Chapter 561
Before Departure
"Waaah—"
Six o'clock in the morning.
The courtyard was exceptionally quiet, with only the sound of the cold wind howling, like white noise lulling the whole world into a dream.
One night passed.
The well, paths, eaves, and roof in the courtyard, which had been cleared yesterday, were now covered by a thin layer of snow.
Under the dim light, the pure white snow bathed the courtyard in a deathly white light, creating a quiet and poignant beauty.
"Ding ding..."
The north wind, carrying snow pellets, struck the fragile wooden-framed glass windows, making a series of small, crisp sounds.
"Ha~~"
Cheng Kaiyan, who was in a deep sleep, slowly woke up and subconsciously yawned as the dry, warm air heated by the radiator rushed into her lungs.
He opened his eyes wearily; the little one had been so fussy last night that he hadn't fallen asleep until late.
The room was dimly lit, with only a sliver of light coming through the curtained window, barely enough to make out the outlines of things.
The thin cast-iron radiator fins under the windowsill were trembling incessantly, emitting a hissing sound of steam.
The heating system is warm and dry, making people feel stuffy and drowsy.
The clean, fresh scent of gardenias lingered in the air, which barely managed to rouse Cheng Kaiyan's spirits.
He subconsciously tightened his embrace around her slender, willow-like waist, pressed his lips to her long, fair neck, closed his eyes contentedly, and breathed in her beauty.
"Hmm~"
Feeling the warm, moist breath, and the strands of hair gently trembling on the delicate skin at the back of her neck, Liu Xiaoli let out a slightly uncomfortable groan.
Her voice was soft and gentle, carrying a languid quality as if she hadn't woken up yet.
She shrank back a little, finally able to relax her lower abdomen, which was feeling a bit breathless from being held so tightly.
"hiss……"
Feeling the gentle, enveloping sensation of his wife's soft, full buttocks, Cheng Kaiyan was now fully awake.
Once my thoughts have calmed down...
Cheng Kaiyan loosened his arms around his wife and quietly lifted the covers to get out of bed.
The room was heated, and even though I was wearing thermal underwear, it wasn't cold at all; in fact, it felt quite refreshing.
Now, Cheng Kaiyan and Liu Xiaoli can only get out of bed by walking to the foot of the bed and putting on cloth slippers.
It wasn't for any strange reason, but because there was a small wooden bed about 1.5 meters long placed to the left of the main bed.
This is Xiaozhi and Qianqian's private little nest in the Wutong Courtyard. The two sisters sleep in one bed, just like they have since they were little.
Because they were still very young, only four years old, Cheng Kaiyan was worried that they would fall off the bed while sleeping, so she specially put up small railings around the crib.
Even though Xiao Zhizi is lively and active, she sleeps just like her wife Liu Xiaoli, and is very well-behaved.
Needless to say, Sisi is a quiet and elegant young lady.
Therefore, Cheng Kaiyan was indeed a source of worry for her father.
"It's almost seven o'clock... there's still plenty of time."
Cheng Kaiyan raised his wrist and glanced at his watch. He and his aunt Jiang Ting had arranged to travel to Japan together today to receive the award.
It's quite interesting, actually.
The paper nominated for the International Grammy Award this time is not the one co-authored by Cheng Kaiyan and Professor Ansel.
It was the very first paper he co-authored with his aunt, Jiang Ting, concerning children's literature.
Although he has received numerous international literary awards over the years, such as the Nobel Prize of children's literature—the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the National Book Award, the Newbery Medal, and the Booker International Prize…
However, the first major international award for theoretical research in children's literature is still very rare, especially in that country.
Cheng Kaiyan shook her head, not thinking deeply.
"It's almost seven o'clock... there's still plenty of time. It's so cold outside, I wonder if Auntie is up yet? Is she sleeping in again?"
With more than three hours until the flight's departure, Cheng Kaiyan wasn't in a hurry to leave. Instead, she went to the crib, bent down, and leaned against the wooden railing, quietly watching her two precious daughters sleep.
The little ones slept in perfectly straight postures, exuding an innate elegance and grace, unlike other children their age who often slouch or lie around.
Especially Sisi, she has the best sleeping posture.
Little Gardenia is even cuter; her chubby, pink face rests on a small pillow, revealing soft flesh.
Her pink nostrils flared slightly as she breathed in the milky-scented air.
Her small mouth was slightly open, revealing her white teeth, and a little bit of drool was dripping from the corner of her mouth, dampening the pillowcase on the pillow.
"She's sleeping so soundly, she's even drooling..."
Cheng Kaiyan smiled gently and reached out to wipe the drool from her daughter's mouth.
"Smack...smells so good...chicken leg..."
Little Gardenia smacked her lips, and her soft, sweet voice rang in my ears.
"Haha... I knew it! You were dreaming about chicken legs, you little glutton! When Dad comes back, he'll bring you KFC..."
Cheng Kaiyan smiled helplessly, lowered her head and gently kissed Xiao Zhizi's forehead, then kissed Qianqian.
Both the little one and the big one were sleeping very soundly, so I didn't want to disturb them.
Cheng Kaiyan tiptoed to the desk, where a simple carry-on suitcase and neatly folded clean clothes were placed.
My wife prepared all of this last night.
A warm and windproof gray coat, a thick black sweater (which Sister Qingshui knitted for him a while ago), a plaid scarf, and a pair of warm fleece pants.
After changing my clothes, I went out to wash up.
"Ouch! It's so cold!"
A gust of cold wind blew by, making people's skin feel tight and painful from the cold.
Cheng Kaiyan hurriedly went into the kitchen, poured a pot of hot water, and used it to wash up.
Squatting beside the familiar ditch piled with snow and leaves, my gaze was fixed on the door of the west wing, where a curtain hung.
The once pristine white curtain has decayed under the ravages of time, leaving only a few tattered strips of cloth stained with dark green mold.
The side window was already cracked, and snow drifted in, landing on the delicate little wooden table in the bedroom.
Cheng Kaiyan had used cardboard to cover it up a while ago, but it's gone now. It's probably blown away by the wind, or maybe Aunt Wang picked it up and burned it as firewood.
The small house was deserted, dilapidated, and messy. Aunt Zhao's family had moved away a long time ago; Cheng Kaiyan couldn't remember exactly how many years.
All I remember is that it was a sunny morning, and with only a few simple bags, my family and I left the capital.
It is said that she went to Shanghai.
Why leave? Cheng Kaiyan didn't know.
Perhaps he will never have the chance to know this in his lifetime.
"Swipe!"
Cheng Kaiyan's hands, chilled by the wind, mechanically brushed.
The pungent yet refreshing smell of toothpaste foam seemed to instantly transport him back to that morning many years ago, when that figure appeared and disappeared by the ditch.
Will we...see each other again?
……
After washing up, I went back to my room to pack my things and get ready to leave.
"Xiaoli...Xiaoli!"
Cheng Kaiyan gently nudged his wife's exposed, fair arm and called out softly.
"Hmm... what's wrong?"
Liu Xiaoli slowly opened her eyes and saw her lover fully armed and ready to leave. "Are we leaving now?"
"Well, it's getting late, my flight is at ten o'clock."
"Okay, are you all packed? Never mind, let me check them again for you."
Liu Xiaoli asked a question, thought about it, and then decided to get up and help him check and tidy up again.
After the two checked it over, Liu Xiaoli stuffed some more daily necessities inside before she was done.
"So I'm leaving now? Bye-bye."
Cheng Kaiyan said.
"and many more……"
Liu Xiaoli raised her hand to stop him: "Come here, bow your head..."
"what happened?"
Cheng Kaiyan was puzzled, but still obediently walked over.
"Boom~"
Liu Xiaoli tiptoed and stole a kiss from him.
She then lowered her already blushing face, buried herself in her man's arms, and wrapped her arms around his waist.
After a long while, she finally asked, "Is your aunt going with you?"
"Ah."
"You two..."
Liu Xiaoli seemed to recall something from the past, her expression becoming unusually complicated, and she fell into a long-unseen silence.
After some time, she said, "My aunt said she thinks... never mind, you two have fun outside, and remember to take good care of yourselves."
"it is good."
Cheng Kaiyan nodded seriously.
Liu Xiaoli loosened her embrace and reached out to patiently and meticulously straighten her husband's collar.
Finally, she looked up at him and said, "Have a safe journey."
"Bye-Bye."
Cheng Kaiyan picked up her suitcase, put on her hat, and prepared to leave.
"Dad...where are we going?"
At this moment, the little ones on the small wooden bed were awakened by the noise of the two people.
She was sitting cross-legged on the bed, turning her little head to look at them, while rubbing her eyes with her little hands.
"Xiaozhi, Qianqian! Say goodbye to Daddy."
Liu Xiaoli walked to the bedside, bent down and held her daughters' little hands, waving gently at her husband.
"Goodbye, Daddy..."
The little ones didn't know what goodbye meant, so they just obediently repeated what their mother said.
"I'm off now. Dad will bring you some delicious food when he comes back. Bye-bye!"
Cheng Kaiyan turned around and kissed his daughter and wife on the cheek, then waved and left the house.
Liu Xiaoli got up and saw him out.
When I returned, the two little ones were perched on the bed railing with their little bottoms sticking up, staring at the figures gradually disappearing outside the window.
"Mommy, where's Daddy? I want Daddy to hold me..."
Xiao Zhizi turned to Liu Xiaoli and asked, her voice trembling with confusion and a hint of tears.
"Daddy's gone on a long trip... Can Mommy hold me?"
Liu Xiaoli explained in a soft voice.
"Waaah... I want my daddy... I don't want my mommy, mommy is bad!"
When the little one heard that his father was going on a long trip and wouldn't be back for a long time, his little mouth immediately twitched and he started to cry.
Goodness, she started crying again.
Liu Xiaoli and Qianqian looked at Xiaozhi helplessly, but they could understand.
After all, Xiaozhi has never been away from her father for so long before. This time she's going abroad, and it will be at least a week before she comes back.
"Sweetie, baby, Mommy's here~ Don't cry, don't cry."
"Look, your little sister isn't crying..."
"Crybaby~ Hehehe~"
The child's cries, the mother's and sister's gentle comforting voices, and the sound of wind and snow outside the window mingled together, drifting far, far away. (End of Chapter)