Chapter Fifty-Three

brought here to recuperate," said Lian Yi, who doted on this little brother more than anyone else; if it were someone else daring to shout and scream like this, he would have long thought of a hundre...Chapter 53

Ni Xuanyi thought about Li Yi and couldn't focus on anything. Later, when she noticed it was already midnight, she pulled the curtains closed, undressed, took a bath, and got into bed.

In fact, over these years, apart from having a crush on Li Yi, she had never done anything for him. Yet, Li Yi had never asked her to do anything for him; instead, he had taken care of her in many ways. Even though she had once accidentally saved their lives, that was still considered enough.

She had lived through twenty-something years with mostly bleak and lonely days. All the most beautiful and best times, all the warmest memories were given to her by Li Yi.

Ni Xuanyi thought about everything between them and felt extremely conflicted. Eventually, she fell asleep, but in her dream, she saw Li Yi walking towards her with a radiant glow, seemingly smiling. She couldn’t see clearly, so she tried to open her eyes wider; however, that was when she woke up.

The sky outside had already brightened. Ni Xuanyi laid there for a moment before getting up. She first opened the window to let in some fresh air and then leaned on the windowsill excitedly, looking at the world where she had lived for more than ten years. In these past three years since her departure, it had undergone some new changes.

Ni Xuanyi stood by the window for a while before turning to wash up and change clothes. Before she could go make breakfast, loud footfalls quickly approached from outside the door, followed by heavy knocking sounds. "Xuanxuan, Xuanxuan, is that you Have you come back"

Meng Meng had already arrived at her doorstep. No matter how much Ni Xuanyi wished to pretend she didn't hear him, it was impossible. She sighed with a headache and unwillingly opened the door.

"Xuanxuan Is that really you You’ve come back! That’s great news, Xuanxuan..." The tall Meng Meng danced around excitedly in front of Ni Xuanyi like a big bear.

Ni Xuanyi ignored him and turned to go into the kitchen. But Meng Meng rushed over, hooked his arm around her shoulder, chattering excitedly but warmly, "Xuanxuan, this time are you staying back for good Xuanxuan, will you really stay here..."

"Ouch, let me go first and talk properly." Ni Xuanyi pushed Meng Mang's hand away with some annoyance. "I'm just here for the New Year; I haven't graduated yet, so how could I not leave"

"Oh," Meng Mang felt a bit downhearted when pushed by Ni Xuanyi and stood there dumbly.

Ni Xuanyi thought of how Meng Mang had visited her many times in G City, been kind to her, and treated her to meals. Seeing his dejected look now, she felt somewhat pitying and asked, "Have you eaten breakfast"

Meng Mang saw Ni Xuanyi showing concern for him again and became happy once more, chuckling as he said, "I haven't!"

"Oh," Ni Xuanyi replied and started to prepare noodles.

Meng Mang turned his head to look around the place and only then noticed the huge changes in Ni Xuanyi's house. He quickly toured all rooms before rushing into the kitchen door and asked Ni Xuanyi, "Xuanxuan, did you get people to renovate your home"

Ni Xuanyi lowered her head without saying anything.

"I've been over in Malaysia these past two weeks. Only yesterday did I hear from my brothers that someone had come and renovated your place. I figured it must be because you're returning, so I hurriedly wrapped up things there and rushed back," Meng Mang spoke as if showing off a treasure.

Ni Xuanyi turned to look at him with a smile on her face.

Meng Mang carefully looked over the high-end cabinets and appliances in the kitchen, his expression full of joy. With bright eyes, he asked, "Xuanxuan, didn't you plan after graduation to come back here to live"

Ni Xuanyi did not want him to misunderstand, so she straightforwardly answered: "No, I won't be coming back to live here."

"Ah!" Meng Meng was somewhat dumbfounded. "If you're not going to live here, why would you decorate it so nicely"

"This is my home," Ni Xuanyi said regardless of whether Meng Meng could understand her or not; she just smiled contentedly. "No matter how far I go, this will always be my home. I’ll always have a place to call home."

Meng Meng did not fully grasp the meaning behind Ni Xuanyi's words. Although she said that she wouldn't return, she also mentioned that no matter where she went, this would always remain her home—this thought alone was enough for him to feel satisfied.

Ni Xuanyi didn’t prepare a complicated breakfast; instead, she simply made noodles for both herself and Meng Meng. She put eggs in the noodles along with some green vegetables. The meal looked very appetizing.

Sitting beside the dining table, Meng Meng felt somewhat overwhelmed—this was the first time he had ever eaten a meal that Ni Xuanyi cooked for him.

"Eat up!" After placing a dish of pickled vegetables on the table, Ni Xuanyi lowered her head and started to eat by herself.

Meng Meng happily smiled and delicately picked at his noodles. Placing them in his mouth, he could not stop praising: "Xuanxuan, your noodles really taste delicious! They're truly yummy!"

Ni Xuanyi thought that her noodles tasted pretty good too, so she proudly stated, “I’ve taken culinary classes before; how could my cooking be bad”

"Why did you learn to cook then" Meng Meng looked at Ni Xuanyi in confusion. "Is there such a requirement in your school"

Ni Xuanyi suddenly thought of Li Yi, her expression changed, "Isn't it okay that I like food and cooking for myself"

"Sure, sure!" Meng Mang nodded hurriedly. "Xuanxuan, since you love food, let's team up during the New Year period this year. If you want to eat out, I'll treat you; if not, I’ll come over to your place and have meals with you."

Ni Xuanyi knew Meng Mang well; when she was in City G, he would pester her every two weeks or so, and now that he knows she’s back home, he wouldn’t let up easily. In truth, reflecting on it, Meng Mang had been quite nice to her all along. So, she nodded and agreed to his proposal, making him visibly delighted.

After eating, Ni Xuanyi went out first to buy some items for the ancestral worship ceremony, intending to pay respects to her grandfather and parents. When Meng Mang wanted to accompany her, she declined.

If there comes a day when she brings a man to meet her grandfather and parents, he would certainly be her lover.

Ni Xuanyi walked along the forest path toward the graveyard; everywhere were tall cypress trees, with dry branches and leaves covering the ground. As she stepped on them, they made "crackling" sounds that echoed in the quiet mountain wilderness.

The deeper into the mountains she went, the fresher the air became; it had been a long time since Ni Xuanyi was in such an environment, and she felt her spirits lift. Even when she reached the graves of her grandfather and parents, she didn’t feel overly sorrowful.

Grass had grown over the graves of her grandfather and parents. Ni Xuanyi lit incense, kowtowed, burned paper money, then sat in front of their graves.

"Grandpa, Dad, Mom, I haven’t returned for a long time. Have you missed me Are you angry that it’s been so long since I’ve come back…" Ni Xuanyi spoke to the grave, muttering to herself about her ups and downs over the years.rd finally quieted down, Yan Luoxi turned around and smiled playfully at Shao Junhe: "Brother, am I being too unkind""Don't be silly. Didn't you say you were tired Get some sleep early. We'll get up e...