Young Prime Minister, a Hermit - Chapter 120
Next update: February 17th.
Happy New Year everyone, and best wishes for a belated happy new year.
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Chapter 10 Christmas (Part 1)
Chapter 10 Christmas (Part 1)
“We wish a merry Christmas! We wish a merry Christmas! We wish a merry Christmas and happy New Year! Good tidings to you, we are ever you are! Good tidings to Christmas and happy New Year! …”
I leaned against the window, my hands resting on the railing, listening to the Christmas carols drifting from the street. Perhaps because I'm blind, or perhaps because of this newfound spiritual gift, I could clearly discern the meaning of every word, the pronunciation of every single syllable, and even the rhythm of every note.
The sound of a wheelchair being pushed came from behind me. I slowly turned around. Although I couldn't see anything at all, I could still turn naturally without a trace of unease or fear. Perhaps, habit really is a terrible thing. I had become accustomed to the darkness, accustomed to searching for light in another world, so I no longer longed for the day I could see the sunlight again as much as I had at the beginning.
"Lanlan, let's go." My brother grabbed my cold wrist with one hand and put his other hand on my shoulder, his voice filled with a rare ease and joy. "I booked a private room at Blue Cheers."
I smiled and nodded, and walked forward with my brother's help. Behind me, I heard the sound of a wheelchair turning, the light breathing of its owner, and the aunt pushing the wheelchair nagging, "Gaqi, why do we have to eat at such an expensive place?"
The older brother turned around and smiled, "Anyway, I won't go more than a few times a year. Besides, isn't money meant to be spent? Aunt Nie, don't try to save money for me."
The aunt sighed repeatedly, but even her sighs couldn't hide the gratitude and relief in them. I couldn't help but be moved by such a pure and obvious expression of emotion. For someone of her age to still have such pure and composed gratitude made me, who was used to turning all emotions into rational calculations, sincerely envious.
My brother told me that Lausanne is a city with a mild climate, nestled among mountains and rivers, and boasts beautiful scenery. The reason we chose to settle in this city is not only because Lausanne is home to CLS hospitals, a member of the Swiss Association of Excellent Hospitals, but also because French and English are the commonly spoken languages, making it the perfect place for my brother, who studied in France, to find work.
Even so, it's still very difficult for my brother to cover the living expenses for the four of us, plus the regular medical check-up costs, all by himself. I've offered to help him, but my sister, who was sheltered and knew nothing just six months ago, is now blind. How could my brother possibly believe me if I suddenly offered to help?
I never offered much explanation. Firstly, it would be too absurd for me to explain, as I had already proven back then that no one would believe me, not even my closest relatives. Secondly, my brother is a somewhat chauvinistic overseas student who believes that men should shoulder heavy responsibilities. Thirdly, I genuinely didn't want to go out, didn't want to show my face in public, and didn't want to be found by that vast intelligence network one day.
As soon as I stepped out of the room, a cold wind hit my face, and I couldn't help but shiver. My brother quickly took the coat from my aunt and wrapped it tightly around me. My face was almost completely buried in the soft fur of the coat. My brother wasn't satisfied, so he wrapped a thick, soft towel around my neck as well. As I smoothed out my furry gloves, I laughed and said, "Brother, I'm almost wrapped up like a big dumpling."
My brother patted my head, which was covered by a hat, and laughed, his laughter gentle and indulgent: "Lanlan is already a dumpling. But being wrapped up like a dumpling keeps you warm!"
The road beneath my feet was a little damp and sticky. I remembered the snow that had fallen a few days ago; the soft, tiny, cool snowflakes I touched in my palms, their crystal-clear appearance even though I couldn't see them. As soon as I stepped out of the villa's gate, the two steps creaked under my feet, and my entire foot sank in—a wonderful sensation that I could never experience when only a few snowflakes were falling.
Although I experienced days of heavy snowfall in ancient times, in that world, I had eyes to see, but I was too preoccupied with worldly affairs to linger for such beauty. In this dark world, all sounds become subtle and vibrant; even the sound of snowflakes landing on my collar, the wind blowing snowflakes away from their drifting path, and the snow slowly melting under my feet can be heard so clearly.
"What is essential is invisible to the eye." At one time, amidst the emotional torment tearing at my nerves and the encirclement of deceit and treachery, I forgot the slightly bewildered emotions and sighs I felt as a child reading *The Little Prince*. But perhaps this is the price of growing up.
Blue Cheers is an unassuming restaurant, yet it's quite famous in Lausanne. The restaurant has a warm and inviting atmosphere, especially on this festive Christmas Eve. Simple yet evocative music plays softly throughout. My brother, supporting me, explains how the restaurant has undergone various changes in preparation for Christmas.
The private rooms at Blue Cheers are all semi-private, with walls that smell of old wood and are covered with rough yet soft-touch wallpaper. Each room, separated by wooden partitions, has a door that cannot be closed. Guests inside can see the same ceiling when they look up and hear the same gentle, soft music when they close their eyes, yet they won't disturb each other.
As my brother helped me sit on a chair covered with thick cushions, I listened to my aunt help Yufei off the wheelchair with a slight sigh, the wheelchair bearings making a soft popping sound.
When I first discovered Liu Cenfeng's return to his body, I wondered if the force of the fall had caused Yufei's soul to leave that body and return to this world. But days and months passed, and Yufei still hadn't woken up, showing no signs of recovery, which frustrated me. Yet, along with this frustration came a strange, unspoken sense of relief. Nie Yufei's name had become a taboo in my heart. No matter which world I was in, he was the only one I couldn't kill, couldn't betray, yet feared to approach. I'd rather both worlds forever only have the innocent, kind, and somewhat precocious Feifei than see the extreme, unpredictable, and even near-split personality Liu Cenfeng again.
Yes, split personality. The moment Yu Fei died in Ren Yao's body, his deep and persistent hatred overwhelmed him, causing him to possess Liu Cenfeng, who was in shock due to poison in his heart. Unlike when I entered Lin Yu's body, the instant his soul possessed Liu Cenfeng, he received all of Liu Cenfeng's thoughts and memories, even his ambition to unify the world and become a Star Soul.
Yu Fei's belief in living solely for revenge, his hatred for the world, and Liu Cenfeng's desire to unify the continent intertwined, creating an almost obsessive and twisted obsession. This was Liu Cenfeng, who, knowing he only had one or two years to live, dragged me, who was both his beloved and his strongest rival, down with him.
This Yufei is terrifying. I can't tell if the soul displaying that alluring, beautiful smile is Yufei or Liu Cenfeng. I can't be sure if, if he were to return to this world, he would abandon everything, including family, and become a demon of the new era.
So, Auntie, I'm so sorry! I know you long for the day when Yufei opens his eyes and calls you "Mom." But I'd rather let Yufei in this world sleep forever than let the innocent and happy Feifei in that world disappear. I also don't want you to see Yufei's pain, despair, and distortion from back then through Liu Cenfeng's soul.
Blue Cheers was packed; without a reservation, you wouldn't get a table. Despite this, the restaurant had a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere. Although I couldn't see it, I can believe the owner must be a very stylish and tasteful person.
We chatted casually as we ate our exquisite Christmas set meal. We couldn't see the desserts or the tableware, but the fusion of Chinese and Western flavors tasted surprisingly delicious. The sea bass slices melted in my mouth, the aroma of the fish permeating my lips and teeth. I didn't hold back in praising it; to have such a homely Christmas Eve meal in a foreign land was worth any price.
"Lanlan, you didn't know, did you?" the brother said mysteriously with a smile. "I only found out last time when I came here with my colleagues that the owner of this restaurant is Chinese, and... his ancestral home is in Shanghuai."
I paused for a moment, thinking of Shanghuai... that place so distant from me now, the place I almost thought had taken away all my joys and sorrows. But hearing it from my brother now evoked a subtle sense of nostalgia. It felt like bamboo shoots slowly sprouting in the rain, unseen and unheard, yet strangely rapid.
That place is, after all, my hometown. No matter how much pain remains, or how many people I still don't want to face, my parents and friends are still there, and so are my purest and most beautiful memories from my youth.
From afar came the sounds of footsteps and conversations that only someone like me could hear, or rather, that I was willing to listen to.
"You little rascal, you didn't even let me know you were coming. Luckily, I reserved a seat for myself, otherwise you wouldn't have had a place to sit."
"It doesn't matter if I don't eat it."
"How can that be? I've been waiting for you for so long, I have to show you what I've accomplished here in the past two years. Hey! What are you laughing at! This shop was built entirely by myself, without relying on my old lady for a single penny. It's nothing compared to you kids who live off your ancestors' wealth!"
"Yes! Whatever you say." The one who laughed was a slightly deep male voice with a wide vocal range. "But this shop is indeed quite nice."
The conversation faded into the distance. To hear two men speaking Chinese in a Swiss restaurant with an English name, and with slightly retroflex accents, should have been a heartwarming experience. But...
"Lanlan, did you hear that? Those two people who just walked by seemed to be speaking Chinese." The older brother's voice was clearly excited. This was easy to understand; it was the feeling of a traveler longing to return home.
I slowly stirred the spoon in my hand. For the first time in almost half a year, the pitch-black world made me feel a little anxious. Until the footsteps faded into the distance, and I was sure they couldn't be heard anymore, I said, "Brother, we've almost finished eating. Let's go."
"Huh?" The older brother, with food still in his mouth, asked in surprise, "You're full so quickly? Auntie hasn't finished eating yet."
I frowned slightly: "Then let's wait a little longer." Then, I fell silent.
I always thought that in the boundless darkness, having received so many wondrous sounds, even if I couldn't forget his appearance in a short time, I should at least have forgotten his voice. But it turns out… all those days and nights of darkness couldn't erase his existence.
The wounds I suffered back then, the mark etched into my heart, were so deep. So deep that even after three years, I still can't forget them. I can't be sure if love and hate still exist, but I'm certain the pain remains.
Next update: February 18th, tomorrow night.
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Chapter 10 Christmas (Part 2)
Chapter 10 Christmas (Part 2)
I don't know how long I spent in my own darkness and silence, but then I heard familiar footsteps again. I couldn't explain the difference between the footsteps, but I was certain of my intuition.