Chapter 340: Fried Chicken - Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten

Chapter 340: Fried Chicken Han Wenwen gazed at the woman with a meaningful look on her face. Perhaps her emotions were no longer as extreme as when she first arrived. Lin Zhengran sat next to Han Wenwen on the empty hospital bed, and the mother-daughter pair engaged in a simple conversation. They talked about their respective experiences over the years and gained a rough understanding of each other's lives. The woman lay flat on the bed: “I heard from your uncle that you've been admitted to Tsinghua University? That's really impressive, one of the top universities in the country.” Han Wenwen smiled: “Actually, my academic performance isn't all that great.” She glanced at Lin Zhengran and held his hand, “I just got lucky.” A look at the time showed that it was already quite late. Han Wenwen said, “Alright, we've seen each other, so we won't disturb your rest any longer. Zhengran and I should get going. I hope... I hope in your next life, you won't be so self-centered, and that you've learned your lesson.” The woman gave a self-deprecating smile: “Thank you. Being taught by my own daughter is a good thing, I will remember it.” As she finished speaking, she suddenly coughed several times. Lin Zhengran, who hadn't spoken much, then asked a question: “Auntie, is there any unfulfilled wish you still have?” The woman glanced at Lin Zhengran and immediately shook her head. She initially wanted to say that there was none, feeling content to see Han Wenwen one last time. But as she looked into Lin Zhengran's eyes, perhaps it was the intense deja vu brought on by the end of life. Maybe it was her years of experience with men that allowed her to see something unusual about this boy. As if he was even more extraordinary than those she'd tried to reach in the past. Her pupils flickered for a moment, and then she glanced back at Han Wenwen: “Actually, there is one more...” From the gaze she cast towards Han Wenwen, Lin Zhengran seemed to have understood the wish. Han Wenwen watched her with a slightly moved expression. Like a clever little fox, it seemed she also realized something. At the moment of parting, Han Wenwen tightened her grip and, remembering the fleeting happiness of her childhood, she fulfilled the woman’s wish and softly called her: “Mom, I wish you happiness in your next life.” The woman’s beautiful yet weary eyes widened, tears welling up, her wish fulfilled, she closed her eyes: “Thank you, thank you, Wenwen.” When Lin Zhengran and Han Wenwen stood to leave, he secretly sprinkled something into the woman’s drinking water. It was medicine with a hint of spiritual energy, which, although it had no special effects, could reduce more than half of the woman's pain as she left this world. Perhaps with no regrets remaining. The woman peacefully passed away just a few days later. A week later, Han Wenwen and Lin Zhengran laid flowers on the woman’s grave. Han Wenwen’s uncle and aunt were there watching. After placing the flowers, Han Wenwen looked at the photo on the tombstone, smiling through her red eyes: “For Mom, this was a good ending.” Lin Zhengran patted the little fox on her head, offering comfort. She turned to her uncle and aunt, saying: “Uncle, Aunt, Zhengran and I are heading back north today.” Her uncle nodded: “You're living with Lin Zhengran now, right?” Han Wenwen nodded: “Yes, we'll be living together soon. Probably after we graduate, we'll get married. Right, Zhengran?” Lin Zhengran confirmed: “Yes, I'll invite Uncle and Aunt to the wedding.” Regarding Han Wenwen’s affairs, they always agreed. She no longer had anyone to rely on, so whatever she wanted to do, her uncle’s family knew they had no right to interfere. Yet, her uncle still said: “I hope you treat Wenwen well.” “Don't worry, Uncle. We'll be off then.” They waved goodbye, but just as they turned to leave, they saw three figures approaching from a distance. Han Wenwen recognized He Qing Lili and Jiang Jingshi. She exclaimed with joy: “Qing Lili and Jingshi, why are you here too?!” The trio reached them, and little He Qing’s voice was adorably full of concern: “When we heard about your mom's passing on the phone, we were worried about how you'd handle it, so we wanted to come see you.” Jiang Xueli, with her usual proud demeanor, added: “You've been away so long that even though you didn't want us to come, we couldn’t stand staying in the north any longer, so we came to visit.” Jiang Jingshi noticed Han Wenwen’s slightly reddened eyes and asked gently, “Wenwen.. are you okay?” With a smile stretching across her lips, Han Wenwen clung to Lin Zhengran's arm, seemingly back to her usual self: “Of course! I'm not as fragile as you think. Besides, when Mom passed, she wasn’t in pain, everything was quite alright.” The three girls exchanged glances, unable to fully grasp the complex emotions about her mother. Such backgrounds were still rare. Taking charge, Lin Zhengran spoke: “Alright, although you three just arrived, we need to head back soon. Let’s find a place to eat then head back north together. There are still quite a few things to do, this year’s quite busy.” Everyone exchanged looks, each giving a simple smile. Afterwards, He Qing, Jiang Xueli, and Jiang Jingshi also placed their flowers on the woman’s grave. And the five of them left together. Standing there, her uncle and aunt remained still. But once everyone else had left, her aunt lamented: “Wenwen has so many friends now. Compared to when I first met her, she's like a completely different person.” Her uncle looked at Han Wenwen disappearing into the distance: “After all, she’s long since been living her own life.” The high-speed train raced along the tracks back north. Han Wenwen still held Lin Zhengran’s hand, leaning against his shoulder, asleep once more. In the countless dreams she had. In the dream, little Han Wenwen stood at that familiar and yet terrifying crossroads, waiting in the night for her mom to return. But she was no longer alone since long ago. Little Lin Zhengran was always there with her. Little Lin Zhengran said: “It’s finally over.” “Huh?” little Han Wenwen didn’t understand: “What’s over?” Little Lin Zhengran directed her gaze into the distance, where she finally saw her mother’s figure, standing up. But her mother didn’t come over; instead, she waved goodbye to Han Wenwen from afar: “Wenwen, Mom is leaving, goodbye.” Her figure fully disappeared into the distance, and the road, and the paths around it, brightened up. “Mom.. goodbye.” Little Lin Zhengran said: “You've finally waited for her to say goodbye. Shall we leave here too?” Little Han Wenwen looked eagerly at little Lin Zhengran: “Leave, to where?” Little Lin Zhengran took Han Wenwen’s hand and walked toward the light: “Just follow me. Even though I’m here to accompany you so you don’t feel scared, we can’t stay in this dark place forever. There are many new things to do.” Little Han Wenwen, led by his hand and following Lin Zhengran's footsteps, gently glanced back at the once dark, now bright, intersection. A smile dawned on her face, and she suddenly said to little Lin Zhengran: “Zhengran, I want fried chicken.” “Eating fried chicken first thing in the morning? But alright, I’ll buy it for you.” Together they walked towards the light. (End of chapter)