264 Sad And Dreary

Qi Lei came back on Friday, with his suitcase bursting to the brim with local products from his village. Wen Daozheng started feeling sentimental as he looked at the items Qi Lei brought back with him, sighing deeply as he fiddled with them.

Xuxu knew that her grandfather missed his old village dearly. Other than her, all of his family and relatives had been born there... and had died there as well.

For the sake of Xuxu, he came to this foreign city at his advanced age. It wasn't easy for him to adapt to the city life.

She stared at the old man and said half-jokingly, "Grandfather, a few days ago, I read online that our hometown has become more well-developed and it's really beautiful now. If we can't make a living in the city anymore, we can return to the village to open a TCM clinic."

Without waiting for the old man's reply, Qi Lei cheered in approval as he unpacked his stuff. "Sister Xuxu, that's a great idea! I can continue to be Grandfather's apprentice then."

He had barely finished his sentence when the old man woke up from his reminiscence. He chided her, "That's none of your business."

Then he gave Xuxu a stern glare. "A married girl is like spilt milk—it can't be retrieved. Where do you think you're going to? Flourish & Prosper isn't better than a TCM clinic?"

He put down the local products and pressed his hands down on the stool next to him to support his weight. He tried to get up slowly.

Xuxu and Qi Lei saw him struggling and rushed forward to help him. With one person on each side, they supported him back to his wheelchair.

"As the saying goes, a fallen leaf will return to its roots one day." Xuxu poured some water for her grandfather and gave him a sentimental smile as she passed him a glass of water.

Grandfather felt that her sentiments shouldn't belong to someone of her age and it somehow felt like she'd gone through many hardships in her life. He gripped her hand—it was rather heartbreaking to think of this. His large, wrinkled hand patted her hand tenderly. "I'm getting old. It's fine if you want to go somewhere else, just don't leave me behind."

Xuxu could feel her eyes brimming with tears and her nose getting stuffy as she spoke in a hoarse voice. "I'd be struck by lightning if I ever left you behind."

Grandfather smiled and released his grip.

He turned to Qi Lei. "A few days ago, our neighbor Aunt Liu said that she has someone to introduce to you. You're in luck, young man."

Hearing this, Qi Lei instantly turned red. He shook his head bashfully. "No... I'm not in a hurry."

Then he looked up at Xuxu nervously.

Xuxu teased the young boy, "Young man, it's always a good thing to meet someone new. Why are you looking at me? Are you so excited that's why you've lost track of your direction?"

Qi Lei turned even redder as he scratched the back of his head. He smiled shyly. "Nothing... nothing much."

Xuxu saw his bashful expression and decided to stop her teasing.

Sigh, he's still so shy even after living in the city for almost three years.

...

On Saturday, Xuxu and Zhou Shuang agreed to visit the orphanage together. Zhou Shuang came to pick her up, carrying a light piece of luggage in her hands. She was planning to head back to the Yan's mansion after their trip to the orphanage.

Yan Rusheng was going to be away for three days and other than the text he sent the other day, they hadn't contacted each other since. It was as if they weren't husband and wife.

Getting off a loop, the car traveled smoothly on a wide road in the suburbs. The trees that lined the road had withered leaves that constantly fell, making everything seem sad and dreary.

Somewhere far away, the seasons should be changing as well.

The car stopped outside the entrance of the orphanage. Xuxu opened the door and got down first to walk to the car trunk. "Shuang, open the trunk."

"So you're both here?"

Xuxu heard a familiar voice and spun around. "Ah Heng?"

Jiang Zhuoheng wore a black set of casual sportswear, which served to elongate his figure. His good-looking face seemed to glitter brilliantly as beams of sunlight danced on his face.