Zhao Youqian's face immediately sank.
He did not want to hear his brother's name being mentioned, especially when he knew his brother did not die as he expected.
"Mother, have a good rest. I'll visit you again when I have the time," Zhao Youqian rose to his feet and adjusted his suit before bidding the woman farewell.
"Are you busy with something again?" the woman asked.
"Mm, lots of things. Our family's business has been seriously affected since the trend of Dragon Magicians started in Europe. People are only going to the auctions where dragons are being sold. They are starting to ignore us. Those old customers that used to fawn on us are now buying things from our competitors," Zhao Youqian grumbled.
"There aren't any old customers. They are only cooperating with us because of your father. Now that your father is gone …" the woman said.
"Why are you always like this? Why do you always have to mention them no matter what I say to you? Mother, can't you control yourself? How am I supposed to talk to you like this?" Zhao Youqian said impatiently.
The woman opened her mouth in surprise when she saw how angry Zhao Youqian was. However, she soon calmed down.
"That's all I can tell you. Don't you miss them at all? We're such a good family …" the woman said with a disappointed look.
Zhao Youqian realized that he had lost his composure. He quickly took a deep breath.
"That's not what I meant. I just feel sad whenever I mention them. I don't want to be sad, I want to move on," Zhao Youqian defended himself. His tone softened.
"But I keep having a feeling that you're not sad, but angry whenever I mention them."
"Mother, I'm not …"
"Alright, alright, I understand how you feel. I only saw a young man who looks like your brother, so I can't help but think of him. You should go back to your work. I'll leave you to take care of the family, "the woman calmed down.
"Alright, don't worry about your health. I'll bring you home when the weather is warmer and you feel better," Zhao Youqian said.
…
Zhao Youqian quickly left with a hint of panic on his face.
It was as if he was afraid that his mother would see through his thoughts.
However, Bai Miaoying continued to stare at Zhao Youqian's back. Her eyes did not waver at all.
She didn't know when the family had become like this. No matter how beautiful Venice was, it couldn't wipe away the sadness in Bai Miaoying's heart.
Bai Miaoying closed her eyes and rested just like that. She carried a trace of helplessness and suffering as she waited for time to pass by in such a meaningless manner.
It was late at night and the weather was cold. Bai Miaoying was still unwilling to go into the house, afraid that the stuffy air in the house would suffocate her.
Not long ago, she had received a piece of news from an old caregiver in the family. That piece of news had caused Bai Miaoying to fall seriously ill and be hospitalized.
She couldn't accept the truth, but she couldn't help but doubt her son.
Did Zhao Youqian really do it?
"Deng deng deng deng!"
A few footsteps could be heard coming closer and closer.
Bai Miaoying ignored him, but she was suddenly wrapped in a warm woolen coat. A pair of hands were gently placed on her shoulders, causing Bai Miaoying to open her eyes involuntarily.
It was a handsome and familiar face. Even when he was stern and angry, he would still have a smile on his face.
He loved to smile. Bai Miaoying clearly remembered that he always had a warm smile on his face since he was young. He would grin like an idiot. Even when he was observing his surroundings, his lips would curl upward.
It was also the reason why Bai Miaoying and her husband were so fond of the child. He seemed to have been born with a liking for this family, and everything that his parents had given him.
"Xiao Manman?" Bai Miaoying could not believe her eyes. She had seen the same face again.
Her first reaction was not that she had actually seen her son come back from the dead, but that she had fallen asleep on the chair, and her consciousness had already entered the realm of dreams.
"(Cough cough), I already told you that you can't call me that after I'm eighteen," the man said awkwardly.
"You're eighty-eight years old now. If I'm still alive, I'll call you that too. Xiao Manman, where's your father? Did he come with you to visit me? How are you doing down there? Are you being bullied by the Envoys? Are you fed and clothed? Do you have enough money to spend? Did you receive the things I burned in Venice during the Qingming Festival last year? Oh no, this is bad, Venice is a foreign country. I bet the demons in Italy have confiscated all the money. Even if they didn't confiscate it, they would still have to go through the customs of the Underworld. A lot of the things must have been confiscated. I'll go back to China next year and give you more things … "Bai Miaoying kept talking excitedly, as if she was trying to say everything she could in just a few seconds.
"Mother, I can't bring father to visit you," Zhao Manyan sat on the chair.
"Why? Didn't you guys meet each other down there? You guys relied on each other for survival down there, so don't go your separate ways just because of a little conflict. I know your father is very strict, and he always wants you to be successful and have the right to speak in society like him. But actually, he has told me many times that he thinks it's good for you to be carefree. People don't live long, and it's a blessing to be able to live a peaceful life. As long as you're happy and have a smile on your face like when you were young, he as your father won't force you to be the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, an elite in the political world, or a dragon or phoenix among men …" Bai Miaoying really had a lot to say. Every time she said it, she would finish it all in one breath, as if she was afraid that she wouldn't have another chance in the future.
The smile on Zhao Manting's face disappeared after hearing the words. His eyes were filled with sorrow.
"Mother, I can't bring father to visit you because I'm not in the underworld like you said. I'm still alive and well. You're not dreaming. Look around you, dreams don't feel so real. There won't be mosquitoes trying to bite you in your dreams, "Zhao Manyan patted Bai Miaoying's arm as he said this.
Bai Miaoying could clearly feel a burning sensation on her arm. However, the expression on her face changed rapidly. Shock, joy, and doubt were intertwined and repeated over and over again.
"It's really you, Xiao Manman?" Bai Miaoying was unable to control her excitement.
"Yes, it's me. I've been wandering outside for a few years. I'm a little homesick now. Most importantly, I miss you. " Zhao Manting put on a smile once again. He took the initiative to give his mother a big hug.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
