Wanqiu's condition seems to have really improved a lot, at least on the surface.
The Chu family noticed that Wan Qiu seemed to be getting closer to Chu Yigui.
The relationship between the two children had always been delicate, but now they are inseparable, like twins who have been embracing each other since before they were born.
Although it may seem like Wan Qiu is the only one clinging to Chu Yigui, a closer look reveals that Chu Yigui basically waits for Wan Qiu to do whatever he wants.
Although we don't know exactly what happened to change the relationship between the two children, it doesn't seem like a bad thing so far.
"Sweetie, Chinese New Year is almost here." Yang Xiaoyu suddenly suggested at the dinner table without any warning, "How about Mommy takes you to see your grandparents?"
Wanqiu was eating when his chopsticks suddenly stopped on the rice, and he looked up.
He was momentarily unable to react to Yang Xiaoyu's words.
Grandpa and Grandma?
Wan Qiu's mind was filled with thoughts of Wan Xiaohua.
"I have grandparents?" Wan Qiu's eyes widened in surprise.
“Yes, of course we have them, otherwise how did you come to have a father?” Yang Xiaoyu couldn’t help but laugh. “Not only do we have grandparents, but also maternal grandparents. We have countless relatives in Wanqiu.”
Wanqiu always thought that suddenly having three more brothers was already quite remarkable, never imagining that he would have so many more relatives.
Wan Qiu lowered his head and continued picking at his rice bowl, but his mind had already wandered.
Grandparents, maternal grandparents.
The only person Wan Qiu could think of was Wan Xiaohua.
My grandmother, who was constantly troubled by mental illness, was always called a crazy woman by the villagers.
"If the baby doesn't want to see..." Although Yang Xiaoyu was making a suggestion, her tone wasn't very enthusiastic.
Or rather, her subtle attitude made Wan Qiu sense a trace of 'unhappiness'.
Wan Qiu quietly tightened her grip on her chopsticks, and asked hesitantly, "Can't we see him?"
“Of course, if you’d like, you can go tomorrow,” Yang Xiaoyu said.
Tomorrow...?
Wan Qiu hadn't expected it to arrive so quickly.
However, Yang Xiaoyu glanced at Chu Jianshu and said, "But baby, there's no need to have too high expectations. Relax."
Wan Qiu had no idea what was hidden in Yang Xiaoyu's words.
But he couldn't help but look forward to it.
Wanqiu has no memory of her grandparents.
It seems that none of the memories he recalled involved this.
What kind of person is he?
Wanqiu didn't ask, but she kept sketching out her grandparents' images in her mind.
His thoughts were more inclined towards the kind grandmother and stern grandfather in the cartoon.
It's chubby, with a kind smile on its face against a warm-toned animated background.
After finishing his meal, Wan Qiu habitually followed Chu Yigui to his side.
In his spare time, Chu Yigui would teach him some things.
Chu Yigui then re-taught Wan Qiu the courses that Wan Qiu had already learned from grades three to five.
With Jiang Chengfeng's teaching as a foundation, Wan Qiu was able to grasp these concepts much more quickly.
Their times were always intertwined.
While Chu Yigui was busy with her own things, Wan Qiu would play with some toys.
Wanqiu has a considerable number of toys, ranging from simple to complex.
Because she couldn't bear to let her toys gather dust, Wanqiu started playing with them one by one.
Chu Yigui specially set aside a large space in his private space, such as his room and study, specifically for storing Wan Qiu's belongings.
A large pile of jigsaw puzzles lay in front of Wan Qiu. These weren't toys given to him by the Chu family, but rather gifts from Huang Hu for his last birthday.
Wanqiu has been working hard for a long time.
Unfortunately, progress has been very slow.
Now, not a single piece has been successfully assembled.
Much later, Wan Qiu finally asked, "What were Grandpa and Grandma like?"
"Grandpa and Grandma," Chu Yigui paused, turning to Wan Qiu as she did her homework, "are rather serious people."
Wan Qiu sat on the blanket, looking up at Chu Yigui, feeling lost.
"You'll see tomorrow, it's nothing. If you don't know what to do, just stand by my side," Chu Yigui said.
Wan Qiu nodded.
He lowered his head again and went to play with the puzzle.
However, as they continued fighting, their movements stopped.
Wan Qiu raised his head to look at Chu Yigui.
He vaguely sensed that Chu Yigui had changed.
Something is different.
Wan Qiu seemed to be beginning to vaguely sense Chu Yigui's emotions.
Chu Yigui was like a pool of stagnant, dark water surrounded by mud, which Wan Qiu had always been unable to approach, yet it was as if he had stepped on plants growing vigorously in the mud and touched the cold, stagnant water.
The touch of fingers on the water's surface created ripples.
Even if it's only such a shallow surface layer.
Yet it seemed as if one could see that the dark water actually possessed a clarity that could not be reached in the distant depths.
For Wanqiu, seeing his relatives was a joyous occasion.
However, Chu Yigui's behavior was not like that.
Chu Yigui's current demeanor is calm, as if he is just talking about ordinary things.
But in reality, he was so indifferent that he didn't seem to care about his grandparents at all.
Through Chu Yigui, Wan Qiu began to vaguely develop some subtle, first-level sensory feelings towards her grandparents.
Wanqiu sent a message to Zhou Peiyu, wanting to ask what kind of people his grandparents were.
Once Zhou Peiyu received a message from Wan Qiu, he would reply as quickly as if he were standing right next to his phone.
Zhou Peiyu: My grandparents are so good to me. Every time I go to their house, I get a lot of pocket money!
Zhou Peiyu: But my grandparents are also very talkative, and they nag me for a long time every time I visit.
Nagging? Wan Qiu tilted his head.
Zhou Peiyu: But your grandparents wouldn't be like that, I don't know what grandparents in wealthy families are like.
Wanqiu sent a message: What can I do to make Grandpa and Grandma happy?
Zhou Peiyu: They are happy as long as I call them grandpa and grandma a few more times, and they are also happy to eat more of their food.
Zhou Peiyu: They like me, and they are happy with whatever I do.
Zhou Peiyu: If you really don't know, ask your parents?
Wan Qiu was stunned when he saw it, and then glanced at the time.
Mom and Dad probably haven't gone to sleep yet at this time, right?
"Don't worry too much, brother." Just as Wan Qiu was thinking of asking Chu Jianshu and Yang Xiaoyu, Chu Yigui's voice came from beside him, "You don't need to do anything special, just go back and take a look."
Wan Qiu hesitated before opening his mouth, but in the end he only hummed in response.
Chu Yigui didn't say anything more, and Wan Qiu just kept his head down and put together the jigsaw puzzle.
In the quiet room, the only sounds were the turning of pages, the scribbling of pens, and the soft breathing of the two boys.
Before going to sleep, in the quiet bedroom, Wanqiu thought about the New Year celebrations of the past.
Although Ning Qiaozhen and Ning Hai don't really celebrate the New Year, their grandmother still does.
When Grandma was lucid, she would get up earlier than usual on the day of the Lunar New Year according to the old-fashioned calendar.
They pulled Wanqiu out of her warm bed, dressed her, and together they went out to the market in the pitch-black night.
The market was far away, and Grandma had difficulty walking. Wanqiu was also very young at the time, so they had to leave early.
The sky was just beginning to lighten, and the blue-green world was still covered in ice and snow. He and his grandmother walked together by the roadside.
Wan Qiu remembers that the weather was cold, and every breath he took would exhale white mist.
Because I was wearing my grandma's big cotton-padded coat, which covered my ankles and was very heavy, and because I was walking around, I wasn't too cold.
By the time they arrived at the market, it was already broad daylight.
The market in winter looks especially warm.
Thick white steam rose from many breakfast stalls, looking incredibly warm.
Wanqiu really enjoys going to the market.
Grandma rarely comes to the market, and Wanqiu herself doesn't come either.
But whenever he came here, his grandma would buy him a hot meat bun. When he was very hungry in the morning, that meat bun felt like the most delicious meat bun in the world.
Wanqiu didn't know exactly how much money her grandmother had, but it was probably not much.
Wanqiu always wraps her wallet in a clean cloth and puts it in her pocket, a habit she learned from her grandmother.
Grandma would buy some couplets, some meat, some candy, and even some firecrackers.
Wanqiu would put up couplets with her grandmother, help her grandmother cook, and then put candy on the table.
Wanqiu will light the cannon.
The loud crackling sounds blew away the cold, and the room became warm and cozy.
Everyone in the village was in high spirits, and many relatives who were not usually seen returned to the village. Wanqiu saw all sorts of unfamiliar people.
At this time, Wanqiu would always receive a lot of candy and snacks from strangers. Whenever he went to pay New Year's visits, Wanqiu would always get something.
Wanqiu would store all the candies she had happily collected during the Lunar New Year in a small box.
Even after the Lunar New Year, Wanqiu can still have a long time to think about having candy to eat.
Wan Qiu pursed her lips.
I can almost still recall the sweet taste of those candies in my mouth.
That period was an extremely happy and blissful time for Wanqiu.
Wan Qiu didn't know when the New Year was, and he couldn't read a calendar very well.
But I heard from Butler Bai that tonight is New Year's Eve.
Wanqiu looked around the house in bewilderment. There were no candies on the table, no paper-cut window decorations, but Wanqiu noticed that Butler Bai had brought out couplets.
Wan Qiu immediately followed, and Butler Bai helped Wan Qiu put on a coat after seeing this.
"Would Wanqiu like to put up the couplets with me?" Butler Bai asked.
Wan Qiu nodded.
"Young Master, could you help me check if I pasted it correctly?" Butler Bai smiled and accepted Wan Qiu's help.
“It’s crooked… to the left, a little bit lower, um…” Wan Qiu stood not far away watching Butler Bai put up the couplets.
Wanqiu noticed that it seemed like everyone was absent today.
After so much time, Wanqiu realized that not all the people at home were his relatives.
Neither is Butler Bai.
But Butler Bai is like his family.
"Will you spend the New Year here?" Wan Qiu asked.
"I'll be on holiday this afternoon, and Wanqiu will be going to her grandparents' house with her parents," Butler Bai said gently to Wanqiu.
"Grandpa and Grandma." Wan Qiu was now filled with curiosity about these two unfamiliar people.
Butler Bai's expression was somewhat subtle as he stood in front of Wan Qiu.
He wasn't wearing a coat, probably because he was putting up couplets; the simple butler's uniform looked particularly thin on him.
Butler Bai wanted to say something, but Wan Qiu pulled him into the house by the sleeve.
After the door closed, the warmth of the room enveloped Butler Bai, who showed a hint of relief in his expression.
"Our Wanqiu is becoming more and more considerate." Butler Bai said to Wanqiu with a hint of doting affection. "Wanqiu, have you been having a good time at home lately?"
Wan Qiu nodded.
"Mom and Dad love each other very much, don't they?" Butler Bai asked.
Wan Qiu replied, "Yes."
Butler Bai noticed that no one was around, and reached out to ruffle Wanqiu's hair, which was clearly not a gesture a butler should make.
"Everyone in Wanqiu's family is full of love." Butler Bai smiled at Wanqiu. "Wanqiu can believe that whether it is her father, mother, brothers, or younger brothers, they all love you. You don't need to think about anyone else."
Wan Qiu had no idea what Butler Bai wanted to say.
But in the end, he simply nodded, as if agreeing with the statement.
This was the first time Wanqiu had gone out together with everyone.
When Wan Qiu sat in the back seat of the car, Yang Xiaoyu was sitting next to him, while Chu Yigui was sitting in the passenger seat.
Chu Jianshu and Yang Ze were in another car.
Wanqiu knew that they were going to her grandparents' house.
But Chu Zhang wasn't there.
The singing echoed in the car; it was the singer whose voice sounded very similar to Chu Zhang's.
Sometimes Wanqiu wonders if his older brother is actually this singer?
Wan Qiu didn't dwell on this issue too much; to Wan Qiu, celebrities were like real stars—unattainable and out of reach.
Looking out the car window, Wan Qiu saw vendors selling bright red items all around. Even though the city didn't seem to have as much red as the countryside, he could still feel the festive atmosphere of the New Year.
"Honey, what are your wishes for the new year?" Yang Xiaoyu tried to communicate with Wan Qiu, secretly probing Wan Qiu's thoughts.
Wan Qiu shook his head.
"Isn't there anything you want at all?" Yang Xiaoyu asked, unwilling to give up.
Wanqiu could tell that his mother really wanted him to answer something.
But Wanqiu really couldn't think of anything he wanted.
"I have everything, Mom."
For Wanqiu, there has never been more than now, and he dares not even think about what he could have more of.
Yang Xiaoyu sighed deeply: "Our darling really has no desires at all. As a child of the Chu family, you have to learn to be greedy."
Wan Qiu thought for a moment.
How can he become greedy?
However, Chu Yigui said, "Brother, what Mom means is that you can have some things you want to do."
Things I want to do.
Wan Qiu thought about it carefully.
She glanced at Yang Xiaoyu, who was looking on expectantly.
If it's something he really wants to do...
"I hope my family can earn a lot of money," Wan Qiu said earnestly.
There was a brief silence in the car, then Yang Xiaoyu suddenly burst into laughter.
Wan Qiu was suddenly hugged tightly by Yang Xiaoyu: "Oh, yes, yes, Mom will work hard to earn money to take good care of our baby."
Yang Xiaoyu's expression gradually became somewhat subtle as she rubbed Wanqiu's skin.
The fact that she could guess Wanqiu's thoughts was the best wish he could have imagined.
"Since you don't have any wishes, can Mommy make one?" Yang Xiaoyu pinched Wan Qiu's cheeks, which now looked rosy and healthy. "And then, baby, help Mommy fulfill this wish?"
Wan Qiu nodded. He was willing to do anything his parents wanted to do.
Yang Xiaoyu gently pressed down on Wanqiu's hair and said, "Mom hopes that my baby can rely on Mom a little more."
Yang Xiaoyu saw confusion in Wan Qiu's beautiful, clear eyes.
Yang Xiaoyu guessed that Wan Qiu probably hadn't even noticed the changes in her.
However, Yang Xiaoyu, who had been watching Wanqiu closely, clearly felt the rapid changes Wanqiu had undergone in the past six months.
And Wanqiu's attitude suddenly changed after his last fever.
When she first arrived at the Chu family, the child was completely dependent on her, but now he seems to be distancing himself from her.
Yang Xiaoyu also knew that this was a process of a child growing up. Even though Wan Qiu was not old, he was already fifteen years old.
Yang Xiaoyu was just a little unwilling.
Wan Xiaohua and Ning Qiaozhen monopolized the days when Wan Qiu relied most on her parents, but as a mother, she hadn't enjoyed Wan Qiu's dependence for very long before Wan Qiu began to become independent.
If Wanqiu were even slightly spoiled, Yang Xiaoyu would have even more ways to pamper him.
But things didn't go as planned; the child was so well-behaved that it broke your heart.
Wan Qiu didn't quite understand what Yang Xiaoyu was saying, but instinctively, she said to Yang Xiaoyu, "Mom, I love you."
In that instant, Yang Xiaoyu completely forgot about any resentment she might have felt.
"Huh? What? Why are you suddenly saying this?" Yang Xiaoyu asked deliberately, wanting to hear Wan Qiu say something nice.
Wan Qiu tilted his head: "Because, I love you?"
Wan Qiu felt that this was a matter of course.
Wanqiu should have said the same thing to his mother when she told him she loved him.
He will tell his family far more than he can remember about the past, that he loves them.
"Honey, what you're saying is really true. I should have turned on the recording." Yang Xiaoyu looked away and fiddled with her phone, seemingly wanting to actually turn on the recording.
However, after several attempts, I always found that other functions were enabled, and I still couldn't find where the recording was located.
Yang Xiaoyu's cheeks felt a little hot.
She never imagined that being confessed to by her own child would be so embarrassing.
Of her children, Wanqiu had the shortest contact with him, yet she was the first to tell him she loved him.
Although it wasn't a particularly memorable day, Yang Xiaoyu felt that today would be an unforgettable day for her for a long time to come.
"Mom loves you too." Yang Xiaoyu finally put down her phone and gave up recording. Perhaps sometimes it's enough to just keep it in your memory.
Wan Qiu saw the joy emanating from Yang Xiaoyu, which was as beautiful as the white snowflakes.
Wanqiu was bewildered.
Is saying 'I love you' such a happy thing?
Wan Qiu leaned forward, shifting his position to make himself visible to Chu Yigui: "Little brother, I love you."
Chu Yigui smiled: "I love my brother too."
Yang Xiaoyu watched from the side, a warm feeling washing over her heart.
Watching her children express their love for each other in a harmonious way filled her with joy as a mother.
Since Wanqiu came into my life, I've come to understand more and more how important it is to teach children to love freedom and to love someone.
Chu Jianshu's condition has been getting better and better lately.
Yang Xiaoyu's expression was somewhat subtle.
Is she...?
We also need to have a serious talk with Yang Ze.
That child I've always blamed and ignored.
Yang Xiaoyu wanted to reconcile, but hesitated because of her half-hearted attitude.
Suddenly, Yang Xiaoyu heard Chu Yigui's voice: "Brother, do you want to send a voice message so that Dad and brother know too?"
Yang Xiaoyu immediately perked up her ears.
"Hmm..." Wan Qiu lowered his head and fiddled with his phone, typing a sentence into the voice chat: "Dad, eldest brother, second brother, I love you."
Yang Xiaoyu: "..." Why didn't she record that?!
Chu Jianshu opened the message after receiving a notification sound in the family group chat.
It was a voice message from Wanqiu.
After clicking, Wan Qiu's voice appeared on both Chu Jianshu's and Yang Ze's phones.
Chu Jianshu unconsciously curled the corners of his mouth slightly, and his cold and hard expression melted away.
There are changes in the autumn.
After realizing that there was no love in their past life, Chu Jianshu could naturally sense Wan Qiu's estrangement from them.
This alienation is not out of fear, but rather a more peculiar secret they are unaware of.
But Wanqiu is still Wanqiu.
A child who will fall in love with their family.
Chu Jianshu turned his head to look at Yang Ze, who was sitting on the other side. Yang Ze's expression was still stiff, and when he got nervous, his face became so serious that it was almost too fierce.
He looked very nervous.
Chu Jianshu said, "Yang Ze, when you get to your grandparents' place, try to talk to them as much as possible."
Yang turned his head to the side and said, "I know, Dad."
“If they do something to Wanqiu… remember to keep an eye on things,” Chu Jianshu said.
"I know," Yang Ze said, his expression returning to calm.
——
When Wanqiu arrived in this unfamiliar place, she realized that it was not as big as her parents' house.
It's one of the houses in a small villa complex, but the surrounding amenities are excellent.
Wanqiu saw the hospital, the school, and also passed by the bustling commercial street.
When Wan Qiu got out of the car, there was no snow on the ground. All the snow had been swept clean and was even piled up neatly on the side.
Chu Jianshu rang the doorbell, and soon a slightly aged female voice came through: "Who is it?"
“Mom, it’s me,” Chu Jianshu replied immediately.
"Come in." The door opened automatically.
Wan Qiu followed Chu Jianshu into the small villa.
Wan Qiu looked around at the clean courtyard, some green coniferous trees, and the neat little garden.
A clean villa with an iron gate.
The door was opened.
Wan Qiu saw an old woman standing at the door.
Wan Qiu looked at the old man.
Is this Grandma?
"Mom, Happy New Year." Chu Jianshu said to the old woman, still with that cold expression, but when he thought that Wan Qiu was watching them, he smiled and gave the old woman a more affectionate hug, "Your son has come to see you."
The old woman was clearly surprised and gently hugged Chu Jianshu, saying, "Come in, it's cold outside. Your father is waiting for you inside."
The gate shut out the winter chill, and the maid who hadn't gone home for the New Year at the old woman's house handed out slippers to everyone.
"Mom, it's been a long time," Yang Xiaoyu said to the old woman.
"Yes." The old woman nodded.
"Grandma," Yang Ze called out.
"Hello, Grandma." Chu Yigui bowed respectfully.
Wanqiu hesitated, wanting to call her grandma, but she was very uneasy before getting permission.
"Wanqiu, come here." Chu Jianshu called to Wanqiu.
Wan Qiu released his hand that had been gripping Chu Yigui's sleeve. Before they parted, Chu Yigui gently squeezed Wan Qiu's wrist, as if to comfort him.
Chu Jianshu put one arm around Wan Qiu's shoulder, half-embracing her in his arms, adopting a protective posture: "Mom, this is Wan Qiu, I told you about her on the phone. Wan Qiu, call her Grandma."
Wanqiu called out obediently, "Grandma."
"Hmm." Grandma Chu didn't seem very enthusiastic. She looked at Wan Qiu and said, "You're so thin. You look like you're about to collapse. You need to eat more."
Wan Qiu looked at Grandma Chu, and although his words were meant to express concern, he didn't see any joy in her.
It's because seeing him made me unhappy.
"Come in quickly."
Wan Qiu felt a slight surge of joy when she saw Grandma Chu greeting Yang Ze and Chu Yigui.
In the vast expanse of autumn, it seemed as if the difference was being perceived.
Wanqiu knows.
This means you don't like it.
Chu Jianshu did not let go of Wan Qiu's shoulders, but instead led Wan Qiu to the other side.
Wan Qiu unconsciously turned to look at Chu Yigui, and Chu Yigui also looked at Wan Qiu. Their eyes met, as if conveying something.
There were other people in the living room, and they were all making a lot of noise and talking about this.
Grandma Chu instructed the maid to pour water for everyone, then sat down on the sofa. The television was on in the room, its cheerful sound filling the air.
Grandma Chu looked up and asked, "Is Chu Zhang not coming this year either?"
Yang Xiaoyu said, "Chu Zhang is still very busy today, with many activities planned for the New Year."
Grandma Chu didn't say anything, just said calmly, without any sarcasm, "So you're willing to come this year."
Yang Xiaoyu didn't respond: "This year, everyone who came back for the Spring Festival is quite complete, so Jianshu can have a good chat with everyone."
Grandma Chu replied coolly, "What are you talking about? You brought back a... child, and the conversation is all about the child, isn't it?"
Yang Xiaoyu frowned, but said nothing.
Grandma Chu looked at Yang Ze, her expression softening slightly: "Go and say hello to your grandfather. He's been looking forward to your return."
"I'll go in a bit," Yang said, though his expression was blank, his tone was at least friendly. "I need to spend some time with Grandma first."
Grandma Chu finally smiled, and no longer seemed so stingy.
Chu Yigui sat quietly in her seat. Although her gaze was not looking anywhere, she seemed to blend perfectly into the environment, neither attracting attention nor being ignored.
Wan Qiu followed behind Chu Jianshu as they walked through this unfamiliar home.
Just like my own home, this place is a brand new and beautiful space.
It was completely different from the house Wanqiu remembered from her grandmother's house. The dust, dampness, and smell of stove ash from the past only existed in her memory.
When Wanqiu entered a room filled with books, his first impression was the strong aroma of tea.
At the large tea table, I saw two or three elderly people drinking tea.
"Jianshu, you're back! Where's Aze?" One of the old men smiled happily when he saw Chu Jianshu.
However, Chu Jianshu said to the other party, "Aze will come up and greet Dad in a little while. Dad, I brought Wanqiu to see you. Wanqiu, call him Grandpa."
“Grandpa,” Wan Qiu said, her eyes observing Grandpa Chu.
I wasn't unhappy, and I was somewhat happy, but it wasn't because of him.
"Wanqiu, come here," Grandpa Chu said to Wanqiu.
Wan Qiu instinctively wanted to obey Grandpa Chu's words, but Chu Jianshu's actions somewhat hindered him.
Wan Qiu subconsciously wanted to look up and ask Chu Jianshu for his opinion, but Chu Jianshu nudged him slightly.
This gesture signifies agreement; Wanqiu moved closer to Grandpa Chu.
"This child has eyes like Yang Xiaoyu and a nose like yours." Grandpa Chu looked Wan Qiu up and down and asked Chu Jianshu, "This child is about fourteen or fifteen years old this year, right?"
“Yes, Dad, I’m already fifteen,” Chu Jianshu replied.
"He looks so thin and unhealthy. You all need to help him get some nutrition. He's already fifteen. If he doesn't grow any taller, he'll be too short."
"He's too short, he'll definitely have a hard time finding a wife in the future," someone nearby remarked.
"Is this child not very talkative? He doesn't seem to know how to handle things. His temperament is a bit like Yang Ze's. Yang Ze himself is also not a talkative person."
Wan Qiu stood among the group, listening to all the topics surrounding him.
But Wanqiu didn't feel like he was standing there.
Like a goldfish in a round water tank, looking at the world outside the tank, blurry and exaggerated.
Grandpa Chu gave Wan Qiu a push: "Alright, let that brat Yang Ze come see me. He finally comes all this way, isn't he in a hurry to see his grandpa?"
"Okay, Dad." Chu Jianshu put his arm around Wan Qiu's shoulder and led him away.
On the deserted staircase, Chu Jianshu said to Wan Qiu, "Wan Qiu."
Wan Qiu looked up at Chu Jianshu.
"No matter what your grandparents say, just listen and let it go." Chu Jianshu sighed and ruffled Wan Qiu's hair. "Don't overthink it."
Wan Qiu vaguely realized that perhaps Grandpa Chu and Grandma Chu did not like his attitude.
Even though he didn't feel anything.
Wan Qiu returned to Chu Yigui's side, and Chu Yigui turned his head to observe Wan Qiu.
He grasped Wanqiu's hand.
The two boys sat quietly on the sofa, even occupying a smaller space, huddled together.
In the warm indoor space, it seems that only the other person is the warmest.
Actually, the atmosphere during the Spring Festival was quite noisy.
Because there are many people.
We ate together, drank together, and chatted together.
The incessant chatter never stopped.
Chu Yigui was always by Wanqiu's side, and so was Wanqiu.
Wan Qiu observed Grandpa Chu and Grandma Chu; these were elderly people completely different from those he remembered.
They are very energetic.
They didn't have hunched backs or calloused hands. Even though they were all old, their eyes were clear and their teeth were beautiful.
Everyone seemed to enjoy talking to the grandparents.
However, Wanqiu's interaction with his grandparents was limited to a brief greeting when he entered the door.
Wanqiu and Chu Yigui went to wash their hands together. It was Wanqiu's habit to wash her hands before eating and to wash her hands and wipe her mouth after eating.
In the spacious bathroom, Chu Yigui tilted her head and looked at Wan Qiu in the mirror.
"Little brother, don't Grandpa and Grandma like me?" Wan Qiu wiped the water droplets off his hands with a tissue, folded it neatly, and threw it into the trash can full of crumpled paper balls.
"Mm," Chu Yigui replied.
Oh, I see.
Wanqiu has nothing to be disappointed about.
He longed for his grandparents, but not for their love.
Instead, they look forward to their existence.
"Do Grandpa and Grandma like your little brother?" Wan Qiu asked.
"I don't like it." Chu Yigui was well aware of the neglect shown to him by the elderly couple who valued blood ties.
"Do you like your grandparents?" However, Wan Qiu asked a different question.
Chu Yigui did not answer.
In the quiet, brightly lit space, Wan Qiu still couldn't find a clear answer to the question from Chu Yigui.
"I heard he's an idiot. I thought he'd be like the other idiots I've seen, with crooked mouths and eyes or twisted limbs. He seemed pretty normal just now?"
"Didn't you see he wasn't saying anything? It seems like he has psychological problems."
"Chu Jianshu is really pitiful. His most outstanding son is his adopted son. His lost son came back and turned into a fool. In my opinion, he just has too much money. I think his luck has run out. He might go downhill from here."
Chu Yigui looked towards the outside of the bathroom. Although their voices were not loud, they were heard because of the close proximity.
Wan Qiu heard it too.
Wan Qiu opened the door and joined Chu Yigui.
The group of people were startled, and their faces showed embarrassment when they looked over.
Wanqiu, however, did not react to these words that carried a faint malice. Even though he understood malice, he did not feel the same malice towards it.
Among the memories of scavenging for trash, countless memories, which were once considered malicious, came back to their rightful place, allowing Wan Qiu to understand the kind of environment he was in.
But I also know...
Even if the malice in someone's words is obvious, if they come from a stranger, there's no need to pay attention to them.
He won't pick up one less bottle because of this, nor will he lose money, nor will he lose his good days.
only……
Why would you say something like that?
Why spread malice towards others?
"Why do you say that?" Wan Qiu looked up at these people who were taller and more mature than him. "Why do you say these things?"
Wanqiu wanted to understand the birth of malice.
If one understands enough, one might be able to understand why those words deep in memory only left behind a strong, dark anger.
"Uh, it was just a casual remark, no malice intended." The group felt a little embarrassed and changed the subject.
Wan Qiu stood there, watching the group leave.
They didn't look him in the eye again until they left.
He received no answers.
"Were your words just now meant no harm?" Wan Qiu asked, turning around to look at Chu Yigui, who had remained silent the whole time, not understanding.
“Yes,” Chu Yigui replied, “malice can arise, but it will not be acknowledged.”
"What if you admit it?" Wan Qiu continued to press.
"That must be extreme disgust."
Wan Qiu looked up at Chu Yigui, a handsome and beautiful, outstanding younger brother.
"I don't hate you." Wan Qiu was very certain, and no matter how many times he said it, he would get the same answer: "Not at all."
"Yes," Chu Yigui replied, "I know."
"Don't pay attention to them." Wan Qiu looked up and tugged at Chu Yigui's clothes.
"I don't care, and neither does my brother. Don't worry about it." Chu Yigui remained calm throughout.
"Mm." Wan Qiu nodded.
Wan Qiu loosened Chu Yigui's clothes and took Chu Yigui's hand.
Chu Yigui tightened his grip, enveloping Wan Qiu's fingers in his palm.
"Are you going back already?" Grandpa Chu and Grandma Chu stood at the door and said to Chu Jianshu's family, who were about to leave, "You can stay here tonight."
"No need," Chu Jianshu said. "I have other plans for tonight."
"Really? Then be careful on your way home tonight." Grandma Chu said calmly without asking any further questions.
Wanqiu watched his family say goodbye, but Grandpa Chu and Grandma Chu's gaze never lingered on them.
It will probably take a long time to get back.
But they still left.
Yang Xiaoyu let out a deep breath, her complexion finally looking better.
It's not that I didn't hear those sneering voices here.
The reason I brought Wanqiu back was simply because Wanqiu wanted to come back.
They were willing to fulfill all of Wanqiu's expectations.
But now it seems better not to have replied at all.
The driver had already left as usual, driving away in one vehicle.
So they came in two cars.
Yang took the initiative to get into the driver's seat, while Chu Jianshu sat in the passenger seat.
It was getting late, so Yang drove slowly, and the atmosphere inside the car was too quiet.
Yang Xiaoyu
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