Chapter 1082

“This is just an engagement, not yet a marriage, and even if the engagement is finalized, it’s not legitimate,” Baili Xia said anxiously.

It’s not allowed to get engaged before the competition; once engaged, things will become much more complicated.

The old man just chuckled, completely disregarding her words.

He glanced at her, his eyes brimming with laughter.

“You simply don’t understand. In our Eight Big Families, rules are laid down. Once engaged, things can’t be changed,” he explained.

“Even if the couple doesn’t get along well in the future, there’s no rationale for calling off the engagement.”

“If the engagement were to be broken, the Mu family’s reputation would be completely ruined; I, as the old man, would never agree.”

He said this to soothe Baili Xia, but upon hearing it, her face turned even paler.

Her helpless gaze immediately shifted to Mu Xiaojiu.

Once engaged, the deal is sealed; what would she and Uncle do then?

Uncle is ultimately part of the Mu family and the Eight Big Families; can he defy his ancestors and provoke anger from all the families?

What to do?

How can she dismiss this idea of her grandfather?

She was extremely anxious, but Mu Xiaojiu seemed nonchalant, still looking at the old man with a calm voice.

“That’s fine, I’ll have someone look for a suitable date.”

“It doesn’t matter if it’s not a good day; our family doesn’t believe in that,” the old man immediately said, “Of course, it would be better to find a good day.”

The old man seemed to be completely fixated on this matter, determined to have their engagement announced before the final competition.

Mu Xiaojiu nodded slightly, no longer saying anything, and leisurely sipped from his cup.

Baili Xia clenched her palms, already feeling quite flustered.

Mu Xiaoyao, sitting beside her, gently grasped her hand, soothing her in a calm and slightly warm voice.

“Why so nervous?

After all, it’s something you’ll face sooner or later.

I’m with you, don’t be afraid.”

“That’s right, is the little one still feeling shy?” the old man laughed heartily.

The others merely provided background laughter.

Probably, among the many people on the sofa, only the old man and Mu Ziying were genuinely laughing heartily.

Everyone else harbored their own thoughts; even their laughter seemed forced.

After drinking another cup of cool chrysanthemum tea, the old man placed his cup down, looking again at Mu Xiaojiu: “There’s another matter I want to discuss with you.”

“What is it?” Mu Xiaojiu, holding his cup, glanced at him.

The old man, however, turned to look at Ning Anran, then back at Mu Xiaojiu.

“An Ran has been living at your Sihai Residence for a while now, and it seems you two get along quite well.”

Mu Xiaojiu said nothing.

Ning Anran, however, became nervous, tightening her grip on her cup, looking at him: “Grandfather…”

“Don’t rush; this matter should not be initiated by the girl; it’s up to the man to take the initiative.”

Patting her hand, he again looked at Mu Xiaojiu, a smile gathering at the corners of his eyes, clearly in a very good mood today.

“Jiu, after having a girl staying so long at your Sihai Residence, her reputation is probably almost ruined by you.”

Mu Xiaojiu pursed his thin lips, sweeping a glance at Ning Anran.

“Not accustomed to living there? If it’s uncomfortable, you can move to the main house, or, I can have someone tidy up your dorm at school again.”

His tone, though always gentle, was serious, without a trace of jest.