CHAPTER 1448: CHAPTER 1449: THE LITTLE BOY AND LITTLE GIRL

However, the old man still wore a faint smile as he looked at Yan Zisu and said, "Zisu, since you call me Grandpa, can I call you ’little one’? In my hometown, that’s how we refer to our little granddaughters."

Yan Zisu nodded.

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The old man continued, "The reason I’m giving you this bracelet isn’t because of that rascal Mu Yun, but because I feel a natural affinity with you. Today happens to be the anniversary of the first time I met your grandmother. She was as shy as you are, though she wasn’t as tall."

"Grandpa, I really can’t accept such a precious bracelet."

"Let me finish," the old man slightly raised his head, and his face, surrounded by wrinkles, revealed a smile that irresistibly warmed both you and Yan Zisu’s hearts, "Your grandma was ten years younger than me, and she was a university student. The first time we met, I braved my nerves and gave her this bracelet. She flat-out refused to accept it, so I threatened to smash it if she didn’t. In the end, she had no choice but to take it. Hohoho."

"I’m not going to live much longer, and keeping this treasure by my side has always been a source of worry. Giving it to you feels like I’m giving it to someone who resembles my old partner. Little one, think of it as something your grandma left for you. Good things are meant to be passed down." At this moment, the setting sun shone through the window, casting a faint golden glow over the elderly man’s entire body, "You’re still in your senior year; you can’t wear this jade object yet. Keep it safe for me, and when you feel like wearing it, go ahead, alright?"

With that, the old man slowly stood up, appearing unusually tall. He walked gently towards Yan Zisu and placed the jade bracelet lightly in her hand. Seeing Yan Zisu no longer refusing, he smiled.

The old man turned to you and asked, "Little Yunyun, you guys are in your senior year now. You should be home studying hard over the weekend, so why are you out working?"

Upon hearing this, you looked at Yan Zisu and said, "Actually, I’d like to know the answer to that question too, but Zisu won’t tell me, so what can I do? The nursing home has fewer distractions, so she can focus more on studying, which is much better than working in a small restaurant or delivering food."

Yan Zisu heard this but didn’t respond immediately; she appeared a bit hesitant at her spot.

"Little one, both Little Yunyun and I consider ourselves your family, so speak freely. Are there difficulties at home?"

Yan Zisu still didn’t speak, but her head bowed even lower. She couldn’t lift it, because if she did, the tears already slipping from her eyes would become evident to the two standing before her.

You understand Yan Zisu’s pride but sincerely hope she doesn’t keep burdening herself this way. In your view, a hardworking girl like Yan Zisu deserves a wholesome and beautiful youth instead of living in constant fear.

You stepped forward, stood beside Yan Zisu, and whispered, "Zisu, I brought you here with no other intention than to help. If you don’t want to talk, that’s okay. Just remember what I told you yesterday: if you encounter any difficulties, be sure to tell me. Wait here for a while; I’ll go find the director."

Yan Zisu kept her head lowered, even as you left.

"Little one, come over here," the old man softly said to Yan Zisu.

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Yan Zisu obediently walked slowly to the old man’s side and stood quietly beside him.

"Little one, let me tell you a story," regardless of whether Yan Zisu was truly listening, the old man began speaking gently, "Many years ago, two children under the age of five pledged their lives together. Of course, they already had an arranged marriage from birth, so to the elders, it was just a little ceremony. The little boy, four months older than the little girl, always took great care of her and gave her everything he had. The little girl was naturally talented but stubborn, headstrong, and very goal-oriented. By the age of ten, she had completed all her elementary to high school courses and was called a genius among geniuses."

Yan Zisu listened quietly to the side, and by this time, her tears had stopped.

"The little boy grew up centering his life around the little girl, although he unfortunately didn’t have strong academic ability. He stumbled along like any ordinary child. By the age of twelve, the little girl started graduate studies and joined a very secretive project."

The old man paused, slightly lifted his head to look at the sun that had sunk past the horizon outside the window, and sighed, "Although the little boy worked very hard, he never managed to catch up with the little girl’s pace. The year she turned twelve, she followed her parents to leave for the other side of the ocean. Just before departing, the little girl’s parents requested the breaking of the engagement. After much pressure, the parents reluctantly agreed."

At this point, Yan Zisu couldn’t help but feel a hint of pity for the little boy, imagining how he might have struggled for the little girl, only to be met with her cold farewell in the end.

The old man’s voice rose again, calmly narrating, "That time, the little boy surprisingly didn’t cry. At the time, everyone thought he would sob uncontrollably as usual, but instead, the little girl cried. At twelve, she didn’t understand feelings, and as she tearfully bid farewell, she boarded the plane leaving her homeland and left the little boy’s sight."

"What happened next to the little boy?"

Yan Zisu, rarely, asked a question.

The old man smiled slightly and said, "Boys have to learn to be strong. And he was stronger than any of us ever imagined. The night after the little girl left, the little boy found a retired veteran and declared he wanted to become strong; he didn’t want to feel sad anymore. So the veteran handed him over to a very cold man. This man threw him into the mountains to face fierce wild beasts, venomous insects, hunger, and death, all alone."

"What happened next?"

Yan Zisu felt as if she had grasped something but wasn’t sure; the only thing she felt certain of was how she seemed drawn to this resilient little boy.

"Later, this little boy overcame numerous hurdles and finally apprenticed under the cold man, then followed him away from his homeland."

Hearing this, Yan Zisu exhaled deeply in relief, though a subtle sense of regret lingered in her heart: "Did he go to find the little girl?"

At this question, Yan Zisu knew that she was truly captivated by this little boy.