120: Candy & Lemons

Candy & Lemons

Inside the kitchen, Mu Chenyan couldn't stop gushing over Raelle and Xian. While Mother Yue was used to hearing about Raelle, it was new for her to hear about Shui Xian as well. However, she had a sweet smile gracing her face as she continued to listen to Mu Chenyan. She didn't mind hearing this chatter at all. She found it quite adorable and amusing as well.1

"Didn't I tell you," said Mu Chenyan. "We chose the perfect partner for our Elle. Xian is not only handsome, mature, eloquent, successful, but also sensible! His best trait is, he isn't impulsive. Yue, what do you think about him?"

Mother Yue put down the kitchen knife and looked at her before telling her, 'I agree. He really is a good partner for Elle. They surprisingly match each other well.'

"I know," Mu Chenyan let out a dreamy sigh. "I wish them both all the happiness. Only seeing them happy will make me feel happy now."

'Get a life!' was Mother Yue's response to her.

"Why do I feel like today I'm getting emotionally attacked over and over again?" questioned Mu Chenyan to no one in particular. She was merely saying her own thoughts out loud.

Mother Yue smacked the back of her head before saying, 'Help me out or don't be a hindrance to me. The one who isn't helping can leave my kitchen.'

"Of course, I'm gonna help you," said Mu Chenyan. "My son-in-law is finally gonna taste the magic of my hands. I'll make him addicted to this taste."

Mother Yue shook her head at her before saying, 'He should be addicted to Raelle, not to your food!'

Mu Chenyan grinned mischievously, "Let's make it clear, Yue! Our Elle is already addicting enough. Even if her words are painful, her words tend to grow on people. It's just like tasting whiskey for the very first time and realizing that it's bitter and it burns your throat, makes you feel unpleasant! After the very first hangover, we all promised not to try it again. We didn't want to go through the same experience of bitterness again. But who is the person who actually stuck to that promise? We all eventually went back to try the same whiskey all over again. And now, the flavor grew on us. Now, it's our comfort drink." She patted Mother Yue's shoulder as she concluded, "You don't have to like the bitterness, but sometimes it's good to accept it. Life is not all about sugar and spice, some sourness and bitterness are also a part of it. If life can throw you candy, don't forget, it can pass on the lemons as well."

Mother Yue silently stared into her eyes for a moment longer before saying, 'Only someone with your thinking could actually raise a girl like her.'

She wasn't even surprised to hear this philosophy from Mu Chenyan. But to be honest, when she first got acquainted with Mu Chenyan, the latter wasn't this deep. However, it must be that Raelle grew on her instead. Usually, it's the elders having an influence on the kids but in her case, Raelle had a big influence on her. It wasn't exactly a bad thing though.

Mu Chenyan offered her a smile, "Are you jealous, Yue?"

Mother Yue frowned at her, 'Why would I be?"

Mu Chenyan grinned at her, "At first, I only had a daughter. Now, I also have a son. You should be envious of me."

Mother Yue chuckled silently at her childishness and didn't even bother saying anything as she went back to cutting the vegetables.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Shui Xian's eyes were wandering around curiously. The house wasn't big. It was like an average family house and from one glance, one could say it was old as well. However, it was immaculately decorated. The interior wasn't flashy but rather cozy. It felt homey and comfortable.

Unlike his own house which often felt cold and deserted even though there were so many servants around. But in this house, even though there weren't many people, it felt like home. It had its own warmth. A warmth that was enough to seep right into his heart through every single pore in his body.

And did he mention that he felt like this house was alive?

It was alive with not only colors that painted the walls but it was also alive because of the memories that hung on those painted walls. The living room wall should have been named 'The Appreciation wall'. That's what Shui Xian felt like seeing Hyson's photos all around.

From his childhood to adulthood, all of his memories were hung around. And in most of those photos, Hyson had a certificate in his hand. It was obvious that he had his own achievements. Even though he didn't excel in his studies as Raelle did, he still had his own merits. He was athletic and had won many awards in basketball and soccer. And then there were also piano competitions.

Seeing how intently he looked at those photos, Raelle told him, "Yue likes to capture every special moment in Hyson's life and hang it up here. It's almost like a trip down memory lane."

Shui Xian pointed at a photo that had caught his eyes and pointed at it, "That's you." He looked at her as he added, "Right?"

Raelle looked at the photo. Indeed, it was her and Hyson but it was back when they were only nine. She nodded her head as she replied, "That's the day, I met Hyson for the very first time. Yue thought it was destined for us to meet. So, she took a photo of us together to commemorate that first meeting."

Shui Xian's lips curved up but his eyes didn't leave the little girl in the photo. This was his first time seeing something from her childhood and it felt strange. The girl in the photo was just as unfamiliar to him as she was familiar to him. Why? Because the blank look in her eyes was exactly the same. It didn't change in all those years. It was as if that emptiness within her heart was permanently carved within her soul. And she had carried that emptiness till now.

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