boyutpedia Chapter 181 It's time to change our tune.
Chapter 181 It's time to change our tune.
Inside the restaurant, the candlelight flickered and swayed in the cold wind that seeped in through the cracks in the window, its dim yellow glow weakly reflecting the sorrow in the room.
Outside the carved window lattice, the night was like a huge piece of black silk, pressing down heavily. A few cold stars shone weakly in the thick darkness, just like the broken and gloomy mood of the Qi family at this moment.
The distant, rolling mountains were hidden in the deep night, their indistinct outlines like the heavy shadow of fate, quietly enveloping everyone's heart and making them feel depressed.
The cold wind howled, and the branches rustled against each other, as if they were humming a sad tune, or as if those painful memories of the past were faintly echoing in the chilly air, lingering and impossible to shake off.
Madam Qi sat in the main seat, her face haggard, staring blankly ahead, tears welling up in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.
Her hands rested limply on the armrests, her fingers trembling slightly, and she hadn't touched her chopsticks for a long time.
Every breath felt like a tug at the deepest, most painful string in her heart. Memories of her time with her daughter flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern, those warm images now like sharp needles piercing her heart.
She simply couldn't accept that her well-behaved and sensible daughter had left her forever. It was as if a part of her life had been forcibly torn away, leaving only endless grief and longing for the past. The future seemed bleak and uncertain to her.
Feng Li sat beside her, his eyes red-rimmed, and gently held her hand, whispering, "Grandmother, please eat something. Mother in heaven wouldn't want to see you tormenting yourself like this. What will we do if you collapse?"
Madam Qi shook her head slightly, her voice trembling as she said, "How can I eat? My A-Qi, she's so good, how could she bear to leave us like this? I was hoping to see her one more time, to hear her call me 'Mother' again..."
Qi Ruyan lowered her head, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, silently wiping away the tears that kept welling up in her eyes; her body was still trembling slightly.
Her heart was filled with self-blame and pain. Recalling the various hardships she had endured in the kite flying, the terrifying scenes and the humiliations she suffered caused her great distress, and the guilt she felt towards Aqi overwhelmed her like a tidal wave.
She felt she hadn't been able to protect Aqi better, and this self-blame made it hard for her to breathe. She longed to do something for the Qi family to make up for her guilt, while also silently thanking the Qi family for the warmth and care they had given her, which brought her some comfort in this cold world.
Qi Qing suppressed his grief and looked at his wife's heartbroken appearance. It felt as if countless steel needles were piercing his heart, and his tenderness was beyond words.
He knew he had to be strong at this moment; for his family, for his wife and children, he had to be their support.
He picked up his chopsticks, took out a piece of Madam Qi's favorite dish, and put it in her bowl. His voice was hoarse as he said, "Jin'er, eat something. Aqi will be sad to see you like this in heaven. You haven't eaten much these past few days. How can your body take it? We all know you're suffering, but life has to go on. Aqi is gone, so we must live well and support this family. We can't let her leave in peace."
Qi Qing outwardly feigned composure, but inwardly she was already torn apart by grief. She could only force herself to cheer up and try to comfort her family.
Madam Qi trembled slightly, then came to her senses. Looking at the food in her bowl, a complex emotion flashed in her eyes—sadness, longing, and a touch of gratitude for her family's care.
She slowly picked up her chopsticks, mechanically ate a few bites, but they tasted like wax and were hard to swallow.
During the meal, everyone remained silent, with only the occasional soft sobs and the clatter of bowls and chopsticks sounding particularly clear and heavy in the quiet restaurant.
The brothers Qi Yanshang and Qi Yanyun exchanged a glance, and then began to serve soup to everyone in tacit agreement. Their movements were gentle and careful, as if they were afraid of breaking the fragile peace.
"Grandmother, the housekeeper said this soup was specially prepared for you by the kitchen, using your favorite ingredients. Please try some, even just a little bit," Qi Yanshang said softly, his eyes full of concern and worry.
The two brothers were filled with sympathy and heartache for the Qi family's plight. They secretly resolved to use their own strength to protect the Qi family and prevent it from suffering any more hardship.
Despite their young age, their eyes already revealed a determination and sense of responsibility beyond their years, and their youthful faces were filled with a deep desire to protect their families.
Madam Qi nodded, took the soup bowl, and took a small sip. The warm soup flowed down her throat, but it couldn't dispel the chill in her heart.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Madam Qi put down her chopsticks, raised her head, and glanced at everyone before finally fixing her gaze on Qi Ruyan. She forced a smile and teased, "Ruyan, now that you are my daughter, shouldn't you start calling me that?"
The moment Qi Ruyan heard Madam Qi's words, she felt as if she had been struck by lightning, and her body stiffened abruptly.
She instinctively looked up, her eyes wide with astonishment and disbelief, as if she couldn't believe her ears.
In that instant, time seemed to stand still, all the sounds around her disappeared, and only Madam Qi's gentle yet powerful words remained in her world.
Immediately afterwards, her lips began to tremble slightly, and her throat felt as if something was choking her, preventing her from making a sound.
Tears welled up uncontrollably, first rolling down drop by drop, then gushing down like a flood, quickly blurring her vision.
Her shoulders shrugged slightly, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably, each tremor seeming to release emotions that had been suppressed deep within her for many years.
During those dark and hopeless days in the kite-flying world, she suffered countless hardships and torments, never experiencing true kinship or warmth, like a rootless duckweed, drifting aimlessly in the world.
The appearance of Aqi was a bright spot in her life. They supported each other and survived in dire straits. The care and attention Aqi gave her made her feel the feeling of family for the first time.
Although Aqi is gone now, Madam Qi's words are like the warm sun in spring, shining into her long-cold and lonely heart.
She opened her mouth as if to say something, but only broken sobs could be heard from her throat.
She tried desperately to control her emotions, covering her mouth with her hand to try to stop the uncontrollable crying, but tears still kept spilling out from between her fingers.
Her eyes were fixed on Madam Qi, filled with gratitude, longing and affection, as if at this moment she had finally found a harbor where she could dock, and the maternal love she had longed for all her life.
After a long while, she calmed down a little, took a deep breath, and said in a voice trembling with tears, "Madam, during our time at Yuanxing, Aqi and I supported each other and were like sisters. She treated me like family, and I had long considered her as my own family. Your question today... I just can't help it..."
At this point, she became emotional again, and tears blurred her vision once more.
Madam Qi sighed softly, took Qi Ruyan's hand, and said gently, "Good child, don't cry. If you're willing, this will be your home from now on, and I will be your mother."
Upon hearing these words, Qi Ruyan felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She nodded vigorously, tears still streaming down her face, but at this moment her heart was filled with warmth and determination.
She secretly vowed to do everything in her power for the Qi family, to protect this hard-won family bond, and to repay Madam Qi's kindness with her whole life, so that the family could be filled with laughter and warmth again, just as A-Qi had hoped.
Qi Qing nodded in agreement, encouraging her, "Ruyan, it's okay, you can change your address anytime you want. We all know you're a loyal and kind girl, and it's a blessing for Aqi to have a sister like you. Now that Aqi is gone, we must support each other and protect this family together."
Hearing these warm words, Qi Ruyan's tears flowed even more fiercely. She nodded vigorously and secretly vowed to do everything in her power for the Qi family and to protect this hard-won family bond.
After dinner, everyone arrived at the courtyard where Aqi lived with heavy hearts.
The moonlight, like water, quietly spilled into every corner of the courtyard, as if draping this sorrowful land in a silver veil, yet also adding to the sense of desolation.
Madam Qi stood in the center of the courtyard, gazing at the bright moon in the sky, and said softly, "Ah Qi, don't worry, I will take good care of everyone. The Qi family will not fall; we will carry your hope and love and continue on. You must be well over there too..."
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, as if Aqi was responding to his mother's call.
A night breeze blew, and the moonlight in the courtyard was like water, casting a cool glow, as if it were quietly listening to the conversation of the Qi family members.
Madam Qi stood quietly for a long time, then slowly turned around. Her gaze, filled with concern and inquiry, gently fell on Qi Ruyan and the others. Her gaze was like the warm spring sun, gentle yet containing a trace of reluctance.
Finally, she broke the silence softly: "Ruyan, what are your plans next? Are you going back to Guangling?"
Upon hearing this, Qi Ruyan paused slightly, instinctively raising her eyes to look at Qi Yanshang beside her, along with Feng Li.
The moment their eyes met, a hint of hesitation flashed across Qi Ruyan's eyes. Then, as if she had made a decision, she slowly lowered her head and said in a soft voice with a touch of helplessness, "Mother, Yan Shang is currently serving as the governor of Guangling. He is very busy and has heavy responsibilities. We... are afraid we cannot stay in the capital."
"Guangling?" Madam Qi frowned slightly, a look of doubt appearing in her eyes. Her gaze then turned to Qi Qing, as if expecting to get a more detailed answer from him.
Seeing this, Qi Qing sighed softly, took a step forward, his expression solemn and dignified, and slowly said, "Jin'er, Yan Shang is young and promising. He is now the governor of Guangling, shouldering the well-being and peace of the people. He must do his duty in Guangling and serve the court."
"The Prefect of Guangling?" Upon hearing this, Lady Qi's eyes widened in surprise, filled with astonishment and admiration. "This young man, Yan Shang, has taken on such an important position at such a young age. Truly, heroes emerge from among the young! He is truly admirable!"
Madam Qi's words were full of undisguised praise and pride, and her eyes showed even more deep expectations for the younger generation and heartfelt satisfaction.
Hearing his wife's praise, Qi Qing smiled slightly and nodded gently. However, beneath his seemingly calm face, a hint of reluctance and melancholy was quietly revealed in his eyes.
He said in a low voice with a hint of sadness, "It's just that our family has gone through so many twists and turns to be able to get together, but the time we have together is so short, and now we have to face separation again. My heart is really filled with mixed feelings, and I feel terrible."
As he spoke, Qi Qing's gaze slowly swept across everyone's faces, the affection in his eyes growing stronger and deeper, as if he wanted to imprint each person's face deeply in his heart.
Madam Qi's eyes dimmed slightly, and she pursed her lips, silently weighing her options.
After a moment, she slowly raised her head, her eyes revealing determination and resolve. Looking directly at Qi Qing and the others, she said firmly, "In that case, let's move away from the capital and settle in Guangling. A family should support and care for each other. Now that A-Qi is gone, we must cherish our family even more. As long as we are together, where can't we call home?"
Upon hearing this, a glimmer of surprise flashed in Qi Qing's eyes. However, before this surprise could fully unfold, it was replaced by a trace of worry.
He said with slight hesitation, "Jin'er, this... the journey is long and bumpy, how can your body withstand it? Besides, the mansion in the capital is our foundation built over many years, and there are many matters that need to be taken care of..."
Madam Qi waved her hand gently, the elegant gesture seemingly conveying her inner decisiveness and determination, interrupting Qi Qing's words.
She said gently but firmly, "It doesn't matter. These are just material possessions. The companionship and reunion of family are the most precious things. As long as we are together as a family, no matter where we are, our hearts are at peace, and everywhere is our home."
Upon hearing Madam Qi's decision, Qi Ruyan and the others were immediately filled with emotion and joy.
Qi Ruyan's eyes reddened, and tears glistened in them. She quickly stepped forward, tightly grasped Madam Qi's hand, and said with a slightly choked voice, "Mother, your willingness to come to Guangling to reunite with us is a great happiness and comfort to us. If A-Qi knew about this, she would surely feel gratified and at peace in heaven."
Feng Li, who was standing to the side, could no longer contain his excitement and joy, his face full of surprise.
She rushed forward and hugged Madam Qi tightly, her voice trembling slightly as she said, "Thank you, Grandmother and Grandfather, thank you for making this decision for us."
After saying that, she turned to look at Qi Qing, her eyes filled with gratitude and affection.