Chu Zhenwu's sharp gaze swept over Xiao Mu before settling firmly on Chu Jing, and the displeasure in his eyes deepened without concealment. It wasn't the anger of a family elder worried about his granddaughter. It was the irritation of someone looking at a mistake he had long since grown tired of tolerating.
"Just how long are you going to keep disappointing me?" His voice was low, but every word pressed down like a weight. "First that fool father of yours… and now even you."
The mention of her father made Chu Jing's fingers curl tightly at her sides. The faint tremor that ran through her body wasn't from fear—it was something more complicated. Her lips pressed together, and when she spoke, her voice carried a restrained stubbornness.
"Grandpa… I really like Xiao Mu." She forced herself to meet his gaze. "We won't end like them."
"Enough!"
The word struck like a slap, cutting her off mid-breath.
