Unexpected Second Chance at Love [2]

CHAPTER 378: his speech

Everything finally settled down and everyone returned to their seats. After Housekeeper Hu’s constant reminder, Grandfather Ji decided it was time to make his speech.

Something urgent had come up and cause the delay of his granddaughter’s arrival, but it is something he understands she must take care of.

However, no matter how long it will take, he cannot stall time anymore. It was already getting late.

He sighs inside and stood up from his seat with the help of Ji Jingxu. Lightly tapping his wine glass, everyone quiets down and turn to look at him.

Seeing that he had caught everyone’s attention, Ji Jingxu sat back down and stares up at his grandfather.

"As you all gather here today, I, Ji Huan have invited you all to celebrate my 75th birthday. I appreciate the time you have taken out of your busy schedules to be here with me. It brings me great joy to know that many of you still consider me despite my old age."

He pause in his words and turn to the servants. Giving them a light nod, the servants makes their way to each table to pour wine into each person’s glass.

When he saw that everyone’s glass is filled, he slightly raise his glass to the guests and continues his speech.

"Many of you know that Ji Jingxu is my adopted grandson. Today, I want you all to remember this."

Saying this, he takes a deep breath and his hand holding the glass lowers a little as he looks at Ji Jingxu.

"I never once regretted bringing him into my life. Anyone who speaks ill of him will be speaking ill of me."

He wants everyone here to know and never to criticize the boy ever again. His love for the boy is the equal amount of love he has for granddaughter. After today, he does not want anyone to look down on the boy he considers his own flesh and blood.

A sharp pain pierce inside Ji Jingxu’s heart. He stares at his grandfather with slightly moist eyes. Only he and assistant Zhong know about the old man’s health. However, why is he making it sound like he is going to leave them...

Grandfather Ji could see the boy on the verge of having a break down.

Ji Jingxu knows about his health but the boy does not know that he does not have much longer to live. Any day can be last, so he wants to set a warning to those who cannot seem to grasp how much he loves the boy.

He faintly smiles and looks back to the guests.

"I know someone of you have noticed that I have been stalling my speech, and I thank those of you for being patient with an old man like myself. I will not hide anything. I was purposely stalling time."

His eyes scanned across the room and smiles happily with a glisten in his eyes.

"I want to tell everyone here that not only do I have a grandson, but also a granddaughter. Both of them are the roots that hold my heart intact."

When Ji Chu Hua heard him mention granddaughter, she was grinning inside with happiness. However, she pretended to be emotionally touched on the outside as a faint sniffle sound escapes from her.

Gu Ting Feng and Ji Shao An gently pat her shoulders as if to sooth her.

As everyone saw this, they were touched by the old man’s words and Ji Chu Hua’s emotional breakdown.

Of course, this did not include the Lu family and the Zhuang father and son. They were only touched by Grandfather Ji’s words, not the woman’s fake tears.

Grandfather Ji heaves a heavy sigh before continuing his words.

"Although, I did not watch my granddaughter grow up like how I did with my grandson, she has always been in my heart. Jingxu and her are the joy to my world. As long as I am still breathing, I will make sure that no harm ever comes to them."