Chapter 572
Chapter 572
Chapter 572
"You're such an interesting child."
Su Yizhou thought that the child's "whatever you want" was a compliment on his good looks.
He himself was not aware of this, mainly because of his family background, his aesthetic sense was biased towards masculinity.
Li Zhuiyuan grabbed Su Yizhou's hand that was stroking his head.
Although their fingers were not intertwined, this contact inexplicably moved Su Yizhou.
Li Zhuiyuan observed Su Yizhou's eyes and caught the emotional fluctuations coming from his father.
The boy was trying to figure out whether this was a connection from blood ties or an influence of the real future on the present.
It should be the latter.
Neither he nor his father were demonic beasts, so where did such a strong bloodline connection come from?
Therefore, the father in the present moment is not a separate entity.
It's somewhat like Grandma Liu's secret technique of tracing back memories. Even if she becomes Miss Liu and loses her memory, she will still have a strong affection for Ah Li.
Memory is often not just a narrow concept like "memory." The most extensive traces of memory are the subconscious behaviors accumulated over time, just like Tan Wenbin's actions every time he lights a cigarette.
However, this also leads to strange contradictions.
Li Zhuiyuan could sense that Su Yizhou was a living, breathing person with flesh and blood and warmth.
Inside the backpack on the table leg, the evil dragon lay quietly on the dragon-patterned compass, which slowly turned, observing and analyzing its surroundings.
It's not a dream, it's not an illusion; the current environment is undeniably real.
There are distance limitations. For example, the reason for this successful trigger was twofold: first, because "Father" came to Nantong, and second, because I became a Bodhisattva and my actions intersected with his.
This means that if I encounter those special beings when I go to the Western Regions in the future, we can engage in a life-or-death battle within a certain range.
It's not a puppet, not a copy of a giant tortoise, not a secret technique... It seems to have transcended metaphysics and entered into science, but in some ways, it could also be a higher form of metaphysics.
Su Yizhou was still immersed in that special emotion, and he was getting more and more into it. He began to carefully observe the child's eyebrows, nose, and every detail.
He didn't know why he did it, nor did it even provoke such thoughts; it was like some kind of instinct that had only emerged today, something that was taken for granted.
Li Zhuiyuan, on the other hand, was using his own father as a case study to verify and collect valuable clues.
The boy was waiting here not for a reunion with his father.
The father and son sat on the same bench, one emotional and the other rational, and remained silent for a long time.
Su Yizhou breathed a sigh of relief. He sniffed, turned his head away, and blinked hard.
Li Zhuiyuan finished his collection work, and the compass in his backpack stopped working.
There is still time.
Alright, now it's time for the father-son game.
Actually, there is another very important point that has not been verified: according to Liangliang's top-secret information, the experiences of the past "him" will make the present "him" "remember".
In other words, Li Zhuiyuan's contact with Su Yizhou today will evoke vague memories for his real father.
This is also why Li Zhuiyuan was willing to continue this father-son relationship.
Li Zhuiyuan: "Brother..."
Su Yizhou: "Little brother..."
The father and son spoke at the same time.
Su Yizhou stopped and smiled, gesturing for his "younger brother" to speak first.
Li Zhuiyuan continued speaking without pausing:
"Brother, is there anything else you'd like to say?"
Su Yizhou looked up, and this time he really couldn't hold back anymore. He let out a hearty laugh, and his arm naturally reached out to hug his younger brother and shook him.
"What grade are you in? Or are you already in the first year of junior high?"
"Sophomore."
"Sophomore year?"
"Ah."
Where do you go to university?
"Jinling".
"That's amazing?"
"Fortunately."
It was as if he believed Li Zhuiyuan's words without having any doubt that the child in front of him was joking.
"How come I've never heard your sister mention that she has such a capable younger cousin?"
"It's not time yet."
"When the time comes, I came here this time to meet her family, relatives and friends, and to see the place where she grew up."
But this is precisely what Li Lan most wants to give up.
"So what do you think of this place?"
"I really like this water town in Jiangnan, and I will definitely come here often in the future."
He was still dreaming of the heartwarming scene of him bringing his wife and future child to visit his in-laws' home during holidays.
At that time, Su Yizhou did not expect that he would only come here once in the next ten years.
Moreover, not long after the marriage, he had to move out of his family home, and he had to sneak around to visit his own home.
In this respect, Li Lan is truly fair.
From Li Zhuiyuan's perspective, we can see what Li Lan's purpose is in doing this. She first regards her husband, and then her child, as the best medicine to cure her illness. She does not dislike work, but rejects any unnecessary emotional entanglements or pretense.
She turned her small home into a clinic, or laboratory, exclusively for her.
My father is reagent number one, and I am reagent number two.
Then, as the second reagent, it not only failed to detoxify, but its toxicity was even stronger than that in her body.
Li Zhuiyuan felt a pang of pity for the young man in front of him, not just because he was his father.
"Oh, right, I haven't asked you your name yet."
“To trace back to the past.”
"Li Zhuiyuan?"
"Ah."
"It's a very nice name. Remembering our ancestors and honoring our ancestors will bring back virtue to the people. My surname is Su, and my name is Su Yizhou."
"Mountain journeys are arduous but treacherous, and shallow waters are also navigable by boat."
"That's right, my mother used this line of poetry when she named me."
Yes, when you were teaching me to write the names of my family members when I was little, you mentioned that my grandfather was very dissatisfied with the name my grandmother had chosen, feeling that it sounded weak.
"Zhuiyuan...Xiaoyuan, what's your major?"
"Water conservancy".
"That will be very tough from now on."
"I don't suffer like you do."
Do you know what my major is?
"My sister said so."
"Whether it is bitter or not is relative. Whether it is in the past, present or future, there will always be someone who bears more burdens for us."
"Yes, I know."
"Did your parents go to the grave to burn paper money too?"
"Mom has gone."
"Is Dad working?"
"They got divorced."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"After they separated, my mother sent me back to my hometown. I lived with my great-grandfather. My great-grandfather's family was well-off and he treated me very well. I lived a very happy life with my great-grandfather."
"As long as you're happy, everything else is secondary."
"You too."
"I?"
"Just be happy. If you encounter unhappy things or people, run away or stay away from them."
Are you talking about your mother?
"No, it's Father."
"Your father treated you very well in the past, didn't he?"
“My father was a very good person.”
"Is that so..."
"He is the best husband I have ever met, and the best father I have ever had."
"If your father heard what you said, he would be very proud and happy."
Su Yizhou was at a loss for how to continue the conversation. In this child's eyes, if the father was perfect, then wouldn't the one at fault be...?
He came to propose marriage, and it was very inappropriate to discuss this topic with the children of his girlfriend's relatives.
"If only my father hadn't met my mother."
"Who can truly understand adult matters, especially matters of the heart?"
“I understand it very well, because my mother doesn’t deserve it, and neither do I….”
Su Yizhou changed the subject and asked, "Does your father come to see you often?"
"I've never been here before."
"Never even once?" "No, they've been divorced for several years. I haven't seen him since, not by telegram or letter."
"Xiao Yuan, it wasn't easy for your mother to raise you, I think you might..."
“My mother only came back this time. I don’t see her usually. As I said, I’m doing very well because I’ve basically broken away from her. I’m also happy for my father, because he’s also broken away from her.”
I understand my father. I have never blamed him, and I was also wrong. I didn't choose him when he needed me most.
I hope he can forget everything from the past, I hope he can get out of the shadows, and I hope he can live a good life.
If I could, I would cut his life in half and remove his encounter and acquaintance with my mother.
Of course, I know that's unrealistic.
But if he ever does manage to get through this and wants to come see me, I would be happy to see him.
Although I may not be able to be as affectionate towards him as a normal child, I don't want to pretend or put on an act, but...
I'm sure that if he ever actually appears in front of me, I'll... definitely feel happy.
Su Yizhou listened attentively. There were many parts of the boy's words that he didn't quite understand, but he could sense the sincerity in his monologue.
He pulled the boy into his arms, rested his chin on the top of the boy's head, and said:
“Xiao Yuan, you are a good child. I believe your father must also be thinking about you.”
"He might... be afraid of me."
"Afraid of you?"
“He might think I’ll end up like my mother.”
"Your mother is your mother, and you are you. How can you be the same?"
"He was afraid that after being hurt by his mother once, he would be hurt by me again."
With his father's wisdom, Li Zhuiyuan believed that he must have also noticed the problem with his "son".
To please Li Lan, I overacted. I shouldn't have acted so smart, shouldn't have tried to be liked by everyone, and shouldn't have enrolled in the gifted youth program so early.
"Xiao Yuan, I don't think so."
"Ok?"
"From your description, your father used to love your mother very much."
"Correct."
"I think that even if he was hurt by your mother because of love, he would not give up loving you again for fear of being hurt again."
Of course, this is on the premise that your father is as good as you describe, and you should believe him.
I think he will come back, um... just as you said, wait until he heals his wounds, wait until he emerges from the shadows, wait until he musters the courage to start a new life.
The reason he hasn't visited or contacted you in recent years is because a father is a role model for his son. He doesn't want his son to see his vulnerable side; he wants to stand before you again like a normal father.
"You said it yourself."
"Yes, I said it!"
Just then, it started raining outside. For the past few days, it had been raining on and off.
Inside the backpack, the compass started spinning again, and a sense of alienation crept in.
Li Zhuiyuan knew that Su Yizhou was leaving.
Therefore, there are not only distance limitations, but also time limitations.
"Where are they visiting the grave? I don't think it's a good idea for us to stay here and wait. Should we go out and look for them?"
"You two aren't officially married yet, so it's not really appropriate for you to burn paper money at the ancestral graves, is it?"
"I can stand a little further away and take a look."
"They should be back soon. Shall we wait a little longer?"
I miss your sister.
Su Yizhou stood up and walked out of the kitchen. As soon as he stepped over the threshold, his figure quickly faded away, as if he was about to disappear.
Li Zhuiyuan picked up the prefabricated small offering table from the table and followed him out.
Su Yizhou's figure did not solidify again, but the rate at which it faded stopped.
After stepping across the threshold, Li Zhuiyuan discovered that strands of golden threads were spontaneously emanating from his body, and even the lotus mark between his eyebrows lit up.
A powerful sense of exhaustion emerged, completely different from his previous state. He had been relaxed while spending so much time in the kitchen, but now, to maintain Su Yizhou's presence, he had to frantically deplete his own soul power.
In other words, Li Zhuiyuan's soul is now so profound that an ordinary person would have their soul drained the moment they stepped out the door.
Su Yizhou continued walking forward without looking back at the boy behind him.
The village road has been renovated and adjusted, but the dirt road underneath hasn't changed much, since it involves each family's farmland.
Therefore, in Li Zhuiyuan's eyes, Su Yizhou was still walking on the road, and there was no scene of him wading through water or passing through walls.
The boy suspected that if such a scene were to actually occur, either his pressure would increase exponentially, or the situation would likely collapse.
Li Zhuiyuan looked up at the sun in the sky. Even after searching and collecting so many clues, he had only found the pattern, but he still could not explain in detail how all of this was formed.
A living person is like being illuminated by the sun and falling into reality; or perhaps, there is a mirror in which the inside and outside are completely connected.
At this moment, the sun withdrew its light, the mirror was removed, and its existence ceased to exist.
Li Zhuiyuan discovered that the direction Su Yizhou was heading was indeed the Li family's ancestral graves.
This part wasn't mentioned when Aunt Li Juxiang told me about her parents' past this morning.
Su Yizhou's spontaneous behavior clearly followed the traces of the past, and was not influenced by his excuse of "going to visit the grave".
That was the time. More than ten years ago on this day, Su Yizhou met Li Weihan and Cui Guiying here. They talked about marriage, and Li Lan was about to take him away.
Back then, the road at the western entrance of the village hadn't been built yet. The main road was at the eastern end of the village. If my parents came by car, the car probably wouldn't be able to enter the village and would have to be parked in an open space outside.
This is because we happened to be passing by the Li family's ancestral graves.
Li Zhuiyuan tried calling out to him: "Brother?"
Su Yizhou continued walking, seemingly oblivious to what was happening.
"Big brother?"
Still no response.
"Su Yizhou?"
"Still no response."
"dad?"
He reacted, and his pace slowed down.
The lotus mark between Li Zhuiyuan's eyebrows shone brightly, and his soul suddenly expanded rapidly in all directions. All the golden threads on his body surged forward and merged into Su Yizhou's body.
When you insist on keeping something, the cost of maintaining its existence is transferred to yourself.
What was that was maintaining things before, and where is it hidden?
Despite his immense exhaustion, Li Zhuiyuan surveyed his surroundings, trying to find that "thing".
Su Yizhou did not turn around. After slowing down, his pace resumed forward because Li Zhuiyuan did not make any further intervention, and he was even faster than before, as if he wanted to catch up.
What exactly caused this? What is causing this?
Even when the giant tortoise came ashore to kill him last time, Li Zhuiyuan didn't feel this powerless. No matter how terrifying the giant tortoise was back then, he at least knew that he had a specific opponent.
"Huh...huh...huh..."
The boy's breathing gradually became heavy; he knew he could no longer continue.
Beside the road, surrounded by a circle of trees, there is a small mound where the ancestors of the Li family are buried.
Since it was only a short time after the New Year, everyone had come here to pay respects at the graves. Many of the grave mounds were still in good condition, with the colorful flags still intact, having escaped the wrath of mischievous children.
Su Yizhou's figure began to fade again.
Li Zhuiyuan stopped in his tracks. He didn't intend to chase after them anymore; there was no point in forcibly maintaining the relationship.
However, looking at the young father's back, Li Zhuiyuan wanted to say one more thing to him.
Although the boy knew that the "past" before him could not change the reality that had already happened.
But there was the impact of his words that "my father will come back after he recovers from his injuries," and there was also something related to my own spiritual status and the role of this special environment that I needed to verify.
"Su Yizhou, you should break up with Li Lan. You won't be happy with her."
Su Yizhou stopped in his tracks.
The golden threads that had been spilling out from Li Zhuiyuan's body seemed to have been struck by some heavy blow, instantly returning and piercing into the boy's body.
In an instant, the boy was "pierced" through. The speed and intensity were so great that even Li Zhuiyuan didn't have time to distinguish whether the damage came from his soul or his body. In any case, he felt like he was being pierced by air and that blood was flowing out like a sieve.
With a "thud," the boy lost his balance and fell to one side, rolling off the road.
Amidst the upside-down swaying, Su Yizhou's figure, which remained in place, perhaps due to the increased distance or the absence of anyone to hold him back, completely disappeared.
"Crash..."
The rain suddenly intensified, soaking the boy completely.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
Little Black peeked out from behind Old Li's ancestral graves.
Benben was taken by Sun Wei to the funeral shop in the city to find Clown Girl. The rural bus ticket seller prohibited dogs from being brought on the bus, so Xiao Hei was left in the village.
The monks have taken over Old Li's doghouse, and with Benben not around, it's no fun for him to go back to Big Beard's house. Fortunately, Xiao Hei has another place in the village that he often goes to, which is Old Li's ancestral graves.
When it was being chased and struck by lightning, it survived by hiding in this place; it's like its second home.
Xiao Hei ran to Li Zhuiyuan's side, lowered its head, and licked the boy's face.
Li Zhuiyuan opened his eyes, placed his hand on Xiao Hei's back, and struggled to sit up.
"boom!"
Just then, in the center of the Li family's ancestral graveyard, the grave that was suspected to be where the great-grandfather buried Wei Zhengdao collapsed again!
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This part of the story is quite difficult to write, so it's taking a while. Tomorrow's update will have more words.
(End of this chapter)