Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“Can’t I just complain? She has been dead for so many years. For so many years, Mom has been depressed and locking herself in her room because of her death. Every time she comes out, she just kneels in front of the Bodhisattva and prays for her!” Feng Mingzhu said and raised her hand to rub her forehead, which was aching because of drunkenness. “I’m so fed up.”
“It’s just because you refuse to forget her that the Li family will come out with such an excuse! Li Nanheng would rather marry her clothes than marry me! The Li family has hurt me, but you’re still commemorating her!” Feng Mingzhu pointed to the emerald Buddha beads in Qin Qiu’s hands and the old baby clothes laid flat on the table. “How long will this last? Do we have to live under this shadow for the rest of our lives?”
Hearing her words, Grandma Feng frowned. “Mingzhu…”
“Shut up!” Grandpa Feng shouted angrily, “This year is your sister’s eighteenth birthday. Seventeen years ago, she sank to the bottom of the sea. If she is still alive, we’ll be holding the coming-of-age ceremony for her today. Just like in that ceremony for you, we’ll invite guests to celebrate together. She deserves to enjoy what you had enjoyed. After all, you are both my granddaughters, but now she is gone. Can’t we do something in memory of her? Can the two rabbit lanterns annoy you so much? Why do you want us to forget your sister?”
“I do hope that the whole world can forget her so that I won’t be humiliated by the Li family! I am just a big joke!” Feng Mingzhu clenched her hands hard. “Mom, I am also your daughter. Can’t you put your attention on the living people? Must you devote so much energy to someone who has been dead for so many years?”
“Today is your sister’s eighteenth birthday. We were very happy when she was born on this day eighteen years ago. Although you were only a little girl at that time, you were also very happy about her birth. We just want to commemorate her this day. As for other things, we can discuss it another day.” Grandpa Feng frowned.
Feng Mingzhu rolled her eyes at the two white rabbit lanterns hanging outside, picked up her bag, and walked upstairs. She walked so fast as if they were crazy.
“No wonder Mingzhu has no affection for her sister. Mingzhu was too young at the time and had no impression of her sister. Although what she said just now was improper, don’t take them seriously. She has been in a bad mood these days because of Li Nanheng. We just need to give her some time.” Grandma Feng forced a smile, sighed, and said softly.
Qin Qiu, who was kneeling in front of the bodhisattva, closed her eyes. For all these years, she loved Mingzhu as all mothers loved their daughters, but from time to time, she would remember her poor second daughter and feel sad. On this day of the year, she would commemorate her at home. After all, this day was that poor child’s birthday.
However, Mingzhu abhorred her thoughts and guilt for her second daughter very much.
She sighed. Looking at the little old clothes in front of her eyes, she couldn’t help feeling heartsore again.
—-
Los Angeles, night market.
Feng Ling hadn’t finished the procurement yet and couldn’t return to the base for the time being. The hotel near this night market was not expensive, so she found a quiet, inexpensive, and nice hotel to stay.
Not having any food at night, she was hungry at about 9 o’clock. She walked out of the hotel and walked around in this night market. There was a variety of food in the market, but there would be that important investigation in a few days in the base so that she couldn’t eat randomly. Fearing that she might get diarrhea, she just bought a small pizza that looked nice.
There were too many people in the pizza shop, so there was no empty seat. Although it was cold today, there was no wind. She took the pizza box and sat on the step roadside. She took out the pizza, ate a few bites, and had several sips of mineral water. Then out of the corner of her eyes, she saw a large cake shop not far away. Many young mothers took their children to buy cakes of various colors and flavors, looking so sweet.
Looking at the various cakes in the cake shop window, Feng Ling was chewing the pizza in her mouth. When she reached out for the mineral water beside him, she touched a men’s leather shoe.
She paused and looked at the shoe with a jerk. Then she looked up, only to see Li Nanheng’s stern face. She felt her palms burn, and hurriedly drew her hand back.
Li Nanheng looked deadpan at the crowd around and then at Feng Ling, sitting on the dusty step and eating pizza. He smiled and slowly walked down the stairs, turned around, and looked at Feng Ling. “The base sets no limit to your expenses. There are places to eat everywhere. Why are you sitting here chewing pizza?”
Feng Ling was expressionless. “I didn’t want to eat dinner but suddenly felt hungry, so I came out to grab a bite.”
She didn’t ask why Li Nanheng was here. Anyway, he was the boss. He could do whatever he wanted. No one could control him.
She didn’t even ask him how he knew she was here.
The car she drove from the base was equipped with a GPS tracker, and every member would know her whereabouts when she was on a mission. This was not surprising. Others, whether they used helicopters or cars, would also have GPS.
Li Nanheng, with one hand in his trouser pocket, looked back at that cake shop. “You had been looking at the cakes in that shop. Haven’t you eaten cakes?”
“Yes, I have. When brothers at the base bought birthday cakes to celebrate their birthdays, I ate some.” Feng Ling lowered her head to bite the pizza. Her mouth bulged, and she vaguely said, “It’s just that kind of creamy flavor. Nothing special.”
Li Nanheng glanced at her. “Do you want to eat it?”
Feng Ling paused, raised her eyes, and looked at him. Seeing the gentle look on his face, she couldn’t help recalling how cruel and shameless this man could be.
She stood up and snatched the mineral water that he had just picked up from the ground, saying coldly, “No!”
