Chapter 69 Home [VIP]

Chapter Summary: It's because your uncle didn't want to set off firecrackers for me in front of my dad's grave.

The snow hadn't completely melted; the remaining bits had frozen into ice fragments in a corner.

Fu Xianyin stepped on it, and the white snow dented, making a "crunch crunch" sound.

She said, "It was my suggestion."

She took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly, saying, "When I was in elementary school, Chen Huimei forced Aunt Yu Jing out and squeezed me into this position. Over the years, I don't know if Chen Huimei is happy or not, but I am not happy at all."

Fu Yeyang asked, "Are you happy now?"

Actually, no.

In Fu Xianyin's more than ten years of life, the feeling of happiness has appeared very rarely. If she were to ask herself honestly whether she is happy now, Fu Xianyin really couldn't say that she was happy without lying.

Everything felt like I had two paths before me, one a dead end and the other not a way to live either.

But she simply looked up at Fu Yeyang and said, "I'm fine now."

Fu Yeyang called out softly, "Sister."

Fu Xianyin sighed, raised her hand and patted Fu Yeyang's shoulder, saying, "I'm serious, I'm doing pretty well now. Fu Dongyuan and Chen Huimei don't care about me, so I can finally breathe a sigh of relief."

Fu Yeyang didn't say anything.

The two stood there in silence, the cold wind howling. Just when Fu Xianyin felt like she was about to be chilled to the bone, Fu Yeyang suddenly spoke up: "Sister, don't worry, Fu Dongyuan's company will definitely be mine in the future."

Fu Xianyin: ?

She was laughing and saying, "If it's not yours, whose is it?" But when she looked up and saw Fu Yeyang's serious expression, she suddenly realized what he meant.

He wasn't joking.

He said, "I don't know how many children Fu Dongyuan has, and I don't know if he'll pick someone else to drive me away later, but even if he can't drive me away, I'm determined to take over his company. Sister, when that time comes..."

He looked at Fu Xianyin and said solemnly, "At that time, you can do whatever you want. No one will care about you or restrict you."

The boy's face was still somewhat immature, but his eyes were filled with determination.

The wind whistled as it approached Fu Xianyin, and he heard Fu Yeyang whisper a sentence:

"Sister, by then, we'll both have a home."

Even as evening approached, Fu Xianyin's mind was still filled with Fu Yeyang's words, "We'll both have a home now."

Beichuan No. 1 Middle School won the game in the end. Lin Anxu came over with a grin and said it was the best birthday gift for Chen Nianke. Cheng Zhaozhao rolled her eyes and scolded him for being shameless.

Fu Xianyin brought Chen Nianke a necklace in the United States, and Chen Nianke was stunned when she opened the box.

She opened her mouth, and after a long pause, she finally said, "This necklace... it must be expensive, right?"

Fu Xianyin smiled and said, "Anyway, I didn't earn the money, so I might as well spend it."

Final exams are also fast approaching amidst a flurry of activity.

Fu Xianyin was in the second examination room, which was on the same route as Gu Linzhao. She slowly packed her bag and felt someone slowly walking towards her.

Gu Linzhao tapped her table with his knuckles and said, "I'll move it to the other side after I'm done cleaning."

Fu Xianyin zipped up her jacket and said, "It's all packed, you can move it now."

People were coming and going at the front gate. Gu Linzhao carried a table and walked in front of her to clear the way.

Like the midterms, the final exams will be held over four days, not all crammed into one day, giving Fu Xianyin's brain a chance to rest.

She has now come to accept that her learning efficiency has declined and that occasional lapses in concentration are normal.

After four days of exams, the winter vacation for senior high school students finally arrived on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month.

The winter break for senior high school students is only a little over a week long. They have to go back to school for evening self-study on the evening of the ninth day of the Lunar New Year, and formal make-up classes begin on the tenth day.

Lin Anxu wailed, "High school seniors don't deserve a winter break."

Cheng Zhaozhao sighed, "When will this ever end?"

"Three, four, five, six, there are only four months left until liberation." Chen Nianke counted on her fingers, then suddenly remembered something, turned to look at Fu Xianyin, and said, "Speaking of which, it's been more than four months since Yinyin was transferred here."

Fu Xianyin thought for a moment and said, "That's true."

She was transferred here in mid-September, and it's been almost five months now.

Cheng Zhaozhao said, "If you think about it that way, it feels like there's not much time left."

Fu Xianyin nodded and said, "Besides, there will be frequent exams next semester, and time will fly by when we're busy."

Cheng Zhaozhao said, "Sigh, I want to get through these few months as quickly as possible, but I also hope that the college entrance examination will be delayed so that I have more time to review."

Chen Nianke said, "I'm different. I just want to finish the exams as soon as possible and be reborn. I really can't take this damn life anymore."

Cheng Zhaozhao asked, "Speaking of which, what universities do you want to attend, and what majors do you want to study?"

Chen Nianke thought for a moment and said, "I'm fine with anything. I don't know anything about it. I'll see which industry has better prospects and makes more money. I don't care where it is. I'll take it whichever one I can get into."

Cheng Zhaozhao said, "I want to go to the South; the winters in the North are too cold."

She turned to Fu Xianyin and asked, "Yinyin, what about you? What do you want to learn?"

Fu Xianyin said, "I think I should still study science. I can't study anything else. I think things like astronomy are quite interesting, like astrophysics?"

Chen Nianke patted her on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Fu Xianyin, you should know that, generally speaking, human technology and society are driven and built by geniuses like you. So study hard, you have a heavy responsibility on your shoulders."

Fu Xianyin was amused and said, "You should also contribute to the world."

Chen Nianke shook her head: "Me? Seriously, if one day the development of this world depends on people like me to drive it, then to be honest, this world is no different from being finished."

Chen Nianke looked at Fu Xianyin and said seriously, "Yinyin, I only have one request."

Fu Xianyin: "What?"

Chen Nianke said, "If I become rich and powerful, I will not forget you."

Fu Xianyin boasted, "Of course."

The group walked to the school gate and then said goodbye one by one.

Gu Linzhao seemed a little worried about her and said, "Shall I take you back?"

Fu Xianyin shook her head and said, "No need, I can take a taxi back myself."

Gu Linzhao didn't insist anymore, but said, "Let me know when you get it."

Fu Xianyin nodded and said okay.

Actually, she didn't know where to go either.

The Lunar New Year is, in principle, a time for people to go home.

But now, she truly has no home.

Fu Xianyin stared blankly at the trees across the street.

By the time I came to my senses, more than twenty minutes had passed. My hands, which were holding the suitcase, were numb with cold, and my cheeks were stinging from the biting wind.

After thinking it over, she took a taxi back to Emerald Bay.

The stairs are still stairs, and the door is still a door.

Fu Xianyin held the key, sent a text message to Gu Linzhao, then took a deep breath and turned the lock.

I thought opening the door would reveal a complete mess, but to my surprise, the house was tidied up perfectly the moment I opened the door.

There was no broken glass or torn pages; everything was in its proper place.

Fu Xianyin stood in the darkness, looking at a ray of light shining in through the window.

The light was blindingly white; I couldn't tell if it was moonlight or a streetlamp.

Fu Xianyin suddenly began to sob.

She didn't really understand why she was crying, but inexplicably, looking at the house, a feeling of sadness overwhelmed her.

She cried for a while, standing and crying, squatting and crying, and finally lying on the ground, crying without restraint.

When she was too exhausted to cry anymore, Fu Xianyin curled up on the ground and drifted off to sleep.

When she woke up again, it was already night. Fu Xuanyin was awakened by the cold. She found her way to the bedroom in the dark, lay down on the quilt, turned it over and covered herself with it, and continued to sleep.

On New Year's Eve, for some unknown reason, Fu Xianyin went out.

She casually picked out a pair of pants and a shirt, then put on a long down jacket to cover herself up completely, and the scarf around her neck almost covered most of her face.

Red ribbons were tied to the trees along the street, and red lanterns were hung on both sides of the streetlights.

Street vendors sell couplets and firecrackers, and people from all walks of life crowd around their stalls.

A little girl took a liking to a bunch of sparklers. She pointed at them and said, "Mommy, Mommy, I want these."

However, when he turned around, he didn't see his family.

The little girl was quite young, and her lips trembled as if she was about to cry. Suddenly, Fu Xianyin spoke up and asked, "Boss, how much is this bundle of fairy wands?"

Prices for everything go up during the holidays. Things that used to cost just a few dollars now cost 15 dollars a box, or 25 dollars for two boxes.

Fu Xianyin bought two boxes and handed them both to the little girl.

The little girl was quite wary. Even though her eyes were glued to the fairy wand, she still suppressed her instincts and said, "My parents said I can't accept things from strangers."

With a flick of her wrist, Fu Xianyin retrieved the two boxes of sparklers.

She found an empty spot by the roadside and, without caring whether it was dirty or not, plopped down on it.

She looked at the little girl and said, "Then how about I stay here with you and wait for your parents?"

The little girl thought for a moment and nodded.

Fu Xianyin took the fairy wand apart, pulled out one, took out a lighter from her pocket, lit the tip, and handed the other end to the little girl, saying, "Here, take this and play with it."

The little girl hesitated for a moment and said, "Sister, these are all for the evening."

Fu Xianyin waved a sparkler in her hand and said, "I can light it whenever I want. Whether you play with it or not, I'll play with it myself."

The little girl couldn't resist the temptation and moved closer to Fu Xianyin, staring longingly at the fairy wand.

Fu Xianyin still handed the one to her.

The little girl took the sparkler and waved it in the air. Fu Xianyin took out her phone, handed it to her, and said, "Call your parents. Do you remember their phone numbers?"

The little girl nodded blankly and gave a string of phone numbers.

Fu Xianyin pressed the button, dialed, and the call was quickly connected.

Fu Xianyin said, "Hello, it is..."

She looked at the little girl, who said, "My name is Liang Yueyi."

Fu Xianyin asked, "Is he Liang Yueyi's father?"

A very anxious male voice came from the other end of the phone: "Yes, yes, is my daughter with you?"

Fu Xianyin said, "Hey you playing with sparklers over there, let me add you on WeChat and we can share our location. You can come pick her up."

They were busy over there and readily agreed.

Perhaps knowing that Fu Xianyin wasn't a bad person, Liang Yueyi, while playing with Fu Xianyin's fairy wand, also started to talk to her.

She asked, "Sister, did you come out by yourself?"

Fu Xianyin responded lazily.

Liang Yueyi asked, "Sister, why didn't your dad come out with you?"

Fu Xianyin blurted out, "My father is dead."

Liang Yueyi opened her mouth and said, "I'm sorry."

Fu Xianyin smiled and said, "It's alright. I'm quite happy that he's dead. I'll buy two strings of firecrackers later and set them off at his grave to celebrate the New Year for him."

Liang Yueyi quietly took a small step to the side, creating some distance between herself and Fu Xianyin.

She then asked, "And sister, where is your mother?"

Fu Xianyin said, "My dad drove me crazy, and then he killed me."

Liang Yueyi took another step, moving even further away from Fu Xianyin.

Fu Xianyin caught a glimpse of Liang Yueyi's actions out of the corner of her eye and chuckled softly.

That's so childish, that's all they've got. All they know is to go crazy on little girls and scare them.

Seeing that the sparkler in Liang Yueyi's hand was about to burn out, Fu Xianyin picked up a lighter and lit all five or six of them at once, then handed them to Liang Yueyi.

Liang Yueyi hesitated a bit this time.

Fu Xianyin urged, "Hurry up and catch it."

Liang Yueyi answered.

This time, she moved a little closer to Fu Xianyin and asked, "So, sister, how are you spending the New Year?"

This really did involve Fu Xianyin.

She thought for a moment and said, "Let's go to my dad's grave."

Liang Yueyi hesitated for a long time. She was young and didn't know how to hide her thoughts. Whatever she was thinking was written all over her face.

Fu Xianyin watched as the girl's fair face became wrinkled, and then, as if she had mustered some courage, she nodded and cheered herself on.

Fu Xianyin tilted her head; she was genuinely curious about what the little girl was going to say.

The next second, Liang Yueyi looked at Fu Xianyin and said, "Sister, don't go to your father's grave anymore. Come to my house and live with us."

Fu Xianyin's heart was pounding.

She said, "But I want to go to my dad's grave to set off firecrackers."

Children this age don't understand subtle ways of refusing. Liang Yueyi thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll have my mom, dad, and uncle go with you to set off firecrackers, and then we'll go home together for the New Year, how about that?"

She said, "My mom is a great cook, and my uncle is a really nice guy. Every year during Chinese New Year, my uncle lights the firecrackers. I can ask my uncle to light the firecrackers for you too."

Fu Xianyin chuckled, neither agreeing nor refusing.

About five minutes later, Liang Yueyi suddenly shouted excitedly, "Dad, Mom, Uncle, I'm here!"

Fu Xianyin looked up and saw a man with an anxious expression. He squatted down in front of Liang Yueyi and said, "What did Dad tell you? There are so many people, you can't run around. Come on, thank your sister for taking you to play."

After scolding his daughter, the man said apologetically to Fu Xianyin, "I'm so sorry to have troubled you. Thank you so much. I really can't imagine what would have happened if someone with ill intentions had taken her away."

He picked up his phone, opened WeChat with Fu Xianyin, and was about to transfer money when Liang Yueyi suddenly said excitedly, "Dad, Mom, Uncle, and Sister said that her parents have passed away. Let's have New Year's Eve dinner with her tonight. I told her that Mom's cooking is delicious."

Liang Yueyi's father's expression was complicated for a moment. He frowned and said, "If you don't mind..."

Fu Xianyin wanted to laugh at the scene, but before she could say anything, a familiar voice interrupted Liang Yueyi: "Yueyi, don't talk nonsense."

Fu Xianyin sat on the ground, with Liang Yueyi's father standing in front of her, blocking her view.

She tilted her head and saw the source of that familiar voice.

It's Shao Yang.

Liang Yueyi said, "I didn't make this up. My sister said it herself. She said her father drove her mother crazy and killed her, and then he died too. She said she was going to set off firecrackers at her father's grave tonight. I even told her, 'Uncle, you're really good at setting off firecrackers. Can you help my sister set off firecrackers at her father's grave?'"

Shao Yang's face froze.

He pushed Liang Yueyi into her mother's arms, walked over, sighed, and said, "Miss Fu."

Liang Yueyi's father looked at Shao Yang in shock and said, "You know him...?"

Shao Yang took a deep breath and said, "This is Miss Fu, Mr. Fu's...daughter."

He looked at Fu Xianyin and said, "Miss Fu, there are some things that you shouldn't say carelessly."

Fu Xianyin looked up at him and said, "How is it nonsense? Which of my words is nonsense? Chen Huimei has been driven crazy by Fu Dongyuan. It's no different from being killed by Fu Dongyuan now. Anyway, when Fu Dongyuan dies, I will definitely go to his grave and set off firecrackers."

Shao Yang opened his mouth, then sighed: "If you have something to say, just tell me, and I won't go around saying it to President Fu. But Yueyi is still young, and it's not appropriate to talk about these things in front of her..."

Fu Xianyin suddenly scoffed and said, "Secretary Shao seems to care quite a bit about children. But when you were helping Fu Dongyuan book hotel rooms and meet women, when you were helping him have extramarital affairs and marital infidelity, when you were helping Fu Dongyuan squeeze the last bit of benefit out of me, did you ever think that I was just a child too?"

She asked, "When was the year you became Fu Dongyuan's secretary?"

Unable to remain silent under her gaze, Shao Yang could only reply, "Eight years ago."

Fu Xianyin said, "Eight years ago, I was ten years old. How old is Yueyi this year?"

She spoke a little louder for the second half of her sentence, which Liang Yueyi heard. Yueyi shouted, "I'll be ten years old after the New Year!"

She was also ten years old.

How ironic.

Shao Yang fell silent.

He really couldn't say a word.

Fu Xianyin stood up, supporting herself on her knees, looked at Shao Yang, and said with a sneer, "Secretary Shao, what Yueyi and I said is nothing compared to what you did for Fu Dongyuan."

Liang Yueyi was talking to her mother, while Shao Yang and Liang Yueyi's father stood there, listening to what Fu Xianyin had just said, but remained silent.

Fu Xianyin suddenly felt bored. She walked up to Liang Yueyi, handed her the sparkler, and said, "You can play with it."

Liang Yueyi asked, "Sister, aren't you having New Year's Eve dinner with our family?"

Fu Xianyin smiled and said, "No, I won't."

Undeterred, Liang Yueyi invited her, "Sister, my mom's cooking is really delicious."

“It’s not because of that,” Fu Xianyin knelt down and gently patted Liang Yueyi’s head, saying:

"It's because your uncle didn't want to set off firecrackers for me in front of my dad's grave."