With the passing of the years, what was represented was not only the growth of the children but also the passing of the elderly.
Just last year, in 1998, the Shen Family had bid farewell to two elderly members, and both Shen Zhangming and Luo Yufang had passed away peacefully, their smiles never fading from their faces.
In the Lin Family, Lin Nianqiang had passed away four years earlier, and Zhou Fengqin had followed him two years later.
Birth, aging, illness, and death are the ultimate truths of life. Lin Xiaoguai had thought about saving them, but even the most miraculous medicine in her hands could not stop aging.
The only thing that comforted her was that the four elderly people had not suffered any pain at the time of death and had passed away without any regrets.
Nevertheless, having lost four elders all at once, Lin Xiaoguai always felt somewhat unable to cope. Just a few days ago, she had caught a chill by accident and had been running a low fever for several days.
"Mom, big brother called and said he could come back the day after tomorrow," Han Yiheng said as he pushed the door open.
"Really? His school will let him leave?" Lin Xiaoguai looked over in surprise.
Though Han Yiheng was only an 11-year-old child, he appeared exceptionally mature, wearing a delicate and handsome face, and his character seemed remarkably mature, always polite to those outside his family.
It was also strange how Gu Yijing and Shen Yiqiao looked particularly alike when they were younger since they were the last two born, everyone initially thought they were identical siblings. As they grew and their features became more pronounced, their looks diverged more and more. Though Gu Yijing had a fiery temper, his features had a somewhat soft and feminine quality, whereas Shen Yiqiao, though delicate, had a certain heroic spirit in her brow, influenced entirely by her air of delicate softness.
Because Shen Yiqiao’s looks increasingly resembled her mother’s, and then one day, everyone realized, when they saw the sleeping Shen Yisi and Shen Yiqiao together, they couldn’t tell who was who.
Then it dawned on everyone—these two were the actual identical siblings!
At the same time, Shen Chi stopped favoring his eldest daughter exclusively. He noticed that it was easy to tell his daughters apart while awake, not because they looked very much like his wife, but because his younger daughter’s lively and playful nature differed from his wife and eldest daughter; her rosy gums would show when she laughed, and her raised eyebrows and bright eyes were particularly spirited.
For him, it was almost like seeing another version of his wife, which was particularly interesting.
Due to this, Shen Yisi had a period of awkwardness, fortunately, Lin Xiaoguai noticed it in time and offered guidance in private.
Of course, afterward, Lin Xiaoguai gave Shen Chi a good scolding.
"It’s true," Han Yiheng climbed onto the bed, tucking in the covers as he spoke: "Big brother said he can come back the day after tomorrow, but he can only stay for three days at home."
"Three days is also good." Lin Xiaoguai sighed.
Initially, she had been quite surprised when her son chose to attend Shanghai Military Command College. Remembering the words the young boy had said to Shen Chi, a touch of pride flickered in her eyes.
—I don’t want to follow the path Dad took; my future will surely have its splendor that belongs solely to me.
Her son would surely not be inferior to his father in the days to come. After all, he was clever, determined, open-hearted, steady in handling matters, confident yet proud, and possessed a humble heart eager to learn.
Lin Xiaoguai chatted with her son for a while and soon drifted into a drowsy sleep. Carefully rising from the bed, Han Yiheng tiptoed out of the room.
"Mrs. Zhang, mom has fallen asleep; could you make some old duck soup? She likes that," Han Yiheng said purposely as he entered the kitchen.
"Ah, I know, Second Young Master," Mrs. Zhang replied with a loving expression.
Having been with the Shen Family for ten years, Mrs. Zhang was no longer as cautious as when she first arrived and regarded the Shen Family almost as her own.
She knew very well that although her son had learned some culture following the eldest young master, he had not earned a diploma. With his honest and straightforward nature, he would only be bullied working outside. Rather than that, it was better to stay and work at the Shen Family like her, where all the masters were decent and treated their servants well.