Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Shen Yue’s tone was sincere and earnest. Xi Xiaye heeded his advice as she nodded. “I got it, Grandpa.”
“Right, my father and mother will be on holiday soon. You should be prepared for Mother to bring you out on a trip. Mu Yuchen’s already arranged for everything in France, so you’ll just have to go over. Don’t rush. Take your time. Oh, let Xiao Rui go with you too. We’ll get all the required procedures done in the next two days. I’ll get Mu Yuchen to book your flight tickets tonight.”
Xi Xiaye wanted them to have a proper break, especially Shen Yue.
Shen Yue nodded, not rejecting the offer. “Alright, I’ll leave it to you then. Bring Xiao Cheng home when you can. I haven’t seen that little guy in half a month now. I want to see if he’s grown chubbier!”
“He’s probably staying over at the Mu residence for a few days since Father and Mother say they miss him. Grandfather and Grandmother were thinking about going back to stay at the old residence for a few days too. Grandpa, you can go visit since you’re all free now anyway. After all, Grandfather and Grandmother are people you can easily get along with. Don’t stay at home being bored all day.”
“I’m not bored at home all day. Don’t I always go to the plaza to drink tea and play chess with the folks there? If you weren’t coming back today, I would’ve probably been there right now.”
“Okay, okay…as long as you don’t feel bored.”
After that, Xi Xiaye stayed back for lunch with Shen Yue in the Shen residence. In the afternoon, she went around the shopping mall nearby with him and bought him a bunch of clothes and personal care items in preparation for the holiday. Of course, they did not forget to buy things for Xi Mushan, Shen Wenna, and Mu Zirui.
They shopped around until the evening when the bodyguards had no more hands to hold the bags. Then, the grandfather and granddaughter found a bench in the mall to sit down.
Right now, it was already close to the evening. The setting sun’s afterglow lined the horizon as though it was unwilling to leave as the gentle radiance engulfed their silhouettes gently amidst its pure light and holiness.
Xi Xiaye turned to look at Shen Yue beside her. She gently laughed and said, “Grandpa, I didn’t think that you were a master at shopping too. I could barely keep up.”
When Shen Yue heard her comment, he laughed, “This makes me think of your grandma when we were younger. Every weekend, we would always go out like this. Your mother was still young then. Like that child over there, she would sit on my shoulders. The roads weren’t as wide back then, and there were many people shopping too, so it would be very crowded. Your grandma would always hold onto my shirt tightly like how you did in fear of being washed away by the crowd, especially when we celebrated the festivities every year. And you, do you remember that when you were young, over on that road, you’d be like your mother every time and sit on my shoulders?”
Maybe because old folks liked to reminisce about the past, Shen Yue kept recalling memories in recent times.
Xi Xiaye caught all of Shen Yue’s expressions. She thought about it, then put her hand on his gaunt ones as she said softly, “Grandpa, Mu Yuchen and I will be filial to you. Apart from Grandma, you still have us.”
“I know. Sigh, it’s been so many years. Sometimes I really feel like your grandma never left me. I just regret not accompanying her properly or doing my best to satisfy her wishes when she was still around. Alas, it’s too late for regrets!” Shen Yue lamented as he slowly looked up towards the dazzling sunset and squinted his crinkly eyes. He seemed to be in a daze as he watched the warm sun.
“Xiaye, look, this dusk and this setting sun are brilliant and very beautiful, but it’s also very short. In the blink of an eye, everything could be gone. I’m very thankful for you and your mother, and also your father and Ah Chen. They know how to cherish everything right now. My child, always remember, appreciate your blessings before it’s too late!”
“I got it, Grandpa. I know Mother and I have let you down before. I’m sorry.”
“There are letdowns, but now there are even more fortunes. I’m content to be able to see the two of you pursue your own happiness. There’s a long road ahead and I won’t always be by your side. As long as you and your husband work as one in your lives, you’ll do fine!”
Shen Yue lifted his frail hand gently and patted the back of Xi Xiaye’s hand. Then, he slowly stood up and turned around with his hands behind him. “Alright, you’ve been with me for a whole day and I’ve troubled you enough. Go home. I’ll get back myself. You’re very busy anyway.”
“Grandpa!” Xi Xiaye stood up too, but Shen Yue shuffled away, waving to her with his back towards her. “Go home!”
Xi Xiaye watched as his delicate figure gradually mixed into the crowd. That was when she realized that her grandpa had aged with the ebb of time. Suddenly, she felt extremely sad watching him gradually leave. Her eyes welled up with hot tears and she was stunned by the weight of the thought for a moment. Finally, she could not help but chase after him.
“Grandpa!”
However, Shen Yue had already gotten into the car which slowly drove away.
“Grandpa—”
Xi Xiaye chased after the car for quite a distance before she realized it was futile, so she stopped and panted heavily as she watched the black car drown amidst the traffic until she could no longer see it.
Her eyes welled up with hot tears again and she sniffled. In that instant, she felt her vision go blur as teardrops fell. The heat in her tears burned the back of her hand, and she could not help but lift both hands to cover her face as she silently squatted down.
At this moment, inside a black Phaeton not too far away from the mall, Mu Yuchen’s clear gaze looked through the car window and silently took all of this in. After a while, he sighed helplessly and pushed the door open to get down before walking towards her.
Xi Xiaye could not help but feel melancholic. She sensed her palms being drenched in her tears as she wept silently. Suddenly came the sound of steady footsteps. The night breeze brought a faint yet familiar fragrance to her. Sniffling, she looked up tearfully and saw Mu Yuchen peering down at her with his back facing the light.
She watched him silently. For some reason, the tears that she managed to hold back suddenly poured out uncontrollably again…
