"I know."
Su Xun's voice softened a little. "Brother Jin told me."
"I wanted to put these bells in front of that child's grave. Could you—"
"Mom!"
A voice interrupted Su Xun. A little boy, no more than four or five, came running out.
The boy grabbed the woman's hand, grinning excitedly. "Mom, come here! Come on!"
"What is it? Why are you so happy?"
The woman bent down, her eyes crinkling with a gentle smile.
"You'll see when you come over, Mom."
The boy urged her in his childish voice, "Hurry, Mom."
"Dad, you come too."
"All right."
The stern-faced father bent down and picked up the boy, then turned and headed inside.
The woman looked apologetically at Su Xun. "It was thoughtful of you."
"Old Jin knows where that child's grave is."
"Let him take you there."
"I can't get away from things here, either."
"I'm sorry."
The woman's expression was gentle, and her words sincere.
Su Xun slowly closed his outstretched hand. In just that short time, the bells had regained some of their original chill.
"All right. I understand."
The corner of his mouth twitched, forming a somewhat unnatural smile.
The woman across from him didn't notice at all.
After hearing Su Xun's reply, the woman turned to Brother Jin. "Old Jin, sorry for the trouble."
Then she smiled at Su Xun and Xiao Xiao before closing the door.
For a moment, the air fell silent.
"Ahem. Young Brother Su, Master Xiao, I'll take you to that child's grave."
Brother Jin cleared his throat, following Su Xun's way of addressing Xiao Xiao.
"Don't take it to heart. The Yan family..."
He couldn't bring himself to finish. What was there to explain?
The family had made their feelings perfectly clear.
He shook his head.
His heart