Chapter 994 The Grand Finale
"Isn't it Aunt Yue? Isn't Aunt Yue a woman?"
"She used to be a man too."
Ruan Yueru now lives alone. She bought a house with her own money. The house is near the studio where she works. This is the first time Lu Yuanqiu has visited her. The interior space is smaller than he imagined, but it has everything he needs.
Stepping inside, it's hard to imagine that she was once a wealthy woman living in a large, single-level apartment.
"Brother Qiu, have some water." Ruan Yueru poured a glass of water for Lu Yuanqiu, and a can of Want Want milk for Lu Yanhe.
He then sat down on the sofa.
Seeing that Lu Yanhe couldn't pry it open, she stepped in to help.
"Click!"
He's picking it up with one hand, so cool... Lu Yanhe's eyes widened.
"How can I become a man?" She handed the Wangzai to the little guy, repeating Lu Yanhe's question as she spoke. To be honest, her mind was a little blank at that moment.
It's been so many years, she's almost forgotten she ever had short hair.
“Yes, Dad said you used to be very manly.” Lu Yanhe sat obediently on the sofa, sipping a Want Want milk drink.
Upon hearing this, Ruan Yueru tilted her head back and exclaimed, "Hahahaha!"
Lu Yuanqiu also looked up: "Hahahaha!"
She touched the red cardstock on the table, picked up a pen, and said with difficulty, "I don't know how to draw maple leaves."
Lu Yuanqiu: "Just draw what you think it looks like... But after seeing everyone's maple leaves, I realized that what everyone thinks maple leaves actually look like chicken feet."
“Then what I draw will definitely be a chicken foot too.” Ruan Yueru said helplessly.
She drew carefully on the paper for three minutes, and what she drew was indeed a chicken foot.
Lu Yanhe seemed to still be troubled by that matter. He leaned over and whispered something in Ruan Yueru's ear. Ruan Yueru looked at him in surprise after hearing it: "Wow, so that's how it is. You're not girly at all. Yanyan, believe in yourself."
Lu Yuanqiu was examining the photo frames on the TV cabinet, but couldn't bear to look at them for long and quickly looked away.
Ruan Yueru stroked Lu Yanhe's head, as if afraid that Lu Yuanqiu would hear, and leaned closer to comfort him in a low voice: "It's like how a man wearing a wedding dress might seem effeminate, but if he wears a wedding dress for the girl he loves, then he's a real man."
Lu Yanhe nodded.
Ruan Yueru smiled and rubbed her head against his, then said regretfully, "But Aunt Yue doesn't seem to have time on the 19th..."
"I'm used to it. Nobody has time," Lu Yanhe replied dejectedly.
Lu Yuanqiu: "Then we're leaving. Yanyan needs to hurry back for her afternoon nap."
"Okay, drive carefully."
Once in the car downstairs, Lu Yuanqiu saw Ruan Yueru still standing at the window waving at them, and both father and son waved back.
The car stopped at the next intersection. Lu Yanhe turned her head and found her father staring blankly at Aunt Yue's maple leaves.
"Dad, you're not allowed to look. This is everyone's secret."
"Oh, sorry." Lu Yuanqiu smiled and handed it back to him. "Tomorrow is Saturday. Is there anywhere you'd like to go?"
While collecting maple leaves, Lu Yanhe replied to her father, "I said I was going to help out at Grandpa's supermarket."
"Okay, okay, I'll help, but you know what I'm going to say..."
"No, you're not allowed to eat spicy strips."
"No, you're not allowed to eat spicy strips."
The father and son faced each other, their lip movements and speaking speeds were perfectly synchronized.
"I know!"
"Hahaha!"
As evening approached, only one last maple leaf remained for Liu Wangchun.
Lu Yuanqiu sat in his car outside the school, looking up at the distant clouds, and dialed a phone number.
"Hello?"
"Hmm, what's wrong?"
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"ha……"
"How are you doing? Are you adjusting to the mountain environment? Please be careful over there."
"Don't worry, the company has people protecting me."
"Oh... I see. These past few days, Yan Yan has been asking everyone to draw a maple leaf on a piece of paper and write down the name of the person they love most unforgettable and deeply. Haha, this little rascal is always coming up with something... It doesn't have to be romantic love, family love is fine too. What name are you planning to write? I was thinking of writing down your grandfather's name for you, but I think it's better to ask you in person. The little guy is going to stick all the maple leaves on his body at the welcome party, and I'll take a picture and show it to you then."
"...Hello? Are you still there?"
"Ah, I'm... I'm playing soccer with the kids. They're so easy to please. They can be happy all afternoon just by playing with a ball. Oh right, I heard what you just said. You can decide what to do."
"I haven't seen you play football yet. Come back and play with Yanyan, he likes it too."
"good."
"Then... write about your grandfather?"
"good."
"Okay, that's all for now. I'll hang up now. Remember to let me know when you get back."
"good."
"I'm hanging up now."
"good."
Lu Yuanqiu looked down at his phone screen.
...Actually, he didn't hear any sound of the ball being kicked.
The call was still going on when he raised his finger and pressed the hang-up button.
After a short while, Lu Yanhe finally ran over with her little schoolbag on her back. Her cheerful appearance was completely different from that at noon. It seemed that Aunt Yue's comforting words were very effective, even though Lu Yuanqiu did not hear what they were whispering about.
"Let's go, Dad! By the way, did you tell Aunt Chun?"
"Oh, I forgot to mention, it's okay, she should be at home."
As the car started, Lu Yuanqiu made a phone call to Liu Wangchun on the road. It was a bit noisy on the other end, and Lu Yuanqiu seemed to hear Liu Chengye shouting. It seemed that the father and daughter were arguing again.
They truly are a father and daughter who rival each other.
As the car pulled up in front of the villa, Lu Yuanqiu suddenly saw a Maybach parked there. The Maybach drove past them, and Lu Yuanqiu and his son looked toward the person in the driver's seat.
It was a young man who looked to be in his thirties, and the young man was also sizing them up.
“Dad, that person looks just like you,” Lu Yanhe muttered.
"Yes, a little."
Lu Yuanqiu unbuckled his seatbelt, got out of the car, and led his son toward the villa. Liu Chengye, wearing pajamas and sporting a messy, unkempt hairstyle, had just come out of the villa's entrance when he almost collided with Lu Yuanqiu.
"Hey, Uncle Liu, your look is quite unique," Lu Yuanqiu greeted him.
Liu Chengye was stunned for a moment, and only when he saw Lu Yanhe did he realize: "You scared me. I was thinking that the child was still angry and came back."
"Who is that person?" Lu Yuanqiu turned around.
Liu Chengye frowned: "That brat's new blind date, I went to great lengths to pick him out for her, but she kicked him out on the very first day he came to visit."
"...Another blind date."
"You have a wife and kids, so you have nothing to worry about!" Liu Chengye sighed.
He seemed to have just been about to leave, but upon seeing Lu Yuanqiu and his son arrive, he changed his mind and led them inside.
"Get out!"
Hearing the sound of someone entering, Liu Wangchun, who was sitting on the sofa on the first floor, raised his glass towards the door.
Lu Yuanqiu and his son, along with Liu Chengye, were all startled and took a step back at the same time.
Upon seeing the visitor, Liu Wangchun suddenly went from anger to laughter. She put down her cup, squatted down, and opened her arms wide: "Yanyan! Quick! Aunt Chun will give you a hug!"
"Aunt Chun!!"
Lu Yanhe ran over and hugged her.
Lu Yuanqiu finally understood... It turned out that Liu Chengye had just been kicked out by his daughter, and only dared to come back because of the father and son.
After hearing the purpose of the father and son's visit, Liu Wangchun gladly took the red cardstock from Yanyan's hand and immediately began to draw maple leaves, drawing very seriously.
Someone nearby quietly reached out their hand: "Grandpa wants one too..."
Under Liu Wangchun's fierce glare, Liu Chengye took the red card and immediately moved far away.
"I have no one I love, and the one I loved has been dead for many years," Liu Wangchun muttered, carefully adding details to the edges of the maple leaf with his pen, but refusing to write the name.
Upon hearing this, Liu Chengye, who was not far away, looked up, then silently lowered his head and wrote the three characters "Liu Wangchun" on his maple leaf.
Lu Yanhe asked curiously, "Is it Grandma Liu? You can write about that too."
Liu Wangchun smiled at him, but still didn't pick up a pen.
“You were still wearing diapers when your mother passed away, what love could you possibly have!” Liu Chengye said as he walked over.
Liu Wangchun picked up the glass, glaring at him. Liu Chengye was so frightened that he immediately assumed a horse stance, stretching his arms forward: "Relax...relax...my darling..."
After setting down the cup, Liu Chengye slowly walked over. He quickly glanced at Lu Yuanqiu, coughed lightly, and said, "Well, Yan Yan has come all this way, we should at least give her face and write her name on the maple leaf, right? There are only a few people here..."
"Whoever I point to with my little rooster is whoever it is!" Liu Chengye, like a playful old man, started with zero frames and suddenly exclaimed, "Holy crap, Lu Yuanqiu?!"
"Okay, you're the one!"
Lu Yuanqiu took a step back: "Uncle Liu, I think you're in a bit of danger..."
Liu Chengye quickly snatched Liu Wangchun's card, picked up a pen and wrote Lu Yuanqiu's name on it, explaining to himself, "Just write something random, it's not real, otherwise it would look bad if it was left blank?"
Lu Yuanqiu glanced at Liu Wangchun and found that Liu Wangchun was also looking at him. Liu Wangchun's expression changed the next second, his eyes immediately turned angry, he threw his pen on the table, and slumped there to scroll through his phone.
"Aunt Chun, can you go on the 19th?"
Before Liu Wangchun could answer, Liu Chengye interrupted, "She can't go, she has to meet someone on the 19th."
Liu Wangchun seemed to have no strength left to pick up the glass. She covered her mouth, her eyes wide open, and mouthed to Lu Yanhe, "I'll go secretly."
Lu Yanhe nodded gently. He liked Aunt Chun the most. From childhood to adulthood, besides his parents, Aunt Chun was the one who doted on him the most.
"Then let's go, it's time to go back and help Mom practice singing."
Lu Yuanqiu took his son's hand.
Liu Chengye: "Aren't you going to stay for a meal before you leave?"
Lu Yuanqiu turned to look at the unkempt middle-aged man: "Is there any food?"
Liu Chengye shook his head honestly: "No."
...
Back home, Lu Yanhe quickly slipped back to his bedroom with his small bag. He sat at the table, picked up scissors, and cut out maple leaves one by one from the red cardstock.
Bai Qingxia, wearing an apron, came out of the kitchen. She peeked into her son's bedroom. When Lu Yanhe heard the noise, he immediately covered his hands with maple leaves. When he turned around, his expression was tense.
Bai Qingxia snorted at her son in dissatisfaction.
Lu Yuanqiu then took out a tripod and placed it in the living room, setting up a camera on it. Today was the day to check the results of their singing practice over the past few days.
"Come out when Yanyan's hair is done," he called out to his son's bedroom.
"immediately!"
"I haven't finished cooking yet," Bai Qingxia muttered as she walked towards the kitchen.
Lu Yuanqiu picked her up and brought her back, quickly untied her apron and tossed it aside, saying to her, "You don't even dare to rehearse at home, what are you going to do for the stage performance next Tuesday?"
"Ah, stop talking. Anyway, I don't expect you to sing perfectly. Just don't embarrass Yan Yan." She lowered her head and smiled bitterly.
Seeing her gloomy face, Lu Yuanqiu looked up and laughed uncontrollably.
Not long after, Lu Yanhe finished her business, and the family of three sat side by side on the sofa, with Lu Yuanqiu and Bai Qingxia squeezing their son in the middle.
"Move to the left," Lu Yuanqiu advised.
The three of them shifted their butts together.
Before they started, Bai Qingxia and her mother's eyes were wandering around, but as soon as Lu Yuanqiu said "Ready," they immediately looked straight ahead with firm eyes.
Music begins.
"Relax~" Lu Yuanqiu said, glancing to the side.
The mother and daughter both grinned at him, giving him a fake smile.
The three of them started singing at the same time, looking at each other as they sang. To their surprise, the combined sound was surprisingly beautiful.
"A dark cloud has cast a shadow over our hearts."
"I listen to my long-dormant feelings~"
Seemingly finding their coordination perfect, their smiles grew wider and more natural. The three of them swayed gently together on the sofa, the movements slow and leisurely. The camera in front of them captured the entire scene and sound. If the video were to be given a title, it would probably be—"Happiness That Never Ends."
The following day was Saturday.
"Remember to do a thorough cleaning of the house with your parents when you come back."
At the entrance of the fresh food supermarket, Lu Yuanqiu greeted his son from inside the car. Seeing the little guy happily run inside, Lu Yuanqiu mouthed to his father at the door, "Don't let him eat anything indiscriminately."
Lu Tian didn't even turn his head, just waved his hand coolly behind him.
"Oh, right." Lu Tian turned around again.
Lu Yuanqiu was just about to drive off when he stopped to look at him.
The man who looked like Wei Xiang said casually, "I'll try to find some time to go to the school to see your family's performance the day after tomorrow."
"Okay." Lu Yuanqiu replied with a smile.
The editor-in-chief at the publishing house was urging him to hurry up and finish writing the ending of "Youth". At first, he didn't feel anything, but when he actually started writing the ending, Lu Yuanqiu's mood became complicated.
But every story has a beginning and an end.
He needs to carefully consider how to begin writing.
On Sunday, Liang Jingfeng and his family arrived in Lucheng as promised. Lu Yuanqiu and Zheng Yifeng's families waited for Zhong Jincheng at the entrance of the residential area. Zhong Jincheng's hospital hours were late, and he had mentioned in advance that he might be a little late.
Upon seeing Lu Yanhe at the entrance of the residential compound, Zhong Yuanshuo gestured with his fingers, saying, "He's like a real man."
This time, Lu Yanhe paused for a moment before raising her hand: "I won't be a woman."
The adults were amused by the two boys' words, but Zheng Wanjun pouted unhappily next to her mother.
What Lu Yanhe didn't know was... that she would secretly practice the brother's seal at home by herself.
The campsite was in a nearby park. The four families chose a relatively late time, when the sun was shining warmly on them, which was especially comfortable. Lu Yuanqiu sat on the blanket, glanced at the four children running together in the woods not far away, smiled, and then leaned back on Bai Qingxia's lap with a "ouch" and closed his eyes.
A shadow appeared before him, along with a fragrance. He opened his eyes and saw Bai Qingxia's wrist, so white it was almost translucent, holding a piece of apple to his lips.
Lu Yuanqiu opened his mouth and caught it. Just then, his uncle suddenly called, saying that the meeting the day after tomorrow was canceled and that he and his second uncle were going to the school to show their support.
Bai Qingxia wasn't happy to hear that; instead, she exclaimed "Ah!" and became even more nervous.
Lu Yuanqiu laughed so hard he chewed two pieces of apple.
"Dad! Mom!" Lu Yanhe suddenly ran over from a distance, holding a leaf high in her hand.
Lu Yuanqiu stood up, and Bai Qingxia stretched out her arms and pulled her son into her arms, taking out a tissue to carefully wipe the sweat from his forehead: "Don't run around like that, take a rest."
"The maple leaves are starting to change color," Lu Yanhe said excitedly, holding up the leaves in her hand as she made her discovery.
"Wow, really?" Lu Yuanqiu and Bai Qingxia were admiring the sight when suddenly a small hand reached out in front of them, holding a piece of paper.
"This is from yesterday's big clean-up, I saw it in a notebook."
"What?"
Bai Qingxia reached out and took it, then unfolded it.
On August 30, 2010, Bai Qingxia owed Lu Yuanqiu three loaves of bread…
She glanced at her husband silently, as if to say, "How come this is still here?" Lu Yuanqiu quickly took it and complained, "How could you find it even though it was hidden so well?"
Lu Yanhe sized up her mother, chuckled, and then happily ran off.
"Keep it safe." Lu Yuanqiu carefully folded the note and put it in his pocket, giving his wife an awkward smile.
Bai Qingxia gave him a reproachful look, then picked up the maple leaf that Yan Yan had left on the blanket and handed it to Lu Yuanqiu as well.
"Here, keep it with this maple leaf that has just changed color, you great collector."
"Okay."
Lu Yuanqiu took the maple leaf from his wife's hand and lay back down on her lap. He held the maple leaf up to his eyes and examined it in the sunlight.
The leaves are beautiful in the sunlight.
It's that time of year again when maple leaves are just starting to change color, which means autumn is just around the corner.
...
On Monday afternoon, Lu Yuanqiu happened to be off work the next day, so he told Aunt Zhang that he would pick up Lu Yanhe. When the car stopped at the school gate, Lu Yuanqiu suddenly saw a scene through the car window that surprised him.
My son was walking with the little girl he almost bumped into during the last school registration.
The two chatted and laughed. Although the little girl was shy, she responded to Lu Yanhe's every word. They were a bit far apart, so Lu Yuanqiu couldn't hear what they were saying, but they seemed to be getting along quite harmoniously.
What the heck? Doesn't this brat dislike playing with girls? Even Zheng Wanjun, who he grew up with, doesn't catch his eye.
As the two waved goodbye, Chen Miaomiao glanced at Lu Yuanqiu in the car, then cautiously looked away and timidly ran off with her head down.
"Slow down! Watch where you're going! Little girl!" Lu Yuanqiu shouted.
"Dad, Chen Miaomiao said she can come home a little later tomorrow and stay to watch our performance." After getting into the car, Lu Yanhe said to Lu Yuanqiu.
How did you meet?
"They're in the same class."
"I know, I mean, how did you manage to get on the phone?"
“She’s so pitiful. Her parents are gone. Her grandmother made her stay at her aunt’s house in Lucheng so she could go to school there. Her aunt treats her very badly and often doesn’t give her food, leaving her hungry. Dad, could you bring her to live with us?”
Lu Yuanqiu was so startled he almost stepped on the gas: "What kind of relationship do you have? You like her?"
Lu Yanhe shook her head blankly.
“I’ll find some time to help her contact a foundation; these kinds of organizations specifically help children like her.”
"Great!" Lu Yanhe was delighted.
Lu Yuanqiu chuckled and ruffled his hair, gazing out the window. Chen Miaomiao's figure grew smaller and smaller as she ran away. Suddenly, she stopped, seemingly looking back in this direction, before continuing to run until she was out of sight. Only then did Lu Yuanqiu feel relieved and drive home.
After returning home and having dinner, Bai Qingxia and her son continued rehearsing the chorus in the living room because of tomorrow's performance, while Lu Yuanqiu locked himself in his study to write the ending of "Youth".
The study was actually very quiet, and the mother and daughter did not disturb him, but he still sat there for a long time, staring blankly out the window.
Instead of thinking about the novel, I suddenly became curious about whether my third sister would be able to see the swans fly over the lake tomorrow afternoon.
"Beep beep beep~"
Lu Yuanqiu picked up his phone.
Mom: The hospital suddenly has some free time tomorrow afternoon, so I'm going to see your performance. Aren't you excited?
Lu Yuanqiu: Of course I'm happy.
Mom: [Smiling]
"Heh, smiling bean face." Lu Yuanqiu shook his head and laughed, put down his phone, took a deep breath in front of his laptop, raised his hand to the keyboard and began to type.
A series of crackling sounds broke the silence of the study.
The novel, which had been on hiatus for many years, has finally come to an end.
Tuesday, September 19.
After school at noon, Lu Yuanqiu quickly picked up his son from school. Aunt Zhang was cooking at No. 1 Courtyard. Bai Qingxia was picking out clothes in the bedroom, trying on one dress after another. Lu Yuanqiu glanced at her as he passed by and couldn't help but laugh.
"There's no need to be so formal."
Bai Qingxia scolded him, "You didn't even help me choose!"
"Hehehe." Lu Yuanqiu acted like a rogue outside the door, but when he saw Bai Qingxia pick up the clothes rack, he immediately ran away.
In the end, Bai Qingxia changed into a white dress.
She sat in front of the dressing mirror, carefully applying her makeup. She put on silver earrings on both ears, stared at the ring on her ring finger for a while, then opened a drawer, took out a moon-shaped hair clip, and put it on her head.
After lunch, the family of three hurriedly got into the car and headed to school. Aunt Zhang was also there, and Xiao Li Feibiao was driving.
"Beep beep beep~"
Lu Yuanqiu took out his phone.
Ruan Yueru: Brother Qiu! I've made time. Is it in the auditorium?
Lu Yuanqiu: Yes, yes.
Ruan Yueru: Okay, okay.
Lu Yuanqiu put down his phone and said with a smile, "Yueyue suddenly has time too."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Li Feidiao turned around and said, "By the way, President Bai said he'll be coming over this afternoon too."
"He's free?" Bai Qingxia asked in surprise.
"I drew it out on purpose."
Aunt Zhang sat down and laughed, while Lu Yanhe happily swung her legs.
The performances by the first-year students were scheduled for later. After arriving at the school, Lu Yuanqiu's family went straight to the lounge in the auditorium to wait.
He had barely sat down when he received another message from Zheng Yifeng.
Zheng Yifeng: My parents-in-law have forgotten about this. They've gone on vacation. Is it too late for them to go see your performance now?
Lu Yuanqiu: There's still time!
After replying to the message, Lu Yuanqiu realized that Lu Yidong had also sent him a message ten minutes earlier.
Lu Yidong: I took leave from the lab to come see your performance.
Lu Yidong: Where is he?!
Lu Yuanqiu: I'm here, I'm here, come quick, we're in the auditorium, we haven't started yet, you brat.
Lu Yidong: You stinky older brother [angry].
Lu Yuanqiu put down his phone and laughed loudly, leaving Bai Qingxia and her son looking puzzled.
Lu Yuanqiu explained, "I said I was too busy, but I'm actually free almost all the time today."
Bai Qingxia felt like laughing and crying at the same time, and then her expression became a mixture of laughter and tears: "It's more nerve-wracking when there are more people."
"It's okay, you'll do great. Believe in yourself, you're very good at it," Lu Yuanqiu comforted her, patting her shoulder.
"When did I become good at singing?" the woman retorted, then suddenly muttered to herself, "But I am definitely much better than before."
Lu Yuanqiu and his son laughed together.
A performance was underway in the auditorium, and a group of people were walking in this direction. They were the very people who had kept saying they had no time or free time, but almost all of them broke their promise that day.
Zheng Yifeng looked at Zhong Jincheng and his wife walking among them with surprise: "Weren't you two busy?"
Aren't you the same?
"We suddenly have free time."
"We were lying to Lu Yuanqiu."
"Awesome." Zheng Yifeng gave a thumbs up.
At this moment, Wang Zixuan and his family are performing a choral piece on stage.
Standing at the door of the dressing room, Lu Yanhe stared intently at the family of three on the stage. He took a deep breath and couldn't help but admit to himself that his mother's singing was indeed very beautiful.
Just then, a commotion came from the auditorium door. He looked up and saw a crowd of people rushing in. The noise caused the parents and children in their seats to turn around, including Zhong Yuanshuo, Chen Miaomiao, and Zheng Wanjun, who had reserved seats in advance.
Wang Zixuan on stage also looked over and almost sang the wrong note.
Lu Yanhe opened his eyes wide with joy. The familiar uncles, aunts, grandfathers and grandmothers at the entrance of the auditorium waved to him. Upon seeing this, the little guy immediately ran back.
"I just ordered a cake."
Liu Wangchun, panting heavily, spoke in the crowd, and the people next to her turned to look at her.
Why?
Su Xiaoya then explained, "Today is September 19th, Xiaxia's birthday."
"I wonder if Lu Yuanqiu and his son prepared a gift for her. They've probably been too busy to remember these past few days."
"Don't worry, they've made preparations," Ruan Yueru suddenly replied with a smile.
"Huh?" A group of people looked at her.
In the lounge.
"Dad, Mom, it's almost our turn! Wang Zixuan's next act is us!" Lu Yanhe shouted.
Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, the teacher, who was acting as the host, walked to the door and reminded him, "Lu Yanhe's family, please get ready."
Upon hearing this, Lu Yuanqiu glanced at his son, and Lu Yanhe also looked at him. The father and son then looked at Bai Qingxia, who was pacing back and forth beside them. Bai Qingxia was looking down at the lyrics she had written in her notebook and was quietly singing along to the rehearsal.
The father and son suddenly chuckled softly.
Wang Zixuan's program has ended.
The chubby boy pulled his parents and quickly ran to the audience seats, intending to "enjoy" the next performance, a family duet by Lu Yanhe.
The three microphone stands on the stage didn't even need to be removed. After the host announced the next program, a large round of enthusiastic applause rang out from the back of the auditorium.
At this moment, Bai Qingxia, who walked onto the stage with her husband and son, turned her head and saw that the people standing there were all their family and friends.
So many people… Bai Qingxia muttered to herself.
Wang Zixuan suddenly widened his eyes. Why did Lu Yanhe's mother look so different?
How did you become so young and beautiful?
On the other side, Zhong Yuanshuo and Zheng Wanjun cheered together. Chen Miaomiao glanced at the two of them, and Wang Zixuan also turned to look at them. At this moment, a classmate's voice came from behind: "Lu Yanhe's mother has changed?"
Wang Zixuan turned around in surprise: "Yes! This wasn't what I saw last time!"
Lu Yuanqiu stood in front of the microphone with his wife and son. The couple looked at their son with tender eyes. Bai Qingxia's eyes flickered, and she noticed that her son was carrying a bag.
After waiting for a moment.
Bai Qingxia raised her eyes.
Why isn't the music playing yet?
Is it malfunctioning?
Just as Bai Qingxia was looking around the stage with a puzzled expression, Lu Yanhe walked up to the microphone and said, "Hello everyone, this is my dad and my mom next to me."
Lu Yuanqiu and Bai Qingxia greeted the audience with smiles.
Amidst enthusiastic applause and the stage lights, Lu Yanhe paused before continuing into the microphone, "Today is my mother's birthday, and my father and I have prepared a special gift for her."
"Huh?" Bai Qingxia turned her head in surprise.
She looked at Lu Yuanqiu again, who was wearing a suit and smiling at her.
Lu Yanhe's expression was somewhat unnatural and hesitant. He put down the bag in his hand and began to unbutton his clothes. He was wearing very loose clothes today. Seeing her son's clothes open, Bai Qingxia finally understood why her son had deliberately worn such loose clothes today and wouldn't let her help him.
Red maple leaves peeked out from among them. Lu Yanhe bent down and took off his pants. Inside his clothes, there was a white ballet costume!
However, this snow-white ballet costume was covered with red maple leaves.
This is how Lu Yanhe dyed his clothes red.
The people standing by the auditorium entrance were stunned; they hadn't expected their maple leaf image to appear on such a garment.
"Hahaha!"
Suddenly, a chorus of laughter erupted from the audience.
A boy dressed in a ballet costume?? This seemed to immediately tickle their funny bone.
Zhong Yuanshuo's expression changed as he turned to look at his younger brothers sitting next to him, who were laughing just like the other children.
In that instant.
The brotherhood vow, "Be a man, not a woman," seemed to be treated as a joke by Lu Yanhe.
"Stop laughing!" Zhong Yuanshuo turned and scolded his underlings.
On stage, Bai Qingxia is carefully examining her son.
Love can stain clothes red and bring courage. Lu Yanhe, you can do it. With so many people loving you, why feel embarrassed about the gift you carefully prepared... Lu Yanhe muttered to herself.
He spoke into the microphone again: "I lied to my mother, I'm not going to perform in the choir today."
“My mom can actually dance! She dances really well.” He looked at everyone proudly.
"But she hadn't danced for many years, and I had never seen her dance in person. This time, I secretly watched my mother's old dance many times, and I also secretly practiced it..."
"Sissy!" Wang Zixuan, sitting in the audience, suddenly interrupted with a laugh.
Lu Yanhe looked at him, took a deep breath, ignored him, and continued:
"My aunt Yue once said that a man might look effeminate if he wears a wedding dress, but if he wears a wedding dress for the girl he loves, then he is a real man."
Upon hearing this, Ruan Yueru raised her hand and wiped her eyes.
Zheng Yifeng and the others all turned to look at her; they knew who she was referring to.
On the stage, Lu Yanhe turned to look at Bai Qingxia:
“A man might look effeminate in a ballet costume, but if he wears a ballet costume for his mother, then he is a real man.”
Bai Qingxia nodded immediately, gave her son two thumbs up, and waved them happily in front of her.
Lu Yanhe smiled and said into the microphone, "I hope Mom can feel happy on her birthday, rather than comparing herself to others."
"Mom is happy! Very happy!" Bai Qingxia quickly bent down and said to him, her eyes red as she touched her son's head.
"Men!" Zhong Yuanshuo shouted from below.
Zheng Wanjun immediately echoed, and Chen Miaomiao also whispered in agreement, "Men..."
The audience applauded enthusiastically, and Bai Qingxia hugged her son with emotion amidst the applause, rubbing her cheek against his head repeatedly.
“But Mom, I’m not good at dancing yet. Can you teach me?” Lu Yanhe asked her.
"Huh?" Bai Qingxia didn't react.
Lu Yanhe then turned around, took out his bag, and pulled out something from it: a long red dress, as red as maple leaves.
"Mom's dress is so red." Lu Yanhe smiled as she looked at her, then proudly pointed to her own ballet tutu with her thumb: "Mine is too!"
A maple leaf fell off him, and he exclaimed in surprise, awkwardly squatting down to pick it up and put it back on.
Bai Qingxia took the dress with both hands, moved to tears. She turned to look at Lu Yuanqiu, who smiled and said, "The store that's called 'Dancing Youth' doesn't have my size, otherwise I would have worn it too. But my task today is to sing, to accompany the big swan and the little swan."
"Go change, your son has never seen you dance before."
"Um."
"Please wait a moment, everyone." Bai Qingxia called into the microphone, then immediately grabbed her dress and ran off the stage.
Lu Yuanqiu: "Thank you everyone for cooperating with the birthday surprise my son and I prepared for my wife. She hasn't danced in a long time, and to be honest, I wanted to see her dance too."
"Ha ha ha ha!"
The audience at the back of the stands were deeply moved by Lu Yanhe and clapped enthusiastically.
This little one, who wears countless expressions of love on his body, is incredibly thoughtful and incredibly brave!
Lu Yuanqiu took out a white feather headdress from her bag and put it on her son, revealing the little guy's forehead.
Several teachers then went on stage and removed the microphone stand, leaving only one microphone.
"Beep beep beep~"
Lu Yuanqiu took out his phone.
Third Sister: We've arrived.
At Swan Lake, Lu Douqing happily put down her paintbrush, which she had been holding for a long time, and immediately began to depict the swan mother and baby swan she had finally been waiting for on the paper.
Lu Yuanqiu smiled and put his phone away.
Not long after, Bai Qingxia, dressed in a red dress, came out. Her appearance caused a great deal of cheers from the audience. Bai Qingxia lowered her head and smiled shyly as she walked up the steps.
The mother and son walked hand in hand to the center of the stage.
Lu Yuanqiu grasped the microphone.
Music started playing.
A familiar prelude.
Bai Qingxia didn't start dancing. She turned around, tilted her head, clasped her hands in front of her, and looked at Lu Yanhe, who was moving to the music, with eyes full of love. Suddenly, she pursed her lips again, her eyes welling up with tears, and raised her hand to wipe her face.
Lu Yuanqiu began, "Dark clouds have cast a shadow over our hearts."
Seeing her son's clumsy dancing, Bai Qingxia smiled and immediately raised her hands in front of her chest, clapping rhythmically to the music, gently applauding and encouraging Lu Yanhe.
Lu Yanhe jumped around wildly, but she enjoyed it and looked at her mother happily.
Bai Qingxia turned to look at her husband singing. Lu Yuanqiu smiled and raised an eyebrow at her. Bai Qingxia returned the smile, then slowly raised her slender, dancing, snow-white, and elegant arms upwards. She tilted her head back, her toes lightly touching the stage, like an elegant swan taking a step forward. She twirled, her gorgeous red dress blooming on the stage, as if maple leaves were scattering all over the ground.
These maple leaves represent Lu Yuanqiu's love.
(The End)
...
...
...
Wait, you've been tricked, haven't you? Hehehe, don't go, there's a little surprise.
Three days ago, on Saturday, September 16th.
17th floor of Xingfuli.
A man who looked like Wei Xiang was lounging on the sofa at home, when he remembered his son's instructions. He turned on the supermarket's security camera to check if his grandson had stolen any spicy snacks. His expression gradually changed, and he immediately sat up from the sofa.
A little girl, about six years old, wearing a pink short-sleeved shirt and carrying a pink backpack, walked to the shelf. She looked around and, seeing that no one was watching, secretly took three bags of bread from the shelf and put them into her backpack.
Just as she was about to slip away, a hand suddenly reached out from behind and grabbed her...
...
...
Many years later, he traveled many roads and saw many landscapes, but he never met that group of people again, who accompanied him through the rain of youth and chased the wind that yielded no results. Those passionate and reckless times eventually became old dreams that could never be returned to.
— Taken from the ending of "Youth".
(The End)
(End of this chapter)
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