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CHAPTER 812 – Remembrance
Just as they had planned, the Remembrance Day for Li Jing's mother came swiftly. The grandeur of the event echoed through every corner of Lin Zian's mansion.
The beautiful white lilies arranged meticulously on the dining table, the ancestral heirlooms adorning the living room, and the soft glow of the candles flickering with a promise of remembrance
Even though she had clearly stated that her mother wasn't dead, Lin Zian did not want to miss out on any opportunity to pray for his daughter's soul in case she was dead.
It hurt him to say the least, and it wasn't like he had lost hope completely, but gazing down at his granddaughter's sad face made his heart clench that she wasn't happy.
Draped in a serene white gown, Li Jing moved gracefully around the room, ensuring everything was perfect as she travelled the distance to see her grandfather.
"Grandfather." Li Jing gave a curt nod and stood beside him where he was at the top of the 1st floor, watching the event carry on.
"Yes, dear?"
He still did not look at her and kept his focus on her mother's picture. After some seconds of silence, he broke it, speaking first. "I'm sorry."
She noticed his grip on the rail tighten, but she did not say anything.
"I know I said I wouldn't, but it seems like..."
"You shouldn't apologise," Li Jing interjected.
"Huh?" Lin Zian's brows knitted. He wasn't expecting such a response from her, to be honest. He expected her to be angry, but she was not.
"Gramps," Li Jing sighed and turned to face him. "I am sorry. I know I behaved like a brat last week, and I shouldn't have."
"No Jing-er," Lin Zian began, shaking his head. "You do not have to apologise."
"No, I do. You were hurt the most, long before I knew anything about my mother. You never had closure because all these years you believed she was living her best life and stuff. However, I…" Her voice trembled, forcing her to inhale to calm herself.
"I did not want to lose hope. I have longed for a family for a very long time. One to call my own, and I found you; that alone proved that all hope wasn't lost, and I can find my mother again."
"Uh, point of correction, I found you," Lin Zian corrected, his smile broadening.
"Sure. I know."
"Good. I understand you too, Jing, but you must know, just like me, that I wasted years before I could do this. I do not want us to have any regrets in the future, you know. At least now people still remember how. Who knows when my time will come?"
She placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed lightly.
"It's okay. All I am saying is that doing this feels like I have said my goodbyes to her, and I am not giving up hope. I haven't. I just need to press that man further."
"Man?" Li Jing clamped her lips shut almost immediately and instinctively withdrew from the iron rail.
Gulp!
It did not take more than a second for Lin Zian to notice something was up. Looking behind him at his side, he saw Li Jing looking away, and he called out.
"Don't play coy with me. What is this about, Jing-er?" Still, Li Jing did not speak; only the slight movement of her body from side to side told him she was acting like a child whose lips were sealed.
"Li Jing..." he trailed off in a warning tone, one that sent shivers and goosebumps all over her skin. "Jing!"
"Gramps!" She jolted back from his slightly loud yell. "Calm down already and do not draw attention to us. He rolled his eyes. From the little time he had spent with her, he knew that once she became evasive, there was no getting to her.
His only hope now is Ye Cheng.
"Fine. Keep silent, but I will find out."
"Gramps I…"
"There you are." The sweet sound of her grandma's voice interjected their conversation as Lin Xuilan walked over to meet them.
"The guests are asking after you, Li Jing," she began. "Zian," she said, giving a nod in respect to Lin Zian before focusing back on Li Jing. "It is not right to keep them waiting. Shall we?"
Li Jing cast a quick glance at her grandfather as though silently asking for permission. At once, he picked up on her signal and sighed. "You weren't telling me anyway; you may as well just go with her."
"Okay, Gramps. See you later."
Together, both ladies walked off and down the stairs to join the others.
To any outsider who saw Li Jing, she looked like the epitome of calm and strength, greeting and thanking them for honouring the invitation.
Howbeit, Ye Cheng, who knew her better than anyone else, sensed the quiet melancholy behind her smile from where she stood.
The air was thick with emotion, a palpable mix of sorrow, acceptance, and longing. A lot of people felt this event should have been held since then, but nonetheless, they came to honour her mother.
As guests filtered in, murmuring condolences and sharing memories of Li Jing's mother, Ye Cheng noticed her quiet nods and forced laughter.
She seemed so far away, trapped in her own world of memories.
"This day must be tough for her," Ye Sheng whispered, noticing his son's concerned glances towards Li Jing.
Having been welcomed back to his family, Ye Sheng did not miss a chance to make up for the years he wasted ignoring them.
More than anyone else, Li Jing was thankful for the development. The Ye family was uniting to fight their common enemy.
"Huh…" It took Ye Cheng a few seconds to recollect himself and turn his head in his father's direction. "It is, father," Ye Cheng replied, his voice strained, "but I have something planned."
"Do you now?" he chuckled lightly. "Always the doting husband." Ye Sheng smiled, patting his son's shoulder affectionately.