On the second day after the Mid-Autumn Festival, sunlight streamed into the living room through the gaps in the curtains, bringing with it an atmosphere of farewell.
Zhang Shaozhong and the two bigwigs packed their simple luggage and prepared to return to their courtyard house in the city.
Both Zhang's mother and father looked reluctant to part, especially Zhang's mother, who looked at Ling Qingxue and Ye Meier with a complicated expression, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.
The events of the past two days, especially the sight of the two young women gazing at the moon and longing for home last night (though they didn't get close, they secretly saw them), filled the hearts of these simple old people with pity and an indescribable emotion.
"You're leaving already? Why don't you stay a couple more days!"
Zhang's mother held Ling Qingxue and Ye Meier's hands, her tone earnest.
"Mom, we still have work to do, and the live stream can't be stopped for too long."
Zhang Shaozhong explained that he also wanted to escape this "battlefield" that was making him very nervous.
"Sigh, work is important, work is important."
Mrs. Zhang sighed, as if she had made up her mind, and gave Mr. Zhang a wink.
Mr. Zhang understood and turned to go into the inner room. A moment later, he came out carrying a small wooden box that looked quite old and was wrapped in red cloth.
Mrs. Zhang took the wooden box and carefully opened it.
Inside were two jade bracelets wrapped in soft silk.
One piece is a lustrous white jade, with a delicate texture, oily sheen, and a gentle, understated appearance.
The other piece is a rich violet jadeite, with a mysterious and noble color that gleams in the sunlight.
These two jade bracelets look quite old. Although they are not the kind of priceless treasures, the jade is pure, the workmanship is exquisite, and they exude a warm and simple charm. They are clearly treasures that Zhang's mother keeps.
Zhang Shaozhong was stunned for a moment. He recognized the two bracelets. They were passed down from his grandmother to his mother. They were said to be inherited from their ancestors. His mother had always treasured them and rarely wore them.
Zhang's mother picked up the white jade bracelet first and then took Ling Qingxue's hand.
Ling Qingxue was somewhat taken aback and subconsciously wanted to pull her hand back, but when she saw Zhang Mama's loving and solemn eyes, she stopped.
“Qingxue,” Zhang’s mother said gently, with a barely perceptible sob in her voice, “you are a good child. I liked you the moment I saw you. This bracelet was passed down to me by Shaozhong’s grandmother, and now I’m passing it on to you.”
You...you're all alone here, with no relatives or friends. From now on, treat this place as your own home. If anything happens, talk to Shaozhong, or just call Auntie, okay?"
As she spoke, she carefully slipped the warm, white jade bracelet onto Ling Qingxue's slender, fair wrist.
The flawless white jade and her fair, frosty wrist were a surprisingly perfect match, as if the bracelet was born to belong to her.
Ling Qingxue looked down at the jade bracelet that had suddenly appeared on her wrist, carrying the warmth of a stranger and a heavy sentiment, and froze.
She could clearly feel the unreserved love and tenderness in Zhang's mother's words, as well as the meaning of "inheritance" and "recognition" represented by the jade bracelet.
In her long years of spiritual practice, when had she ever experienced such pure, untainted human warmth?
An unprecedented warmth surged through her frozen heart, making her nose sting and her throat feel like it was blocked by something.
She opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end she just lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, and whispered, "...Thank you, Auntie."
Her voice carried a hint of emotion and a sob that she herself was unaware of.
With tears welling up in her eyes, Zhang's mother patted her hand, then picked up the violet jade bracelet and looked at Ye Meier.
Ye Meier completely abandoned her usual flamboyant and unruly demeanor. She stared blankly at the deep purple bracelet that seemed to possess a bewitching charm, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
She didn't expect that Zhang's mother would also prepare a portion for her.
“Mei’er,” Zhang’s mother held her hand, her tone equally loving, “You little rascal, you’re a bit headstrong, but I know you’re a kind-hearted person, a child with a genuine nature. This violet color suits you perfectly, it’s vibrant and beautiful! In the future, try to tone down your temper a bit, get along well with Shaozhong, and take care of each other.”
As she spoke, she solemnly placed the violet jade bracelet on Ye Meier's wrist.
The deep purple jade color blended strangely with her snow-white skin and her aggressive beauty, not at all jarring, but rather adding to her mystery and nobility, as if she were the rightful owner of the jade bracelet.
As Ye Meier felt the cool touch and heavy weight on her wrist, and then heard Zhang Mama's suggestive words about "getting along well with Shao Zhong," a look of embarrassment and helplessness appeared on her face for the first time.
She was usually so eloquent, but now she seemed mute, only able to awkwardly repeat, "Ah... Auntie... This is too precious... I..."
"Take it!" Zhang's mother said, her tone leaving no room for refusal. She tightened her grip on her daughter's hand. "It's from your aunt, so take it! Come home and visit often!"
Looking at the captivating purple hue on her wrist, and then at Zhang's mother's reddened eyes, Ye Meier felt as if a hard spot in her heart had been stabbed, and a bittersweet feeling spread through her.
She lowered her head abruptly, gave a muffled "hmm," and stopped refusing.
Zhang Shaozhong stood aside, watching this scene, his eyes also becoming a little hot.
He understood that his mother was expressing her acceptance and love for Ling Qingxue and Ye Meier in her most precious way.
This gift is not just material, but also an emotional affirmation and a deep sense of care.
On the way back, the atmosphere in the car was completely different from when we arrived.
Ling Qingxue and Ye Meier remained silent, each stroking the jade bracelet on their wrists, their eyes filled with complex emotions.
The cool jade seemed to still retain the warmth of Zhang's mother's palm, constantly reminding them of that sudden, heavy tenderness.
Zhang Shaozhong looked at them through the rearview mirror, his heart filled with emotion.
He knew that after this Mid-Autumn Festival, some things had changed.
The connection between the three of them became closer and more complex due to their parents' involvement and the two family heirloom jade bracelets.
This is not just a relationship between roommates, nor is it just a binding of souls; it also incorporates a kind of bond and responsibility similar to that of "family".
He looked at the road stretching ahead and tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
Make money! Get stronger! Find your way home!
This goal became clearer and more resolute in his mind at this moment.
It wasn't just for them; it seemed... it was also to live up to the heavy expectations and entrustment from their mothers.
These days with the powerful immortals and demons were increasingly slipping out of his control, but also becoming more and more irreplaceable.
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