Chapter 88 Chapter 88 The dead are gone, and the living are like this.

Time flies, and Yu Yilin, the daughter who was once carefully held in the palm of Xitong and Yu Sixie's hands, has begun to take her first steps and babbling.

In order to accompany Xitong to complete the project in W City and take care of the young Linlin, Yu Sixie placed more of his career focus in W City. Yu's father and mother often traveled back and forth between the two places, but spent more time in W City playing with their grandchildren and enjoying family happiness.

As for the older Xizhi, because of the stability of his studies and social circle, he still spends most of his time studying in an aristocratic school in Beijing. He is looked after by a reliable life assistant and nanny, and can only fly to W City to reunite with his family during holidays.

This made Xiaozhi suffer.

After class that day, Xizhi lay on the desk in a depressed mood, and he couldn't even muster any interest in his favorite model aircraft club activities.

Luo Xuanji, who was sitting in the row in front of him, turned her head and saw him pouting with an aggrieved look on his face, as if "the whole world has abandoned me."

"Hey, Xizhi, what's wrong with you?"

Luo Xuanji poked his arm.

As she grew older, Luo Xuanji's calmness beyond her age became more and more obvious, but in front of Xizhi, she would occasionally reveal the liveliness of a little girl.

Xizhi raised her head, her big, black grape-like eyes filled with disappointment and accusation. "My parents only have eyes for Linlin now! In the video yesterday, Dad was holding Linlin and playing with blocks, and Mom was just laughing beside them. They barely spoke to me! Grandpa and Grandma haven't been back to Beijing to see me in ages... Do they no longer like me and only want my sister?"

As he spoke, there was a barely perceptible choke in his voice.

No matter how sensible and mature he is, he is just a child who longs for all the attention of his parents.

Luo Xuanji looked at his pitiful appearance and raised her eyebrows.

Although her own family situation is special, she can understand Xizhi's "falling out of favor" mentality to some extent.

She thought of Aunt Xitong and Uncle Yu, and felt that it was not that they didn't care about Xizhi, but at this stage their attention was indeed distracted by the smaller baby who needed more care.

"Fool."

Luo Xuanji commented bluntly, but her tone wasn't harsh. "If your parents didn't care about you, would they video chat with you every day without fail? Would they hire the best teachers for you and arrange for the most appropriate people to take care of you?"

Xizhi pursed his lips and said nothing, but the grievance in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

He understood the truth, but the loss in his heart was real.

Luo Xuanji looked at his stubborn attitude and suddenly stood up. She patted his shoulder and said with a decisive tone that was not in line with her age: "What's the point of just sulking here? If you miss them, go find them."

Xizhi was stunned: "Ah? Going to W City? The weekend is only two days..."

"Two days is enough."

Luo Xuanji took out her phone and quickly operated the screen. "I asked the housekeeper to arrange a flight. I'll leave after school this afternoon and return on Sunday night. I also have something I want to discuss with Aunt Xitong in person."

She always acted decisively and never gave Xizhi any chance to object.

As soon as the school bell rang, Luo Xuanji took the still somewhat confused Xizhi and got into her family's iconic black car that had been waiting at the school gate, and drove straight to the airport.

A few hours later, the plane landed smoothly at W City Airport.

When Luo Xuanji suddenly appeared at the door of the house in Mulan Garden, W City, holding Xizhi's hand, Xitong, who was about to feed Linlin complementary food, and Yu Sixie, who had just finished a video conference, were both stunned!

"Xiaozhi?! Xuanji? Why are you here?"

Xitong was surprised and happy, and quickly put down the small bowl.

When Xizhi saw his parents, especially the genuine surprise on their faces, the awkwardness he had felt along the way instantly disappeared. He hugged Xitong's waist tightly, buried his face in her, and called out muffledly, "Mom!"

Yu Sixie also came over and ruffled his son's hair, his eyes gentle: "You little brat, are you planning a surprise attack?"

Luo Xuanji stood at the doorway, watching the heartwarming scene unfold before her. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly before she walked in solemnly, nodding slightly to Xi Tong and Yu Sixie. "Uncle, Auntie, sorry to bother you. Xi Zhi missed you, so I brought him here. By the way, I have some new ideas for the next phase of our investment promotion plan that I'd like to discuss with you, Auntie."

Xitong looked at her son leaning on her arms, then looked at Luo Xuanji, who was young but full of aura, and her heart softened.

She squatted down, hugged Xizhi and Linlin who was staggering over, and kissed Xizhi's forehead: "Silly child, how could mom and dad not care about you? You will always be mom and dad's baby. It's just that your sister is still young and needs more care."

Yu Sixie also put his arm around his son's shoulders: "If you miss us in the future, you can come over anytime, or we can go back to see you."

Xizhi felt the long-lost warmth and attention from his parents, and the little grudge in his heart completely disappeared. He nodded vigorously, and a bright smile appeared on his face again.

Looking at Xizhi, whose storm had suddenly cleared up, and Luo Xuanji, who had calmly started discussing a business plan with Xitong, Yu Sixie shook his head helplessly and gratefully.

This little girl from the Luo family is really... always able to do things that are unexpected and just right.

This weekend is destined to be more lively and warm because of the sudden arrival of these two little guys.

…

During the Qingming Festival, the sky of W City was filled with fine rain, shrouding the entire city in a hazy mist.

The air was filled with the scent of earth and grass, solemn and fresh.

Yu Sixie drove the car himself and took his family to the cemetery on the outskirts of the city.

Xitong sat in the passenger seat holding Yu Yilin, who was dressed like a little princess, while Xizhi sat in the back seat with Luo Xuanji.

Today, they are going to pay homage to Xitong's parents, grandfather and grandmother who passed away not long ago.

The car stopped at the gate of the quiet cemetery.

Yu Sixie opened a large black umbrella, got out of the car first, and then carefully shielded Xitong and Linlin from the rain.

Xizhi also held a small umbrella for herself, while Luo Xuanji followed quietly beside her. She was wearing a simple dark dress today and looked solemn.

Slowly walking up the bluestone road wet by rain, you will be surrounded by neatly arranged tombstones and lush pines and cypresses. Only the rustling sound of raindrops falling on the umbrellas and leaves adds a bit of tranquility and sorrow.

They first came to the joint tomb of Xitong's parents.

On the black tombstone, there are photos of Xitong's parents when they were young. They have gentle smiles and their eyes seem to penetrate time as they look at the relatives who come to pay their respects.

Xi Tong handed the babbling Lin Lin in her arms to Yu Sixie, then stepped forward, squatted down, and used the white towel she brought to carefully wipe the photos and inscriptions on the tombstone, her movements gentle and focused.

"Dad, Mom, we're here to see you."

She spoke softly, her voice a little vague in the sound of the rain, "And your grandson Xizhi, granddaughter Yu Yilin... are all here."

Yu Sixie held Linlin in his arms, held Xiaozhi's hand, stood behind Xitong, and bowed solemnly three times to the tombstone.

Xizhi also imitated his father and bowed seriously, with piety on his little face.

Linlin looked around curiously in his father's arms, not understanding what the adults were doing.

"Dad, Mom, don't worry."

Yu Sixie spoke in a deep voice, his tone firm and sincere, "I will take good care of Xiaoxi and the children. Everything is fine at home, and Xiaoxi's career is going well."

Xitong gently placed the prepared flowers in front of the grave, and took out some snacks and fruits that her parents loved to eat when they were alive, and arranged them neatly.

She looked at the eternally youthful faces of her parents in the photo, and her eyes became slightly warm.

Over the years, she has grown from a girl who lost both parents and struggled alone to now having her own family, career and lovely children. All the ups and downs in her life turned into a soft sigh in front of the graves of her parents whom she loved and hated.

"Mom," Xizhi said softly, breaking the silence. He pointed at the photo on the tombstone, "Are these grandpa and grandma?"

"Um."

Xitong turned around, pulled her son to her side, pointed at the photo and gently introduced, "Yes, this is mom's dad and mom. If they saw how sensible Xiaozhi is and how cute Linlin is, they would definitely be very happy."

After paying their respects to their parents, they walked towards another row of tombstones not far away, where their grandparents were buried.

In front of her grandmother's grave, Xitong's emotions were obviously more exposed.

The photo of my grandmother on the tombstone was taken in her later years. She had a kind smile and her eyes were full of peace and wisdom after experiencing many vicissitudes of life.

"grandmother……"

As Xitong opened her mouth, her voice choked.

She thought of the last time they spent together in W City, and the way her grandmother touched her belly, anticipating Linlin's birth. Tears mixed with the cold rain slid down her cheeks.

"We brought Linlin to see you. Do you think she's a blessed child, just like you said?"

She gently placed several carefully developed photos of Lin Lin's hundred days old, which she had prepared since Lin Lin was born, in front of her grandmother's tombstone.

"Her name is Yilin, Yu Yilin. We all remember you, forever."

Yu Sixie held Lin Lin closer so that the little guy could also "see" his great-grandmother.

Xizhi also bowed again obediently and wiped away her tears silently.

Luo Xuanji stood a step behind, watching the scene quietly.

Although she had never met the old man, she could feel the old man's kindness and weight from Xitong's narration and the grief that permeated the atmosphere at the moment.

She nodded slightly in respect.

The drizzle continued, wetting everyone's shoulders and hair, but no one cared.

Yu Sixie freed one hand and held Xitong's slightly cold hand tightly, silently conveying support and warmth.

Xitong took a deep breath of the cool air with the scent of rain, and slowly suppressed her surging emotions.

Her parents, grandparents, the loved ones who gave her life and accompanied her growing up, are now buried here.

Sadness still exists, but it is no longer a heart-wrenching pain. Instead, it has turned into heavy longing, integrated into the blood, and become a part of life.

She turned around and looked at Yu Sixie beside her, her ignorant but healthy children, and Luo Xuanji who was quietly accompanying her.

"let's go."

Her voice regained its composure, carrying a sense of relief and resolve after experiencing loss. "Dad, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, we'll come visit you next time."

Yu Sixie nodded and opened the umbrella again to shield her and the child from the wind and rain.

The family walked slowly out of the cemetery along the same path they came.

The back figures appear a little blurry in the hazy rain and fog, but the tightly clasped hands and the figures leaning on each other outline an outline called "home" that cannot be blown away by wind and rain.

The dead are gone, and the living are like this.

Carrying this heavy love and memory, they will continue to support each other and go through every spring, summer, autumn and winter in the future.

Memorial service is not just for farewell, but also for confirmation that those deceased relatives have never really left. They live in the memories of the living and in every moment nourished by love.