Grandpa Sang fell silent as he listened.
Over the years, the death of their daughter had been a deeply painful and seldom-mentioned topic for both Grandpa Sang and Grandma Sang.
In the room at that moment, Gu Jianing was also discussing the death of her mother-in-law, Sang Yuwan, with Sheng Zexi.
“…So, Mother didn’t pass away in the capital? She died at the border?” Gu Jianing was slightly surprised.
Since Sheng Zexi had never brought it up before, she had assumed her mother-in-law had died of illness in the capital.
“Yes. Because she was infected with a highly contagious virus, her body couldn’t be transported back. She was cremated at the border, and only her ashes were brought home.”
Speaking of his mother’s death, Sheng Zexi was still deeply saddened.
Back then, a conflict had broken out between their country and the neighboring nation F. Sheng Xinhao, Sheng Zexi’s father, had been tasked with leading a team to the border, where he might have had to stay stationed for a year or two.
Given the long duration, each soldier was allowed to bring one family member.
Sheng Xinhao had initially refused to take Sang Yuwan with him, fearing she might encounter danger.
But Sang Yuwan insisted on going—not just as Sheng Xinhao’s wife, but also as a war correspondent. She wanted to document the events firsthand.
In the end, Sheng Xinhao couldn’t dissuade her, and she went with him.
At the time, Sheng Zexi was still a young teenager in middle school, reluctant to see his parents leave.
But there was no other choice. His parents’ professions meant their family couldn’t always stay together.
So, Sheng Zexi was entrusted to the care of Grandpa and Grandma Sang.
No one could have predicted that Sang Yuwan would never return from that trip.
“If I had known she wouldn’t come back, I would’ve clung to her leg, cried, and done everything possible to stop her from going.”
For the first six months after Sang Yuwan left with Sheng Xinhao for the border, news from them arrived intermittently.
But half a year later, a deadly infectious disease suddenly broke out in the region.
“It was a fatal contagion—akin to the plagues of ancient times.”
“The news reported that countless people had already been infected.”
Sang Yuwan was among those infected, and her condition quickly became critical.
“…He said he sought out many people to save my mother, even consulting the most skilled doctor from Country A who was also stationed at the border. But in the end, they couldn’t save her.”
By the time Sheng Xinhao returned to their homeland, he brought back not only his honors but also Sang Yuwan’s ashes.
Sheng Zexi also remembered clearly how devastated his father had been in the first six months after his wife’s death.
But he also remembered how, just a year later, Sheng Xinhao seemed to have forgotten about his mother entirely and remarried.
It wasn’t that Sheng Zexi objected to his father remarrying.
Especially since Sheng Xinhao was still young at the time and held a high-ranking position upon his return.
Even if he hadn’t wanted to remarry, his position would have necessitated it.
But Sheng Zexi felt that a year was far too soon.
What made it worse was that after Sheng Xinhao married Fang Wanrong, his heart completely shifted toward her. He became biased, trusting her words unquestioningly and growing increasingly distant and harsh toward Sheng Zexi.
That was the root of Sheng Zexi’s resentment.
When it came to his mother’s death, Sheng Zexi understood that life and death were beyond control.
But in every other aspect, he saw his father’s callousness.
Now, even though Sheng Xinhao had long since divorced Fang Wanrong…
Even though he had long realized his mistakes and had been trying to make amends…
Even though this year, Sheng Zexi had invited the old man to spend the New Year at the courtyard house…
None of it meant that the resentment in Sheng Zexi’s heart had faded.
“For my resentment to disappear, my mother would have to come back to life. But…”
But how could that ever happen?
Gu Jianing understood what he meant. She stepped forward and embraced him, offering silent comfort.
Sheng Zexi didn’t dwell on his emotions for too long and quickly composed himself.
This year’s New Year’s Eve dinner was the most lavish meal the courtyard house had seen all year.
As they ate, the television purchased last year played the Spring Festival Gala.
Amidst the chime of the clock on TV and the fireworks blooming over the capital’s sky, the new year arrived.
Xingxing, Yueyue, and Tuantuan, being still very young, had long since fallen asleep.
In the courtyard, Sheng Zexi held Gu Jianing in his arms as they watched the dazzling fireworks light up the night sky. Their hands clasped tightly, their hearts bound together.
No words were spoken, but in their hearts, they silently vowed to spend many, many more New Years like this together…
Perhaps because they had spoken of his mother earlier that day, Sheng Zexi dreamed of her that night—a rare occurrence.
In the dream, his mother appeared as she had in her youth: beautiful and gentle.
But just as he tried to approach her, she dissipated like a wisp of smoke…
…
Meanwhile, in Country A.
Inside a grand estate, a beautiful middle-aged woman stood by the window, lost in thought.
A handsome middle-aged man approached and wrapped his arms around her.
“My dear Wan, what are you thinking about?”
“Henry, isn’t today New Year’s Eve in China?” the woman named Wan spoke softly.
Henry—a dashing man with golden hair and blue eyes—flashed a subtle, unreadable expression before quickly masking it. His voice was deep and tender.
“Yes, today is Chinese New Year’s Eve.”
“It must be very lively there, then. I remember… New Year’s Eve is a time for family reunions.”
“It is.”
“Henry… do you think my family misses me? Do you think they’re thinking of me too?”
Henry pressed his lips together and pulled his wife into a tight embrace. “Darling… do you still wish to return to China to look for them?”
“Yes. Henry, no matter what, I need to find the answers. Otherwise, I’ll never feel at peace.” A-Wan nestled into Henry’s arms.
“Alright. I’ll go with you.”
“Mm.”
A-Wan’s gaze drifted back to the window, as if trying to see across the vast ocean to the distant land of China.
A-Wan had no memories of her past—only a vague recollection of someone calling her “A-Wan.”
Her earliest memory was of being gravely ill and being saved by Henry.
Henry said he had found her by chance.
When he first saw her, she was deathly sick, with no one by her side. Even after he cured her, inquiries in the area yielded no trace of her family.
Eventually, she followed Henry back to Country A, fell in love with him, and married him.
Since then, she had lived there for over a decade.
The only thing A-Wan knew for certain was that she was Chinese—her distinct Eastern features made that clear.
Though she and Henry had no children, he had always cherished her, treating her like a priceless treasure.
But as the years passed, A-Wan couldn’t shake a growing emptiness in her heart.
It was as if she had forgotten something—or someone—important.
Something she couldn’t let go of.
A-Wan knew that whatever it was, it lay in China.
And so, even after all these years, she had to go back and find it.
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