The Events of Yesteryears
Translator: _Min_ |
Leaning against Xu Huan’s shoulder, Gu Dai nodded gently.
Her gaze shifted to Gu Zhe, remembering Su Ci’s words that the man was Father Su’s brother. She turned to Xu Huan and spoke softly, “Grandma, there’s something I need to ask you.”
Xu Huan smiled, “You don’t have to be formal with me, just ask.”
Gu Dai bit her lip, a trace of difficulty appearing on her face, “Grandma, I’d like to discuss this matter with you in private.”
Although puzzled, Xu Huan agreed, “Alright, let’s go to my room to talk.”
Gu Dai nodded and helped Xu Huan into the room.
Meng Si, watching Gu Dai’s retreating figure, asked in confusion, “What’s going on with Daidai? Why all the secrecy? Su Ting, do you know?”
Su Ting, guessing somewhat but seeing that Gu Dai hadn’t shared, shook his head to indicate he didn’t know.
Gu Zhe and Meng Xian’s gaze fell on Su Ting. Thinking of his willingness to accompany Gu Dai to such a perilous place, their appreciation for him grew, and they couldn’t help but nod.
Su Ting felt extremely nervous inside, though it didn’t show. He lowered his head and softly said, “Uncle, auntie, I’m sorry, I…”
Gu Zhe interrupted him, “Why apologize for something good?”
Meng Xian added, “Yes, Su Ting, you’re a good kid. Your uncle and I both like you very much, so don’t be nervous around us. Just relax.”
Gu Zhe nodded in agreement, then continued, “Although your aunt and I missed out on Daidai’s growth these past three years, we haven’t forgotten her nature. We know she does whatever she sets her mind to, and no one can stop her. So, we don’t blame you for not stopping her.”
Meng Si also said, “That’s right, so we should be thanking you, not hearing your apologies.”
After this, he looked at Su Ting, asking, “Is there anything you’ve been lacking recently?”
Su Ting, caught off guard by the change in topic, shook his head, “I’m not lacking anything.”
Faced with his response, everyone felt a bit awkward, as their usual way of showing kindness was through gifts, yet Su Ting claimed to need nothing.
After a moment’s thought, they said seriously, “Why don’t you come with us to the treasury? Maybe you’ll find something you like.”
Su Ting, somewhat bewildered, followed them and, in his confusion, soon found his hands filled with various items.
Inside Xu Huan’s room.
Gu Dai took a deep breath and then asked softly, “Grandma, do you have any other children? Someone who might be living away from home?”
Xu Huan was startled, “What?”
Gu Dai pursed her lips, “I mean, a son who might have been lost to us.”
After mentioning the cloud-shaped birthmark on the thigh, as described by Wang Sui, she added, “A child with a cloud-shaped mark on his thigh.”
Upon hearing this, Xu Huan’s pupils dilated, “A cloud-shaped birthmark!”
Gu Dai nodded, sensing Xu Huan’s reaction and guessing there might be truth to Su Ci’s claim of a blood relation.
Xu Huan, momentarily lost in thought, then eagerly looked at Gu Dai, “Daidai, how do you know about him?”
After a pause, Gu Dai, not fully certain of the situation, chose to remain vague, “I met this man on the island, and someone mentioned him to me.”
Xu Huan, visibly shaken and gripping Gu Dai’s hand tightly, asked excitedly, “Daidai, you’re saying you’ve seen the man with the cloud-shaped birthmark? Is that true?”
Gu Dai nodded affirmatively, “It’s true.”
Xu Huan repeatedly nodded, “He’s alive, that child is still alive… It’s good that he’s alive!”
Seeing Xu Huan’s tearful and emotional state, and recalling Father Su’s animosity towards the Gu family, Gu Dai asked curiously, “Grandma, what is your relationship with that man?”
Xu Huan lowered her gaze and sighed softly before slowly explaining, “He’s actually the son of a close friend of mine. An accident happened years ago. He was asleep, and I hid him in a concealed place before luring the enemies away by myself. When I returned, I couldn’t find him. Later, I learned from the villains that they had killed him…”
As Xu Huan spoke, her face was streaked with tears..