"DAD, you know that we're not against you remarrying, right? But a woman like that one earlier is certainly a no-go," Luo Ren said while lifting a tea cup and drinking the tea inside.
Luo Wei Tian only gave his eldest a side glance. "Ah Ren, do you really think your father have no vision?"
They were currently at an open-air teahouse. It was much simpler and definitely cheaper compared to 'Ye Yun'. Because of that, there were a lot of tourist resting in the place.
They were drinking the teahouse's best tea. Also, one of the most popular tea in Chengdu – Zhuye Qing or bamboo leaf green tea. It tasted slightly bitter and crisp and had an earthly flavor to it. But Luo Yan liked this taste.
"Why do I remember a certain teacher who managed to enter the house a few years back and acted like she was about to be your next wife?" Luo Jin added.
"First, she's your homeroom teacher. How would I know that when she asked a home visit, she would be under the delusion that she would also be welcomed in our home?" Luo Wei Tian said, seemingly irritated by the memory.
"Well, it couldn't be helped. It's because Dad is so handsome," Luo Yan said.
Luo Wei Tian turned to his second son. "Does Xiao Yan think Dad is handsome?"
Luo Yan smiled at his father who was obviously fishing for more compliment. Of course, he would not disappoint him. "Yes. Dad is the most handsome dad in the whole wide world!"
His father looked like he would float hearing that.
"But does Dad plan to ever marry again?" he thought of asking.
"No, I don't," Luo Wei Tian honestly said. He looked into the distance. "I don't think I could ever love anyone as much as I love your mother."
Luo Yan listened to that answer and what he could hear was the fact that his father still loved her mother until now. Even though she had been gone for more than seven years now, she was still the only one in his father's heart.
Really, it's hard to meet someone who could have the same kind of dedication. Because not every married couple could remain in love with their partner throughout the rest of their lives. That's why many men, and sometimes even women, cheat on their spouse. And yet, his father just proved to him that there was a kind of love that existed even if their partner was no longer in this world.
And Luo Yan found that very beautiful. Albeit a little bit sad.
Shen Ji Yun also heard what Uncle Luo said and he couldn't help but remember his mother. She and Uncle Luo both lost the person they loved most. And yet Uncle Luo managed to pick himself up and remained sane amidst the despair. Contrary to that, her mother was the complete opposite.
After the death of his father, she detached herself to the world, becoming unstable and violent. It was as if nothing could ever enter her heart again. Not even him – her own son.
It's like her love for him couldn't outweigh her pain and loss. Instead of choosing him, she chose suffering. At the end, she even gave up on him.
Hearing what Uncle Luo said and experiencing this afternoon with the Luo family, a lot of 'what ifs' entered his mind. What if his mother didn't succumb to her sorrow? What if she remained strong despite the despair? What if she remembered that there was still a son waiting for her? Could they be as happy as the four of the Luo family were now?
He shook his head. There's no regret medicine in this world. What happened had already happened. He and his mother could never come back to the way they used to be. Their mother-son relationship had already ended when she cut off all contact with him.
A sense of melancholy surrounded him as how it usually was whenever he thought of his mother.
Then, all of a sudden, he felt the phone in his trench coat vibrating. He took it out and saw that it was a WeChat message from Luo Yan.
[YanYan1213]: Are you alright, Brother Ji Yun? Please, don't be sad.
Then it was followed by a worried looking white rabbit. After that, a black fox sticker with his paws raised as if cheering him on also appeared.
Shen Ji Yun raised his head and looked at Luo Yan who was sitting on the opposite seat. The other was looking worriedly at him, just like the cute rabbit sticker.
Suddenly, all the sadness he was feeling disappeared and it was replaced by an incredible warmth. It filled his heart and slowly leaked to every part of his body. This was probably the first time he had come out so quickly from his sadness brought by the memory of his mother. Sure enough, only his rabbit could make him feel this way.
A gentle smile appeared on his lips, silently reassuring Luo Yan that he was alright. With him, he would always be alright.
Seeing this smile, Luo Yan was finally relieved. He was actually shocked when he accidentally glanced at Shen Ji Yun earlier and noticed his abnormal state. It reminded him of that one moment when they were at Tropical Land – when Shen Ji Yun briefly mentioned his childhood. The other probably remembered something sad again. That's why Luo Yan sent that message.
Since they're not sitting near each other, he could only do that. If he asked directly, then his family would have noticed that something was amiss. He didn't want to expose Shen Ji Yun's scar to others. And he was sure that Shen Ji Yun also didn't want that.
So, sending him a message was the only way he could think of. He even sent stickers even though he wasn't used to doing it. Seeing Shen Ji Yun smile after reading his message, he was glad that he didn't hesitate to send him one.
"Dad, why don't we continue our tour?" Luo Yan then asked his father. "I think we've rested enough."
Them moving around would be the best for Shen Ji Yun. At least, he wouldn't have time thinking about sad things. Luo Yan really didn't like seeing that sad expression on his face again.
And so, the five of them continued their tour around Kuanzhai Xiangzi.