The path had long been abandoned and had become overgrown due to lack of use, with Bai Xin leading the way wielding a sickle while Bai Zhi followed behind.
After yesterday’s events, Bai Xin knew well that Bai Zhi was formidable and possessed great strength, yet she insisted on having Bai Zhi walk behind. She was the aunt after all, and in the face of danger, it was natural for her to take it on first. Wasn’t it?
"Xingxing, be careful, the path here is slippery. Auntie will hold onto you."
Bai Xin led Bai Zhi, moving forward step by step, finally arriving after an hour.
Due to the surrounding trees, Bai Zhi, who always stayed lower on the mountain, had never realized there was a house here.
Because no one had lived here for a long time, the place had become dilapidated.
Bai Xin walked to the window and began to search.
"This is the place, I remember, the key was supposed to be above the window."
Indeed, she found a key in the gap between two bricks.
"See, I knew it. Your mom liked to keep the key here."
The moment Bai Xin opened the door, dust billowed towards them.
Bai Xin and Bai Zhi couldn’t help covering their noses and frowned.
The furniture inside was covered with a thick layer of dust.
"How long has it been since your mom last came here?"
Bai Xin was puzzled. In her eyes, Ye Xiu always loved this place, but why did it seem like it had been so long since she last visited?
"She probably never came back."
Bai Zhi, staring at the dust and frowning, spoke up.
The dust made it clear that no one had visited for a long time. Logically, this was Ye Xiu’s parental home, so why wouldn’t she visit?
Bai Zhi and Bai Xin looked around and found old photographs in Ye Xiu’s room, showing her laughing happily with Bai Da and another man.
"This is Nan Jin, also the father of Nan Xi. Actually, back then, the three of them used to always stick together. Whatever they did, whatever assignment or job, they did it together.
Back then, both of them were fond of your mom. Your mom was a charming girl who always believed that education could change everything. She had been through a lot as a child, so she was mature. Even I liked your mom a lot."
Bai Xin spoke as she looked at the photographs, recalling how close the three of them used to be.
"What happened later? Mom said that she found Bai Da reliable because he saved her, what’s that about?"
Bai Zhi always felt that Ye Xiu, being so smart, would have realized that Bai Da wasn’t the one who saved her.
Also, when Ye Xiu spoke of Nan Jin, it was distant, like she didn’t know him well, even though she knew his name.
This puzzled Bai Zhi, because according to what Bai Xin said, they were very close. Thus, the conclusion was that Ye Xiu’s memory was faulty.
It was as if Ye Xiu’s attitude towards the original owner was also off, ignored so thoroughly as though it was intentional.
"I don’t actually know the details very clearly. Back then, people weren’t friendly towards your mom; only your dad and Nan Jin always stayed by her side. She even asked your dad and Nan Jin to study hard and tutored them, planning to take the college entrance exam together.
That year a lot happened. Your grandmother was injured and needed a specific medicine, which your mom went to find. She then got trapped for three days and nights, and everyone said it was your dad who was with her, but I knew that wasn’t the case. Because at that time, your dad was away at a training, training at the cement factory."