Yan Sinian’s home lacked the festive atmosphere of the New Year, as neither father nor son cared much for formalities, and there were no women in the house to organize things.
They simply put up a pair of couplets as a token gesture.
Then one stayed in the hospital, and the other went out of town for a study exchange before the New Year.
Yan Sinian had also just returned a few days ago, with his suitcase still in the living room.
The exterior of the suitcase, however, was wiped so clean that it bore no trace of travel weariness.
"You should eat sweets during the New Year," Yan Sinian said as he handed Yue Qingqing a plate of confections.
They were hard on the outside, and a bit sticky on the teeth when bitten into, yet exceptionally chewy.
"This is Mareng Candy, a specialty from there."
Yan Sinian introduced Mareng Candy to Yue Qingqing, explaining that it was said to be a food prepared by caravan travelers on the early Silk Road for long journeys.
Made with ingredients like walnuts, almonds, peanuts, dates, sesame, rose petals, and raisins, mixed with a lot of sugar and grape juice, and then pressed layer by layer.
It was somewhat similar to compressed biscuits, very nutritious, ensuring sustenance needed for the journey.
Yue Qingqing crunched on the Mareng Candy with a crackling noise, resembling a little squirrel gnawing on pine nuts.
Yan Sinian watched her like a kind old father, a smile in his eyes.
Yet when he thought about that incident, Yan Sinian’s brows furrowed involuntarily.
His expression immediately caught Yue Qingqing’s attention.
"Senior Yan, what’s wrong?"
Yan Sinian’s gaze fell on the Mareng Candy in Yue Qingqing’s hand, "I’ve heard that eating something sweet can make one’s mood better."
Yue Qingqing caught the hint, instantly understanding her senior brother’s meaning.
"Recently, the hospital took in a patient who’s been unconscious and can’t be diagnosed. I was called by the dean to have a look on the day I got back, and I discovered that the girl’s soul was injured."
Yue Qingqing smiled, "Is it Li Ruyun?"
"Yes," said Yan Sinian, asking Yue Qingqing, "Did you sever the bond with your bloodline?"
"Correct," Yue Qingqing didn’t hide it, "It seemed like she wanted to borrow my Qi Fortune, but her Cultivation Base was too weak. The curse backfired when it failed to work."
Yan Sinian looked at his junior sister, a fleeting trace of heartache in his eyes.
"Blood ties are destined by heaven, and we can’t choose..."
Before her senior brother could finish, Yue Qingqing beamed a smile.
"So that’s why Senior Brother insisted I come over today. Don’t worry, I’m not sad."
Yan Sinian turned his head to look at his junior sister.
Upon seeing Li Ruyun, the astute Yan Sinian immediately understood the reason for her soul injury.
He was furious beyond measure, never expecting someone to attempt borrowing fortune from his junior sister.
Li Ruyun’s current state was her retribution, but how saddened must his junior sister feel?
Could she feel heartbroken, thinking she was abandoned by her family in her previous life and now treated this way again?
Fortunately, when he looked into Yue Qingqing’s eyes, he indeed found no trace of sadness.
His junior sister’s smile was genuine, as always, making it difficult for anyone observing not to smile as well.
"I really am not sad, on the contrary, with my senior brother’s concern and my family’s love, I feel very warm."
The family Yue Qingqing mentioned were, of course, the Yue Family members, and Yan Sinian’s heart, which had been hanging in suspense, slowly settled down.
"Good, I’ve also brought some other things this time. The raisins and nuts from there are also quite famous..."
Zhuang Rouhui finally rushed to the hospital, her high heels clicking distinctly in the hallway.
The moment the hospital room door opened, Li Ruyu instinctively looked towards the entrance.
"Mom, just now my sister seemed..."
Before she could finish, Zhuang Rouhui took hurried steps and walked in eagerly.
She took out the appraisal results from her bag, and the paper rustled in the air.
"Ruyu, you know what this is, don’t you?"
"Did you find my sister?"
The light in Li Ruyu’s eyes slowly extinguished, her wrinkled face sank even further.
"So you came back for this thing..."