Over the past few years of rehabilitation, Pei Yongxia had reached the point where he could walk with the help of a cane and someone supporting him.
He walked hunched over, leaning most of his weight on Gong Qinxin. Her hair was slightly graying, and though she was clearly exerting some effort to support him, she still smiled warmly, chatting with him as they walked:
“I made lotus root and pork stomach soup at home tonight. You’ve been saying you wanted it for a while, and I found some fresh ingredients at the market this morning…”
As the sun set, casting a golden glow over them, the scene radiated warmth and a sense of enduring affection.
Pei Chen watched this scene, emotions swirling in his chest.
After a moment, Pei Chen called out, “Dad.” Pei Yongxia, hearing his son’s voice, turned around in surprise and joy.
“Ah, Pei Chen, you’re back…”
Pei Chen and Liang Zhiyi approached them, and smiles spread across both of their faces. “Weren’t you supposed to come back tomorrow?”
“We finished everything today, so we changed our flight.”
Pei Yongxia was overjoyed, and Gong Qinxin, too, was quietly pleased as she looked at her son’s face, feeling a deep, long-suppressed joy.
Pei Chen helped Pei Yongxia upstairs and back home, just in time for dinner. Gong Qinxin picked up her bag from the sofa, smiling gently at Pei Chen and Liang Zhiyi. With a hint of careful politeness, she said:
“Pei Chen, Zhiyi, the meal is ready, but I was worried it might not be enough, so I made some dumplings as well. You two enjoy your dinner, and I’ll head back now,” Gong Qinxin said gently.
For the past four years, Gong Qinxin had honored the agreement she made with Pei Chen. Whenever he came home, she would leave to give him space.
Hearing her words, Pei Chen’s eyes flickered with a trace of emotion. He watched her leave the house without saying a word.
Later that evening, after dinner, Pei Chen and Liang Zhiyi were in the kitchen washing dishes. Liang Zhiyi spoke softly, “Pei Chen, are you still unwilling to forgive Auntie?”
Pei Chen’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he lowered his gaze.
She continued in a gentle voice, “These past few years, she’s taken care of Uncle Pei with so much care. I think she genuinely wants to make up for the hurt she caused both him and you.”
Pei Chen pressed his lips together and replied in a quiet voice, “I know.”
He was fully aware of how devotedly Gong Qinxin had cared for Pei Yongxia. Having personally experienced how much patience and effort it took to care for someone who was paralyzed, he couldn’t deny that her actions had touched him.
“But I don’t know how to forgive her.”
His voice was barely above a whisper.
That emotional barrier in his heart was something he just couldn’t overcome. He didn’t know whether he should forgive Gong Qinxin for the pain she had caused him and his father in the past.
Hearing this, Liang Zhiyi sighed softly, feeling a pang of sorrow for him.
After spending some more time at the house, chatting with Pei Yongxia, it was time for Liang Zhiyi to head home. Pei Chen offered to walk her back.
Half an hour later, Pei Chen returned home and helped his father to bed. Noticing that Pei Yongxia seemed to have something on his mind, Pei Chen finally asked, “Dad, about… her… what are your thoughts now?”
Pei Yongxia paused, understanding who Pei Chen was referring to. After a moment of silence, he spoke in a low voice, “Recently, your mother mentioned the idea of getting remarried. The past few years have been hard on her, taking care of me. When you weren’t here, she was by my side, and I wasn’t so lonely.”
“Dad, does that mean you don’t mind what happened back then?”
Pei Yongxia sighed deeply, “Those things are in the past. I don’t want to hold onto them anymore. I think your mother just wants a home, and a lot of what she’s done is because she feels guilty towards you.”
He continued, “Now that we’re old, it’s not like when you young people fall in love. We just want companionship, someone to be with us.”
The tangled emotions of love and betrayal from the past had gradually faded with time. Gong Qinxin had paid the price for her mistakes, and she was now trying her best to make amends.
Pei Chen remained silent, not giving a clear response.
After helping his father settle down for the night, Pei Chen returned to his room. A message popped up on his phone:
[Peipei, Mom and Dad want you to come over for dinner this weekend.]
Every year when they returned home during the winter and summer breaks, the Liang family would invite Pei Chen over for a meal, something that always warmed his heart.
A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he replied:
[Sure, I’ll be there.]
Two days later, on Saturday morning around ten o’clock, Pei Chen, carrying some fruits and supplements, took the subway to the entrance of the villa community.
Liang Zhiyi met him and brought him to her home, where Zhong Xinrou greeted Pei Chen warmly, inquiring about his well-being and the progress of their studio.
After a while, Liang Tianming came downstairs and joined the conversation, chatting with Pei Chen in a manner that felt as natural and warm as if they were family.
After lunch, Liang Tianming invited Pei Chen to the study for a private chat.
In the study, Liang Tianming placed a cup of freshly brewed tea in front of Pei Chen and smiled kindly. “Xiao Pei, you and Zhiyi have been together for several years now, and I already consider you part of our family. So, I’ll speak to you directly.”
“Please, go ahead, Uncle.”
“I’m aware of the situation with your mother. Zhiyi mentioned it to me when she came home a few days ago, and I’ve heard some things from your aunt as well. I know your mother left you and your father when you were young, and you’ve harbored resentment toward her ever since.”
Pei Chen’s throat felt dry, and he nodded slightly.
“Xiao Pei, I know you’re a very responsible and mature young man. You’ve stayed by your father’s side all these years, enduring hardships that we can’t fully understand. But I hope you can find it in yourself to let go of the past.”
“Your mother has likely faced many challenges while taking care of your father. Your father, too, needs a companion at this stage in his life. There are certain things that a child can’t always provide, especially as you and Zhiyi will soon start your own family and focus on your careers. Can you really be there for him every day?”
Pei Chen fell silent, considering his words.
Even though he had returned to Lincheng, he knew that with his work commitments, he wouldn’t be able to care for Pei Yongxia as attentively as he once did.
Liang Tianming sighed softly, “Xiao Pei, although what your mother did can never fully make up for the pain she caused you over those ten years, I hope you can try to let go of that hatred. Not for her sake, but to free yourself from it.”
Looking intently at Pei Chen, Liang Tianming continued, his tone sincere:
“Forgiving others is also a way of setting yourself free.”
Pei Chen’s eyes darkened, as if a shadow had passed over them, and he fell into deep thought.
Liang Tianming smiled and patted his shoulder. “Whenever you’re ready, bring your family over, and we can all have a meal together.”
Pei Chen nodded politely, acknowledging the suggestion.
After their conversation, Pei Chen left the study to find Liang Zhiyi waiting outside.
She took his hand, her touch gentle as she asked, “Pei Chen, are you okay?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Did my dad talk to you about your situation with Auntie?”
“Yeah, he asked me to think it over.”
She hugged him, resting her head against his chest. “Pei Chen, no matter what you decide in the end, I just want you to be happy.”
More than anything, she wanted him to find true happiness.
Pei Chen felt his heart soften at her words, and he pulled her closer into his embrace.
…
After spending the day at the Liang family’s home, evening came, and Pei Chen prepared to leave. Liang Zhiyi walked him out.
As they strolled through the villa community, she suddenly recalled something and smiled, “Pei Chen, do you remember the day we officially got together?”
Pei Chen lowered his gaze with a fond smile. “Yeah, it was after dinner at your house. On the way back that night, it was just like this.”
She huffed playfully, “Someone was so jealous and impatient that he just kissed me, taking advantage.”
He pulled her into his arms, leaning down close, his voice deep and teasing, “Isn’t it justified now?”
Her heart fluttered slightly. “Well, now it is…”
Before she could finish her sentence, his lips were on hers.
Pei Chen cupped the back of her head, their breaths mingling as the kiss deepened. When it ended, he smirked down at her, “Hmm, now it’s perfectly fine.”
Her face flushed slightly.
Why was he always teasing her like this?
As they continued walking, she playfully bantered with him, acting a bit coy. After a while, Pei Chen’s phone rang. It was a call from Gong Qinxin. He paused, hesitating for a moment before answering. On the other end, her voice was cautious.
“Pei Chen, when will you be home?”
“Is something wrong?”
“Not really,” Gong Qinxin replied with a small laugh. “Your father asked me to call and see if you could bring home a bottle of shower gel and shampoo. If it’s inconvenient, I can go buy it now.”
“It’s fine. I’ll bring it back.”
“Alright…”
Sensing Pei Chen’s silence, she added with a nervous smile, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now.”
Just as she was about to end the call, Pei Chen suddenly said, “Wait.”
“Yes?”
Pei Chen’s mind was a whirlwind of emotions. He pressed his lips together before finally speaking, his voice a bit hesitant. “Zhiyi’s parents have invited our family over to their house for dinner. When… when would you be available?”
Gong Qinxin froze, stunned.
She had heard Pei Chen say, “our family.”
Her mind went blank for a few seconds, and her eyes welled up with tears, the sudden rush of emotion overwhelming her. She glanced at Pei Yongxia, her voice trembling with barely contained joy, “We… we’re both available any time…”
After ending the call, Pei Chen turned to see Liang Zhiyi looking at him, her eyes filled with joyful anticipation.
“Pei Chen, does this mean you’re ready to let go?”
He lowered his gaze, his voice warm as he replied, “Just like Uncle Liang said, forgiving others is also a way to free yourself. I think it’s time I try to let go of the past.”
She smiled brightly.
“And don’t you want to be happy?”
He raised his hand, pulling her into a gentle embrace, his voice tender, “It’s less about being moved by her and more about how you slowly healed the wounds in my heart.”
Her presence had illuminated all the dark corners of his world. Her love and companionship had given him the strength to move on from the shadows of his past.
Liang Zhiyi smiled softly, leaning against him.
“Pei Chen, I’m so glad I could help heal you.”
Finally, he took her hand in his.
“Pei Chen, why do you think our parents want to have dinner together?”
“They’re probably going to discuss our future wedding plans.”
“Ugh, don’t be so presumptuous. I haven’t even said I’ll marry you yet.”
“You were the one who mentioned it first, remember?”
“Hmph, that doesn’t count…”
Under the dim streetlights, with the warm orange glow extending along the path ahead, the two of them walked hand in hand, chatting and laughing as they slowly made their way forward.
The early summer night was gentle, with a soft breeze brushing past their ears.
The night was endlessly kind and tender.
(End of the main story)
T/N: We still have extras!