Easy Spring (Part 3)

Jiang Yichun's tears streamed down her face like a burst dam. She took a deep breath and swallowed her sobs.

It turns out that one's own name was never a product of the failure of one's parents' love, but rather the most simple and sincere blessing from an ordinary farmer to his grandchildren.

Easy spring, easy spring, everything is easy, every spring is easy.

She hung her head, letting her tears soak the sheets beneath her.

"Mom, why didn't you tell me sooner? I always... I always thought it was because of me, because of my name, that my father went to find another woman, and that's why you got divorced."

"It's all because of me, Mom, that you can't, can't continue singing."

"Mom, I..." Before Jiang Yichun could finish speaking, she felt a pair of warm hands on her back, and in an instant, she was enveloped in her mother's warm embrace.

Hu Fei patted her back and sighed, "Silly girl, what are you saying? I've already said that I've never regretted giving birth to you."

“I know all about it. Those people, seeing that I became popular, kept coming over to ride on my coattails. When I faded from popularity, they started spreading all sorts of rumors about me.”

“But, my dear, you didn’t do anything wrong. You were so young back then.”

"It's those people's problem."

Jiang Yichun continued to sob, her thoughts drifting back to her middle school days. Back then, influenced by rumors, she had distanced herself from her mother, just like those adults. Even after going to university, there was always an unbreakable wall between her and her mother.

But today, she saw that wall collapse in front of her with a crash.

Those fragments of memories from junior high school came rushing back.

She recalled her past curiosity about going into her mother's bar, only to encounter several young men from the streets before even stepping inside.

They surrounded a girl with long black hair.

She still remembers their bleached yellow hair, their hoarse voices, and their tattoos.

"Little sister, want a drink?" The middle man reached out his arm to the girl.

Jiang Yichun stood still, but his heart was clenched.

She knew that the girl wasn't good at studying and her parents didn't care much about her, so she did everything from fighting to skipping classes.

The girl also said, "Anyway, I won't get a reputation from studying, so I might as well sell myself and have children and raise them as soon as possible."

But she saw an unspeakable fear in the girl's bewildered eyes; as she took a step forward, it seemed she was about to fall into an abyss of no return.

"What are you doing!" The mother, wearing a leather jacket, rushed out and blocked the girl's path.

"How can a little girl come to a place like this? Huh? You're not even eighteen yet!"

"You lot are really something, starting to hook up with minors? You're not welcome here!"

Jiang Yichun turned and ran away before his mother could see him.

Later, Jiang Yichun learned that the rebellious girl eventually cut off her long black hair and picked up her books again.

In the end... she seems to have gotten into a regular high school.

I don't know if her mother said something to her, or if she just came to terms with it herself.

At least, from the moment her mother intervened, that girl's life began to change; she left the path of being a housewife and embarked on the path of education.

My mother may appear unreliable to others, but she still possesses a pure and passionate heart.

But that heart was gradually sealed under a layer of ice by rumors and her own prejudices.

Despite having so many opportunities to break the ice, I have repeatedly hardened the ice and closed myself off due to my awkward personality, until today.

Fortunately, it wasn't too late for me to break through the ice.

Jiang Yichun buried his head in his mother's arms: "Mom, I used to treat you like that, believing what those people said, saying you were improper... I was just like my dad."

"So, that's why I've always distanced myself from you. I'm sorry, Mom."

She heard her mother sigh beside her, and then a piece of paper gently touched her cheek.

"Xiaochun, how could I blame you? I'm actually quite happy that you're finally willing to talk to me more."

"Sigh, actually, it's Mom who's sorry to you. I've been busy with the bar all these years and haven't had a chance to sit down and have a proper talk with you."

"Mom used to drink at home and smoke in front of you, so it's normal that you find me annoying."

Hu Fei turned around and took out a photo album from the other side, with the words "Baby's Growth Diary" printed on it.

She turned to the first page, which showed a mother smiling as she held a very small doll.

“Xiaochun, this is a picture of you when you were just born.” Hu Fei’s eyes welled up with tears of happiness as she ran her fingertips over the yellowed photograph.

"You were so tiny back then. When the nurse brought you to me, I was so afraid that I might accidentally hurt you."

"But when you were actually in my arms, I felt how soft and warm you were. The thought that I could bring such a little life into my life made me feel incredibly happy."

Hu Fei raised his hand and gently stroked Jiang Yichun's forehead, his eyes filled with tenderness: "This little life has grown so much now."

She stood up, picked up another record from the shelf, and placed it on the jukebox.

The enchanting and gentle melody, like a surging spring tide, filled the entire room.

Jiang Yichun was extremely familiar with this melody; it was from his mother's most popular album, released a year after his birth.

The album's title track became a hit across the country, and the mother gained fame and fortune. However, she was also thrust into the spotlight and swallowed up by rumors and the gaze of the world.

The flashes of light will gradually dim, rumors will crumble into fragments over time, but music, after the passage of time, will still retain its charm.

These three elements intertwined around the mother, and when Jiang Yichun cleared away the fog, she was still sitting clearly in front of him.

"Xiaochun, Mom's third album was created because of you."

"Because at that time I thought a lot about life and philosophy, that's where the inspiration for this album came from."

Jiang Yichun stared at his tiny reflection in the photo, clutched the bed sheet beneath him, and nodded.

The mother raised her hand and gently placed it on her head one last time: "Xiaochun, I've been very happy to see you get into university and to see you come back with the boy you love."

"But, my dear, do you really think that boy is reliable?"

Jiang Yichun froze on the spot, gasping for breath: "Mom, what do you mean? You don't agree..."

Hu Fei quickly waved his hand to interrupt her questioning: "I'm just worried that you, like me, might have a child on impulse, and then... you'll be reluctant to part with the child while running around all the time."

"After working hard for most of my life, I got nothing in return."

Jiang Yichun lowered her eyes and shook her head: "I don't think my boyfriend would be that kind of person. As for that..."

Her ears burned: "We haven't done it yet. He... he always says we've only been together for less than a month, and I'm like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey, but he's pretty much the same way. Once I get him excited, he..."

"It's just going on and on."

Jiang Yichun's face grew redder as she spoke, and she quickly stopped the lewd words that were about to spill from her mouth: "Well, it was just kissing and hugging, at most we would only try it once, and when he saw that I was in pain, he didn't continue."

Hu Fei understood immediately and took her hand: "It's okay, Xiaochun. It's normal for women to have desires. It's perfectly normal to discuss these things with your partner."

"But you absolutely must take precautions. I don't regret giving birth to you, but Xiaochun, you've always wanted to stay in the big city, right? If you have a child at such a young age, it will only be a problem for you two."

"Yes, that's right. His situation isn't very good right now, and I'm also going to pursue a master's degree. Having a child... it feels like something very far away."

Jiang Yichun's heart pounded, and she twisted the hem of her clothes. She had always known that her mother never shied away from these kinds of things, but this was the first time she had shown her mother the details of her love life.

“He and I… took precautions. He even prepared that when he came back with me…” Jiang Yichun’s voice grew softer and softer as he spoke.

"Ah, that's good." Hu Fei chuckled and patted his daughter's back.

“Oh, right, I haven’t told you about Uncle Lin yet.” Hu Fei leaned closer to her. “Actually… Xiao Lin and I are almost at the point of being boyfriend and girlfriend. He said he’s been a fan of mine since middle school, and he even saved up money to buy a train ticket to see me back then.”

"Although I don't remember it, he said it as if it were true."

Jiang Yichun muttered, "Mom, we need to be careful of pig butchering scams."

Hu Fei laughed: "I thought he was a liar like your dad, and I tried my best to get him out of my bar... until he sang a song at our bar and was recognized by his fans."

“I was shocked at the time, I didn’t expect him to actually be a musician. After talking with him for a while, I gradually got to know him… He also said that he came here to find himself, because he wanted to realize his dream of making music with his idol.”

“Anyway, he did give me some support. So, Xiaochun, what do you think? Do you... accept your mother as your boyfriend?” Hu Fei looked up at her daughter and held her hand again.

Jiang Yichun was taken aback, then chuckled softly, "Why are you asking me? As long as Mom is happy, I'm fine with anything."

"After all, I'm all grown up now, Mom. You can do whatever you want now."

With tears in his eyes, Hu Fei hugged his daughter tightly.

Jiang Yichun also hugged his mother and began to sob softly.

All those misunderstandings of the past years have completely collapsed tonight, leaving only two hearts tightly intertwined.

After his mother fell asleep beside him, Jiang Yichun took out his phone.

[Xiao Jiang, Dad planted some roses for you and Mom, and they've been dried. Do you want them? Also, how's Mom doing lately?]

That was a message from her father, which she hadn't replied to for a long time.

Jiang Yichun lowered his eyes and sent him a message:

Thank you, Dad, but I don't need it anymore.

As for your mother, she's doing well, so you don't need to worry. You should also live your own life well.

There were no accusations, no insults, only a gentle detachment after letting go.

After replying to his father's message, Jiang Yichun felt his mouth was a little dry, so he went downstairs to get some water.

As soon as she got downstairs, she bumped into a warm chest.

"Baby?" He Yinxin blinked, her hands still dangling at her waist, her head covered in messy curly hair.

His pajamas were lifted up, revealing a corner of his skin.

She could see several well-defined abdominal muscles.

Jiang Yichun's cheeks flushed, and there were still tears in her eyes: "Robot dog, what are you doing here? Are you not used to sleeping in Auntie's empty room, or is it Uncle Lin who snores?"

He Yinxin walked up to her in a daze and pulled her into his arms: "I'm not uncomfortable, I just wanted to hug you. I can't sleep without saying goodnight to you."

"Xiaochun, are you unhappy?"

"Tch, what a cheesy cookie."

Jiang Yichun leaned against his warm chest, greedily possessing every trace of his unique scent. She gently pinched his waist with her fingertips: "Who told you I was unhappy?"

"According to the contract, I have to tell you the truth. I just talked with my mother and resolved many things that I couldn't let go of before. Compared to being unhappy, I feel very relaxed and happy now."

"I am even happier in your arms."

He Yinxin stood rooted to the spot, his heart pounding. His hand gently climbed up her back, his Adam's apple bobbing.

Young people's body temperature is always a bit high, and he wrapped Jiang Yichun in his arms like a big cotton blanket.

He Yinxin twirled her hair with her fingertips, kissing the top of her head while panting, "Baby, I'm very happy too. It's already great that you were able to talk things out with your mother."

"Not all parents and children understand each other. You and your mother are very lucky to be able to understand each other and talk things out."

Jiang Yichun looked up, gently pecked his lips, and blinked her bright eyes: "Goodnight, robot dog?"

He Yinxin lowered his head and gently pressed his lips to hers, lightly stroking her waist with his hand. He chuckled softly, "Mmm, goodnight baby."

Jiang Yichun pinched his palm a few times, but remained in his arms: "In a few days, Mom and I will take you to the city. There's a place there where you can see the stars; it's really beautiful. There will be an event, so let's go see it together?"

"Okay, see you tomorrow."