Chapter 1283: Curze Plants Flowers

The garden in the Primarch Residential Area is located between several residences; it is not large, but it is kept exceptionally well.

Mother Ying does not like that kind of rigid garden design; she likes flowers and plants to grow naturally.

Therefore, there are no neatly trimmed bushes in the garden, no symmetrical geometric patterns, only randomly laid gravel paths and various flowers blooming wantonly on both sides of the paths.

Moonlight spills into the garden, plating every leaf with a layer of silvery-white light.

The air is filled with a faint floral fragrance, mixed with the damp scent of soil, making one relax involuntarily.

Guilliman walks slowly along the gravel path.

He knows his grandmother likes to sit under the old tree deep in the garden, where there is a stone table and several stone chairs, which she specifically had someone place there.

She says it is quiet there, where one can see the stars and smell the flowers.

Turning a corner, Guilliman sees the old tree.

A small lamp is lit under the tree, its warm yellow glow illuminating the surrounding flower clusters softly and warmly.

Mother Ying is sitting on a stone chair, holding a small pair of scissors in her hand, trimming a pot of unknown flowers.

And beside her, Curze is sitting on another stone chair.

At this moment, his shoulders are relaxed, his hands are cupping a small flower seedling, and he is watching Mother Ying trim the branches and leaves with focus.

Mother Ying snips off a withered leaf, and Curze immediately hands over a small basket, letting her put the leaf inside.

Guilliman stands at the corner of the path, not making a sound.

He does not want to disturb this moment.

But Mother Ying discovers him nonetheless.

She looks up, sees Guilliman standing in the shadows, and a kind smile appears on her face.

"Guilliman? Why are you standing there? Come over and sit."

Curze also looks up, sees Guilliman, and a trace of surprise flashes in his eyes.

But he does not become tense as he usually does; he only nods slightly, then continues to watch Mother Ying trim the flower branches.

Guilliman walks over and sits down on the stone chair on the other side of Mother Ying.

"Grandmother, you haven't rested yet this late?"

Mother Ying continues to trim the flower branches, her tone indifferent.

"I can't sleep. I'm old, and I don't need much sleep. You young people, on the other hand, should sleep more."

Guilliman smiles.

"I can't sleep either. I just came out for a walk."

"You just got back from outside, and you're still saying you're not tired?"

Guilliman does not deny it.

In front of his grandmother, denying it is useless.

"I am a little tired. But seeing you, I'm not tired anymore."

Mother Ying laughs.

"You children, none of you like to talk. You never say what's on your minds. But not saying it doesn't mean you don't care."

She glances at Curze.

Curze keeps his head lowered, focusing on the flower seedling in his hands, but his ears are clearly pricked up.

Guilliman also glances at Curze.

"Grandmother, is Curze helping you tend the flowers?"

Mother Ying nods.

"Yes. This child is attentive and has nimble hands. These seedlings were all transplanted by him for me. Look..."

She points to several small pots of flowers nearby.

"These were planted the day before yesterday, and they've already taken root. Their roots are deep, and the leaves are vigorous."

Guilliman looks over following her finger. Those few pots of small flowers are indeed growing well, with emerald green leaves and upright stems, glowing with a faint luster in the moonlight.

"Curze is very capable."

Guilliman says.

Curze buries his head even lower.

Mother Ying smiles and touches Curze's head.

"He is capable. More attentive than this old woman. Yesterday I discovered a pot of flowers had bugs, and he saw it before I did and had already taken care of it for me."

Curze finally speaks, his voice very soft.

"There were white spots on the back of the leaves of that pot of flowers; they were aphids. If not handled early, they would spread to other flowers."

Mother Ying nods.

"Right. I didn't notice. You have sharp eyes."

The corners of Curze's mouth lift slightly.

Guilliman watches this scene, and a warmth wells up in his heart.

Mother Ying puts down the scissors and picks up a cloth nearby to wipe her hands.

"Guilliman, how long can you stay this time after coming back?"

Guilliman thinks for a moment.

"I'm not sure. Father asked me to take over Luojia's work, so I shouldn't be leaving in the short term."

Mother Ying nods.

"That's good. Xiaoxiner talks about you every day. When you left last time, she cried for a whole day."

"I didn't know... she didn't tell me."

Mother Ying smiled.

"Of course she wouldn't tell you. She said, 'Brother Guilliman is out fighting a war, I cannot let him worry.'"

Guilliman fell into Silence for a second.

"She is stronger than I imagined."

Mother Ying shook her head.

"It is not strength, it is being sensible. But sensible children are often the ones who make one's heart ache the most."

She glanced at Curze.

Curze still had his head lowered, but the flower seedling in his hands had already been turned around several times by him.

Guilliman asked.

"Grandmother, does Curze come to see you often?"

Mother Ying nodded.

"Often. Almost every night. Sometimes we talk, sometimes he just sits like this, helping me water the flowers and trim the leaves."

She paused.

"This child, he carries too much in his heart. He needs a place to set it down."

Guilliman looked at Curze.

"Curze, if you don't sleep at night, won't you be tired during the day?"

Curze raised his head and glanced at him.

"Not tired. I sleep little."

Mother Ying said from the side.

"Even if you sleep little, you must sleep. Little children need to sleep more to grow tall. Look at Leman Russ, he eats and sleeps all day long, and has grown like a little calf."

The corners of Curze's mouth twitched again.

"I don't want to grow that tall."

"I know. You are very capable. But even capable people must sleep well."

Curze did not answer, but the flower seedling in his hands turned a little slower.

Guilliman watched this scene, and suddenly understood something in his heart.

Curze coming to Grandmother's place was not because she could teach him anything, nor because she could help him solve any problems.

It was simply because by her side, he did not have to think about those dark possibilities, did not have to be vigilant about everything around him, and could just be an ordinary child.

And Grandmother, she could give him nothing, except for quiet and company.

But that was enough.

"Grandmother."

Guilliman spoke up.

Mother Ying looked at him.

"Hm?"

"Do you still remember when I was little, I also often sat by your side like this?"

Mother Ying smiled.

"I remember. You were even quieter than Curze. Curze at least says a few words, but you wouldn't say a single word. You would just sit there, like a little adult."

Guilliman felt a bit embarrassed.

"I was thinking about things back then."

Mother Ying nodded.

"I know. You thought about too many things. Far more than you should have at your age."

She paused.

"But you never said anything. Just like Perturabo, hiding everything in your heart."

Guilliman fell into Silence for a second.

"It was useless to say anything. Those problems, you couldn't answer them either."

Mother Ying was not angry, but said calmly.

"I couldn't answer them, but I could listen. You children always feel that problems must be solved by yourselves, and hardships must be carried by yourselves. But sometimes, saying them out loud, even if no one can help you, makes it feel a little better."

She looked at Curze.

Curze's head lowered again.

Guilliman also looked at Curze.

"Curze, are there things you can't figure out?"

Curze was silent for a long time.

Then he said.

"Many."

Guilliman did not press him. He just said.

"If you want to talk, you can tell Grandmother. You can also tell me. Or tell Angron. Any of those is fine."

Curze raised his head and looked at Guilliman.

"Will you listen?" Curze asked.

Guilliman nodded.

"I will."

Mother Ying watched the scene before her with a smile and spoke.

"Guilliman, are you hungry? Shall I have someone prepare some food for you?"

Guilliman shook his head.

"Not hungry. Leman Russ ate everything; I felt full just watching him."

Mother Ying smiled.

"That child has a truly good appetite. You children are all adults now. You all have your own things to do and your own paths to walk. But no matter how far you go, this will always be your home."

Guilliman's heart was gently touched.

"Grandmother..."

Mother Ying waved her hand.

"Alright, enough of that. Curze, have you finished planting that pot of flower seedlings?"

Curze nodded and handed over the pot of Xiaohua.

"It's finished. The roots are stable, and it can be put in the sun tomorrow."

Mother Ying took the flowerpot and looked at it carefully.

"Planted well. Much better than what I plant myself."

Curze's ears turned red again.