Yan hope shook his head. "No, this one."
Ah Heng said, "Let me be the richest person in the world."
Yan hope = =, no.
Ah Heng said, "Let me marry the world's richest man."
No, this one... isn't available either.
Ah Heng cough, this is a good option.
Yan hope gritted his teeth. "No, there really isn't one."
Ah Heng rested her face on her hands, smiling broadly. So... willful!
Okay, then I'll make a wish: when I wake up tomorrow, I'll be with Yan hope, but I've had a dream that lasted for two years.
At that time, my father was alive.
At that time, Yan Xi Aheng was young and ignorant, clinging to time as if it were his whole life.
Chapter 75
Chapter 75
When Wen's mother got up on the morning of the first day of the lunar new year, she went to offer incense to her deceased husband as usual, but she broke a celadon vase, which was only a few feet away from the offering table.
After a long period of unease, I looked at my deceased husband's portrait. His bright eyes and brows seemed to hold a hint of reproach, which made my heart feel even heavier.
Since her husband passed away, she resigned from her job at the music association and reduced her annual three piano recitals to one. She spends her days at home serving her father-in-law and rarely appears in public, keeping a very low profile.
The ladies who were initially on good terms with her often tried to comfort her and take her to various banquets to cheer her up. However, seeing that she was heartbroken and had no interest in anything, they gradually lost interest. Instead, they often heard their children and husbands mention that the young Wen family member had grown up, had invested in the Lu family, and handled things with the same tact as the old Wen family man in his prime. They couldn't help but think that although Yunyi lost her father in middle age, she was by no means an unfortunate person.
Unfortunately, her biological daughter was frail and spent most of her time studying and recuperating in the south, preventing the mother and daughter from seeing each other, which was truly lamentable. But fortunately, her adopted daughter, Si'er, was beautiful and lovable, and could still bring joy to her.
Since the passing of his only son, Old Wen has aged considerably and has taken on much of his work. He has become like an old man who loves to play with birds, often taking a walk in the morning market with his birdcage, chatting with people his own age, sipping soy milk, and only then returning home satisfied.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Xin Dayi was still fast asleep when her father pulled her out of bed, saying that he had to go and wish Grandpa and Aunt Wen a Happy New Year as soon as possible. He said they liked children and would be happy to see her.
Xin Dayi couldn't stand it. "I'm already twenty, what kind of child am I?"
But still half-asleep, she put on her clothes. Remembering something, she muttered, "Yan Xi must be here too. I haven't seen him for almost half a month. I wonder what he's been up to!"
Grandpa Xin patted his grandson's head. "Young Master Yan isn't dating anyone. Behave yourself and stop standing there with that silly face, ruining things." He'd finally had a few days of peace, and if he couldn't find a wife, Old Man Yan would be worried to death!
Xin Dayiqie, I don't believe he can really marry Chu Yun. He and Aheng clearly...
Stop talking nonsense! The Wen and Yan families aren't even mentioned anymore, what right do you, an outsider, have to interrupt? You're not stupid, you've never been smart. Why did Yan hope bring his girlfriend to the Wen family's house? Did the Wen family get upset? Look at that Wen family kid, he's practically a shrewd old fox!
Xin Dayi pouted and huffed as he put on his pants—"They're all my brothers, Grandpa, please stop talking."
Old Xin laughed and scolded, "Forget it, forget it. I raised a simpleton. Let them be smart if they want. We're just lucky to be simple-minded."
Xin Dayi smiled and said, "Grandpa, in two years, when I'm working, I'll bring you a granddaughter-in-law. In our garden, you'll definitely be the first to hold your great-grandson!"
Old Mr. Xin has a chronic illness; his legs become weak and clumsy when the weather is slightly unsuitable. His son and daughter-in-law were in a car accident when they were young, leaving behind only one grandson, whom they eagerly await to grow up, and thus spoil him.
Fortunately, Da Yi was kind-hearted and excelled in both character and studies, which brought Xin Lao great comfort. Holding his great-grandson was the perfect blessing.
When Da Yi arrived at the Wen family's house, Zhang Sao was cooking glutinous rice balls. Si Er opened the door, stretched out her hand, and said with a smile, "If you want to pass through this door, leave some money for the toll!"
Da Yi, with her long hair swaying, pulled a bag of candy from her pocket and tossed it to her—Go away, little girl, what's all the fuss about on New Year's Day! Is Grandpa Wen up yet?
Si'er raised an eyebrow and got up, but she also said that anyone who came to pay New Year's visits should be invited in, except for Xin Dayi, who should be kicked out.
Da Yi was dumbfounded—why?
Si'er rolled her eyes—How should I know? I did as Grandpa told me to do.
Siwan heard the sound, came over, and smiled—"Er'er was just teasing you. Grandpa was just saying that Dayi would definitely be the first one, and here you are."
Da Yi glared at Si'er, little girl, the older you get, the more annoying you become.
Si'er pouted – "You're the only one who's annoying. Every year, before seven o'clock in the morning, I can hear your loud voice. It's like the whole garden is going to collapse because of you."
They gave way and let them pass.
Da Yi peeked out and asked Si Wan, "Has Yan hope arrived yet? He spent the New Year here yesterday, didn't he?"
Siwan shook her head and smiled, "I called yesterday saying I wasn't coming; I guess I went to Lu Liu's house."
Seeing his forced smile, Da Yi secretly twitched. Good heavens, he'd stepped on another landmine.
He went inside, kowtowed to Old Man Wen, and the old man beamed with joy, handing him a large red envelope.
The two talked for a while, and then the doorbell rang again.
Xin Dayi: Haha, Yan hope has arrived.
She thought to herself, "Maybe Lu Liu is also there." Looking at Si Wan, she couldn't bear to see her brother's face turn dark again.
She ran to the entrance, opened the door, and sure enough, it was Yan hope.
Xin Dayi patted him on the shoulder—"We've been waiting for you for ages! Grandpa Wen is inside."
A person walked out from behind Yan hope, looking at him with very gentle eyes.
Her eyebrows resembled distant mountains, she had black hair and thin lips, a fair complexion, slightly downturned eyes, and a straight nose; she was harmless and gentle.
A little awkwardly, she said, "Dayi, it's been a long time."
Da Yi's first reaction was not surprise, not blankness, not confusion, but to look at Yan hope's expression.
The sharpness between his brows melted away, and the gentle breeze and light snow brought a sense of tranquility to his heart.
He hugged Aheng, sighing repeatedly—it could only be you.
Ah Heng patted his shoulder. This boy, who had been with her for so long and never abandoned his friends, made her miss him from the bottom of her heart.
She said, "I've changed so much, you can't even recognize me."
Da Yi held her head and rubbed it hard, his eyes reddening—"Little aunt, let's not play disappearing games anymore, okay?"
Ah Heng nodded, choking back tears, and said okay.
He said, "If you do it again, even if Yan hope had nine lives, it wouldn't be enough."
Yan hope watched the two embrace, his hands slipping into his pockets. He felt a weakness within him, like a pupa breaking free of its cocoon, finding its last bit of strength.
His smile—that's his weakness.
She stepped forward, quietly embraced the two of them, and silently shed tears.
His home, his friends.
Abundant.
In the entryway, Wen Siwan stood in the shadows, her hands trembling helplessly.
He said, "Aheng, you're back."
But he couldn't open his arms wide enough to give his older brother a proper hug.
He had already had his wings clipped, simply because of his surname, Wen.
She smiled slightly, with a small dimple at the corner of her mouth.
This is something that resembles his father, but which Aheng did not inherit.
Then came the unique baptism of fate.
After Ah Heng left, he nestled in his mother's arms, unable to cry, no longer able to be a strong man.
Mom, why me? Why not my sister?
His mother hit him for the first time in her life.
She said, "Your surname is Wen, and the men of the Wen family will never back down. Your grandfather did not back down on the battlefield for his comrades; your father did not back down at sea for his country; and you, for your sister, cannot back down either."
He wept, like a child, "Mom, Mom, what a heavy price to pay."
She laughed, "How long is the future? Wen Siwan, are you going to admit defeat now?"
His mother, who had just lost her husband, taught him never to give up.
That past event is eternal, an indelible mark that even time cannot erase.
He looked at Aheng.
The girl's eyes held a deep sense of estrangement and unfamiliarity. Feeling lost, she whispered, "Siwan, I'm sorry."
Siwan smiled – Why say sorry?
Ah Heng thought for a moment, then said earnestly, "I'm sorry, I'm back."
She spoke politely and clearly, yet it was so absurd that she apologized to her own brother in order to go home.
Siwan opened the door, shrugged – “It’s cold outside, come in and we can talk.”
Despite having given birth to Aheng, Wen's mother had a cold expression, her deep, almost emotionless eyes staring at her.
She turned her gaze to the handsome, tall boy and coldly questioned him—Yan hope, what did you promise me?
Yan hope looked at her with her big eyes, not backing down—Auntie, I've always known, it's even instinctive.
How can we make her whole, make her happy?
In fact, at times, no one understood better than him the part of Ah Heng that only he possessed had meaning.
Old Wen sighed. Little Xida Yi had breakfast with me. Ah Heng hadn't been back for a while. Go to your room and talk with your mother for a bit.
Then, Yan hope spent the whole day at the Wen family's house, but did not see Aheng.
As night deepened, Old Wen brewed the third infusion of Biluochun tea; the broth had already faded in color.
He waved his hand and said, "Xiao hope, go home."
His eyes were wise, yet weary.
Yan hope narrowed his eyes, fixing his gaze on the room where Aheng had disappeared. Not far away, Wen Si'er's gaze became even more mocking.
Da Yi Chao Yan hope winked to ease the tension, "Grandpa Wen, we'll come see you again tomorrow."
Old Wen smiled and said, "I know you are all filial. There are many things to do at home during the Spring Festival, especially for Xiao hope, who has to make all the decisions herself. You can just focus on your own things. I have the three of them, and if all else fails, I still have a birdcage."