ultimately just stepping forward politely to say hello.

Forget it, there's nothing to say.

The eldest aunt nodded slightly, "Little Jing has grown taller."

Song Lujing gave an awkward chuckle, tugged at Mu Xi's sleeve, whereupon the latter reluctantly stepped forward to make conversation.

The mother of Mu Yichen and Mu Yichi is Mu Youyu's young aunt; seeing the situation, she also stepped forward to greet.

After the liveliness continued for a while, Song grandmother finally restrained her smile, took her hand and sat down on the sofa, her expression turning somewhat serious.

Mu Youyu guessed what she wanted to say, blinked, but before she could speak, Song grandmother continued, patting her chest in lingering fear, "These past days have scared grandma half to death; when I heard the news, my heart almost gave out."

Mu Youyu felt a pang in her heart, quickly leaned against her shoulder and softly coaxed, "Grandma, I'm really fine, look, I'm doing well."

Song grandmother held her, and after a while calmed her emotions, she lifted her head to look at Mu grandfather nearby, "Old man, what do you say we do about this?"

Mu grandfather's face sank, his gaze sweeping over Mu Yichen and Mu Yichi, finally landing on Jiang Liangjin, "I heard this has something to do with the Shen family?"

Mu Yichen glanced at Jiang Liangjin, who understood, stepped forward half a pace and said, "Grandfather, it's the Shen family on my mother's side; Shen Yecheng did this, and I've already brought the person under my control."

Mu grandfather looked at him, had no extra words, merely nodded, "Well done."

"It's what I ought to do."

Song grandmother listened from the side, her eyes holding a touch of depth, "How do you plan to handle it?"

Jiang Liangjin's tone was resolute, "According to the rules of the Jiang and Shen families, whoever ought to be cleared out, none will be left."

The elders exchanged glances, all deciding not to ask further.

Song grandmother sighed, took her precious granddaughter's hand, her voice tinged with heartache, "Youbao, why do you keep running into these things? Abroad isn't safe, domestic isn't peaceful either; why not just stay at home from now on and never go out?"

Mu Youyu was made to laugh by her, "Grandma, then I wouldn't become a shut-in girl, would I?"

Song grandmother naturally replied, "What's wrong with being a shut-in girl? A shut-in girl is safe!"

Mu Youyu laughed, leaning back against her shoulder again, "Grandma, rest assured, with Ah Jin and the brothers around, nothing will happen."

Song grandmother glanced at Jiang Liangjin, then at the several grandsons gathered nearby, finally relaxing a bit, "Alright, alright, alright, you lot had better keep an eye on Youbao; if anything else happens, I won't spare you."

Everyone echoed in agreement, and the atmosphere eased somewhat.

After the liveliness had gone on for a while, Mu grandfather glanced at the time and finally said, "Enough, Youbao has just returned from abroad, she must be tired; let her go upstairs to rest."

Mu Youyu nodded obediently, was about to rise when Mu grandfather shifted the topic, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, "You all come with me to the study; Ah Jin, come too; we have important matters to discuss."

"All right, grandfather." Jiang Liangjin's expression was solemn.

All the elders followed him inside.

Mu Xi and Mu Xin exchanged glances, stood up; Mu Xianqi also rose, with Mu Yichen and Mu Yichi following behind.

Mu grandfather's gaze swept over Song Lujing and Song Yan standing to the side, his tone turning somewhat casual, "Little Jing, Little Yan, you two accompany Youbao upstairs to rest."

Song grandmother also said, "Right, you two go upstairs to play."

Song Lujing's steps halted, he almost wanted to say something, but Song Yan lightly tugged him.

He realized, then obediently broke into a smile, "All right, grandfather, we'll surely stay close to our sister, guaranteeing we won't leave her side."

"Fine, but we're not taking those two."

Mu grandfather turned satisfied toward the study, with several grandsons trailing behind.

Jiang Liangjin stood where he was, his gaze following Mu Youyu, but he did not go after her.

Mu Youyu sensed his gaze, turned her head to look at him, her small face showing a hint of puzzlement.

Jiang Liangjin gave her a slight nod, "Rest well."

Mu Youyu waved at him, turned and walked upstairs, with Song Lujing and Song Yan following on her left and right.

After entering the room, Song Lujing sat on the pink sofa and let out a long sigh, 'Ah, I'm being excluded again.'

Song Yan sat down beside him, lounging lazily, 'It's fine to get used to it; Grandfather never wanted us to get involved in too many shady matters—it's better to stay here and keep sister company.'

Song Lujing glanced at him, 'You're used to it? How old are you?'

Older than you.

... Not much older.

Mu Youyu shook her head helplessly, about to say something, when her phone suddenly vibrated.