Chapter 186: Go Home Early

The newly risen sun pierced the horizon, and the sea of clouds that had been tranquil atop the mountain peaks was dyed gold.

In an instant the whole sky lit up, breathtakingly beautiful.

The surrounding tourists were stunned into silence by the sight; Shu Shu was one of them, she curled her lips, and the splendid light reflected in her pupils.

Grandpa, another year, I came to see the sea of clouds for you and Grandma.

Shu Shu took a photo with her phone, then after sitting a moment longer, she descended the mountain along the way she came.

Over the years, as its fame grew, Rosy Cloud Ridge became increasingly commercialized, management grew stricter, all mountain paths were renovated and controlled, so no reckless tourists would again rush in seeking thrills.

Shu Shu stood on a certain stone step, recalling that there used to be several big trees here; she had once saved someone here, and also… been saved by someone.

That time, she was carried down the mountain on someone's back.

Time flew by; it had been more than half a year since the Pei family's downfall and the news of Pei Du's death.

Shu Lingchen and Pei Muyin both got into their ideal universities; Pei Muyin chose the Music Performance major without much hesitation, while Shu Lingchen's choice was more surprising—he opted for the Finance Department.

Both kids had decent life directions, so Shu Shu continued her own "journey".

Rosy Cloud Ridge counts as her first stop.

In fact, she hadn't deliberately planned anything; her itinerary was entirely spontaneous, setting off on a whim.

Yet it's amazing—whenever she arrives somewhere, although many years have passed and these places have undergone some changes, she can always find traces of the past.

She challenged the natural ski slope with excellent powder snow once again.

Shu Shu glided halfway when she suddenly slowed and stopped.

She felt she should fall here, then not get up, just lie back, lying on the snow, gazing at the pale blue sky through the bare branches.

There's also that tourist city famous for its boutique B&Bs.

The streets have been renovated over and over, yet the souvenirs sold in the scenic area are still pretty much the same.

Shu Shu squatted on the ground, and only after paying did she realize she was holding two strings of lucky flower wreath bracelets—she was alone and only needed one.

Then let's double the luck.

After a brief moment of bewilderment, she simply put both strings of bracelets on herself.

"Yinyin, I caught you."

A low, familiar male voice sounded from behind.

Shu Shu's motion of fastening her buttons paused; she suddenly rose and turned around.

The night market street was bustling and lively, the crowd thronging, yet there was not a single person.

…Did I hear wrong?

Only when the phone in her palm vibrated did Shu Shu snap back to attention.

It was an @ message from a daughter in the group, asking what time her return flight was.

Shu Shu replied: "I can get there by tomorrow afternoon before six~"

Then her son's message popped up instantly, smugly saying his driving skills were now great, that he'd pick her up at the airport with his sister, and then they'd all go out for dinner together.

Shu Lingchen's and Pei Muyin's schools are only two streets apart.

"OK~"

"Shu Lingchen, when you drive don't keep thinking about showing off your driving skills; safety first—come on, send a voice memo reciting this three times."

Shu Shu, while typing and nagging her son, left the little stall selling bracelets and walked toward the guesthouse where she was staying.

The city where Shu Lingchen's and Pei Muyin's universities are located has a pleasant climate.

As soon as she stepped off the plane, a cool breeze brushed her face.

Shu Shu received a call from Shu Lingchen; she thought the two kids had already arrived, but before she could speak, she heard his slightly regretful voice through the phone.

"Hey Mom, uh, we got into a car accident; we're on our way to the hospital now."

"!"

Shu Shu's nerves instantly tensed; she immediately asked how they were.

"We're fine, it's just that the situation is a bit complicated—we hit a person, and also…"

"A dog."

Shu Lingchen got his driver's license after graduation.

His car was a black Mercedes that suited a young boy's style, a gift from Pei Du when he decided to take the driving test.

The day before the news of Pei Du's car accident broke, Shu Lingchen had once called Pei Du.

"A new team-based game just launched; if you get into the top ten on the leaderboard within half a month, you'll get lots of limited-edition gear—so… old… Dad, when are you coming back? Come help me climb the ranks."

The person on the other end fell silent for three seconds, their calm voice softened, and asked: "Xiao Chen, what should I call you?"

"…Cough, just… just that thing." Shu Lingchen fidgeted helplessly: "Ah, I don't care; you definitely heard it, I won't say it a second time."

"Anyway, hurry back home."

Pei Du's tone clearly carried a smile as he replied: "Okay."

After hanging up, Shu Lingchen saw from the phone screen that the corners of his mouth were about to lift to the back of his head.

Ahhhhhhh—

I actually shouted it out!

Shu Lingchen inexplicably became very excited, running laps around the living room five times; after the excitement faded and he calmed down, he found no regret at all—only a feeling of happiness welled up in his heart.

However, Shu Lingchen never waited for Pei Du to come home; he only waited for the news of Pei Du's accident.

Not long after that, Shu Lingchen received another gift contract.

The gift was a small gold mine not yet developed domestically but with great development potential; the timing was right after the mine's related paperwork was finished, so the contract was drawn up directly.

The donor remained anonymous, never showing up.

All gift matters were handled by lawyers and other professionals who interfaced with Shu Lingchen.

But Shu Lingchen knew this person was Pei Du, his father.

Your family runs a gold mine, huh?

Do you like gold mines?

Are there people in this world who don't like gold mines?

Okay, I've remembered.

……

His offhand joke at the time was taken seriously by Pei Du and kept in his heart.

Shu Lingchen attended university as a commuter, not living in the dorms, because Pei Du had already bought apartments for him and his sister Pei Muyin in upscale residential areas near the school.

Pei Du wasn't around, yet his shadow was everywhere in their lives.

Shu Lingchen didn't want a gold mine at all, nor a car, nor a house.

He only wanted Pei Du to honor his promise properly and come home sooner.

Shu Lingchen listened very much to his mother's words.

When he had just gotten his license, he didn't dare drive in heavy traffic; for that he specially made time to practice, until now he can slip into a parking spot or make a U-turn with one hand smoothly.

Although he boasted about his driving skills being cool, whenever he actually went on the road, he was fully focused, not seeking speed, only stability.

Thus, his first reaction when his car 'hit' someone was a confident sentence.

Damn! A scam!

Shu Lingchen and Pei Muyin watched helplessly as a person walking a dog collapsed in front of their car.

Sis, stay in the car, I'll go deal with this kid.

Shu Lingchen unfastened his seatbelt with a snap, pushed open the car door, and walked over aggressively.

Not bro, my speed is as slow as the old man's shared bike on the non‑motor lane beside; don't think you can get away with fewer cameras, I tell you, I have a dashcam on.

Shu Lingchen wanted to say next, 'Stop pretending, get up quickly, trying to scam me is picking the wrong person.'

Before he could speak.

He saw the person's face on the ground clearly, and the next second his pupils shrank sharply.

At the same time, Pei Muyin in the car also noticed that dog.

All white, with gray fur on the limbs, a pink nose, and a dark birthmark on the tongue sticking out.

That was—Great Fortune!