Xie Xie's Memories

"So on that day, Mom waited for a long time, really a long time... but... he still didn't come back! In the end, Mom passed away with regret and loss... I hate my father... I can't help it! I really hate him!" Xie Xie suddenly cried and pounded the table.

Seeing Xie Xie like this, Wu Yang Jin stood up, took his hand, and stopped him from continuing to hammer. It was too heartbreaking for even him and the others.

Xie Xie sensed Wu Yang Jin, turned his head to wipe away his tears, but continued to slump over the table.

As for arriving here, even before stepping into the store, Xie Xie had already let go of everything about himself, which could be considered his true self.

Here, he can let loose, he can chat freely, he can...

He seemed to have let go of everything he could here, and aside from when his mother was still alive, this was the first time he had ever opened his heart to anyone, the first time...

"Xie Xie..."

Whether it's Hu Meier, Gu Yue, Tang Wu Lin, or Wu Yang Jin, they had all come to regard Xie Xie as their best friend and best teammate during this time.

Three months, or longer or shorter, depending on the individual.

But for these five children, these three months have allowed them to get to know each other quite well.

Working together, attending classes together, eating together, etc., all indicate the relationship between the group.

Even if it's Gu Yue, it's obvious to anyone with eyes that Gu Yue might argue with Xie Xie eight or nine times out of ten.

But in reality, Gu Yue had long regarded Xie Xie as a trustworthy teammate and a friend who, despite their seemingly strained relationship, was actually quite good to him.

Just then, Uncle Li brought over a new Braised Jarred Beef, feeling genuinely moved. After all, he had watched Xie Xie grow up, and only here did Uncle Li feel that Xie Xie was the real Xie Xie.

Of course, there are also times when Xie Xie is with his mother.

Perhaps, wherever his mother was, Xie Xie felt that was the happiest and most blissful place.

But this Braised Jarred Beef Shop, this happiness...

It was once a happy place, where Xie Xie Xie and his mother lived.

Now, the happiness and joy, the taste and the memories remain, but that person...

But he's gone forever...

"You can call me Uncle Li too. I've seen Xie Xie come here often since he was a child. His mother used to love bringing him here, but after she passed away, he had to come by himself. He always thinks of his mother, but please don't blame him! It's really rare to see him bring a friend, and I'm happy for him. Maybe he does some things wrong; he's young, but he carries a lot on his mind. Please help him out. Sigh, it's such a pity!" Uncle Li said.

"Uncle Li, we understand, don't worry," Wu Yang Jin said, leading the group.

"Okay, you guys eat first. If you want more, just call me again!" Uncle Li said.

Xie Xie, um...

It's really great to know you...

At this point, no one could bear to watch anymore, so Tang Wu Lin sat down next to Xie Xie and patted his back to help him catch his breath.

Wu Yang Jin sat on the other side, with his arm around his shoulder.

Hu Meier didn't know what to do at this point, but she never expected that she was the one with the most experience here, apart from Wu Yang Jin.

But at this moment, I didn't know what to do, and a sudden sadness welled up inside me, just like back then...

Gu Yue had been watching all along, and her own eyes were filled with melancholy. She knew that there was nothing she could do to comfort Xie Xie right now; there were some things she... might not really understand.

Soon, Wu Yang Jin suddenly helped Xie Xie up, looked at him, wiped his tears with a tissue, and looked at him with the expression of a loving father.

"Yang Jin... you..." Xie Xie Xie also taken aback, and after calming down, he said.

"Xie Xie ..." After a while, Yu Chen spoke up.

"Yang Jin, I actually didn't..."

"Are you an idiot?" Wu Yang Jin asked.

"Huh?"

"I don't deny what you said. Without that encounter, Auntie might not be where she is today, and she might be happier and more joyful."

Then, he suddenly fell silent, and then spoke again.

"But, most importantly, if that encounter hadn't happened, would you still be here?" Wu Yang Jin suddenly pointed out.

Hearing what Wu Yang Jin said, Xie Xie opened his mouth, but found that he had no idea what to say.

Yes, just as Wu Yang Jin said, it was because of that encounter that he came to be.

If that encounter had never happened, would he still exist in this world?

"Fate is unpredictable. Now all of this is in the past, and even if you hate it, it's useless. Although it may not be the right thing to say, even if you hate it, Auntie can't come back," Wu Yang Jin continued.

"Right..."

"And to be honest, even without that encounter, could there really be any guarantee that Auntie would be happy? Nothing is absolute, and fate is unpredictable," Wu Yang Jin said.

Xie Xie suddenly started listening attentively.

"Everything can only be said to be fate. And speaking of your aunt, she must hope that you can live a good and happy life now. Although I know that what I'm about to say will make you sad, perhaps your aunt's biggest regret is not being able to watch you grow up, not being able to watch her most beloved child grow up," Wu Yang Jin added.

"So, I think it's not just what your aunt expects. As your best brother and friend, we also hope that you will cheer up, work hard, and live happily now, and tell your aunt that you, Xie Xie, will not make her sad or disappointed! Tell your aunt that you, Xie Xie, now have friends, and people who make you care and happy!" Wu Yang Jin said in the end.

"Yang Jin! You... I..." Xie Xie was also deeply moved by what he heard.

"Ah, but I'm sorry, I don't know if I said anything you might not want to hear, but I want to say one last thing: although your aunt is no longer here, you still have us now, right? We will do our part, after all, we are brothers, friends, and... your family!" Wu Yang Jin said.

That last sentence really touched Xie Xie's heart.

"After all, we're brothers, friends, and family to you!"

"Yes, I have friends now, I have everyone," Xie Xie thought to himself.

Yes, now I have good partners and family like Wu Yang Jin, Tang Wu Lin, Hu Meier, and Gu Yue!

Therefore, I am not that lonely, and my mother would not want to see me like this.