Upon seeing Liu Feng, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, and he asked, "Little Taoist, where are you going?"
"I'm going home!" Liu Feng's answer surprised his uncle, who was puzzled.
Then, Liu Feng smiled at his uncle and walked away.
Now is not the time to acknowledge my uncle.
Otherwise, my uncle might ask, "Who are you? I don't recognize you, how do you know me?"
Should Liu Feng say, "Uncle, I knew you before I was reborn!"? Wouldn't that scare his uncle?
Without stopping, Liu Feng continued his stroll, each step treading on the dust of memories.
Sunlight shone on his dark blue Taoist robe, casting dappled shadows and adding to his mysterious aura.
In the middle of the village, under a sheltered, sunny corner, a group of women were sunbathing, sewing shoe soles, and chatting about everyday life.
Liu Feng inadvertently approached the group of women, immediately attracting their attention.
One of the elderly women, with a full head of white hair, brightened up and pointed at Liu Feng, saying, "Oh my, look over there, what a handsome young Taoist priest!"
The other women also turned around, curiously looking at Liu Feng.
"How come a little Taoist priest suddenly appeared in the village? He looks just like someone from a New Year's painting. It's really rare to see one like that! Could it be that my old bones are starting to lose their eyesight?"
Another elderly woman rubbed her eyes and muttered in confusion.
Liu Feng recognized the old lady who was speaking at a glance; she was his grandmother, Fang Shuxiang, the grandmother who hadn't loved him in his previous life.
“Grandma Fang, you’re not mistaken.” A round-faced woman next to her chimed in; her name was Su Dongmei.
Not long after, her husband, suffering from a mental breakdown, hanged himself. He was a man with a tragic fate.
"This little Taoist priest is really handsome, like a little immortal. Look, he's even carrying a big gourd on his back!"
"Dongmei, it seems he's going to your house," Fang Shuxiang said, pointing in Liu Feng's direction.
"Grandma Fang, no, no, he's going to Uncle's house!" Su Dongmei exclaimed hurriedly. Su Dongmei was one generation younger than Liu Changqing, so she called Liu Changqing Uncle.
"What was he doing at my son Changqing's house?" Fang Shuxiang stopped her needlework, a look of surprise on her face.
Just then, a boy of about eight or nine years old suddenly darted out from the side, blocking Liu Feng's way, and asked with wide eyes, "What are you doing in my house? Who are you?"
Looking at the little boy in front of him, Liu Feng felt a surge of indescribable emotion.
He wanted to say, "This is my home, of course we should go back to my home. I'm your second brother!"
But the words caught in his throat, and he felt a little awkward, since they hadn't seen each other since their rebirth.
When Liu Feng went to Wudang Mountain, his younger brother Liu Fei was still in his mother's womb.
Seeing Liu Fei's flushed little face and the chilblains on his hands, Liu Feng felt a surge of warmth in his heart and couldn't help but reach out and touch his little brother's head.
Liu Fei was no match for Liu Feng's hand; Liu Feng rubbed him a couple of times before letting go.
He originally thought he had escaped the little Taoist's "clutches," but for some reason, Liu Feng still touched his head.
However, to his surprise, the young Taoist's palm was so warm that his initial anger vanished instantly.
Just then, a girl of about thirteen or fourteen years old came out of the house. "Little brother, what are you shouting about at the door?"
When she saw Liu Feng, she exclaimed in surprise and ran away.
Liu Feng was wondering if it was his appearance that had frightened his older sister, Liu Yue.
But then he heard Liu Yue run into the house and exclaim, "Mom, look at the door, isn't that my second brother back!"
Liu Feng suddenly realized that his sister had run away because she was excited to see him.
He had to admire Liu Yue's wit; how did she recognize him at a glance? Liu Yue was only four years old when Liu Feng was sent to Qingfeng Temple.
Liu Fei, standing nearby, also gaped, secretly marveling, "So this little Taoist priest is my brother! No wonder Mom always said he had a second brother who was practicing with an old Taoist priest, and he's much better looking than him and his sister!"
Just then, He Qunfang and Liu Yue ran out together.
The moment the mother and son's eyes met, it was as if time stood still.
He Qunfang's eyes instantly welled up with tears. She looked at Liu Feng, that familiar silhouette, that face that had appeared countless times in her dreams, now standing right in front of her.
Looking at his mother, Liu Feng could no longer suppress his emotions.
His eyes welled up with tears, which streamed down his cheeks, a testament to the longing and guilt he had suppressed for so long.
"Ah, Feng'er, is it really you? Is Mom dreaming?" He Qunfang said in a trembling voice.
She rushed forward, stretched out her arms and hugged Liu Feng tightly, as if she wanted to merge him into her own bones and blood. Tears welled up in her eyes and instantly soaked Liu Feng's collar.
"Mom, it's me, I'm back," Liu Feng said, choking back tears.
He hugged his mother tightly, feeling that familiar warmth. He was overjoyed to be back home, back in the embrace of his loved ones.
"Mom misses you so much. I dream about you every day and hope you can come back. I'm so sorry, I didn't take good care of you..."
He Qunfang said excitedly, stroking Liu Feng's hair with eyes full of love.
Liu Yue also stepped forward, took Liu Feng's hand, and tears streamed down her face. She knew that her second brother had returned, and their family was finally reunited.
"Mom, I'm sorry for making you worry," Liu Feng said softly.
"Waaah..." The two embraced, sobbing uncontrollably.
The mother and son's tears mingled together, as if trying to wash away the pain and guilt in each other's hearts.
At that moment, Liu Feng seemed to cry out all the guilt and regret he felt towards his parents in both his past and present lives.
Recalling He Qunfang and Liu Changqing from their past lives, it was they who raised Liu Feng and his two siblings, raised Liu Feng's two children, and even avoided Liu Feng's wife in every way, hoping that Liu Feng could keep that family intact.
However, the two eventually divorced!
The woman yelled at the two children and Liu Feng's parents, "I was blind to marry him in this life. I'd rather find a dog on the street than him..."
Her words were sharp and sarcastic, making Liu Feng feel as if his heart was being torn apart.
He hated his own incompetence.
It was then that Liu Feng began to understand that no woman in this world truly wanted to live a mundane life with you.
If you have no money, you will have a thousand faults. No matter how much you try to please the other person, you will still be a heartless person!
At this moment, Fang Shuxiang also rushed over. She looked at the mother and son who were hugging and crying in front of the door, and felt a mix of emotions.
She recalled how she had forced them to abandon the child, and now, thinking back on it, she felt a chill of fear.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
