Chapter 397 Three-Nine-Seven-Two Combination
397:
Sometimes, Mu Feng felt that Ye Qingxi might really be a little angel sent to their home by heaven.
His personality is different from everyone else in this family.
More gentle, more sunny, and more straightforward and honest.
Like now, he would directly tell him, "I miss you so much."
Mu Feng would never say that.
Mu Zheng wouldn't know either.
Even as adults, Mu Shaowu, Mu Shaoting, and Mu Shaoyan weren't very good at it.
People tend to become more reserved and self-protective, feeling that such words are cheesy and embarrassing to say.
Especially towards one's elders.
But Ye Qingxi would speak frankly without hesitation.
He spoke so naturally, like a gentle breeze, that Mu Feng felt as if he were bathed in a spring breeze.
He raised his hand and touched Ye Qingxi's head, his thumb still bearing the jade thumb ring that Ye Qingxi had once given him.
All these years have passed, and Mu Feng has always worn this jade thumb ring.
He remembered that Ye Qingxi had participated in the variety show with Mu Shaowu and earned some money. So, taking advantage of her birthday and Pei Ying's visit, she told Pei Ying that she wanted to give him a gift and asked him to help her choose a piece of jade and make it into a thumb ring, and that she would pay for it.
Pei Ying was incredibly envious at the time. After receiving the ring from Ye Qingxi, he even called to express his gratitude for his good fortune, saying that even in his old age, he had such a well-behaved and lovable grandson.
Mu Feng doesn't really have any interest in these things. When he was a rebellious teenager, he would wear all sorts of random accessories, but as he grew up, he lost interest in them.
Most of the time, he only wears a wristwatch.
But he always wore the bracelets and rings that Ye Qingxi gave him.
And so, I took care of him for more than ten years.
I've gotten used to wearing it for so long that sometimes when I take it off, my hands feel incredibly light.
He's used to it.
I've grown accustomed to this emerald green jade thumb ring.
He's gotten used to it, this grandson who's suddenly become a part of his life.
It was as if the thumb ring was practically ingrained on his thumb.
Ye Qingxi had already taken root in his heart.
I can't let go, I can't forget, I can't bear to part with it.
How could Mu Feng not miss her?
Mu Feng was simply used to living a life of steel and iron.
Whether it was when my parents passed away, when my wife passed away, or now when my children have left, my grandchildren are no longer by my side.
He was not used to showing vulnerability from a young age, and gradually he stopped showing vulnerability altogether. Now, no one can see his vulnerability anymore.
He seemed invincible, an impenetrable fortress, incapable of sadness or grief.
Only the setting sun can glimpse his loneliness at home alone in the twilight.
Back then, Mu Feng would gently touch the cotton candy leaning against him, his movements very tender.
Sometimes the marshmallow would jump onto his lap, and sometimes onto the book or document he was reading. He wouldn't get angry; he would just silently pick it up and put it on the ground.
This gift, which he gave to Ye Qingxi and which Ye Qingxi deliberately kept to keep him company, became "love" itself through the act of giving and keeping.
Looking at it, Mu Feng would think of his grandson.
Ye Qingxi only hoped that her grandfather could spend his final days happily.
Mu Feng woke up and stopped lying in bed. He threw off the covers, got out of bed, and went out the door.
As soon as the marshmallow saw them, it ran over and followed affectionately to their feet.
Ye Qingxi bent down, picked it up, and carried it to the living room, where she played with it for a while.
Mu Feng sat on the sofa watching, a gentle smile in his eyes.
Seeing this, Aunt Zhang didn't go over and went back to the kitchen to prepare the dishes that Ye Qingxi liked.
To be honest, she's watched Ye Qingxi grow up since she was little, and now that Ye Qingxi has moved out, she's still a bit unaccustomed to it.
Especially since her home had suddenly become quieter than before, although her work pressure had decreased, she couldn't help but think about the people she had spent so much time with.
Now that Ye Qingxi is back, not only Mu Feng, but even Aunt Zhang is extremely happy.
After playing with cotton candy for a while, Ye Qingxi got hungry and was about to ask Aunt Zhang when it was time to eat when she suddenly heard the door open.
Ye Qingxi: ? Who is this?
Have other people returned?
Just as he was wondering, he heard Grandpa Feng's voice, "Xiao Mu, I bought a Go set. Let's play Go after dinner."
Ye Qingxi: !!
It was actually his great-grandfather!
No, how did his great-grandfather have a key to their house?
And you can even go directly into the courtyard through the main gate?!
Perhaps sensing his confusion, Mu Feng explained, "He's been coming here frequently lately, so we gave him a key too."
Ye Qingxi: ? ? ?
"You come often?"
Mu Feng: ...
"Oh, Xiao Xi, what brings you back?" As he spoke, Grandpa Feng had already changed his shoes and walked into the living room.
He was clearly delighted to see Ye Qingxi. "Perfect timing! I bought some Go pieces. Do you know how to play?"
Ye Qingxi shook her head, "I only know how to play Gomoku."
Grandpa Feng laughed heartily, "Then, Grandpa will play Go with you for a while."
"Okay," Ye Qingxi replied.
Mu Feng: ...Alright, as long as his grandson is willing.
"Great-Grandpa, have you eaten?" Ye Qingxi asked him.
"No, I just came over to eat with your grandfather." Grandpa Feng said casually, "I've been eating with your grandfather for the past two days."
Ye Qingxi: ...Eat together?
He turned to look at his grandfather.
Mu Feng: ...
Mu Feng could only nod helplessly.
Ever since Mu Shaowu and Feng Que got married and moved out, Feng Ming has started coming to ask him to have meals together.
In his words, "Shaowu and Xiaoque just got married and are all lovey-dovey. It would be inappropriate for me to disturb them. But you, all alone, are perfect. I'm a lonely old man, so if we two lonely people get together, we won't be lonely anymore."
Mu Feng: ...
Mu Feng felt that he was not lonely at all!
But Fengming is an elder, and at this age, he is staying here for the sake of his grandson and Ye Qingxi. So, taking these considerations into account, Mu Feng did not let him leave. He recorded his fingerprint and made a key for him, so that he could come whenever he wanted.
And here he is again today.
When Aunt Zhang saw that Grandpa Feng had arrived, and that her dishes were already prepared, she asked Mu Feng and prepared to start cooking.
Ye Qingxi took the opportunity to go to the kitchen and asked her about Mu Feng and Old Master Feng.
Aunt Zhang gave him a brief explanation.
Ye Qingxi understood.
He nodded, quite pleased, and said, "That's good. That way, when I go to school or stay with my dad, my great-grandfather and grandfather can play together, which is perfect, they'll both have company."
“I think so too,” Aunt Zhang said in a low voice. “Just yesterday, they were talking about chess while they were eating. Your grandfather loves to play Chinese chess, while Grandpa Feng loves to play Western chess. They can’t play together, so they compromised and chose Go.”
Aunt Zhang smiled and asked, "Do you know how to play Go?"
Ye Qingxi shook her head.
"I don't know either," said Aunt Zhang. "It looks so hard to understand."
Ye Qingxi thought so too, "But as long as they can play, I can watch them play."
"Yes," said Aunt Zhang.
The three of them finished their meal quickly, and then Grandpa Feng started playing chess with Mu Feng.
Ye Qingxi sat to the side, watching them, one holding black pieces and the other white pieces, placing them here and there.
He really didn't understand it, so he picked up the cotton candy and started playing with it.
The afterglow of the setting sun shone in, and the two elderly people, the child, and the cat looked surprisingly harmonious.
Grandpa Feng won one game and lost one game. In the third game, Mu Feng let Ye Qingxi sit in his seat, and he sat next to Ye Qingxi, teaching him how to play.
When he played Go, he was surprisingly patient, always unhurried and calm. Ye Qingxi listened to his explanations, seemingly understanding but not quite. He turned his head and saw his grandfather's composed face, as well as the cotton candy he was holding in his arms.
This kind of life seems pretty good, Ye Qingxi thought. It's peaceful, warm, and happy.
After playing Go with Grandpa Feng, Grandpa Feng left.
The next day, he brought Aristotle with him.
Aristotle was already very old.
He was picked up by Grandpa Feng after his wife passed away. At that time, he was just a puppy that had been born not long ago. Later, he followed him back to China by plane, met Ye Qingxi, and is now sixteen or seventeen years old.
Grandpa Feng loved it very much, so he was considerate of its age and no longer took it everywhere like he did when it was a puppy.
Recently, when I came to visit Ye Qingxi, I always kept him at his villa in S City.
Aristotle missed him dearly and always waited for him alone at the door.
The housekeeper called him, and Old Master Feng, feeling sorry for it, finally sent the driver to pick it up.
Now that he has seen his human friend again, Aristotle is very happy and keeps rubbing against Ye Qingxi, his tail almost turning into a propeller.
Ye Qingxi stroked its big head.
He could still recall the image of Aristotle pounce on him when he was a child. He was very young then, while Aristotle was already quite grown up and taller than him when he stood up.
But now that he has grown up, Aristotle seems not so old anymore.
Ye Qingxi touched him hard for a long time and played with him for a long time.
Cotton Candy also came over and played with her former best friend for a while.
After playing until they were tired, they fell asleep together again.
Time seemed to have returned to the time when they first met. The big dog and the little cat were both fluffy white balls, and they both liked people and Ye Qingxi.
Ye Qingxi didn't know how long other people's cats and dogs could live, but he sincerely hoped that his Cotton Candy and his good friend Aristotle could live a long, long time.
This world is still beautiful; they can enjoy it a little longer before peacefully passing away in their sleep.
There is no pain, no regrets, only a happy and joyful life.
He stayed at home for a few more days before returning to the room he shared with Zhong Yan.
When Zhong Yan saw him return, she ate her fried skewers and said, "You're back."
Ye Qingxi nodded.
The National Day holiday was long over, but he couldn't bear to leave his two elderly relatives and two pets at home, so he always went back after school.
"Have your parents returned from their honeymoon?" Zhong Yan asked.
Ye Qingxi shook her head, "Not yet."
His dad is enjoying the colorful world with his stepfather right now.
"Wow, that was really great," Zhong Yan exclaimed.
Ye Qingxi also thought so.
"Oh, right," Zhong Yan said, remembering something, "Isn't New Year's Day a three-day holiday? Do you want to go out and have some fun?"
Where to?
“Either is fine,” Zhong Yan said. “Going to the surrounding areas is also fine. It’s just three days. We can have the driver take us on a road trip.”
"That works too," Ye Qingxi said. "I'll take some photos anyway."
The two agreed that they would set off with their backpacks on New Year's Day.
This time, Ye Qingxi brought professional equipment, not only taking photos but also recording videos.
Looking at the beautiful mountains and rivers before him, he marveled at how the natural scenery was indeed a beauty that was difficult for humankind to replicate at any time.
Zhong Yan looked at the photo he had taken of her and exclaimed, "Wow! Your photography skills have improved so much now?"
"It's alright," Ye Qingxi said.
"This can't be just okay, it's absolutely fantastic!"
After Zhong Yan finished speaking, she sent the photos to their group chat.
Seeing that they were clearly not at home, Pei Liang asked curiously, "Did you two go out to play?"
Zhong Yan: [Of course.]
Pei Liang: [Then why don't you come visit me?]
Zhong Yan said matter-of-factly, "It's only for three days, brother. We'll have to come back as soon as we land."
Pei Liang: [So, a longer vacation period is all that matters? [Wink]]
Zhong Yan snorted: "Dream on."
Pei Liang: ...
Ye Qingxi watched the two of them bickering and laughed, "It's not impossible. We don't have anything to do next May Day, so why not go abroad for a trip?"
"Wouldn't that be letting him off easy?"
"We're childhood friends, after all," Ye Qingxi said. "But it's fine if you don't go. If I go, I'll probably have to go to my brother's place, and then I'll probably only stay with Pei Liang for a day or two, so I won't be able to accompany you the whole time."
“It’s alright,” Zhong Yan said. “If you go abroad, you will naturally go to see your brother. When it’s time to return to China, I will come to find you, and then we will fly back together.”
"So you agreed?"
Zhong Yan: ...
"It's mainly to keep you company," he explained. "I'm a very loyal friend."
Ye Qingxi nodded, "That's true, you're the most loyal!"
“But it’s still a long way from May Day, so let’s wait until then,” he suggested. “Don’t tell my brother and Pei Liang yet, so they won’t be disappointed if things change.”
"Okay," Zhong Yan replied.
The two of them spent three carefree days exploring the surrounding area, taking many photos, before finally returning home.
In the following days, Ye Qingxi and Zhong Yan immersed themselves in the library, starting to review and prepare for their final exams.
Qin Cheng should be back around the time the final exams are over.
When Ye Qingxi went to pick him up, she felt that he hadn't changed much from before. He was still as handsome, as tall, and as...something that made people happy just to see him.
“You released it a little earlier than Pei Liang and the others,” he said.
Qin Cheng smiled slightly. "Really?"
"Mm." Ye Qingxi nodded.
He looked at the person in front of him.
I don't know if it's because we haven't seen each other for so long, but even though they're right in front of me, I still miss them a little.
Ye Qingxi opened her arms and hugged Qin Cheng.
“Welcome back,” he said softly.
Qin Cheng was stunned for a moment, then slowly hugged him.
"Hmm," he responded softly.
The New Year came early this year, and Aunt Zhang started preparing early.
Mu Shaowu and Feng Que discussed, "Let's spend the New Year at my house this year."
He said, "My sister and her family are spending the New Year at Li Jing's house this year. If I don't go back soon, it will only be Shao Yan and my brother at home this year."
“Okay,” Feng Que agreed. “Perfect timing, my grandfather also wants to spend the New Year at your house this year.”
Mu Shaowu: "Huh?"
"Your dad has already agreed."
Mu Shaowu: "Huh??"
Feng Que smiled and said, "You don't know, do you? The two of them are on very good terms now."
Mu Shaowu: ...It really is quite amazing.
Ye Qingxi was somewhat surprised when she heard this.
He asked Feng Que, "Really? My great-grandfather wants to spend the New Year at our house?"
"Well, he said he always celebrated the New Year at home before, and never at someone else's house, so now he wants to experience it and see what the atmosphere is like when other people celebrate the New Year."
Ye Qingxi laughed, "That would be great."
Mu Shaowu: ...I feel like it's a bit magical.
So, on New Year's Day, Mu Shaowu and Mu Zheng both took their partners and children home early.
Grandpa Feng arrived even earlier than them.
He got up early, and knowing that Mu Shaowu and Ye Qingxi loved to sleep in, since one of them worked and the other went to school, he didn't want to disturb them during their rare holidays. So he went straight to the Mu family to find Mu Feng.
Sure enough, Mu Feng had already woken up.
The two played chess for a while, and then the children gradually arrived.
Mu Zheng and the others already knew from Mu Feng that Old Master Feng would be spending the New Year with them, so they weren't surprised. They politely greeted him and started chatting.
A short while later, Mu Shaoyan also returned.
Seeing that he was alone, Ye Qingxi asked in confusion, "Where is my uncle?"
“He went home,” Mu Shaoyan said. “He originally wanted to come back with me, but I felt it was unnecessary. After all, he is different from me. If he doesn’t go back, your Aunt Duan will really have to spend the New Year alone.”
Duan's mother was a very particular and polite person.
So, during the first year of Mu Shaoyan's marriage, she specifically instructed Duan Yi that he must spend the New Year at the Mu family home.
This is a sign of respect for Mu Shaoyan, and it's also the sincerity he should show.
You can come back the following year, and then you can alternate like this.
Duan Yi did indeed do just that.
However, Mu Shaoyan was a man of loyalty and always felt that if they didn't go back that year, Duan's mother would inevitably feel a little lonely.
So this year, he tried his best to persuade Duan Yi to go back.
“Anyway, we’re together 365 days a year, so one more day won’t make a difference. You can go home and spend time with your mom, and I can go home and spend time with my dad. We can each go back to our own homes and find our own parents.”
Duan Yi was both amused and exasperated. He couldn't refuse Mu Shaoyan's request, and he also genuinely felt sorry for his mother, so he agreed.
Ye Qingxi nodded, thinking to herself that he truly lived up to his uncle's reputation.
His uncle is really lucky; he and his uncle are mutually in love. How fortunate!
As they were talking, guests arrived at the door. Ye Qingxi went out to open the door, only to find that it was actually Feng's parents.
He exclaimed in surprise, "Grandpa and Grandma!"
“Oh~” Phoenix Mother laughed.
Feng's father also looked at him with affection.
Feng Que and the others rushed over upon hearing the noise, asking in confusion, "Why are you all here?"
“Since you and your grandfather are both spending the New Year here, we will naturally be with you,” said Feng’s father.
“That’s right, and Xiao Xi is here too. Come here, Xiao Xi, come and see the gift Grandma bought for you,” Feng’s mother called out to him.
After she finished speaking, she saw Qin Cheng and waved to him, "Xiao Cheng, come here too."
After Qin Cheng went abroad to study, because of Mu Shaowu, Feng's parents even had a meal with him and asked him if he needed any help.
"Your second uncle cares about you a lot, so if there's anything I can help you with, just let us know. Otherwise, Xiaoxi might think we're not good to her brother," Madam Feng said with a smile.
Qin Cheng actually does have one.
He had been interning at the Mu family's group company since his senior year of high school and hadn't been to many other large companies. So Qin Cheng was thinking of interning at the Feng family's Phoenix Group to see how it differed from the Mu Group.
Given the relationship between the Mu and Feng families, and considering that Ye Qingxi was someone Feng's mother had watched grow up, she knew very well how close and loving Ye Qingxi was with her cousin. Therefore, Feng's mother agreed on the spot.
Therefore, Qin Cheng has always had a good relationship with Feng's parents.
When Ye Qingxi heard Qin Cheng tell him this, she was quite moved. Indeed, there was a difference between a true academic genius and a fake one.
A true academic genius like his brother would only want to absorb knowledge while putting it into practice.
A fake academic genius like him only wants to lie down and do nothing.
Luckily, they have his brother; otherwise, I would really worry about the Mu family.
Therefore, when Feng's mother and her husband called Mu Feng to say that they also wanted to come over, Mu Feng did not refuse.
As a parent himself, he could understand the desire of the parents to reunite with their child.
After giving the gifts that Feng's mother had brought back from overseas to Ye Qingxi and Qin Cheng, the Mu family prepared to eat.
Aunt Zhang wasn't home today, so we still booked a hotel for our New Year's Eve dinner.
When everyone had almost finished eating and was gathered in the living room watching the Spring Festival Gala and chatting, Mu Shaoting and Li Jing returned.
Mu Shaowu asked in surprise, "Didn't you go to Li Jing's house for the New Year?"
"Hmm." Mu Shaoting nodded. "After we finished eating, some of his family members started chatting, some played games, and some went out to set off fireworks, so I came back."
She changed her shoes, squeezed next to Ye Qingxi, and pushed Mu Shaoyan away from Ye Qingxi.
Mu Shaoyan: ? ? ?
Mu Shaoyan was speechless, but there was nothing he could do about it. After all, she was his own sister! Bloodline suppression!
"Anyway, there's no point in me staying any longer, and they're going abroad to travel tomorrow morning, and I'm not going, so I might as well come back early."
"So you came back with her?" Mu Shaowu looked at his brother-in-law.
Li Jing sat down next to Mu Shaoting and smiled, "Mm."
Ye Qingxi looked at her aunt and uncle who had suddenly appeared beside her, and then at her father, stepfather and others. She was surprised to find that this was the year with the most people in their family celebrating the New Year.
His father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Feng's grandparents, his uncle's family, his aunt's family, his uncle's family, and of course, his stepfather.
Ye Qingxi couldn't help but laugh, feeling that this year's New Year was particularly lively.
They set off fireworks together before midnight.
Taking advantage of the large crowd, Ye Qingxi suggested, "Let's take a picture."
"Great!" Mu Shaowu agreed.
Ye Qingxi hurriedly went to his room to get his camera. He set it up and quickly ran to stand between Mu Shaowu and Feng Que, a happy smile on his face.
"Click," the camera captured this beautiful moment.
Fireworks went off in the distance; it was midnight, and other people were setting off fireworks.
Cotton Candy lay on the balcony of Ye Qingxi's room, tilting her fluffy head back to watch the colorful and dazzling fireworks.
Not far away, Aristotle was fast asleep, his head resting on the bone-shaped pillow that Ye Qingxi had bought for him.
It's a new year again.
It's another wonderful time for family reunions.
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