Gu Ye assessed the sincerity in her words: "Grandpa and grandma have each other for company. We can just enjoy ourselves."
Jiang Mo countered, "Isn’t that what I'm doing?"
"I meant, we should enjoy ourselves together," Gu Ye blurted out, then added, "Your brother rarely visits. Shouldn’t you spend time with him?"
Jiang Mo glanced back. Below the stone steps, a small stream trickled from the crevices of higher rocks, winding its way down the valley.
Li Zheng was leading Gu Xuan, the two of them scooping fish from the water with nets, thoroughly engrossed in their game.
"I think my brother probably doesn’t need me right now."
Gu Ye turned away, feigning disinterest. How childish—getting so excited over catching fish.
"Fine, I need your company. Are you really going to leave me alone here?" He stiffened his neck, speaking with forced bravado.
"I didn’t leave you alone. Aren’t we all walking together?" Jiang Mo replied softly, then averted her gaze and called out to the two behind them, "Stop playing by the water and catch up!"
Hearing her, Li Zheng and Gu Xuan climbed up the path, quickly closing the distance.
"Sis, are you thirsty? I’ve got water in my bag. Want some?"
"Or do you want to take photos? I can help."
Ever the dutiful family attendant, he never forgot his role.
Noticing Gu Ye’s backpack, he added, "Brother Ye, carrying my sister’s bag must be tiring. Let me take it."
You’re stealing my lines and my job.
Gu Ye smiled. "No need. I’ll keep holding it. It’s not heavy."
Jiang Mo turned and continued climbing. "I’m neither thirsty nor in the mood for photos. Just stay close so you don’t fall too far behind."
At the pavilion halfway up the mountain, the group took a break.
The elderly members busied themselves taking photos and videos.
"Xiao Mo, help me take a few pictures, will you? You young folks have an eye for these things!" Liu Guochuan beamed.
"Sure thing, Grandpa Liu! Stand over here—the lighting is perfect." Jiang Mo positioned him and snapped a few shots before showing him the results. "You’re so photogenic! These turned out great."
Liu Guochuan held the phone at arm’s length. "Hmm, excellent work!"
Then, after fiddling with the screen, he video-called his grandson, Liu Chen, and—without caring about angles—swung the camera around to show off the scenery.
In one of those swings, Jiang Mo accidentally entered the frame.
"I told you to come along for this vacation. You’re always saying you’re busy, but it’s not just us old folks here—look, even Xiao Mo came."
Liu Chen, seeing Jiang Mo on screen, knew his grandfather hadn’t given up on playing matchmaker.
"The scenery does look nice. Enjoy yourself, Grandpa."
Liu Guochuan frowned in disapproval and decided to push further. "Xiao Mo, your brother Chen is on the line. He wants to talk to you."
Liu Chen: "..."
Baffled, Jiang Mo walked over and took the phone, meeting Liu Chen’s slightly exasperated expression.
Understanding the situation, they exchanged a knowing smile.
"My grandpa is like this—always acting on impulse. Don’t mind him."
"No worries, I get it." Jiang Mo noticed the office in the background. "You’re working right now, right? I won’t keep you."
Liu Chen nodded. "Yeah. Have fun, and please keep an eye on my grandpa for me."
Gu Ye watched Jiang Mo smiling at the phone, then chugged an entire bottle of water and crushed the empty container before tossing it aside.
He sidled up to her, pretending innocence. "Who are you video-calling?"
