Chapter 414: Not Forgotten

“This is a job I picked up at the teahouse today. It seems like there’s some evil presence lurking over there. Go check it out now; if it’s real, just take care of it while you're at it.”

Su Yan spoke quite casually, as if she were merely chatting about whether the stars were beautiful tonight.

Uh.

Zhou Li’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.

If he hadn't misunderstood, did she mean for him to go do something like that?

“Senior Sister Su, we haven't even had dinner yet.”

Normally, a situation like this wouldn't require exorcists like them to step in, would it?

Su Yan nodded. “I know, so make it quick. I’ll leave some food for you at home.”

Zhou Li:...

Every cell in his body was protesting, yet he had no choice but to agree.

***

At home, Su Jianguo had already laid out steaming hot dishes on the table.

Ever since he was discharged from the hospital, it was clearly noticeable that his body was recovering at an astonishing speed; he was already almost back to his former self.

So, he had specially cooked today, intending to let his daughter taste his skills.

“Yan Yan, why did you come back alone? Where’s Zhou Li?”

After a few days of contact, he had become quite familiar with Zhou Li, treating him like a junior in the family.

“He said he had some business to attend to and would be back a bit later. He told us to eat without waiting for him,” Su Yan said quite nonchalantly.

As expected, Su Jianguo did not press further.

“Then wash your hands and come eat first.”

While urging Su Yan, he directly scooped some of the untouched food from the plates to set aside for Zhou Li.

The boy was a guest, after all; it wouldn't be right to make him eat their leftovers.

The parents sat around the dining table.

“Dad, I didn't know you had these skills?”

Previously, Liu Yalan had always done the cooking, and not long after that, he had fallen into a coma. Thus, this was truly the first time Su Yan had actually eaten a meal cooked by Su Jianguo.

“Is it good?” Seeing Su Yan’s look of pleasant surprise, Su Jianguo felt immensely satisfied.

Su Yan nodded very seriously. “It’s delicious.”

Although the presentation wasn't great, the taste was indeed beyond reproach.

Su Jianguo’s eyes crinkled with a smile as he continuously placed food in her bowl.

“If it’s good, eat more.”

After a busy day, Su Yan was indeed hungry, and she ate with a bit of gusto.

“Yan Yan, Dad hasn't asked yet—how did you suddenly think of going to the Capital, and stay for so long?” Su Jianguo looked at her intently, his tone incredibly gentle.

Since he had woken up, the father and daughter had not yet had a chance to sit down and have a proper talk alone.

Su Yan had long anticipated he would ask, so she explained unhurriedly, “I ran into two friends at the time. They were going to the Capital for business, and I had always wanted to see the prosperity of the Capital myself. Plus, Big Brother Gu was there, so after discussing it with him, I decided to go.”

To avoid worrying Su Jianguo, she could only choose a white lie.

“Dad, I’m sorry. I left you all alone and even fell behind in school.”

By taking the initiative to apologize, her father certainly wouldn't be angry.

Hearing her say this, Su Jianguo showed no sign of displeasure.

“I never intended for you to go to school anyway. When I came to get you back, I told you: once you return to your father's side, you can do whatever you want.”

Su Yan’s heart felt warm. “You spoil me the most.”

Only after losing something can one truly cherish it. She had almost lost the only relative in this world; now, she truly cherished every minute and every second spent with her father.

Su Jianguo affectionately rubbed her hair. “Was your eyesight also treated in the Capital?”

“Yes, the doctors there are very skilled,” Su Yan answered without the slightest hesitation.

“Did the doctors say if there would be any more problems in the future?” This was what Su Jianguo cared about most.

Su Yan said with certainty, “No. My vision has completely recovered; it’s just like a normal person's.”

Su Jianguo felt a weight lift off his shoulders. The heavens had been kind to them, after all.

“Yan Yan, your eyes really look just like your mother's.”

In a trance, he even saw a shadow of Kong Xiangrou in Su Yan’s face. By the time he snapped out of it, the words had already slipped out.

The warm atmosphere came to an abrupt halt.

Su Jianguo suppressed his longing for Kong Xiangrou and forced a smile at Su Yan.

“Look at me, why am I bringing these things up out of nowhere? Let's just eat.”

He lowered his eyes to hide the moisture within them.

Su Yan’s grip on her chopsticks tightened. “Dad, tell me about the times you spent with Mother in the past. I want to hear them.”

Su Jianguo froze, staring straight at her.

Su Yan gave him a warm smile, as if encouraging him to continue.

One second.

Two seconds.

After a full ten or so seconds of silence, Su Jianguo’s low voice rang out once more.

“I still remember the first time I went on a date with your mom...”

That night, Su Jianguo spoke a lot, so much. It was the first time he had spoken so many words to Su Yan, and also the first time he had recalled those deep-seated feelings of love and longing buried in the depths of his heart.

Su Yan listened to the little details between her father and mother.

The affection between them, the scenes of their happy family of three—all unfolded before her through Su Jianguo’s storytelling.

So, they had once been such an ordinary and happy family.

If the subsequent events hadn't happened, if Mother hadn't died, she would have been the happiest child in the world, wouldn't she?

And all that happiness had been destroyed by the hands of the Kong family. Looking at the moist corners of Su Jianguo’s eyes and his grief-stricken, lonely expression, it was as if the past decade had not diminished his feelings in the slightest. How could Su Yan not hate them?!

At the same time, the seed of hatred planted in her heart grew relentlessly, until it could no longer be removed.

“Dad, you still miss Mom, don't you?”

“Yes, Dad misses her every moment. Dad knows she is watching us from heaven, hoping we can live well, and that one day we will eventually meet again.”

***

In the dead of night.

Su Yan sat alone in the center of the courtyard. Although the cold wind was still biting, she felt no chill at all.

At some unknown point, the Ghost Shadow drifted up behind her, offering a soft reminder after a long silence.

“My Lady, it is cold outside. You should return to your room to rest.”

Because Zhou Li was by Su Yan's side, the Ghost Shadow generally would not appear unless necessary.

“Ghost Shadow, do you think that when people die, they really watch over their loved ones from heaven?” Su Yan tilted her head back, staring blankly at a certain point in the distant sky.

The Ghost Shadow knew what she was thinking, but the answer was destined to disappoint her.

“Your mother should have been reincarnated long ago, My Lady. Why must you be so obsessed with such things?”

In truth, she should have known better than anyone.

It was impossible for a person to stay in this world for a long time after death—unless they became like him, or became an evil presence.

(End of Chapter)