Every word was said with such difficulty. After she finished speaking, Xia Yue stared at Xia Xi's mouth with expectant eyes. She really wanted to hear Xia Xi say "no".

However, it was just wishful thinking after all. Xia Xi nodded: "Grandma... passed away the day before yesterday morning."

Xia Yue blinked, tears streaming down her face as a surge of guilt and regret washed over her. How could this be? She would be released from prison in a few days, so why didn't her grandmother wait for her? She hadn't even seen her yet, hadn't even shown her some filial piety.

Why is it just a few days late? Just a few days.

Seeing her cry, Xia Xuan wanted to cry too, but she pursed her lips and held it back, comforting her: "Sister, you still have Youyou. When you come out, we can celebrate the New Year together as a family."

Xia Yue was so grief-stricken that she couldn't hear what she said. Even after the visiting hours ended, she still hadn't accepted the news of her grandmother's death.

Five years and four months, which are only a few words when read out, seem so long when converted into time, long enough for a babbling baby to learn to recite ancient poems, and long enough for a spirited old man to sleep in the ground.

A few days later, Xia Yue came out of prison. It was snowing heavily, as if someone was pulling cotton wool out of the gray clouds.

Large snowflakes fell on her head and shoulders. She reached out to catch them. A cluster of white snowflakes landed in her palms and took a long time to melt, leaving behind a pool of cold water that seemed to be able to wash away the dirt.

Xia Xi and Xia Xuan stood not far from her, watching her quietly without disturbing her. Having been reborn, her emotions must be complicated, so she needed to be given some time to calm down.

Xia Yue closed her eyes and lay on her back, with snowflakes hitting her face. She took a deep breath of the freezing air, which felt cold from her throat to her lungs, but she didn't feel cold. It was fresh, free air.

After a long time, Xia Yue turned her head and looked at her two sisters who were waiting for her. She smiled with tears in her eyes.

Xia Xi and Xia Xuan then walked forward, and Xia Yue held one in each hand.

Xia Xi said, "Mom and the kids are waiting for us at the hotel."