From Villain to Virtual Sweetheart: The Fake Heir's Grand Scheme(BL)-Chapter 236: A Promise Beneath the Lantern Light

Micah stepped out through the back door, letting it close quietly behind him. The evening air brushed against his face as he walked straight to the back building.

In the distance, he saw a familiar figure, Zhou Ruyan, his grandmother, wrapped in a thick knitted blanket, seated on the bench beneath a softly glowing lantern. Her silver hair was pinned up neatly, and a steaming cup of tea rested beside her on a small table. Her posture, though delicate with age, carried grace and quiet strength. She looked like a figure from an old painting, serene, composed, and timeless.

"Grandma!" Micah called out, his voice trembling slightly.

Zhou Ruyan turned her head slowly. When her eyes found him, her expression bloomed into a gentle smile. "My handsome grandson. Happy birthday."

Micah’s chest tightened at her words as he approached her and sat beside her.

"Thanks," Micah said, voice low. He glanced at her, then quickly away. His fingers fidgeted with the edge of his cufflinks.

"What’s with the long face?"

"Ah, I made a mistake..." Micah muttered, shoulder sinking a little.

"Oh?" Her brow arched gently. "The post?"

"What? Even Grandma saw it?" Micah exclaimed, eyes wide.

She gave him a pointed look, though her tone remained light. "Of course I did. I was shocked. And," she paused, sipping her tea slowly, "a bit disappointed to know something like that through a post. I thought we were close, you and I."

"No. It’s not like that..." Micah’s voice cracked, and he dropped his gaze. "Actually, I wanted to introduce him to you tonight. He is my first real friend." He looked up, just in time to see her expression soften again.

Zhou Ruyan’s eyes wrinkled with affection. "Good. Then I will be waiting."

"Grandma..." Micah hesitated.

"What is it dear?"

"This year, I want a different birthday present," Micah said.

"That’s surprising," Zhou Ruyan said, tilting her head. "You always enjoyed spending time in my jewellery studio. I still have been working on the bracelet you designed last time."

"I still love that. But this time I want you to promise me something different. I need you to keep a secret for me and... help me too."

She gave him a long look. "What did you do? Knocked someone up?"

"Grandma?!" Micah nearly choked on air. "How could you say something like that?" he yelled, mortified.

Zhou Ruyan laughed aloud. "Sorry. Sorry," she said between chuckles. "I haven’t seen you for so long. I missed teasing you."

"You’re impossible," Micah muttered, turning red. "You behave like this just in front of me. Everyone else thinks you are the embodiment of elegance and wisdom. Epitome of calm. Hah!"

"Now you are complaining? Who had been running to hide here from his mum?"

"Fine. Fine," Micah huffed, but a small grin betrayed his fondness. "You are my saviour. But really, Grandma, could you promise me?"

She reached over and smoothed back a strand of his hair with tender fingers. "Sure, dear."

Micah relaxed, his shoulders no longer hunched. "Thank you. So... I’ll bring him here after the speech ends."

Just then, a nurse appeared a few feet away, clearly waiting for him to finish talking.

Micah glanced at her, then gave Zhou Ruyan’s hand one last squeeze before standing up.

"I’ll see you in a bit," he said softly.

Zhou Ruyan nodded, watching him go with thoughtful eyes as he turned and disappeared back down the path.

"Something is wrong," she whispered, feeling ominous.

*****

Micah walked slowly toward the main residence, deep in thought. Tonight was too important. He couldn’t let that stupid post cloud his judgment. He needed Darcy to meet his grandma. And nothing, absolutely nothing, would get in the way of that.

Once inside, Micah paused just before the archway of the living room. He took a moment to adjust his expression, smoothing down the fabric of his jacket and straightening his back.

Vivian caught sight of him first and gave him a quick once-over, but Micah didn’t stop. He made a beeline for where Uncle Graham stood by a bar, holding a glass of wine. "Uncle," Micah said quietly.

Graham jumped a little.

"Have you got my order?" Micah whispered.

Graham blinked, then nodded quickly and reached into his pockets. "Oh, Micah. Yeah. Here. Sorry again for the delay..."

"Thank you. Don’t worry." Micah smiled, taking the small velvet box and putting it in his pocket in a flash before anyone could see it.

Just as he turned back around, he nearly bumped into Aunt Felicity and her husband, Owen Booker. She leaned in and gave Micah a kiss on the cheek. "Happy birthday, my handsome nephew!" Felicity said brightly.

Micah grinned and thanked them politely.

His eyes scanned the room. "Where is Cora?"

"Where could she be? In the kitchen, obviously," Vivian said with a scoff. She was in a bad mood after her mother scolded her. Then Aunt Elina came and told them the story of the bet. Vivian figured it made sense now. Who would be attracted to Micah, this arrogant jerk?

Micah studied Vivian for a second before made his way toward the kitchen. Before he could reach the threshold, Cora emerged, holding a half-eaten sandwich in one hand and her phone in the other. She blinked at him.

"Seriously?" Micah raised his brow. "Before the banquet?"

Cora took another big bite and shrugged. "I was watching your uni tournament and skipped lunch. Why didn’t you tell me you were playing? Imagine my shock when I saw your ID." She shook his head in disappointment. "If I knew, I would have gone to cheer you on."

Micah rolled his eyes. "Exactly why I didn’t tell you. So who won in the end?"

"What? You don’t know?" Cora’s eyes widened. "Of course, it was SilverBlade Legion. Their captain ShadowBishop slayed the match."

"Oh. Good." Micah said, unimpressed.

"Hey. Why is your response so flat? Weren’t you on their team?" Cora asked, confused.

"I just lost a bet and had to play. That’s all." Micah replied nonchalantly.

"I wish that happened to me. You lucky dog!" Cora groaned. Then she gasped. "What’s with you and bet today? Did you join some shady club or something?"

"Nope. Just my damn luck. Believe me, you’re better off without it," Micah snorted.

"Yeah, right." Cora rolled her eyes. "Says the guy who had played with pros."

Micah shook his head.

Suddenly, the living room turned quiet. The voices died down. All eyes turned to the entrance. Albert Ramsy stepped into the room, leaning on a stick. He walked slowly, his presence commanding despite his age.

Micah walked toward him. "Grandpa," he greeted, voice steady but warm.

"Happy birthday, Micah." Albert Ramsy said, his expression slightly softening.

Micah’s smile widened. "Thanks."

For a brief moment, Albert said nothing, simply watching him.

Micah could feel the sweat start to form at the back of his neck. Please don’t ask about the post. He prayed.

Elina and Jacob chose that moment to enter through the side doorway, drawing attention.

Albert Ramsy tore his gaze away from Micah and spoke. "Now that everyone is here, let’s move to the grand hall. The guests will be arriving soon."

Micah sighed in relief and followed them toward the main corridor, footsteps measured, deep in thought. He was dreading what came next. Not the guest, not the cake, or the speech, but how to introduce Darcy to his grandma, Zhou Ruyan.