mtlumby2d Chapter 255 Flowers Bloom in the South of the City, Time to Return 26
Chapter 255 Flowers Bloom in the South of the City, Time to Return 26
Shen Shuwan's eyes instantly filled with tears, but the tears did not blur her vision; instead, they made her eyes shine even brighter.
She looked up at Huo Xingzhou, her eyes filled with shock and confusion: "Mr. Huo, do you know something...?"
Before he could finish speaking, he was completely interrupted by the sudden sound of footsteps behind him.
The footsteps came urgently, pounding heavily on the smooth floor and striking Shen Shuwan's suddenly contracting heart.
Before she could even turn around completely, she felt the light and shadows dim, and a familiar breeze rushed towards her.
The next second, she was pulled into a tight embrace that was almost suffocating.
"Bao'er—!"
Shen Lezi's tearful voice rang in her ears, and scalding tears instantly soaked her shoulders and neck, the burning wetness penetrating her skin.
Almost simultaneously, a pair of large, slightly trembling hands gently pressed down on the top of her head.
Shen Yicheng stood just a step away, his arm outstretched, maintaining the posture of wanting to completely protect her.
The man, who usually wore a lazy smile, couldn't help but tilt his head back, blink his burning eyes hard, and take a deep breath to calm the churning emotions in his chest.
"You stinky bastard..." He seemed to have just found his voice, but when he spoke, it was still hoarse beyond recognition.
He tried to mask his almost out-of-control emotions with a joke, but his voice still trembled as he said, "Will you dare to be naughty again next time, running so far by yourself..."
These words were spoken with difficulty, tinged with a mocking tone, yet filled with heartache and bitterness.
Shen Shuwan hugged her sister tightly, feeling the familiar scent.
All the fear, grievances, loneliness, and forced strength that I swallowed alone over the past two years seem to have finally found an outlet at this moment.
She cried so hard that her whole body trembled, as if she were crying out her internal organs.
"Sister...Uncle...I miss you so much..." she murmured incoherently on her sister's shoulder as she cried, like a young animal that had finally found its den.
Shen Lezi also wept uncontrollably, repeatedly stroking her sister's thin back, as if to confirm that this loss and return was real.
“Bao’er, don’t be afraid… Sister is here, sister is here… I’m not afraid anymore… I’m not afraid anymore…” she repeated incoherently, tears streaming down her face.
I don't know how long I cried, but the intense emotions that almost drained me of my strength gradually subsided, leaving only low sobs.
Shen Shuwan slightly raised her head from her sister's arms, her eyes blurry with tears as she looked at her older sister, whose eyes were still red, yet who was trying her best to smile at her.
My sister, whom I remember as gentle as water and who spoke softly, now has an inescapable determination and competence in her eyes, but deep weariness in her gaze.
She turned to look at Shen Yicheng.
My uncle has changed too.
He had a dark stubble on his chin, and his suit was wrinkled, making him look travel-worn.
This appearance was completely different from the one Shen Shuwan remembered—always impeccably dressed and seemingly able to laugh and joke even if the sky were to fall.
Her nose stung, her voice trembled with sobs, and a thousand words welled up in her throat, but she didn't know which one to say first.
In the end, she could only sob, and in a muffled voice, utter a childlike complaint, tinged with grievance and heartache:
"Uncle...how come you...have become ugly?"
The familiar look of disdain startled Shen Yicheng, who then let out a soft "pfft," as if he could no longer hold back or was amused by the words. But the moment his smile bloomed, the tears he had been holding back finally burst forth.
He wiped his face haphazardly with the back of his hand, laughing and cursing, but his voice was even more choked up: "You rascal... I'll deal with you when we get back..."
Hearing the familiar banter, Shen Lezi's tense heartstrings finally relaxed, and she burst into laughter through her tears.
……
The afternoon sky had a clear, almost transparent blue.
The sun generously shone on the sparkling sea, and also on the bustling crowds at the dock and the giant ships at anchor.
The massive white ship lay quietly moored on the shore, wisps of smoke rising from its chimney.
The Huo family's black sedan came to a smooth stop at the dock.
Shen Shuwan followed her uncle and sister out of the car. The sea breeze, carrying a salty and damp smell, immediately hit her face and ruffled the stray hairs at her temples.
The same dock, the same sea breeze, and even the air is still filled with the restlessness and bewilderment of voyages and partings.
But this time, it was completely different from when she arrived here alone.
Her family stood behind her, and she was about to embark on her journey home.
Shen Shuwan stood on the shore, feeling both joyful and somewhat empty, her gaze involuntarily drifting back in the direction she had come from.
"What are you looking at?" Shen Lezi followed her gaze and could only see the endless stream of people and vehicles on the dock.
Shen Shuwan abruptly withdrew her gaze, tightly gripped her sister's arm, and gave a relaxed smile:
"I didn't see anything! It was windy just now, and I squinted. Sister, let's go quickly! I can't wait to see Father and Mother!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Yicheng looked at Shen Bao'er with a mixture of affection and emotion, then waved his hand with a grand gesture: "Alright, let's go! Home!"
Just then, at the edge of the crowd, a tall and composed figure walked towards them unhurriedly.
It’s Huo Xingzhou.
Shen Yicheng and Shen Lezi were the first to spot him, their faces showing surprise, which quickly turned into deeper gratitude.
Shen Yicheng quickly stepped forward: "Mr. Huo! Why did you come in person?"
"I finished dealing with the matter and just stopped by to take a look." Huo Xingzhou's tone was calm, but his gaze had already swept past him and landed on Shen Shuwan, who was a step behind and staring blankly at him.
The sea breeze ruffled her hair, revealing a pair of clear eyes that seemed to hold many complex emotions.
"Is everything arranged?" he asked, his gaze sweeping over the ship tickets and luggage in Shen Yicheng's hands.
"Uncle Fu's arrangements are very thoughtful. Mr. Huo, we are truly indebted to you." Shen Yicheng replied quickly, his tone sincere, "This is a great favor..."
Huo Xingzhou slightly raised his hand to stop him from speaking, his tone being his usual impeccable politeness and consideration: "It's not a great favor."
He said, his voice sounding lower than usual as the sea breeze carried him, “The ship is about to depart, Mr. Shen, Ms. Shen, have a safe journey.”
The dock whistle sounded again, this time a short, urgent, and loud blast urging passengers to board.
Then, Huo Xingzhou's gaze slowly fell on Shen Shuwan's face.
The sea breeze lifted the hem of his coat slightly, carrying with it his familiar, crisp, pine-like scent.
His voice wasn't loud, but it was enough to penetrate the noise of the dock, each word clearly reaching her ears:
"Shen Gui, until we meet again."
For no apparent reason, she felt a tightness in her throat and could only nod forcefully.
Shen Lezi gently tugged at her somewhat dazed younger sister: "Bao'er, it's time to get on the boat."
The ship let out a long, deep whistle and slowly sailed away from the port.
Shen Shuwan leaned against the railing and saw Huo Xingzhou still standing in the same spot, the hem of his coat fluttering gently in the wind.
As the ship accelerated, the outline of the port city gradually faded away, and the figure disappeared along with it into the vast expanse where the blue sky met the horizon.
The voyage headed north, but some things seemed to be left forever in that fading, moist southerly wind.