“Come in quickly.”
The house was decorated in a Chinese style, spacious but not luxurious, looking dignified with a scholarly feel. At this time, there weren’t many people in the living room—besides a housekeeper, there was only Ji Xinghuai sitting on the sofa.
Xie Ruhe’s second uncle called out to Ji Xinghuai: “Dad, they’re here.”
The old man was nearly seventy, his hair already white, but his eyes were still bright, and he looked quite healthy. He looked over, his appearance kindly, and benevolently waved to Shu Nian: “Young lady.”
Shu Nian licked her lips, let go of Xie Ruhe’s hand, and walked over.
“Hello, Grandfather Ji.”
“We’ve met before, do you remember?” Ji Xinghuai’s face was covered with the traces brought by the years, his voice steady and solid after years of sedimentation. “In Shiyan Town.”
“I remember,” Shu Nian immediately nodded. “You helped me a lot afterward, and I never had the chance to thank you in person.”
Xie Ruhe stood to the side, not speaking, not actively greeting anyone.
Ji Xinghuai also acted as if he didn’t exist.
“No need for thanks. Please sit.” Noticing the gift bags in Xie Ruhe’s hand, Ji Xinghuai added, “Next time you come, just come directly, no need to bring anything.”
Shu Nian obediently replied, “Okay.”
In the spacious living room, four people sat on redwood chairs.
Ji Xinghuai sat in the main seat, with Xie Ruhe’s second uncle sitting on his other side. Shu Nian and Xie Ruhe sat side by side.
Mostly Ji Xinghuai spoke, asking Shu Nian about some of her circumstances, though not being difficult, just asking about ordinary matters. He asked about her work, how her parents were doing, and what she had been doing recently.
Occasionally, Xie Ruhe’s second uncle would also say a few words.
Xie Ruhe maintained silence throughout.
After some time, the topic suddenly shifted to Xie Ruhe’s mother, Ji Xiangning.
“When you were still in Shiyan Town, you must have met Ah He’s mother, right?” Ji Xinghuai took a sip of tea, and as he spoke about this, his entire being suddenly aged considerably. “I remember you and Ah He had a very good relationship before.”
Shu Nian made an affirmative sound: “Yes, I met her. Auntie was very kind.”
“I recently heard the news that Xie Ji, that fellow, has died.” Ji Xinghuai’s brow showed traces of anger. “If it weren’t for him! How would my daughter have…”
The second uncle picked up the teapot, added some tea for Ji Xinghuai, and reminded him: “Dad, let’s not talk about this.”
Shu Nian didn’t know what to say and glanced in Xie Ruhe’s direction.
He kept his eyes lowered, his thoughts unknown.
Realizing that speaking of these things in front of Shu Nian wasn’t appropriate, Ji Xinghuai calmed his emotions and sighed: “Young lady, it was thanks to you that we could catch that beast.”
Xie Ruhe finally spoke, frowning as he called out: “Grandfather.”
“Let me finish,” Ji Xinghuai said. “Young lady, my grandson has been angry with me all this time because I didn’t tell him about your situation. At that time, I was afraid it would trigger him, and as time passed, I couldn’t bring myself to speak of it.”
Shu Nian had long known about this matter and shook her head: “It’s alright.”
“This matter, indeed, I was wrong,” Ji Xinghuai held Shu Nian’s hand, gently patting the back of her hand. “I’m old, and I consider too many things.”
“…”
“I interfered too much.” Ji Xinghuai’s aged eyes reddened. “Always doing things that weren’t right. If I hadn’t repeatedly stopped Ah Ning back then, causing her to run to that small place…”
Hearing this, Xie Ruhe’s second uncle turned his head away, his mood worsening.
“If she had been in front of me, I could have watched over her, helped her, and wouldn’t have let her live like that,” Ji Xinghuai said. “And such things certainly wouldn’t have happened.”
“Grandfather,” Xie Ruhe suddenly said, “it wasn’t your fault.”
“…”
“If you think that way, then everyone was at fault. My mother never blamed you; she only felt guilty and didn’t return to see you for so many years. She only regretted not listening to you back then.”
“…”
“When she was going through her toughest times, her first thought was to go back to find you. She would often ask me if we should let you come and take me away, to give me a better life.”
“You were her support. She would always be grateful to you, respect you, and love you.”
“These were words she once told me.”
After having dinner at the Ji family home.
Afterward, the two of them stayed to chat with Ji Xinghuai for a while. Xie Ruhe was no longer angry with Ji Xinghuai, and his attitude toward him returned to how it was before. As it approached eight o’clock, the two left the Ji family home.
Shu Nian’s stomach was still a bit full.
Xie Ruhe was afraid she might get carsick, so he simply parked the car and decided to walk for a bit before catching a ride home. His mood wasn’t bad, and he didn’t seem to have been affected by Ji Xinghuai’s words.
Shu Nian secretly glanced at him and carefully asked, “Do you still think about your father now?”
“Rarely,” Xie Ruhe said casually. “My grandfather’s side hasn’t come around either.”
“Oh.”
“My father wasn’t always like that,” Xie Ruhe recalled. “But I can’t remember what he was like before; I can only remember him drunk.”
In a person’s life, there are always a few people who can never be forgiven.
When you think of them, the hatred is still there, but you don’t want to waste your energy on them anymore.