At that time, Nanxi was also having a hard time.
She stood there, watching Li Weihuan walk towards her. With each step, she felt that despite his casual gaze at everyone, his eyes were fixed on her!
Her fingers tightened slightly, the nails digging into the palm of her hand, causing a slight pain.
A hand reached over, gently grasping her hand and placing it against his own palm. She paused a moment, dropping her gaze.
At this moment, Li Weihuan had walked over, greeted his grandfather, and looked at Lu Yinchu, calling out, "Uncle ..."
His eyes fell on Nanxi and he smiled lightly. "This must be the new wife my Uncle has just married. I’ve seen your picture. You’re the beauty of the Chinese Department in H University. You seem younger than me; I can’t call you Aunt..."
Saying this, he stretched out his white hand toward Nanxi. "Hello, my name is Li Weihuan. Li, as in tree, Weihuan, with Wei coming from Weishui meaning joy. Li Weihuan. Very pleased to meet you!"
Nanxi’s eyelashes trembled. In her mind, she saw an image of Li Weihuan seven years ago.
He was dressed in a white shirt, dark blue jeans, wearing sneakers, with a travel bag slung over his shoulders.
He held out two egg pancakes to her, saying, "For you!"
She shook her head, "I don’t know you!"
He said, "Then, let’s get to know each other now. My name is Li Weihuan. Li, as in tree, Weihuan, with Wei coming from Weishui meaning joy. Li, Wei, Huan!"
"My name is Gu Nanxi!"
"My name is Gu Nanxi!"
Two voices, one from the fifteen years old Nanxi, another from the current twenty-two-year-old Nanxi!
In an unknown space, they blended into a soft corner, gradually dyeing a piece of crimson memory!
In that memory, there was a word called remembrance!
Their hands clasped together, Nanxi could no longer feel the warmth in their palms. She only felt a heart-wrenching pain, her tears transformed into deep sighs, suppressed deep into her soul, not daring to surface!
Nanxi didn’t know how she managed to finish dinner. Majority of the food served to her by Xia Zhen and Lu Yinchu she consumed entirely even though her appetite was minimal.
Six people at the table, each with their own thoughts, appeared to enjoy the meal harmoniously. After dinner, Xia Zhen asked the help to clean up the dining table while she went to make tea for the old man.
The younger generation kept the elderly man company with their conversations.
Lu Qingtian had overeaten, so he proposed to take a walk with Nanxi. Xia Zhen came in with the tea and expressed her disapproval, "I told you not to eat so much, and now look at you!"
Lu Qingtian stuck out his tongue, "Mom, this is not my fault. Grandfather was only talking about work and the company with my brother and nephew during dinner. I don’t understand any of it, so I can’t join in the conversation. All I could do was eat."
The old man laughed at this, "Alright, from the next meal we won’t talk about work or the company. Let’s talk about your college entrance exam next year!"
Hearing this made Lu Qingtian nervous, "Grandfather, my college entrance exam is still a long way off. It’s better if you continue talking about the company with my brother or about work with my nephew. Moreover, my brother and sister-in-law have been married for over a month now. It would be better to discuss what they should name their future baby... Anyway, grandfather, my sister-in-law and I should go for our walk now. You all continue talking, continue talking..."
With saying that, Lu Qingtian was already leading a somewhat anxious Nanxi out of the door.
Li Weihuan watched them go, a barely perceptible darkness flashed through his eyes.
Lu Yinchu remained expressionless.
Around nine in the evening, Xia Zhen arranged for the old man to rest. Before leaving, the old man told Li Weihuan not to leave, to stay for the night. He agreed. The old man then asked Lu Yinchu to ensure everything was prepared for the happy event at the Liang Family. If he could help, he must try his best to do so.
Lu Yinchu agreed to all.
After the old man had left, Lu Yinchu and Li Weihuan stood in the living room, looked at each other. Lu Yinchu’s lips moved slightly, and he spoke, "Take a walk?"
The summer evening breeze felt comfortable on their faces. Lu Yinchu lit a cigarette, offering one to Li Weihuan, who declined, "Not right now."
Lu Yinchu didn’t argue, inhaling deeply. He looked at Li Weihuan, expressing his gratitude, "Thank you."
Li Weihuan pulled a mocking smile on his face, "Uncle, you don’t need to thank me. I had my own selfish reasons for helping you. Moreover..." he paused, his eyes twinkling. "And, honestly, don’t be upset, Uncle. My real motive was to help her, not you."