Before long, we arrived at the front door of the house I remembered.
Two round copper rings, each about the size of a bowl, were on the door, with an iron lock in the middle, securing the two mottled wooden doors.
This used to be her home, but now it belongs to Qi Fangfang; it's no longer her home.
Looking back now, how ridiculous and foolish she was!
This house was left to her by her parents, but because of her guilt, she was unwilling to come here, leaving her parents' memorial tablets all alone.
Since the house was transferred to my husband's younger sister, given the cold-heartedness of her family, perhaps even my parents' memorial tablets have disappeared. The house has changed names, and the things my parents left behind now belong to someone else.
She lost so many precious things because of her weakness and cowardice—how ridiculous and pathetic! This is her punishment, and she doesn't deserve anyone's sympathy. Besides, she's all alone now, and no one will sympathize with her.
He Tiantian pushed hard on the dilapidated wooden door, and the two doors seemed unable to withstand the external force any longer, collapsing into the yard.
Qi Fangfang was transferred to Huai City ten years ago, and this courtyard in Nanshi has been empty ever since. No one has lived here for a long time, and the courtyard is overgrown with weeds. An old persimmon tree has been neglected, but it still produces many palm-sized green persimmons.
He Tiantian looked around inside and out; the furnishings were completely unrecognizable and dilapidated. She walked to the persimmon tree, picked a green persimmon, wiped it with her hand, took a bite, and the sour taste filled her mouth.
Although it was hard to swallow, the sour taste helped clear her mind and make her thinking more focused.
Just then, they faintly heard footsteps approaching.
For some reason, He Tiantian instinctively hid behind the persimmon tree, holding her breath. At this moment, she didn't want to see anyone.
"Chairman, this place is messy and dirty, you should go back!" a middle-aged man said humbly, turning slightly to persuade the middle-aged man who was walking forward.
"This is my home. No matter how messy it is, it's still my home." The man's voice was soft, but it revealed a gentle yet stubborn tone.
He Tiantian's body stiffened slightly. She would remember that voice for the rest of her life. Although it bore the marks of time, the clear and melodious voice remained unchanged.
It's him! Huo Yingjie!
At this moment, He Tiantian felt a mix of emotions, a blend of sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, and salty.
Just as He Tiantian was lost in thought, a persimmon tree branch half a meter above her head twitched a few times, and someone from next door reached out and picked a green persimmon.
"Chairman, these persimmons aren't ripe..." someone reminded him. Even ripe persimmons shouldn't be eaten in large quantities, let alone unripe ones, which taste terrible.
Huo Yingjie didn't answer, but seemed to be muttering to himself, "Astringent persimmons are the most refreshing..."
These words acted like a key, unlocking the floodgates of He Tiantian's memory.
"Brother Yingjie, I keep dozing off in class, what should I do?" A little girl with a round face and pigtails tilted her head and asked her all-knowing brother next door. She had to find a solution; if the teacher caught her dozing off again, her parents would be called. She was a good girl; how could she tolerate making a mistake and having her parents called?
"Idiot, astringent persimmons are the best for waking you up. Take one with you tomorrow. If you get sleepy, take a bite and you definitely won't be sleepy anymore." Huo Yingjie, who was already a handsome young man, said with a sly smile, suggesting an unreliable idea.
He originally intended to tease the little girl, but He Tiantian took it seriously.
He Tiantian ate the sour persimmons and did not fall asleep, but she was still caught eating in class by the teacher and could not escape the fate of having her parents called in.
However, the naive He Tiantian still thought that Brother Yingjie was very clever to come up with such a good method.
Although her parents were still called in, it was because she was careless. Next time she eats, she will be more careful and won't get caught.
Astringent persimmons! This was a secret between the two of them.
He remembers!
She remembers too!
A voice inside her clamored for He Tiantian to meet that person. But the image of her reflection in the dressing mirror that morning flashed through her mind, and she hesitated.
She left this place at the age of fifteen to become one of the educated youth sent to the countryside. At that time, she was like a young girl in the bud, with fair skin, bright eyes, a graceful figure, and a light, beautiful, and healthy appearance.
But now, her hair has turned white, her skin is sagging, her eyes are no longer clear, and her figure has become overweight and out of shape.
She didn't have the courage to move on. Her life was already like this; let her remain in his most cherished memories.
The footsteps by the wall next door grew fainter and fainter; Huo Yingjie had left.
He Tiantian didn't want to come out to see Huo Yingjie, but she wanted to see him one more time, just one more time, even if it was just to see his back. She poked half her head out, waiting for him to pass by the gate.
As if sensing something, Huo Yingjie turned his head and looked at the old persimmon tree.
Under the persimmon tree, there is only weeds; the pretty girl who used to grin and make faces while eating persimmons is no longer there.
He Tiantian pulled her head back before Huo Yingjie could look in her direction.
Huo Yingjie turned his head and continued walking forward.
The assistant noticed that the chairman's steps were unsteady, and his straight back had hunched slightly. Perhaps... perhaps the chairman was thinking of someone!
When He Tiantian peeked out again, she only saw Huo Yingjie's back. Although it was just a glimpse of his back, it was enough for He Tiantian.
Just then, He Tiantian suddenly felt a pain and numbness in her ankle, as if she had been bitten by something. She looked down.
A small, silvery-white snake, about the length of a chopstick, bit He Tiantian's ankle. It was summer, and He Tiantian was wearing a loose dress. Although she was wearing stockings, they couldn't hide the snake's two sharp teeth.
Just as He Tiantian lifted her foot to shake off the little red snake, she suddenly found her body going weak. She had no strength to lift her foot and could no longer stand up. Her body felt like it had no bones and collapsed to the ground.
Although her strength was gradually fading, He Tiantian could no longer shout or call for help. The fear of death enveloped her heart, but when her eyes fell on the stone table not far from the persimmon tree, she was no longer afraid.
She and her parents used to often eat at the stone table by the persimmon tree. This courtyard holds too many memories for her, her parents, and Huo Yingjie.
Knowing the truth on the verge of death is more satisfying than dying peacefully in lies; before she dies, she can take one last look at the person she can only see in her dreams in her own yard, and she will have no regrets.
He Tiantian's eyes grew increasingly heavy, and she gradually lost consciousness.
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