Mrs. Yuan knew Yun Jinnian’s nature, quiet yet resolute, abiding by her words without the slightest deviation.
Everything was carefully weighed in her heart, how to act and what to measure; she knew well and wouldn’t tell a soul.
Yun Jinnian had a secret, one that even Mrs. Yuan couldn’t grasp, an unfathomable mystery.
Greens, pickles, egg soup.
"Grandpa, time to eat!"
"Oh, yes, yes, time to eat!"
The food was bland and tasteless, yet Jinnian ate slowly, in tiny bites.
Chu Yu’s cook in the secluded valley was very skilled, capable of preparing nourishing meals, which had greatly improved Jinnian’s digestion, allowing her to eat more than before, but only slightly more.
Once she overate, Jinnian would vomit.
Not just the food but also bile, after which she’d be unable to eat for days.
Chu Yu never dared to pressure her to eat more after that.
However, Han Xuzi’s heart was twisted with pain.
Blaming himself, blaming Mrs. Han.
Resenting everyone from the Yun Family.
Han Xuzi asked Jinnian, "Jinnian, the New Year is coming, isn’t it?"
"Yes, New Year is coming, where would Grandpa like to spend it?" Jinnian replied indifferently, without any expectation of being taken back home.
Going home would be no better than staying here, where she could return to the valley as soon as Han Xuzi left.
There, she had books to read, countless herbs to study, all away from the hustle and bustle of the world.
"Where would Jinnian like to spend the New Year?" Han Xuzi asked tentatively.
Upon hearing this, Jinnian thought seriously and said, "Anywhere is fine!"
Wherever she went, she would be alone, without friends or family. At meal times, she was the one picking her food, with no one to care if she had enough, so it made no difference.
In the valley, Chu Yu would serve her food, a little at a time. Since that episode of vomiting, he dared not let her eat too much, though the dishes were delicious.
If only it were possible, she wished she could spend New Year with Chu Yu...
Jinnian startled herself with the thought and suddenly stood up, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Jinnian?" Han Xuzi called softly.
Clamping her lips tightly, it took Jinnian a while to take a deep breath and give Han Xuzi a faint smile, "Grandpa, I’m fine!"
She gently sat back down.
Just one day had passed, yet everything seemed to remind her of Chu Yu.
Han Xuzi didn’t say, but he was startled when Jinnian suddenly stood up.
Roaming the martial world, moving through imperial courts, even in face of the Emperor, he’d always remained proud, never once in fear.
But just now, when Jinnian stood up, the terror in her eyes, void of any brightness, frightened him.
He was afraid of losing this granddaughter.
Jinnian shook her head and stayed silent.
"Then rest well; Grandpa will come to see you another day!"
Jinnian saw Han Xuzi out of Yingci’an, and as she watched him and Han Zhong disappear, she turned with tears streaming down her face.
He had not come to take her home.
Fortunately, she had never hoped for it!
"Miss?" Mrs. Yuan called softly.
"I’m fine!" Jinnian said, dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief, her voice slightly choked.
Yet her spine slowly straightened.
Yun Jinnian, in this world, you are alone.
No one will accompany you!
Jinnian didn’t know, Han Xuzi had returned with Han Zhong, standing on the rooftop.
An unparalleled master of the martial world, his night vision as clear as day, Han Xuzi could see clearly that Jinnian was crying.
He, who had only shed tears upon the death of his parents and the departure of his wife, couldn’t help but feel his eyes mist over. As he turned away, old tears fell, scattered by the cold wind!