Chapter 78 Return
Jiang Yining's ears felt hot. Today, while visiting relatives, almost every elder held her hand and said:
"Ayan is not young anymore."
"Let's make a decision as soon as possible."
"While we old bones are still hale and hearty, we can lend a hand."
Xie Shiyan remained silent and smiled throughout, only offering her a cup of hot tea to ease her embarrassment when she was mortified.
"What did you say?" she asked softly.
Xie Shiyan didn't answer immediately. He led her to the French windows and pointed to a cluster of lights in the distance: "That's our old house."
Jiang Yining looked in the direction he pointed and saw only rows of office buildings with glass curtain walls. The little courtyard that used to be covered with wisteria, the rooftop where they used to count stars together on summer nights, and the camellia that Aunt Li planted—all of them had disappeared into the past.
"The year our house was demolished, my dad only took the compensation," Xie Shiyan said calmly. "He said, 'People can't live their lives forever clinging to the past.'"
"So," Xie Shiyan turned around, took a velvet box from the bedside table drawer, "my answer is—"
The moment the box was opened, Jiang Yining's breath caught in her throat. On the velvet lining, a diamond ring shimmered brilliantly under the light.
It wasn't an extravagantly large diamond, but a perfectly sized pear-shaped center diamond surrounded by tiny sapphires. "I'd wanted to give it to you eight years ago. I was thinking of getting engaged after graduation."
Xie Shiyan knelt on one knee, looking up into her eyes, "It's not too late to make up for it now, is it?"
Jiang Yining's tears finally broke free. She remembered all the grievances and confusion she had felt during her rebirth, and at this moment, they all had an answer.
"You...were prepared all along?" she asked, her voice choked with emotion.
Xie Shiyan gently wiped away her tears: "It's been with me ever since you burst into the private room and woke up." He paused, "Every day."
Jiang Yining stretched out her left hand and watched as the ring slowly slipped onto her ring finger, fitting perfectly as if it were meant to be there.
On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, the snow stopped and the sun came out, a rare occurrence. Jiang Yining, on a whim, grabbed Xie Shiyan's hand and said, "Come on, I'll take you somewhere."
The car drove through familiar streets and finally stopped at a small flower shop. It was still a flower shop; Jiang Yunting had bought it specifically after her sister returned, intending to rent it out to others as a flower shop.
The glass windows were sparkling clean, and inside, vibrant flowers of all colors still bloomed. However, the person busy behind the counter was no longer the girl with the same name who had once run the flower shop alone and given her a second life.
Instead, they were a young couple with warm smiles and perfect teamwork. They were talking quietly as they wrapped bouquets for their guests, and the air was filled with a simple yet touching atmosphere of affection.
Jiang Yining stood outside the shop, watching quietly through the glass, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Xie Shiyan seemed to sense her emotional turmoil, and his warm, large hand tightly enveloped hers.
He didn't ask any questions, but simply took her hand and pushed open the door of the flower shop. The clear sound of wind chimes rang out. The couple looked up, offering professional and friendly smiles.
"Welcome! What kind of flowers would you like?"
Xie Shiyan's gaze lingered in the store for a moment before finally settling on a bunch of vibrant pink roses, glistening with dew.
"This bouquet is fine." He paid for it, took the bouquet, but instead of handing it to Jiang Yining, he turned to the somewhat puzzled shop owner couple.
His voice was deep and solemn, his gaze seemingly piercing through the shop owner and landing on something deeper: "Thank you."
He paused, then spoke each word with perfect clarity, “Bring her back.”
The shop owners exchanged glances, clearly not understanding the abrupt thank you, but simply assumed the customer was in a good mood and smiled politely.
Jiang Yining understood instantly. A surge of emotion welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. He was thanking this place, thanking the girl who had passed away, and thanking all the causes and effects that had brought her back to his side.
The phrase "bring her back" wasn't addressed to the couple in front of him, but to the departed soul, and to this small flower shop that bears witness to the cycle of life and death.
She held back her tears, took a deep breath, stepped forward, and tightly took Xie Shiyan's arm, giving the shop owners a grateful smile with tears in her eyes.
Then, she took Xie Shiyan's hand and turned to leave the flower shop. The afternoon sun bathed the street, lengthening their intertwined shadows. Jiang Yining held the bouquet of pink roses, their rich fragrance lingering in the air.
“Let’s go,” her voice trembled slightly, yet carried an unprecedented lightness and strength, “Let’s go home.”
Behind her, the wind chimes of the flower shop swayed gently in the spring breeze, as if she could see the figure of a girl who looked exactly like her, saying a gentle farewell, or perhaps a blessing to her.
Winter has passed and spring has arrived, bringing another summer. On the campus of the School of Foreign Languages at S University, the phoenix flowers are in full bloom, their vibrant colors a blend of farewell and anticipation for the future.
Wearing her graduation gown, Jiang Yining stood before the familiar auditorium, sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting dappled patterns of light on her. In her second summer since her rebirth, she finally celebrated her own graduation ceremony.
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