Upon hearing that Yan Heqing was to be invited, Lin Fengyi first looked at Lin Fengzhi, and seeing his sullen expression, immediately said, "Others have family members; what's the point of having them come to our house for New Year's Eve dinner?"
Lin Fengzhi wanted to explain that Yan Heqing had severed ties with his adoptive parents, but he swallowed the words back.
Chinese New Year is different; it's a time for family reunions. What if Yan Heqing goes back home for the New Year?
Lin Fengxian hadn't expected this, and he was very disappointed. "Dad said he's very good at chess, and I wanted to play a few games with him."
Mother Lin offered another suggestion, "Then invite him on the second day of the Lunar New Year, the day for visiting relatives and friends."
Lin Fengyi's gaze was still fixed on Lin Fengzhi. Lin Fengzhi hesitated for a moment before muttering, "We'll see." Not wanting to continue the topic, he quickened his pace and started running.
After Lin Fengzhi upstairs, Lin Fengyi frowned and said with displeasure, "Brother, you have too much to say, so you go find my sister-in-law!"
The sister-in-law he mentioned is Lin Fengxian's fiancée; the two will get married next year.
Lin Fengxian had a rough idea of what was going on, and he was very surprised. "Doesn't Fengzhi have a good relationship with his older brother? Dad said that boy has a very good personality."
"It's not that Heqing is bad, it's just that your brother can't get over it mentally," Mother Lin sighed softly. "Give him some more time to adjust."
*
Three hours later, the bus stopped at the terminal station.
Yan Heqing got out of the car. No one came during the New Year, and the area was even more deserted. Yan Heqing walked forward and arrived at the cemetery in about twenty minutes.
Since he was able to earn his own money, Yan Heqing has come every year for Chinese New Year.
The Yan and Zhao couple were eager for him to go out during the New Year so he wouldn't have to eat and drink extravagantly, and they didn't care where Yan Heqing went at all.
There are 208 steps in total.
He went to his father's grave.
The Yan Family was burned down completely back then, and the two burial plots were arranged by the neighborhood committee so that they couldn't be placed next to each other.
On the solitary monument, there is only a simple name and date, but no photograph.
Yan Heqing put down the bouquet of chrysanthemums, smiled, and said, "Dad, Happy New Year."
Walk another 426 steps, turn left and go up 56 steps to reach his mother's grave.
Yan Heqing gently put down the sword orchid, squatted down, and slowly stroked the three characters " Yan Qiushuang ".
"Mom, I'm here."
A slight glint of moisture welled up in his unfathomable eyes. He smiled, "Happy New Year."
In my mind, there is a blurry image of a woman amidst the terrifying flames, but only her embrace feels safe and warm.
Yan Heqing suddenly became talkative, talking about his exam results, changing majors, and that he ate a big bowl of noodles that morning.
He recounted everything, big and small, to the tombstone in front of him.
The wind blew harder and harder, and the entire cemetery was deathly silent. The last bus of the day only ran until 3 p. m., and Yan Heqing stopped just before it was time to leave.
He leaned closer, closed his eyes, and kissed the tombstone. "Mom, go to sleep. I'll come see you again next time. Don't worry about me, I'm doing very well now."
He lowered his eyelashes.
Just like in the original story, Lin Fengzhi stormed the Lu Group headquarters yesterday.
He could guess the outcome.
I didn't even get to deliver the gift, and I ended up getting a cold shoulder.
But his love-struck younger brother never learns from his mistakes.
Having been pampered by too many people and living a life of luxury with no other worries, all he could think about was Lu Lin.
A long time later.
He spoke softly—
"Your younger brother is doing well too, don't worry."
--
At the annual Lu Group family gathering, all the clan members surrounded Lu Lin.
Lu Han's face was long and drawn; that spot should have been his! He put down his chopsticks, turned to the table, and said, " Xiao Chi..."
The sound trailed off. Lu Muchi glanced at his watch every now and then, and casually replied, "What?"
Lu Han was displeased. "Why are you constantly checking your watch? I'm warning you, don't even think about sneaking off today. You're meeting your Uncle Qi to play cards tonight, and his daughter is coming too."
Lu Muchi wanted to go back to the villa halfway up the mountain to spend the New Year with Xu Qiaoyin, "I won't—"
"You want to be disobedient like your uncle?" Lu Changcheng approached, his face darkening. "I've met the Qi Family girl. She's beautiful, well-educated, and well-mannered. Of all these prominent families, she's the only one worthy of you. All your activities tonight are canceled!"
Once Lu Changcheng spoke, Lu Muchi, no matter how unwilling, dared not say anything more. He irritably put his hand down and said, "Understood."
Lu Changcheng was finally satisfied, but when he looked at Lu Lin not far away, his blood pressure rose again.
I won't even have a New Year's Eve dinner with him!
Rebellious son!
After finishing his social engagements, Lu Lin drove out of the city alone.
He had only been driving for a short while when he suddenly stopped on the side of the road. It was almost time for the New Year's Eve dinner, and the city center was unusually deserted.
Lu Lin lit a cigarette.
Smoke swirled around him, his dark eyes were unfathomable, and his emotions were impossible to fathom.
As time passed, the streetlights on both sides turned on.
After finishing his cigarette, Lu Lin rolled down the car window to air out the smell, then started the car again, this time in a different direction.
Yan Heqing got off the bus, and the driver immediately turned off the bus and drove off, hurrying home to reunite with his family.
The streets, which were bustling in the morning, were now so quiet that Yan Heqing's footsteps could be heard clearly.
When I arrived at the residential compound, the security guard's room was still lit, but the guards had all gone home for their New Year's Eve dinner, leaving it empty except for the light.
Only a few lights were on in the rows of buildings in the residential area.
There was still some snow on the road, which crunched underfoot.
Yan Heqing walked very slowly.
First, the road surface is somewhat slippery; second, the streetlights in the community are practically useless.
Turning the corner, he arrived at Yan Heqing's apartment building. He carefully examined the road beneath his feet when suddenly, a beam of car headlights illuminated the darkness, its bright orange light piercing through the darkness and spreading out to his feet, revealing a clear path.
Yan Heqing stopped and looked over.
The car door opened, and a blurry figure stepped out.
Then, the man called out to him.
Yan Heqing.
Chapter 46
The voice sounded familiar.
In the hazy light, the man walked steadily toward Yan Heqing, his tall figure gradually becoming clearer.
The long black coat was slightly open, revealing a simple matching suit underneath, and a beige cashmere scarf was draped around the neck, hanging down naturally.