Chapter10

  The northern sky is cold and swift, in mid-December, snow has already fallen.

  The first snow, gently falling, found the people of City B in a deep sleep.

  Ah Heng has lived in the south since she was a child, and from childhood to adulthood, the snow she has seen can be counted on one hand. Moreover, each time it snows, before she can react, it quietly stops, leaving no trace. Therefore, her concept of snow is very vague: white, soft, cool, and also, eating it will upset her stomach.

  Such adjectives are somewhat amusing, but when Siyun excitedly knocked on her door and said to Aheng Aheng quickly look at the snow, her mind only had such a poor and rigid imagination.

  So at the moment I pushed open the window, the shock was beyond words.

  She almost desecrated this naturally beautiful place out of ignorance.

  The sky, a vast expanse of color that is not blue, nor white, nor any other hue in the world, but rather a profound and all-encompassing shade that holds within it all beauty and darkness. It defies expectation yet should exist, with a powerful yet gentle presence.

  In the vast expanse, snowflakes are fluttering about, each one unfolding its purity.

  Suddenly, she thought of dandelion. It was when she was young. Her mother had saved up for a long time to make her a cotton skirt, but it was stained with pomegranate juice. Neighbor Huang said that washing it with dandelion seeds would clean it, and she waited for a long time until spring arrived, went to pick dandelion seeds, and saw the mountains and fields full of white soft little umbrellas, but not a single seed in sight.

  Such beauty is rarely seen in a lifetime. Unfortunately, the mood of watching snow at this moment is different from before. At that time, she had a different thought and saw that sea of dandelions, missing a beautiful moment, which still remains in her heart today, is the regret of not finding the dandelion seeds.

  Stretching for thousands of miles, vast snowy sea.

  It snowed heavily all night, and the road was already very thick with snow. The snow was soft and fluffy underfoot.

  The sanitation workers on the street have started shoveling snow, Ah Heng is a bit disappointed.

  "Don't worry, it will keep falling." It won't stop that quickly. Si Guang knows Ah Heng's thoughts.

  Ah Heng narrowed her eyes, gazed up at the sky, and a snowflake happened to float into her eye, making it feel refreshingly cool.

  "Think of Guang!" A thunderous shout from far away.

  Su Wan turned her head and smiled.

  What a rare combination! Auntie and Ah Xi have come together.

  They, along with Lu Liu who was also studying in Vienna, grew up together as a group of four. However, these two were absolutely not allowed to meet each other; whenever they did, they would fight every day. When they got tired of fighting, he would try to mediate, speaking kindly and patiently, but the two of them would turn on him instead, kicking him together while laughing and teasing "Dear Si Yun, don't you know that hitting is a sign of affection and scolding is a sign of love? If you're not satisfied with just using your hands, then use your feet to kick!" He wiped away his tears and cried out for help to Lu Liu, but the other man didn't even glance at him, speaking in a gentle tone "Who told you to intervene? It's better if they beat each other to death; that way the world would be peaceful."

  "Let's go, Ah Xi." Si Gua waved her hand vigorously.

  Ah Heng looked at the two people walking towards him from a distance. One was wearing a white robe and the other a blue one, their heights were not much different, but Xinda Yi was much more sturdy than Yan Xi, in front of Xinda Yi, Yan Xi appeared even more slender and cold.

  "I was just talking to Yan Xi, and I thought the silly-looking person in front of us must be Wen Siyun, so I tried calling out to him. And it really is you!" Xinda Yi burst into laughter, his messy hair a sight to behold.

  "Get lost!" Si Gua cursed with a smile, but intimately put his arm around the young man's shoulder, smiling at Yan Xi - "Ah Xi, why did you go to school with Da Yi today? You're not usually out the door until 7:50?"

  Yan Xi gave Si Yun a faint glance, but didn't say anything.

  He stood in the snow wearing a white down jacket, his face reflected in the snowy color. The young man had black hair and red lips, with skin as white as jade, looking very handsome, but his expression was cold and indifferent.

  Ah Heng looked at him quietly, feeling somewhat strange.

  Xian Xi seems to have two different personas. The one at his home was overbearing, mischievous and unruly, but today, he's the same person she didn't know before, cold and lazy, looking down on everything.

  "Yah has a cold and is in a bad mood, don't talk to him." Xinda said quietly, glancing at Yan Xi.

  "Oh." Xīnguāng nodded and stopped talking to Yánxī.

  When Xīn has a bad mood, absolutely never talk to him, and don't provoke him, otherwise you will die miserably.

  This is Wen Xiangguang's talk about his 17 years of experience in making people and creating children.

  Unfortunately, Sindaye is a typical person who gets excited when people come, and becomes arrogant when there are many.

  "Xīn Xī, it's not that I'm saying you're old, but why do those old men have to learn about girls' physiology? Every month they have to make a fuss for several days and be so annoying!" Seeing Xīn Xī remaining silent and harmless, Xīndá Yí started to get angry.

  Si Guang's face turned black, and he pulled A Heng aside.

  Time flies when you're having fun, and before he knew it, the white-shirted youth was floating lightly towards the blue-shirted youth who was laughing with reckless abandon. In an instant, his long legs kicked out, taking into account speed, ruthlessness, and accuracy, the three key elements of a perfect kick. The white sports shoes left a clear 41-sized shoe print on someone's buttocks, and that someone stumbled and fell onto their butt.

  Everyone cheered, good, very good, extremely good.

  This posture, this angle, is not something an ordinary person can kick out.

  "Xian Xi, martial arts?" Ah Heng asked Si Gwan in a low voice.

  "Ashi won't learn martial arts, only practices human sandbags." Si Gua looked at Xinda with a sympathetic gaze, as if to say "it's worth it".

  Xinda covered his face with tears - "Xī xī, Lǎozi won't share the sky with you! You damn good at sudden attacks!"

  Xian Xi coldly smiled, "I seem to have told you before, today is not allowed to provoke my young master. My mood is bad and doing something out of control isn't something I can control myself. Don't tell me you forgot when we had tofu brain just now, I repeated it three times!"

  Xinda was furious, he had been holding it in for half a day, and finally spat out a sentence through gritted teeth: "You think you're so good looking with your three points of beauty, but don't think you can kick me around!"

  Sighs of despair.

  Xian Xi smiled slightly, looking quite helpless - "Born of father and mother, I, the young master, didn't want to be so popular with everyone either."

  Think of a way to get back up and continue fighting.

  Ah Heng knew very little about his grandmother, but from Si Gwang's occasional words, he could sense the nostalgia for her.

  Grandma passed away in the first winter after Ah Heng returned to Wen's family. Although Grandpa was an atheist, Grandma was a devout Catholic. She often taught Si Gwang to be kind and generous to people and things, because all things are equal, cannot lie, and should be honest when treating others with sincerity and courtesy.

  Si Guang, under the influence of his grandmother, was also a faithful believer.

  When Ah Heng found out, he didn't feel surprised at all.

  Because, Si Guang is this kind of person, always gentle and courteous to others, tolerant and broad-minded. In his eyes, there is no distinction between beauty and ugliness, only good and evil. He can calmly and generously treat everyone with kindness.

  But it was on this youth who had never been impulsive that disappeared three days before Christmas.

  To be exact, from that morning on, Ah Heng had never seen Si Gyun again.

  Wen's family initially thought he had something to do, so they went to school first. As a result, until the second day, the boy still hadn't returned home. They called Xinda Yi, but everyone said they hadn't seen him. Then news came from where Si'er lived that she also hadn't returned for two days. The family was panicked and asked the neighbors in the courtyard and the police station to go find them together.

  Ah Heng was left at home to look after the house.

  She thought about it and felt that this matter was really unexpected. The day before Si Guang disappeared, she was still laughing and talking, without any abnormalities, how could she suddenly disappear?

  Ah Heng entered Si Guang's room, a normally tidy room was in disarray. Just now, his family had thoroughly searched every nook and cranny of the room but found not a single clue.

  Guan is always tidy, he will be unhappy when he comes back and sees the room like this.

  Ah Heng thought of Si Guang seeing the room in such a mess and her frowning face, and couldn't help but chuckle.

  She decided to help the young man tidy up his room.

  Pulling open the curtains, outside is still a blanket of white snow. However, it can be discerned that it's nighttime.

  Tonight is Christmas Eve. Ah Heng doesn't have any concept of Western festivals, but Si Guang has talked about it a lot, so he remembered.

  On Christmas Eve, eat an apple, peaceful and safe.

  Xiangyun is outside, blowing in the cold wind, are there any apples to eat? On such a cold day, not going home, what if you get frostbite, how silly, can't things be discussed properly, if she can't say it, there's still mom and grandpa.

  A Heng thought Si Gua might come back soon, so she cleaned up the room and went to peel an apple.

  Cut one down, thinking that you might as well come back together, and cut another one.

  When he arrived at Si Guang's room, he looked up and inadvertently swept to the calendar on the wall. December was marked with black pen one by one, finally stopping on the 22nd.

  December 22nd is the day of grandma's funeral.

  Si Guang had once told her - Grandma was buried by Grandpa in the largest church in City B, but Grandma didn't like that church. She loved to pray most at a small church, he said Grandma's soul must be there.

  Su... Su Dong Church!

  Ah Heng's eyes lit up, he put on his coat and ran out.

  Out of the yard, hailed a taxi, the driver heard going to Su Dong Church, shook his head, embarrassed - "Little girl, Su Dong is frozen, slippery road, very difficult to walk."

  "Uncle, I have money!" Ah Heng took out all his pocket money from his clothes.

  "Hey, I'm saying, young girl, at my age, am I still greedy for your money?" The driver, a straightforward Beijinger, was somewhat annoyed.

  "Uncle, don't be angry." Ah Heng hastily said "My brother, in Suzhou, for two days, hasn't come home!"

  "Ah, little girl, how about this? I'll take you to G Village. It's about two miles from Soudong. The road is slippery and cars can't pass through, but it's still walkable. What do you think?" The driver, also a kind-hearted person, furrowed his brow and made the suggestion to Ah Heng.

  A Heng nodded vigorously, extremely grateful.

  Got on the bus, unfortunately, it's a peaceful night and there are too many people in the city, so the bus is moving slowly.

  "Uncle, hurry up!" Ah Heng's heart was anxious.

  "It's going so fast it'll run over people!" The driver laughed, thinking the little girl was funny.

  "My brother, Su Dong, is cold!" Ah Heng became more anxious and his mouth became more clumsy.

  The driver didn't smile anymore, looking a bit moved. He glanced at Ah Heng and spoke in a warm tone, "Alright, let's hurry up a bit more, can't let your brother freeze!"

  It was half an hour later when they arrived at G village.

  Ah Heng handed over the money and hurriedly walked forward. The driver stuck his head out of the car window and loudly said to Ah Heng, "Little girl, keep walking straight ahead, see the sign for Bai Zi Slope, turn right and walk 300 meters and you'll be there!"

  Ah Heng waved his hand and nodded with a smile.

  "Hey little girl, slow down on the road." The driver waved his hand enthusiastically from afar.

  She has walked far away and didn't hear, just gazing at the kind stranger in the snow, smiling.

  Ah Heng was mentally prepared for the slippery road as mentioned by the driver, but after falling heavily several times, he still couldn't take it.

  But in his heart, he was always thinking wildly and didn't care about the pain anymore.

  What if Si Guang is not at Su Dong Church?

  What if Si Guang doesn't go back with her?

  What if Si Guang and Er Er are together and see her embarrassed?

  He leaned against a tree all the way, finally found the road sign of Bai Zi Slope, and waited in the dark night until he touched Su Dong, his whole body had been soaked through with sweat and snow, sticking to his skin, very uncomfortable.

  Su Dong is very small, but the design is unique, clean and warm, like the feeling of Ah Heng's grandmother in the photo.

  However, this church is almost abandoned. After all, it's a bit far from the city and its scale is not as good as other churches.

  Here, the church lights are on, oh no, not lights, twinkling, should be candlelight.

  Ah Heng wanted to push open the door and walk in, but he heard a familiar voice.

  It's Siu Kwan.

  She smiled and felt relieved and calm in her heart.

  "Hey, do you think grandma can hear us talking?" The boy's voice, normally warm and clear, had a trusting tone towards the other person.

  "It's okay, grandma's soul is here, she has been watching us." A warm and comfortable voice.

  Really?

  Ah Heng's hand, which had been about to push open the door, drew back again.

  Going in now would be too rash.

  Let them talk for a while longer.

  "Ah, grandma loved this place before she passed away. Every Christmas Eve, she would bring us here." The young man smiled.

  A Heng felt somewhat regretful.

  She also wants to see her grandmother. Grandma, in the black water, the children call grandma are all called "Ah Po", I don't know if grandma hears her calling her "Ah Po", will she be happy?

  Grandpa had told her that grandma's ancestral home was in Wushui.

  Ah Heng smiled silently, her eyes becoming even more gentle. If only she had a grandmother to care for too. She would be a very filial granddaughter, giving her grandmother massages, washing her feet, and cooking delicious food for her. Ah, yes, she would cook Jiangnan dishes, her grandmother would definitely be delighted.

  Grandma might make her a nice sachet, smile at her with kindness, chase away the bad guys who bully her with a broom, and tell her mythological stories from the past, hehe.

  "Brother, if grandma were alive, would she abandon me?" The gentle female voice in the church was somewhat sorrowful.

  So if grandma were alive, would she like her coming?

  The boy's voice was trembling, and he opened his mouth lightly - "It won't be, no one doesn't want you, grandma loves you the most, have you forgotten? In the past when I quarreled with you, grandma always coaxed you first, right?"

  "But grandfather used to love me very much, now he doesn't want me either."

  Si Guang's voice was somewhat agitated - "You, grandma told me before she passed away that she and grandpa were aware of the truth, they knew you weren't her biological granddaughter. She secretly investigated Ah Heng's whereabouts when we were very young, but she didn't bring her back, not even until her death, nor did she go see her once, right?"

  Bang, she heard a cracking sound in her chest, such a cold night, such a scorching wound...

  She quietly slid from the wall corner onto the icy snowy ground.

  My whole body is chilled to the bone.

  A Heng, A Heng, she murmured her own name, a hint of moisture at the corner of her eyes.

  It's so uncomfortable, it feels terrible in my heart.

  Why, why doesn't anyone want her...

  Why...

  She was seriously regarded as a cloud scale, and when others pointed at her behind her back and scolded her as a wild species, she had no way to refute, because they were not wrong, it was the truth.

  She was seriously taken by Wen Heng, and all the people who loved Wen Si were forgotten and hated, but they had no way to make a fuss, because they were not wrong, Wen Heng robbed Wen Si of everything.

  In this world, after all, there was Wen Si first and then Wen Heng.

  She had never hated herself as much as she did today - why did she exist...

  Why must you exist so blatantly?!?!

  She has life, she has been raised, but... nobody wants her.

  They can like her, they can treat her well, but apart from her, there will always be someone else they like more and want to treat better.

  So, for those people, it was natural to casually throw her into a corner.

  So embarrassing, like trash, even if I threw it away, I wouldn't remember it...

  "What's going on?" with a nasal tone.

  Ah Heng raised his head and saw Yan Xi.

  The young man was dressed in a puffy jacket, hat, scarf, gloves, and mask, all complete.

  Ah Heng saw him and felt a bit embarrassed, lowering his eyebrows and gathering his expression.

  "Are they inside?" The young man pointed at the church.

  Ah Heng nodded slightly.

  "Oh." The young man nodded casually, the pom-pom on his hat swaying back and forth, reflecting his bright black eyes, looking very cute in the snow.

  "Let's go." Xīn's voice was muffled through his mask.

  "Where to go?" Ah Heng was stunned.

  "Go home." The young man replied concisely, stretching out his hand and gently pulling Ah Heng up from the ground.

  "Thinking of Guang, where are you?" Ah Heng said softly.

  "I'll give Grandpa Wen a call, and he'll send a driver to pick them up in a bit. You come with me first." Xian Xi stretched his waist, lazily clasping his hands behind his head.

  Ah Heng nodded and turned around to look at the church, softly saying "Goodbye, Ah Po."

  "She can't hear it."

  "Why?" Ah Heng's voice was hoarse. His whole body felt a bit weak.

  It took all her strength to bid farewell.

  "She is no longer in this world."

  "Is she beside God?"

  Ah Heng gently lifted his head, with a vast expanse in his eyes.

  The boy laughed, she heard his laughter, but his eyes were icy and sharp.

  "If God does not exist, she must be by his side."

  A Heng stared blankly at him.

  The young man didn't speak again, walking in the snow with a cold and lazy air, his eyes wandering aimlessly.

  Ah Heng looked at his back, and for a moment, she felt that this young man was even lonelier than her.

  Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks.

  He was wearing too much and with some effort took off his woolen gloves and handed them to Ah Heng, smiling slightly.

  "God never saves man. Man is saved by man, just like a man in this situation, naturally maintains his demeanor."