edited April 19, 2024
As Wen Yunzhi gazed at the light brown birthmark, a mixture of emotions welled up within her. It felt as though something was squeezing her heart, causing both pain and tightness.
Her eyes remained fixed on the birthmark, and she opened her lips slightly, but no words came out.
Perhaps due to Xia Wan’s recent good eating habits and relaxed demeanor, he had gained some flesh on his body. As a result, there were red marks where the beads had once been.
When Xia Wan noticed Wen Yunzhi staring at his wrist and forgetting to take the beads, he felt a bit embarrassed and awkward for a moment.
“Auntie?” Xia Wan called out softly, intending to retrieve her hand, but Wen Yunzhi held it gently.
Even though Wen Yunzhi’s grip was light and gentle, Xia Wan refrained from pulling his hand away.
Xue Wenxuan noticed Wen Yunzhi’s distraction and gently placed a hand on her shoulder, reminding her with a smile, “Mom, don’t you want to see the Buddhist beads on Xia Wan’s hand?”
Wen Yunzhi remained silent for a moment before mustering a smile. “Yes, I noticed that the birthmark on Wanwan’s wrist was quite unique, so I couldn’t help but stare at it.”
Xue Wenxuan’s smile seemed warm and genuine as he also observed the birthmark. “It looks like a butterfly,” he remarked softly, his gaze lingered on Xia Wan’s wrist for a brief second.
“Really?” Su Tang came over curiously when he heard the words. “You always wear something every night, and I never noticed it.”
“When did you ever pay attention?” Xia Wan laughed.
After everyone had seen the birthmark, Wen Yunzhi reluctantly released Xia Wan’s wrist and took the string of Buddhist beads into her hand.
She calmly turned her body and faced Xue Wenxuan. “Do you want to take a look too?”
Xue Wenxuan nodded, his gaze dropping to the bracelet. However, when he looked back at Wen Yunzhi, he saw tears glistening in her eyes. He reached out and gently embraced her shoulder, and the mother and son drew close to each other.
Xia Wan found it a bit amusing to see them looking at his string of ancient Buddhist beads so seriously.
The Xue family had likely encountered numerous exquisite items over the years. In comparison, his string of prayer beads was relatively simple.
“Tangtang,” Xia Wan whispered when he saw Su Tang admiring the decorations in the house, “I’ll get you some snacks.”
“Is there anything yummy?” Su Tang’s eyes lit up with anticipation, feeling a sudden surge of curiosity. He couldn’t contain his excitement as he politely requested, “Can I come with you to see?”
Xia Wan chuckled at Su Tang’s eager yet polite demeanor and replied, “Why not?”
As they conversed, the two of them rose from their seats and made their way into the kitchen together.
“Mom,” Xue Wenxuan gazed at the string of beads he had obviously worn for a long time and asked softly, “do that resemble him?”
He had naturally noticed the birthmark on his younger brother’s hand when they were children.
But he was too young at that time, and the years had blurred his memory, so he couldn’t recall it clearly.
Throughout the years, they had encountered numerous potential matches, some with birthmarks and some without. As long as there was even a slight connection with his brother, Wen Yunzhi had never dismissed any of them.
But with hope comes the potential for disappointment, and almost every letdown brought even more sorrow for Wen Yunzhi.
The sorrow never seemed to diminish; instead, it only grew deeper with each passing disappointment.
The pain Wen Yunzhi felt seemed to never ease; instead, it continued to accumulate over time.
Many times, Xue Chong and Xue Wenxuan had wondered if the child was gone for good. However, none of them dared to voice such thoughts to Wen Yunzhi.
Wen Yunzhi’s fingertips gently caressed the string of wooden beads that had turned black with age.
Xia Wan’s body heat still lingers on it, and it feels pleasantly warm to the touch. Upon closer inspection, one can see fine scratches on the bead.
“It’s somewhat similar,” she said softly. “When A’ke was little, the birthmark wasn’t big, and it had a dip in the middle. I told your dad it looked like an overly indented pea, but it wasn’t as large as the birthmark on Wanwan’s hand. It resembled a butterfly in a way.”
Xue Wenxuan’s heart sank a little with disappointment as he processed this information.
Wen Yunzhi’s mood gradually shifted, and she began to ponder aloud, “Could it be possible that the shape of the birthmark has changed slightly as he has grown older?”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“It’s not entirely impossible,” Xue Wenxuan remarked reassuringly. “Let’s examine it carefully and take our time. There’s no need to rush.”
“Ljnf sbe byrfgnfv,” Qfc Techtl jvvfv, “atja Qjckjc kfjgr atlr raglcu bo yfjvr bc tlr ifoa tjcv? Vb, joafg gfwbnlcu atfw, atfgf’r j riluta vloofgfcmf lc rxlc mbibg. Lf tjr ojlg rxlc. Po tlr rxlc kfgf vjgxfg, atf mbcagjra kbeiv yf wbgf cbalmfjyif.”
“Gb sbe atlcx tlr ojwlis rqfmlolmjiis lcragemafv tlw ab kfjg la bc tlr ifoa tjcv,” Wef Qfczejc delmxis ugjrqfv Qfc Techtl’r lwqilmjalbc, “ab mbcmfji atf ylgatwjgx?”
Wen Yunzhi nodded, her eyes fixed on him with anticipation.
“Although it’s a possibility,” Xue Wenxuan smiled, “have you considered that when he was a child, he mostly used his right hand for drawing in school? It would have been quite inconvenient to string beads on his right hand, so he likely developed the habit of wearing them on his left hand. Perhaps it’s just a habit?”
Wen Yunzhi was momentarily taken aback by Xue Wenxuan’s insight.
What Xue Wenxuan said did make sense. She herself wore her watch on the left side.
“Auntie,” Su Tang and Xia Wan brought out snacks and fruits one by one.
Wen Yunzhi turned around at the sound of their voices, looked at them, and smiled. “This is too much preparation.”
Well, there are many of us.,” Su Tang remarked as he sat down without hesitation.
He first opened a jelly and handed it to Wen Yunzhi, then opened another one for Xue Wenxuan.
Wen Yunzhi accepted it with a smile, setting the items on the table before returning the beads to Xia Wan. “Your father must love you very much,” she remarked warmly.
“Yes,” Xia Wan nodded enthusiastically, a playful glint in his eyes as if he had just thought of something delightful. With a playful roll of his eyes, he placed the bead bracelet back on his wrist.
“Auntie has also been feeling the urge to visit the temple recently,” Wen Yunzhi said with a smile, her gaze lingering on the birthmark that was once again hidden. “I’m curious if there’s anything significant about wearing these charms?”
“Auntie could inquire about it at the temple master for it,” Xia Wan suggested after some thought. “As for me,” he continued, “there’s nothing particularly special. I just need to take it off when bathing, and it always has to be worn on the left hand.”
Wen Yunzhi’s eyes couldn’t help but flicker with thought upon hearing this.
If it was simply a matter of habit, then it would be one thing. However, if it was a deliberate request…
This realization prompted her to ponder further.
Despite the turmoil in her heart, Wen Yunzhi’s expression remained gentle and composed, unchanged from her usual demeanor.
The group gathered and chatted for a bit, chatting about the day’s events. Wen Yunzhi expressed her concern for Xia Wan several times. Su Tang went as far as to show Wen Yunzhi some information detailing Xia Wan’s accomplishments of “extermination of children and grandchildren”, which brought a smile to Wen Yunzhi’s face.
Amid the lively conversation, Xia Wan suddenly leaped to his feet and exclaimed joyfully: “Huo Yu!”
Everyone turned their gaze towards the stairs with smiles on their faces, only to realize that Huo Yu had already descended downstairs.
“Mrs. Wen,” Huo Yu greeted with a faint smile as he sat down beside Xia Wan, acknowledging Wen Yunzhi first.
Then, he raised his hand and tousled Xia Wan’s hair affectionately, scolding with a smile, “Why didn’t you mention that we had a distinguished guest at home?”
“What kind of distinguished guest is this?” Wen Yunzhi said with a smile. “It’s just that you were busy with Yan Yu’s matters earlier, so I didn’t bother Xia Wan to announce your arrival.”
“What kind of distinguished guest is this?” Wen Yunzhi said with a smile, her tone light and playful. “It’s just that you were preoccupied with Yan Yu’s affairs, so I didn’t want to trouble you with our small gathering,” she elaborated, her words gentle and understanding.
“I’ve been quite busy these past few days,” Huo Yu commented as he refilled the glasses on the table. “But thankfully, things have started to ease up recently,” he added.
“I heard you invited Li Congmeng from abroad?” Xue Wenxuan inquired as he picked up his water glass.
“Yes,” Huo Yu confirmed with a nod. “Teacher Li has indeed returned from abroad. And he has joined Yan Yu again.”
“With him here, things will be much easier for you,” Wen Yunzhi said with a smile, nodding in agreement. “You made the right decision.”
When adults gather, they would inevitably discuss business matters.
Feeling a bit bored, Su Tang wanted to pull Xia Wan aside for a private chat.
However, just as Su Tang raised his hand to pull Xia Wan aside, he hesitated and quietly withdrew it. His attention was drawn to the sight of Xia Wan’s hand firmly held in Huo Yu’s palm.
Su Tang was momentarily startled by the scene, still finding it unexpectedly beautiful.
The skin color of both hands was very light, but one hand had prominent joints and slender fingers, while the other hand was slightly smaller, softer, and even had pinkish nails.
It was like a perfect match.
Su Tang couldn’t tear his eyes away from the two hands intertwined, and after a moment, he glanced up at the two people sitting closely together.
After a few moments of back-and-forth, a smile unconsciously formed at the corners of his mouth.
“Tangtang.” It wasn’t until they left Huo Yu’s house and got into the car that Wen Yunzhi couldn’t help but call out to Su Tang.
“Huh?” Su Tang was about to send a sneaky photo of Huo Yu and Xia Wan holding hands to the group when he heard Wen Yunzhi’s voice and stopped. “What’s up, Auntie?”
“Hmm?” Su Tang was about to share the candid photo when he paused and asked, “What’s the matter, Aunt?”
“Huo Yu and Xia Wan are already married,” Wen Yunzhi said softly, carefully choosing her words as she offered the reminder.
Su Tang paused for a moment, trying to decipher what his aunt meant, then asked doubtfully, “Hmm?”
“You,” Wen Yunzhi smiled and ruffled his hair, “Promise me you won’t fight for Wan Wan or Huo Yu, or come in between them. Just in case you have an idea.”
Su Tang finally understood what his aunt meant. He instantly frowned, feeling more wronged than Dou E, the character from Chinese literature known for seeking justice.
He was so drunk by their CP that he didn’t even notice how sweet dog food can be, why would he want to interfere???
“Am I really that kind of person?” Su Tang said angrily. “You don’t trust me at all? Are you even my aunt?”
“Then what did you mean by drooling and giggling you were doing when you were looking at them now?” Wen Yunzhi inquired, her tone carrying a hint of concern.
Wen Yunzhi naturally believed in Su Tang’s character, but she couldn’t help but notice that Su Tang’s expression just now seemed a bit unusual. As an elder, she felt it would be best to offer him a few words of advice.
Xue Wenxuan, who was driving in front, couldn’t help but laugh when he heard this.
“Mom, I think you’re overthinking it,” he said. “Tangtang is probably just enjoying their CP.”
“You really know better, brother,” Su Tang muttered angrily as he locked the screen of his phone. He had just been enjoying Xia Wan and Huo Yu’s CP, but Wen Yunzhi’s doubts had dampened his mood.
“Was Auntie wrong?” Wen Yunzhi reached out and squeezed his hand.
Su Tang snorted twice before unlocking his phone. “Auntie, take a look,” he said, holding out his phone.
“Ohh,” Wen Yunzhi exclaimed as she took a look, she unconsciously smiled.
“You couldn’t see it from where you were sitting,” Su Tang said energetically, speaking loudly. “But Huo Yu has been holding Xia Wan’s hand since he came downstairs.”
After he finished speaking, he couldn’t help but sigh. “They are so loving,” he remarked.
Wen Yunzhi was momentarily amused by his expression. She then turned her attention to the photo of the two hands clasped together, and her gaze slowly shifted to focus on Xia Wan’s wrist adorned with the beads.
After getting home, Xue Wenxuan went upstairs to change his clothes. When he returned downstairs, he found Wen Yunzhi sitting in the living room, watching a video.
The phone was placed in front of her, showing a replay of Xia Wan’s live broadcast. On the screen, the incredibly handsome boy was eating, with his cheeks slightly bulging.
Despite it being a simple campus lunch, he enjoyed it wholeheartedly, savoring each bite with a big smile on his face.
“Mom,” Xue Wenxuan said as he sat down next to Wen Yunzhi, “We’re still not sure about it.”
Xue Wenxuan understood all too well the pain Wen Yunzhi had endured over the years.
Each time she caught the information related to his brother, it deeply affected her mood. She would feel emotionally trapped, unable to move forward or backward, and would struggle to sleep or eat properly.
“I feel like I am already late,” Wen Yunzhi said, tilting her head to look at Xue Wenxuan. “In the past, whenever I saw other kids who were similar to him, I always felt very distant, and I had to observe and interact with them carefully. But it’s different with Wanwan. When I see him and spend time with him, there’s no barrier, just like with you and Tangtang…”
“I know,” Xue Wenxuan murmured softly, his gaze fixed on the screen as he fell into silence for a moment.
To be honest, the first time he met Xia Wan, he had felt an immediate sense of warmth and familiarity towards him. However, he couldn’t quite pinpoint the reason behind this strong connection.
To be honest, Xia Wan and Su Tang were vaguely similar in terms of personality and appearance, and he always felt that this might be the reason behind his immediate fondness for Xia Wan even after meeting him for the first time.
In fact, after returning from the Huo family’s banquet, Wen Yunzhi and Xue Chong had already arranged for people to investigate Xia Wan’s background.
However, time was still short, and most of what had been found so far was superficial.
But based on various documents and records from Xia Wan’s birth to the present, it could be confirmed that this child was indeed Xia Chengzhang’s child.
“Mom, I’ll make sure to thoroughly investigate Xia Wan’s situation,” Xue Wenxuan said, holding Wen Yunzhi’s hand. “But promise me you’ll treat him like a child you’re fond of, and hold off on getting too attached or don’t place too much hope on him being our Ake, okay?”
Wen Yunzhi looked at him for a moment and nodded slightly.
She had been disappointed too many times.
And each time she felt let down, it felt as if the deepest scar in her heart had been torn open, leaving her vulnerable and exposed.
It made her feel like the world was shrouded in eternal darkness, and she would never see the light again.
She was afraid, even terrified, of experiencing such disappointment once more.
…….
The car stopped, but Xia Wan remained deeply focused on his phone, scrolling through the news feed with intense concentration.
Huo Lin stirred up a commotion about this matter today, and it was still being discussed lively on the Internet even then.
As Xia Wan scrolled down, he accidentally stumbled upon the news about Zhou Shu and Li Sheng.
He hesitated for a moment, then clicked on the news.
Although the main characters of the news were Zhou Shu and Li Sheng, most of the comments below were related to Sun Baijiang.
“What are you looking at?” Huo Yu asked, tapping his finger on the steering wheel after a brief pause. “You’re pretty engrossed, huh?”
“Oh?” Xia Wan snapped out of his trance and realized they were already outside his home. He had thought about it before how this matter had nothing to do with him.
But for some reason, he unconsciously handed his phone to Huo Yu.
Huo Yu observed Xia Wan’s careful movements as he handed over the phone, then lowered his eyes to glance at the screen.
However, after a brief moment, he raised his gaze to meet Xia Wan’s eyes again, remaining silent.
Under Huo Yu’s calm gaze, Xia Wan felt a twinge of guilt. Tentatively, he asked, “Don’t you think it’s a bit strange?”
Under normal circumstances, the person asked might reply, “What’s strange?”
But Huo Yu responded very calmly, “I don’t think so.”
“Don’t you find their choice of clothing a bit odd?” Xia Wan persisted, “Why would they wear winter clothes during this season?”
For some reason, Huo Yu gave him a curious look, as if he had sensed something unusual.
Raising his eyebrows, he asked with a half-smile, “What do you think?”
Xia Wan: “….”
He fell silent. He couldn’t help but wonder how this news was related to him.
Why did he even ask this in the first place????
Huo Yu noticed Xia Wan’s unusual interest in the news, his lips curling into a slight smile. He couldn’t hide his amusement.
“You seem quite invested in this news. You must have your unique perspective on it.”
Xia Wan hesitated for a moment and couldn’t help but stammer, “I… I find it… interesting.”
Huo Yu chuckled softly at his response, his eyes lingering on Xia Wan. In a low, suggestive tone, he remarked, “I happen to share the same sentiment.”
Xia Wan bit his lip. He unconsciously raised his hand to rub his ears, feeling a blush creeping up his cheeks.
Whenever he was with Huo Yu, he seemed to be caught off guard like this.
As Xia Wan reached for his school bag, ready to exit the car, he suddenly felt a tug on the strap. He turned to face Huo Yu with an annoyed expression, protesting, “Stop tugging my school bag straps all the time.”
Huo Yu, however, not only refused to let go but pulled Xia Wan a bit closer.
He grinned mischievously, “Hey, Xia Wan, even an ‘ugly daughter-in-law’ has to meet her in-laws. Shouldn’t I meet your father too?”
Thank You for the new chapter (⸝⸝⍢⸝⸝) ෆ
Oh oh oh
Thank you for your translation ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
I dunno why I giggled at that ending😭
thank you