Chapter 98: How Could I Forget Them?

"Ze Yan, Liuli, come down for dinner!"

"Downstairs, He Yun called out to them."

"She had been busy all day, making a big table of delicious food."

"Last time she also secretly observed Liuli, seeing which dishes she ate more of, and then deliberately made those she liked more."

"The rest were also dishes Ze Yan liked."

"Mr. Chu and Mrs. Chu were waiting for Ze Yan and Liuli to come down."

"Seeing Mrs. Chu and Mr. Chu, Liuli felt everything was different now."

"In her memory, they weren't like this; in her memory, they were young and handsome."

"Back then she thought her parents were a perfect match, both very good-looking, and wherever they went people would think Mr. Chu and Mrs. Chu were her older brothers and sisters."

"But now, seeing them aged far beyond a little, He Yun and Chu Feng's white hair showed."

"Liuli saw that Gu Qing and Cheng Li's parents didn't have so much white hair."

"Moreover, they should be about the same age as Cheng Li's parents, since Cheng Li is about her age."

"But why do they look much older than Cheng Li's parents?"

"During these days she was gone, they must have been worried."

"Every day they worried for her, hoping she would return, yet she actually forgot everything."

"As soon as she saw them, she now only felt self-blame."

"Come eat quickly!"

"Mrs. Chu pulled Liuli and Ze Yan to sit in their places."

"Liuli saw the table full of dishes Ze Yan liked, plus some that she had eaten last time because they were close by."

"She thought maybe because she kept eating them, Mrs. Chu assumed she liked them, but actually it was just because the dishes were nearer to her."

"Nevertheless, He Yun's thoughtfulness still moved her."

"When she was little, every time Ze Yan came, He Yun would make these dishes he liked."

"Liuli didn't expect her to remember everything, even recalling what Ze Yan liked and disliked to eat."

"Hurry up and eat, why aren't you eating?"

"Mrs. Chu saw Liuli's worried expression and asked."

"Liuli lifted her eyes to look at He Yun; He Yun saw Liuli's eyes were red, as if she had just cried."

"What's wrong, did you cry?"

"He Yun asked concernedly, and Chu Feng, hearing it, also looked at Liuli."

"Ze Yan, what's going on? Did you bully Liuli?"

"I didn't..."

"Ze Yan explained."

"What's that about?"

"Chu Feng asked."

"Ze Yan, even with a mouth, couldn't explain clearly; besides, he wasn't the type to make others cry."

"This matter also could only wait for Liuli to speak; whether she acknowledges it or not, the decision is in her hands, and Ze Yan also respects her decision."

"I just... wanted to eat fried sweet rice balls..."

"Liuli said, and tears fell again."

"Upon hearing the name of the dish fried sweet rice balls, He Yun and Chu Feng both froze."

"Back then, Si Yun loved it most; Si Yun always loved sweet things."

"After Si Yun passed away, He Yun never made this dish again."

"Child, what did you say you want to eat?"

"He Yun thought she had misheard and asked; she had a feeling that Liuli was Si Yun."

"But maybe she just resembled Si Yun, liking fried sweet rice balls just like Si Yun did, and she could only comfort herself that way."

"Chu Feng felt the same."

"Mom... I want to eat the fried sweet rice balls you make..."

"Liuli hugged He Yun and said."

"She felt He Yun's embrace right now was so warm; hearing Liuli call her, He Yun's tears fell at once."

"Chu Feng heard Liuli call He Yun 'mom', first stunned, then his eyes moistened, and he quickly wiped away tears secretly."

"What did you call me?"

"He Yun felt as if she were dreaming; seeing Ze Yan's gaze, she then believed Si Yun had truly returned."

"Mom, sorry... I actually forgot you..."

"Are you Si Yun? My Si Yun has come back?"

"He Yun cupped Liuli's face, tears still in her eyes, wanting to see Liuli's appearance clearly."

"I'm back... Dad... sorry..."

"Liuli then looked toward Chu Feng, apologizing."

"Chu Feng didn't want her to see him cry, so he turned away; Liuli watching felt even more heartbroken."

"It's us who are sorry to you..."

"Chu Feng said, choking up, his eyes all red."

"Ze Yan had never seen Mrs. Chu and Mr. Chu shed tears; even though they felt helpless, they also hoped Si Yun would return."

"But they never shed tears in front of him; perhaps they, like him, only cried alone at night in secret."

Dad, Mom, sorry…… It's been so many years, you've been looking for me all this time, but I forgot you………

The only thing that surged in Liuli's heart was self-blame; how could she forget them?

The more Liuli blamed herself, the harder she cried.

"My daughter has finally come back—thank Heaven, we've finally waited for your return………"

He Yun had already burst into tears, then she hugged Liuli again, truly wishing to hold her like this forever, not letting go for a moment.

Chu Feng also came over to hug He Yun and Liuli, he also thanked Heaven—Si Yun has truly returned.

Ze Yan stood to the side watching them, his eyes already red.

Chu Feng also pulled Ze Yan over and hugged him; in Chu Feng's heart, the four of them were one family.

But he felt guilty toward Ze Yan as well, because Si Yun had married someone else, while he had waited for her all these years.

"You've grown so big…… Let us take a good look at you……"

He Yun truly just wanted to keep looking at Liuli, afraid she would disappear again.

"But why have you all aged so much……"

Liuli truly couldn't control her emotions—how agonizing it must have been for them waiting all these years for her return.

It was she who made them grow old so much—from the day they learned Si Yun had met with misfortune to the time there was no trace of Si Yun, He Yun and Chu Feng instantly grew old.

They didn't care about growing old themselves; as long as Si Yun could return, nothing else mattered to them.

"You've grown up—how could we not have aged?"

He Yun laughed.

"Dad, Mom, sorry………"

"Silly child, don't say sorry—thank you for coming back again."

Chu Feng spoke up.

"All right, hurry up and eat! I'll go make fried glutinous rice balls for you right now!"

He Yun's whole person became happy again—she hadn't been this happy in a long time.

"No need, next time… I'm hungry, I want to eat first."

Liuli didn't want He Yun to tire herself out, so she went to make fried glutinous rice balls for her.

"All right, let's eat first—don't go hungry."

He Yun pulled Liuli to sit beside her.

"Good."

Liuli nodded.

"Brother Ze Yan, eat more—these are all your favorites, I remember them."

Liuli said to Ze Yan, seeing his red eyes, she felt inexplicably guilty.

Why did she forget him? In her former world, only Ze Yan, a single boy, filled it.

When she heard back then that she and Ze Yan had agreed to a childhood engagement, she was overjoyed—no need to say how happy.

Although she didn't understand much back then, she only knew she wanted to be with Ze Yan, to grow up together.

"Do you remember now?"

Ze Yan teased.

"I just forgot by accident, but now I've remembered it all—don't be angry with me, please forgive me."

Liuli's tone when speaking to Ze Yan was still like when she was a child.

He Yun and Chu Feng both laughed, as if seeing the two of them as children again; now this family could be considered complete.

Fortunately they didn't give up; Ze Yan's determination also made them more resolute.

"I've never been angry with you—how could I forgive you?"

Ze Yan said seriously, and Liuli's tears instantly welled up again.

"Shen Zeyan, don't make me cry, okay?"

"You're just a crybaby." Ze Yan laughed, wiping away her tears, "Hurry up and eat."

"Good, Mom, your cooking is still just as delicious—the flavor hasn't changed at all."

"I'll make it for you every day from now on."

He Yun laughed.

"I don't want you to make it every day—it's too tiring."

"Not tiring at all, Si Yun—come stay a couple days?"

"All right, I'll let Gu Die know."

Ze Yan, Chu Feng, and He Yun now feel even more uncomfortable upon hearing the name Gu Die.

Especially Ze Yan; Mr. and Mrs. Chu also considered Ze Yan's feelings—his heart surely wouldn't feel comfortable.

When Liuli spoke, she also unconsciously glanced at Ze Yan, but he showed no expression.

It was as if she hadn't heard anything at all, so Liuli relaxed.

"Let's eat, let's eat!" He Yun said, "After we finish eating, we'll have a good talk."

"Mm."

Liuli nodded.

"Ze Yan, why don't you head back later today?"

Chu Feng asked Ze Yan, wanting to give Ze Yan and Liuli more time together, but whether Liuli would choose him is up to her.

Even if Gu Die treats Liuli well, they think as long as Liuli likes him it's fine—but toward Ze Yan, they will always feel guilty.

Having waited for Si Yun all these years, only to see her with someone else—this feeling is easy to imagine.

I went back after finishing my meal.

Ze Yan replied.

He didn't show his unhappiness much, but inside he was already extremely sad.

The one he loves is still with someone else.

He feels that everything he eats tastes bitter, even drinking water is bitter.

"Stay a little longer?" He Yun asked, "Si Yun is back today; let's have a good chat."

"I still have something to do tonight."

Ze Yan answered curtly; He Yun and Chu Feng both knew the reason, but Liuli didn't.

Just as I was about to tell Gu Die I wouldn't be coming back tonight, Gu Die called.

"When are you coming back? I'll go pick you up."

"I... I'm not going back tonight; you should go to sleep early."

Liuli also didn't know how to explain things clearly to Gu Die over the phone.

She suddenly told him she was Si Yun, and saying it over the phone was also hard to believe.

She felt that it would have been better to say such things back then.

"I'll go pick you up."

Gu Die's tone left no room for refusal.

How could he let Liuli not come home for the night, and be with another man?

As Chu Liuli, does she really not take Gu Die seriously?

"I'm not going back today; I can't explain clearly over the phone, so don't worry about me."

Hearing Gu Die's unpleasant tone, Liuli took the phone aside to answer.

"Why aren't you coming back?"