Seeing the woman standing under the persimmon tree licking her lips, with "eat" written all over her eyes and a look of eager craving, Gu Moqian couldn’t help but chuckle as he walked over and asked, "Craving something?"
Immersed in her fantasy of eating persimmons, Ji Wei was startled by the sudden male voice. She turned her head sharply and, seeing it was Gu Moqian, quickly nodded enthusiastically. "It’s my first time seeing a tree full of so many persimmons—big and red! They must taste amazing!"
The woman’s hidden foodie nature was fully exposed.
"Then give it a try."
Gu Moqian raised his hand and effortlessly plucked a large persimmon, handing it to Ji Wei.
Ji Wei took it without hesitation. She used her sleeve to wipe the surface and began peeling. Then, unable to wait any longer, she took a big bite into the luscious flesh.
The persimmon was soft, sweet, and slightly sticky.
"Delicious!" Ji Wei said with her mouth full.
A circle of golden-yellow persimmon pulp had gathered around the corners of her lips—yet she didn’t seem to notice.
Watching this, Gu Moqian couldn’t help but smile indulgently, his voice warm and doting. "Slow down."
He pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped away the mess at the corners of her lips.
Ji Wei froze, staring at Gu Moqian’s careful gestures. A feeling sweeter than the persimmon swept through her heart.
"Moqian, people these days don’t carry handkerchiefs anymore. Are you a time traveler from the Republic era?" Ji Wei teased as he neatly folded the handkerchief and put it away.
"With a little foodie like you around, carrying one comes in quite handy."
Gu Moqian smiled faintly and reached out to gently tweak Ji Wei’s upturned little nose.
Ji Wei’s eyes glimmered like ripples on water. She looked at the man whose expression was as warm as spring sunshine, utterly enchanted, forgetting even the persimmon she held in her hand.
Realizing she shouldn’t be staring at Gu Moqian so blatantly, Ji Wei quickly grasped for a topic to change the subject. "By the way, why does this persimmon tree seem so healthy? And it’s full of fruit—no one picks it. Look, some are already falling to the ground. Such a waste."
Gu Moqian seemed to recall something from the past. The smile on his face gradually faded.
He gazed at the persimmon tree in front of them, his expression tinged with sadness. "This tree was planted the year Grandpa married Grandma."
"Really? Wow, your grandpa must have been quite the romantic." Ji Wei hesitated for a moment before asking, "Moqian, why have I never met your grandparents...?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Ji Wei realized something and her voice suddenly caught in her throat.
Gu Moqian’s words confirmed Ji Wei’s suspicions. "They’ve already passed away."
Ji Wei’s heart skipped a beat.
"Six years ago, Grandpa and Grandma got into a car accident. They both passed away. I was in Britain at the time and didn’t get the chance to see them one last time."
Ji Wei suddenly felt a lump in her throat, making it hard to speak.
Even though Gu Moqian spoke in a calm tone, without any visible emotion, Ji Wei could sense his regret and sorrow.
"I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought this up."
Ji Wei reached out and tightly grabbed his hand.
Gu Moqian gazed down at her for a long while, then gently pulled her into a hug. "It’s all in the past. Separation and loss are an inevitable part of life."
Ji Wei rested her head against Gu Moqian’s chest, her nose stinging with the urge to cry.
After a long time, she lifted her head, her eyes red, and asked, "So that’s why Great-grandmother left and went to Fuan Temple, right?"
This event must have been the most devastating blow to her great-grandmother.
"Yes. Great-grandmother had two daughters and one son. Grandpa was her most beloved youngest child. His passing indeed made her lose all heart, which is why she went to the temple to devote herself to prayers and abstain from worldly affairs, no longer concerning herself with anything related to the Gu Family."
"So tomorrow is Great-grandmother’s 90th birthday. We should celebrate it properly. After all, she must still wish to see the liveliness of a full family gathered together," Ji Wei said. "And for the gift I’m preparing for her, I’ve already decided."
Ji Wei stared at the half-eaten persimmon in her hand and smiled faintly. "You’ll find out tomorrow."