Chapter 407: Still Saying I'm Not a Coward (Complete)

Xia Xi's grandmother's memorial day is January 15; on the morning of the 14th, the family took the high-speed rail to Qianlin.

That day happened to be a Sunday.

The weather was clear and pleasant, not like winter at all.

Su Jinru looked at the accompanying Xu Yanfeng, somewhat surprised, but after thinking it over she found it reasonable; still, she had to say, "Little Xu, you're busy with work, you don't need to specially make time to accompany us."

Xu Yanfeng's expression was gentle, and he said earnestly, "I'm married to Xia Xi, so I really ought to come in person to tell your grandmother."

As they spoke, Xu Yanfeng took Xia Xi's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

Su Jinru smiled, feeling quite reassured inside.

Accommodations had been arranged in advance; after getting off the high-speed rail, the person in charge of the Xu Clan Group's local subsidiary sent a car to pick them up and take them to their hotel.

Since returning to China, whenever Xia Xi went back to her hometown, her heart felt heavy—once to visit a prison, when Xia Yue was still incarcerated; once for her grandmother's funeral, to lay her to rest here; and once to pick up Xia Yue after her release and bring her home… It should have been joyful, but because her grandmother couldn't wait to see Xia Yue, the regrets outweighed the happiness.

This time, however, it was different.

Her whole heart felt much lighter.

It was as if life had turned to a new page.

Thinking of this, Xia Xi unconsciously glanced at the man beside her, her gaze soft, and naturally linked her arm with his.

Xu Yanfeng looked back at her, his eyebrows slightly raised, his eyes asking what she was doing.

Xia Xi pressed her lips together in a smile, saying nothing.

The next day, Xu Yanfeng and Xia Xi went out early in the morning, bought several bouquets of fresh flowers and some joss paper at a shop.

Xia Xi held a big bunch of pompon chrysanthemums and said, "After we finish paying respects to Grandma, will you accompany me on a stroll around? The past few times I've come back, I never got to properly explore."

Xu Yanfeng naturally agreed without a second thought.

Xu Yanfeng had been to the cemetery where Grandma was buried before and remembered the way; he drove himself, taking the family there.

This year's Lunar New Year was late, not until February; Zi Heng and Youyou hadn't yet started their winter break, so this time they took a day off to come, and had to head back to Nancheng in the afternoon.

The car stopped outside the cemetery; after walking up the long steps, they arrived at Grandma's tombstone. The family didn't act overly solemn, for Grandma was a kind and broad-minded old lady who surely wouldn't want to see them wearing grim faces. They placed the flowers before the tomb and wiped the dust off the stone with a handkerchief.

Xu Yanfeng crouched down, staring at the photo; the old lady's countenance was kind, and he still clearly remembered visiting her in the hospital, how she spoke to him.

He took Xia Xi's hand and said solemnly, "From now on, I will look after Xia Xi, and the family as well, so you can rest easy……"

Xia Xi's eyes felt a little hot, warm smiles in them, and she added, "We'll all be all right, Grandma."

Qianlin's temperature was a bit lower than Nancheng's, the wind swirling fallen leaves in the air, giving a somewhat bleak feeling, but with the whole family together, speaking words they all understood, they didn't feel cold.

On the way down the mountain, the originally overcast sky broke open with a ray of sunshine; though it brought no warmth to the face, the scene ahead was bright, and their mood opened up accordingly.

Upon reaching the urban area, Xu Yanfeng first sent Su Jinru and her companions to the hotel: "I'll go out for a walk with Xia Xi; if you also want to wander around, I'll arrange another driver for you."

Su Jinru said, "Go have fun, don't worry about us."

Zi Heng frowned and said, "Mom and Dad, what about me?" The implication was, "Aren't you taking me?"

Xu Yanfeng had no intention of bringing him; he ruffled Zi Heng's hair and said, "You stay with Grandma."

Zi Heng: "……"

Fortunately, Xu Yanfeng had promised to buy him a collector's edition adventure novel he liked, whereupon he broke into a smile.

After parting with Zi Heng, Xia Xi immediately called out Xu Yanfeng: "You really know how to lie to kids—you didn't just buy that collector's edition novel to give him, did you?"

Xu Yanfeng replied matter-of-factly, "That's called making full use of things."

Though they said they were just wandering aimlessly, each secretly had a place in mind; when the car stopped in front of the former Peishan Grand Hotel, Xia Xi's usually calm expression changed. She looked at Xu Yanfeng in surprise and asked, "How did you know I wanted to come here?"

Xu Yanfeng gave a humored chuckle, pinched her cheek, and said, "How could I not know what's on your mind?"

Unfortunately, the door was locked, so they couldn't go in to revisit the old place. Moreover, the sign "Peishan Grand Hotel" had been taken down and replaced by the four large characters "Yongxin Supermarket."

Over the past few years, Xia Xi had kept an eye on the situation of Peishan Grand Hotel; it was originally bought by a boss surnamed Wu, who still ran it as a restaurant, and even the staff were still the old timers who had followed her grandmother.

Boss Wu had been attracted by Peishan Grand Hotel's reputation and wanted to replicate it, but each boss had a different business philosophy; over time, various problems surfaced, the veteran staff couldn't carry on and quit one after another, and business deteriorated. The hotel eventually closed, was handed over, and another boss took over, turning it into a teahouse.

Now this place is a supermarket.

Even if they could revisit the old site, the interior would no longer be as it once was.

Xu Yanfeng pointed to a notice on the adjacent wall about the shop's transfer, which left the owner's phone number: "It probably won't be open today."

Xia Xi was focusing when she suddenly heard someone call her name: "Xi Xi."

Thinking she had misheard, the person called again, and Xia Xi followed the sound, instantly recognizing the caller; she smiled, a hint of surprise in her eyes, and said, "Uncle Cao."

"It really is you," Uncle Cao said, his face full of smiles, pleased to see Xia Xi here, adding, "I thought my old eyes were failing and I'd mistaken the person."

"You haven't aged a bit; you're just as you used to be," Xia Xi said.

Uncle Cao's eyes were kind and his smile resembled that of Maitreya Buddha as he said, "Your granddaughter's in elementary school now—how could you not be old? By the way, you're back this time for……" Before Xia Xi could answer, he suddenly remembered, "Oh right, your grandmother's memorial day."

He restrained his smile, his expression turning somewhat sentimental, especially as he glanced at the former Peishan Grand Hotel; feelings of nostalgia and regret welled up in his eyes, and he said, "Time really flies— the hotel's been gone for many years now, it feels like something from a past life."

He restrained his smile, his expression turning somewhat sentimental, especially after he glanced at Peishan Grand Hotel, the nostalgia and regret in his eyes about to spill over: "Time really flies, the hotel hasn't existed for many years now, it feels like something from a past life."

"I scraped together some money to open a breakfast stall, but business is tough these days; I've been thinking of just shutting it down," Uncle Cao said. "I've passed my culinary skills to my son; he now works in the back kitchen of a restaurant, which counts as carrying on my mantle."

Xia Xi nodded and said, "I have vivid memories of your cooking; why don't you just open a small eatery?"

Uncle Cao waved his hand, tapped his own forehead, and said, "I don't have that kind of business sense, you little girl— you think everyone's like your grandmother, I can barely read a few characters." He glanced at the tall, handsome man beside Xia Xi, someone he was certainly not unfamiliar with, smiled at him, then continued chatting with Xia Xi: "I remember your boyfriend well— when you were in college he came to the restaurant, you greeted the staff and had them call him son-in-law. Now he truly is a son-in-law."

Cao Shu waved his hand, pointed at his own forehead: "I don't have that business sense, you girl, thinking everyone is like your grandmother, I barely know a few characters." He glanced at the tall, handsome man beside Xia Xi, he wasn't unfamiliar with him at all, smiled at him, then continued chatting with Xia Xi: "I have a deep impression of your partner; when you were in college he came to the hotel, you even greeted the staff, telling us to call him son-in-law. Now he's truly a son-in-law, right?"

Xia Xi's face flushed; when she was younger, her skin was truly thick, and she dared say anything.

Su Jinru ran into an old friend, who warmly invited her, so she decided to stay a few more days in Qianlin to catch up; the others returned to Nancheng, and life settled back into its normal course.

Xu Yanfeng came home late, opened the door, and was greeted by Xia Xi's smile. She stood just inside, her expression a little odd. Xu Yanfeng also chuckled involuntarily and said, "You… do you have something to tell me?"

Xia Xi cleared her throat, tried to put on a serious expression, and said, "Xu Yanfeng."

Xia Xi cleared their throat, tried to put on a serious expression: "Xu Yanfeng."

"Husband."

Husband.

Huh?

I spent a large sum of money today.

Really? Xu Yanfeng didn't really care what she spent the money on, and leisurely took off his coat.

Xia Xi took his coat and hung it on the rack, announcing: "I bought back the Peishan Grand Hotel."

Xu Yanfeng's expression stalled, then he pulled off his tie: "So it was you who bought it."

Xia Xi blinked: "What do you mean?"

Xu Yanfeng cupped her face in both hands, stared into her eyes, and couldn't help kissing her: "Otherwise how could we say husband and wife share a tacit understanding? This afternoon I sent someone to handle this matter, only to be told it had already been sold, the contract signed. I thought I was a step behind, and was wondering who the buyer was and whether they'd be willing to resell—turns out it's my wife."

After hearing that, Xia Xi's eyes lit up; she hadn't expected there to be such a story behind it.

"It just so happens my mom is in Qianlin, so I had her handle the paperwork."

She also said that long ago she had thought of saving enough money to buy back the Peishan Grand Hotel, which was her grandmother's lifework and also a regret she had on her deathbed, likewise a heartache of Su Jinru. Unfortunately, the previous owner probably saw her determination and kept raising the price; she didn't want to be a sucker, so she could only wait patiently for an opportunity. Later, to repay the money Xu Guanshan had initially lent her, she had a sudden large expense, her savings weren't enough, and she even borrowed a sum from Zhou Du. Over time, this plan was temporarily shelved, but she never forgot it.

This time, returning to Qianlin to pay respects to her grandmother, she happened upon the shop urgently needing to be transferred; she got the idea, immediately noted the owner's phone number, and began handling the matter.

"I asked my older sister, and she still prefers working at the hotel," Xia Xi said. "She used to help Grandma and Mom manage their own hotel, so she's experienced in operations; rather than work for someone else, it's better to reopen the Peishan Grand Hotel." Upon hearing this, she remained silent for a long time, moved to the point of almost crying.

Xu Yanfeng: "Pretty good."

"I'll find time to draw up the design plans and renovate; ideally we can restore the hotel to its original state. Our Peishan Grand Hotel has been operating for many years, relying not just on reputation but also on sentiment." Speaking of this, Xia Xi's eyes shone with spirit: "This should be the easiest design I'll ever draw—just need to reconstruct it from my memory."

Xu Yanfeng looked at her, feeling her joy and satisfaction, and he too was happy.

Xia Xi hugged him, tilted her head up and smiled: "Sorry, I forgot to consult you before buying the hotel. I was too eager."

"What's the big deal." Xu Yanfeng slipped his hand around her waist, pressed a little firmer, pulling her closer against him: "Do what you want, spend what you want—I've got your back, no need to worry."

Xia Xi drew out her words: "You're so nice."

"... Don't act coquettish now." Xu Yanfeng glanced at the living room, rubbed her waist with his fingers, then lowered his voice: "Save it for later, wife."

Walking the dog after dinner is a daily fixed item.

A family of three, plus a half-grown Alasijia dog, walked out of the villa, strolling in the cold wind. Today the temperature in Nancheng was low, and the dog wore clothes.

The leash was in Zi Heng's hand; he hopped and skipped as he pulled the dog ahead, running.

Xu Yanfeng held Xia Xi's hand, took a couple of big steps to catch up to Zi Heng's pace, and put the hood of his down jacket on his head.

Suddenly, something cold landed on her forehead; Xia Xi raised her hand, brushed it with her fingertip, then tilted her neck back to look at the sky—tiny ice crystals struck her skin one after another.

"Xu Yanfeng, it looks like it's snowing."

Upon hearing her, Xu Yanfeng extended his palm; fine snowflakes fell, like grains of salt, melting in his palm into a drop of water: "Hmm, it's snowing."

As the words fell, the snow granules fell densely, striking the down jacket and emitting a faint crackling sound.

After a while, the snow granules turned into light snowflakes, drifting down flutteringly, leaving a layer of white on the hair.

Xu Yanfeng tugged at Zi Heng's hat: "Going home?"

Zi Heng turned his neck to look at him, puffed out his little mouth, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction: "We've only just come out, and I haven't had enough fun with the truck yet."

It's you who hasn't had enough fun.

Xu Yanfeng didn't say anything, just let him be.

Xia Xi looked at Xu Yanfeng; on such a snowy day, she recalled an old matter and asked him: "Xu Yanfeng, when exactly did you lose your first kiss?"

As if he hadn't expected her to suddenly ask this, Xu Yanfeng's expression froze.

Xia Xi said solemnly: "When we first kissed, I asked if you'd kissed anyone else; you said yes. I asked who, and you said me. Who are you fooling? I don't remember us kissing before that."

"Bringing up old scores." Xu Yanfeng raised his eyebrows, chuckled lightly: "It really was you."

After a pause, he decided to come clean: "In the library, you scolded me for being a coward; to prove I wasn't, I stole a kiss while you were asleep. That was actually my first kiss of you."

Xia Xi widened her eyes; no wonder she didn't know!

She was asleep—how could she have known!

Xia Xi wrinkled her nose and scolded: "You only dare to sneak a kiss at me, yet claim you're not a coward."

Xu Yanfeng suddenly stopped his steps, and Xia Xi stopped with him. The little dog was sniffing the nearby greenery, Zi Heng also halted—suddenly his vision went dark, as Xu Yanfeng covered his eyes with his large palm.

"Dad, what are you doing…" Zi Heng struggled.

Taking this chance, Xu Yanfeng swiftly bowed his head, warm breath nearing Xia Xi's cheek; the next second his lips pressed onto hers and he kissed her hard: "Use this to make up for the one in the library, all right?"

Xia Xi pressed her lips together, the warmth of his lips still on hers, she turned her face and gave a secret smile.

Xu Yanfeng loosened his hold on Zi Heng; Zi Heng's head swiveled back and forth, his eyes blank, not knowing what had happened.

The snow fell harder and harder; it was time to go home.

The ground was blanketed with a layer of spotless fresh snow; on it lay a winding trace—footprints of two adults and a child, plus plum-blossom prints from a little dog, stretching all the way to the doorstep.

——End——