Chapter 117: Why Don’t You Just Stay at Our House!

"Grandpa Giliya," Shangguan Renran addressed him affectionately.

"I’ve finally been looking forward to your arrival, my girl!" The two embraced and then sat down together.

Joining them were Ye Xin, Mo Jiu, and Mo Shi, while Pigri sat beside Giliya.

Pigri had ordered the meal, and curiously, even though Shangguan Renran had only chatted with Grandpa Giliya, most of the M-Country dishes served were her favorites. She had only dined with him once before, during a competition she had attended in M-Country. She assumed it must have been a coincidence.

"Eat more, my girl. Our diet here is relatively light and easy on the stomach. You young people should eat well. Besides, I have never been able to get used to the food in Z-Country; it is, hmm... rather... peculiar."

Shangguan Renran chuckled. She had wondered what Grandpa Giliya was going to say, but she hadn’t expected him to use the word "peculiar."

"Grandpa, Z-Country also has many delicacies you haven't tasted yet," Pigri reminded him in a gentle voice as he served Giliya a bowl of his favorite soup, followed by a bowl of lotus root porridge for Shangguan Renran.

Shangguan Renran accepted it with a hint of awkwardness, keeping her head down as she ate and continued her conversation with Giliya.

Mo Jiu nudged Mo Shi, who was eating. Mo Shi looked up, "What is it?"

Mo Jiu gestured with his eyes and whispered, "Look at him. He actually dared to serve Miss Shangguan soup himself. That’s something only our Master should do."

"Enough. Don't overthink it. The priority right now is to contact the Master."

"Understood."

Across the table, Giliya was enthusiastically introducing the music conservatory where he taught. The students in M-Country would graduate on December 12th, six days away, meaning there were only a few classes left. He had sent Shangguan Renran an invitation long ago, hoping she would share some advice or techniques with his students, but he had received no reply. He hadn't expected her to agree in the end.

"How about I arrange for you to teach this afternoon? And have you observe their live performances tomorrow?" Giliya pondered for a moment before setting down his spoon to ask her.

Shangguan Renran also put down her chopsticks and replied respectfully, "That sounds good. Just let me know the time, and I will be there in advance."

"And where are you staying? A hotel? A guesthouse? Oh, that won't do, my girl. How could I let a guest of honor stay in such places?"

"Don't worry, Grandpa Giliya. I have several private residences here."

"But how could I let a girl like you stay in such a dangerous country? It won't do. You must stay under my watch for me to have any peace of mind."

It was true—M-Country was incredibly dangerous; even its own citizens had to admit it.

On the streets, one could see drifters, thugs, hoodlums, and even soldiers in uniform who might open fire for no reason without facing any consequences or punishment. This was the guiding principle of M-Country: the winner takes all, and the loser is the villain. Those with power, status, money, and ability could do whatever they pleased, including murder.

Of course, why did the country maintain a semblance of normal life despite such chaos? It was because M-Country was controlled by Di Jiu-Zhuo, the head of the Di family, known to all as "Ninth Master." At the very least, people dared not commit wanton acts of violence in public.

Every country had its own version of a Prime Minister, of course. In Z-Country, the laws were strict and the Prime Minister held significant real power. In M-Country, however, the Prime Minister was merely a figurehead. The Generals of G-Country held power equivalent to Prime Ministers in other nations, and the Prime Minister of Y-Country held real power, not only due to his own abilities but also because he was backed by the Ye family, earning him the respect of most world leaders.

It is worth noting that besides the feared Ninth Master, M-Country was also home to over twenty dukes, marquises, and earls. The Skikowey family, for instance, were hereditary dukes; Pigri’s father was the current duke, and Pigri’s older brother would be the next.

"Please don't worry, Grandpa Giliya. I have Ye Xin and the others to protect me," Shangguan Renran said, introducing them.

"I still worry, my girl. You know as well as I do that the worst things about our country are these senseless bursts of chaos and sudden attacks."

Pigri looked on with a soft expression, his smile faint and his voice like a gentle breeze, "We are also very worried about you staying outside, junior sister. Why not stay at our home? We can discuss music together, and we can go to the school together in the afternoons."

"Yes, my girl. Can you bear to see an old man like me worry all day long?"

Shangguan Renran hesitated. Although she knew about the situation in M-Country and understood Giliya's concern, she didn't want to be a burden by staying at a stranger's house.

Mo Jiu poked Mo Shi again, his eyes twitching. *Do you see this? Is this not problematic? It's blindingly obvious! He's trying to lure her into his home; is that not serious enough?*

Mo Shi’s brow was furrowed tightly. They hadn't notified their Master about their arrival in M-Country yet. If Miss Shangguan moved into someone else's home, they would surely...

Ye Xin, however, only followed her Mistress's orders. Regardless of where she stayed or what dangers they might encounter, she was sworn to protect her to the death.

"Grandpa Giliya, I feel like staying at your home would be very troublesome, and I..." Shangguan Renran began, weighing her thoughts aloud.

She was interrupted by Giliya, "How could it be a trouble? Are you trying to be polite with me, my girl? Do you treat this old man like a stranger?"

"Fine, Grandpa Giliya, but you will regret it," Shangguan Renran said with a sigh, realizing she couldn't win against him.

"How could I? Bringing such a beautiful and talented girl home is something this old man should be overjoyed about!"

And so, it was settled. After lunch, the group happily set off toward the Skikowey family castle.

Pigri drove, while Giliya happily introduced their family and the current political situation to Shangguan Renran, eventually moving on to talk about the graduating class at Christine University. He shared everything with such enthusiasm that it was hard to imagine the strictest and eldest professor at the university could have such a childlike side.