Chapter 5

Even Aunt Xin, who is not good at drinking, was toasted several times, sitting quietly and smiling. Aunt Xin has a gentle appearance, a kind of gentleness that radiates from her eyes and brows, warm and kind.

Crossing the wooden bridge beneath the arch, the view opens up. Not far ahead, a vast clearing is occupied by a gigantic chessboard, filled with pieces arranged in an orderly yet varied manner, their inscriptions flickering under the constantly changing lights.

Wen Shaoyuan seemed to sense something as he raised his eyes to look at her

Aunt Xin knows. He opened the car door and gestured for her to get in.

Wen Ge finally came to his senses, dragging his slippers and making a few "pat-pat" sounds as he hurried back to his room to grab his coat. ... Afraid of making him wait too long, he put it on while walking, but the more anxious he became, the more chaotic it got; he couldn't figure out where the coat was getting caught and couldn't get it on properly

Upon hearing this, I glanced at her and replied with little sincerity: "You will know once you go."

I fear that you may disappear

Wen Ge thought for a moment, counting on his fingers: "Le Gou Supermarket, Yinhe Department Store... and also the Central Square"

Wen Shaoyuan walked around to the front of the car, starting the engine while asking: "Which places have you been to in City A?"

uncle

Through this gaze, it is as if I am seeing her many years into the future, strong yet independent, brave yet fragile

The thirteen-year-old girl, still not fully developed, is small in every way. Wen Ge has well-proportioned and exquisite features, looking as beautiful as a porcelain doll. Her pair of eyes is particularly enchanting, resembling obsidian, with a radiant luster, deep black and bright.

He is not an emotionally rich person; in fact, in the eyes of many, he is somewhat indifferent and lacks romantic sensibility. Yet, at the age of 21, the most tender age for Wen Shaoyuan, he happened to meet her, someone who needed his redemption, perhaps... Only he could redeem Wen Ge.

In that moment, for some reason...

It appears to be pleasing

Thus, after taking a stroll around the square and purchasing a skewer of sweet and sour candied hawthorn, I returned home. Yet, even so, Wen Ge felt quite content

She hurriedly ran towards the stairway, and before she could catch her breath to rush down, just as she reached the corner of the stairs, someone grabbed her by the back of her collar from behind

He seemed to curve the corners of his lips slightly: "Let's prepare for the make-up class on the fifth day of the new year..." He paused, glanced at her, and said softly, with a hint of a smile: "The school has already made arrangements."

... ...

Wen Shaoyuan felt as if the surroundings had suddenly emptied, and all he could see was her eyes, curved and as bright as the midnight sky, looking at him with a beaming smile

Wen Ge sat in the passenger seat and obediently fastened the seatbelt

In almost an instant, Wen Ge felt a void in her heart, as if the warm wall lamps in the corridor were casting heavy shadows, causing her to feel a sense of unease.

As for me, the more I live, the more stubborn I become; I am aware of this flaw myself... The old man sighed and carefully scrutinized her under the light.

Under the light, the girl's brows and eyes are serious yet stubborn, and they carry a smile that is just right... The old man immediately softened.

She couldn't help but laugh

Although she has been here for a while, she rarely goes out to have fun except for purchasing necessary items. The only time she did was when Wen Jing and Jiang Junyu took her to the central square.

Seeing her still standing there, he curved his finger and lightly tapped her forehead: "Do you need me to repeat that?"

He shook his head with a wry smile, his tone somewhat complex: "He is indeed clever."

Wen Ge shook his head

Little, uncle?

When she finished putting on a piece of clothing, it was all crooked and askew

I still remember the first time I saw her, like a little bird with broken wings trapped in a cage. Her gaze was bright, like the spring water in a mountain stream, clear to the bottom. The stubbornness and resilience in her eyes left him momentarily stunned

Wen Shaoyuan had clearly noticed as well; he slightly curved the corners of his lips, straightened his clothing hem, and then began to adjust her cuffs. His warm, somewhat heated fingertips brushed past her wrist, causing a slight itch.

Wen Ge subconsciously glanced at Wen Shaoyuan, and upon seeing him nod slightly, she then took the opportunity to bow sincerely and said: "Thank you, great-grandfather"

Upon hearing the song, she immediately pursed her lips and assumed a serious expression. To conceal her feelings, she began to fidget with the buttons.

Elder Wen cleared his throat and, with a serious demeanor, began to speak: "The younger generation in the family now consists only of Shaoyuan and Wenge, come... come over to receive your New Year's money."

Wen Ge obediently walked up to him and looked up at him.

Wen Ge turned his head to look at him somewhat stiffly

Under the pitch-black night, the fireworks appear particularly bright and dazzling. The scattered lights ascend along their trajectories, soaring upwards like a profusion of flowers, blooming brilliantly in the night sky

He is adjusting her collar, furrowing his brow with a serious expression, and his eyes are both dark and bright

It was only after hearing the song that she became aware of the fact that she had undone a button that he had just fastened

The warmth she possesses has become an exceedingly precious thing since her entire world collapsed, thus she cherishes even the slightest bit of it all the more

Speaking, without knowing where the red envelope came from, it was placed on the table

Like?

Wen Shaoyuan bent down and first took off the coat that had tripped Wen Ge. He held the collar and gave it a slight shake, indicating for her to put it on. It was evident that he had no prior experience with this, and he was somewhat clumsy, unable to adjust according to Wen Ge's posture.

At the age of thirteen, a rather awkward stage, she can no longer engage in children's games, yet she is not mature enough to participate in more grown-up activities... She is unable to play.

At the dimly lit stairway, he was looking at her with a half-smile, showing no intention of letting go, as he held her by the back of her collar and led her down the stairs: "Why are you running?"

That gentle and soft voice seemed to inject warmth, causing a slight numbness in his heart.

He has changed into a new outfit, consisting of a gray sweater, black trousers, and he is also holding a coat and a long scarf at the bend of his arm

After a hearty meal and drinks, amidst the sounds of laughter and joy, the usually stern old gentleman could not help but show a hint of a smile. Having had a few sips of wine, his complexion was slightly flushed, his eyes sparkled with light, and he appeared spirited.

Only one lamp was left in the living room, and it was empty. Wen Ge followed him to the entrance to change his shoes. After they stepped out the door, she finally remembered to ask, "Aren't you going to say something to Aunt Xin..."

The atmosphere at the dining table is particularly harmonious, under the brilliant crystal chandelier, the food emanates an enticing luster. As cups are filled and glasses clink, the footsteps of the New Year have truly arrived

"Have you never been to Xinghu?" he asked

Because it is New Year's Eve, there are not many pedestrians. However, there are still quite a few who have come for the grand fireworks display in the open space.

He is indeed a child of unfortunate circumstances

He seemed to have merely come out for a brief moment, not paying much attention to the beautiful and splendid fireworks that were continuously blooming above his head, instead gazing quietly at the wooden bridge in the distance

She silently fastened the undone button back, as if nothing had happened, and looked at him with a squinting smile: "Uncle, where are we going?"

He lowered his head, as if just realizing that she was very short, and pressed down on her head with his hand, comparing her to himself. Clearly, she would turn fourteen after the New Year, yet her height did not meet the standard expected of a fourteen-year-old girl; she was thin and small, only reaching below his chest.

Uncertain of how much time had passed, the door was gently knocked a few times by someone

The old man handed her the red envelope, his deep and aged voice carrying a hint of laughter: "From now on, you can settle down here with peace of mind. Your Aunt Xin has been lonely all her life, and you will be just the companion she needs."

As soon as his words fell, a cluster of fireworks suddenly burst open in the night sky behind him, vividly and profoundly outlining his silhouette. Perhaps he saw the blooming fireworks reflected in her eyes, prompting him to turn and look out the window

Her voice was soft, carrying the unique gentle tone of a girl, like a gentle breeze lightly brushing across Wen Shaoyuan's heart

On the surface of the lake stands a grand bridge made of white jade, its lights fully illuminated, bright as day. Beneath it are two arched bridges that traverse the water, supported by wooden planks. The path paved with cobblestones seems to stretch endlessly.

As soon as I unbuttoned the middle button, I saw him looking over with a heavy gaze, lowering his voice slightly as he warned, "Hmm?"

Wen Ge had never witnessed such a scene of flourishing blossoms, a prosperity and splendor that was absent in that small town of City L

A surprise that came without warning, the bright smile in his eyes, and that gentle tone, as if he were trying to cheer her up

Wen Shaoyuan stood at the door for a while, unable to help but shake his head, his voice cold and helpless: "Come here"

Wen Ge was pushed by Jiang Junyu to walk over, unsure whether it was the influence of the atmosphere or a sense of being flattered and surprised, her face slightly flushed, and she felt somewhat hesitant to make eye contact with Old Master Wen

Many years later, Wen Ge still remembers that night

Old Master Wen had matters to discuss with Wen Shaoyuan and Wen Jingshang, so Wen Ge consciously went upstairs to read. Her room had not yet been equipped with a television, and the only way to pass the time was by "borrowing" books from Wen Shaoyuan's room

Wen Shaoyuan was fastening the strap of his watch. Upon hearing her words, he responded with a brief "Hmm," glanced at her, and said succinctly, "Get dressed, we are going out"

Wen Shaoyuan brought her to Xinghu Lake

In Wen Ge's mind, only one phrase emerged—do not waste the good times

Wen Shaoyuan straightened his body, adjusted his collar, glanced at her up and down, and then, with no expression, averted his gaze: "I am leaving"

Wen Ge nodded and couldn't help but break into a big smile: "Thank you, Uncle."

He lowered his head to look at her, the light was dim, and he could not see his expression clearly, only feeling his grip on the back of her collar loosen as he released her: "I will not disappear."

Fireworks have already ignited outside, with enormous fireworks blooming against the pitch-black night sky, scattering bright and colorful sparks. They resemble shooting stars, falling from the horizon. The sounds of fireworks echo in succession on New Year's Eve, signaling the commencement of a grand feast, illuminating the night.

Hearing the song, she thought it was Jiang Junyu, and she skipped happily to open the door. ... As she pulled the door open, her smile had not yet fully formed, but upon seeing the person standing outside, she suddenly froze in place ...

Upon hearing the song, she let out a soft "oh," first turning off the lights, then closing the door. When she turned around... she found that Wen Shaoyuan's figure was no longer in the corridor.

At this height, one can only see the curve of his chin, smooth and perfect