Looking at his father kneeling before his grandmother's portrait, Luo Chuan was filled with a mixture of emotions. All he could do was watch quietly.
After an unknown amount of time, Luo Ning stood up and wiped away the tears from his eyes before turning to look at Luo Chuan. However, there was no paternal warmth or affection in his gaze, only strangeness and awkwardness.
“Luo…Luo Chuan,” Luo Ning's lips trembled slightly as he uttered his son’s name, his voice rough and unfamiliar.
Since he left to make his fortune, he had only seen his son a handful of times in over a decade. Sometimes, he even forgot that he had such a grown-up son living in this village.
“Mhm.”
Sitting on the sofa, Luo Chuan’s eyes were drooping, and he didn't even lift his eyelids when he heard Luo Ning call out to him. The two, father and son, were more estranged than strangers.
Luo Ning didn't seem to mind Luo Chuan's attitude, and instead, he said,
“Ahem, Luo Chuan, you’re almost an adult. I thought maybe… .”
Before Luo Ning could finish his sentence, Luo Chuan interrupted him.
“Don't worry, I won't bother you. Do whatever you want from now on. It has nothing to do with me. And naturally, you don't have to worry about my business either.”
Instead of getting angry, Luo Ning felt a sense of relief. A look of ease appeared in his eyes.
If Luo Chuan really wanted to stay with him, his current wife would absolutely not agree to having such an “adult” son added to the household. Now that Luo Chuan was taking the initiative to leave, it was perfect.
But, after all, he was his son, carrying the blood of the Luo family. He couldn't just leave without acknowledging him.
He then pulled out a pre-prepared bank card from his pocket and placed it on the table.
“There’s thirty thousand yuan in here. The password is on the back. If you’re careful, it should be enough for you to finish high school. I… can only do this much. You’ll have to walk your own path from now on.”
Luo Chuan silently took the bank card. Why wouldn't he take free money?
He wasn't the kind of hot-blooded youth who believed in “My fate is in my hands,” but a mature soul who had been through the harsh realities of life for two years.
As an adult, he naturally knew that money wasn't everything, but he also knew that having no money was impossible.
He was actually worried about money right now. This was like a pillow for someone who was feeling sleepy.
Moreover, judging from the tailored suit his father was wearing, this thirty thousand yuan was nothing to him. Therefore, taking it made Luo Chuan feel even less guilty.
“There's one more thing I need to tell you beforehand,” Luo Chuan said slowly.
“Go on.”
“I want to keep this house.”
Luo Chuan currently lived in a very old apartment building. Even if he tried to sell it, nobody would buy it. The reason he asked for this was because, on the one hand, it was his home, the only place he could feel a sense of belonging. On the other hand, he was confident that his father wouldn't care about this.
As expected, Luo Ning readily agreed to Luo Chuan’s request.
In his eyes, this house was worthless, not even as big as the living room of his current home.
After settling the important matters, the living room fell silent. The two sat there without speaking. Luo Chuan didn't mind, but Luo Ning felt uncomfortable, like there were thorns in his seat.
After clearing his throat, Luo Ning said,
“How about we go out for a meal together? We haven't seen each other in so many years… .”
Luo Chuan lifted his eyelids.
“No need, I just ate.”
“Yes… yes,” Luo Ning chuckled dryly and paced around the living room for a couple of rounds before stopping.
“If there's nothing else, my flight is in the afternoon. I'll probably have to leave soon.”
“Mhm,” Luo Chuan grunted.
Then, remembering something, he raised his head and said,
“You should take anything you want with you. Don’t blame me if it ends up being burned.”
Luo Ning remained silent for a few seconds. He usually just stayed for a short time whenever he came back, and there wasn't anything worth keeping here.
However, Luo Ning still took an old photograph of Luo Chuan's grandmother, leaving everything else as it was.
After putting the photo in his wallet, Luo Ning opened the door. The morning sunlight shone on him, as if he and Luo Chuan, sitting in the dimly lit living room, were separated by two worlds.
Luo Ning looked at Luo Chuan, opening his mouth as if he wanted to say something. But in the end, he closed the door slowly with a complex expression.
“Click.”
The sound of the closing door completely cut off any connection between the two. From now on, they would go their separate ways. They were strangers, even if they happened to meet.
When Luo Ning passed by the “Screaming Glasses” store again, he was spotted by Jiao Dad. He just wanted to say hello, but the man had already walked away.
“Hey, wife, don’t you think that looks like Xiao Chuan’s old man?”
Dali Jiao Mom glared at him and said,
“How would I know? Xiao Chuan’s family just moved here two years ago, and his old man went out and hasn’t been back for over a decade. I don’t even remember what he looks like.”
Jiao Dad nodded.
“That’s why I can’t be sure. But if Xiao Chuan’s old man did come back, even if he left, he would definitely take Xiao Chuan with him.”
“Right.”
Just as Jiao Dad was about to say something, a shout rang out.
“Boss, do you have any more chili peppers?”
“Yes, yes, yes, I’ll get them… .”
…
After Luo Ning closed the door, Luo Chuan sat quietly on the sofa, his expression calm and composed. After an unknown amount of time, he finally stood up and went to the bathroom to splash cold water on his face.
The icy water stimulated his skin, making him feel refreshed. He looked up at his reflection in the mirror, water droplets dripping from his slightly longer hair, falling into the sink and splashing into tiny droplets.
“Go for it!”
Luo Chuan spoke these two words to the mirror, and a faint smile appeared on his somewhat handsome face.
He didn't want to judge Luo Ning's actions, and he had never expected anything from him. It was just that seeing Luo Ning leave without looking back made him feel a little down due to their blood connection.
But now, a new life was just beginning, and he had the system’s help. Sooner or later, he would live a life more brilliant than anyone else's.
After thinking for a moment, Luo Chuan, with the bank card in his pocket, went to an ATM nearby.
After withdrawing some cash, Luo Chuan bought some gifts and returned to Daxing Village, visiting each household.
On the one hand, he wanted to thank them for organizing his grandmother's funeral when he was at his most helpless. On the other hand, he also wanted to quickly pay back the debt he owed them.
“Xiao Chuan, what are you doing?”
Jiao Dad looked at the stack of red bills and the pile of gifts with a displeased expression.
Luo Chuan quickly said with a smile,
“Uncle, don’t misunderstand. I don't have any other intentions. My grandmother's funeral was basically taken care of by you and the aunties. I’m very grateful.”
“But my grandmother was a strong-willed person. She hated owing people favors.”
With that, Luo Chuan had used his strongest weapon. It would be difficult for Jiao Dad to refuse now.
“But Xiao Chuan, how are you going to live from now on?”
“Uncle, don't worry. My old man gave me this money,” Luo Chuan said with a smile.
“Did your old man come back?”
“Yeah,” Luo Chuan's smile slightly faded as he nodded.
“Then… .”
Jiao Dad was about to ask more questions, but Jiao Mom pulled him.
Luo Chuan shrugged, smiling, and briefly explained about his separation from his father. After all, this kind of thing couldn’t be hidden. It was better to be open and honest, to avoid rumors later on.
“Boy, this…,” Jiao Dad’s voice trembled, and his gaze held a hint of pity when he looked at Luo Chuan.
Luo Chuan laughed and said,
“Uncle, it’s okay. I've already gotten used to it.”
After that, Luo Chuan couldn’t stand Jiao Dad and Jiao Mom’s concern, so he left the gifts and ran off.