0070 Returning Home (6)

During her second year of high school, He Lingling enjoyed a period of carefree life, relying on Chen Yixu, who was famous both inside and outside the school, for his constant support.

The students at No. 1 Middle School watched helplessly as this guy, who had been in and out of the police station several times, obediently followed behind a girl like a loyal dog, without uttering a sound, with a pink backpack on his back. They couldn't help but sigh.

Even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman, and Chen Yixu, a senior in high school, still fell for his girlfriend.

That was when their relationship was at its best, so good that He Lingling would pester him during her holidays because of the game they hadn't finished, and wanted to take him home.

It wasn't actually about that game that looked like the development company had gone out of business halfway through, with terrible page smoothness. It was just that when asked why he lived alone in D province without his parents around, the usually cool boy suddenly became as wilted as a deflated eggplant, stammering and hesitant.

He Lingling thought of Chen Yixu's detached villa in J City. In the bustling city center, there was an empty villa, and in that empty villa was a tiny person like him. Just thinking about it made her feel extremely pitiful.

On the playground, He Lingling complained about the insane difficulty of the final exam questions, and also about her parents having to go to work, making the holiday long and boring. Finally, she grabbed Chen Yixu's shoulders, who was sitting on the grass drinking water, and shook her vigorously: "Chen Yixu! Why don't you come home with me?"

She burst into laughter as she watched the boy who was so startled by her amazing move that he sprayed water.

I couldn't resist putting this poor big dog on the bus home, taking him to the small town for summer.

Later, he didn't ask why her mother only stayed at home to take care of her, but she said that her parents had to work during the holidays and she was bored at home because no one was home. He also didn't ask why she hadn't asked him to play the video games she had been talking about for so long during the long holiday.

Even the usually quick-witted him had to be slow to realize that she wasn't bored at all; she just wanted to take him home.

The memory of that time together was actually very distant, so distant that He Lingling herself had forgotten most of it. So when she saw the three people at the dining table getting along harmoniously with each other, she couldn't help but slap the table.

"Hey, when did you guys become so close?"

No one answered.

Lingling's mother continued to ask Wanqi Fuze with a kind smile if his work was going smoothly, while Lingling's father, who was usually serious, listened attentively with a relaxed expression.

Only one pair of hands reached out and placed a sweet and sour shrimp into Lingling's bowl.

She angrily stuffed it into her mouth.

Ugh, that's so sour.

Then he forcefully pushed a plate of shrimp in front of Wanqi Fuze.

Zhao Mei frowned and tapped He Lingling on the head: "You brat, what's wrong with you?"

As she spoke, she reached out and moved the shrimp away from Wanqi Fuze, "You forgot that Yixu doesn't eat seafood?"

He Lingling, annoyed that Zhao Mei had mispronounced Wan Qifuze's name again, corrected her impatiently: "Mom! His name isn't Chen Yixu anymore."

She didn't see Wanqi Fuze's face darken.

Zhao Mei: "Whatever your name is, you're still the same person, right?"

He Yundong, who had been silent until now, also hummed in response.

Wanqi Fuze said in a low voice, "It's alright."

He Lingling noticed that his voice sounded off, so she secretly glanced at him and saw that he hadn't touched much of the rice in his bowl and his complexion wasn't good either. Her heart sank.

Unlike at Songhan Residence, where he could summon his family doctor at any time, or at least have Zhiwen on call at all times, she was so busy enjoying her reunion with her parents that she momentarily forgot about his health.

She was never well-behaved at home, so she grabbed his hand to get up and said, "I'm not eating anymore, I'm taking him to bed." But then she noticed his hand was cold, and her heart tightened a little.

Even Wanqi Fuze, who was usually at ease in front of his elders, was caught off guard by her sudden action and found himself in a dilemma. He called out to her softly, "Lingling," but she turned her head and looked at him with a puzzled expression: "What are you standing there for?"

Zhao Mei: "How can you eat so little? You've been asking for the spare ribs, but you haven't touched them even twice!"

Wan Qifuze gave He's parents an apologetic smile, and He Yundong waved his hand to tell him not to mind. Zhao Mei was wondering what was going on and was about to say something when He Yundong stopped her.

He looked at his wife and said, "Alright, can't you see what your daughter is thinking?"

"Over the years, Yi Xu has devoted all her attention to her, and she has finally learned to care for others."

Zhao Mei was taken aback by her husband's words, and then looked at the backs of the two people who disappeared around the corner.

He Lingling brought Wan Qifuze into the guest room bedroom.

In recent years, with the development of the old city, He Lingling's family has also moved into a community. At least they are no longer in a situation where Wan Qifuze, an "outsider," has to sleep on the sofa, just like in high school.

The house has underfloor heating, so it's not too cold. This bedroom is usually unoccupied, so He Lingling first went to the closet to find bedding to make the bed for him.

He Lingling knelt on the bed and pulled at the bed sheet.

Her hair fell loosely behind her, shimmering softly in the dim light, enveloping her in a warm glow.

Wanqi Fuze felt as if a feather was tickling the tip of his heart.

A small room, a neatly arranged family, laughter and warm conversation—these elements fill the tiny space completely.

It's overflowing from my heart.

He later had plenty of time to think about why she was always gentle and kind, indifferent to money and power, and why she was always able to express love and treat people kindly.

Because in such a family, she can receive the best education about love, and she will always have confidence—

That was what this family gave her.

Seven years ago, she brought him, an outsider, into this home, making him a temporary member of this happy family, and then making him mistakenly believe that he could stay here forever.

Seven years later, he followed her to this warm place again.

He knew he would have to leave this place someday, and that day would come soon.

He once devoutly believed that this was his place of salvation.

So he wanted to say a proper goodbye to this place.

Before he lost his home for the second time, in a final burst of energy, he saw her turn around and face him with her beautiful face.

He felt as if he had returned to that blissful past.

P.S.: That's all for this chapter! Any comments, everyone?