Shen Yanshan finally felt relieved after learning that Shen Zhi Qiu had left Nancheng.
At Old Master Gu's funeral, he originally wanted to have a private chat with Shen Zhi Qiu, but Shen Zhi Qiu completely ignored him. His messages to Shen Zhi Qiu went unanswered.
So when he learned that Shen Zhi Qiu had left, he felt relieved. He figured that since Shen Zhi Qiu hadn't said anything yet, as long as he didn't provoke her, everything should be fine.
With this in mind, Shen Yanshan drove to Haihua Apartment with peace of mind.
As evening fell in the capital, the sky cast a soft, orange-yellow glow, draping the bustling metropolis in a warm cloak.
Rong Mo pushed open the door, and a familiar and warm atmosphere rushed towards him. He took off his shoes, and suddenly noticed that Shen Zhi Qiu's suitcase was placed in the entryway. He frowned in confusion.
Hearing children's laughter coming from inside, he walked into the living room and saw Shen Zhi Qiu sitting on the sofa, holding Nian Nian with a smile on her face. The moment she saw Rong Mo, she stood up and walked towards him, teasing Nian Nian as she went, "Nian Nian, look who's back! It's your uncle! Uncle's back, did you miss him?"
Rong Mo took Niannian from Shen Zhi Qiu's hands, held her in his arms, and said with a hint of reproach, "Didn't you say you'd come back tomorrow and I'd pick you up? Wei Qiao is getting better and better at handling things; he didn't even tell me." His tone revealed a trace of dissatisfaction and reproach, but more than that, it was full of doting and concern.
Shen Zhi Qiu smiled gently and explained, "Brother, I told Wei Qiao not to tell you. I knew you would definitely come to see the children, and I wanted to give you a surprise."
Rong Mo looked at her, and the blame in his heart instantly vanished. He gently patted Shen Zhi Qiu's shoulder, "Alright, you win. But next time, remember to tell me in advance so I can pick you up." There was a hint of helplessness in his tone.
"It's alright." Shen Zhi Qiu pursed her lips. "I was mainly worried about Mom being alone. Things happened so suddenly, anyone would be overwhelmed."
Shen Zhi Qiu's words trembled slightly, and Rong Mo frowned and sighed deeply upon hearing them.
Just then, Niannian seemed to sense the subtle change in the atmosphere. She raised her little hand, her chubby fingers gently touching Rong Mo's lips, her bright eyes filled with concern for her uncle. She shook her little head, as if telling Rong Mo not to sigh anymore, not to worry anymore. Although her language was not yet mature, her innocent actions conveyed a deep love and comfort.
Seeing Niannian's actions, Rong Mo's worries instantly dissipated. He gently grasped Niannian's little arm, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her cheek several times. "Thank you, Niannian," he whispered, his eyes sparkling with gratitude and love for this little angel.
Niannian giggled, her clear and melodious laughter seemingly possessing a healing power. She reached out her little hands and hugged Rong Mo's neck tightly.
Days passed, and as the last search and rescue team withdrew, Lu Wei also left.
Shen Zhi Qiu's life returned to normal.
But she knew very well that there was a place in her heart that would be empty forever.
Shen Zhi Qiu's life seemed to have returned to a calm lake, but deep in her heart there was a place that felt as if a piece had been dug out, and it could never be filled.
Whenever she tastes a delicious little cake, she always remembers how Lu Jia used to buy her all sorts of desserts.
Several times, the pain of the burn made her involuntarily pull her hand back as she picked up the teacup. She would then think of how Lu Jia would always let the tea cool to a drinkable temperature before handing it to her.
In the afternoon, while taking a nap in the rocking chair in the garden, she would unconsciously call out Lu Jia's name when she woke up. She remembered him sitting beside her, the two of them enjoying the afternoon sun together; that tranquility and warmth had now become her most precious memory.
When she holds Niannian, she imagines Lu Jia sitting opposite her, holding Zhaozhao with a loving expression.
When she sees other couples together, a strong sense of sadness always wells up in her heart.
......
Shen Zhi Qiu's life is filled with Lu Jia's shadow—his gentleness, his deepest love… These memories are like a double-edged sword, bringing her warmth while constantly piercing her heart. She tries to keep herself busy, attempting to fill the void with new things, but no matter what she does, the memories of Lu Jia remain indelible.
In the dead of night, she had nowhere to hide.
She lay in bed, eyes closed, tears silently streaming down her cheeks. She bit her lip tightly, trying not to make a sound.
She knew she had to learn to live without Lu Jia.
She had said this to herself countless times, but she had never been able to do it.
She finally understood that Lu Jia must have been suffering just as much during those countless days and nights. During the three years they lost contact, he never reached out to her. Lu Xiaoyu had told her that Lu Jia often suffered from insomnia during those years, frequently lying awake at night gazing at the moon without a word, only sighing silently.
Lu Xiaoyu said that Lu Jia's smile returned only after Shen Zhi Qiu appeared at the sanatorium.
Every time she thinks of this, Shen Zhi Qiu's heart aches so much that she can't breathe.
*
On the other side, on an island about 400 kilometers from the capital.
The seawater is a clear, azure blue, like a giant gem set in the coastline. Standing on the shore, looking out, all you see is the endless expanse of sea and sky merging into one. A fishing boat glides across the water, leaving trails of white foam in its wake.
After the boat docked, a middle-aged man wearing a straw hat stepped off. He had a well-defined face with some stubble on his chin. Perhaps due to years of exposure to the sun, his skin was dark and covered with fine lines.
He walked barefoot on the beach, carrying a bucket in his rough, strong hands, toward the shore.
Nestled among lush coconut palms and dense bushes, there stands a simple yet cozy little wooden cabin. Its exterior walls are painted a delicate off-white, contrasting sharply with the surrounding greenery and giving it a refreshingly serene appearance. The roof, covered with thick thatch, rustles gently in the breeze.
Pushing open the door of the wooden house, the man called out, "Xingxing, I'm back!"
Hearing the sound, the woman cooking inside quickly wiped her hands on her apron, smiled, and came out to take the bucket from his hands. "Ayu, you're back. We've been waiting for your seafood to cook. Go wash your hands, dinner will be ready soon."
The man smiled and wiped the sweat from the woman's forehead, his eyes filled with love. Then he glanced into the inner room, his smile fading, replaced by worry. "Xingxing, how is that person?" he asked softly.
"He's still not awake." Xingxing frowned. "The doctor came to check on him again today and changed his dressing, but he's still not fully awake. But thankfully, he's recovering quite well."
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